Michael Schroeder is a landscape architect and currently Assistant Superintendent for Planning Services at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, where he oversees the planning and design of the MPRB’s 160 neighborhood parks and 19 regional parks and trails
For ten years, he was a member of the Edina Planning Commission and within months of completing his last term he was asked to facilitate a planning process addressing the future of the Greater Southdale Area. That effort, driven by volunteers and consuming more than three years, resulted in the creation of a fifty-year vision for Greater Southdale now embodied in the city’s 2018 Comprehensive Plan.
After four years of effort, today, at the Minnesota State Capitol, the Minnesota House Transportation and Finance Committee conducted a hearing on House Bill No. HF0593, which did pass - now it's on its way to the House Ways and Means Committee. Hopefully, this legislation will eventually lead to us being able to purchase special, Rotary International, Minnesota license plates for our cars and motorcycles. Thank you to all you Rotarians; especially, Rep. and Chief House Author Heather Alstad Edelson, my co-testifiers PDGs Tim Murphyand Kyle Haugen, our 17 (so far) co-authors of the legislation (including the House and Senate) and those who came out today to support us. — withPaul Nelson, Heather Alstad Edelson, Tim Murphy,Margaret Kinsella Johnson and Kyle Haugen.
On January 31, 2019, thanks to State Representative Heather Edelson, Rotary License Plate Legislation was reintroduced or as they say in the Legislature "dropped," which is a good thing. Generally the word "dropped" usually has a negative connotation; but, in this case, it is exactly what we wanted to happen.
A step closer to this being Minnesota!
HF 593: A bill for an act relating to motor vehicles; establishing Rotary International special license plates; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 168.
Representative Edelson (District 49A) did an incredible job by securing a total of ten, bi-partisan authors for the Bill, which is more than we have ever had in years past. This includes Representative Steve Elkins (District 49B). It has been referred to Transportation Finance and Policy.
With fellowship in hand, we took our seats and began another gathering of this eternal winter with John Flynn welcoming us and showing us videos of members explaining how the Rotary inspires them. The invocation from the writings of Theodore Geisel and then the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Rotary 4 Way Test was provided by David Aase.
Jody Kern introduced our guests. Today’s guests were hosted by Sutton McGraw, Joe Hayes, Bjorn Freudenthal, Jennifer Hendrickson, Deirdre Kvale,and Jody Kern. Lisa Walker extended to us all a rousing invitation to participate in an Irish dinner to be held March 9th 6-9 pm at the Avidor Welcome Center. Lisa urged us to arrive early before the array of adult Celtic beverages are depleted to naught.
David Clynes and Susan Stiles introduced our newest Paul Harris Fellows: John Buttolph PHF+1 PHS, Brandon Azbill PHF+1, Jim Ryman PHF+4 PHS, and Kris Maser PHF+8 PHS, and Luther Amundson PHF+8 PHS
Answering the call to serve in a dual capacity, Jody Kern introduced our speaker, Greg LaVallee of Just Drive Inc. (www.justdriveday.org) who spoke about distracted driving. After their son was killed by a distracted driver, Greg and his wife determined to work to educate the public about the causes of distracted driving. For, besides the obvious examples of texting and hand-held mobile phone usage, distracted driving includes eating, drinking, conversation with passengers, hands-free phone usage, and focusing on roadside events. Greater still is the threat of “cognitive distraction” – that is, being so absorbed in thought that our awareness of the road becomes impaired. We can avoid distracted driving by turnng our phones off or enabling the “Do Not Disturb While Driving” settings; and by not eating, or drinking, or taking our eyes off the road to reach for items on the floor. We all know what to do – now just do it and save a life.
Tom Bach thanked the speaker and John ended the meeting with a quote from Linda Poindexter: “Make the world safer – start with yourself.”
The Edina Country Club will be serving a lunch menu of Roasted Pork Loin with Porcini Mushroom Gravy OR Southwestern Chicken Salad.
The Rotary Club of Edina's Administrator, Becci Michalski, works part time and will respond to your inquiries within 24 hours. Contact her at rmichalski@EdinaRotary.org or leave a voicemail or text message at 612-234-7390.
Michael Schroeder is a landscape architect and currently Assistant Superintendent for Planning Services at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, where he oversees the planning and design of the MPRB’s 160 neighborhood parks and 19 regional parks and trails
UPDATE: Feb. 28,2019
