Four men have joined Victoria's volunteer fire department. They are Corey Muonio, Steve Hardek, Bryan Pyne and Jason Hessee.

Residents will have an opportunity to receive a $100 rebate when purchasing an Energy Star qualified washing machine or dishwasher and a $50 rebate when purchasing a water efficient toilet. Information will be available in the new year on the city’s Web site at http://www.ci.victoria.mn.us/

Less costly mold mitigation bids will keep city hall operational for short term, and for use by community groups
By Unsie Zuege

The Nordic Heritage Club of Carver County will have its first annual
St. Lucia program at 7:30 p.m., tonight, Friday, Dec. 12 at Victoria City Hall. The club plans to make the event an annual one and  select a St. Lucia each year. Young
women living in Carver County between ages 16-21 are eligible.
Community service is important.
The club chose Elise Vadnais as its first Lucia because she
does so much for everybody. "We thought she would be a great model of

Tim Reid of Northland Concrete and Masonry said that work on the Fresh Seasons Market building is “pretty much on schedule. The weather’s been good although anytime the temperature drops below 32 degrees, we’ve got to cover everything up and try to keep it warm,” Reid said. As of Tuesday, workers have put up two of the four sides, and moving along on putting the third wall facing Highway 5 in place.
City Administrator Don Uram said that the city, the developer and grocer are in daily contact on the project.

The details
Council approved the street improvements project for 81st Street, 81 ½
St. Orchid, Petunia, and Quamoclit. The streets are part of the
citywide street improvement program. Improvements have been delayed a
couple times in the last 10 years. Work was deferred in 1998, in 2000
and in 2003.
The majority of residents spoke at a recent public hearing, most asking
that the city delay the project in light of the current economic
downturn.  

What’s next
With the council approval, the project will move ahead:  Design,

By Unsie Zuege
The details
An inspection conducted in October revealed fungal growth in the men’s room, and throughout the building’s  plaster walls, ceiling, and carpeting. Moisture, dirt and soil were also found in two of the air ducts in the HVAC system. A professional from Applied Environmental Sciences, Inc. Tom Gray, the city’s building inspector, conducted the inspection and reported their findings to the city.
Mitigation costs could be more than $200,000 with no guarantee that the mold and fungus problem wouldn’t return.

     The city had a public hearing Thursday for residents living on 81st Street, 81 ½ St. Orchid, Petunia, and Quamoclit. The streets are part of the citywide street improvement program, but improvements have been delayed a couple times in the last 10 years. Work was deferred in 1998, in 2000 and in 2003.
   The majority of residents who appeared at the public hearing asked that the city delay the street improvement in light of the national economic outlook.