News from the week of July 26, 2000 Headlight Herald - Serving Tracy, Minnesota, since 1880
Council to discuss officer shortage, possible county coverage
Should the city of Tracy have its law enforcement needs handled by the Lyon County Sheriff's Department, rather than continue to operate its own poilice department?
In a nutshell, that's the issue that Tracy City Council members will discuss at a special meeting Monday, July 31. The meeting begins at 7pm in city council chambers.
The Tracy Police Commission recommended the special meeting.
City administrator Audrey Koopmen says the issue has come up because of the increased difficulty the police department faces in recruiting and retaining officers. She said there is a statewide shortage of trained people in the law enforcement field.
High school track needs attention, school board told
Serious concerns about the condition of the high school track were raised Monday night at the July 24 meeting of the Tracy Board of Education. The startling discovery that the track contains an asbestos base pushed the issue of the deteriorating track back into the school board's radar.
“This is it, folks. We can't hold off any longer,” said Dr. Clark who discovered the problem last Thursday afternoon after talking with the builder of the track. “This needs to be fixed, now.”
The track, which was built in the mid 1970s, should be resealed every 5 to 6 years to maintain its condition. However, the track has not been sealed for about 9 years. To keep current with health and safety codes regarding asbestos, the track needs to be maintained soon, Dr. Clark said.
Two physicians expected to begin practices this fall
If all goes as expected, two physicians are expected to join Tracy Area Medical Services this fall.
A contract has been offered to Dr. Javed Fazal of Corona, New York. Dr. Fazal, now finishing his residency in internal medicine at North Shore University Hospital, is expected to begin work at Tracy in October. His specialties are pediatrics and obstetrics.
Dan Reiner, administrator and CEO for TAMS and the Westbrook Health Center, said this week that a contract has been offered to Dr. Fazal, subject to the completion of a routine background and credentials check. Dr. Fazal has verbally accepted the offer, Reiner said.
The previously announced addition of Dr. Musa Varwani is also proceeding on schedule.
Reiner said that Dr. Varwani, who is also completing his residency at North Shore, has agreed to a contract and is also expected to begin in October. Dr. Varwani's specialties are in cardiac care and geriatrics.
`Maxine's' will open next month in former 21st Century Bank building
A new restaurant will open next month in the former 21st Century Bank building in Downtown Tracy.
Maxine's Cuisine, Cordials & Catering is scheduled to open its doors Thursday, Sept. 21. Owners Marilyn and Greg Frederickson say they will also have an open house on the Sunday prior to opening.
Maxine's will offer fine dining four evenings a week, Thursday through Sunday, from 5 to 11 p.m. The establishment will also serve lunches, Tuesday through Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday evening will be a family-orientated pasta and pizza night. On Sundays a “champagne brunch” is planned.
“We really want to make this place special,” said Marilyn.
“People will drive a long way for good food in a nice place,” Greg said.
For more on this story, see this week's paper .
New Tracy pool study okayed
*Firm that designed
Slayton pool hired
The possible replacement of the Sebastian Park swimming pool is back on the front burner for Tracy City Government.
City government members Monday night approved a $5,800 study to develop new proposals for replacing the swimming pool. The report, which will include a needs assessment and analysis of the existing facility, will be drafted by U.S. Aquatics, the engineering firm that drew up plans for the new swimming pool that opened in Slayton this spring.
The U.S. Aquatics study was recommended by Shorty Engel, Tracy Pool Administrator.
Improvement is on the horizon for beleaguered Tracy motorists.
Public Works Director Don Polzine reports that streets affected by the city's $1.7 million sewer separation project should begin to improve next week. It's expected that construction putting torn up streets back into driveable condition will be well underway next week.
Later this week, a subcontractor is scheduled to begin crushing the material excavated from streets earlier this summer. This material will then be used to rebuild city streets. Another subcontractor is slated to begin work next week putting in new curb and gutter.
“Streets should be looking a lot better next week,” Polzine said.