3 Rosemount Departments Acquire Generous Donations

The time of year for giving is upon us, and two Rosemount entities have beat others to it by providing generous donations to three city departments in need of several different items.

The each received a $500 donation from the 's gambling funds. Last fiscal year, the local American Legion gave $80,000 to the community.

"Any money donated must be approved by our general membership," Jon Edman, American Legion Post 65's gambling manager said.

The American Legion's general memberships consists of 300 people, not including the Auxiliary and Sons of Legion.

"We [often] try and give something to police and rescue. We're donating pretty much throughout the year," Edman said.

The fire department is using the money to purchase equipment for a new fire truck.

"The money for the fire department was so they could get something extra for the new truck, whatever the firefighters need," Edman said.

According to Fire Chief Scott Aker, the fire truck was purchased at the beginning of this year but hasn't arrived yet. He hopes the truck will be at Fire Station #1 during the department's Open House Oct. 16. The truck will be going back to get a once-over done mid-October and if everyone checks out fine, Aker says the truck will probably be officially theirs around Oct. 23.

Aker said the new truck will be replacing an older truck that the department received in 1986. The deparment will still have 11 trucks, including fire pickup trucks.

A nice addition to the truck will be medical equipment that will most likely be purchased with the donated monies.

"We will now be able to respond to accidents," Aker said. "The donation will take care of one of several needs of the new truck."

In addition, Police Chief Gary Kalstabakken noted reserve officer uniforms and other equipment as the purpose of the donation in the City Council's packet.

"These funds are requested to be designated for the purpose of purchasing items for the Police Reserve Officer Program. The reserve officers have worked with the American Legion Post and Auxiliary during Leprechaun days to host a teen dance and as well as at numerous other Leprechaun Days events," Kalstabakken said in the packet.

"The police reserve officers have saved this city a lot of money," Edman said. "Those guys are true volunteers."

Also, the Parks and Recreation Department received a hefty donation of $2,000 from the Lions Club of Rosemount to be used for the 2012 Egg Hunt.

"The donation from the Lions will pay for the eggs and candy that is put out [for] the kids to pick up. The Lions have made the donation for a number of years," Parks and Recreation Director Dan Schultz said.

All donations were OK'd by the City Council at Tuesday's regular meeting.