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August 2. `000 <br />Mr. Brad Scheib <br />Awards Committee Chair <br />Hoisington Koegler Group, Inc. <br />1?3 North Third Street, Suite 100 <br />Minneapolis, MN 5540 1 <br />Dear NIr. Scheib and Award Committee Members: <br />Please accept this letter of support for the Distinguished Leadership Award to Dennis P. <br />Welsch from the Minnesota Chapter of the American Planning Association (�1nAPA). <br />In 1989,I had the pleasure of working with Dennis when he was the Community <br />Development Director for City of Apple Valley. I was just an intern at the time, fresh out <br />of graduate school. I guess I was lucky to have such a positive influence early in my <br />career. Dennis allowed me to be involved in any projectI found interesting, and always <br />assigned work that was meant to enrich my experience. I felt like, and was treated like <br />one of the professional staff. I remember to this day how it made me feel when he would <br />say "we get more out of the interns than they get from us." <br />It would be impossible for me to describe the positive influence Dermis had upon my <br />career. Even though my time with Dennis was short, I still think of him as a mentor. <br />When I think of Dennis Welsch, I think of words like leader of people, hard worker <br />(always first in the office and last to leave) diplomacy, professional and integrity. <br />Two projects stand out in my mind that Dennis worked on that I found particularly <br />impressive. One was establishing the "ring route" or downtown for Apple Valley. <br />Especially back in the late 80's, this was a very progressive project. Secondly, were the <br />reclamation plans for the gravel pit areas. I remember he presented to the council several <br />alternatives for development around what would become a lake. One alternative was the <br />"Lake Harriet" example, where there was public space between the lake and residential <br />development. What an asset he was to the community of Apple Valley. <br />I believe Dermis Welsch is truly and outstanding leader, and his presence in the field of <br />planning has made a difference to the profession, and to the communities and the <br />individuals he has worked with. <br />Sincerely <br />James Plummer. Planner <br />