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Fall The , OTSEGO IEW ..^... .^..^,„d ON THE GREAT RIVER ROAD Newsletter of the City of Otsego Vol. 4, No.3, September 1994 New "Otsego Corners" is busy place Otsego businesses once flourished in the historic village of Otsego from the 1850's through the turn ofthe century.The village was located in Sections 17 and 18 by the old city hall It became known as"Otsego Corners." A flurry of construction activity this summer at the Co. Rd.39 and Parrish Ave.intersection may establish this as the new Otsego Corners. ," The closing of the Co. Rd. 39 and Hwy. 101 intersection 0 , has caused an increase in traffic in the area as cars are detoured through the Co. Rd. 39 and Parrish Ave. intersec- , �' tion.The highway intersection is being upgraded for the new . four lane highway. A signaled intersection with turn lanes should be in place later this fall.•••.. dm B 0 __ a Marquette Bank opens COMING SOON... Marquette Bank, Otsego opened its office July 18th in BANK Animall building next to Tom Thumb.The bank has a Ckil�' THE BANK drive-up facility and Instant Cash automated teller ma- OF ELK RIVER •" chine. Lobby and drive-up hours are Monday to Thursday 8 a.m.to 6 p.m.,Friday 8 a.m.to 7 p.m.and Saturday 8 a.m. __ ___ r t�� �� �, to noon......., % ' , � 4 Church begins ( '''''''.\ :, , � � ; �� x,<�°' s window a installation Bank begins construction Christ Lutheran The Bank of Elk River is building a branch facility in Church was able to get a Otsego on the southeast corner of Parrish Ave.and County major portion of its large Road 39.The bank will have extended service hours,drive- stained glass Good Shep- up tellers, and safety deposit boxes. The bank expects to herd windowinstalled this 1-.„4.....,..1 r ,';, open for business this fall.,,,. summer. The windows r were removed from a "" closed church in Ohio and ." , .„� � brought back to Otsego by t .`00.',i! ' .. j*'- 10 -rhumb s members of the conngrega- a . � r . .4:- Christ Lutheran � t 4 ;_ r Church members Ron t. 1 � � ti Black and Al Dahlin have S 0 done volunteer restoration ' o and installation of the �1 ..� a� '. ' a smaller windows on the sides of the sanctuary,but the large Tom Thumb makes improvements window is being professionally restored.The church hopes to Tom Thumb recently installed new gas pumps, a new have the window completed this month.,.....", sign, and upgraded its driveway and parking lot. The new pumps can accommodate more cars and are faster than the old ones. The area features a canopy to shelter customers while they use the self service pumps.,-,—... IINIANAINNIANNAirilAvaillANANANIANAllirsAitrie City of Otsego 8899 Nashua Ave. NE Otsego, MN 55330 (612)441-4414 OFFICE HOURS % '�� Monday through Friday ` s – 8:00 a.m.to 5:00 p.m. M qq 0 PG CITY COUNCIL ' =�.r .. ". „ � " Mayor– Br .. Norman F. Freske Mayor– -1- Norman m Council members– "� - , ?'v Ron Black - Larry Fournier Douglas Lindenfelser Floyd Roden CITY STAFF Otsego road get Finnish touch Jerome Perrault, Clerk Jal ger Avenue between 85th Street and center located in Otsego is coordinating the Elaine Beattyatty,, Deputy Clerk Zoning Administrator 70th Street is getting special treatment this test.Equipment and people power is being Jim Barthel,Treasurer month as part of an international road contributed by the Minnesota Department Judy Hudson, Secretary research test. The country of Finland is of Transportation, the cities of Otsego and Carol Olson, Clerk Secretary shipping a special bituminous surfacing Dayton, and Stearns, Benton, and Wright i Dave Chase, Maintenance machine to Otsego to demonstrate a tech- counties. Duane Fiedler, Maintenance nique developed in that country where a The test road will show how the tech- Curt Otterness, Maintenance cold mix is used to surface roads.The winter nique works and the research center will PLANNING & ZONING climate there is similar to Minnesota's. monitor how the surface performs in Min- Carl Swenson,chair The Minnesota Road Research Project nesota. Eugene Goenner Jim Kolles Septic system maintenance required Dennis McAlpine Arleen Nagel, alternate by Larry Fournier,city council member If they have fallen off or are corroded,they Bruce Rask On April 27,1992 the Otsego City Coun- must be replaced. I.G. t cil adopted a sewage disposal ordinance. The Otsego Sewage Disposal Ordiance Walla Mark Wallace Sewer installation and maintenance in Ot- outlines a very detailed procedure for septic PARKS & RECREATION sego is governed by this ordinance.Most of system maintenance.Some of these require- Thomas Baillargeon,chair us,as home owners,are not concerned about ments are:At least once every two years the Debbie Carron the installation of our sewage treatment owner of any septic tank shall arrange for Tom Constant system.This was completed by the building measurement of the depth of sludge and Darlyn Kofoed contractor and inspected by the building scum in the septic tank by a licensed in- Roche Martin Darlene Solberg inspector before we boughtourhomes.Regu- staller, or the owner shall perform these Carl Swenson lar maintenance requires complete removal measurements.The results ofthe measure- of the tank contents. As the tank is used, ment shall be filed with the city by the EDA Asolids accumulate on the bottom and scum person performing the measurement on a an Vern ADVISORY Vern Heid ne,chair floats to the top.Although there is bacteria form provided by the city. Such require- Luvern Klinker breaking down the solids,it cannot keep up ment for measuring shall be waived for any Richard Nichols with the normal uses from the home (you septic tank which is cleaned as indicated at Wally Odell would need an enormous tank to do that). least once each two(2)calendar years. Rudy Thibodeau Periodically all the tank contents must be The purpose of this ordinance is to en- Liz Wilder removed to prevent the solids from being sure that each home owner pumps his or flushed out into the soil treatment system. her septic tank at least every two(2)years. Solids do NOT belong in the soil treatment The date the pumping is performed, the �} ` Jf V J part of your system. They will plug up the name of the contractor doing the work,and � J VIEW 1 ,i v v soil pores,resulting in backups or discharge the results of any maintenance required to The Otsego View is a community onto the surface. At the time the tank is the septic system be filed with the city as newsletter for the city of Otsego. maintained, baffles and piping should be directed by this ordinance. A copy of the Jacquie R.ognli,Editor inspected for signs of plugging,corrosion or Sewage Disposal Ordinance can be obtained Carol McGuire,Production improper alignment.The tank needs to be at City Hall. Correspondence and news items are welcome and should be sent to Otsego watertignt so groundwater cannot enter By keeping our septic systems working City Hall, 8899 Nashua Ave. NE, the system(you don't want to add extrane- properly,we will help ensure that the need Otsego,MN 55330(612)4414414 ous water to your system—it is designed for for an expensive city sewer system will not A Contains 50%recycled a specific amount). Baffles prevent solids happen for many years. T.a pre consumer material from entering your soil treatment system. 2 r sliAll^mill^iNAN"IIIAINIAsAsidNIII"S Historical Commission mmEmonomemansionom being organized TTistoricaj . mmerce�/ on the new Otsego Historical Commis- • :,,,. '` :>.... ::,« :: .:; :.r::�f .:: .:,... sion. The commission is being formed and industry :::::Mii y: } • ::..': " ••.}'... .:1 to advise the City Council on historical • ,.4:;• matters and to implement the newlyin Otsego �.:<•<.:::: �<:<::: : � :'�.:.:ea.' :<:x•• i:K...y``<< <%«`a` ig established historical ordinace. Otsego's early business history is Council member Ron Black will much like other towns in the tern- Creek in the village of Otsego. "The serve as council liaison for the commis- tory of Minnesota—pioneers trying engine was a 120 horsepower, with sion. Volunteers can fill out an to make aliving in an unsettled land. saws and shingle and lath mill,but it applicatin at City Hall during regular Sammuel Carrick established a was not a success and the machinery business hours. trading post in Otsego on the Missis- was removed to Elk River in 1860. sippi River in 1850 or 1851. He lo- John McDonald purchased the build- Gated it across from the town of Elk ing and put in a small engine and saw City offices up River.His early customers were the mill which burned in 1878." for election Winnebago Indians who hada settle- In the 1867 History and Business ment in Otsego. Carrick also ran a Directory of Wright County, George Filing for city offices opens August ferry where the Parrish Avenue Gray writes that at Otsego Corners 30th. The position of mayor and the bridge now spans the river. "A large new steam mill has been council seats currently held by Floyd The land south of the trading built during the past year, owned by Roden and Doug Lindenfelser are up post was a level open prairie and Crarey & Co. This mill is now run- became known as Carrick's Prairie. ning, out vast quantities of for re-election this fall. g� turning The mayor's term is two years and In the land of the big woods where hard wood lumber of which an abun- evely bit of land was covered with dant supply is obtained in the near the city council terms are four years. trees and brush, imagine how that vicinity." Residents seeking office need to treeless location would stand out. The 1879 History of the Upper come to city hall in person to complete With no established roads,the river Mississippi Valley tells of business in and sign an affidavit of candidacy.Fil- was the route to locate on in order to the portion of Dayton village that was ing closes September 13.E catch business traffic. included in the extreme eastern part David Look Ingersoll operated a of Otsego. It contained one flouring brick factory in the 1850s on the mill with a capacity of 30 barrels per Otsego Clean-up northwest corner of his farm on the day and a cooper shop. Da • a success Mississippi River in Otsego west of Oliver and Charles Kelley oper- ythe historic Otsego town site. The ated a metal polish manufacturing by Judy Hudson, city secretary brick was made of local clay and business in Northwood,near Dayton. We would like to thank the following shipped down the river to Elk River The Kelleys'metal polish was dug up volunteers who helped make the 1994 and Anoka, on the bank of the Mississippi,made Otsego Clean Up Day a great success. The business district of Otsego into mortar,then into brick and dried. was in the historic town site,located It was ground and put into papers. Your hard work and time made it pos- in sections 17 and 18 by the old City According to Farnham, "A large sible for 350 loads of household junk to Hall. The area became known as quantity was put up and sold in all be signed in, sorted, unloaded, and off Otsego Corners.C.B.Jordon was the parts of the West; the finest was a the site at the rate of less than one storekeeper in 1857. good article,but about the time that minute per vehicle.We would also like John McDonald operated a store it was coming into general use, the to thank the Otsego residents who pa- and rope ferry in the village.He was city and the polish business burst up, tiently waited in line, helped unload, the first Otsego postmaster in 1856. and it has never been manufactured and for helping make their city a lot The post office was in the store.The since.At the old Kelly Homestead in first county road was cut through the Sherburne County there are yet car cleaner. brush to connect Monticello farmers loads of nicely labelled packages of Volunteers:Josh Benson,Ron Black with McDonald's store. O.H. Kelly & Co.'s Excelsior Metal Larry Blesi, John DeMars, Larry In the 1880 History of Wright Polish." Fournier,Norman Freske,Rose Freske, County, D.R. Farnham writes that Otsego's major business was farm- Mike Helfert, Gary Lefebvre, Jerry W.P. Hurlburt built a large store, ing. The agricultural products for Olson, Mike Ranum, Marlin Sanbeck, brick veneered,30 by 100 feet in the 1880 were: wheat, 22,864 bushels; Pat Sawatzke, Dave Schulz, Loretta town of Otsego and did a large busi- oats,10,174 bushels;corn,8,774 bush- Pat Ken Shierts,John Simola,o Carl ness. els;barley,141bushels;rye,171bush- A hotel was built at Otsego Cor- els;buckwheat,20 bushels;potatoes, Swenson, Philip Wellman, Philip ners in 1856.Ablacksmith shop and 5,356 bushels; beans, 44 bushels; Wellman,Jr. other business commenced. sugar cane,2,546 gallons;cultivated Once again, thank you volun- According to Farnham, in 1857 hay,175 tons;wildhay,1,775 pounds, teers!,--....• Cooper and Crary built a large steam butter, 18,250 pounds, and honey, sawmill at the mouth of the Otsego 150 pounds. w.. 3 14410".0"0"*"aid 'AugAsAino"0"1•00° , PARK & REC CORNER ' I f IP iIP l Park development .. NmillIf .�il , (" , -a `� Development of Otsego's first city LL 4 park is under way. 64. ..„, .5 Otsego Praire Park, located west of City Hall,already has new bituminous ' surface trails installed.The Parks and Recreation Commission plans for more 4 development to be completed this fall, including six picnic sites, one being Minn-E-Golf adds batting cages wheelchair accessible, basketball and volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, la- Minn-E-Golf&Hobby has opened a new batting cage system this summer.The trines, trash containers and picnic new facility has a circus tent-like structure with eight batting cages. tables. The pitching/batting system is completely automated with four slow pitch Entrance to the park is from the softball machines and six hardball pitching machines.Two of the cages have both south City Hall parking lot types of machines. The trails in Otsego Prairie Park are According to owner Rudy Thibodeau, the machines are like those used by planned to connect with a bike and almost all professional baseball teams.They are"arm type"machines that provide pedestrian trail system in the city.The for a safer system and is closest to the action of a real pitcher,allowing the batter first part of the trail is planned to follow to develop the timing and rhythm necessary to improve his or her skills. Co. Rd. 39, Ohland Ave., Page Ave., "The entire philosophy of our business is to provide the youth and the young at 85th St. and Nashua Ave. to connect heart of our community with good clean recreational activities.Activities that can Otsego County Park, Otsego Prairie be enjoyed with friends and family alike," says Thibodeau. Park and the new Otsego Elementary The batting cages complement two existing 18 hole miniature golf courses and School.Part of the trail would run along a radio controlled race track. Minn-E-Golf& Hobby also has a hobby shop that Otsego Creek from Co.Rd.39 to Nashua stocks model making supplies and kits, model rockets, radio controlled vehicles, Ave. ' and snack foods.Minn-E-Golf&Hobby is located at the corner of Parrish Ave.and The plan calls for signs and striping. Park Ave.It is opened Sunday to Friday 10 a.m.to 10 p.m.and 8 a.m.to 10 p.m.on Co. Rd. 39 needs to be widened at the Saturdays.,-,-.., right turn lanes to make room for the bike lane.No on street parking would be eimmissiiiniiiiiimmilimmidAcitftitiAiwniiiiiiinimiiiiimmino 11along a owed h the route..,,,,, August 30 8:00 AM Candidate filing for city offices opens Volunteers needed September 5 CITY HALL CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY September 6 7:30 PM Parks&Recreation Volunteers are being sought t0 help September 7 8:00 PM Planning&Zoning with development of Otsego Prairie September 8 7:30 PM City Council Special Meeting Park. The Park and Recreation Com- September 12 7:00PM Snowmobile&Recreation Ordinance Hearing September 12 7:30PM City Council mission plans to begin constructing vol- September 13 7 AM-8 PM Primary Election leyball court and a horseshoe lot. Con- September 13 5:00 PM Candidate filing for city offices closes September 21 8:00 PM Planning&Zoning tact commission member Tom Constant September 26 7:30 PM City Council (441-3654) or City Hall to volunteer October 3 7:00 PM Economic Development Authority Advisory Committee your services., - October 5 8:00 PM Planning&Zoning October 107:30 PM City Council Fall Park Events October 111 7:30 PM Parkss&Recreation October 15 Nature Scavenger Hunt The Otsego Park and Recreation October 19 8:00 PM Planning&Zoning g October 24 7:30 PM City Council Commission is currently planning two October 29 Hay Ride events for October in Otsego Prairie To be placed on the Planning Commission agenda,submit completed forms and information 15 Park.There will be a nature scavenger working days prior to meetings.Submit City Council agenda items seven working days prior to meetings. hunt Saturday,October 15th and a hay Please call City Hall to confirm times if you plan to attend any of the listed meetings. ride on Saturday, October 29th.Watch for your fall 728 Area Recreation bro- 4 chure for more details. The OTSEGO "..dr.\--q ON THE GREAT RIVER ROAD VEENV Newsletter of the City of Otsego Vol.4, No.4, November 1994 Candidates fue : .. , 44. • for city offices � � � Election day is Tuesday, Novem- ber 8,7:00 a.m.to 8:00 p.m.All Otsego residents vote at the new Otsego City Hall. They will be choosing a mayor and two council members for the city. Candidates for mayor are Jeffrey Bartheld, Norman F. Freske (incum- bent), incum bent), Vincent Peterson, and Floyd ` 14- Roden. The candidates for the two council po- sitions are Suzanne Strong Ackerman, Thomas Baillargeon,Vern Heidner,and k„% 4ag Darlyn"Dar"Kofoed. The mayor will be elected for a two year term and the council members elected to serve for four years. The two council positions currently held by Roden and Doug Lindenfelser Park trails open are up for election. Council members Children spent a recent fall afternoon biking the newly paved trails Ron Black and Larry Fournier still . Prairie two years remaining in their Otsego Park.••.. terms.�w Recreational motor vehicle ordinance passed The city of Otsego has passed a new are prohibited from the roadway,shoul- tor vehicle users are reminded that in ordinance regulating the operation of der,and bank closest to the house of any the rural areas of the city, according to snowmobiles and recreational motor trunk, state, or county highway or on state law,they still must have the prop- vehicles within the platted areas of the the right of way between opposing lanes erty owner's permission to operate on city. It is intended to supplement the of traffic. They may only travel single private property. Minnesota statutes governing their use. file on the most right-hand lane as close Copies of the ordinance are avail- State law still directs the use of these as possible to the curb or edge of the able at City Hall.w.. vehicles in the agricultural areas of the road, except when passing a stopped city. vehicle. Take note of The intent of the ordinance is to Snowmobiles cannot use walkways restrict the operation of snowmobiles or boulevards.They are prohibited from and recreational motorized vehicles in school and public grounds unless spe- hunting laws residential areas.The platted areas are cial provisions have been made. They all areas of the city that are within the must have specific permission from the by Bob Kermis boundaries of a plat which is recorded owner to use private property. At this time of year, many area with the Wright County Recorder.That The snowmobiles can only be oper- residents' thoughts turn to hunting. includes the residential areas. ated between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. While hunting continues to be a prime Recreational motor vehicles means Sunday through Thursday or unti11:00 source of recreation for Otsego's citi- motorized bicycles,all terrain vehicles, a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays, and days zens, it is important that hunters take hovercraft,or motor vehicles being used before national holidays.The speed limit note of applicable state regulations.With for off-road recreational purposes. is 10 miles per hour. They must not Otsego's continuing growth, question Under the new ordinance, recre- create loud unnecessary noise which arises as to where a person may hunt ational motor vehicles can only be oper- disturbs others. within the city.In this regard,consider- ated on private property between 8:00 Snowmobiles must stay 100 feet ation of Minnesota's trespass law and a.m. and 10:00 p.m. in platted areas. from pedestrians,skating rinks,or slid- established hunting seasons are advis- Snowmobiles must stay 300 feet ing areas where the operation would able. from any residential area except when conflict with use or endanger others. Trespass Law coming and going from a residence to a Only a rigid tow bar can be used when urban development continues designated trail by taking the most di- towing a person or thing. Chasing or Aswithin the city,a lesser amount of land rect route. running over any animal is not allowed. In the platted areas, snowmobiles Snowmobilers and recreational mo- HUNTING to page 3 11^NAII^iliAls ."."411, City of Otsego Council plans 1995 budget 8899 Nashua Ave. NE The Otsego City Council has proposed pair,is projected at$369,000 and adminis- Otsego, MN 55330 the city's 1995 budget in preparation for trations is projected at $683,120. A more (612)441-4414 setting the 1995 tax levy. Public works, detailedbreakdownofexpensesisavailable OFFICE HOURS which includes road maintenance and re- at City Hall.•.., Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m.to5:OOp.m. Proposed 1995 Otsego Administration Budget CITY COUNCIL Projected: $683,120 Mayor— Prof. Services*$165,200 Norman F. Freske Council members— EDA$20.000 Ron Black Panning Commission Larry Fournier $3,600 Douglas Lindenfelser Recycling$28,000 Floyd Roden Misc., $15,800 Ca/of/a/Expenses,CITY STAFF Dues !.;:..:.::El....: Personnel, $159,370 Jerome Perrault, Clerk Elaine Beatty, Deputy Clerk City Hall$76,000 Training Benefits& Zoning Administrator Utilities, Maintenance, Jim Barthel, Treasurer J m Principal, &Interest JudyHudson Secretaryiii s,,;xr Carl Olson, Clerk Secretary Insurance$25,000 .. i , . Dave Chase, Maintenance Park&Rec$13,000 "<s`„ oint R B $$13,000 Duane Fiedler, Maintenance Clean up ay$a/r,UUU Curt Otterness, Maintenance City Council$36,000 Publications$21,150 Sheriff$100,000 PLANNING & ZONING &Office Supplies Carl Swenson,chair 'Includes Attorney,Engineer.Planner.Building Inspector, Auditor Eugene Goenner DennisJimKoes s McAlpine Proposed 1995 Otsego Public Works Budget De Arleen Nagel, alternate Projected: $369,000 Bruce Rask I.G. Roskaft Signs, Lights, $13,500 Grave Sand$12 ODD Mark Wallace Culverts Hrot. Service§$26,000 PARKS & RECREATION Maint. &Repair$27,000 Thomas Baillargeon, chair Debbie Carron Tom Constant ,; :. Darlyn Kofoed '::In::,:;> ;.}£3 Contracted ed0 <.. i » . . Roche Martin .,:�< 's�?z#S.M>;k.<:. � Darlene Solberg *...mo.. ...:::::iiimiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiimiiiiiiii Street Servi Carl Swenson v' EDA ADVISORY Vern Heidner, chair Personnel$109,400 NancySalaries,Benefits, Brunell Uniforms, Training Luvern Klinker £ Richard Nichols Utilities$1,425 Vis:% q Wally Odell Equip. & Fuel$37,000 .j <M Rudy Thibodeau p' Salt&Sand$11,600 Liz Wilder Tax hearing set 60 52c Where Your The annual Truth in Taxation public o So 3w viEw hearing for city taxes will be held Novem ao Tax Dollar `� ber 30, 7:00 p.m at City Hall. This is an Goes The Otsego View is a community opportunity for residents to voice concerns i� 24C newsletter for the city of Otsego. about their citytaxes. n ' 21C Jacquie Rognli,Editor Proposed property tax statements are 20 t } , Tamara Kriesel,Production N ..a,,1 Correspondence and news items are mailed to property owners by Wright o 1,3- _, , welcome and should be sent to Otsego County.The statements show all proposed a 2C City Hall, 8899 Nashua Ave. NE, taxes—includingcity, and Otsego,MN 55330(612)441-4414 property counr School Wright City of Monticello- school district—based on current market District* County Otsego Big Lake Hospital value.••.• District ��Contains 50%recycled •n;,r 7?•4 rune.In,schont dicrncr t. pre consumer material 2 ..I' ..^.^iii .„1 ..". ..^..1 ,.^..".„., -------- -------- - -----nea _ , _..,„ „.„ insen ........... ...... . . .. .......„ „ .,„ :::: :: g :„„„„, MiMi Mis-,,i::-:-:-::::.:-;ii:::.::::,-:i;,,,,:l.4.---------4 by Elaine Norm ii»iii i i _::::><:>::: ::::>::: It:»>=>`>:::>: ::.;::.;>:.>: a Some mayask, " hat is it?"Accord-aW « m ing-to Webster's Dictionary 1. a herb ...: -:n.-:-...„ >::.;: .:.; :.�� :::;:�::.;:-;;;:.;.;:. : with a duck forked, aromatic root; :; >;>';:'::> :::;: ::::::: -0 '• some species are found in China and no railroads or other means of trans- ' North America." 2. "the 'root of this portation to an eastern market, there plant, used medicinally by the Chi- was very little lumbering or building, Ell , ,. ... : ..,:_ : ..., nese."This definition is not quite com- and no extensive public works or im- plete,since ginseng is now widely ad- provements. So it was almost impos- a vertised and displayed in local drug sible to support a family in the Big stores and health Woods, and it seemed that many set- Post box available food stores. tlers would be obliged to leave or starve. Carol Olson, city receptionist, The Wright But as soon as the ginseng trade uses the postal drop box at the County Historical opened everything was changed.Pros- front door of the City Hall.Mail is Society incorporated %':_';sly perity and plenty followed the trail of picked up Monday through Satur- a drawing of the the ginseng buyers. They had estab- day at noon., plant in their logo fished agents in nearly every town,and pictured here. Ex- J r men,women and children turned their Otsego Lions cerpts from History '-'t - attention to digging the roots. They of Wright County by 4 paid up old debts, cleared up mort- in v i to new Franklin Curtiss- gages,paid for their land,and in every- Wedge,published in 1915 provide the thing seemed prosperous and happy, members following information: when a few months before all had been "The year 1859 in Wright County dark and discouraging. The Otsego Lions meets the second is marked by the advent of the ginseng It has often been said, since that Wednesday each month, 8:00 p.m. at buyers. For a number of years the time, that the ginseng business was City Hall. Visitors and new members ginseng trade had been carried on not a benefit to Wright county but that are always welcome. Call Allen, 497- with China by a few merchants in it was an actual injury; that the early 2089 or Jim at 441-1621, for more Philadelphia, and the supply of the settlers neglected their farms and information about this community ser- article had been principally from west- stopped clearing land,and did not make vice club....w ern Virginia and eastern Kentucky. the progress in developing the country But the roots were growing less and that they would have made if there had HUNTING from page 1 less year by year. been no ginseng trade. But those who is available for hunting purposes. Several persons who had moved reason in this manner are ones who did According to the Minnesota Depart- from Virginia into Wright county re- not experience the hardships of 1859. ment of Natural Resources(DNR),tres- ported to friends at home that ginseng It is a fact, indeed, that many of the pass is the most frequent complaint was quite plentiful here, and the in- early settlers were without means and from landowners. As such, permission formation brought Colonel Robert could not have subsisted more than a should always be granted before enter- Blaine, from what is now West Vir- short time,and many more would have ing private land for hunting purposes. ginia,an old ginseng trader,who com- abandoned their claims and farms if Legal permission to enter private land menced to buy the root. He paid for it they could not have found temporary (or notification to stay off)may only be in cash,whichin this locality had been relief. That was not to be found in given by the property owner, occupant rather scarce for two years. The set- public funds,for there were none.Credit or lessee. tiers' crops had been small and very was gone,and ready money was neces- The following are excerpts from the low prices were paid for all farm prod- sary in working the farms. Ginseng Minnesota Trespass Law which should ucts.There was no home market,and supplied the need." be recognized by area hunters: • On agricultural land or a public right- containing livestock withoutpermission. Aside from a season designation which of-way, a person may not take a wild Violating the Minnesota Trespass establishes dates on which hunting may animal with a firearm within 500 feet of Law is at least a misdemeanor.In addi- occur,the DNR also establishes specific a building occupied by humans or live- tion,it becomes a gross misdemeanor to hours of the day when shooting and/or stock without written permission.Agri- knowingly disregard signs prohibiting trapping may take place. cultural land is land which is plowed or trespass;trespass after being told not to While hunting has historically been tilled, has standing crops or crop resi- do so; or violate the trespass law twice and continues to be one of Otsego's pri- due, is within a maintained fence for within a three year period. mary sources of recreation, recent city enclosing domestic livestock or is en- Anyone convicted of violating the growth and its implications on hunters rolled in the Federal Conservation Pro- trespass law while hunting will have must be given due consideration.In this gram. the license revoked. Anyone convicted regard,special attention shouldbe given • On non-agricultural land, a person of a gross misdemeanor under this law to the state's trespass law and specific may not take a wild animal with a will have all hunting privileges sus- seasonal requirements as outlined in firearm within 200 feet of a building pended for two years. the state's hunting and trapping regu- occupied by a human without verbal Hunting Seasons lations. permission. The DNR establishes specialized Information regarding the state • A person may not take a wild animal hunting seasons for small game, big/, hunting requitements may obtained by with a firearm within 500 feet of a corral game, waterfowl, and wild turkey .scalling the DNR information center at 612-296-6175 or 800-766-6000. 3 iiiiii^x^ii/ NedillAlli^.^.^1."21^." .. ,_,_. .br r _ s, I Road Finnish-ing g A special bituminous plant came to = Otsego all the way from Finland as part k . -- --fl of an international road research test. The salt water from the long trip across On the Atlantic did a job on electrical con- """ nections, but the machine was operat- ! Wet swum i ing at the end of October. 1 .. .. ,, .,. „ ' tir. Jalger Avenue between 85th and 'fir 741111 , 70th Street has been paved with a spe- . tial bituminous cold mixture being dem- .a onstrated for the first time in the United o States. The Minnesota Road Research ,, Project Center located in Otsego is coor- dinating the test. 0 x P. PARK & REC CORNER Park open for Commissioner Darlene Solberg.Hockey Nashua Avenue. NE. Trail access is and hockey sticks will not be allowed. directly behind City Hall from the south winter recreation Warming house hours will be week- parking lot. The Otsego Parks and Recreation days 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. and on weekends City gets ISTEA rant Commission is busy getting OtsegoPrai- and non-school days 1:00 to 9:00 p.m., y g rie Park ready for winter skating,sled- weather permitting. The Park Commission received word ding, and cross country skiing A sledding hill has been built just that the city would receive Intercostal The ice skating rink should be ready north of the wooded area of the park a Surface Transportation Efficiency Act for blades as soon as the weather gets short walk down the trail from the park- (ISTEA) grant funds for its proposed cold enough. ing lot. bike/pedestrian trail. The rink has a heated warming The park will also be available for Land acquisition is required for two house that will be staffed by an adult cross country skiing. A rough trail has sections of the trail along Otsego Creek rink supervisor during scheduled hours. been cut through the prairie area.Plans between Otsego Prairie Park and County A telephone and latrine will also be for grooming are currently being con- Road 39 and for a quarter mile north of installed. sidered. the elementary school. The ice rink is intended for recre- The ice rink is located west of the The ISTEA grant money will be ational skating only,according to Park storage building next to City Hall,8899 available after July 1, 1995. : .. . ....::•:... .....................................................:_:::_: :::::: _ : : : : : _ : : : : : : : : . _ : : : : :: Park development nt: : . : : r Bituminous trails fo walking,bik- November 2 8:00 p.m. Planning&Zoning Commission Meeting ing and roller blading have been con- November 7 7:00 p.m. Economic Development Authority Advisory Committee structed in the southeast part of Otsego November 8 7:00 a.m.to 8:00 p.m. ELECTION Prairie Park.Picnic sites have also been November 11 OFFICE CLOSED VETERANS DAY cleared. November 14 7:30 p.m. City Council Meeting November 15 7:30 p.m. Parks&Recreation Commission Meeting Park events a success November 16 8:00 p.m. Planning&Zoning Commission Meeting About 30 children had fun partici- November 24 OFFICE CLOSED THANKSGIVING gating in a nature scavenger hunt in November 30 7:00 p.m. Truth in Taxation Public Hearing Otsego Prairie Park Oct. 15th. Nearly December 5 7:00 p.m. Economic Development Authority Advisory Committee 100 registered for the hayride Oct.29th December 7 8:00 p.m. Planning&Zoning Commission Meeting in the park.Hay wagons pulled by trac- December 12 7:30 p.m. City Council Meeting December 13 7:00 p.m. Wright County Taxation Public Hearing in Buffalo tars and a bonfire were planned. December 13 7:00 p.m. Parks&Recreation Commission Meeting Ideas sought December 14 7:00 p.m. Truth in Taxation Public Hearing December 26 OFFICE CLOSED HOLIDAY The Park and Recreation Commis- December 27 7:30 p.m. City Council Meeting sion is asking Otsego residents to sub- January 2 8:00 p.m. Planning&Zoning Commission Meeting mit ideas for recreation activities they would like to see organized in Otsego. To be placed on the Planning Commission agenda,submit completed forms and information 15 Messages can be left at City Hall(441- working days prior to meetings.Submit City Council agenda items seven working days prior to 4414) Or 728 Area Recreation (241 meetings.Please call City Hall to confirm times if you plan to attend any of the listed meetings. 3523).`^^' 4