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Dakota County

Tribune

Farmington | Rosemount www.dakotacountytribune.com

NEWS Writing contest part of ArtBlast The Rosemount Area Arts Council is organizing a Short Story Writing Contest as part of this year’s ArtBlast. Page 2A

School Board moves forward with hopes of better communication SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

Caponi is a local treasure The Caponi Art Park is a quiet retreat amid the hustle and bustle of suburban life in Eagan. Page 4A

THISWEEKEND

May 11, 2017 • Volume 132 • Number 11

Director of operations hire approved

by Maren Bauer

OPINION

and the surrounding areas

On April 24, the Farmington Area School Board approved the hiring of Dan Miller as the district’s director of operations. He is currently the principal of Boeckman Middle School.

With a 5-1 vote after a changing the title of the position from director of building and grounds, most board members seemed pleased with the conclusion. Two members who had previously voted against the position approval spoke on their decision in going for and against the hire. Steve Corraro mentioned that his two main issues with approving the position had been the different numbers board members had received

with regard to the salary package, as well as the title. After speaking with community educators, and learning that principals have more oversight of buildings and grounds than Corraro had previously known, Corraro said he felt confident in his approval vote. “Dan Miller is an excellent leader in this district,� Corraro said. “And it was never about the person. People are getting very confused. It was always about the position. And I

don’t know how that got out of hand. It was never about Mr. Miller. He’s a great leader, he’ll do a great job in this position in my opinion.� Melissa Sauser, who had previously voted no and who voted no again, explained her position noting that she was not in favor of creating another director position with more responsibilities than just buildings and grounds. The position was originally proposed as director of buildings and grounds

No walk in the park

in April, but was rejected. “I just wanted to say, I think this provided a learning opportunity for everybody, and moving forward we’ll be able to communicate more effectively,� said Board Member Jake Cordes. Kristin Goodreau, who had also voted no previously, agreed with Cordes’ comment hoping that better communication would be the result of the hiring process. Contact Maren Bauer at maren.bauer@ecm-inc.com.

Woman charged with felony theft

Children’s book with a message Apple Valley writer and teacher Kimberly Munson looks to raise awareness about Type 1 diabetes with “Maggie’s Mystery.� Page 15A

SPORTS Photo by Mike Shaughnessy

Farmington and Burnsville high schools lacrosse teams tangled in a South Suburban Conference tilt on Thursday, May 4, when the Tigers topped the Blaze, 14-9. On Monday, the Tigers ran into one of the best teams in the state — Eagan — which won the matchup 20-9.

A Rosemount woman who was volunteering as treasurer for the Eastview High School senior party planing group was charged with felony theft earlier this week, according to Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom. Jill Lynn Fiedler, 38, was charged Tuesday for theft by temporary control in connection with the loss of approximately $8,717 from the senior party account. According to the criminal complaint, Fiedler allegedly wrote checks to herself, made cash withdrawals and paid for her PayPal account from October 2016 to February 2017. Apple Valley police officers spoke with members See THEFT, 8A

Greenways coming together in Dakota County Open house for Rich Valley, greenway connectivity plans May 16 in Rosemount Rosemount defeated, 2-0 The Rosemount High School baseball team fell to Burnsville, 2-0, as it faced one of the best pitchers in the state. Page 10A

PUBLIC NOTICE The Dakota County Tribune is an official newspaper of the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District.

INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 10A Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 11A Announcements . . . . 14A Calendars . . . . . . . . . 14A

News 952-846-2033 Display Advertising 952-846-2019 Classified Advertising 952-392-6862 Delivery 763-712-3544

A fee is charged at some locations to cover distribution costs.

by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

Dakota County is in the middle of a multi-year plan to create about 200 miles multi-functional greenway trails throughout the county and officials are updating plans and looking for input. An open house is scheduled 4:30-6:30 p.m. May 16 at the Rosemount Community Center, 13885 South Robert Trail, to highlight plans for both the Rich Valley Greenway Master Plan and the Central Greenway Connectivity Study. John Mertens, a senior planner with Dakota County, said bike

ownership is growing exponentially across the country and the Twin Cities has been a leader in providing trails and access for bikers. Mertens is hoping the Dakota County can mirror their success on a suburban scale. “We want to connect people with places they want to go,� he said. “Places like commercial areas, parks, schools, churches, where ever people want to be riding bikes. ... Hennepin County and Ramsey County are doing some pretty amazing things with regional trails. All the systems are connectSee GREENWAY, 8A

Photo submitted

The newest segment of the Mississippi River Trail through beautiful Spring Lake Park Reserve will be held May 20 at the park east of Rosemount.

ACLU-MN files lawsuit to contend DNA collection Dakota County officials say they will vigorously defend their actions in court

Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom and Dakota County Sheriff Tim Leslie received a legal challenge Monday

by ACLU-Minnesota on behalf of John David Emerson, of Rosemount, concerning the collection of DNA from suspects who have been arrested for and charged with certain crimes of violence under Minnesota law. Backstrom and Leslie indicated their intent to vigorously defend the

2005 law in court, according to a news release. “This is an important law which aids in the identification of individuals arrested for serious felonies who are housed within our jails and who are released back into our communities pending resolution of their criminal charges,� Leslie said.

“The United States Supreme Court has ruled that statues similar to Minnesota’s which authorize the collection of DNA from suspects who have been arrested and charged with crimes of violence are constitutional,� Backstrom said. “This decision in my opinion overruled the 2006 Minnesota Court

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See DNA, 9A

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of Appeals decision finding Minnesota’s statute mandating this collection unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Contrary to the contention of ACLU-MN, we also do not believe this important statute is in vio-


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