Warroad Police to get new radar

In the summer of 1995, I worked a three month internship at The Warroad Pioneer, which I'm sorry to say has since ceased operation. This was the first professional newspaper that I worked for in my career, and it turned out to be a wonderful experience. I had only worked at Bemidji State University's newspaper for about a year and half before landing the internship. At The Pioneer I gained experience in sports, feature, beat and government reporting. I designed pages, took and developed photographs and was responsible for community relations. The best part is that I remain friends with the owners nearly 30 years later.

Aug. 1, 1995

By Devlyn Brooks

People who speed in Warroad beware. At the July 24 City Council meeting, the Council members gave permission to Police Chief Laurence Wright to purchase a new radar unit.

Wright informed the Council that donations given to the Police Department for a specific use of a radar gun would cover the cost of the equipment.

The Council also gave permission to the city assessor to purchase enough film to take photos of every house in Warroad. City Clerk Dale Zaiser said that these photos would be used in the taxing process each year. "It's easier to look at a piece of property in a picture for taxing purposes than looking at a sheet of information," Zaiser said.

The City Council did not take any action on a liquor license request from Chris McKenzie. McKenzie requested the license several weeks ago, but the Council said it would not grant it until the delinquent taxes and utility bills on the property were paid.

At the last meeting of the City Council, the Council members were informed that as of July 7, 1995, the delinquent 1994 taxes had been paid. However, there were still unpaid utility bills for the former Warroad Airways property. The Council will not take action until the bill is paid, Zaiser said.

The Council also took no action on the letter it received from former Community Education Director Dick Myers concerning Warroad's softball diamonds. Myers had asked the Council to pay for the cost of adding aglime to each of the city's diamonds. The approximate cost would be $2,200. Zaiser said that the Council tabled the matter until they could talk to the new Community Education Director Warren Keller.

For now, the Council voted to stay at the current level of state received for the airport. Zaiser said that he talked to the Federal Aviation Association, and they said that Warroad could upgrade their situation at a later date if they so desired. The decision didn't have to be made at this point.

In the current resolution, the state pays two-thirds of the airport maintenance costs up to $12,000. The Council was exploring upgrading the resolution to $22,500, but will now look into this option later.

Security State Insurance was approved as the local agent for the city of Warroad. Zaiser said that the selection of the local insurance agency used to be handled by the League of Minnesota Cities, but is now in the hands of each individual city. He said that it is the same provider as before.

The Council will also be taking on a minor roll in the collection of donations toward the Salvation Army's Heat Share program. The Heat Share program is an emergency fuel fund to help meet the energy needs of Minnesotans who have experienced tragedy in their lives.

The city would be in charge of sending out contribution forms to all of its customers and receiving the donations. The city would then forward the donations to the Salvation Army, which would distribute them to local families as needed. Any extra donations would be rolled over for future needs.

Zasier said that the cost to the city would be 7 cents for the contribution forms and the postage to send the donations to the Salvation Army.

"We thought we would give it a try, and see how it goes," Zaiser said. "It's a minimal expense for the city."

The Council also:

• heard a request from the Friends of the Library about funding for the upcoming year. This will be taken up at the annual budget meeting;

• approved the turning over of unpaid ambulance bills to a collection agency;

• and gave permission to the Warroad Chamber of Commerce to go ahead with the planning of an event, in which they would charge people to be able to smash a car. By paying so much, each person would get to take a swing at a car with a sledgehammer. Zaiser said that he didn't' know when the event would be held. The Council gave its permission as long as the Chamber fulfills certain requirements.