Foot-stompin’ is encouraged at Rosemount’s annual bluegrass festival.
Thisweek Burnsville-Eagan JULY 8, 2011
VOLUME 32, NO. 19
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State shutdown has minimal effect N W O D T on city operations SHU But lengthy shutdown could bring Eagan more problems by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
It is unknown for how long the state will remain shut down, but for now, at least, it’s having little effect at Eagan City Hall. The city has received some phone calls from concerned citizens who thought the shutdown included city government. “We want to assure people that local government is business as usual,” City Administrator Tom Hedges said. All city offices and facilities remain open with regular hours of operation, and police and fire are not affected by the state
shutdown. While cities that are more dependent on state money are feeling the pain, Eagan stopped receiving Local Government Aid years ago. Construction projects and permits seem to be the areas most likely to be affected, but the city has taken steps to minimize any impact. For instance, more than half a million dollars in funds from a Department of Employment and Economic Development grant for work in the Cedar Grove redevelopment area could have been affected by the shutdown. But the city secured an agreement from See Eagan, 13A
Lewis House closes in Hastings, moves clients to Eagan facility by Jessica Harper THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
Domestic abuse victims living in Dakota County have one less safe haven as a result of the state government shutdown. The Lewis House in Hastings – a shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic abuse – temporarily closed July 1, forcing families housed there to move to the larger Eagan facility. “We are still here for them and still of-
Photo submitted
Mallory Weggemann won eight gold medals, a silver and breaking nine world records at the Long Course IPC Swimming World Championships in 2010.
Mallory Weggemann is nominated for top female athlete with a disability by Andy Rogers
and a nomination for an ESPY (Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly) preNot everything in Mallosented by ESPN under the ry Weggemann’s life has been category top female athletes perfect. with a disability. Paralyzed from the waist She was eating ice cream down almost three years ago in at the Olympic Training at the age of 18, many paths Mallory were in front of her. Weggemann Facility in Colorado Springs when she received a phone She chose the one in the water and is now ranked No. 1 in call from her dad on June 24. She the world in six of seven events as thought she might be nominated a member of the U.S. Paralympic but didn’t know how realistic it was. “Honestly it’s a huge honor to Swim Team. Her recent efforts have earned even be nominated,” she said. “To her several medals, world records be one of five female athletes to be
up for an award is, I can’t even put it into words.” She and her boyfriend are flying to Los Angeles on Monday for the ceremony on Wednesday at the Nokia Theatre. It will be televised live at 8 p.m. Wednesday on ESPN. It’s the Oscars of the sports world with athletes such as Tom Brady and LeBron James up for awards. “I’ve done all the girly stuff of getting the dress,” Weggemann said. “It’s like being in high school and going to prom. I’m really See ESPY, 8A
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Domestic abuse shelter closes during shutdown
Eagan swimmer vies for ESPY award
THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
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fering a safe place,” said Mary Ajax, president and CEO of 360 Communities, the Burnsville-based nonprofit that operates the two shelters. 360 Communities consolidated its facilities and laid off nine of its 15 employees last week to save money while awaiting grant payment from the state. Its two shelters, which house approximately 500 people each year, receive $1.2 million from the state – money that has been frozen by the shutdown. The Eagan facility received a recent $100,000 donation to help keep it open, Ajax said. So far the Lewis House – which typiSee Shelter, 2A
Former Eagan fire chief dies Bob Childers, charter member of Eagan Fire Department, was well-known and respected throughout community by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
Bob Childers was a true public servant who donated a great part of his life to making sure others were safe in Eagan, said Eagan Fire Chief Mike Scott. “He was probably one of the most respected people in the (fire) department,” he said. Childers, a former fire chief and charter member of the Eagan Fire Department, died July 4 at the age of 77. Childers suffered a stroke in May and was hospitalized with complications until his death. “This was probably the first Fourth of July Bob missed since the start of the parades in Eagan,” Scott said. “Bob would always be with some of his other fellow retired fire department members riding their favorite truck in the parade.” This year, a white fire
Bob Childers chief’s helmet was strapped to the side of Jenny, the fire department’s first truck, to honor Childers during the Funfest parade. Independence Day was important to Childers, said his son, Dave. “The happiest day of every year for him was the Fourth of July,” he said. See Childers, 14A
Council grapples with sign issues Mayor Mike on a bike at Funfest parade Best Buy allowed sign deviations for crosstown move by John Gessner THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
After finding herself on the losing end of two signrelated votes July 5, City Council Member Mary Sherry said she was sorry she ever asked for a liberalization of Burnsville’s sign ordinance. “It obviously opened a Pandora’s box, and it looks like anything goes in Burnsville,” said a frustrated Sherry. The council voted for ordinance deviations allowing the owner of a shopping mall to have extra and larger signage to accommodate Best Buy, which is moving from its longtime home along Highway 13 to a spot along County Road 42. The council also cut the time interval for changing copy on electronic readerboard signs from General 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000
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Photo by Rick Orndorf
Best Buy’s “ticket” sign, shown here on the company’s current Burnsville store south of Highway 13, will be replicated at its new location in the Burnsville Marketplace shopping center. its Burnsville store from 12600 W. I-35W Frontage Road to the space in the Burnsville Marketplace center once occupied by Best Buy competitor Circuit City, which closed all its stores in 2009 after declaring bankruptcy. Mall owner JPT Industries Inc. sought five deviations from the sign ordinance and the property’s planned unit development to accommodate Best Buy Best Buy at 14141 Aldrich Ave. S., The consumer electron- located west of Interstate ics giant plans to move 35W and north of County See Signs, 13A 60 seconds to 30, with the provision that a 15-second interval will be considered in a year if the 30-second interval doesn’t cause driver distraction and traffic accidents. The votes come on the heels of a lengthy review of the city’s sign ordinance by business leaders and city officials. The council approved a less restrictive ordinance on April 5.
Photo by Rick Orndorf
Eagan Mayor Mike Maguire showed off the city’s “Award Winning Pedal Powered Park Maintenance Vehicle” during Eagan’s July 4th Funfest parade. The theme of this year’s parade was “Hometown Heroes.” For more photos of the parade, visit www.thisweeklive.com.