After a Decade of Service, St. Michael's Weston Heads West

In August, Cindy Weston sat at a table and chairs with her husband as her grandchildren enjoyed the food, fun and frivolity ofon a picture perfect day.

In a sense, it was fitting. Weston, who years ago helped get the ball rolling for the annual event, had stepped back a bit this year, knowing that, soon, she would be leaving St. Michael behind.

"It's what makes a community special," Weston said of events like Daze and Knights. "People love that spirit here. They like the small town feeling. Things like that event are what help you kind of hang on to that, and more than just a suburb."

Weston moved here in 1997, about the time was looking at major changes to its comprehensive plan. She studied the documents, attended some meetings and soon, decided she wanted to be involved.

"They told me to look for an opening and apply," she said. "So I did."

She spent two years on planning and zoning before she was appointed to the council in 2002. She ran in 2003 and won, but was voted out in 2006. 

That's when she focused her attention on a city celebration.

"My daughter was Miss Albertville, and I thought St. Michael needed something like that. Something people could identify as our own summer 'thing,'" she said.

She found friends and colleagues who loved the idea of having a late-summer festival in St. Michael. And she found allies in people like Mitch and Lisa Peterson, who helped organize the first big event tied to the festival–an in-line skate marathon.

"If you appreciate having our own city festival–you can thank Cindy Weston," Lisa Peterson said. "She held meetings 12 months out of 12. She took on the responsiblity when other people wouldn't. And when it came time for that first event, she was there to first day to help set up, and the last one stacking chairs when it was time to tear down."

During her time on council–to which she was re-elected in 2008–Weston has been a key voice when it came to approving projects like the downtown revitalization, the one-way pair (Highway 241) and even the new community center, which houses city hall, the library and the senior center.

"I love this community. I really do. I have to say that I've taken some ownership in some of the changes that have happened while I was here," Weston said. "I had family in town and while back, and they can see how the place has changed so much even since the last time they visited. I kind of look, and think, 'Yeah. I kind of did that. I helped make that happen.'"

Her friend and colleague, Joe Hagerty, Wright County Sheriff, stepped off the board in 2010, when he did not run for re-election. City Administrator Bob Derus said the loss of those two members, plus the death of Dean Eggert, will take a lot of experience away from the panel.

"It's a huge loss," he said.

The St. Michael City Counci will, according to its ordinances, appoint someone to fill Weston's term until 2012.

St. Michael will be fine without her, Weston assures.

"The people here are so great. That's what makes this place special. We just do our job. But there's a cooperation here that's amazing. St. Michael serves as an example for other communities. That's a credit to the people here," she said. "That's something I will miss."

However, Weston won't disappear.

"I won't be able to cut all ties. No way," said the future Buckeye, Ariz., resident. "I'll be checking in. I've already committed to coming back for next year's festival, so you know I'll be back for that."

Just don't count on her stacking any chairs.