Hennepin County and its cities are seeking volunteers for the Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP).

If you are disabled and want more control, flexibility and responsibility for your care, come to a free information session about the “Consumer Support Grant” from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 25, at the Hennepin County Library – Ridgedale, 12601 Ridgedale Drive, Room 229, Minnetonka.

The Hennepin County Board recently announced that it has appointed Nancy Tyra Lukens, former mayor of Eden Prairie, to the Capital Budgeting Task Force.

For more information on advisory boards and how you can volunteer to serve, contact Yolanda McCrary at 612-348-3257; by mail at A2400 Government Center, 300 S. Sixth St., Minneapolis, MN 55487; or get an application on the Hennepin County Web site, www.hennepin.us, under “Government/Participation.”

By Leah Shaffer

Last year’s contentious budgeting year at the State Capitol is likely to extend into another round as the legislative session starts up Feb. 4. Though a bonding bill will be at the top of the agenda, so will budget cuts.

The November economic forecast from Minnesota Management and Budget estimated a projected $1.2 billion shortfall for 2010-2011, and the February financial forecast is unlikely to get sunnier.
The common concern among all three EP Legislators was how to tackle the deficit.

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners is seeking applicants from the community to fill positions on seven citizen advisory boards. The County Board appoints some or all of the members of each board. The following boards have vacancies:

* Adult Mental Health Advisory Council: Members serve three-year terms and meet monthly on the third Thursday of the month from 2 to 4:30 p.m. at Hennepin County Library – Hosmer in Minneapolis. There are 22 vacancies.

The Metropolitan Council is taking applications to fill seven positions on the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB), with member terms due to expire in January. The TAB is a 33-member body, composed of elected officials, representatives of government agencies involved in transportation issues, citizen members, and members who represent transportation modes, such as transit, freight and non-motorized modes.

The council is looking for four citizen representatives, including one to represent the area including Eden Prairie.

"Hennepin Sheriff Rich Stanek is reminding parents and guardians to keep children away from thin ice on rivers, ponds, creeks and lakes. Now that children are enjoying winter break, they have more time to explore the outdoors. Please instruct your children to stay off of partially-frozen bodies of water," according to a news release.

“Over the years, too many children have been severely injured or killed falling through thin ice in Hennepin County,” said Sheriff Stanek in the release, “Please take precautions and teach your kids that no ice should ever be considered safe.”

The Hennepin County Board has OK'd a Southwest Light Rail Transit (LRT) Community Works project to coordinate economic development opportunities along the Southwest LRT Corridor, according to a news release from the county.

"In consultation with Eden Prairie, Edina, Hopkins, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, St. Louis Park, the Metropolitan Council and other key stakeholders, staff will be developing project goals, geographic boundaries, participating organizations, a work plan, budget and organizational structure for board consideration in approximately three months," the release said.

This past year, SouthWest Transit felt its first drop in bus ridership levels in more than a decade. This follows years of double-digit growth for the suburban transit agency, which is based in Eden Prairie. The pressures of the economy and state funding hassles may bring further challenges in the upcoming year.

“This commission is going to have some challenges ahead, unfortunately,” said SouthWest Chief Executive Officer Len Simich.

A free H1N1 vaccine clinic is set for 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, at Eden Prairie High School, according to a news release from the school district.

The clinic is only for:

* All children, youth, and adults ages 6 months through 24 years

* Adults 25-64 with chronic health conditions (asthma, diabetes, lung conditions, cerebral palsy, and muscular dystrophy),

* Pregnant women

* Healthcare providers and emergency medical services personnel and

* Children and adults who live with, or provide care to, infants younger than 6 months old.