Young Life Cleanup Day to spiff up Cloquet community

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The city of Cloquet will look a little spiffier come April 24.

That’s the day some 90 young people and adults will hit the streets for five hours as part of Operation Cleanup, a fundraiser organized by area chapters of Young Life and Wyldlife.

Cloquet City Councilors unanimously and enthusiastically approved the measure at Monday’s meeting.

Mayor Bruce Ahlgren said in a news release that the timing of the event was ideal.

“City budgeting is very tight and winter has left its usual messy leftovers…plus, it will benefit our local kids for their hard efforts,” he said.

Young Life representative Lauri Ketola called the event and partnership with the city a “win-win for everyone.”

The event will raise funds for kids in the organization to attend a week-long camp this summer. Participating youth will seek local sponsorships from residents and businesses to that end.

Young Life is a non-profit organization invested in the well-being of youth with leaders who go where youth are, seek to understand and enter into their world, build relationships and share the love of God, according to the release.

Ketola said she was working with city officials to find the best places to clean, but they would likely clean in area parks and by the river.

To sponsor these efforts or for more information, contact Cathy Rikkola at 218-879-5662 or Cathy Nelson at 879-3668.

+ In other council business, construction for nearly a mile of multi-use trail along the St. Louis River east from the Cloquet Area Chamber of Commerce building was unanimously approved. The trail will include a 12-foot wide paved surface with 2-foot wide gravel shoulders. Cost for trail construction is estimated at nearly $371,000, of which $296,500 is covered by federal enhancement funds. Officials are seeking state legacy funds to make up the difference. The city is not expected to fund the construction although the engineering department prepared plans for the construction.

+ The council also approved a mayor’s proclamation recognizing the accomplishment of Cloquet native Jamie Langenbrunner with his most recent success as captain and silver medal winner on the 2010 Winter Olympic hockey team.

+ Ross Peterson, an employee of Woodlands National Bank, was unanimously appointed to the Cloquet Economic Development Authority, which had a vacancy on its seven-member board due to board member Tom Collins resigning.

Tags: city council, news, cloquet