The Signs, They Are A-Changin'

Lino Moratorium On Digital Billboards Initiated

By Deb Barnes

The Lino Lakes City Council voted at its February 26 meeting to begin the process of enacting a one-year moratorium on "digital billboards" within the city limits.

Community Development Director Michael Grochala explained that the adoption of a moratorium was recommended by City Attorney William Hawkins in response to traffic safety concerns about the billboards' effects on drivers.

Photo by Bruce Cochran

"We want to re-examine our [sign] ordinance," Grochala said.

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Visiting His Way Across America

Lee The Horselogger Passes Through Hugo, Headed East

By Deb Barnes

Lee The Horselogger and Toad of the children's classic tale, "The Wind In The Willows," have a few things in common: both bitten by the call of the open road, they throw caution to the wind and set out to see the world, meeting strangers along the way. But in Lee's case, that part of it is all by design.

"I'm visiting my way across America, meeting neighbors I just didn't know yet," the Montana man relates.

Lee Craft on pulled into Hugo during afternoon rush hour on Tuesday, February 20, making a left -hand turn onto 165th Street with a little help from Officer Garvey of the Minnesota State Patrol.

Headed for Cherie McKenzie's Sundown Horse Farm & Shelter, Craft on was barely visible behind his two stalwart Suffolk Punch draft horses, Tom and Max, on a homemade wagon that looks a bit - well, like it might not make another mile.

Lee the Horselogger breezed into Hugo on February 20 on his way east.

Photo by Deb Barnes

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Comprehensive Plan Input Gathered At Hugo Public Workshop

By Aaron Rupar

On February 26, Hugo held a public workshop to solicit feedback from citizens regarding the 2008 Comprehensive Plan. Bustling with chatter between city staff and citizens, the meeting was the first in a series before the comprehensive plan is finalized sometime in 2008.

"A comprehensive plan is a set of guidelines that changes through time and guides development," said Community Development Director Bryan Bear in a video presentation that was played for citizens throughout the evening.

Associate Planner Rachel Simone answered questions from several new residents of Hugo at the Comprehensive Plan Workshop at City Hall.

Photo by Louis Melamed

"We are really talking about the big picture for development that will happen in the city in the future," he added.

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