Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Looking Forward to 2018—A New Year's Greeting from LMC Board President Jo Emerson

 A message from Jo Emerson, LMC board president and mayor of White Bear Lake:

As 2017 draws to a close, I'm taking time to reflect on the ups and downs we have encountered at the League.

This past fall I was fortunate enough to attend all seven regional meetings around this great state. I got to meet new people and connect with old friends. Thanks to those that hosted and to all who attended. We had good conversations on how we can encourage and support the next generation of elected and appointed officials.

Personally, my thanks to League staff for all the assistance you've given me as I navigate my new role. My heart went out to those who continued to provide excellent service to members while dealing with their grief following the loss of two long time League staffers, Duke Addicks and Tom Grundhoefer in late 2016 and early 2017. While those of us on the board felt the loss, I want staff to know how appreciated their efforts on our behalf have been.

With the knowledge that there are more ups and downs to come, I look forward to 2018 and the opportunity to work on behalf of all Minnesota cities. To kick off the new year, I hope that many of you will consider joining me at the Leadership Conferences for newly elected or experienced officials in January—these are great opportunities to strengthen skills and connections with colleagues. Together we can ensure that cities continue to be the drivers of the economy, and the places where our citizens can reside in peace and harmony.

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Spreading Some Cheer with 2017 Dividend Deliveries

When our member cities are happy, we're happy! So what better way to spread some cheer all around than to deliver good news to cities in person? That's exactly what several staffers got to do recently when dividend checks for League of Minnesota Cities Insurance Trust members needed to be delivered. Many more staffers pitched in to stuff envelopes (check out that teamwork!), which were sent off via mail. All told, $6 million will be returned to members of the property/casualty program as a result of your dedication to staying safe and reducing claims. Good job, Minnesota cities, and let's keep smilin' in 2018! Curious? Learn more about the dividend here.


League staff from all over the building pitch in every year to stuff dividend envelopes.

Brooklyn Park City Manager Jay Stroebel and Assistant Finance Director Jeanette Boit-Kania
(left and middle) show off their dividend smiles delivered by LMC's Pam Whitmore.

Hastings City Administrator Melanie Mesko Lee
(left) accepts her dividend from LMC staffer Kellie Sundheim.

Inver Grove Heights City Administrator Joe Lynch (left) receives a festive dividend
delivery from LMC's Donyelle Mikacevich.

Watertown City Administrator Shane Fineran (left) takes a moment to meet
with LMC's Deputy Director Luke Fischer, dividend deliverer extraordinaire.

Mendota Heights Finance Director Kristin Schabacker (right) is lookin’ cheery
and bright as LMC’s Laura Kushner delivers her city’s dividend.

Photo credit goes to several dividend helper elves.

Friday, December 15, 2017

Photos: Winter Carnival Fun and Fundraiser at LMC

League staff and board members gathered for an hour of fun prior to the last board meeting of the year. While several carnival-style games and some fierce department competition kept spirits high, the real lift came from the opportunity to support a neighborhood foodshelf and one of the League's charitable giving organizations. 

Through a canned good "admission ticket" as well as matching donations from Executive Director Dave Unmacht and department heads, carnival-goers were able to collect 10 boxes of food for Keystone Community Services and over $300 in donations for the United Way. And if anyone is wondering, it turns out tech services is really good at carnival games. Like, really good.


Loss Control Rep Liz Tadsse (blue) prepares for her next ping pong toss.

Executive Assistant Kellie Sundheim and Deputy Director Luke Fischer
face off in the water bottle flip competition.

Silence in the gallery as board member Sue Hilgert
watches her putt.
HR Director Laura Kushner announces competition results.

Time to box up the food for its journey to Keystone!

 Photo credit goes to LMC staffers Jeff Korte and Danielle Cabot