THE GOSPEL ABOUT VICTORIA
STILL WAITING FOR A SAVIOR(S)
Councilmembers moved on June 28th to send letters of appreciation to organ-izers and contributors to the recent basket-ball camp held to raise money to offset operations at the Victoria Field House.  Donations at that time amounted to $2,710.
Councilmember Tim Amundsen men-tioned, in particular, John and Maryse Thomas of Victoria and Mike James for their work as fundraiser organizers and donors.
Maryse Thomas attended the July 12^th city council meeting and publicly thanked several people for their donations to the basketball camp, including Kristy Mock and Corey Martin, "who worked tireless-ly.
Linda McNulty, Klein Bank, Minne-sota Timber Wolves, Victoria Fire Depart-ment, Roulette's Pizza, Snap Fitness, Life Motion, National Basketball Association, Mackenthun's of Waconia, Dr. Tracy Bermeister, the City of Victoria, and others.
She also presented letters written by 24 camp participants whom the Thomas's will be presenting 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd place prizes of $100, $50, and $20 for the best essays.
Maryse Thomas spoke of friends who have an interest in helping to sponsor the Victoria Field House and who made fur-ther donations bringing the total amount raised from the camp event to $3,260.
Mayor Mary Thun presented a certifi-cate of appreciation, on behalf of the city, to Maryse Thomas who was surprised and also pleased at the city gesture.
Said Jim, "We've got to spread the gospel about Victoria and get more people and more institutions to invest in our com-munity.  We need to motivate people and get them in the game.  We need more help."
Councilmember Jim Paulsen drafted and presented a letter on July 12 for council review.  The letter will be sent to, among others, all those residents who stood up to speak at the May 8^th Town Hall Meeting.
On July 26^th, Jim said, "Let's print it!  Let's go!  We need to communicate as candidly as we can.  I think we're obligat-ed to talk about where we're headed.  It's a daily exercise."
Council encouraged people to be-come members of the Field House if they are not currently members.

SCHOOL DISTRICT 112 NEEDS ICE
CITY OF VICTORIA HAS ICE
City Attorney Mike Norton reported June 28^th on the status of the city's discus-sion with School District 112 regarding use of the Victoria Field House.  Discus-sions included Mayor Mary Thun, Coun-cilmember Jim Paulsen, and the District's Superintendent and Financial Officer.
"I'm happy," said Attorney Norton.  "I think we've made progress.  We would need to make sure their contribution would be adequate and that their expan-sion needs could be met.  We hope to be looking for approval in August.  They have a need for ice.  We have ice.  They'd like more ice.  We've got the land adja-cent to the Field House for it.  The District understands it would pay capital costs.  They'd have to rent the land as part of this partnership."
Stated Councilmember Paulsen, "We put a number in and they came back with a number less than we'd like ... Our abili-ty to generate non-ice revenue becomes more crucial ... I think we're in the right place doing the right thing ... The net goal is to cut the debt service by 50%."

Councilmember Tim Amundsen made a suggestion that Harvey Feldman, recently hired consultant for the Victoria Field House, be included in the continuing discussion between the City of Victoria and School District 112.
At the July 12^th city council meeting, City Attorney Norton spoke of upcoming meetings with District 112 Superintendent Dave Jennings and District 112 Finance Director Steve Pumper, where the effort will be directed toward "getting the general terms down" of any agreement that might be negotiated.
"Superintendent Jennings wants to take it to his board on August 23^rd," said Mr. Norton.
City Councilmember Kim Roden asked that a financial analysis of a poten-tial agreement be done by City Finance Director Jylan Johnson.
At the latest city council meeting of July 26^th, Councilmember Paulsen stated, "We're making progress.  There'll be an intense period ahead but I'm optimistic."
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