Dakota County
Tribune
Farmington | Rosemount and the surrounding areas www.dakotacountytribune.com SPECIAL SECTION
October 23, 2014 • Volume 129 • Number 34
2nd District race hinges on the middle Kline defeated Obermueller two years ago by 8 percentage points by Tad Johnson SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Voters Guide features races Inside this edition are candidate profiles for city, school district and state races in the Sun Thisweek coverage area.
NEWS Bomb found in man’s home A southern Dakota County man accused of burglarizing his neighbors has been arrested. Page 2A
OPINION Incumbents deserve votes Gov. Mark Dayton and U.S. Sen. Al Franken are endorsed by the ECM Editorial Board Page 4A
THISWEEKEND
The campaign in the 2nd District is a rematch from two years ago when Republican U.S. Rep. John Kline defeated former state Rep. Mike Obermueller, a Democrat from Eagan. While both candidates are rallying their base voters in the final weeks before the Nov. 4 election, the two are also trying to secure votes from independents who could swing the race as 2nd District voters went for President Obama in 2012 by the slightest of margins. There won’t be any presidential coattails to ride in 2014, although Democrats Gov. Mark Dayton and U.S. Sen. Al Franken hold leads in recent polls in their re-election bids. There also is a third candidate in the race. Paula Overby was endorsed by the Independence Party,
U.S. Rep. John Kline, R-Burnsville, walks in the Lakeville Former state Rep. Mike Obermueller, a Democrat Pan-O-Prog parade this summer. Kline is running for re- from Eagan, is running against U.S. Rep. John Kline, election in the 2nd District. (Photo by Tad Johnson) R-Burnsville, in the 2nd District. (File photo) becoming the first transgender candidate for federal office in Minnesota. Her campaign is an unknown factor on the final tally, but she sought the Democrats’ endorsement, so one would expect her supporters to fall to the left. The candidates from the two major parties of-
fer a contrast in their positions on the major issues, age – Kline is 67 and Obermueller is 41 – and backgrounds. Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in 1947, Kline graduated from high school in the state before attending Rice University in Houston, where he earned a bachelor’s degree
Rosemount band places fifth
in biology. Kline served in the military for 25 years as a Marine helicopter pilot in Vietnam and later served as a personal military aide to Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. He earned a master’s in public administration from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
and retired in 1994 as a Marine colonel. Kline was first elected to the U.S. House in 2002 after defeating Democrat Rep. Bill Luther in the newly drawn 2nd District that included the south metro counties, including Dakota. He had previSee 2ND, 8A
Help sought in identifying man found in shed
New work from veteran author Burnsville author and retired English professor John Solensten returns with the historical novel “The Gibson Boy.� Page 19A
SPORTS The Rosemount High School marching band earned second place in Class AAA and awards for Outstanding Visual Performance and Outstanding General Effect during the Bands of America competition last weekend at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, Mo. The top 14 bands were selected to perform in the finals competition on Saturday evening where Rosemount placed fifth overall. A total of 64 bands from 13 states competed. (Photos courtesy of Dave Andrews)
The Hennepin County medical examiner and Rosemount police released more information on Tuesday regarding the man who was found dead Sept. 29 in a railroad utility shed east of the intersection of 146th Street and Burnley Avenue West in Rosemount. They said the white male possibly was living in the shed and may have frequented local businesses. Papers at the scene suggest he was last known alive around October 2013. The cause of death and manner of death are undetermined, but foul play is not suspected. The report said the man’s height was in the range of 5-foot-3 to 5-foot-11 and placed his age range between 30 and 50 years old. Forensic analysis indicates the man had a nasal bone fracture and moderate osteoarthritis. He
likely did not seek routine dental treatment. The deceased was wearing a Wilson’s brand Open Road leather jacket, Wrangler boot-cut jeans (size 42 waist, 30 inseam), a Chaps brand button down shirt (size extra, extra large), and dark leather belt. He had eyeglasses and a leather knife sheath with the initials “DHT� carved in it and a small hoop earring in his left ear. The shed is the property of Canadian Pacific Railroad and is located east of the tracks. The deceased will be entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. Those with information regarding the possible identity of this individual, contact the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office at 612-2156300. – Tad Johnson
Patriotic Days will recognize Civil War Several area descendents of those who served in the Civil War will be honored Farmington girls 12th The Farmington girls swimming team has standouts in relay, diving and sprints at the state True Team meet. Page 13A
PUBLIC NOTICE The public notices for general election in the Lakeville Area School District is inside this edition. Page 14A
INDEX Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Announcements . . . . . 6A
by Andy Rogers SUN THISWEEK DAKOTA COUNTY TRIBUNE
Farmington’s annual Patriotic Day program on Nov. 6 will honor the sesquicentennial of the Civil War, which ended nearly 150 years ago. Like all wars, there were many lessons historians hope future generations will take to heart. “We need to learn from the past,� North Trail Elementary Principal and Patriotic Day organizer Steven Geis said. “We can’t afford to have that Civil War taking place within our own country.� Farmington resident John Switzer plans to attend and he’s trying to get as many family members to join him as his great-grandfather on his mother’s side Hans Jacobson fought in the Civil War. As recent immigrant from Norway, Jacobson volunteered out of Wisconsin. He rose the ranks
quickly to become a sergeant. “There was a very strong feeling about America during the Civil War by the Norwegians,� Switzer said. “They felt very appreciative of the U.S. and the chance to come over here.� During the Battle of Stones River or the Second Battle of Murfreesboro, a battle which halted Confederate attempt in controlling the middle of Tennessee, Jacobson was wounded and taken prisoner. Stories about Jacobson were passed down through generations, but it wasn’t until John Switzer’s son Kent Switzer did some extensive research that he discovered that Jacobson was held in prison for about five months on the East Coast. Kent Switzer is a Farmington graduate and former Apple Valley policeman who currently works for the FBI. Almost 150 years after Kent’s great-great-grandfather was in-
jured in battle, his son Brandon Switzer was wounded by an explosion in Afghanistan. “He was knocked to the ground and suffered a pretty severe concussion,� John Switzer said. “Woke up in time to call for a medic and grab the legs of a guy with him. They had the helicopter on the battlefield in 17 minutes. When he visited with this other guy, he said he wouldn’t have survived without him.� Jacobson has a long line of descendents who have served. John’s dad, Bill, was a Marine, and John and his two brothers joined the Army during the Vietnam War. Five of Bill’s grandchildren and two great-grandchildren have served. As a veteran, John Switzer has attended Patriotic Days three times and hopes many will join him. See PATRIOTIC, 11A
Farmington’s Patriotic Day on Nov. 6 will pay tribute to veterans of every branch. This year the theme is recognizing the Civil War, including veterans like Hans Jacobson, the great-grandfather of Farmington’s John Switzer. (Photo submitted)
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . 13A Public Notices . . . . . . 14A Classifieds . . . . . . . . . 15A News 952-846-2033 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000 Delivery 952-846-2070
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