Thisweek Burnsville and Eagan

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Twin Cities Ballet presents a new twist on ‘The Wizard of Oz’ May 18-19 at the Burnsville PAC. See Thisweekend Page 9A

Thisweek Burnsville-Eagan MAY 6, 2011

VOLUME 32, NO. 10

A NEWS OPINION SPORTS

www.thisweeklive.com

Opinion/4A

Announcements/6A

Sports/7A

Classifieds/10A

Mother’s Day/14A

Public Notices/14A

Recession means more are Stibal guilty of molesting of his Scout troop aging in place, study says member Former scoutmaster faces more child-sex charges Aging community coupled with real estate slump means fewer housing options for young families in Eagan by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

Officials have long known that Eagan, which saw most of its development in the 1980s and ’90s, is an aging city. Less well known was to what degree the recession has affected the city’s aging population and, consequently, its housing stock. A recent study commissioned by the city from the Urban Land Institute is helping put a finer point on the issue

for city officials. The study shows that Eagan’s housing turnover rate has slowed since 2004. In fact, 70 percent of all Eagan households did not move between 2004 and 2009, the study found. Generally, that can be a good thing for a community, said Jon Hohenstein, Eagan’s director of community development. “One of the strengths of our community has been stability in our neighborhoods. It’s a

Residents reflect on death of bin Laden by Jessica Harper THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

Nearly a decade ago, retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Joe Repya of Eagan received the terrible news that several acquaintances didn’t make it out of the Pentagon alive on Sept. 11, 2001. Two close friends – Terry Ford and Norm Gottlieb – managed to escape that day unscathed. Now Repya takes solace in knowing that the man who led the 9/11 hijackers – Osama bin Laden – is dead, and that the last thing bin Laden saw was U.S. military personnel “about to dish out justice for what he has done.� Bin Laden was killed in a raid of his compound Sunday in Abbottbad, Pakistan, according to national reports. “This will never bring back those who died that day, but it is a tremendous event – it’s everything we’ve worked for,� Repya said.

Shortly after 9/11 Repya, 65, came out of retirement to fight in Iraq, where several friends died in battle. The decorated veteran previously served in Vietnam and Desert Storm. Repya said he believes those who have and are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan deserve recognition for their efforts, which have helped operatives make steps in defeating Al-Qaeda. “They’ve done a marvelous job and should be applauded,� he said. Though Al-Qaeda’s leader is dead, the United States and Middle East are no safer than before, Repya emphasized. “We cut off the head of the big snake,� he said. “But there are still a lot of little snakes looking to attack.� The prospect worries Penny Brevig of Lakeville, whose son, Jason, is serving in Afghanistan. See Reaction, 2A

place where people like to put down roots and stay,� he said. As people age, lifestyle changes often lead to different housing needs, such as smaller spaces, one-level living, and shared maintenance. “In a normal economy, people move when it’s right for them,� he said. But one of the effects of the recession has been a drop in home values and equity, which can make older residents delay movSee Aging, 15A

by John Gessner THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

The Burnsville scoutmaster charged in a string of child-sex cases involving members of his Boy Scout troop was convicted Tuesday on two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. A jury found Peter Robert Stibal II, 46, guilty of molesting a former Scout on four occasions from 2003 to 2005, Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said. The victim, now 21, was

13 to 15 at the time. He was a member of Burnsville-based Troop 650, which Stibal, a Burnsville resident and Burnsville High School graduate, served as Stibal assistant scoutmaster from 2000 to 2003 and scoutmaster from 2003 until his removal in October 2009. Stibal was also a member of Troop 650, earning his Eagle Scout award. The jury deliberated for about four hours before returning its verdict after a seven-day trial. “We are pleased with the

jury’s verdict today and wish to commend the young man who was victimized in this case for his courage in coming forward, which has enabled us to bring Mr. Stibal to justice,� Backstrom said in a news release. But the case isn’t over. Stibal is still charged with three counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving three other Scouts who were 11 to 14 when Stibal allegedly molested them. See Stibal, 2A

BHS grand marchers

Photo by Rick Orndorf

“Hollywood� was the theme of Burnsville High School’s prom and grand march on Saturday, April 30. Couples were introduced to the crowd gathered in the gym that afternoon and posed for photos on a stage decorated in the “Hollywood� theme. The prom dance was held at the Crowne Plaza St. Paul Riverfront Hotel later that night. For more photos, go online at www.ThisweekLive.com.

Oldest library will look like new to patrons after remodeling Burnhaven in Burnsville reopens on Monday, May 9 by John Gessner THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

Dakota County’s oldest library building will look like new again to patrons returning after seven months. Burnhaven Library in Burnsville is reopening on Monday, May 9, at 10 a.m. It was closed last Sept. 18 for the second interior makeover in its 37-year history. “We’re eager to see everyone come back, and we’re eager to hear the reaction,� said Nancy Wisser, a county library manager who oversees the locations in Burnsville, Rosemount and Hastings. “I Photo by John Gessner think they’re really going to Burnhaven Library in Burnsville is reopening Monday, May 9, after being closed for interior like it.� Convenience and color renovations since last September.

are hallmarks of the remodeling project, for which the county budgeted $2.28 million. A new Burnsville License Center will open on May 24 in the old meeting room near the library’s entrance. A new meeting room was added. The county now rents space for the license center in the Heart of the City. A new central service desk will merge circulation, reference and children’s services, Wisser said. Another self-checkout machine has been added, for a total of four. The library has a new conveyor system for checking in materials. Burnhaven

and the other county libraries have outfitted materials with radio frequency ID tags that speed the reshelving process and make checkout easier for patrons. Burnhaven also has a new, drive-up book drop, Wisser said. “And we have a beautiful new computer lab, so we have additional Internet stations, which are very, very popular with the public here,� Wisser said. “Also, it will give us an opportunity to teach computer classes in a better setting.� The library’s computer inventory will grow from 19 to 31. No longer will machines See Library, 16A

Residents invited to honor late veterans Thisweek Newspapers invites people to honor Dakota County residents who have died and served in the U.S. military in a Memorial Day special section. To honor someone, send a photo and information (name, hometown, branch of service) to editor.thisweek@ecm-inc.com by Thursday, May 19. General 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000

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