Smiglewski honored with top award for elected officials from the League of Minnesota Cities

Granite Falls mayor Dave Smiglewski was recently named as the 2020 C.C. Ludwig Award winner by the League of Minnesota Cities. The C.C. Ludwig award is named for a former League executive director and is considered to be the League’s highest award for elected officials. Established in 1962, the award is presented annually in celebration of outstanding service. Recipients are chosen for their vision, statesmanship, and unwavering commitment to the public good.

Smiglewski has served as Granite Falls mayor for the past 24 years. Prior to that, he served as a city councilor and was first elected to that position in 1979. He is a former newspaper publisher and general manager, and has served on the board of directors for the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities, the League of Minnesota Cities, and the Greater Minnesota Partnership — an organization that advocates for policies and programs that help foster economic development in Greater Minnesota. Smiglewski has also been involved in several community organizations, including the Kiwanis Club, Project Turnabout, and the local food shelf, among others. In 2016, he was chosen as a Bush Foundation Fellow.

Smiglewski is cited by two of his nominators particularly for his exceptional leadership during three natural disasters — two floods and a tornado — occurring in the city. They noted that, “His dedication and commitment was key in overcoming these challenging times. In addition, after flooding occurred, he became very active in mitigation efforts to ensure the community’s sustainability for years to come.”

Another nominator noted that Smiglewski has a passion not only for Granite Falls, but for all cities in Minnesota as demonstrated by his participation on municipal association boards.

“The mayor is ready and willing to do what it takes whenever possible, and is fair and level-headed,” said the nominator. “I appreciate the fact that he believes in the concept of One Minnesota.”

The C.C. Ludwig Award competition was judged by a panel of former members of the League of Minnesota Cities board of directors, including Mary McComber, mayor, Oak Park Heights; Mark McNeill, city administrator, Mendota Heights; and Donna Schmitt, mayor, Columbia Heights.

UM-Duluth faculty threaten to put all classes online

DULUTH (AP) — Faculty at the University of Minnesota-Duluth’s largest college are threatening to put all their courses online if administrators don’t meet their demands to make better preparations to handle COVID-19 infections when classes resume this fall.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Wednesday that Swesnson College of Science and Engineering department heads sent a letter to Chancellor Lendley Black on Monday demanding an on-campus testing site, daily updates on positive cases, notifications if students test positive and clear online options for students. The letter demands administrators implement the changes before classes resume Aug. 31.

“It is difficult to imagine that we will be able to be in person for more than a few weeks with what we know of the current plan,” the letter states. “We are risking our ability to deliver classes even remotely if we do not achieve these items very quickly.”

About half of all UM-Duluth classes will be online during the fall semester, although about 80% of students will have at least one in-person class.

University spokeswoman Lynne Williams said “faculty control their delivery mode and should be preparing their contingency plans.” But she warned that the university will keep campus community members’ heath records private and the school can’t get information from people who seek medical care off-campus.

California man sentenced in van fire that killed 6-year-old

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A judge has sentenced a California man to six months in prison in connection with a Minnesota van fire that left a 6-year-old girl dead.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Wednesday that Anoka County Judge Thomas Lehmann sentenced 72-year-old Roberto Hipolito of Long Beach last week. Hipolito had pleaded guilty to two felony counts of negligent fire; a manslaughter charge was dismissed.

The judge also ordered Hipolito to serve three years on probation. If Hipolito completes his sentence the felony convictions will be reduced to misdemeanors. Prosecutors said Wednesay that they didn’t object to the reduction, citing Hipolito’s age and lack of criminal history.

Investigators believe Hipolito was using a stove to cook in a Fridley Wal-Mart parking lot early on the morning of Aug. 6, 2019. Hipolito told investigators that he placed the stove into the back of his van and went into the store. The stove started a fire that spread to another van parked alongside Hipolito’s vehicle.

Essie McKenzie of Coon Rapids had left her daughters, 6-year-old Ty’rah White, and 9-year-old Taraji White, sleeping that van while she went into the Wal-Mart to shop. Both girls were taken by ambulance to a hospital. Taraji suffered burns but survived. Ty’rah died at the hospital of burns and smoke inhalation.