The Victoria Autohaus will be owned and operated by a partnership comprised of several local business owners.  The proposal includes provisions for 53 park-ing spaces, additional shade trees, con-crete curbs, and city-approved lighting fixtures.  The Victoria Planning Commis-sion recommended approval.
Stated Mayor-Elect Jerry Bohn, "I want to commend [City Planner] Mark Kaltsas and the applicants.  They were far apart and arrived very amiably at where we ended up."
Representatives of the Victoria Auto-haus thanked the City of Victoria and especially Planner Mark Kaltsas.

THANK YOU, MAYOR MARY
"WE WILL MISS YOU"
At her very last Victoria City Council meeting on December 12th, 2002, Mayor Mary Meuwissen thanked the public for allowing her to be their mayor.  "It's been a wonderful journey," said Mary.  "It's been a wonderful experience.  We are for-tunate to have our capable staff ... I want people to know that my intentions were always good."
Each councilmember then spoke spontaneously in a personal and public way to the departing 8-year Mayor of Victoria.
Councilmember Dave Lindgren re-called the earliest days when Mary was trying to decide if she should file for the mayoral position or one of the other open council seats.  "When Mary couldn't make up her mind, it was 4 p.m. on the last day of filing that she called me.  She had to run to get here in time to file, before the office closed.  ... She has brought the city so far in the last eight years ... We'll always be friends ... Her kids were 8 and 10.  Now Heidi is away at college ... One thing I learned from Mary, the votes won't always be the same for everybody, but you have to pick up and go on ... Mary's husband said he's been tired ever since the day he met her ... Thank you also to Mike Meuwissen."
Councilmember and Mayor-Elect Jerry Bohn said, "She has certainly been a good leader.  It will be a very tough act to follow."
Councilmember Richard Tieden said, "I met Mary two and a half years ago on the County Road #18 issue.  I still don't like County Road #18.  She taught me a tremendous amount about government.  She taught me that even if you don't agree, the process is important.  The Copelands, like everyone else, had oppor-tunity to come before us.  Mary taught me the process is so important ... She showed me how County Road #18 would integrate with the rest of the community.  She never lost her dignity or temper.  She is indefatigable, never tired, always there.  She puts in a 60-hour week for Victoria.  Her expertise as a homebuilder was inval-uable.  I don't know how we'll ever replace you.  You've been a good friend to me.  My wife Kathy said the new bridge in town is lovely.  We're really going to miss Mary."
Councilmember Gordon Simanton said, "I learned firsthand about the hours and work that Mary puts in.  I'm blown away.  I've been doing it for only ten months, and you've been doing it for eight years.  You've been an outstanding mayor.  You've done an excellent job."
Administrator Steve Sarvi stated, "On behalf of the staff, I want to say thank you ... I have truly learned so much from you.  The citizens certainly got their money's worth having you for mayor."
City Attorney Laurie Miller stated, "It's been a pleasure working with Mayor Mary."
Mayor Mary thanked Sue Orsen and the Victoria Gazette for her faithful coverage of city council meetings.  "I don't think any other city has such quality of coverage," she said.

ABOLISHING PARK & REC COMMITTEE
TO GET A FRESH START AND NEW DIRECTION
The final action of the City Council of 2002 was to abolish Victoria's Parks and Recreation Committee. 
Stated Mayor Mary, "I would like to thank Park & Rec for their services over the last eight years.  As I leave this posi-tion, there is a new Parks & Rec Director, a new mayor, and new council.  I would like to recommend that the city disband the Park & Rec Committee so that the new people can put together a new charter and get a fresh start.  Let the new group pick their advisers."
Mayor-Elect Jerry Bohn made a motion to dissolve the committee and stated, "We have many new things today.  We need people with diverse skills to add to what we have and create something that will provide strong direction to the coun-cil."
Councilmember Richard Tieden stated he was happy with the new Parks and Rec Director and looked forward to hearing her needs and recommendations.
The vote to abolish the committee passed 4-1, with Councilmember Dave Lindgren casting the nay vote.

MEET VICTORIA PARKS & REC DIRECTOR
TAMMY ABRAHAMSON
First official date of city employment for Tammy Abrahamson of Lakeville was November 27th, 2002.  Her previous position was Parks & Rec Director at the City of Shakopee for 4 ½ years.  Her office in Victoria is at the Acorn House next to the Victoria Field House, which, according to Tammy, should be entirely open in February, 2003, including the large gymnasium. 
"I like the feel of this small community," she said.  "I'm very impressed with how excited people are about the offerings here.  Up to 70 people have been here at one time for Open Skate.  That's more than I'd ever have seen at Shakopee." 
What are some of her responsibilities as Victoria Parks & Rec Director?  To direct daily operations of the department; participate in park master planning; supervise coaches, referees, umpires, volunteers; handle registrations for the various sports and recreational activities; schedule use for all fields, shelters, buildings, ice rinks in the city; recommend annual department budget; monitor revenues and expenditures; recommend programs for adults, youth, and children; solicit funds for park projects and activities; prepare grant applications; work with area communities and school dis-tricts; coordinate development of the parks.

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