Firefighters battle an early afternoon fire April 27 at the Crystal Airport that destroyed four hangars and their contents and damaged several others. The fire was started when a truck that was being worked on in one of the hangars backfired. (CRAIG LASSIG - SUN NEWSPAPERS)

The cities of Crystal and Robbinsdale experienced many highlights as well as some challenges in 2008.

Annual celebrations were enjoyed and several new programs and initiatives were adopted by city leaders. In a historic election year, voters turned out in large numbers and elected new mayors and City Council members as well as county, state and federal officials. They also approved a levy referendum in District 281.

FEBRUARY

Minneapolis-based Tinklenberg Group approaches the city of Crystal with sketches of the types of development that would be possible on the Crystal Airport land, if the airport were to close. The city heard the report but took no action.

MARCH

Crystal issues a warning to residents that people dressed as city employees have attempted to gain entrance into homes, using the ruse that the homeowner did not pay utility bills and must pay them now.

Crystal and Robbinsdale residents living on or near 47th Avenue between West Broadway and Bottineau Boulevard begin a campaign to close their street to thru-traffic. The two city councils decide to host a joint work session on the matter.

APRIL

The city of Crystal tries to jumpstart its Neighborhood Initiative program to engage more citizens by hosting a program to train neighborhood leaders, but the effort fails when few people sign up for the free training.

The Crystal City Council does not take action to close 47th Avenue between West Broadway and Bottineau Boulevard, meanwhile the city of Robbinsdale on May 20 votes against partnering with Crystal on reconstruction of the road.

The Crystal Police Department opens a hub at the Crystal Shopping Center.

A fire at the Crystal Airport destroys a row of hangars and prompts the Metropolitan Airports Commission to begin looking at clearer, stricter rules about hangar uses and conditions.

MAY

The city of Crystal asks the League of Minnesota Cities to help it seek clarification of a state law related to liquor at city parks and community centers.

JUNE

The Crystal Recreation Department celebrates its 50th birthday with a penny carnival June 12 at Becker Park.

Residents on 47th Avenue submit a petition to delay construction of their street, but the Crystal city clerk and attorney find the petition inconsistent with city charter rules.

The Crystal City Council moves forward with its 16-phase road reconstruction plans when it approves a feasibility study for the Phase 10 Welcome neighborhood.

With summer festivals around the corner, the Whiz Bang Days of Robbinsdale and Crystal Frolics Committee appeal to the community for support after costs increase and/or the groups lose donors due to decreased sales of pull-tabs.

JULY

Residents in Crystal complain about bad, foul-smelling water. The city issues a statement that heavy rains brought more leaves and organic material into the water, causing the unpleasant taste and odor but the water is safe to drink.

The city of Crystal passes a social host ordinance that would hold adults responsible for providing or doing nothing about underage drinking on their property.

AUGUST

A 10-year-old Milwaukee girl dies after drowning in a Crystal apartment complex pool.

SEPTEMBER

The Crystal City Council passes a combined maximum 2009 levy of 5 percent more than 2008.

OCTOBER

The city of Crystal hears a new ordinance aimed at allowing more shorter cell phone towers in the city, but after concerns about the health impacts surface, decides to table to the matter until 2009.

Weeks before the election, Section 1 challenger Terry Baresh learns his house is not going to be completed in time for the Nov. 4 general election, so he rents a room in the section to fulfill the city charter's residency requirement.

NOVEMBER

ReNae Bowman wins re-election as mayor of Crystal, while Janet Moore and incumbent Garry Grimes are elected to the Crystal City Council in the Nov. 4 general election.

Jesse Coyer of Crystal receives a merit award at the 25th annual Minnesota Public Safety Service Awards recognition. Coyer noticed a van that caught fire at Silver Lake Road in New Brighton and, helped put out the fire and moved the passengers to safety.

The parents of Jeff Berg of Crystal, who died of a drug overdose in the Hennepin County workhouse, file a wrongful death lawsuit in federal court.

The city of Crystal welcomes new police officers Julie Severson and Tracie Lee, and approves utility rate increases for 2009.

Betty Herbes Wenberg, the mayor of Crystal from 1989-91, dies at age 65.

DECEMBER

Eight unopened absentee ballots are discovered in Crystal during a recount of ballots case in the U.S. Senate race. The campaigns for Norm Coleman and Al Franken said they planned to challenge the ballots.

The City Council ends the year by approving the 2009 budget and property tax levy.

JANUARY

For the first time in more than two years, the city of Robbinsdale experienced its first homicide when 28-year-old Jamis Marks is shot and killed in his home during a robbery. The incident happened in the 2700 block of York Avenue during the early morning hours Jan. 1.

Robbinsdale police arrested five people they suspected were involved in the murder of Marks, but later released all four without charges. A search warrant related to the arrests was mistakenly released and quickly resealed.

FEBRUARY

The Heart of Robbinsdale Community Foundation celebrates its one-year anniversary and hosts a fundraiser at Thistles American Bistro.

Former Robbinsdale City Council member Wally Johnson dies in Sun City, Ariz. Johnson had served 24 years on the City Council. He was 83.

Former Robbinsdale resident Diablo Cody wins an Oscar for the screenplay, "Juno."

A jury finds a former R.C. Liquors employee not guilty of all three charges of theft by swindle. Tammy Snowberg, of Brooklyn Park, tells the media the thief is likely another current R.C. Liquors employee.

MARCH

Crystal and Robbinsdale residents living on or near 47th Avenue between West Broadway and Bottineau Boulevard begin a campaign to close their street to thru-traffic. The two city councils decide to host a joint work session on the matter.

The city of Robbinsdale and Bonestroo, an engineering and planning firm, host a community open house to gather input about a splash pad at Manor Park, located at Abbott and Lowry avenues.

APRIL

Full Faith Ministries, a St. Paul congregation, files a discrimination complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice after it claims the city of Robbinsdale's zoning ordinance and decision not to allow the congregation to move into downtown Robbinsdale is a violation of federal law.

MAY

After an independent review, the Washington County attorney advises charges against a Robbinsdale officer accused of making felony terroristic threats in Coon Rapids be dropped, saying there was insufficient evidence to charge Landen Beard.

The Robbinsdale Economic Development Authority gives city staffers the okay to hire Buxton, a Fort Worth, Texas, firm, to do a market study. The study will identify and create invitation packets for ten chain businesses that the city can solicit to open shop in Robbinsdale.

JUNE

After 24 years of service to Robbinsdale, Police Chief Wayne Shellum retires.

Residents on 47th Avenue submit a petition to delay construction of their street, but the Crystal city clerk and attorney find the petition inconsistent with city charter rules.

The Robbinsdale Senior Commission celebrates its silver anniversary.

With summer festivals around the corner, the Whiz Bang Days of Robbinsdale and Crystal Frolics Committee appeal to the community for support after costs increase and/or the groups lose donors due to decreased sales of pull-tabs.

A fire breaks out at a home in the 3400 block of Louisiana Avenue. Police find 15 pounds of marijuana in the house and arrest and charge one of the occupants of the house. Later in the year, the homeowners issue a complaint about how the fire department responded to the blaze, prompting the West Metro Fire-Rescue District to hire an independent investigator.

JULY

The Robbinsdale City Council approves Captain Steve Smith to serve as interim police chief. Smith is later appointed to the position permanently, after going through the interview and selection process.

The Robbinsdale City Council rejects a 2.5 percent increase to its salary for 2009 and 2010.

The city of Robbinsdale pursues the installation of its first nine-hole disc golf park at Sochaki Park, but that idea is met by opposition from park users. The city's parks, recreation and forestry commission later holds a meeting to hear input on the matter.

AUGUST

The Robbinsdale City Council asks city staff to investigate the possibility of buying camera surveillance to deter crime in the city.

SEPTEMBER

The Robbinsdale City Council passes a levy with a combined 7 percent increase.

The city of Minneapolis withdraws support of Bus Route 19R from downtown Minneapolis to downtown Robbinsdale. Minneapolis does not want the bus to operate on Victory Memorial Parkway. Metro Transit in October finds the parkway is actually in Robbinsdale and it won't need joint board approval. Metro Transit sends letters to bus riders and neighbors telling them it will come up with options for the route and inform the community in January 2009.

The city of Robbinsdale begins work to increase rental license and inspection fees as a way to gain better control of increasing rental properties and nuisance in the city.

OCTOBER

The city of Robbinsdale becomes the first city to formally donate to the New Hope Ice Arena Endowment Fund. It gives New Hope $1,000.

NOVEMBER

Robbinsdale Rehabilitation and Care Center is listed in a class-action lawsuit filed against a Milwaukee-based health care chain alleging consumer fraud at 10 of its former and current nursing homes in Minnesota.

Robbinsdale Mayor Mike Holtz wins another term in the election, as do City Council members Bill Blonigan and Dan Rogan. All ran uncontested.

Andrew Hawes, 36, of Robbinsdale is one of two siblings charged in the late October murder of their older brother, Edwin Hawes of Andover.

The Robbinsdale City Council gives initial support for a new nursing home at 3815 W. Broadway Ave. Two years ago, the Crystal Lake nursing home was demlolished at the site, and now its owners, the Good Samaritan Society, are proposing a new one.

DECEMBER

Margaret Chuba, a longtime Robbinsdale resident and staff member at Post Publishing, dies at age 75 after complications from a fall.

The Robbinsdale City Council approves a new point-of-sale inspection program on first reading. The program gives the city the right to require the disclosure of housing information and defects as a condition of home sales.

The City Council approves the $22.3 million 2009 budget and $5.4 million overall property tax levy.

A successful levy referendum on Nov. 4 and an ambitious community-wide strategic planning process in the spring were highlights of the year in Robbinsdale District 281 schools.

Talk of budget constraints and money concerns dominated the year.

In January, the school board voted to approve a plan to cut $5.4 million in spending from the 2008-09 budget without closing any schools.

In April, the district announced plans to eliminate 10 school buses from its fleet in 2008-09 and took final action to terminate 94 probationary teachers and place five continuing contract teachers on unrequested leave because of budget cuts following the failed 2007 referendum.

Beginning early in April, more than 1,000 people attended visioning sessions at some 50 venues for community-wide planning sessions, led by Dr. Bruce Miles of Big River Consulting Group. The need for better communication ad marketing emerged as the top need in Robbinsdale District 281.

In May, the district announced plans to drastically reduce elementary art and gifted and talented programs in the fall and arrived at preliminary consensus on an additional $420,000 in budget cuts for 2009.

A report in May from a Facility Conditions Assessment Team said that of the three elementary schools that have not been remodeled, only Pilgrim Lane in Plymouth is worth exploring for significant renovations. Northport Elementary in Brooklyn Center and Lakeview Elementary in Robbinsdale are not candidates for remodeling, the report said.

By spring, significant budget reductions had motivated parents, students, staff and alumni to raise $173,421 to restore some extra-curricular offerings, augmented by a $300,000 donation from the William W. and Nadine McGuire Family Foundation.

In August, six District 281 residents were named to a new Finance Advisory Council, and a consultant was hired to conduct a facilities study. The mid-report from consultants points to continuing declining enrollment which would enable District 281 to close two elementary schools, a middle school and four auxiliary buildings. Information meetings were scheduled in mid-December to present the data to the public.

By fall, the district was considering a proposal to relocate the District 281 Education Service Center and bus garage to Hosterman School, at 55th and Zealand Avenues, as part of New Hope's proposed redevelopment of the 42nd and Winnetka avenues corridor. But at a work session Dec. 6, the School Board told Ryan Companies, the project developer, it needed more time to consider the proposal.

Superintendent Stan Mack's announcement in October that he intends to retire June 30 led the school board to select School Exec Connect on Dec. 8 to conduct the search for a new superintendent.

Comment on this story at our website, www.mnsun.com.

MAY

The city of Crystal asks the League of Minnesota Cities to help it seek clarification of a state law related to liquor at city parks and community centers.

JUNE

The Crystal Recreation Department celebrates its 50th birthday with a penny carnival June 12 at Becker Park.

Residents on 47th Avenue submit a petition to delay construction of their street, but the Crystal city clerk and attorney find the petition inconsistent with city charter rules.

The Crystal City Council moves forward with its 16-phase road reconstruction plans when it approves a feasibility study for the Phase 10 Welcome neighborhood.

With summer festivals around the corner, the Whiz Bang Days of Robbinsdale and Crystal Frolics Committee appeal to the community for support after costs increase and/or the groups lose donors due to decreased sales of pull-tabs.

JULY

Residents in Crystal complain about bad, foul-smelling water. The city issues a statement that heavy rains brought more leaves and organic material into the water, causing the unpleasant taste and odor but the water is safe to drink.

The city of Crystal passes a social host ordinance that would hold adults responsible for providing or doing nothing about underage drinking on their property.

AUGUST

A 10-year-old Milwaukee girl dies after drowning in a Crystal apartment complex pool.

SEPTEMBER

The Crystal City Council passes a combined maximum 2009 levy of 5 percent more than 2008.

OCTOBER

The city of Crystal hears a new ordinance aimed at allowing more shorter cell phone towers in the city, but after concerns about the health impacts surface, decides to table to the matter until 2009.

Weeks before the election, Section 1 challenger Terry Baresh learns his house is not going to be completed in time for the Nov. 4 general election, so he rents a room in the section to fulfill the city charter's residency requirement.

NOVEMBER

ReNae Bowman wins re-election as mayor of Crystal, while Janet Moore and incumbent Garry Grimes are elected to the Crystal City Council in the Nov. 4 general election.

Jesse Coyer of Crystal receives a merit award at the 25th annual Minnesota Public Safety Service Awards recognition. Coyer noticed a van that caught fire at Silver Lake Road in New Brighton and, helped put out the fire and moved the passengers to safety.

The parents of Jeff Berg of Crystal, who died of a drug overdose in the Hennepin County workhouse, file a wrongful death lawsuit in federal court.

The city of Crystal welcomes new police officers Julie Severson and Tracie Lee, and approves utility rate increases for 2009.

Betty Herbes Wenberg, the mayor of Crystal from 1989-91, dies at age 65.

DECEMBER

Eight unopened absentee ballots are discovered in Crystal during a recount of ballots case in the U.S. Senate race. The campaigns for Norm Coleman and Al Franken said they planned to challenge the ballots.

The City Council ends the year by approving the 2009 budget and property tax levy.

JANUARY

For the first time in more than two years, the city of Robbinsdale experienced its first homicide when 28-year-old Jamis Marks is shot and killed in his home during a robbery. The incident happened in the 2700 block of York Avenue during the early morning hours Jan. 1.

Robbinsdale police arrested five people they suspected were involved in the murder of Marks, but later released all four without charges. A search warrant related to the arrests was mistakenly released and quickly resealed.

FEBRUARY

The Heart of Robbinsdale Community Foundation celebrates its one-year anniversary and hosts a fundraiser at Thistles American Bistro.

Former Robbinsdale City Council member Wally Johnson dies in Sun City, Ariz. Johnson had served 24 years on the City Council. He was 83.

Former Robbinsdale resident Diablo Cody wins an Oscar for the screenplay, "Juno."

A jury finds a former R.C. Liquors employee not guilty of all three charges of theft by swindle. Tammy Snowberg, of Brooklyn Park, tells the media the thief is likely another current R.C. Liquors employee.

MARCH

Crystal and Robbinsdale residents living on or near 47th Avenue between West Broadway and Bottineau Boulevard begin a campaign to close their street to thru-traffic. The two city councils decide to host a joint work session on the matter.

The city of Robbinsdale and Bonestroo, an engineering and planning firm, host a community open house to gather input about a splash pad at Manor Park, located at Abbott and Lowry avenues.

APRIL

Full Faith Ministries, a St. Paul congregation, files a discrimination complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice after it claims the city of Robbinsdale's zoning ordinance and decision not to allow the congregation to move into downtown Robbinsdale is a violation of federal law.

MAY

After an independent review, the Washington County attorney advises charges against a Robbinsdale officer accused of making felony terroristic threats in Coon Rapids be dropped, saying there was insufficient evidence to charge Landen Beard.

The Robbinsdale Economic Development Authority gives city staffers the okay to hire Buxton, a Fort Worth, Texas, firm, to do a market study. The study will identify and create invitation packets for ten chain businesses that the city can solicit to open shop in Robbinsdale.

JUNE

After 24 years of service to Robbinsdale, Police Chief Wayne Shellum retires.

Residents on 47th Avenue submit a petition to delay construction of their street, but the Crystal city clerk and attorney find the petition inconsistent with city charter rules.

The Robbinsdale Senior Commission celebrates its silver anniversary.

With summer festivals around the corner, the Whiz Bang Days of Robbinsdale and Crystal Frolics Committee appeal to the community for support after costs increase and/or the groups lose donors due to decreased sales of pull-tabs.

A fire breaks out at a home in the 3400 block of Louisiana Avenue. Police find 15 pounds of marijuana in the house and arrest and charge one of the occupants of the house. Later in the year, the homeowners issue a complaint about how the fire department responded to the blaze, prompting the West Metro Fire-Rescue District to hire an independent investigator.

JULY

The Robbinsdale City Council approves Captain Steve Smith to serve as interim police chief. Smith is later appointed to the position permanently, after going through the interview and selection process.

The Robbinsdale City Council rejects a 2.5 percent increase to its salary for 2009 and 2010.

The city of Robbinsdale pursues the installation of its first nine-hole disc golf park at Sochaki Park, but that idea is met by opposition from park users. The city's parks, recreation and forestry commission later holds a meeting to hear input on the matter.

AUGUST

The Robbinsdale City Council asks city staff to investigate the possibility of buying camera surveillance to deter crime in the city.

SEPTEMBER

The Robbinsdale City Council passes a levy with a combined 7 percent increase.

The city of Minneapolis withdraws support of Bus Route 19R from downtown Minneapolis to downtown Robbinsdale. Minneapolis does not want the bus to operate on Victory Memorial Parkway. Metro Transit in October finds the parkway is actually in Robbinsdale and it won't need joint board approval. Metro Transit sends letters to bus riders and neighbors telling them it will come up with options for the route and inform the community in January 2009.

The city of Robbinsdale begins work to increase rental license and inspection fees as a way to gain better control of increasing rental properties and nuisance in the city.

OCTOBER

The city of Robbinsdale becomes the first city to formally donate to the New Hope Ice Arena Endowment Fund. It gives New Hope $1,000.

NOVEMBER

Robbinsdale Rehabilitation and Care Center is listed in a class-action lawsuit filed against a Milwaukee-based health care chain alleging consumer fraud at 10 of its former and current nursing homes in Minnesota.

Robbinsdale Mayor Mike Holtz wins another term in the election, as do City Council members Bill Blonigan and Dan Rogan. All ran uncontested.

Andrew Hawes, 36, of Robbinsdale is one of two siblings charged in the late October murder of their older brother, Edwin Hawes of Andover.

The Robbinsdale City Council gives initial support for a new nursing home at 3815 W. Broadway Ave. Two years ago, the Crystal Lake nursing home was demlolished at the site, and now its owners, the Good Samaritan Society, are proposing a new one.

DECEMBER

Margaret Chuba, a longtime Robbinsdale resident and staff member at Post Publishing, dies at age 75 after complications from a fall.

The Robbinsdale City Council approves a new point-of-sale inspection program on first reading. The program gives the city the right to require the disclosure of housing information and defects as a condition of home sales.

The City Council approves the $22.3 million 2009 budget and $5.4 million overall property tax levy.

A successful levy referendum on Nov. 4 and an ambitious community-wide strategic planning process in the spring were highlights of the year in Robbinsdale District 281 schools.

Talk of budget constraints and money concerns dominated the year.

In January, the school board voted to approve a plan to cut $5.4 million in spending from the 2008-09 budget without closing any schools.

In April, the district announced plans to eliminate 10 school buses from its fleet in 2008-09 and took final action to terminate 94 probationary teachers and place five continuing contract teachers on unrequested leave because of budget cuts following the failed 2007 referendum.

Beginning early in April, more than 1,000 people attended visioning sessions at some 50 venues for community-wide planning sessions, led by Dr. Bruce Miles of Big River Consulting Group. The need for better communication ad marketing emerged as the top need in Robbinsdale District 281.

In May, the district announced plans to drastically reduce elementary art and gifted and talented programs in the fall and arrived at preliminary consensus on an additional $420,000 in budget cuts for 2009.

A report in May from a Facility Conditions Assessment Team said that of the three elementary schools that have not been remodeled, only Pilgrim Lane in Plymouth is worth exploring for significant renovations. Northport Elementary in Brooklyn Center and Lakeview Elementary in Robbinsdale are not candidates for remodeling, the report said.

By spring, significant budget reductions had motivated parents, students, staff and alumni to raise $173,421 to restore some extra-curricular offerings, augmented by a $300,000 donation from the William W. and Nadine McGuire Family Foundation.

In August, six District 281 residents were named to a new Finance Advisory Council, and a consultant was hired to conduct a facilities study. The mid-report from consultants points to continuing declining enrollment which would enable District 281 to close two elementary schools, a middle school and four auxiliary buildings. Information meetings were scheduled in mid-December to present the data to the public.

By fall, the district was considering a proposal to relocate the District 281 Education Service Center and bus garage to Hosterman School, at 55th and Zealand Avenues, as part of New Hope's proposed redevelopment of the 42nd and Winnetka avenues corridor. But at a work session Dec. 6, the School Board told Ryan Companies, the project developer, it needed more time to consider the proposal.

Superintendent Stan Mack's announcement in October that he intends to retire June 30 led the school board to select School Exec Connect on Dec. 8 to conduct the search for a new superintendent.

Comment on this story at our website, www.mnsun.com.