Dakota County
Tribune
Farmington | Rosemount and the surrounding areas
www.dakotacountytribune.com
January 14, 2016 • Volume 130 • Number 45
Sauser announces Senate candidacy
NEWS Buckthorn burned
Farmington School Board member is an advocate for local control, reduced regulations
Buckthorn, an invasive species that threatens to degrade the Vermillion River, was cut in the fall and burned on Monday. Page 2A
OPINION Measuring happiness Columnist Joe Nathan reflects on book that says wealth does not always lead to happiness. Page 4A
THISWEEKEND
by Laura Adelmann SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
A Farmington School Board member announced on Monday she will seek the Republican nomination in Senate District 58. Melissa Sauser said she will work to increase local control, reduce state regulations and address education funding issues. “I think it’s important that we have someone in St. Paul who has been in the trenches in the local communities who knows how the decisions made in St. Paul impact our local communities, kids and families,� Sauser said.
Melissa Sauser Sauser, of Farmington, is in her sixth year as a District 192 School Board member, where she said
she has emphasized fiscal responsibility and meeting the needs of all learners. She said she is passionate about personal freedom and making sure parents have a choice in when and where they send their children to school. “I want to make sure that we’re able to make the right choices for our families and also allow local governments to make the choices that’s best for them that their communities support,� Sauser said. The Senate seat has been held by Dave Thompson, R-Lakeville, since 2010. Thompson announced
last week he is moving out of Minnesota for a job promotion and would complete his term but is not seeking re-election. Sauser commended Thompson for upholding the same conservative values she said she would adhere to if she earned the seat. “Dave Thompson has been an incredible representative for Republican conservative beliefs in St. Paul,� Sauser said. “It has been an honor to have him in our court there, and it’s important we continue to share those principles.� Like Thompson, Sauser said she would support
Fulfilled at work ‌ every day
Rosemount Family Resource Center coordinator helps families succeed by Tad Johnson SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Mystery on the North Shore Meet the Author series in Rosemount to feature writer who has set his suspense novel on the shores of Lake Superior. Page 13A
“Natalie, are you here?� When Natalie Schmidgall heard a familiar voice while working at the Burnsville Resource Center, she knew a big hug was on the way. The hug would come from the daughter of one of the center’s clients whom Schmidgall met last year. When the mother first met the financial support worker Schmidgall, the conversation was about getting food assistance. But Schmidgall felt something more was wrong. “I asked if she was doing OK as she seemed to be having a hard day, which opened up an entirely different conversation,� Schmidgall said. She learned the family was homeless and had been in crisis for several months. Rosemount Family Resource Center coordinator Natalie Schmidgall takes some time to interact with some visitors during a holiday party at the center. See SCHMIDGALL, 6A (Photo submitted)
Winter makes its debut at Whitetail Thanks to more snow, skiers, sledders enjoying park by Andy Rogers
SPORTS Girls ďŹ nd traction in SSC
SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Pata said people did use the sledding hills last year. “Not having a nice thick snow base under the sled made for a rough ride,� Pata said. “I’m sure people are enjoying it much more now.� Snowshoeing also was available, but last year snowshoes weren’t necessary — people could just hike because the snow wasn’t deep. But, for the first time ever, groomers were out setting tracks for about 6 miles of cross country skiing tracks in late December. The trails at Whitetail For the first time since Whitetail Woods opened, trails have been groomed for classic skiing throughout the park. (Photo by Andy Rogers) See WHITETAIL, 5A
the conservative values of traditional marriage, is pro-life and an advocate for upholding the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms. “It’s very important to me that we continue to have someone that espouses those beliefs,� Sauser said. “I will never be able to step in his big shoes by no means, but I hope to be able to forge a new path with those same principles because those are the things I believe in, too.� Sauser is the first to formally announce her intent to seek the Republican See SAUSER, 6A
Angie Craig is DFL’s presumptive 2nd District nominee Kittelson, Lawrence have suspended their campaigns by Tad Johnson SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
The day after Dr. Mary Lawrence said she wouldn’t be seeking the Democratic endorsement in the 2nd District race, Goodhue resident Roger Kittelson suspended his campaign last Wednesday, leaving Eagan resident Angie Craig as the presumptive nominee. Kittelson echoed Lawrence’s sentiment ex p re s s e d when she w i t h d r e w Angie Craig from the race, as he said: “We need to focus our energy behind our candidate to win the (2nd District).� He said he believes “our future congresswoman� Craig will protect seniors, workers, farmers, and small business owners. “I want to thank everyone that has encouraged me to run for the U.S. Congress over the past five months,� Kittelson said. “I have enjoyed meeting Angie Craig and Dr. Mary Lawrence and the large groups of volunteers that make the DFL a party that works.� In January 2015, Craig stepped down from her leadership responsibilities
The Dakota County Tribune is an official newspaper of the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District. Page 8A
Thanks to a few winter snowfalls, winter activities at Whitetail Woods are finally at full capacity for the first time since the park opened in 2014. There wasn’t enough snow last winter for crosscountry skiing, and while the sledding hill was open, the lack of snow made it subpar at best. “We had very minimal snow conditions last year,� said Katie Pata with Dakota County Parks. “We couldn’t even get the groomers out. This is the debut winter season at the park.�
INDEX
Brandt Richardson to retire in May 2016
The Farmington girls hockey team is proving itself as a formidable foe against the top teams in the conference. Page 7A
PUBLIC NOTICE
Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7A Public Notices . . . . . . . 8A Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . 9A Announcements . . . . 12A
News 952-846-2033 Display Advertising 952-846-2019 Classified Advertising 952-392-6862 Delivery 763-712-3544
See CRAIG, 5A
Administrator will conclude 28 years of service to Dakota County Dakota County Administrator Brandt Richardson announced on Wednesday that he will retire in May 2016. Richardson’s retirement will bring to a close his 24 years of work as the top official at Minnesota’s third most populous county and 40 years in public service. “Brandt is an outstanding and highlyrespected leader who we
will miss g r e a t l y, � said County Board C h a i rwo m a n N a n c y S c h o u - Brandt weiler in Richardson a press release. “His thoughtful, collaborative style has been so beneficial to the county, and his commitment to hiring
quality staff and mentorship has helped draw many people to pursue a career in public service.� “It has been an honor and privilege to work with our dedicated employees and governing board in service to the residents of Dakota County,� Richardson said. “I have been very fortunate to work with such passionate people who are deeply committed to the success and
stewardship of Dakota County. I look forward in these next few months to preparing for a seamless transition to my successor.� The County Board will likely commence a national search for Richardson’s successor. Richardson has been responsible for a workforce of nearly 2,000 employees, carrying out all decisions, policies, ordi-
nances and resolutions of the board of commissioners, preparing the recommended annual budget, and long-range planning. Under his leadership, Dakota County has been recognized for its low property taxes (lowest per capita county tax rate in Minnesota), strong financial management, and focus on performance See COUNTY, 6A
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