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<br /> <br />Gem Lake News Page 5 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Sales <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />parents did a great job of impressing on the family the <br />importance of service to the community. <br />Laurel was appointed to the council last year when <br />there was an unexpected opening created with a <br />resignation. She then ran for one of the open council <br />spots in November and won the spot. <br />She took the oath of office in January and now serves <br />a four-year term as a Gem Lake City Council member. <br />She is especially determined to help small businesses <br />in Gem Lake when ever possible throughout her term. <br />That might mean looking for suggestions she can <br />make to the council on ways to streamline processes <br />for small businesses. <br /> <br /> <br />Laurel Amlee has worked hard all her life. She <br />not only raised three kids as a single parent, she <br />also put them through school. <br /> <br />She not only got a degree in marketing, she also <br />went back to school to get her Master’s Degree in <br />Logistics. She is now 3 classes away from <br />finishing. <br /> <br />Laurel currently helps manage the business <br />interests of White Bear Floral and Country <br />Lounge owner John Birkeland, which keeps her <br />very busy. But, let’s add to that. She plays an <br />active role in the lives of her 9 grandchildren and <br />is with them literally every weekend. <br /> <br />Laurel is an active volunteer with the Auxiliary of <br />the American Legion in downtown White Bear. <br />She has been involved with the organization for <br />16 years, originally because her father was a <br />veteran. <br /> <br />During her service at the Legion, she has done <br />such things as organizing special events, getting <br />donations for the White Bear Food Shelf, <br />sponsoring local veterans who need attention, <br />care and outreach from the community, and <br />putting together packages for deployed soldiers, <br />mostly from the White Bear area. <br /> <br />“We make care packages for them with all kinds <br />of useful things in them. It might be socks, lip <br />balm, hand lotion, whatever they need.” <br /> <br />Laurel also makes food for bingo nights and <br />performs other duties there. “I love the American <br />Legion.” <br /> <br />Helping the White Bear Food Shelf is especially <br />important to Laurel. “There was one time when <br />my ex-husband got laid off from his job and I <br />needed to use a food shelf myself. They were so <br />generous and it really got me through a hard <br />time.” <br /> <br />Give all her activities, both personal and <br />professional, you might wonder why Laurel would <br />want to add public service to her life. <br /> <br />The answer is partly in her DNA. Laurel was <br />raised by parents who were very active politically. <br />Her mother helped out on several campaigns. <br />Laurel was one of 6 children and feels her <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Met Your New Council Member: Laurel Amlee