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The ‘Elvis Hypnotist’ is coming to the Apple Valley American Legion. See Thisweekend Page 14A
Thisweek Apple Valley-Rosemount MARCH 25, 2011
VOLUME 32, NO. 4
NEWS OPINION SPORTS
www.thisweeklive.com
Opinion/4A
Announcements/5A
Home & Garden/6A
Sports/8A
Citizenry grows, becomes more diverse Increased population may result in more federal funds, a redrawn 2nd Congressional District by Tad Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
If Dakota County grows at the same rate as it has the past 10 years, it might overtake Ramsey County as the second most populous county in Minnesota ‌ in 20 years. That’s a big if as it would mean Dakota County will continue to add an average of 4,264 people each year as it did in the 2000s, which saw a housing boom through much of it. Over the past 10 years, Dakota County’s population has grown by 11.98 percent, according to 2010 U.S. Census data released last week. The county added 42,648 residents, which was the highest growth number of any county in Minnesota, pushing its total to 398,552. Ramsey County’s population slipped 0.5 percent from 2000 to 508,640 in 2010. Scott County added the second most residents in the past 10 years – 40,430 to account for byy far the largest g percentage perc pe rcen rc enta t ge gain gai ain n of any any of of
the state’s counties (45 percent). What these numbers mean is largely undecided at this point in a couple of respects. Dakota County’s population gain could mean that more federal funding in such areas as education, nursing homes and highways will be funneled this way, but that will depend on the structure of the formulas and how the rest of the nation grew, according to Jane Vanderpoel, from the Dakota County Office of Planning and Analysis. Population increases were 9.7 percent for the U.S. and 7.8 percent for Minnesota. “All things remaining the same, we might be lucky enough to have slightly more funding,� Vanderpoel said. One thing the Census data confirm is that the 2nd Congressional District would need lose about 69,524 residents – more than the current po p populapula-
tion of its largest city, Eagan with 64,206 residents – to satisfy the requirement that all congressional districts have nearly equal population. The early line is that some 2nd District residents would move into the 4th District, which is short 48,367 people. That could mean that more of Dakota County could become part of the 4th District to the north, which already includes the northern tip of Dakota County. That decision will be left up to the Minnesota Legislature, which is controlled by Republican majorities that may be interested in moving the a portion of the 2nd District that trends
more Democrat than the rest into the more liberal 4th District. The 2nd District, now represented by U.S. Rep. John Kline of Lakeville, currently spans the width of the south metro area and contains most of Dakota County, and all of Carver, Scott, Le Sueur, Goodhue and Rice counties. It includes the cities of Cottage Grove and the southern part of Woodbury in Washington County and one precinct in Hennepin County. The rest of the data The rest of the Census data confirm much of what local officials already know. Dakota County and its largest cities are gaining in See Census, 6A
Classifieds/9A
Public Notices/12A
Thisweek’s cities grow The six cities in the Thisweek Newspapers coverage area accounted for 77.60 percent of the county’s population gain from 2000 to 2010. The six cities also increased the share of the county’s population they contain, which grew slightly from 67.27 to 68.38 percent. City Eagan Burnsville Lakeville Apple Valley Rosemount Farmington Total Dakota County
2010 64,206 60,306 55,954 49,084 21,874 21,086 272,510 398,552
2000 Change % Chg. 63,557 649 1.02 60,220 86 0.1 43,128 12,826 29.73 45,527 3,557 7.8 14,619 7,255 49.62 12,365 8,721 70.52 239,416 33,094 13.82 355,904 42,648 11.98
Source: U.S. Census
Rosemount population grows 50 percent 2010 Census: Diversity remains low, housing grows significantly by Jessica Harper THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
Rosemount’s population grew 50 percent over the past 10 years to 21,874, according to 2010 Census data. “We’re not surprised and are working to continue to designate land uses as demand requires,� said Community Development Direc-
tor Kim Lindquist. Yet, the city continues to lack diversity when compared with its neighbors. Minorities made up 7.2 percent of Rosemount’s population in 2000, which increased to 12.65 percent of the population in 2010. Rosemount remains far less diverse than many of its See Rosemount, 6A
City’s growth levels off High-growth decades are a thing of Apple Valley’s past by Tad Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
Photos Phot h os by by Rick Rick k Orndorf Orndo Orndo rndorf d rf and and John John h Gessner Gessne Gess ner
Dakota Dako Da kota ko ta C County’s ount ou nty’ nt y’ss population y’ poppula po pula lati tion ti on is is becoming beco be comi co ming mi ng more mor oree di dive diverse vers ve rsee an rs andd ol olde older, derr according de acc ccor ordi or ding di ng to to U U.S. S Census Cen ensu s s da su data data. ta Se Seni Seniors, nior ni orss llike or ikee th ik thos those osee os attending a Memorial Day ceremony in Burnsville last year (above), are projected to account for 20 percent of the county’s population by 2030. Students in the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District at last year’s Burnsville High School graduation ceremony reflect the county’s increasing diverse population.
On its own, Apple Valley’s 7.8 percent population growth from 2000 to 2010 is impressive. According to U.S. Census data released last week, only eight of Minnesota’s 20 most populous cities grew at a faster rate, but when three of them are neighbors, Apple Valley isn’t garnering the attention of the others. Maybe the rapidly growing cities of Rosemount and
Farmington ought to take notice of Dakota County’s keystone city, because Apple Valley may offer a glimpse into their future. Apple Valley grew faster from 1970 to 1980 than each of those two communities from 2000-2010. In those 10 years, the city’s population exploded by 156 percent from 8,502 to 21,818. That makes Farmington and Rosemount’s leaps from 2000 to 2010 – 70.52 and See Apple Valley, 6A
Rosemount stops All smiles at St. Patrick’s Day parade capturing cats Local veterinarian says changes will lead to more problems with strays by Jessica Harper THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
Stray and runaway cats in Rosemount will now be left out in the cold. The City Council voted March 15 to no longer prohibit cats from roaming loose nor require them to be licensed – altering an ordinance that had been in place since 1974. “We looked at all the areas where we were spending money, and this was an area where we could save,� Mayor Bill Droste said. The change will save the city $1,000 a month because the city has been largely responsible for the fees incurred to impound unclaimed cats, he said. According to a city report, about 90 percent of impounded dogs are claimed but 90 percent of cats are not. Most cats that are not claimed are put up for adoption, said Dr. Kurt Hansen of Shamrock Animal Hospital, where cats and dogs are impounded. Pets are euthanized only if they have General 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000
severe injuries or illness, he said. From January of last year to January of this year, approximately 66 cats were impounded and unclaimed, leaving the city to pay $13,662 in fees. During that same period, 10 dogs were unclaimed, which cost the city $2,870. Another 70 impounded dogs were claimed. Fees account for about 85 percent of costs associated with the city’s animal care services each year, Police Chief Gary Kalstabakken said. The city pays about $212 a day for unclaimed animals at Shamrock Animal Hospital. See Cats, 12A
Photo by Andrew Miller
Young and old alike were garbed in green and awash in the spirit of the Irish for the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade on Saturday, March 19, in Apple Valley’s Cherrywood Estates neighborhood. Hosted by the Greg and Mo Barr family, the half-mile parade, which began and ended in the Barrs’ driveway, drew an estimated 200 marchers, float-riders and spectators, and escorts were provided by the Apple Valley police and fire departments. This was the seventh year the Barrs have hosted the celebration in the city, and it will also be the last, as Greg Barr is being relocated for his job and the family is moving to Chicago in April. More photos from the parade can be found on 7A and online at www.ThisweekLive.com.
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