CITY PARTNERS WITH THE CHAMBER
WITH A $5,000 ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION
Marlene Speltz and Marv Hartman spoke to Victoria councilmembers on October 25^th, asking the City of Victoria to consider a $5,000 annual contribution that would be used toward community and business events sponsored by the Chamber. 
Said Marlene, president of the Cham-ber, "We have about 54 members now, but only 18 that regularly attend our meet-ings or get involved.  We have a few people for a great many things."
Marlene spoke of several community projects sponsored by the Chamber, in-cluding the Business and Garden Expo, Touch of Bavaria, the beautiful Welcome to Victoria sign constructed by the Hartman family, and, most recently, scholarship programs for area youth.
She reported there were 49 vendors at this year's Business Expo and over 500 people that attended.  "We turned the profits from that event over to the Catho-lic high school for letting us use their beautiful facility."  She also reported that over 100 volunteers assisted at this fall's Touch of Bavaria.  Continued Marlene, "We'd like to do more for the community, but we are a small group.  Maybe we're overachievers.  These events take months of planning, executing, fundraising, and many volun-teer hours."  She thanked the City of Vic-toria for helping at Chamber events.
Said Mayor Mary Meuwissen, "Thank you for the events.  You've had the courage to start things for the commu-nity."  All councilmembers were in favor of approving the request.  Said Jerry Bohn, "I certainly support this.  It's a great idea to partner with each other."

NEW CHURCH NEEDS A BUILIDING
WATERBROOKE FELLOWSHIP LOOKS AT Co. Rd. #43
Pastor Bill Bonner of Waterbrooke Fellowship spoke to councilmembers October 25^th, about the possibility of building a church on Church Lake Boulevard, also known as County Road #43, for the growing congregation. 
Site of the new church is the former Jerome Zanger farm on Lake Wasserman.  The farm is located in a part of Laketown Township that is proposed to be annexed one day to the City of Victoria.
Said Pastor Bonner, "The Lord has provided us help through one of our mem-ber's families to purchase property.  It includes an old farm home, some out-buildings, and beautiful lakeshore.  From what I've learned, a church is a permitted use in Victoria, but this project is in Lake-town.  We would like to build in the next few years, and we would like to know your schedule for annexation."
He stated, "Hopefully you would wel-come us on that property.  It is a 13-acre piece.  Generally they say a church needs one acre for ever 100 persons.  We do not anticipate a large congregation.  We'd gladly cooperate with the city to be connected to a trail system.  It would be a rather traditional church building and parking lot."
Pastor Bonner added, "We are very willing to work with the city.  We would prefer to be identified with Victoria.  We don't want to be stymied for annexation if we are not contiguous property to the city."
Currently, Waterbrooke Fellowship holds Sunday services at the Catholic high school in Victoria.  "We can probably be at Holy Family one more year," said Pastor Bonner.  "Right now we're in an unused wing of the school, but the school is growing."
In response to questions, he said, "We are a nondenominational church, a classic Bible church.  There are many entry points for people to come into community with our church."
Councilmember Jim Paulsen suggest-ed that the city and township might be able to work together for the sake of the church, if annexation cannot occur in a timely manner for them.
Jim also said, "This is the only chance to get that public access on Lake Wasserman for the city.  It's important to work together on this.  Smart people can agree.  It's a special piece of property that can't be reproduced."
Agreed Mayor Mary Meuwissen, "We had been eyeing a portion of that property for a beach.  For myself, I would welcome Waterbrooke Fellowship."  Said Councilmember Jerry Bohn, "I'd certainly support this type of use for the land."
Councilmember Richard Tieden sug-gested, "Maybe this is moving a little too quickly.  It seems like we're forcing the issue."
Said Pastor Bonner, "Our concern is that the land here isn't hanging around very long."  Council, staff, and congregation will continue to talk about possibilities for the future.

COUNCILMEMBERS TAKE TIME TO VENT
TO SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE GAYLE DEGLER
Gayle Degler, candidate for District #112 School Board, attended the October 25^th council meeting in Victoria and asked for support.  He introduced himself and his background and qualifications, re-minding us he is from Chanhassen, that education has always been part of his life, that today he is a self-employed crop and livestock farmer, and that's he has worked extensively with city and county govern-ments.
Victoria councilmembers chose the occasion to speak out in favor of planned growth for the school district. 
Asked Mayor Meuwissen, "Why can't all of the cities work together with the school district on planned growth?  Victoria grows at a slower pace than the other communities.  Our Victoria citizens have paid for one entire school, and yet we don't have a school in the town.  Cities with schools also have access to the school's ballparks and libraries and other amenities ... We're continually told that our schools are at full capacity ... Victoria would also like to see Victoria residents get on the school board so we would have a voice."
Said Councilmember Jim Paulsen, "The school board needs to be more than a defensive board.  It needs to take a more proactive position.  Victoria is part of a whole ... It's a classic issue of fairness ... Right now sewer capacity is more impor-tant than school capacity ..."
Councilmember Jerry Bohn said to Mr. Degler, "I'd encourage you to start working with our cities, if you are suc-cessful."
Candidate Degler said that, as an owner of prime farm land in the school district, he has concerns similar to that of Victoria.
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