Alice Pickering
Wyoming Area ReporterThe ERA Community Foundation has stepped-up to improve public safety in the community by contributing money to the Wyoming Police Department for new state-of-the-art photography equipment.
Chief of Police Anthony Pangal and Sgt. Scott Dexter wanted to publicly recognize and thank those who made the equipment purchases possible.
Pangal and Dexter made an appeal to the foundation for digital cameras and a video camera to improve the evidence-gathering capacity of the department and are a technical upgrade for officers.
The foundation contributed $2700 for the purchase of five digital cameras, one for each of the four city squad cars; one with more features to be used in investigations. The department was also able to purchase a video camera for departmental use.
Pictures that can be reviewed on site to be certain the important information is included. Such steps also save officersí time.
Processing time is eliminated, information is available immediately and remains confidential. Pictures can be transmitted to agencies requesting information.
Print costs for evidence are reduced because only those needed are printed. Archives keep the material available and accessible until cases are closed.
Sharene Peltier is the Chair of the Community Support; Dan Schultz serves as Treasurer of the group. Mary Ann Hoyt is the community representative for the Wyoming ERA Muske office.
The community foundation has existed for several years and focuses on making contributions to local causes.
As stated on the organizationís brochure these include churches, schools, food shelves, scholarships, police departments, fire departments, youth service organizations, humane societies, boys and girls clubs, non-profit organizations, families in crises, shelters, adopt-a-highway, and individual families where there is need.
Agents make contributions from earned commissions which are matched by realtor Mike Muske. Participating offices are in Pine City, Chisago City, North Branch, Wyoming, Forest Lake, Lino Lakes and most recently, Osceola, WI.
The committee meets once a month to consider requests for local causes. Besides Peltier, Shultz and Hoyt, each of the other offices has a representative on the committee.
Other fund-raising activities are also scheduled
Peltier announced a golf tournament to be held August 27 at the Chisago Lakes Golf Course. Those interested in participating are invited to call 651-248-1948.
150th anniversary
In a recent telephone interview, Police Chief Anthony Pangal discussed plans for Wyomingís 150th anniversary celebration, being planned for the summer of 2005.
Pangal will be a member of the sesquicentennial anniversary committee. Hopes are to have the committee formed and begin planning events for the anniversary celebration within the month. There are opportunities for about 30 volunteers who would like to work on this committee. Interested residents can call 651-462-0577.
Other business
In other recent business, council:
ïHeard a request from Maureen Cable, a resident in Sunrise Development, asked the council how to have the speed limit reduced on Forest Blvd, as it passes the neighborhood and it is difficult to safely cross the road to reach the Sunrise Prairie Trail because cars accelerate to 55 mph and higher as they pass the city offices.
ïTabled a decision about the zoning of gray areas on the city zoning map and rescheduled the public hearing until July 6.
ïThanked Teetzel for extra overtime and effort she is making in her job as administrator. She is working with staff to compute and issue checks for back pay to city employees. This is retroactive pay as determined by the recently concluded contract negotiations.
ïLearned attorney Craig Johnson is keeping the city informed about the Wyoming Township annexation issue.
ïLearned the bill against annexation of township land did not pass this legislative session.
ïDenied a request to install a street light because some neighbors were opposed and there were other lights nearby.
ïLearned a retaining wall has been installed in the south yard of the Glen Oak house with serious erosion.
ïWill respond to the Youth Service Bureau about a funding request when tax money comes in July.
ïMet in closed session related to an employee matter.
ïLearned no culvert found in the inspection of the land and water on Gene Gajeskiís property, 26321 Finley St., according to Engineer Lee Elfering. The cost to bring a drilling machine up to determine the water table is $1500, but no one supported the idea.
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