Mahtomedi forum to weigh all sides of Sandpiper debate

March 18, 2015 by

SanpiperMainlineRIP19Nov2014A forum in Mahtomedi next month will size up the proposed Sandpiper Pipeline, and all sides of the debate will be represented, including organized labor.

River Valley Action will sponsor the forum, entitled “Mixing Oil and Water? Perspectives on the Sandpiper Oil Pipeline,” from 7 to 8:30 p.m. April 13 at White Bear Unitarian Universalist Church, 328 Maple Street.

Sandpiper is Enbridge Energy’s proposed $2.5 oil pipeline across northern Minnesota, currently under review by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. If approved, the pipeline would link the oil-rich Bakken region of North Dakota with Superior, Wis. – and create an estimated 1,500 construction jobs.

The proposal has drawn opposition from some environmentalist groups, but the Minnesota Building and Construction Trades Council supports the pipeline, arguing it will ease congestion in the state’s rail system, reduce the risk of rail accidents in highly populated areas and boost northern Minnesota’s struggling economy.

At the forum, Deborah Pile of the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will provide an overview of the project and the review process, then moderate a discussion among panelists representing Enbridge Energy, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the environmental group Friends of the Headwaters and Local 49 of the International Union of Operating Engineers, a union supporting the project.

Following the panel discussion, attendees will be encouraged to contact decision makers and let them know of their concerns and expectations.

River Valley Action is a group for citizens of the St. Croix Valley area who value a healthy and informed civic community. The nonpartisan group is “associated with labor unions, nonprofit organizations and faith communities,” and it focuses on public policy at the state and local levels.

For more information go to www.RiverValleyAction.org.

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Forum to consider East Metro’s transportation issues

November 19, 2014 by
Abby Tomasek wore a cardboard light-rail costume to the ribbon cutting. She and other activists used the event as an opportunity to sign transit-users up for MoveMN, an advocacy group pushing broad investments in the state's transportation infrastructure.

MoveMN, an advocacy group pushing broad investments in the state’s transportation infrastructure, engaged riders on the opening day of Green Line light-rail service. The group’s field director, Bethany Winkels, will participate in a forum on East Metro transportation issues Dec. 7.

What can East Metro residents do to increase their access to effective transportation, and what should lawmakers do about the issue when the Legislature convenes in next year? That’s the topic of a free, public program in Oakdale next month.

  • What: “Getting There from Here: Transportation Challenges in the East Metro
  • When: 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9
  • Where: Guardian Angels Church, Peter O’Neill Hall, 8260 4th St. N., Oakdale (off I-94 and Radio Drive)

Dr. David Schultz, professor of political science at Hamline University, will moderate a panel discussion with Jan Lucke, Washington County’s transportation planning manager; Harry Melander, president of the Minnesota Building & Construction Trades Council and Metropolitan Council member; and Bethany Winkels, field director of Move MN, a transportation advocacy group.

The program also will include time for the audience to ask panelists questions, offer ideas and take action to ensure legislative progress in 2015.

The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

For more information, visit www.RiverValleyAction.org.

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Woodbury forum to consider East Metro’s transportation challenges

March 3, 2014 by

NoGimmicksForum“Pains, Trains & Automobiles,” a forum and panel discussion in Woodbury March 18, will consider what can be done to improve Minnesota’s transportation system, with an emphasis on meeting the needs of Washington County and the East Metro.

The forum will run from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Genesis Room at Woodbury Lutheran Church, located at 7380 Afton Road in Woodbury.

The forum will provide a variety of perspectives from local and regional government, business, and affordable housing advocates. Attendees will have an opportunity to share their concerns and consider activities that will assure legislative action. Panelists include:

  • Gary Kreisel – Washington County Commissioner
  • Harry Melander – Metropolitan Council, Board Member 12th District
  • Todd Streeter – Executive Director and Board President, Greater Stillwater Area Chamber of Commerce
  • Sue Watlov Phillips – Interim Executive Director, Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing (MICAH)

Dane Smith, director of the think tank Growth and Justice, will moderate the panel discussion.

This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.

The forum is being co-sponsored by River Valley Action, League of Women Voters White Bear Lake Area, Transit for Livable Communities and Sierra Club North Star Chapter.

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River Valley Action to celebrate 10 years in St. Croix Valley

July 11, 2013 by

NoGimmicksForumTen years ago, bolstered by a grant from the Minnesota AFL-CIO, union members and grassroots activists in the St. Croix Valley set out to create a forum for progressive dialogue in the region. The result was River Valley Action, which will mark its 10th year of advocating on issues that improve people’s lives with a picnic Aug. 7, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Pioneer Park in Stillwater.

The picnic is free, with food and drink provided by River Valley Action, the Minnesota AFL-CIO and the St. Paul Regional Labor Federation. A guitar duo will provide musical entertainment, and sing-alongs of labor and patriotic anthems are planned.

Special guests expected to join the celebration include Minnesota AFL-CIO President Shar Knutson, State Auditor Rebecca Otto and Katie Gulley, one of the founding organizers of River Valley Action.

Over the last decade, River Valley Action has hosted forums and engaged the public on issues like fair taxes, adequate funding of state services, voting rights, health care, environmental protection, public education funding and sustainable transportation.

Pioneer Park is located on the corner of Second and Laurel streets in Stillwater.

For more information contact River Valley Action at info@RiverValleyAction.org, or go to www.rivervalleyaction.org.

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Community forum on ‘honest tax reform’ April 4 in Woodbury

March 27, 2013 by

NoGimmicksForumA forum and panel discussion in Woodbury April 4 will demonstrate “the need for the Minnesota Legislature to make reforms that stop the cycle of recurring deficits, and instead establish a structurally sound budget now and in the future.”

Sponsored by River Valley Action, the forum will run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Woodbury-Peaceful Grove United Methodist Church, 7465 Steepleview Road.

Three brief presentations by tax policy experts – Minnesota Commissioner of Revenue Myron Frans; Jeff Van Wychen of Minnesota 2020; and Sean Kershaw, executive director of the Citizens League – will open the forum. After the speakers explore the history of recent budgeting gimmicks, tax loopholes and the need for adequate revenue, Dane Smith, director of the think tank Growth and Justice, will moderate a panel discussion, featuring questions from the audience.

Following the forum, River Valley Action will provide information to assist audience members in influencing lawmakers in their decisions on the current budget.

This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided.

River Valley Action is a group of citizens of Washington County who value a healthy and informed civic community. Learn more at www.rivervalleyaction.org.

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Oakdale community forum to tackle money in politics

July 12, 2012 by

River Valley Action will host a forum entitled “Follow the Money: How big money influences our elections and public policy” Aug. 8, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., in Peter O’Neill Hall at Guardian Angels Church in Oakdale.

From the Supreme Court’s Citizens United ruling to the influence groups like ALEC are having on the legislative process, Minnesotans are seeing the impact that big money is having on our elections, public policy, and civic dialogue. Panelists at the Aug. 8 forum will provide an in-depth look at the changes. Panelists include:

• Tom Horner, 2010 Independence Party candidate for governor.
• State Sen. John Marty, a DFLer.
• Beth Hawkins, a journalist from MinnPost.

The discussion will be moderated by former Minnesota House Minority Leader Matt Entenza.

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

River Valley Action is a group for citizens of the St. Croix Valley area who value a healthy and informed civic community. The nonpartisan group is “associated with labor unions, nonprofit organizations and faith communities,” and it focuses on public policy at the state and local levels.

For more information go to www.RiverValleyAction.org.

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