6 June-July 2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Gem Lake News Page 3 of 6 Shortly after Gem Lake's formation in 1958, Lorraine Birkeland agreed to serve as its first treasurer, partly because she "wanted to help get things started. I had little kids then, so it was kind of hard." Although she was happy to help out, Lorraine says she remembers very little about her actual duties, perhaps because Gem Lake had a budget the size of a large dust ball. Meetings were very informal then. Some of them were held in the basement of Hoffman's Grocery Store on old Highway 61 (now directly across the street from White Bear Floral, where Lorraine still works daily). Through the years, many citizen leaders have contributed their time and brain power to the running of Gem Lake. By the time Connie Kunin became a City Council Member in the late 1980's, things had begun to change significantly in the areas surrounding Gem Lake. Instead of focusing only on city issues, the council had to turn its attention to the development closing in upon it from all sides, and the regulations coming down from county and state agencies. For example, Connie recalls numerous discussions at meetings regarding storm water runoff and the need to become part of the area watershed district, now called VLAWMO (Vadnais Lakes Area Watershed Management Organization). She was on the council when the city was finalizing plans to allow for a Montessori School at the corner of LaBore and County Road E. (County Road E had not yet become the "superhighway" it is today.) Plans were also being evaluated for a possible health club across the street on the northwest corner of the same intersection, which is in Vadnais Heights. The health club sought feedback from the City of Gem Lake, but the project never came to pass. Volunteers of the Past Helped to Build the Gem Lake of Today Although she served almost 20 years ago, Connie remembers some of the same concerns we have today were foremost in the minds of residents: traffic volumes, density and maintaining some of the characteristic charm of Gem Lake, in the midst of a growing metro area. Nearly 40 years after Lorraine Birkeland volunteered to act as city treasurer, another Gem Lake resident volunteered to take on the same role. Richard Nordstrom had no experience with accounting when he took on the role of city treasurer, which was by now a paid part- time position with the city. He took over the role when the previous treasurer retired in 1987. At the time, he was the manager of a large jewelry store in downtown Minneapolis, a job he holds to this day. Although the budget was larger than it was in 1958, the duties were still performed manually for the most part. Richard remembers a large ledger book where all entries were made. He worked closely with long-time resident John Hannaford, who was then acting as city clerk. During his 14 years as part-time treasurer, Richard remembers many interesting council meetings, including much controversy surrounding a tree ordinance that was about to be enacted. Shortly before the ordinance became effective, another resident chopped down a large grove of trees in order to make a statement about property rights. The trees were mature and very beautiful and he remembers the experience as somewhat shocking. Richard says he enjoyed working for the city and doing something for his community. He performed this role until 2001.