Dakota County
Tribune
Farmington | Rosemount and the surrounding areas
www.dakotacountytribune.com
October 19, 2017 • Volume 132 • Number 33
196 School Board candidate Q&A: the sequel
NEWS Baby sign language
A second look at the eight 2017 Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School Board candidates
Carol Hedberg is teaching sign language to babies and their families in an effort to give a voice to how the young ones are feeling. Page 3A
OPINION Election integrity Folks on all sides of the election integrity issue need to find common ground to arrive at solutions to the problems that exist. Page 4A
THISWEEKEND
by Amy Mihelich SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Eight candidates are campaigning for three Rosemount-Apple ValleyEagan District 196 School Board seats in the Nov 7. Election. Incumbents Art Coulson of Apple Valley, Gary Huusko of Eagan and Mike Roseen of Apple Valley, will run against challengers Craig Angrimson of Apple Valley, Brian Buechele of Lakeville, Rebecca Gierok of Apple Valley, Daniel O’Neil of Eagan and Bi-
anca Virnig of Eagan. The newly elected candidates will serve from January 2018 to January 2022, as terms for Coulson, Huusko and Roseen expire Jan. 1, 2018. The ballot asks voters to select a combination of up to three candidates and write-ins. Voters can participate in the election through absentee, early in-person or election day voting. Absentee voting began Sept. 22. Absentee ballots can be completed by mail or in person at the
District Office in Rosemount, 3455 153rd St. W., or at one of the Dakota County government centers located in Apple Valley, Hastings and West St. Paul. Voters do not need a reason to vote by absentee ballot. Early in-person voting will available Tuesday, Oct. 31 through Monday, Nov. 6, each business day at the District Office in Rosemount (7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 6), as well as at the Dakota County
Administration Center in Hastings, 1590 Highway 55 (8 a.m to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 6). On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 7, polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more information about voting, people can look at www.mnvotes. org or call the Superintendent’s Office at 651-4237725. The Sun Thisweek and Dakota County Tribune will provide election results online on election night.
Voters can read the following Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan District 196 School Board candidate questionnaire to learn more about each candidate. For more information about the candidates, people can read the first 2017 Rosemount-Apple ValleyEagan School Board candidate questionnaire and find more candidate information online at SunThisweek.com/tag/District-196-Election-2017. See ELECTION, 8A
East Lake dedicates building
Aaron Drive hosts haunts Those who don’t mind getting the chills on a cold Halloween night should pay a visit to Aaron Drive. Page 17A
SPORTS Photos submitted
The newest public school in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District opened its doors to students and families this fall. East Lake Elementary held a dedication ceremony on Friday, Oct. 13. At the ceremony, East Lake revealed its mascot to students and staff — the Lakers. The event also featured speeches by District 196 Superintendent Jane Berenz and East Lake Principal Miles Haugen. District 196 School Board members, cabinet members and representatives from the construction and architect firms attended as well. The fifth-graders played barred instruments and percussion to accompany the Rosemount High School band as they led East Lake students in their new school song.
State tourney trips on the line Farmington and Rosemount soccer teams battled to the end last week for chance to play in the state tournament. Page 11A
PUBLIC NOTICE The Dakota County Tribune is an official newspaper of the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District. Page 12A
INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 11A
Farmington officially says ‘thank you’ to K-9 unit Officer Sundvall follows his K-9 partner into retirement by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Farmington officially said goodbye to longtime police officer Travis Sundvall and his K-9 partner Bosco during Monday’s City Council meeting. Police Chief Brian Lindquist presented the pair with plaques expressing gratitude for their years of service. “(Sundvall) was an integral part of our team for the last 12 years, running our first K-9 unit,” Lindquist said. Lindquist said the department has received several thank you letters throughout the years, and he highlighted the duo’s help in several missing person cases. “We got a call from Lakeville from a husband who was looking for his wife,” Lindquist said. Using the last ping from her cellPhoto submitted phone, the two searched for 30-40 minFarmington police officer Travis Sundvall and his K-9 utes before they found her car down an partner Bosco are both officially retired from the depart- embankment where she was in need of ment.
help, Lindquist said. “If it hadn’t been for Bosco, and the ability to find her in that time frame, she might not have made it,” Lindquist said. He said the pair responded to shotsfired calls and helped when a bull got loose during the Dakota County Fair in 2013. “They may be routine for officers but they’ve made a big impact in somebody’s life,” Lindquist said. “We will miss them both greatly.” Sundvall was overcome with emotion during the meeting. “Leaving was hard, and it is,” Sundvall said. “This is the greatest place in the metro to work by far and I’ll miss it.” Sundvall has served since 2005 and Bosco has been his partner since 2010. Bosco was medically retired in March 2017 when he was diagnosed with a critical hip injury. He will remain in the care and cusSee OFFICER, 7A
Public Notices . . . . . . 12A Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 13A Announcements . . . . 16A
Groups band together for Veterans Day Series of events slated in Rosemount around the national holiday
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by Tad Johnson SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Honoring U.S. military veterans will stretch across more than a week in Rosemount through events organized by the Rosemount Area Arts Council, the Rosemount VFW, the city of Rosemount and Beyond the Yellow Ribbon. The four entities are banding together to present a special ceremony, dinner, movies and author talks before and after Veterans Day on Saturday, Nov. 11. The main event is a special concert and talk
by U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Lou Martin, retired, on Friday, Nov. 10, starting at 7 p.m. at the Rosemount Steeple Center. The musical portion of the night before and after Martin’s presentation will include performances by the 34th Infantry Division Red Bulls Band - Northstar Brass Quintet. Martin is the author of three books recounting his time as an Air Force pilot. He obtained his pilot’s license in 1945 at age 17 and was an Air Force pilot for 22 years including 169 combat flight hours in Vietnam.
He retired in 1970 as a lieutenant colonel. Following his retirement he was a captain for Japan Airlines, a charter pilot in Iran (during the overthrow of the Shah) an inspector pilot with the FAA, a war bird pilot for the Minnesota Planes of Fame Air Museum and served with the U.S. Consulate Office in Germany from 1992 to 1996. His overseas experience included 10 years in Germany, seven in Japan, Photo submitted three in Iran and two trips Lt. Col. Lou Martin, USAF, retired, stands next to his to Moscow. C-150 just before he sold it last year and before he made See VETERANS, 7A his last flight in an aircraft as pilot in command.