Dakota County
Tribune
Farmington | Rosemount and the surrounding areas
www.dakotacountytribune.com
October 8, 2015 • Volume 130 • Number 31
Mosque proposal’s detractors, supporters speak
NEWS Area resident sees papal visit Letter to President Barack Obama on climate change leads to Washington, D.C., trip for Burnsville couple. Page 2A
OPINION Violence needs to stop The key to stopping domestic violence is awareness and victims and witnesses of abuse not being afraid to speak out. Page 4A
THISWEEKEND
Organizers, supporters say are saddened by opposition’s comments by Tad Johnson SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
After Rosemount City Council Member Shaun Nelson requested that the council consider rescinding its Sept. 15 zoning approvals that cleared the way for a mosque to be built in Rosemount, his request was denied by a 4-1 vote Tuesday night. Nelson cast the lone “no� vote on the three items related to the site on Sept. 15 and was the only council member to vote for bringing it back as an agenda item Tuesday night. Nelson said he proposed the rescinding because he was not fully prepared at the Sept. 15 meeting, saying that there was no information about the South Urban Gateway study included in the executive summary. As the item resurfaced at the
meeting on Tuesday, supporters and detractors of the Muslim American Society of Minnesota’s mosque offered passionate divergent opinions about the move. Some of those who voiced opposition did so because they said not enough notification was given in advance of the Planning Commission and City Council’s approval. Mayor Bill Droste asked staff if all of the appropriate public notice was given, to which city staff replied that it was. “I think it’s a shame you don’t give your citizens a chance to say how we feel,� said Rosemount resident Kay Gingerick. Rosemount resident Craig Lewandowski accused MAS of having connections to terrorist organizations. He also said MAS had its charter school in Inver Grove Heights
closed due to its use of religion in its curriculum. MAS said it is attempting to gain approval to open Summit Charter School in Inver Grove Heights. That approval has been delayed one year based on space concerns, according to a Pioneer Press report. “It’s a travesty to the majority of people who live in the community,â€? Lewandowski said of the mosque’s approval in Rosemount. Those who spoke in support of the mosque said they were saddened by the comments. Rosemount resident Tariq Bashir said Muslim children go to school with other children, Muslims are at Cub Foods, restaurants and shopping malls, “you don’t know us and we don’t know you. ‌ That is a sad state of affairs.â€? He said he thought about bringing his son to the meeting
but he didn’t because of a concern of what would be said by opponents. Apple Valley resident Abdullah Hasan said the only problem opponents who spoke have with him is that he is Muslim. “The majority of, you know, Muslims are not terrorists,� he said. “There are some bad apples.� He said Muslims stand with those of other denominations against such acts by people who are using the Muslim faith in connection to violence. Another supporter said in his experience ignorance was the issue more than anything else. He said if there were an open dialogue, it would help resolve the issue. He said he is working with the Minnesota Council of Churches See MOSQUE, 6A
Rosemount police officer has contract terminated Chad Rosa had been with the city since 1997 as an officer
A air for amenco Renowned flamenco guitarist Jesse Cook is bringing his “One Worldâ€? tour to the Ames Center in Burnsville this month. Page 15A
by Tad Johnson SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
and could use a little refresh,� Wendlandt said. Staff members hope to bring a logo to the City Council for final approval next month. The council could always keep the current logo, depending on the feedback, Wendlandt said.
The Rosemount City Council voted unanimously to approve a recommendation to terminate the contract of police officer Chad Rosa on Tuesday night. The recommendation came from Police Chief Mitchell Scott and City Administrator Dwight Johnson and was explained by Mayor Bill Droste after the council emerged from a 45-minute closed session. The session was closed because the council was to discuss preliminary consideration of allegations or charges against an individual under the council’s authority. Droste said the council concurred with the chief and city administrator that it was in the best interest of the city to terminate the contract. He said Rosa did not appear before the council as was offered to him after the recommendation was made. Droste said the city will give the proper notification to Rosa of their decision. A 2007 story by this newspaper regarding the Coffee with a Cop series Rosa developed at the time reported that Rosa joined the Rosemount department in 1995 as a community service officer. He became an officer in 1997. He worked for the Minnesota State Patrol from 2001 to 2003, when he returned to the Rosemount department. In the mid2000s, he was Rosemount’s DARE officer. Rosa recently joined the making of a cablecast public safety television show with Farmington police.
Email Andy Rogers andy.rogers@ecm-inc.com.
Email Tad Johnson at tad.johnson@ecm-inc.com.
SPORTS
The Haunted Woods Trail is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24, at Central Park in Rosemount. Gates open at 6 p.m. and it runs until 8 p.m. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted at the beginning of the trail. (File photo by Tad Johnson)
Rosemount Halloween Committee to meet
Irish drops close one Rosemount football still has a chance at a share of subdistrict title with win over Lakeville North. Page 9A
The Rosemount Halloween Committee will have its next meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 12 at the Central Park Shelter. The committee is looking for volunteers to help with carving pumpkins, setting up props, handing out candy, and taking down the props after the event is over. The Haunted Woods Trail is
scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24. Gates open at 6 p.m. and it runs until 8 p.m. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted at the beginning of the trail. Non-perishable foods also will be collected for the 360 Communities Rosemount Family Resource Center food shelf. Sponsors who want to participate can go the committee’s web-
site at RosemountEvents.com. Applications for sponsors and vendors will be accepted through Oct. 21. More information is at www. rosemountevents.com/HauntedWoodsTrail.html, send an email to rosemounthalloween@gmail.com or contact Mike Bouchard at 612840-9016.
Farmington plans to update its logo City hoping for feedback, suggestions
PUBLIC NOTICE The Dakota County Tribune is an official newspaper of the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District.
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by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
After more than 20 years, Farmington officials are hoping to freshen up the city’s logo. Twenty options were shown during Monday’s City Council meeting with a variety of colors and word placement. They all featured the words “City of Farmington� along with a representation of a bridge. City staff is hoping residents provide feedback and vote for their favorite online at the city’s website and social media accounts. In the end, the winner could be something other than the 20 options. Council members and Mayor Todd Larson admitted they were not thrilled with the options. “Truthfully, I don’t care for any of them, and I think we can do better than this,� Larson said. Board Member Terry Donnelly said they were perhaps too abstract. Brenda Wendlandt, human recourses director, said the city would welcome suggestions.
A selection of four possible logos in five different colors for the city of Farmington were presented at Monday’s City Council meeting. Only two colors are shown here for space considerations. Other colors considered are blue, grey and green. The public is encouraged to provide feedback or suggestions at the city’s website at www.ci.farmington.mn.us. (Image submitted) “I want something that will pop and wow,� Larson said. The council was still on board with changing the logo. Farmington is also redesigning its website, so staff members determined it would also be a good time to update the logo, since the current logo has been around for at least 20 years. “We received some feedback that our current logo was a little dated
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