30 years ago WASHINGTON COUNTY BULLETIN Sept. 10, 1992 Up for report 30 years ago, Fuddruckers was showing interest in the Bonanza location at Cottage Grove for one of their restaurants. “We’re in the process of looking at the feasibility of the site, but it’s not a sure thing,” a Fuddruckers official said. The Bonanza location across from Cottage Square Mall had been vacant for two years, making it a prime site for redevelopment. Also coming in for report 30 years ago was news that the city was looking at finding a good fishing spot. For years anglers had fished from the roadsides down at Grey Cloud Island, but this caused safety concerns, leading then Parks and Recreation Director John Fredrickson to make a proposal. “For many years, people have been fishing and parking along the causeways connecting the mainland of Cottage Grove to Lower Grey Cloud Island,” he said in a story by staff writer Doug Rock. “I am proposing that the city develop and acquire lands that can—” (here the story jumps to another page). Lastly of note from 1992, the Newport A & W on Highway 61 and 12th Street in Newport was offering Fish & Fries with a coupon at $8.99 for an eight piece, $12.29 for a 12 piece, and $15.59 for a 16 piece, while a Turkey Club Croissant was just $2.99. With a limit of four per coupon, readers were reminded that “Tuesday is Coney Day!” 40 years ago THE WASHINGTON COUNTY BULLETIN Sept. 23, 1982 The hot water continued for city administrator Carl Meissner some 40 years ago, after Meissner was charged with nepotism for allegedly giving a fencing contract to a relative, without public works being aware. The quote by a relative of Meissner was confirmed as of Sept. 23, but questions on its authenticity remained. Not tied to government but referencing an old trade instead, “traditional chimney cleaning” was advertised atthe “old fashioned price” of $36, the fine print including “most chimneys” in the price. With retail sale and installation of fireplace inserts, chimney caps, and dampers also available, getting chimney soot cleaned, was still affordable. Coming in last for news from 40 years ago, 10-yearold Steve Brings of Cottage Grove had won the $1,000 grand prize for a second month in a row at Brady High School. Steve’s plan? “Dad said that any money he won he could keep, but Steve decided to put it into the money market again, and spend the interest,” his mother reported. The chances of such a win happening twice, were reportedly one in 38 million. 50 years ago THE WASHINGTON COUNTY BULLETIN Sept. 28, 1972 With federal requirements prompting action from the local council, laws prohibiting discrimination and establishing a Human Rights Commission were adopted some 50 years ago, but not before lengthy discussion. Shared by staff writer Ann Houle, the classic case of federalism instituted that in order to be eligible for park funds from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, (or HUD), “you have to have these ordinances, attorney Darrel Morse explained to the council members. An attempt had been made to use the county level Human Rights Commission as meeting the requirements, but with no success. The county level Commission included members from all South Washington County municipalities. Among the objections raised by council members was one of incongruence. “I’m just a little bit concerned about what the ordinance is requiring the village to do,” council member Bill Amundson shared. “The thing I’m objecting to is that the HUD application had to do with parks, so why does the federal government have to get involved in housing and other things in the community? Why do they put strings on the money? It would be different if we wereapplying for housing funds. It seems to me that Big Daddy is trying to dictate to us and overrule our local control,” he said. The new Human Rights Commission was to consist of three members, with Woodbury, St. Paul Park, and Newport also establishing such commissions when applying for HUD park funds. The anti-discrimination ordinance as passed at Cottage Grove called for a fine of $300 or 90 days in jail for those breaking it.