Dear Friends,
Yesterday was the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 2 of the Dakota County Technical College (DCTC) Transportation and Emerging Technologies renovation. I was joined by some of my colleagues, DCTC President Tim Wynes, DCTC Board Chair Bob Erickson, and many other DCTC and community leaders to celebrate this project.
I was proud to be the chief author of this proposal in the House, and am grateful for the support of Senator Greg Clausen, who was the chief author in the Senate, as well as my colleagues for their support when a small bonding bill was passed earlier this summer.
This project will help DCTC train more students for good-paying jobs and create dozens of good-paying construction jobs in our community during construction.
I even got to use one of the backhoes as a part of the groundbreaking. What a fun event, and thanks to everyone from the community who came out in support of this project.
Coffee Break
The Dakota County Regional Chamber held one of their Coffee Break events on Tuesday, October 6th, at Twin City Homes in Rosemount. I always enjoy these events, as they're an opportunity to hear from small businesses and other folks in the community about their concerns and thoughts on events at the Capitol and elsewhere.
Heartwarming Story
WCCO featured a heartwarming story this week about a Minnesota man who has dedicated his life to helping young people learn to read. Mark Aune was diagnosed in 2009 with Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, a disease that causes liver failure, but was able to make an amazing recovery thanks to an organ transplant from a teenager who tragically died in a car accident. He has since signed up to be a Minnesota Reading Corps volunteer and works five days a week, ten hours per day helping mentor students in Le Sueur, MN. As a ServeMinnesota board member (Minnesota's branch of AmericaCorps), it's great to see others giving back through the Reading Corps program.
Highway 52/County Road 42 Interchange Meeting
On Wednesday, October 7th, I met with Rosemount Mayor Bill Droste, Senator Greg Clausen, and Rosemount City Administrator Dwight Johnson to get an update on the proposed Highway 52/County Road 42 interchange project. The area surrounding this interchange is industrial, resulting in heavy truck traffic. Additionally, the accident rates are statistically 3 times higher than what is considered normal. Dakota County and Rosemount are contributing most of the funding needed to improve the safety and traffic flow at this interchange, but they need some help from State bonding funding to complete the project. Senator Clausen and I chief authored the bonding bills for this project in the Senate and House, respectively, and we will continue to work with our colleagues to get that needed funding included in any bonding bill that gets passed in the 2016 Session.
Rosemount Fire Department Open House
Just a reminder that the Rosemount Fire Department is having an open House this Sunday, October 11th. Residents can see equipment demonstrations, see up-close the gear and fire trucks that firefighters use, and feature safety tips and other demonstrations. Come any time between 11AM and 2PM to Rosemount Fire Station Number 1 (14700 Shannon Parkway Rosemount, MN).
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Rosemount will be having a fundraiser this coming Monday, October 12th from 5-8PM at Fireside Restaurant in Rosemount (3410 150th St. W, Rosemount, MN). The event features all-you-can-eat pizza and pasta; $10 per person, and kids under 5 years old are free. Beyond the Yellow Ribbon is a wonderful organization that helps members of the military and their families with resources before, during, and after deployments. Hope you'll consider attending! Full details on the Sun ThisWeek website here.
It Can Wait
This week, Minnesota and North Dakota are engaged in a friendly competition to see who can secure the most pledges to not text and drive. Distracted driving is a factor in about 25% of all crashes with 61 deaths and more than 7,000 injuries alone in 2014. Take the pledge, and encourage your friends and family to do the same by texting ICWMN to 464329.
As always, don't hesitate to contact me with your comments, questions, and feedback. Reach me anytime by email at rep.anna.wills@house.mn or call 651-296-4306. You can also follow my updates on Facebook at www.facebook.com/repannawills or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/annacwills.
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Anna Wills
State Representative, District 57B