All Articles
Broadband Service: A Tangle of Options
The long-awaited broadband has come to town.
In its wake is a tangle of questions, confusing options and contracts, who has what service, at what cost, when and for how long.
Flock Surveillance Cameras: What You Should Know
Most South Lake residents don’t know that the South Lake Minnetonka Police Department uses automated license-plate-reader across all four Joint Powers Agreement cities: Shorewood, Excelsior, Greenwood, and Tonka Bay.
Learn more about the uses, questions and concerns surrounding this technology.
A Call for Clear Communication in Shorewood
Editor’s Note: On November 3, 2025, the City of Shorewood sent an email to subscribers regarding Hwy 7 improvements.
In response, Shorewood resident Alan Yelsey sent the following email to all city council members, City Administrator Marc Nevinski and City Planner Jake Griffiths.
Automated License Plate Reader Privacy Concerns
A letter from a Shorewood resident to the Shorewood City Council raised privacy concerns about the Flock Safety’s automated license plate readers (ALPR) installed in the South Lake area.
This letter triggered a work session being scheduled on 10/10/2025 to discuss those concerns.
$45.9M Capital Expenses Projected in Shorewood
Street reconstruction, water projects, new trucks, skid-steers, mowers and park equipment are a few items that the city wants residents of Shorewood to believe are in desperate need of replacement.
The city is planning to spend $45.9M in Capital Expenditures (CapEx) over the next 10 years.
Art & Advocacy Builds Freeman Park Community
If you’ve spent time in Freeman Park, chances are you’ve noticed — and perhaps paused to admire — the beautifully crafted bench that blends art and function.
The bench was designed, built, and donated by Barry Brown, a dedicated advocate for Freeman Park.
Council Bylaws: Ethics or (In)Consistent Control?
The Shorewood City Council is set to approve bylaws to impose a code of conduct that outlines “appropriate behaviors and interactions of council members with each other, staff, and residents.” We disagree with the premise and find this to be inconsistent, open-ended and poorly planned.
Essential Reading:118% Tax Increase
Shorewood resident Barry Brown has analyzed the Long Range Financial Plan (2026 – 2035) for Shorewood. It shows the Tax Levy skyrocketing from $7.5M in 2025 to $16.4M in 2035 – a 118% increase. Also, the city plans to increase its bond debt by another $21.6M between 2026 and 2031.
