Contentious Curb Stop Repair

This story not posted online with The Citizen so we created a separate page for it. 
First, the Centerville City Council told the homeowner tough luck.  Then it offered to pay half.  Eventually, Council knuckled under and agreed to pay for the entire repair of a broken curb stop and associated expenses at its April 13 meeting.
As council members mulled changing the code or adding a small fee to utility bills to help homeowners pay for curb stop repairs, it came to light that the city had already paid a broken curb stop repair bill for another homeowner this winter.
"It's the same situation.  We've got to pay this one," Council member D. Love said.  "we had rules in place and we didn't follow the rules."
The city voted to pay up to $10,000 in costs associated with the curb stop failure and driveway repair.
Story by Loretta Harding
The Citizen
4/28/2001 Link Entire Story Here

Centerville Home Likely ‘Total Loss’

Halogen lamp likely cause.

The Citizen/Deb Barnes

Deb Barnes
The Citizen

CENTERVILLE - An unoccupied home in Centerville caught fire Thursday morning and will likely be a total loss, according to the Centennial Fire Department.
Because of a lack of fire hydrants in the area, Centennial, Lexington, Hugo and Forest Lake fire departments were all called to assist, Streich said. White Bear Fire provided backup to the Hugo Fire Department while its firefighters were in Centerville.
Full Story Here

4/13 Council Session Sound Issues

Update for our conspiracy theorists!
We have received word from a City official that the lack of audio was an issue with North Metro Cable, not the City of Centerville.  The reruns will include sound.  The issue was a simple fix according to staff with the cable channel.
View Council Sessions Here

Survey Request by Councilmember Fehrenbacher

We realize this is short notice!  The Council is having a work session to discuss the 2012 budget after the Wednesday meeting.  The public is welcome to attend.
LINK HERE FOR CENTERVILLE SURVEY

Another Citizen Email Posting Request

When does the city plan on sweeping the streets? I'm watching kids on the streets trying not to fall on their bikes and roller blades because they are skidding all over the place.  Unless that's the plan, wait until a child loses traction and slides into a car and then our tax dollars can be spent on another lawsuit.   Also, with the rain lately the runoff of winter salt will not be good for the ponds-which cost us residents approximately $400,000.00 to dredge the ponds two years ago!!  What's the hold up?

Update on street sweeping....
Hugo will be performing this for us this year. They will use their vacuum (as opposed to Lino's sweeper). Since we did not use sand on the roads last winter (we only used salt), a vacuum should do a better job.
It should be done in the near future (next week or so).
Ben Fehrenbacher 
Thanks Ben!

RE: Spending, Lets Get Serious

I'm not going to go on and on about the outrageous spending habits of the City of Centerville.  Anybody can go on line and dig up facts and figures that would turn your face blue.   I would like to address the attitude of those who respond about all the things that have happened with a previous Mayor and a previous Council.     I do know Tom Wilharber, personally.   I did vote for Tom  and do not regret it for a moment. 
Is the view pretty good from the cheap seats?
Donna King went on and on about "their current financial situation" and Steve having to quit a third job.    She states "It can be dangerous to a community when only people with self interest or comfortable financial means are in charge of your future".   I'm sorry Donna, aren't you in charge of your own financial future?  Maybe that's part of the problem as well.  If our Mayor is in a comfortable position, he may have planned better than the rest of us.  He has served his country, his family and his community the whole time.   Like most people do when they retire; they travel, they spend time with friends and family.  Tom Whilharber chose to support and lead his community.   He has spent his days meeting every business owner in town since taking the office.  He visits residents on a regular basis.   Tom is not about the popular vote, Tom won't support something if it's not right for Centerville.   It may be right for you, for today, but that's how we got into these dire financial situations.
Where were all of you when the reckless spending was going on?  At council meetings voicing your opinion?  Possibly writing or  talking to your City Government, with the concerns for your future?    Now, because it's affecting you personally, you want to be an armchair quarterback.
The $5,500 Fete de Lacs money is not just for a day long party.  It is a chance for residents such as yourself, to get out of your house and possibly meet your community.   Children love the parade, it's a small price to pay for them.   I don't see many people signing up to help with that?  Possibly helping to make the community better would do everyone some good.
I am married to a Centerville Lion and we work very hard with things like Fete de Lacs to raise money.   In case you are unaware, this money goes back to the community of Centerville.   We give countless gift baskets at Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  These baskets go to the families who seem to be struggling and need a little help.  We collect food for the food shelves, and do every bit of the labor.   The one and only Easter Egg Hunt that is free to everyone, every year, is 100% sponsored by the Lions for residents. Lion's  events such as Fete, Ice Fishing Contests and Haunted Houses, bring people from all over the state to our little town.  Which in turn brings business.   Tom Wilharber is also a Centerville Lion!
Maybe it's time everyone stood up, talked to the Council about fixing the problems, not just repeating them.  Let your Mayor know in a civilized manner what your visions are.   Ask how you can help; get involved to make the future better than what we have had to deal with in the past.  
Nancy Johnson
Centerville