Thisweek Apple Valley and Rosemount

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Rosemount’s Shamrock Film Festival offers three days of screenings and ďŹ lm events Oct. 7-9. See Thisweekend Page 7A

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Thisweek Apple Valley-Rosemount OCTOBER 1, 2010

VOLUME 31, NO. 31

NEWS OPINION SPORTS

www.thisweeklive.com

Announcements/4A

Opinion/6A

Puzzle Page/8A

Real Estate/9A

Classifieds/10A

Sports/14A

Collaboration could benefit south-metro cities

by Aaron Vehling

come a part of the entity is Rosemount, whose city council witnessed a presentation last week by Kathy Schmidlkofer, an executive at General Mills who is spearheading the effort. City Administrator Dwight Johnson sees potential for Rosemount achieving positive returns on a possible $10,000 membership investment. The cost of not having a national marketing presence is too much, he said.

THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

For at least the past decade, urban studies theorists such as Richard Florida have illustrated how a modern metropolitan area, for all intents and purposes, functions as a single municipal entity. While this is true to some extent in the MinneapolisSt. Paul metro, cities or pockets generally operate in much more of a Balkanized fashion, even with the Metropolitan Council and other cross-border relationships

Itasca Project’s regional development entity a move toward a united marketing front for the entire metro area at play. The Itasca Project, a cadre of representatives from the business community, asserts this lack of unified marketing has cost the Twin Cities metro area economic opportunities as businesses choose other ar-

eas whose cities act in closer concert. “The Twin Cities region is not on anyone’s radar,� said Skip Nienhaus, economic development coordinator for Burnsville. He added that whenever national site selectors do ac-

Man charged in alleged plot to murder county attorney, judge

tually visit the metro area, “they are incredibly impressed. In many cases, we get on their radar because of the visit.� Membership dues for cities participating in this unified marketing effort are based on population.

New conference center brings hope to struggling downtown

Murder conspiracy charges brought in Rice County by Laura Adelmann

The county says it has videotape evidence of WoodA convicted felon has ward giving Jackson a map to Backstrom’s resibeen charged with dence and details contracting for the about his normal murders of Dakota route to work. County Attorney The plot allegJames Backstrom edly was hatched and Judge Rex Stacey during jailhouse and the assault of a conversations bewitness who testified John tween Jackson and against him. Woodward Woodward, who John Stephen Woodward, 47, who is described his previous relaformerly of Inver Grove tionship with Backstrom as Heights but is now serv- “best buddies.� According to the coming almost eight years in a Faribault prison on meth- plaint, Woodward allegedly amphetamine charges, al- told Jackson how he could legedly tried to pay another do it, giving him the route, inmate $10,000 to murder location of the hit and inBackstrom and Stacey, who structions to shoot through presided over Woodward’s Backstrom’s vehicle window. Jackson turned the infor2007 drug conviction. Woodward, Backstrom’s mation over to investigators. Investigators allegedly former neighbor, has been charged with two counts later recorded conversations of conspiracy to com- between Woodward and mit premeditated first-degree Jackson detailing the plot to murder and one count of murder or seriously maim conspiracy to commit first- the witness identified as MM degree assault, according to in the complaint. Among the details Wooda Rice County complaint ward allegedly discussed filed Sept. 29. Prosecutors allege that with Jackson were where to Woodward hired Thomas dispose of the weapon, arRay Jackson to murder rangements for sending reBackstrom in December, on maining payments after the the day Jackson was sched- murder, and the address of uled to be released from MM. The complaint states prison, and had his wife give an attorney $2,500 as a down Woodward requested that Jackson beat MM severely, payment. Initially, Jackson alleg- break her arms with a baseedly told the attorney the ball bat and leave her in the money was for a truck, but woods. He allegedly told Jackson eventually reported the murder-for-hire scheme after he to do whatever he needed to determined Woodward’s in- MM’s boyfriend if he were to interfere. tentions were real. THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

Third on Woodward’s plan, prosecutors allege, was the murder of Stacey, which was to be in the Sturgis area the following August. According to the complaint, Woodward anticipated the murders gaining national media attention. Backstrom did not offer comment on the story, but sent a statement to employees Sept. 29, the day the charges were announced. In the statement, Backstrom said he asked that the drug case be prosecuted in Rice County to avoid conflict of interest, noting that he witnessed frequent shortterm automobile traffic in and out of the Woodward house at all hours of the day and night. As a result of the investigation, Woodward was transferred to a prison in Oak Park Heights. Backstrom stated, “This has been upsetting to me and my family, as I am sure it has been to the other victims involved. I am grateful for the work of the many investigators from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, who have been involved in this case and have the utmost confidence in the Rice County Attorney who is pursuing this prosecution.� Woodward’s next court appearance is Oct. 18 at 10:30 am in Rice County. Laura Adelmann is at dceditor@frontiernet.net.

Grandstay Hotel in Apple Valley to open its new banquet, conference center by Jessica Harper THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

Apple Valley’s Central Village was dealt a hard blow by the faltering housing market and economy over the last few years. Business after business closed, and it almost appeared the city’s new downtown wouldn’t make it. But now, one prominent business is hoping to breathe new life into the area, and the city as a whole, by adding a missing amenity — a grand banquet hall. The Grandstay Hotel’s $400,000 LaGrand Conference Center is expected to be completed in mid-October. “We hope this will bring additional people to the area and assist local businesses,� Grandstay General Manager Phil Johnson said. Once finished, the 3,800square-foot banquet room will cater to weddings, company banquets,

No injuries were reported on the bus, according to the report. The bus route includes students from St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Rosemount and Faithful Shepherd in Eagan, but none of them were present at the time of the accident, said District 196 spokesman Tony Taschner in a written statement. The district sent a separate bus to the scene to complete the task of transporting the students home. Also according to Taschner: The district provided all 18 students a letter to give to their parents informing them of the accident. In addition, Scott Highlands Principal Dan Wilharber was able to contact parents of 17 of those students. The letter says counselors will be

An Eagan woman is dead after her 1999 Ford Contour rear-ended a District 196 school bus at 3:20 p.m. Monday at the intersection of McAndrews Road and Dover Drive in Apple Valley. The bus, occupied by driver Bob Gauer and 18 students from Scott Highlands Middle School, was stopped on westbound McAndrews waiting to make a left turn onto Dover when the Ford Contour struck the right rear portion of the bus and continued off the roadway into the ditch, according to reports from the Apple Valley Police Department. The woman, 78-year-old Gloria Deane Carlson of Eagan, died instantly. There were no passengers in the car. General 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000

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available at Scott Highlands for students to talk to regarding the accident, if they need to do so. The district transported Gauer to a local clinic for drug and alcohol testing, which is a district policy, Taschner said. The Apple Valley Police Department did not issue him a citation. Gauer has driven for the district since November 2005. Other agencies responding to the accident include the Apple Valley Fire Department, the Rosemount Police Department, Allina Ambulance and the Minnesota State Patrol. The investigation is ongoing, police said. E-mail Aaron Vehling at aaron.vehling@ecminc.com.

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by Laura Adelmann THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

Rosemount’s mayoral race pits a polished twoterm mayor against a passionate businessman calling for new blood in city government. The differences between Mayor Bill Droste and veterinary business owner Kurt Hansen were stark during the Sept. 27 candidate forum at Rosemount City Hall, sponsored by the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce. Droste appeared calm and prepared, while Han-

Bill Droste

Kurt Hansen

sen’s argued passionately for streamlined city operations and tighter budgeting. Hansen emphasized a need for scrutiny of the city budget and a streamlined business permitting process to encourage businesses to See Debate, 5A

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E-mail Jessica Harper at: jessica.harper@ecm-inc.com

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Apple Valley Mayor Mary Hamann-Roland said she hopes the new center will increase tourism in the area. “I think it’s an incredible investment in these difficult times — it’s a wonderful asset,� she said. “It feels like that bright shining star that gives us hope.� While the hotel and banquet hall are expected to boost the local economy, they also will bring in additional revenue to the city. The hotel has added $4.4 million to the property tax base, while the banquet hall has contributed $190,000 in permits.

Photo by Jessica Harper

Driver rear-ended a District 196 school bus; no one on the bus was injured THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

anniversary parties and other large gatherings. The space can also be divided into three smaller rooms for conferences, Johnson said. To differentiate itself from other banquet halls in the area, the Grandstay will offer four preferred caterers, rather than limiting guests to one option, he said. Although the conference center will not be completed until mid-October, the Grandstay is already accepting reservations, Johnson said. A grand-opening celebration will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 19 at the LaGrand Conference Center.

A new conference center and banquet hall called the LaGrand is under construction at the Grandstay Hotel in Apple Valley. A grand opening is planned for Oct. 19.

Woman dies in Apple Valley bus crash by Aaron Vehling

Burnsville, whose mayor Elizabeth Kautz is part of Itasca’s job growth task force, seeks to kick in the required $25,000. Minneapolis, for comparison purposes, has dues in the $150,000 range. Another area city looking to be- See Itasca, 5A

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