HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998 10-19 Y2000M
Year 2000 Celebration
Organizational Meeting
October 19, 1998
Brooklyn Center Community Center
In Attendance:
Diane Spector, Kathy Flesher, Kristy Toftum, Colleen LaFond, Ed Nelson,
Larry Roen, Bill Miller, Henry Dorff, Phil Cohen, Sue LaCrosse.
Welcoming Remarks:
Mayor Myrna Kragness said she is excited about the opportunity to
celebrate the Year 2000 in Brooklyn Center. There is a need for more help. She appreciates Earle
Brown Days taking on the Year 2000 celebration. She volunteered to serve on one committee.
Earle Brown Days Chairperson, Henry Dorff said he is thankful for people in the community like Phil
Cohen and Tony Kuefler. He recognized the commitment on the part of everyone at the meeting and
others who arent here. He would like to get the business community involved. He explained his
idea about ABCD (All Brooklyn Center Discount) day.
History:
Phil Cohen said the last time the city was involved with a large celebration was the
75th Anniversary. It started with dinner at the community center and then fireworks were shot off.
The celebration continued until October with the time capsule. Phil said this event can be as long as
we want. St. Paul has done an all school patrol parade. He displayed an outline of a calendar on the
overhead. He said it is a matter of whos going to do it and how they are going to pay for it.
Phil Cohen said we will have a series of meetings. There needs to be a chairman, a steering
committee and sub committees. The committee will develop a plan of action in February, send to the
Earle Brown Days committee for approval, and then to the City Council.
The meetings will be advertised in City Watch, the newspaper and with civic groups. Maybe a school
contest could be held to develop the theme. Phil said we can still declare ourselves an All America
City.
There was a suggestion that everyone look at the list of people who were invited and we could call
the people on the list. It was suggested we get representatives from the community of color. There
was a suggestion to call Mary Welch and expand on the Heritage Festival. Phil would like to see the
schools involved. He would like the idea planted that we would like them to do something. Henry
said he would contact school representatives.
Phil said the elementary schools might be the better shot. The strategy is to send notices to the school
principals. It was suggested we rotate meeting nights.
Phil asked for input from all in attendance.
Diane Spector:
She said this is an opportunity to play up the many great things happening in
Brooklyn Center and it gives us an opportunity to show these off. As the good things keep
happening, the negative things are diminishing.
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Kathy Flesher:
She said we should get the clubs interested in doing a project. She said one
thought that came to mind was the quilters club making a quilt with a Year 2000 theme. We could
sell raffle tickets and give proceeds away for scholarships. Phil asked if a new Brooklyn Center flag
could be created. Kathy also suggested the summer recreation programs use the Year 2000 theme.
Kristy Toftum:
She said she liked the fireworks idea. She would like to see some Olympic
type games and get the kids involved. She said when she thinks of the Year 2000, she thinks of
technology and learning what is out there.
Colleen LaFond:
She said Brookdales grand re-opening will take place in the Year 2000.
There are going to be some great opportunities. She said this should generate media coverage. She
liked the quilt idea and suggested maybe the schools could donate a patch for the quilt to celebrate
the redevelopment of our area.
Larry Roen:
He suggested a water ski show, water ball contest with the fire department.
Mississippi River was suggested for the water ski show.
Ed Nelson:
He talked about the community development taking place. He said he thought
the parade was for Brooklyn Center School District. He talked about education and marketing. Let
people know how great Brooklyn Center is.
Bill Miller
: He said communication is extremely important. He is very interested in the
history aspect.
Diane said we need to create a way to get people out to the different neighborhoods. She said we
have some great neighborhoods. Henry suggested a best neighborhood celebration, similar to the
garden contest, and tie it in with National Night Out.
Henry Dorff:
He suggested a tennis tournament; golf tournament; duck races with floating
ducks; recognition of Senior King and Queen and a family for what they are doing; and a hidden
treasure in the park (maybe a Year 2000 coin). He also suggested a baseball game between Rotary,
Lions and the Police; get the Chamber to support an event, like ABCDE. Someone suggested a
Brooklyn Center Passport which would go out in the paper and in City Watch.
Phil said we should have a logo by next spring and we should get a banner made. Kathy said she likes
the theme idea of Past, Present, Future.
Phil said maybe it is time to revise the Year 2000 questionnaire and send it out to all the groups.
Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully Submitted,
Sue LaCrosse
Program Supervisor
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