St. Cloud Times from Saint Cloud, Minnesota • Page 3

"IiO)Ol Questions or comments about our iocal coverage? call our topic editors: Rene Kaluza, educationenvironment, 255-8761 Lee Rood, governmentsafety, 255-8747 Times 3A Wednesday, April 5, 1995 1 ftpids sweetens I The Fishing Here Is Cold Arte Smre tlilcOMsildfls f4 (J ment with them," he said. But lowering the price $10,000 may not be enough to get McDonald's, Haarman said. McDonald's, concerned that the corner lot is too small, also has suggested the intersection might need to be adjusted to give customers easier access. "There are other fast-food franchises that are not very picky," Haarman said. "McDonald's has made it clear that if they can't get what they want, they'll go somewhere else." Development of the retail center has been a source of controversy for two years.

In 1993 and 1994, the HRA spent $1.5 million to buy out 15 business owners some of whom did not want to leave their downtown locations in order to clear the way for the retail center. The Beard Group of Minneapolis earned the right to develop the project Business owners criticized the HRA for using tax money to try to attract a fast-food chain. Generally, they noted, HRA money is designed to create more jobs that pay more than a fast-food restaurant Dick Turch, whose family's business, Turch Jewelry, was forced across the street and out of its downtown location of nearly 50 years, said he laughs when he looks across the street at the retail center. HRA lowers by $10,000 price of proposed lot By Todd Cooper TIMES STAFF WRITER McDonald's is closer than ever to frying burgers and fries in Sauk Rapids' downtown retail center, Housing and Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Bob Haarman said. On Tuesday night, the HRA gave the fast-food chain more incentive to build downtown.

At Haarman's request, the HRA agreed to lower its asking price for the corner lot of the development at Benton Drive and First Street South by $10,000. Haarman refused to specify what McDonald's is offering, but said the two sides are $20,000 apart He suggested the HRA agree to meet McDonald's in the middle and lower its asking price by $10,000. The HRA originally wanted $250,000 for the lot. Haarman said the amount under discussion now is lower than that "It's no secret that I've been talking with McDonald's for some time now. I'm more optimistic now about it than I have been in the past.

We're closer to an agree The six-store center has three spots open, including the comer lot "To me, if kind of a joke now," Turch said. "I've thought about putting up a sign over there that says 'HRA Field of Dreams' "And I don't think McDonald's is going to bring in any more business. Customers aren't going to go out of their way to get to a McDonald's when there's already one on every corner." A HRA members disagree. "They're a big draw," said HRA board member Jerry Leese. "People especially younger folks flock to McDonald's." Haarman said the HRA hopes McDonald's accepts the offer.

The HRA has been forced to depend on its $150,000 line of credit, because it expected to have revenues from the loft sale by now, Haarman said. So far, the HRA has tapped the line of credit for about $36,000. The HRA will draw on its credit until it gets the money for the lot or until July when the HRA receives its annual allocation of tax increment financing funds, y. Leese said he's hopeful the HRA will reach an agreement with McDonald's soon. "I can smell the burgers frying right now," he said.

1 1 vV :t.i'C:Z,.. -i TIMES PHOTO BY KIMM ANDERSON Chris Moog, St. Cloud, kept his hands in his pock- noon along Fifth ets in an attempt to keep warm while watching River, his bobber and hoping for a bite Tuesday after- Avenue North on the Mississippi Candidate Thomas puts premium on interaction, '1' -V I I 'X 1. Selection could come as early as April 20 St. Cloud school board members could name a permanent superintendent at their board meeting April 20, vice chairman Steve Ringsmuth said.

The two finalists are Lenore Jan-man, interim superintendent of St. Cloud schools and Bruce Thomas, superintendent of Worthington school district They have completed interviews, visited schools and met community members at a public reception. Several board members said they will visit Worthington school district next week. They also will interview people who know and work closely with Janman in St Cloud. Board members are looking for a replacement for Ron Jandura, who served as superintendent from 1983 to 1994.

His contract was not renewed in April Janman has been interim superintendent since May. Dave Aeikens visiting schools and taking part in a public reception. He has been superintendent in Worthington since 1988 and spent six years as superintendent in Wheaton. l. TIMES PHOTO BY SHER STONEMAN visibility; -A "We agreed that there's a need for this kind of development," she said.

"After examining it in the past few weeks, Pm a lot more comfortable with it than I was last time." Board members said several assurances from Morton made them feel more at ease. Among them, Morton said that if the development isn't successful, he'll sell it to another contractor to finish the project. If that developer doesn't deliver, he said, the HRA will be able to take full ownership of the complex. He noted that by the time his company completes the first phase of the construction, it will want to ensure that the .1 m- -it v. District 742 school superintendent candidate with George B.

Erickson, St Cloud, during a corn-Bruce Thomas (right) shared a laugh Tuesday munity reception for Thomas at the Holiday Inn.1. Carlson picks replacement 'Ijif forSimonett iSM Sauk Rapids HRA OKs aid for project -T Learning key player in the organization," Thomas said. Thomas said he would review board minutes, audits and communications and interview key people and groups in the community. He also would visit classrooms in the district "I feel far more comfortable being in buildings seeing kids do good things and seeing teachers do what they do best that's teach," Thomas said. Being in schools gives him a chance to observe all parts of the organization and view the curriculum and programs, Thomas said.

After he has gotten to know the district, Thomas said he and school board members could start to accomplish things. "What we have to have is a vision of where we are headed," Thomas said. The district should chart a course, develop an action plan and hold people accountable for reaching goals, he said. "I believe very strongly that the children we have in our schools are the responsibility of the parents and the school system to provide the best education possible," Thomas said. Thomas was in St Cloud Monday and Tuesday meeting with board members, Local Briefing Melrose Officials investigate fire at mobile home park MELROSE Melrose Fire Department officials are investigating the cause of a mobile home fire this morning.

The fire occurred at Rose Terrace Lot 53 in the city of Melrose at about 6 a.m. Fire department officials did not release any additional information about the owners of the mobile home, possible injuries or damage of the fire. Kendra E. Johnson St Cloud Sierra Club speakers look at House 'Contract' Charles Fried, past president of the Minnesota Sierra Club and Ginny Yin-gling, public lands committee chair of the Minnesota Sierra Club, will speak at the Sierra Club Big River Group's meeting at 7 tonight at the Heritage Nature Center. They will speak about "A Hidden War on the Environment The Polluters Bill of Rights Buried Within the Contract With America" and current state environmental issues.

The public is invited to attend. Patty Mattem Hopeful superintendent stresses hands-on role By Dave Aeikens TIMES STAFF WRITER Before he would make any changes to the St. Cloud school district, Bruce Thomas said he would conduct a needs assessment Thomas, superintendent of Worthing-ton school district, told St Cloud school board members Tuesday how he would spend his first six months on the job if named superintendent He is one of two finalists for the position. Thomas, 51, said he would need to familiarize himself with the district before he and the board could work together to meet their goals. He would meet with employee groups so they could get to know each other and develop a comfort leveL "I would want to share my views as an educational philosophy, my convictions and my style of management," he said.

He said he would meet parent groups to be perceived as accessible and visible. He would draft a weekly newsletter to share his observations on the district He would use cable television as much as possible to increase his visibility. "I think it's important people see me as a viable part of the organization and a Stearns chooses McClure to head data processing By Kendra Johnson TIMES STAFF WRITER A computer wiz from Chanhassen will head Stearns County's Management Information Systems department County commissioners voted Tuesday to select George McClure to head the 11-member data processing department. McClure's appointment comes after a year's worth of efforts to replace Mike Bauer, who resigned in February. This is the second time commissioners have interviewed for the position.

After the top choice in the first search withdrew, commissioners explored turning the data processing department over to a local company. Board members eventually turned down that approach. McClure, a graduate of St Cloud State University, was chosen over about 40 other candidates who applied for the positioa A screening committee, made up of board chairwoman Rose Arnold, county aclministrator George Rindelaub, acting MIS director Pete Yanke and county human resources director Irene Koski, narrowed the candidates to six before picking three finalists for board members to interview two weeks ago. (Commissioner Robert Gambrino called all candidates "top notch," but said McClure scored better in the hiring process. Koski said McClure's combined 14 years of experience hels worked with the city of Minneapolis, Iowa Social Service Systems and the Iowa Department of Public Safety and eight years as a manager made him the top candidate.

"He clearly aware of the issues we deal with in government, and because of his experience in technology, he up on all the new trends in technology," Koski said. McClure will start June 1 with a salary of $48,724. ST. PAUL (AP) Slightly more than three weeks ago, Edward Toussaint Jr. became the first black judge on the Minnesota Court of Appeals.

In slightly more than a week, he will become chief judge of the Appeals Court. Gov. Arne Carlson on Tuesday named Toussaint, 53, to succeed Anne Simon-ett, a Little Falls native who resigned to undergo treatment for a brain tumor. Toussaint was sworn in March 13 to a seat on the Appeals Court after serving 14 years as a judge on other courts. 'Tve learned already, by being on the Minnesota Court of Appeals, to be quiet, to shut up, to listen and to learn," Toussaint said.

"That's what I'm going to continue." While praising Toussaint's management skills, Carlson said replacing Simonett under the circumstances was difficult for himself and his new appointee. "We truly love Anne Simonett," Carlson said. Anne Simonett PLANS TO ATTEND SWEARING-IN Edward Toussaint Jr. TAKES OVER APRIL 12 Simonett, the 42-year-old daughter of former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice John Simonett, announced her retirement from the bench on Feb. 21.

It was effective Friday. She had served as the court's chief judge only since July. Simonett, the first woman to head the 11-year-old court, plans to attend Toussaint's swearing-in ceremony April 12 Carlson spokeswoman Barb Shlafer said. Her current condition was not immediately available from the governor's office or the court. Carlson appointed Toussaint to the appellate court from the Hennepin County District Court.

Toussaint also has served on the Workers Compensation Court and the Workers Compensation Court of Appeals. With Toussaint's promotion, there will one vacancy on the 16-member court. Clinton will speak at 10 a.m. June 11 at commencement ceremonies for the College of Liberal Arts. The ceremonies, also marking the 125th anniversary of college, will be at Williams Arena.

Sue Eastman, a commencement planner with the university, said Clinton was invited to speak at the ceremonies by University President Nils Hasselmo and Julia Davis, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. $42,000 break given to developer who has no clients for site By Todd Cooper TIMES STAFF WRITER Just like he did a month ago, St Cloud developer Ron Morton approached the Sauk Rapids Housing and Redevelopment Authority with a request Tuesday for funds to help build a complex that would house small businesses. And just like a month ago, he told the council that he had no clients completely committed to his proposed development for the city's southern industrial park. But the Sauk Rapids HRA determined that the prospects for Morton's project were more promising than before. A month after delaying a decision on the project because Morton had no clients, the HRA voted 4-0 to tentatively agree to allocate approximately $42,000 in tax breaks over seven years for the $420,000 first phase of the project Once some minor details are cleared up, the HRA likely will approve a final agreement for the project which could eventually house 11 small businesses in the next couple of weeks.

Although no businesses have committed, Morton said, he has two interested parties for the complex. Sauk Rapids HRA board members said they believe others will follow. Planners have indicated the area could use a small-business development like Morton's, board member Kim Giessinger said. "You're not giving me carte blanche to tie up this land," Morton said. "You're giving me the opportunity to let some- i one else come in if this doesn't work out." Sauk Rapids resident Ron Freihain-mer Tuesday questioned the HRA's agreement to deliver on funding for" a project that hasn't promised a creation First lady to give commencement speech nated for projects that translate into an increase in jobs in the community.

"He just walked out of here with a deal but with no guarantees for jobs Freihammer said. "Is that fair?" HRA board member Jerry Leese said the HRA expects the complex to produce some jobs. "But the question is, 'How he said. "It's a completely different project for us. We'll have to wait and see.

But we think it will fill a need for small businesses in the area." MINNEAPOLIS (AP) First lady Hillary Rodham Clinton is scheduled to give a spring commencement address at the University of Minnesota. A White House source, who asked not to be named, would confirm only that Clinton had accepted the university's invitation to give a graduation speech. The source would not say why Clinton chose Minnesota; she receives hundreds of invitations to give commencement speeches. 'r.