Farmer's Markets Provide Local Food, Products
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The mission of Scott County is to deliver quality public services Vol. 20, No. 3 June/July 2008 to all citizens in an effective, professional and efficient manner. Take a bite out of summer Farmer’s Markets provide local food, products What could say “summer” more Scouts. Located at Pleasant Street be- than fresh, locally grown produce? What tween Highway 13 and Main Avenue. a great experience: Biting into that first (Parking is available on Main Ave. and juicy raspberry or crunchy corn on the in the municipal lot at 4635 Colorado cob of the year, knowing where and who St.) For more information, please call it came from… now that’s summertime Karla Haugen at (952) 447-0263. in Minnesota. If you don’t already grow your own, New Prague Farmers’ Market (May there are still plenty of opportunities to - October) “eat fresh/eat local” through the various New Prague Farmers’ Market (Sat- Farmers’ Markets around Scott County! urdays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon; Wednes- The following is just a sample of the days from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. [beginning events this summer: in mid-June]) is proud to provide fresh, locally grown, high quality produce. A Prior Lake Farmer’s Market (May variety of vegetables and fruits are avail- – October) able in season. Started plants, such as The sixth season of the Prior Lake tomatoes, peppers, cabbages, et cetera, Farmer’s Market began on Saturday, are available in the spring as well as pe- May 10, and the Market will continue rennial plants and some fruit trees. each Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon until Scrumptious baked goods, jellies and the middle of October. jams, honey, and processed foods are Live music is provided almost ev- available all season long. A limited num- ery weekend, and breakfast is cooked ber of crafts (such as woodcrafts, lawn Farmer’s markets in Scott County offer a variety of locally grown produce right on site. There are many more ven- ornaments, hand embroidery, beeswax and plants, as well as crafts, beverages, and food cooked on site. Kay dors this year, and crafts and projects for candles, and soaps) are also available. Thibodeaux, of Savage, and her mother, Ellen Brody, of Prior Lake, checked kids are also provided by area Girl FARMER’S MARKETS to page 5 out the flowering plants May 24 at the Prior Lake Farmer’s Market. Parks and Trails: Planning for the future This is the third in a series of articles highlighting nas and other more traditional city facilities.) In addi- key initiatives of the 2030 Comprehensive Plan, which tion, the Plan promotes connecting future parks with a will guide growth and development over the next 20 regional trail system that will provide additional rec- years. A different initiative will be discussed in each reational opportunities and connectivity throughout the SCENE issue throughout 2008. The 2030 Compre- county. hensive Plan Update is anticipated to be adopted by the County Board at the end of this year. Regional Natural Resource-Based Perspective With a vision for Scott County is part of the Regional Parks System the future, Scott County which encompasses the seven-county metropolitan started purchasing land area. In 1970, the State Legislature designated that a for park purposes as far regional park and open space system be developed to back as 1967. Since that protect important natural resources and to provide natu- time, the County and its ral resource-based recreational opportunities. The State partner, Three Rivers Legislature also charged the Metropolitan Council with Park District, have ac- responsibility for planning and assisting with funding quired and protected the system. 4,500 acres of land to As a member of the Regional Park System, Scott serve current and future residents. County is called an “Implementing Agency” (or “IA”). The 2030 Comprehensive Plan continues past ef- Although Metropolitan Council assists with planning Unique plants, such as this Jack-in-the-Pulpit, can and funding, IAs own and operate their system. forts by planning for the continued acquisition and be found in regional parks within Scott County. development of a natural resource-based parks system. The Regional Parks System is a natural resource- Consistent with policies for the metropolitan regional So what does this mean? Scott County will pro- based system where parks and park reserves are lo- parks system, the County focuses on lands that con- vide natural resource-based recreation opportunities cated on lands that contain significant natural resources. tain significant natural resources, and the proposed rec- like biking, hiking, nature interpretation, picnicking, As a result, the County’s current and proposed future reational use must co-exist without major disruption swimming, and fishing. (The County will not provide parks are located in areas of significant natural re- to the natural resource that is being protected. sports facilities like ball fields, soccer fields, ice are- PARKS AND TRAILS to page 17 Summer fun for everyone! Round and round we go! Bored? There’s no excuse for that in Scott Confused by the new “roundabout” County, where dozens of summertime activities intersections popping up around the County? are taking place! See our summer section. Learn some tips to help you drive them safely. Pages 8-15 Page 16 Scott County Government Center PRSRT STD 200 Fourth Avenue West U.S. POSTAGE Shakopee, MN 55379-1220 PAID SHAKOPEE, MN ECRWSS 55379 PERMIT No. 155 POSTAL CUSTOMER Page 2 Scott County SCENE June/July 2008 Find Scott County’s home page at www.co.scott.mn.us Top of the SCENE Commissioners’ Corner By Dave Unmacht Board Meetings through August 2008 Scott County Administrator June 3 — County Board meeting June 10 — no meeting June 17 — County Board meeting; County Board of Equalization meeting Twenty-five years?! Really? June 24 — County Board meeting On Monday, April 5, 1983, I walked into Krants’ bar (now Neil’s Pub) in Belle Plaine around 10:30 p.m. with a handful of people. I sat down, ordered a beer, July 1 — County Board meeting looked up at the television screen, and immediately watched North Carolina State July 8 — County Board meeting upset Houston in one of college basketball’s greatest NCAA Championship games. July 15 — no meeting I remember the game like yesterday… and not just because there is a now famous July 22 — County Board meeting television image of winning Coach Jim Valvano running around the court looking July 29 — no meeting; County Board workshop for someone to hug. No, the memories are far more personal than that. It was my first City Council meeting in Belle Plaine, on the first day of my first “real” job. August 5 — County Board meeting The people I walked into the bar with were council members and staff. We hurried August 12 — County Board meeting to the bar at the end of the meeting to watch as much of the game as we could, but August 19 — no meeting they were also there to meet the new kid on the block. August 26 — County Board meeting The bar owner, Neil Keohane, introduced himself, curiously looked at the new kid in town, and dryly said, “Welcome to Belle Plaine, I sure as hell would not The Scott County Board meets at 9 a.m. on Tuesdays (except if indicated want your job!” Better give me two beers, I said to myself. What have I gotten above) at the Government Center in Shakopee. The Board proceedings are re- myself into? I remember it like yesterday, but it really was 25 years ago in April. broadcast on your local government access cable channels. Please refer to your Needless to say, Neil’s comment did not terrify the then-24-year-old kid from weekly newspapers for broadcast dates and times. If you wish to obtain a copy of Iowa back to DesMoines. As history shows, I stuck it out — and 25 years later, by the Board meeting in VHS or DVD format, please call the Scott County Adminis- all accounts, I am no longer a kid nor on my first job. I’m still here. tration office at (952) 496-8100; there will be a slight charge. Additionally, Board Five jobs: Two cities, two counties. This track record is due to the support, agenda, meeting minutes, and “Board Brief” summaries are available on the generosity, and patience of the citizens of Scott and Dakota Counties. In my cur- County’s website at www.co.scott.mn.us, or by calling Deputy Clerk to the Board rent job, I have written often about how Scott County has changed over the years. Tracy Cervenka at (952) 496-8164. So, too, has the nature of my profession evolved. Whether the work is in city or county government, the fundamentals of what I do matter not as to location; they Citizen Advisory Committee Vacancies truly do transcend place. The number of changes is quite dramatic and due to space constraints I can only touch on a few, to wit: The Scott County Board of Commissioners is looking for interested citizens to serve on the following advisory committees. Members of advisory committees are Communication. This is too obvious; the technological revolution we have provided with a per diem and mileage reimbursement for attendance at meetings. experienced has changed our form, pace, and means of communication forever. If you have any questions or are interested in serving on one of these committees, Gone are the days when you place something in the mail and forget about it until contact Deb Brazil at [email protected] or (952) 496-8601.