Tuesday, March 26, 2013
‘Spring is a busy, exciting time at Three Rivers,’ Board Chairman John Gunyou says.
Editor’s Note: The following guest column comes from John Gunyou, chairman of the Three Rivers Park District Board. With ice-out in the pond behind our home, it appears that spring has finally arrived this year. Opinions vary about the sure signs of spring. For some, it’s the return of bird songs to greet the dawn. For my wife Kim, the transition has something to do with clothing colors and fabrics; a seasonal rite I have never fully grasped. For me, the sure sign of spring is when the snow pile meringues give up their hidden treasures. I have lately been finding all sorts of surprises in my yard, and not just the early crocuses. I am discovering tools I forgot I ever owned. I’m not sure what it is about spring that prompts such a …
Friday, January 11, 2013
The Three Rivers Park District Commissioner will represent Carver and Scott counties, as well as a portion of Hennepin.
The following was released by the Metropolitan Council: John Gunyou, the Three Rivers Park District Commissioner in District 4, has been appointed to the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB). The Metropolitan Council has approved two new appointments: Gunyou and Brooklyn Park businessman Anani d’Almeida. The TAB advises the Council on transportation planning issues and adopts the program of local transportation projects in the region to receive federal funding. It helps ensure coordination and cooperation among the many agencies and local units of government responsible for transportation planning and encourages citizen participation to help meet the transportation needs of the metro area. Gunyou, TAB District B, represents Carver and …
Friday, December 7, 2012
"Three Rivers faces growing and changing service demands, with a limited capacity to meet those expectations. We need a sustainable financing strategy."
To the editor: As your newly elected Three Rivers Park Commissioner, I want to thank you all for entrusting me with the responsibility to represent you. I am both humbled and honored to be given that opportunity. I will take office on January 17, and thought it important that I share my priorities for the next two years as your representative: First and foremost, I will work collaboratively to get things done for you. As one of five new faces on our seven member board, I will respect the opinions of my fellow commissioners. I will also work to strengthen relationships with our state, local and private partners for the benefit of you, our shared constituents. Among all the campaign signs that recently littered our landscape, I will always …
Monday, October 22, 2012
"John’s enthusiasm for parks and the environment combined with his governmental experience at the state and local level make John an unusually well qualified candidate for the park commissioner role."
- ELECTIONS
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Monday, October 22, 2012
To the Editor: This letter indicates my support for John Gunyou to be elected as the District 4 Commissioner of the Three Rivers Park District. John has a wealth of experience in both the private and public sectors. John’s enthusiasm for parks and the environment combined with his governmental experience at the state and local level make John an unusually well qualified candidate for the park commissioner role. John demonstrated his leadership, foresight and budget management expertise when he served as Minnetonka City Manager. John repeatedly demonstrated an ability to anticipate budget challenges, and he took (or recommended) action that minimized their impact to the City of Minnetonka. John’s expert and conservative budget …
Monday, October 15, 2012
"He provided over a decade of strong leadership to a community that prides itself on its natural character and park-like qualities."
- OPINION
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Monday, October 15, 2012
To the Editor: I am writing to offer my enthusiastic support for John Gunyou as a candidate for the Three Rivers Park Commissioner in District 4. After a distinguished career in public service, John recently retired as Minnetonka’s City Manager. He provided over a decade of strong leadership to a community that prides itself on its natural character and park-like qualities. As both a wildlife biologist and a member of the Minnetonka City Council, I recognize the effort that it has taken to maintain that character and balance the competing demands placed upon our city’s natural resources. Much of the credit for that success deservedly belongs to John. As both a community member and an elected official, I have had the pleasure to work …
Sunday, October 14, 2012
"When the economic crisis caused many cities to make painful cuts in services, John planned for the future and presented solutions to the city council that prevented drastic cuts."
- OPINION
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Sunday, October 14, 2012
To the Editor: We’re so fortunate to have John Gunyou running for the Three Rivers Park District Board of Commissioners for District 4. John’s experience, expertise and leadership skills proven during his tenure as Minnetonka City Manager will serve us well in this new position. We’ll all benefit from his representation as he applies his passion for parks and open spaces to the Three Rivers Parks decisions. As Mayor of Minnetonka, I worked with John for six years and greatly appreciated his talents in financial management and city administration. When the economic crisis caused many cities to make painful cuts in services, John planned for the future and presented solutions to the city council that prevented drastic cuts. During his years …
Friday, October 12, 2012
"We are lucky to have him willing to apply them to the Three Rivers Park District Board for us."
- OPINION
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Friday, October 12, 2012
To the Editor: I hope John Gunyou wins election to the Three Rivers Park District Board. He would be a huge asset and will steer the Board in a fiscally careful direction while knowing how important it is to all of us to have an inviting, imaginative and useable Park System. John will apply all of the skills he has gained from being City Manager of the City of Minnetonka and as the Commissioner of Finance for Governor Arne Carlson. Both positions required considerable ability and agility to navigate sometimes testy waters. John Gunyou has them both. We are lucky to have him willing to apply them to the Three Rivers Park District Board for us. We will all benefit from having him serve it and us. Sincerely, Ron Usem, Minnetonka
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Gunyou is one of two candidates running for the position.
- OPINION
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Thursday, October 4, 2012
Editor’s Note: The following letter to the editor was submitted by Joy Rikala, retired Minnetonka police chief. I have just finished my Saturday morning long run around Medicine Lake, through French Lake Park and the Three Rivers trails. I was pleased to see bikers, roller bladers, kayakers, sailors, walkers, and participants in a 5k Lupus walk all enjoying this beautiful park so early on a sunny September morning. It served as a unceasing reminder of how blessed we are to have the resources of the Three Rivers Parks to enjoy, and the need to continue their maintenance and enhancement in the forward years. For this reason, I am supporting John Gunyou as Three River’s Park District Board 4 Commissioner. I was fortunate to serve …
Gunyou is one of two candidates running for the position.
Editor’s Note: The following letter to the editor was submitted by Minnetonka City Councilman Dick Allendorf. I wholeheartedly endorse John Gunyou for Three Rivers Park Commissioner. I have first hand knowledge of John’s forward thinking, financially responsible leadership when he was City Manager in Minnetonka. John foresaw the financial crisis which was bearing down on all of us well before the crisis began. He devised and implemented a plan to realign department functions within the City, share expenses with other government entities where appropriate, and bring expenses in line with projected revenues. It is due to his foresight that our citizens weren’t faced with either reduced City services or inordinately large tax increases …
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
"As a knowledgeable and experienced natural resource manager, Leigh Harrod is clearly the most qualified to be elected to the board of Three Rivers Park District 4."
- OPINION
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Tuesday, September 25, 2012
To the Editor: Many people may not take the time to look into or compare the two candidates for Park Commissioner for Three Rivers Park District, but they do so at the peril of their parks. Just compare the two, and take a good look at the website of Leigh Harrod, www.harrod4parks.com She is amazing, having spent a lifetime working with natural resources. She did not just become a recent convert to the environmental cause so she could run for this office. Her opponent is a former government employee seeking big name endorsements and donations from others to finance his political campaign. Leigh Harrod will not do so, and she remains independent in her grass roots effort. First, as a knowledgeable and experienced natural resource manager…
Marilyn Clinton
11:13 am on Friday, December 7, 2012
Thank you for the informative letter, John. I was delighted to hear that you were running and equally delighted to learn that you were elected. We have a treasure in our Three Rivers Park District that must be saved/protected for future generations; and, only people like you will ensure that happens. Warm regards, Marilyn Clinton more ›