1 January 2010 Gem Lake News - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

January, 2010 Volume 4, Issue 1 Gem Lake News Special Interest Articles: • 2009 Accomplishments • Council Member Resigns • Land Donated to Conservation Trust Upcoming Recycling Dates: January 27 February 10 February 24 Gretchen Artig-Swomley, Newsletter Editor Gem Lake City Council Member Chuck Watson resigned his position in late December, due to increasing job demands and a travel schedule that has forced him to miss multiple city meetings. The city council accepted his resignation with regret and is now seeking interested parties who wish to serve out the remaining eleven months of Chuck's term, which is up for election in November of this year. (See story on page 4) Chuck has been elected to two terms on the city Chuck Watson Resigns from City Council Residents Preserve Gem Lake Land for All Time A desire to preserve some of the natural charm of Gem Lake for future generations prompted a local couple last month to donate a conservation easement on their property to the Minnesota Land Trust. David and Leslie Gardner donated an easement on 26 acres of their land on the south side of the lake, not only to preserve the character of the area for all times, but also to provide a protected habitat for the abundant wildlife that lives here. "We have always loved Gem Lake and felt motivated to council. Prior to that, he filled a vacancy on the Gem Lake City Council when Claire Nielson had to resign due to ill health about nine years ago. During his time in office, Chuck was heavily involved with traffic improvements at the intersection of County Road E and LaBore Road. This project involved working with the City of Vadnais Heights to bring traffic lights and new lane reconfigurations to this busy corner. Chuck was also protect the lake in any way that we could. We were very concerned about what would happen with coming development that might change or alter the lake either visually or environmentally." The Gardners have lived in Gem Lake since the 1986. Their home on Daniels Farm Road was originally purchased from Lee Ward Murphy, who had lived in the area since the 1960's, and who had purchased some of the original Daniels estate land when it was sub-divided in the early 1970's. Murphy (continued on page 2) involved in such important projects as the 2008 Comprehensive Plan and helping the city transition to out-sourced services through White Bear Township several years ago. "I am very proud to have been part of a great team of people. I feel that we have really gotten a lot of good things done for the people of Gem Lake over the last few years particularly, " said Chuck. (continued on page 2)