Just five percent of eligible voters cast a ballot Tuesday in Saint Paul's City Council races.  Just 5,584 votes were cast, making it one of the lowest turnout elections in 30 years, despite an expected 14.6 percent increase the city’s property tax levy.  Incumbents led in voting and following are the contests for the November 6 general election:

Ward 1: Incumbent Debbie Montgomery vs. Melvin Carter.
Ward 2: Incumbent Dave Thune vs. Bill Hosko.
Ward 3: Incumbent Pat Harris vs. Gerald Mischke.
Ward 4: Russ Stark vs. Terrance Bushard.
Ward 5: Incumbent Lee Helgen vs. David Haas.
Ward 6: Incumbent Dan Bostrom vs. Pakou Hang. 
Ward 7: Incumbent Kathy Lantry vs. Janine Kelley. 

The Saint Paul City Council voted September 11 to set the maximum City levy at 14.6 percent.  The levy represents the higher of Mayor Coleman’s two proposed tax increases, which was not dependent on local government aid.  Council Members Montgomery, Harris and Council President Lantry voted against the measure.  The final levy will be set in December and will include details on how the money is allocated.  Your Chamber’s Local Fiscal Policy Committee will continue to provide input on city and county budgets between now and early December when the final budget is set, with the goal of lowering the cost of doing business throughout the East Metro.
  
More than 3,500 people voted in Maplewood’s primary election on Tuesday.  The top four vote-getters will advance to the general election on November 6.  They are: incumbent Rebecca Cave (941 votes), John Nephew (2,222 votes), Delray Rokke (793 votes) and incumbent Will Rossbach (2340 votes). 
 
Ted Lillie, Chair of your Chamber Board, and I will be in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, September 18 for meetings with the Minnesota Congressional delegation to discuss transportation funding.  Representatives from Ramsey County will participate in these visits as well.

Congratulations to Opus Corporation on the grand opening of the condominium building at The Summit of Mendota Heights development.  I attended the grand opening event along with Opus executives last week.

September marks the kick-off of the 2007-08 season for both the arts and sports in the East Metro.  The Minnesota Wild open the pre-season Tuesday, September 18 against the Detroit Red Wings.  Come out and show your support for Minnesota’s pro-hockey team!  In addition, I was pleased to be able to attend the opening of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra’s 49th season last weekend. The SPCO is the nation’s only full-time professional chamber orchestra and is widely regarded as one of the finest chamber orchestras in the world.

Your Chamber is offering a chance to win domestic round-trip tickets for two for helping us sign 100 new members in September and October.  So grab those business cards you’ve collected and BlackBerry numbers you’ve added and bring a potential member to a Chamber event next week.  Or stop by a business colleague’s workplace and tell them about the resources and network of your Chamber.  Contact Amanda with leads:  Amanda@saintpaulchamber.com.

Hear about plans for the 2008 Republican National Convention to be held in the Twin Cities at the 8th Annual Regional Business Organization Conference on Thursday, September 20 from 11:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the Prom Center in Oakdale. Nearly 20 Chambers of Commerce, Rotary Clubs and business associations present this once-a-year opportunity to network and learn about the organizations that build business in our communities. Keynote speaker Cyndi Lesher, president of the MSP 2008 Host Committee, will discuss the $150 million local economic impact expected from the convention. Register online at www.saintpaulchamber.com or call George at 651.265.2795.

Your Chamber’s former board chair Karen Himle spoke this week at Good Morning!  Himle, vice president of University Relations for the University of Minnesota, reminded us of the importance of a research university to the economy. She said "the 2007 Better World Project credits the U of M with four of the world’s 100 best academic discoveries with real-world application:  addressing water purification in the developing world; HIV treatment; metabolic disorder in horses; and swine pandemics." 

Your Chamber’s suite at the Xcel Energy Center is available to lease for the College Ice Breaker Tournament, October 12-13, $1,750; and some great concerts with Bruce Springsteen, November 2, $4,750; and Keith Urban, November 17, $1,750.  Each event includes 16 tickets. Contact Stephanie Moore at 651.265.2786 or stephanie@saintpaulchamber.com.

Member Reward Coupons

Your Chamber's unique member-to-member online business tool is just a click away! Browse "Members Only" offers from your fellow Chamber members and post your own using the links below.

Click Here to view "Rewards Coupon" offers from your fellow Chamber members.  To add your "Rewards Coupon" click here.  Your  Membership ID# is  %%User1%% + the last four digits of your main phone number..