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August 3, 2000 14299 Garland Avenue Apple V alley, ti 1N .> j i?-t Mr. Brad Scheib Awards Committee Chair Hoisington Koegler Group, Inc. 1?3 North Third Street, Suite 100 Minneapolis, �f�1 »40 1 Dear Mr. Scheib and Award Committee Members: Please accept this letter of support for the Distinguished Leadership .-1 titi�ard to Dennis P. Welsch from the Minnesota Chapter of the American Planning Association (�inAPA). I had the pleasure of working with Dennis when he was the Community Development Director for City of Apple Valley. In particular I warked with Dermis on the Apple Valley Planning Commission. I first met Dennis when I was appointed to the Planning Commission in 1983. As a member of the Planning Commission for two years and as the Chair of the Planning Commission for five years, Dermis tutored me as I learned the Planning Process. Dennis conducted training sessions for the Planning Commission on many, many occasions. The information he shared with the Planning Commission was invaluable. It has served me well over the last decade. I was appointed to the Apple Valley City Council early in 1991 and I ha�e served the citizens of Apple Valley in that capacity since. I find myself referencing the knowledge Dennis brought to the City of Apple Valley every day. He was a marvelous Teacher, an outstanding Community Development Director and a good friend. Dennis was instrumental in the design and implementation of "downtown" Apple Valley. We have a clearly delineated downtown that serves the business community and the citizens of Apple Valley very well. Our downtown is the envy of the surrounding communities. We have a complete and concise Comprehensive Plan, which was initially orchestrated by Dennis. It has had very few changes in direction since Dennis left Apple Valley. His foresight continues to serve us to this day. Dennis was also instrumental in developing the gra�el-mining ordinances we are using today. We ha�e a significant amount of gravel mining in our city, and it coe�sts with the citizens of the city, thanks to the well thought out ordinances Dennis structured many years ago. I could ramble on about Dennis's accomplishments but I will not. I think you understand why I support the nomination for Dermis for this award. His leadership, his knowledge of the Planning Process, his compassion and his ingenuity served us well. We still miss him. I believe Dennis Welsch is truly and outstanding leader and his presence in the field of planning has made a difference to the profession and to the communities and the individuals he has worked with. Regards, � �C�_��S�r✓ � Robert L. Erickson Councilmember, City of Apple Valley