Chanhassen_030112

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Victoria news

Barn quilt connections

Gearing up for Hwy. 5 detour

Tulip pattern captures heritage

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CHANHASSEN

THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2012

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www.chanvillager.com

Villager City takes steps in aquatic battle Funding targets zebra mussels BY RICHARD CRAWFORD editor@chanvillager.com

A pr o g r a m de sig ned to prevent the spread of zebra WHAT’S YOUR VIEW mussels and other OF THE CITY’S PLAN aquatic nuisances TO FIGHT ZEBRA MUSSELS? is planned for three more Chanhassen www.chanvillager.com lakes this boating season. Chanhassen city officials Feb. 27 unveiled a plan not to exceed $10,000 in city funding to help conduct boat inspections at Lake Ann, Lotus Lake and Lake Susan. The lakes all have city-owned public accesses. The program would pay for about 2,000 hours for inspectors to check boats and provide education at the three lakes from May 15 through September. The city also to plans to spend up to $20,000 for educational signage and new paved areas at the Lake Ann and Lake Susan public access sites. The city is already pursuing grants through the state Department of Natural Resources to help support the program. The city also plans to collaborate with other potential partners — including local watershed districts and lake associations — to potentially obtain more funding and volunteer support. Tom Devine, who lives near Lotus Lake, has been among residents who have lobbied the city to take a more active role in the fight against zebra mussels. Devine called Monday’s City Council “a turning point night” that shifts discussions from “us vs. them” to a more cooperative approach. But not all residents think the city plan goes far enough to protect lakes. Steve Donen, who has served as president of the Lotus Lake Clean Water Association, said the only proven method to keep zebra mussels out of the lake is with 100 percent inspections. He said Lake Tahoe in California provides an example of a lake with an inspection program that has worked. Donen said Chanhassen lakes are “one boat away from becoming infested.” Last year, he said, residents conducted 980 inspections at Lotus Lake and learned that about 15 percent of the boats were coming from lakes that have already been infested with zebra mussels. Lake Minnetonka and Prior Lake have infestations. According to the DNR, mussels can attach to boats, nets, docks, swim platforms, boat lifts, and can be moved on any of these objects. They also can attach to aquatic plants, making it critical to remove all aquatic vegetation before leaving a lake. Microscopic larvae may be carried in water contained in bait buckets, bilges or

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PHOTO BY ERIC KRAUSHAR/

Jenna Wormuth celebrates a goal earlier this season with teammate Megan O’Brian (14). Chaska/Chanhassen will not be a part of the Missota Conference girls hockey schedule next year.

No more Missota celebrations for hockey program Storm Hawks bumped from conference BY ERIC KRAUSHAR scores@swpub.com

After just two years of competition and one league title, Chaska/Chanhassen girls hockey’s relationship with the Missota Conference is over. Chaska Assistant Principal/Activities Director Troy Stein requested approval

from the Missota Conference athletic directors in early February to continue with the merged program, but was denied by a 6-2 vote. With Section 2AA approving the co-op by a 9-1 vote, Stein and Chanhassen Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Dick Ungar decided it was best to remain as one team for the 2012-13 season rather than split. The Minnesota State High School League has agreed to allow the co-op as an independent for next season. Since joining the Missota Conference, the Storm Hawks have posted a 20-3-1

FOR AN IN-DEPTH REPORT ON THE STORM HAWKS PENDING DEPARTURE FROM THE MISSOTA CONFERENCE SEE PAGE A7 record in league play, including an 11-0-1 mark this season. The conference title was the program’s first since it was the Lake Conference champion in 2003. Now, the two District 112 schools are looking at starting a new conference with seven metro-area high schools.

Zebra Mussels to A2 ®

Redistricting shuffle will add two state seats BY RICHARD CRAWFORD editor@chanvillager.com

With the unveiling of new state legislative districts, politicians are already angling to fill two new seats coming to Carver County. The city of Chanhassen is at the epicenter of the redistricting shuff le in Carver County, with the northwest portion of the city — bordered by Highway 41 on the west and Highway 5 on the south — being shifted into Senate District 33 and House District 33B. Current Republican state office holders, Rep. Joe Hoppe, of Chaska, Rep. Ernie Leider of Mayer, and Sen. Julianne Ortman, of Chanhassen, will be in Senate District 47 and House districts 47A and B. Republican Rep. Steve Smith of Mound said he plans to seek re-election in the

new House 33B district. Smith is the most senior Republican in the House, having served for 22 years. Republican Sen. Gen Olsen, of Minnetrista, who has served in the state Legislature since 1982, is not seeking re-election in the new Senate district. However, two Republicans have already announced they will be vying to fill the Senate seat. They are current state Rep. Connie Doepke, of Orono, and David Osmek, a Republican state delegate and member of the Mound City Council. Richard Donnay, DFL Party chair in the county, said no DFL candidates have officially announced plans for pursuing state seats. The official filing period for state offices doesn’t open until May. As a result of the redistricting, local party officials are busy coming to

terms with the new districts and where delegates will need to go to participate in upcoming conventions. The new U.S. C on g r e s sion a l b ou nd a r ie s spl it t he county between U.S. District 3 (currently occupied by Republican Erik Paulsen) and U.S. District 6 (with incumbent Michele Bachmann). The new District 6 covers the western portion of Carver County. The new districts will present a challenge for local party activists. “It does complicate life immensely having Carver County carved up in so many different ways,” said Republican Party Chairman Steve Nielsen. “Sure it gives our county more representation that the population says we ought to have.” DFL Chairman Donnay said he wasn’t pleased with the splitting of the state

Redistricting to A2 ®

New districts

New congressional boundary*

33A

TONKA BAY

33B

7

5

CHANHASSEN

VICTORIA 47B

CHASKA

47A 41

N Graphic by Carrie Rood

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CARVER

55A

*Carver County has two new U.S. Congressional districts. The western part of the county is in District 6. The eastern part is in District 3.

INSIDE OPINION/A4 OBITUARIES/A6 SPORTS/A7 VICTORIA TOWN SQUARE /A11 CALENDAR/B2 CLASSIFIEDS/B7 TO REACH US SUBSCRIBE: (952) 345-6682 EDITOR: (952) 345-6471 OR E-MAIL EDITOR@CHANVILLAGER.COM.

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