Friends,
I’ve already told you about “Steve’s Law.” This is a bill which would allow first responders, law enforcement and other individuals to carry an antidote to heroin and other opiates such as oxycodone. The shock-wave of overdose deaths has been felt throughout all of our communities in Minnesota.
Providing the tool to save a life will be coupled with the incentive to call for help. As we did last year in the case of an alcohol overdose, we're providing immunity from prosecution for the victim and the person who calls for help.
This bill recently passed the Minnesota Senate without any opposition. Some groups have still expressed concern over the immunity provision. I have worked with advocates of the bill and those in law enforcement and prosecutors to come up with a solution comfortable for everyone.
Those who vote to support this bill on Monday will be saving lives all over Minnesota.
For more information about opiate addictions and why this bill is so important visit: http://www.rummlerfoundation.org/
In our community
There’s a lot going on in our area. I thought I’d give you a heads up on a couple of events.
· Cottage Grove is holding its annual Spring Cleanup Day on Saturday, May 3 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Cottage Grove Public Works, 8635 West Point Douglas Road. Cottage Grove residents can drop off household goods and unwanted items for a small fee at this annual event. Hazardous waste and electronics will be accepted free-of-charge from households only (no businesses). Document shredding will also be offered. In order to serve as many people as possible, no more than four boxes per customer will be accepted. Please note that shredding capacity may be reached before the end of the event. Cash or checks made out to City of Cottage Grove will be the only forms of payment accepted. For more information, including costs and items accepted, download the Cottage Grove Spring Cleanup Day flyer, or call 651-458-2808.
· The WAG Farms Dog Park Association is holding its Spring Cleanup Day from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, May 3, at the Cottage Grove off-leash dog park. Volunteers will pick up trash and make small repairs. If you go, bring work gloves. For details, email wfdpasspc@comcast.net or check facebook.com/wagfarmsdogpark.
· Stone Soup Thrift Shop in St. Paul Park is accepting registrations for its sixth-annual Stone Soup-er Bowl fundraiser being held from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday, May 17. This year’s theme is Alice in Wonderland. Teams of four or five bowlers are encouraged to sign up for one of the five time slots scheduled at Park Grove Bowling in St. Paul Park. In return for donations collected by team members, bowlers will receive a free game, shoes, coffee, soft drinks, snacks, theme T-shirt and giveaways throughout the day. The deadline to register a team is Friday, May 2, so be sure to do it today! There is no entry fee. Registration forms are available at the shop, 950 Third St., in St. Paul Park, or online at www.stonesoupthriftshop.org. Forms can be emailed to stonesoupthrift@yahoo.com or faxed to 651-458-1090. For sponsorship information, visit www.stonesoupthriftshop.org or call the shop at 651-458-9786.
· Resource Recovery of Newport and the city are sponsoring a citywide spring cleanup day from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 10, at 100 Red Rock Road. Residents can enter the facility from Red Rock Road, which is located off Maxwell Avenue. Proof of residency is required. Fees will be charged based on the size, weight and type of load. For more details, visit www.ci.newport.mn.us. Items including tires, appliances, electronics, mattresses and furniture will be accepted.
· Cottage Grove Bike Park is just a few votes away from winning a third of the $100,000 that Bell Helmets is giving away to three bike trail projects across the country. The Cottage Grove project is currently second in voting, just a few votes behind a bike park outside of Chicago. Voting closes on Sunday, May 4, so take a minute and throw your support behind an awesome Minnesota biking project! Vote for Cottage Grove Bike Path here!
Have a great weekend,
Dan