Notes From August 25, 2015

Posted by Roger Jorgensen 
 
Speaker: Jan Callison:  Hennepin County Commissioner - District 6
Hennepin County Commissioner Jan Callison represents the 6th district, which includes all or part of the following cities: Deephaven, Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Long Lake, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, Tonka Bay, Wayzata, and Woodland.   Jan started with a few statistics:
  • Hennepin County is the largest of 87 counties in Minnesota
  • 45 cities, Largest: Minneapolis 380,000; Smallest Medicine Lake 400
  • Hennepin County has 22% of population, 34% of jobs in Minnesota
  • 25% of the 1.2 million people receive services from Hennepin County. 
  • Only 30 counties in country that are the size of Hennepin.
  • Human Services and Public Health make up 40% of budget
 
More about Jan Callison and Henn. Cty Stats
  • Property Taxes are 37% of the revenue represented in the 1.8 Billion dollar budget.
  • Jan mentioned expect property taxes to go up because of the reduced funding by the State government. 
  • Jan also mentioned that Southwest Light Rail in Hennepoin County will have 14.5 miles new track ; 32 bridges; 2 LRT tunnels; 7 linear miles of retaining walls; 15 new stations expecting 34,000 average rides.
Jan was elected to the Hennepin County Board in 2008 after serving as Mayor of Minnetonka and several years as a council member. Jan currently serves as the Chair of the County Board, as Vice Chair of the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority, and on the Hennepin Healthcare System (HHS) Board. Jan also serves as a board representative to groups such as the Metropolitan Council's Transportation Advisory Board, Southwest Light Rail Transit Corridor Management Committee, Southwest Light Rail Transit Executive Change Control Board, Southwest Light Rail Transit Community Works Steering Committee, the US Hwy 169 Corridor Coalition, the I-35W: Solutions Alliance, the Metropolitan Mosquito Control District, the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board, Meet Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association, Minneapolis Arts Institute Board, MSP Regional Economic Development Partnership, and the Hennepin-University Partnership. Jan received her education at Morningside College, Johns Hopkins University, and her law degree from Harvard Law School.  She and her husband, Fred Reuning, reside in Minnetonka and are the parents of three grown children and two grandchildren.
Announcements
  • Vino Classico Update - Tickets distributed by Mark Weber
  • Art Matanboon - Exchange student arrived on Friday from Thailand. He has two brothers.  Cell phone on Club Runner . Rotary members are encouraged to show Art the sites or have him over for dinner.
  • Sept 10 Swallowship
  • Meals on Wheels Sept 14-18
  • Sept 15 Board Meeting
  • Sept 25 District Meeting at Arboretum - can have 10 club members attend at no cost.
  • Thank you note from Prop Shop
  • Rod mentioned funeral for Jesse Schwartz is today at Cremation Society on France Ave 6:00 pm.
Spotlight on Bethany Tjornhorn
Raised in NW M,  born in ND. Grew up in Kennedy, MN father was a wheat farmer. The only animal on the farm was a cat and NO she did not drive a tractor growing up.  Kennedy HS class of 13. Only three boys in class. Prom? Went to NW College in Roseville. Graduated in English and Theater. Was going to be a teacher. Did a 6-week trial period and realized didn't want to be in a classroom her whole life. Was interested in Politics. Met Chris Tjornhorn a legislator. Met him at Bethlehem Baptist asked him if she could do an internship with him. After graduating in May, they went on their first date, the next day they went to Lawrence of Arabia at Cooper theatre. Engaged in July and married in November. Month long honeymoon in Australia and New Zealand. Flew to China for a month to help with sister's adoption. Worked in Real Estate. Kids at Chapel Hill Academy. Moved to Chanhassen. Ran for City Council and won. Son and two daughters at Minnetonka. Son at St. Thomas. Husband Chris passed away. Had worked for Salvation Army for 9 years. Didn't want to commute downtown continually. PROP called for development director position. Never has been happier. Families need us for support to get back on their feet. Touched by their stories.
 
Happy Fines
  • 52 years ago yesterday Bob Solohub and wife were married
  • Dan O'Brien - delighted to have Art here. Forgot what it's like to be a parent of a school-age child. Registering etc. 
  • Carol Bomben - went down to see grandson, “bubbles” is his new word. Makes her smile!
  • Jeanne Zetah- has tickets for sale for Brewfest on Sat Sept 12 3:00 to 6:00 on top of Southwest Station. with proceeds to EP Foundation.
  • Bev Aho- Brewfest as well. Beers & Wine and Culvers burgers. Drinking not tasting.
Visitors
Prospective Member/Guest (sponsor): Adam Kobler (Cathy Huckadahl)
Students:  Natalie Page and Alex Modeas (interns) and Art Matanboon (our new Exchange Student)