Chaska Herald - Story - Comments

Never mind the firetruck,

rhagelstrom — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 21:43:35 -0600

Never mind the firetruck, what we need questioned is the $80,000 for a mower. Is this some specialized mower? I know a few things about park mowers and you could buy a fleet for that price.

The DVD of Holy Grail in

Mollee Francisco — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:45:57 -0600

The DVD of Holy Grail in America will be release on March 16. You can pre-order it here: http://www.amazon.com/Holy-Grail-America-~/dp/B002PTVMWY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=U...

(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)

Steinar Skailand, a

Mollee Francisco — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:34:00 -0600

Steinar Skailand, a self-proclaimed amateur historian from Norway emailed me with a different translation of the Kensington Runestone.

According to Skailand, the engravings on the Kensington Runestone consist of approximately "50/50 Etruscan/Runes (He may mean Eteocretan as that was a language derivative of Minoan). Thus the engraving is among the “youngest” in North America. It is most likely engraved after the Catastrophe, which took place 1450 BC (a massive volcanic eruption on the island of Santorini in Greece which triggered tsunami waves killing thousands and halting Minoan civilization). Thus it can be estimated to be 2500 – 3000 years old.

"Observe: On the lower part of the stone there are very faint engravings in the following languages: Minoan hieroglyphs, Minoan Linear A, Trojan and Etruscan. Hence the “writing” started at the “age” of the engraving on Heavener- and the Spirit Pond (Map) stones."

English Translation

A
“ (May) the “Flabby”, (o) “Sister/Lover”, recover;
(may) (o) “Chaste”, strong (become), ah, the “to Weakness (doomed)”!
The “Ocean- abyss”, the “Destruction”, (o) “Splitter”, (is) planned;
certainly, the “Sea-foam”, (o) “Greedy”, (is) in abundance present.

A narrow Place (is) the “Sea-foam (place)”, (o) “Maker of happy mood”;
the “Sister/Lover”, (o) “Greedy”, (is) a “beautiful (Youth)”.
Be ready, (o) “Crevice”;
and “whip up Foam”, (o) “by Desire excited”!

See, “crush (the Honour and Rights)” of the “Obedient”, (o) “Sinner/Criminal”,
and make love to the “”by Desire Excited”, (o) “Purposeful”;
the “womanly Counterpart” ”split up”, “torn apart” the “Wrinkled”!
(O) “Ocean-abyss”, certainly, the “friendly Occupied” “deceived”;
the “passionate Excited” ” seduced”, (o) “womanly Virtue”;
the “Greedy”, (o) “by Passion Excited”, certainly, (is) deceived!

Pour out the “small Quantity”, (o) “passionate Excited”;
(o) “Greedy”, make ” the “Prized” flowing!
(May) (o) “Ocean-abyss”, the “Dirt” (be present);
let the “Thin-flowing” surge up, (o) “by Passion Excited”!

And the womanly Virtue keep to her (double bottomed) Plan;
the female Counterpart (is) sneaky.
(O) “Splitter”, seduce the Woman (as the Object of Affection);
live, (o) “Apart-tear”, close to the “by Passion Excited”!

Unscrupulous behaving (is) the “by Passion Excited”;
see, “fraudulently deceptive” (is) the “Ocean-abyss”.
Certainly, a “Plough-blade“, o “Sister/Lover”, (is) the “Apart-tear”;
a “(Plough)handle”, (o) “Shameless”, (is) the male Organ!

(May) the “Splitter” (become) “mortally ill”, (o) “by Passion Excited”;
(may) the “very Long”, really, “be brought in disaster”, o “Sister/Lover”!
“Attach unexpected”, (o) “Ocean-abyss”, the “Splitter”;
“deceive the One in Distress”, (o) “Ocean-abyss”, the Same!

May the “Self-recovered” stay excited, (o) “Spacious”;
may the “intimate Friend” from all sides be surrounded, o “by Passion Excited”!
And of Passion excited, really, (is) the “Sister/Lover”;
and in Excitement brought,(is) the “seducing (Person)”, the womanly Virtue.

Let the “Runaway” “on Departure start”, (o) Woman;
“the Same, the Hunch-backed”, “bondsman/swindler”, (o) “Sister/Lover”! “

“(O) “Sister/Lover”, ”deceive”, really, the “Weak”;
Abandon the Distressed, (o) “Perforated”, the “passionately Excited”!
See, (o) “Apart-tear”, “light wounded”, see, the Woman;
(o) “Passionate Excited”, “covet (to Wife)” the One “Burned with Desire”!

It is moving forward the “Part”, (o) masculine Organ;
(o) “Passionate Excited”, “what attaches itself”, moves forward unsteady
“What is attached”, moves forward, o “eager Desired”;
the “slow Floating”, o “Sister/Lover”, is moving toward the Aim.

My “Departure” (happen), (o) Woman;
my “Flight” (take place) (o) “by Desire Excited”!
My “Turn of Fate” (means) Lack of Power, (o) “womanly Counterpart”;
the “Disaster” (occurs), (o) “by Desire Excited”.

(O) “Numbness”, ah, “Hyena”, you shall “flee”;
withdraw, (o) “Flabby Coward”. “

(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)

Flood forecasts have been

Mollee Francisco — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:28:39 -0600

Flood forecasts have been updated http://www.crh.noaa.gov/news/display_cmsstory.php?wfo=mpx&storyid=48660&...

The chance of water reaching Highway 41 is now 75 percent while, at greater than 98 percent, it appears almost certain that water will innundate Highway 101 in Shakopee.

The likelihood of the river getting as high as it did in 1965 is 5 percent.

All of this rain and rapid snow melt is only increasing the chances of flooding.

(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)

I like your ideas on making

Mark Olson — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 09:20:58 -0600

I like your ideas on making Firemen's Park more of a destination for families.

How would you factor/tie in the planned future retaurant development at the corner of 41/61 with the nearby park development?

Some have floated the idea of using the corner as a park, rather than retail expansion. (I don't have the estimated cost, but I know it would result in a HUGE bill.) Do you think Chaskans would go for that idea?

Also, is there anything different you would do with the beach?

Fireman's Park is not being

rhagelstrom — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:58:36 -0600

Fireman's Park is not being utilized to it's full potential. The location is pretty high profile with Hwy 41 running along it's East. While the playground equipment is cute being all fireman themed, functionally it is one of the worst parks in the city, small neighborhood parks included. The playground excludes most small children from play because the only way to access the majority of the equipment is though the climbing of a ladder, a skill that small children lack. The swings at Fireman's park also are lacking and need to be replaced and expanded. Cosmetically, the equipment is sun-faded, not a big deal but doesn't add to the appeal.

I think Fireman's Park should be the crown jewel of the Chaska parks system given it's location, swimming, fishing, shelter and family area. Playground wise, Lions park is more utilized. If you go to Lions park on virtually any summer day, there will be kids and families who come and go from that park all day long. I think if Fireman's park had superior playground equipment to Lions park, then it would attract some of those from Lions. Additionally, I think if the park was unique such as Skyland play area at Cliff Fen Park in Burnsville, Chutes and Ladders at Hyland play area, or the monstrous Millennium Park in Lake Charles, LA, then there would be more of a area draw, or at least people stopping off of Hwy 41 to take a look.

Winter time the park is largely ignored. Perhaps a large ice rink could be constructed similar to what the City of Minneapolis does at various parks such as Van Cleve park. This move would perhaps draw away from Lions park ice rinks and a decision may need to be made if both spots are to be kept open.

Downtown needs things that make people want to go downtown because they can only get it from downtown. A unique park I think helps.

To see videos on local

Mark Olson — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 15:42:48 -0600

To see videos on local business drummed up by the PGA, check out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaSqYCW0nac or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FiwUXvqYIg. Alas, the PGA wasn't enough to keep one business profiled afloat -- Quiznos.

Greg makes a good point,

Mark Olson — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:49:15 -0600

Greg makes a good point, which expands on the identity crisis comment brought up earlier. He argues: "[Chaska's] brand is disjointed, contradictory and sometimes counter intuitive."

I'd recommend that residents give his blog a read.

Since Greg is a member of the Downtown Task Force, I'm sure it will be part of the discussion.

The superintendent

Mark Olson — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:38:59 -0600

The superintendent interviews with the school board have been pushed back to 7:30 p.m. Also, to clarify, the school board interviews with the superintendent are at the District Education Center. The interviews with school staff and the community will be held at the Chaska High School Blue Forum.

The story has been updated to include these changes.

Ran across this blog entry

Mollee Francisco — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:20:19 -0600

Ran across this blog entry from Greg Swan. It was written in response to the Downtown Turnaround editorial series: http://gregswan.net/2010/03/09/chaska-needs-a-clear-brand-and-an-actiona...

(Mollee Francisco is a staff writer for the Chaska Herald. She can be reached at mfrancisco@swpub.com.)

Thanks for all your

Mark Olson — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:42:13 -0600

Thanks for all your comments. We'll be publishing a few more "Downtown Turnaround" editorials over the upcoming weeks.

A few points and follow-up questions for expansion:

* History is definitely one of downtown's strengths, as noted by Debbie's suggestion about the importance of sensitivity to historic design. Are there other ways Chaska can capitalize on its history regarding downtown?

* On-Topic -- what are some of your suggestions for attracting businesses and jobs?

* Tanya, I thought you brought up some strong points -- notably downtown's identity crisis, which is something the city has grappled with for years. That is (if I understand you correctly): Is downtown for service industries (insurance, realty, etc.) or retail (small shops, restaurants) or both? I also thought you had good points regardling online marketing. Does anyone have any other ideas on how downtown businesses, and the downtown business district, could market themselves better online?

* Johnnie had a few good points: The importance of downtown events to bring attention to the area; and the concept of creating destination points (ala the hockey complex) with downtown in mind. Does anyone have suggestions of what Chaska businesses, residents and government could do in these two areas?

Thanks again for your suggestions. Downtown really needs to be a community discussion and a community effort, and the feedback is terrific.

I grew up in Chaska, I still

Johnnie — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:15:00 -0600

I grew up in Chaska, I still work in the Chaska area and I have seen the changes that have taken place in the place 20+ years. I remember when the Mix used to be Embers and J's before that. I remember fish fry's and live music and Butch's and parades down Walnut Street. Now however, there is nothing that is preventing downtown from moving north. On-Topic, Tanyaaswan, and Debbie all have valid points; there are no incentives for businesses (retail or professional) to locate downtown. Upgrading our walking paths and biking paths will not help save or preserve our downtown. Sure reconnecting the old bike path to the Louisville Swamps trials will help bring outdoor enthusiasts back to the area but what will keep them.

Chaska needs to support its locally owned businesses. For example the City of Northfield holds an annual winter walk where they close off Main Street for one night from 5 till 9. My wife and I attend this festivity and love it. All the business remain open and some give out free hot chocolate, kids sell popcorn and chex mix as a fundraiser; a local man gives sleigh rides; local bars have special meals; volunteers dress up; all in all it is a great night for businesses and residents a like. Understandably, Chaska is not suitable for something like that because shutting down Hwy 41 is not plausible but the point is Northfield does that for the local businesses. The City of Bemidji is building its state of the art Hockey Complex on the opposite side of the Lake Bemidji because it will encourage students, residents and visitors a like to drive through downtown. While the Taste of Chaska is great it really does not encourage people to actually walk around downtown. They park somewhere convenient, walk to the City Square Park and that is it.

I am not sure what the solution is or what it will take to save downtown but I feel it is going to take more than just building sidewalk and paths. We need to show local business owners that they are wanted in the downtown area.

What are the current

tanyaswan — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:52:25 -0600

What are the current incentives for businesses to be located downtown? (Featured on the internet somewhere, help with store planning, discounted rental rates based on sales?) Are there different incentives for different types of businesses to attract more target businesses?

Currently, the neighbors you would gain include second hand stores, chiropractors and insurance agents. Not exactly foot traffic/window shopper drivers for a retail environment. And not the most ideal from a client meeting standpoint.

The traffic being driven currently is either individuals who are probably not going to spend much money or individuals headed in for an appointment and leaving once they're done. Are there any incentives that can be given to stores that are currently driving traffic and thriving to move to a more visible location on 41? When people see others going in and out of a place it drives curiosity.

Is downtown looking to become a business focused destination or a retail focused destination? If foot traffic is the goal then it seems it would need to be a retail focused area. And if that's the case then it needs to be a pleasant window shopping experience during the summer and still easy to navigate and get to the stores in the winter with easy to find parking. It's great that the buildings themselves are getting a facelift, but what's in those buildings needs to be appealing too. Perhaps part of the responsibility with being a downtown retailer means that the storefront displays have to be kept to a certain set of standards. Any signage/display appearing in the windows should be approved first, no displays on the sidewalks, no handwritten/paper signs in the windows, no florescent signage etc.

How do the people find out about what's downtown? The current "Shop Downtown Chaska" web page is currently very dated looking and doesn't give any quality information on what the stores are. Going to a page like that would make me decide not to go there. My first thought was, 'the city obviously doesn't care to give these places a decent listing, so why should I go?' It'd be great if it worked more like a directory sorted by category, then once a business is clicked you see a location map, a description, phone number and any images of what kinds of products that store offers. Comments from shoppers or recommendations. Or even a downtown map with the stores and parking marked. Can the "shopping district" of downtown Chaska have it's own website? Can it look like a higher end mall website? Placing a quality look around the way people find out what's available for shopping will give viewers the impression that the shopping is quality as well. Keeping the site updated with current shops would allow the public to keep up with what's still opened as well. Shops could advertise their specials/special events.

The historical comments I

Debbie Boe — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 11:28:04 -0600

The historical comments I mention are my own. Other members had other comments and have their own particular interests.

Other than meeting every week, what other suggestions do you have? The statement about figuting out 'how our busineses can thrive in Chaska and how can we attract new businesses and jobs' is pretty broad, not to mention the goal of every town. Do you have any actionable suggestions? How might this be attempted or achieved?

And by the way what do you like and dislike about downtown Chaska? Just curious.

Instead of talking about how

On-Topic — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 09:42:15 -0600

Instead of talking about how the buildings look and historical features why doesn't this taskforce figure out how our businesses can thrive in Chaska and how can we attract new businesses and jobs.

If this is what this group is going to focus upon they might as well disband.

This taskforce should be meeting every week until we see some progress on revitalizing our downtown.

Get to work before our downtown dies!