PEOPLE PROFILES
KEVIN WATSON CITY ADMINISTRATOR
It would seem Kevin Watson , Vadnais Heights ’ City Administrator since 2013 , was destined for his career since before his birth . His father – his greatest inspiration – “ was a city manager all over the country , but in Texas and Montana mostly . I went to college in Oklahoma and graduate school in Kansas . Then , I worked in local government in Nevada and Oregon .”
Watson says his favorite feature of Vadnais Heights is the residents ’ and business owners ’ pride in the community : “ For a suburban community in a major metropolitan area , we have a strong identity . We have active citizens and volunteers who contribute so much of their time and effort to the community , and that really stands out for me .”
He enjoys implementing small and big changes in the City . “ Everything impacts someone or something in a different way , but it all works together for the benefit of the community ,” he says .
The City project Watson ’ s currently most excited about is the development of the Garceau Corner , at the intersection of Centerville Road and Edgerton Street . “ The Garceau Corner is the birthplace of the City of Vadnais Heights . All indications are the site is very attractive and will invite a high �������������������������������� modern apartment complex that will attract both millennials and baby boomers looking to downsize .”
Watson and his wife , an architect in Minneapolis , are relatively new parents of a son . They enjoy hiking , camping and golfing . Watson says , “ Living in Oregon for six years , I gained a tremendous appreciation for the outdoors and taking advantage of all it has to offer . I haven ’ t visited the Boundary Waters yet , but it ’ s on my ‘ bucket list ’ to get there soon .”
EILEEN SCHIRER FOUNDATION DIRECTOR
Eileen Schirer and her husband , Paul , moved to Vadnais Heights in 1978 , a year after marrying , and raised their three children in the same home they still live in . Schirer , a director of the Vadnais Heights Lions Club and Vadnais Heights Lions Club Foundation , was – in essence – mentored for the position by her husband , a charter member when the club began in 1980 . ( The Foundation was established in 2013 .)
A club member since 2009 , Schirer is involved in every aspect of service the Lions provide to the Vadnais Heights ’ community – especially the club ’ s signature projects : the Annual Toy / Food / Funds Drive and Heritage Days . ��������������������������������������� have close to 70 members . “ One of my favorite sayings ,” Schirer says , “ is ‘ Many helping hands lighten the load .’ It certainly sums up how we work together in service . Some serve with the ideas and leadership of projects ; others serve in getting the work done . No one person is credited for our projects .”
Still , one person sure can accomplish a great deal when she puts her mind to it . In 2012 , Schirer was elected the first woman president of the Vadnais Heights ’ club ; since 2014 , she ’ s served as a trustee on the MN Lions Diabetes Foundation . She ’ s been awarded a Melvin Jones Fellow and two Lions Clubs International ( LCI ) Presidents ’ Certificates of Appreciation . ( Melvin Jones founded the LCI in 1917 .) In 2016 , Schirer became the 2nd Vice District Governor of District 5M6 ( 43 clubs ), and in 2018 she will become Governor of District 5M6 .
You wouldn ’ t think Schirer has time for other interests , but in her “ down time ” she does enjoy being at their cabin up north , as well as golfing , fishing with her husband , traveling and working on “ the many small projects that pile up in my ������������������������������������� ‘ hall of lost projects .’ “ vhedc . com 17