Abby Dehmer
Staff Writer

With less than nine months to go, the Forest Lake American Legion is busy planning the 2008 4th of July celebration in Forest Lake.

As a part of the planning and preparation, Legion Post 225 approached the city council on Monday to get their approval for celebration dates and to ask them for their assistance.

The Legion first approached the council in early September, asking them to not only approve a five-day celebration, but to ask them to assist in the cost of fireworks.

Past American Legion Commander Bob Flaherty and current Commander Richard Weber said that they were no longer able to cover the cost of approximately $20,000 to run the fireworks.

The council expressed concerns about a five-day celebration and asked that the Legion shorten the celebration dates.

The council ultimately decided to table the topic, but during the council meeting on Monday, the Legion was back.

Flaherty said the Legion had agreed to shorten the celebration dates to four days, July 2-5.

He said the carnival would set up on July 1 and would tear down on Sunday, July 6. The carnival would be in full operation from July 2-5.

The council approved the celebration dates 4-0. Council member Bo Bogotty was absent.

Flaherty then stated the Legion would like to speak with the council at another time to discuss the cost of the fireworks.

He said that if the city and the legion partnered up, “it will make it a better celebration.”

Bogotty update

Council member Bo Bogotty, 56, remains at North Memorial Hospital in Robinsdale after suffering a stroke on Friday, Sept. 28.

Bogotty was found at his home around 12:30 a.m. and was rushed to Fairview Lakes Medical Center in Wyoming. He was transferred to North Memorial Hospital.

Other News

The council approved the site plan review and a conditional use permit for the new Patriot Bank that is scheduled to be built in the new Headwaters development.

The two-story, full service bank will be located at the intersection of Headwaters Parkway and Headwaters Blvd. The council approved the plans 4-0.

City Engineer Phil Gravel gave the council an update on the progress of the Fenway Athletic Park.

He said the wet weather has been holding the contractors back from seeding the fields since every time it rains the seeds are virtually lost.

However, he said that getting those fields seeded and properly rooted before people on them is the main priority and that message has been passed on to the contractors.

Gravel said that the trails and the curbs in the parking lots might not get done until the spring because they are asking the contractors to focus on the fields.

Council member Susan Young reminded the council and the audience that on Tuesday, Oct. 16 the council would meet to discuss the 2008 budget.

She said they are hoping to cut the current budget and are looking to the community for their concerns and suggestions. The meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Forest Lake City Hall.

The council will also meet for a special workshop on Tuesday, Oct. 23 to discuss an amendment to the current zoning ordinance, referring to outdoor wood burning furnaces. The group will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the city hall.

The next regular city council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 22.

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