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Dakota County

Tribune

Farmington | Rosemount and the surrounding areas www.dakotacountytribune.com

NEWS DCTC donates artwork to Rambling River Center Graphic design students create several peices of unique work. Page 2A

OPINION Child care costs are a burden

January 29, 2015 • Volume 129 • Number 48

Farmington couple charged with theft by swindle State fraud agent, former police officer defraud American Girl for more than $5,000 by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

A Farmington couple was charged with felony theft by swindle in Hennepin County District Court on Jan. 22. According to the criminal complaint, between Oct. 12, 2013, and Nov. 26, 2014, Jennifer Jo Cho, 37, and Henry Lim Cho, 34, defrauded the American Girl doll company for $5,374.42 by purchasing dolls from a discount website and re-

turning them to the store for a fullprice refund. “The American Girl dolls have been a huge favorite of young girls throughout the country and the Chos thought they could cash in on that popularity,� Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said. “But you can’t buy something at a discount and return it for full price whether it is an American Girl doll, a Barbie Doll or a box of golf balls. And the charges indicate that they were made aware of that

fact.� During her arrest Jennifer Cho showed her badge as a special agent for the Minnesota Department of Commerce – Fraud Bureau and asked several times for “professional courtesy.� Henry Cho is a former police officer in the city of Rosemount, according to news reports. Upon learning of her arrest, the commerce department terminated her employment. “The Department of Com-

Guest columnist Cynthia Bauerly says middle class families paying for child care deserve a tax break. Page 4A

merce has no tolerance for fraud and most certainly not from the people who serve and protect Minnesotans,� Freeman said. Last year American Girl Loss Prevention began an internal investigation involving numerous returns without receipt. The agency determined the couple either together or individually returned more than 135 items for full price without a receipt during See DOLLS, 12A

Singewald to chair School Board Tera Lee moves to vice chair after nominating Singewald

THISWEEKEND

by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

Valentine’s mystery The Eagan Theater Company is offering a macabre twist to Valentine’s Day with its dinner theater show “My Fatal Valentine.� Page 16A

SPORTS

Rosemount Elementary School students Joey Khoury and Miriam Marks work together to test a robot made from Legos as part of their efforts in the Rosemount Elementary School Lego Robotics Club. (Photo submitted)

Rosemount parents start Lego Robotics Club for young, aspiring engineers Sixteen fourth- and fifth-grade students at Rosemount Elementary School tested self-programmed robots – made from sophisticated Lego sets – for the final time last week during the last meeting of the school’s Lego Robotics Club. The program was kick-started in November by three parents who saw a need for engineering opportunities for their

Farmington wrestling hanging tough Tigers gives Apple Valley a run. Page 10A

District has several budget issues looming SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

To receive a feed of breaking news stories, follow us at twitter.com/SunThisweek.

See ROBOT, 12A

Farmington Schools planning an operating levy

by Andy Rogers

ONLINE

children. With a startup grant from Flint Hills Resources, a devoted teacher, and support from the school principal, the club became a reality. The idea of the program was so popular that the school added a second session before the first

The Farmington School Board is in the planning stages of putting together an operating levy it would bring before voters in the near future. The district has several budget issues looming re-

garding kindergarten facility needs, security upgrades, maintenance issues that have been deferred, potential budget shortfalls, technology updates, security upgrades and other capital improvements. The board is in the discovery process of putting exact numbers on a levy. “We need to have a comprehensive plan and we probably need to hire a consultant,� Board MemSee FARMINGTON, 15A

After much discussion, the Farmington School Board has a leader. Julie Singewald was voted as board chairwoman on Monday night. She was nominated by former chairwoman Tera Lee. It was the end of a deadlocked vote that was carried over from the Jan. 12 School Board meeting when both Lee and Singewald were nominated for chair. The voting was split 3-3 and tabled until Monday’s meeting, when it appeared the board was going to work together to move forward. Before calling for a vote, in her last moments as board chairwoman, Lee spoke of the strengths of each board member. She said her ability to bring people together is one of her own strengths, and she recognized Singewald as the veteran on the board. “She has a great understanding of where the district has come from,

where we are going and what it takes to get us there,� Lee said. “She sees the big picture.� Lee said Singewald’s attention to detail, communication skills and organizational skills will make her an excellent leader. “Julie and I, as a team, leading this board will be stronger than one of us individually,� Lee said. Singewald was approved as the chair on a 5-1 vote with Board Member Melissa Sauser voting no. Singewald thanked the board for the vote and said she will work together with everyone. “I am looking forward to working with Board Member Lee in the transition process,� Singewald said. “We complement each other as leaders in this district.� She said she hopes to provide communication and structure so every board member has the information to go out to the public and confidently communicate what’s happening in the district. “If anything, they can be the greatest cheerleaders for this district moving forward,� Singewald See BOARD, 12A

District 196 considers referendum Additional money would fund building improvements, new school, technology by Jessica Harper SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

Officials in the Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School District are considering seeking bond referendum and capital projects levy totaling up to $180 million this November to fund building upgrades, a new elementary school and new technology. At a Jan. 26 special School Board meeting, officials recommended adding onto the district’s three magnet schools and potentially building a new elemen-

tary school in the south-central portion of the district to meet the needs of rising enrollment. A potential bond referendum would also pay for the second phase of an addition onto Parkview Elementary School in Lakeville. The first phase is already underway. The Minnesota Department of Education in November listed Echo Park Elementary in Burnsville and Oak Ridge Elementary in Eagan as racially identifiable schools. The state defines See 196, 15A

Challengers line up for Kline in 2nd District PUBLIC NOTICE Inside this edition are public notices with mintues for Intermediate School District 917 School Board meetings Dec. 2 and Jan. 6. Page 12A

INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 10A

Democrat Angie Craig, Republican David Gerson to run by Tad Johnson SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE

Eagan resident Angie Craig said on Monday that she would be stepping down from her leadership responsibilities as vice president of global human resources at St. Paul-based St. Jude Medical to focus on her campaign as a Democrat candidate for U.S. Con-

gress in the 2nd District. On the same day, Republican activist David Gerson said he would be challenging U.S. Rep. John Kline, R-Burnsville, for the party’s endorsement. Craig said she will remain with St. Jude, focusing on key initiatives such as diversity and inclusion, veteran hiring and workforce development with

four years with responsibility for all aspects of the 16,000 St. Jude Medical employees globally. Craig joined St. Jude Medical in 2005 as vice president of corporate relations with responsibilDavid Angie ity for health policy, govGerson Craig ernment affairs, investor key colleges and universi- relations, public relations and internal communicaties. She has held her cur- tions, according to the rent job role for the past company.

In 2010 that role expanded to include responsibility for corporate human resources, and in 2012, she assumed her current role leading the newly centralized global human resources organization. Craig has led numerous initiatives in human resources that St. Jude officials say have fostered See KLINE, 15A

Announcements . . . . 12A Public Notices . . . . . . 12A

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Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 13A

News 952-846-2033 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000 Delivery 952-846-2070

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