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Mounds View City Council February 28, 2000
<br />Regular Meeting Page 9
<br />may not be an easy path in the Iong term, however, they would consider the short-term
<br />suggestions the audience members brought forward, and he believed the Council would take
<br />these suggestions to heart, and make a sincere effort to find the solutions.
<br />Mayor Coughlin expressed his appreciation to Police Chief Clark, adding that he was aware he
<br />had worked on this matter weekend, as had he and City Administrator Whiting. He stated there
<br />was much pain among the residents. He indicated he had lost a cousin to a road similar to
<br />Highway 10, and that was one of the impetuses for calling for the construction of the pedestrian
<br />bridge. He stated he could not turn back time and change what had happened to either his cousin
<br />or this young individual, however, they could attempt to learn from this, and do the best they can
<br />to insure that this never happens again. He stated this does not make the pain any easier, and
<br />does not make the loss any less. He stated he spent the entire weekend talking with his wife
<br />about this, in terms of how to best approach this without placing blame, and how to get through
<br />the situation and learn from it. He stated the only thing they have control over is today, and Lord
<br />willing, the future, Lord willing. He stated he experienced flashbacks of his cousin's accident,
<br />and of having to go through the wake. He stated the pain is immeasurable. He explained that no
<br />words could fill the hole in the hearts of those that are grieving.
<br />An audience member stated she had been involved in the first proposal for the pedestrian bridge.
<br />She stated in her recollection, the project was set to proceed, however, the next thing she
<br />remembered, the City got a new Mayor and City Council, and the bridge was turned down. She
<br />stated she attended the City Council Meetings at that time, and the location of the bridge had
<br />. been brought forward. She indicated that they could have done something about it then,
<br />however, they let it go. She pointed out people had advised that someone would be killed if they
<br />put a movie theater across the street, and it was an excuse to say they did not care for the
<br />proposed location of the bridge. She stated they could have found a different location for the
<br />bridge, however, it was voted down.
<br />Mrs. Gunn presented the Council with letters prepared by the classmates of the young man, and
<br />the petitions that had been circulated by the children.
<br />Mayor Coughlin requested Pastor McKinney pray for them all, and for the peace of God that
<br />surpasses all understanding. He requested all those present rise for a moment of silence.
<br />Pastor McKinney offered a prayer as follows:
<br />"Our Father and our God, every one of us here tonight care about kids. The City Fathers and the
<br />Council, the leaders and the Police care, deeply care, about kids.
<br />We grieve, our Father, over what has happened, and he we don't understand the "whys" of life.
<br />There are so many things that happen that shouldn't, and we just don't understand the "whys." I
<br />pray that You will be a comfort to the family, and be a comfort to these kids so that they will
<br />learn. I pray for wisdom for these City leaders, our Father, that You will give them great wisdom
<br />. to know what to do, and what would be the best solution in this decision that involves a lot of
<br />money, and a lot of emotion, and a lot of planning and engineering, and red tape, and all that kind
<br />of stuff. Help them my Father, I pray.
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