Thisweek Newspapers Farmington and Lakeville by Sun Thisweek

www.SunThisweek.com news Road closed this week Interlachen Boulevard will be closed for construction May 7-11 from CR 46 to Crystal Hills Lane. The county is fixing drainage problems. Page 2A

Opinion More space on the shelves Larry Werner, general manager and editor of Sun Thisweek, writes about how the newspaper has more shelf space for the news people want. Page 4A

thisweekend

Farmington | Lakeville May 4, 2012 | Volume 33 | Number 10

Rare mistrials declared due to prosecutor conduct by Laura Adelmann Sun Thisweek

Two First District judges have thrown out two criminal cases tried by Dakota County Assistant Attorney Kevin Golden, finding he twice created a mistrial so he could retry defendants, according to court orders. Among the findings in the rulings is that Golden held back evidence, dismissed witnesses early and made statements to provoke mistrials in criminal cases so he could retry them.

“I strongly disagree with the labeling of anything Kevin Golden did as being prosecutorial misconduct.

– Jim Backstrom

Dakota County attorney

Hamline University law professor and former prosecuting attorney Joseph Olson called the cases “astonishing” and said based on the rulings, the findings of prosecutorial misconduct against Golden are “so egregious” that the cases should be re-

viewed by the Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board. “It’s certainly worthy of investigating and worthy of some kind of professional sanction,” Olson said. “I’m amazed the county attorney didn’t fire him after the first case be-

cause he … deliberately misused the process.” Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said he is disappointed the trial courts did not allow the county to continue with the prosecutions, stating Golden made mistakes, but did not intentionally try to cause mistrials. “I strongly disagree with the labeling of anything Kevin Golden did as being prosecutorial misconduct,” Backstrom said. “These See mistrials, 21A

Twin Cities Ballet presents its original adaptation of “Wizard of Oz” at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center this month. Page 12A

sports Photo by John Gessner

Signe Harriday, an actress, writer and performance artist from Lakeville, led a training session at the Dakota County Votes No kickoff event Sunday, April 29.

Foes of marriage amendment unite Campaign launched in Dakota County

by John Gessner Sun Thisweek

Young Lakeville North softball squad in the hunt for a South Suburban Conference title. Page 14A

Online To discuss this week’s stories with your friends, family and neighbors, go to www.facebook.com/ sunthisweek. For more stories and photos, go to www. sunthisweek.com

Index Opinion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Public Notices. . . . . . . . . 7A Announcements . . . . . . . 7A Sports . . . . . . . . . . 14A-15A Classifieds. . . . . . . 16A-19A

General Information 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000

Peterson gains Republican nod on second try

Kevin Golden’s actions resulted in dismissal of two criminal cases

Ballet wizardry in Burnsville

Panther softball takes charge

Race finally set in House District 56B

The debate over constitutional banning of same-sex marriage in Minnesota came home Sunday, April 29, as nearly 200 packed a Burnsville church vowing to fight the so-called marriage amendment. By turns solemn and boisterous, the afternoon crowd gathered at Presbyterian Church of the Apostles for the kickoff of the Dakota County Votes No campaign.

After a round of speeches that often invoked religious teachings, participants stayed for training on ways to bring their message to Dakota County voters before the November election. “There will be phone-banking, there will be door-knocking,” said Kate Brickman, press secretary for Minnesotans United for All Families. “All of those things will be happening in Dakota County.” Minnesotans United for All Families is a statewide coalition

urging “no” votes on the amendment, which asks voters whether the state constitution should be changed to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. The organization is opening an office at 1964 Rahncliff Court in Eagan, Brickman said. A grassroots group of Dakota County residents asked Minnesotans United for All Families to help with the See marriage, 5A

Principal empowered innovation After nearly four decades, Farmington’s Jon Reid to retire

Reid was hired as assistant principal in 1974 at Farming After working for 37 ton High School after four years in Farmington schools, years of working in the RobMeadowview Elementary binsdale School District. He transferred to Principal Jon Reid the middle school in will retire July 31. 1977, working as as He describes leavsistant principal for ing colleagues as difabout a decade before ficult and said he will becoming principal at greatly miss the exFarmington Elemencitement of Septemtary School and the ber. Kindergarten Center “I love the tra- Jon Reid dition of opening school,” in 1988. Reid said. “It’s a great time of Under Reid’s leadership, teachers were supported and year.” Reid, who turns 65 this encouraged to try new things fall, said it has been a privi- in the classroom, said FES lege to serve youths for so fourth-grade teacher Tom long, calling Farmington Murphy. and the district a “wonderful “He was tremendous in taking opinions and ideas,” place to work.” by Laura Adelmann Sun Thisweek

Murphy said. “He basically almost would never say flatout ‘no.’ … He gave you freedom to try things.” Murphy said Reid always puts students’ best interests first and has maintained a steady path by avoiding leftor-right pitfalls of the latest educational trends. “He’s been like a lighthouse in a sea of educational bureaucracy,” Murphy said. Reid was one of many principals relocated under a district-wide school leadership strategy directed by thenSuperintendent Brad Meeks in 2007. He was transferred to Meadowview Elementary, See Reid, 20A

by John Gessner Sun Thisweek

After four rounds of balloting April 26, Roz Peterson of Lakeville emerged as the Republican candidate for the Minnesota House of Representatives in the new District 56B. Peterson’s opponent, Terry McCall of Burnsville, Roz Peterson conceded after the fourth round in an endorsement convention at Diamondhead Education Center in Burnsville, according to Ayrlahn Johnson, Will Morgan chairman of Senate District 56 Republicans. Peterson, who had the backing of several area Republican legislators, will face former DFL Rep. Will Morgan in November. The district, newly drawn after the latest census, covers south Burnsville and extends north into east central Burnsville. It includes a small portion of Lakeville, the Orchard Lake area. The April 26 convention was the second for the two candidates, who battled to a draw at the Senate district convention on March 17. In razor-close balloting, neither could reach the 60 percent needed for endorsement. The two opened the April 26 balloting nearly deadlocked, but later votes swung Peterson’s way. She won the third ballot 64-49, with 68 votes needed to secure endorsement. McCall conceded and endorsed Peterson before results of the fourth ballot were announced, Johnson said. According to Johnson, Peterson backers included state Reps. Pam Myhra of Burnsville, Mary Liz Holberg of Lakeville and Pat Garofalo of Farmington; state Sen. Dan Hall of Burnsville; and Dan McElroy, a former state representative and Burnsville mayor and former cabinet official under Gov. Tim Pawlenty. McCall, 63, current chair of the Republican organization for the 2nd Congressional District, had stressed his close ties with grassroots conservative activists. He’s a supporter of libertarian presidential candidate Ron Paul, whose adherents are a growing force in Minnesota Republican politics. “Ron Paul is not going to be See Race, 6A

Lakeville district to recycle more Move could also cut costs

by Aaron M. Vehling Sun Thisweek

At Lakeville’s high schools, there are scores of classrooms and offices in addition to cafeterias, gymnasiums, auditoriums and athletic fields that hundreds of people use daily. Chances are in any of these places a person will encounter a number of garbage cans and recycling bins. The district processes more than a ton of waste and, according to Director of Business Services Mark Klett, spends between $90,000 and $100,000 a

year on waste management services, contracted out to Dick’s Sanitation. Dakota County recently awarded the Lakeville school district a grant designed to increase recycling rates and cut the district’s overall waste management costs. Neighboring districts such as Farmington, Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan and Burnsville-Eagan-Savage have received similar grants. The county’s Environmental Management departSee recycle, 6A

May 4, 2012 Sun Thisweek

Interlachen closed for a week

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Photo from the city of Lakeville

Lakeville motorists might need to consult their GPS units next week. Interlachen Boulevard will be closed for construction May 7-11 from Isleton Trail (County Road 46) to Crystal Hills Lane. The county is fixing drainage problems along the road. The city suggests Ipava Avenue (above) as a detour.

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Obermueller gets DFL nod in the 2nd District by T.W. Budig Sun thisweek

Former state representative Mike Obermueller of Eagan won the 2nd District DFL endorsement for U.S. House. He will now challenge five- Mike term Re- Obermueller publican U.S. Rep. John Kline of Lakeville. Obermueller, defeated in his second bid for the Minnesota House in 2010, bested Dakota County Commissioner and former South St. Paul mayor Kathleen Gaylord and Northfield City Council member Patrick Ganey after three ballots at Rosemount High School on

April 28. “It’s a tough seat,” Rep. Rick Hansen, DFL-South St. Paul, who attended the convention. Hansen views this year’s redistricting as somewhat improving the 2nd District for Democrats as it the now includes South St. Paul and West St. Paul, both traditional DFL areas. Obermueller is a good, organized campaigner, Hansen said. Anyway the Republican U.S. House isn’t that popular with voters, he explained. According to a Minnesota House biography, Obermueller was adopted and raised on a dairy farm. He is an attorney by profession. Obermueller was defeated by Republican Doug Wardlow in the 2010 elec-

tion, taking about 48 percent of the vote to Wardlow’s 52 percent. “Congratulations to Mike Obermueller on winning the DFL endorsement today,” said DFL State Party Chairman Ken Martin in a statement. “John Kline’s time in Washington has expired as he has proven just how out of touch he is with his constituents and the values of Minnesotans,” he said. “Mike has been a strong, progressive leader who has the experience and the message to win in November, and we will be working side by side with him to make sure he succeeds,” Martin said. T.W. Budig can be reached at tim.budig@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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Council might donate $10,000 for memorial Organizers hope to begin construction in June at Rambling River Park

by Laura Adelmann

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Sun Thisweek

Farmington City Council members agreed at an April 30 retreat to meet with Farmington-area Veterans Memorial organizers to discuss a $10,000 donation from the city. The memorial is to be located in Rambling River Park, and the city has agreed to provide electricity and maintenance for the monument. While council members indicated support to provide another $10,000 for the memorial, they also want assurance the project is not left half-built on city park property without funds to complete it. In an interview with Sun Thisweek, Leon Orr, chair of the Farmington-area Veterans Memorial organization, said it has about $90,000 to $100,000 pledged for the memorial. The project is estimated to cost about $150,000 to $190,000 and will rely on donated materials and labor. Orr said he anticipates beginning construction in June and opening the memorial on Memorial Day in 2013, noting that he wants it to get going quickly so interest in the project does not wane. Council members wanted assurance that financing is solid before donating city funds. “If it takes another year of fundraising, so be it,” Farmington Mayor Todd Larson said.

Sun Thisweek May 4, 2012

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Photo by Laura Adelmann

Farmington Area Veterans Memorial Committee members Leon Orr, an Air Force veteran, and Bev Ersfeld, head of the VFW Auxiliary, shared information about the war memorial project during the Community Expo in January. City Administrator Dave McKnight told Sun Thisweek that the council will likely meet with project organizers in a workshop later this month. Another issue project promoters face is how to pay for insurance that could cost about $5,000 to cover volunteer workers. The memorial is planned to include a granite wall engraved with the names of fallen service men and women from Farmington and the surrounding townships beneath the words, “All gave some, some gave all.” A blue granite sculpture of a folded American flag is planned at the top of the wall, and facing it is planned a full-size statue of a saluting solder wearing a helmet and backpack. An American flag is to flank one side of the monu-

ment and a POW/MIA flag is to fly on the other. Orr said the display will also include a bulletin board featuring historical stories from the Dakota County Tribune about local soldiers. McKnight said the city would obtain funds for the donation from $141,000 it has in budget reserves. Orr is also asking the townships of Eureka, Empire and Castle Rock to donate $2,000 for benches. The townships earlier declined the organization’s request to each donate $10,000. “We’re not trying to be pushy about it,” Orr said. “We’re just trying to give them the opportunity to be a part of it.” Laura Adelmann is at laura. adelmann@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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Opinion

May 4, 2012 Sun Thisweek

Sun Thisweek intends to be a place for all news – big and small by Larry Werner Sun Thisweek

We received an email last week from a local publicist who was upset that we didn’t carry a news item about the semi-annual book sale at the Wescott Library in Eagan. The emailer asked: “Isn’t the new Sun Thisweek touted as an improvement, or at least the equivalent, to the former Thisweek in local news?” Ouch! Tad Johnson, our managing editor, responded by admitting we should have carried a news release about the book sale and said that as a result of that complaint, we are coming up with a new way of setting priorities for the small, but important, news of events in the communities we serve. In fact, we do think Sun Thisweek is an improvement over Thisweek and the Sun Current, the two papers we merged on March 30. One important way the new paper is better than the old ones is we have more space for all the news, big and small. For regular readers of the local newspapers, it was no secret we had stopped publishing some of the news our readers used to get from Thisweek. The recession and increased competition for the advertising dollars that fund free newspapers meant we had to make some tough choices. When I talk about the

Sun Thisweek Columnist

Larry Werner

economics of our business, I explain that our biggest expenses are paper and people, and in recent years we’ve cut back on both. We and other news organizations have laid off journalists who gather and report the news and have reduced the number of pages we print and deliver. After ECM Publishers, parent company of Thisweek and the Dakota County Tribune, bought the Sun papers in December, we were in position to add what we call “news hole” – the space we devote to local news. We have been able to nearly double the number of pages we print because we have more advertising in the combined paper than we had in either of the old competing papers. And we’ve added a second sports editor, Mike Shaughnessy, to our news staff. In addition, we’ve added to our sales staff Sharon Buechner, who used to sell against us with the Sun Current. So the combined newspa-

pers we’re publishing for Burnsville, Eagan, Apple Valley, Rosemount, Farmington and Lakeville are, indeed, bigger. And they’re better, even if we do drop the ball occasionally when we get releases we should have published but didn’t. Managing Editor Johnson, who has spent his career in weekly newspapers, explained that the Wescott Library news item was pushed out of the paper by some of the bigger, byline stories that appeared in our Burnsville-Eagan editions. Among those kind of byline stories was a special report on the peaceful coexistence of the Burnsville Performing Arts Center and the Lakeville Area Arts Center. That story appeared at the top of our front page with four photos. That special report is an example of the “big” news that has been, like much “small” news, pushed out of the paper in recent years. When I joined Thisweek as general manager more than four years ago, the newspaper was publishing in-depth reports on major issues once a month. Those reports would typically consist of two or three stories devoted to a topic of high interest. That commitment was dropped when space got tight. When we launched Sun Thisweek on March 30, we resurrected our commitment to big-picture reports on such issues as re-

gional arts centers, unemployment among veterans and teen drug use – to mention three of the issues we’ve examined in-depth in our new paper. Like a growing family that has been able to move from that crowded, starter house into one with more bedrooms and a family room, we are enjoying the additional space we have for longer stories and bigger photos. And that space has allowed us to add news briefs and calendars that were also casualties of the space crunch over the past few years. We like to describe the newspaper as a supermarket that serves the varied needs and wants of information consumers. Some of those consumers rely on the paper for coverage of their local governments, their schools or sports teams. Others like stories that examine issues in depth. And others want us to inform readers about library sales and blood drives. It feels good to have more shelf space. We appreciate your comments on what you’d like to see on the shelves. Larry Werner is editor and general manager of Sun Thisweek and the Dakota County Tribune. He can be reached at larry.werner@ ecm-inc.com. Columns reflect the opinion of the author.

The changing demographics of our region by Susan Haigh special to Sun Thisweek

If you’ve recently visited one of the region’s elementary schools, you’ve seen our future in more ways than one. In 2010, people of color comprised 24 percent of the regional population. By 2040, projections suggest that 43 percent of the residents in the region will be persons of color. Our region will soon look more like the diversity visible in almost any of our second-grade classrooms. The rapid increase in diversity as well as our anticipated population gain of nearly 900,000 people by 2040, are very positive signs for our region. Immigrants want to put down roots here because substantial economic opportunity exists in our region. The Metropolitan Council included these predictions in our preliminary 2040 forecast. This forecast is one of the first steps in our work to draft the region’s 2040 metropolitan development guide. The guide, which is mandated by state statute, is the region’s long-range strategic plan. It ensures that the council and local govern-

Guest Columnist ments are taking proactive measures to accommodate growth in the population, housing and jobs, as well as demographic changes within the population. We’ve named the 2040 guide “Thrive MSP 2040” with good reason. We believe based on the historical evidence and the projections of our forecast that planning together as one region will ensure we continue to grow and thrive over the next 30 years. The seven-county Twin Cities region currently boasts and will maintain during the next 30 years more than its proportional share of the national economy. Our region, which is home to 19 Fortune 500 companies, will produce a Gross Metro Product equal to 1.5 percent of our Gross Domestic Product, or national economy. With only about 1 percent of the nation’s population, the region will stay ahead of the game as long as we continue to be

creative and intentional about adapting to change. Beyond increasing diversity, we’ll need to adapt to the gray-boom, which will also change the face of our region. Our 65 and over population will more than double by 2040. Not only will this require that government agencies adapt the services we provide to residents, but it will necessitate a change in our housing stock. Seniors have different housing needs than younger populations, and also smaller household sizes. Because of a rapid increase in one- and two-person households, the number of households will increase at a more rapid pace than population or job growth. This means that the private sector as well as the public sector will need to prepare for the aging of our residents, amongst other anticipated changes. Preparations to maximize the benefits of our growth and demographic shifts are under way. This preliminary forecast is one of the first major steps in addressing these

changes and developing Thrive MSP 2040. Another essential step is engagement of individuals and communities in developing the guide. In the coming months, the Met Council will be looking for input from residents, officials and experts alike about how our region should look and feel and the ways in which we can prepare for the changes we expect in our population and economy. The seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area is one region, with one economy. Today, we’re successfully competing against other regions like Portland, Dallas and Denver. Our ability to continue to attract the people we need to replace the retiring baby boomers, as well as the jobs we need to grow our economy and compete globally depends on our ability to work together and plan for our long-term prosperity. Working together, our whole region can thrive. Susan Haigh is chair of the Metropolitan Council. Columns reflect the opinion of the author.

Letters Enchanted by ‘The Wizard’ To the editor: If you missed one of the six productions of “The Wizard of Oz” at Lakeville South High School, unquestionably you missed one of the best high school musicals in recent years. The cast members, from Dorothy to the Flying Monkeys, were truly phenomenal. Special thanks to the production staff – including director Jayme Casperson, music director Julie Brott and orchestra director Paul Wigley for their contributions. The chorus, dancers, orchestra and technical crew each made the audience experience so memorable. Special thanks to the students, parents, grandparents, friends and neighbors for their support. I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the Munchkins and Toto – how fun.

Definitely – “Over the both of us included, have questions about how fast we Rainbow.” go. For instance, will every student have an iPad by the BOB and SHELLEY end of the next school year, ERICKSON or is it a better idea to phase Lakeville in the iPads over two or three school years. Support for We have questions about iPads in schools finances and whether we are really ready to go all in To the editor: The Farmington School the first year with curricula District is working on a plan adapted to the iPads. to provide customized learn- The district’s leadership ing for every one of its stu- has promised a financing dents. A key part of that plan plan that can stay within is putting a personal learn- budget guidelines that were ing device is every student’s set before the iPads were being considered. That means hands. Those “learning devices” no new taxes to pay for the iPads and no teachers layoffs will be iPads. We fully back this initia- to balance the budget to buy tive. From our discussions, it iPads. appears that all of the other Similarly, the district’s acFarmington School Board ademic leadership says that our teachers want the iPads members do as well. There’s almost no ques- as soon as possible and that tion that iPad will start show- they will be ready to use them ing up in students’ hands this productively from the start. The iPads are an exciting fall. But some board members, and necessary step forward

Letters to the editor policy Sun Thisweek welcomes letters to the editor. Submitted letters must be no more than 350 words. All letters must have the author’s phone number and address for verification purposes. Anonymous letters will not be accepted. Letters reflect the opinion of the author only. Sun Thisweek reserves the right to edit all letters. Submission of a letter does not guarantee publication.

for our schools. Sharp questioning of our staff by school board members about how we do this is an important part of making sure that the board and our community can move ahead with confidence. Tim Burke and Julie McKnight Farmington School Board members

Go and sin no more

To the editor: I am compelled to offer this response to letter writer Steve Koestner. The word of God says that all have sinned (Psalms 53:3). Though Jesus loves and died for sinners, nowhere does he condone their sins. God, who ordained marriage between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:23, 24) abhors all kinds of sexual immorality, be it heterosexual or homosexual (Romans 1:24-28). What Jesus would do and does do today is to say to all of us – including me, whose sins are abhorrent to Him – JOHN NORTHRUP what he said to the woman Lakeville caught in adultery (John 8:11): “Go and sin no more.” Robert T. Brantly Lakeville

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There was no work truck or service vehicle in the street or down the street. I asked him what he was doing. He pointed to a faded logo on his vest, and said he was reading meters for Dakota Electric. He wore no visible ID tag, nor did he offer any ID. I ask the mayor and council to pass an ordinance requiring clear and visible photo ID for utility/service workers entering yards in Lakeville. I also ask that the council immediately draft a letter to Dakota Electric requesting their meter readers wear visible photo ID, and clearly marked clothing. If the council is aware of any other utility/service companies who are entering homeowners’ yards regularly without scheduled appointments, I ask they be sent similar letters. This seems a simple solution to help ensure the safety, security, and peace of mind of our citizens. Thank you for your consideration.

To the editor: This morning at about 8 a.m. a man walked up into the side yard of my home. He was wearing work type clothing, and a tattered lime-green safety vest with no visible logo, and no visible ID tag.

Problem with iPad initiative To the editor: I continue to read with interest about the Lakeville Public School’s technology initiatives and Superintendent Lisa Snyder’s agenda for using iPad technology in classrooms. Have the citizens of Lakeville forgotten that the school district has failed three levy referendums in

the past eight years? Have people forgotten the impact even one failed levy can have on staffing, budget and teaching and learning issues – let alone three failed levies? The district is facing a huge deficit in the general fund budget while dealing with continuing cutbacks of staff, rising class sizes and all the subsequent pressures these factors have on teaching and learning. What is being done to address those issues by the new superintendent, her administration and board? When excellent teachers with seven years experience and more are being cut, realigned to other grade levels and departments in which they have never taught, learning is going to suffer. Class size in some fifth-grade classrooms in the district is at 38 students, and the district leadership is thinking iPads? Sorry, something is wrong with that picture. Effective leaders step up to the plate when there is a problem, be it budgetary, employee related or otherwise. The most significant challenge facing the Lakeville Public Schools at the present time is not technology. It is a fiscal problem and at some point will have to be addressed by the new superintendent and her board. BILL MACK Retired District 194 principal Bigfork, Minn.

Correction An April 27 story, “Cedar transitway opening likely to be delayed until 2013,” referenced “walkways” regarding an Apple Valley City Council resolution about design elements for the 140th and 147th street transit stations. The council resolution of April 12 calls for construction of an integrated skyway only at the 147th Street station. Sun Thisweek regrets the error.

Sun Thisweek May 4, 2012

marriage, from 1A launch and training, and Presbyterian Church of the Apostles offered the venue, she said. Similar launches are occurring across the state, but Brickman said this was the first county-based effort. “This is something that I really want to do,” said Nick Kor, a paid community organizer for Minnesotans United for All Families. The 2007 Eastview High School graduate grew up in Eagan and lives in St. Paul. “I’m gay myself, so it affects me personally. It’s an issue I care deeply about.” Lori Wilfahrt of Rosemount told the crowd about her oldest son Andrew, an Army corporal who was killed in action in Afghanistan in February 2010. “He was gay,” Wilfahrt said. “But as his sister said, being gay was the least interesting thing about him.” Andrew, a Rosemount High School graduate, was an aspiring classical-music composer with a degree who got tired of low-paying jobs and enlisted at age 29, his mother said. It was before the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” Andrew developed a lower voice and a tough-guy walk and invented a girlfriend to try to fit in. After his first year he began to reveal his homosex-

uality to fellow soldiers – young people who weren’t fazed by the revelation, his mother said. “Even the conservative and evangelical soldiers did not care,” said Lori, whose husband, Jeff, is a Democrat running for the state House seat in District 57B. Andrew was 31 when he was killed. “Americans love to say our soldiers die for our freedoms,” Lori said. “Yet we are so willing to deny freedom to some citizens here at home.” Activists on both sides of the marriage debate have been mobilizing since the Republican-controlled Legislature voted last year to put the amendment on the 2012 ballot. Veda Kanitz of Lakeville said her church, Open Circle Church in Burnsville, began organizing about a year ago. The Rosemount High School science teacher is an organizer of Dakota County Votes No. “We cannot tell our LGBT students that they are second-class citizens” or limit their opportunities, said Kanitz, who will soon mark her 30th wedding anniversary with her husband, Allan. “Gay and lesbian couples want to get married for the same reason we got married – for love, commitment and the responsibilities you have to one another,” said Kanitz, the team

leader for social outreach ministries at Open Circle. “Love makes a family,” said the Rev. Deb Stehlin of Light of the World Lutheran Church in Lakeville, “and each addition to the family, no matter how they come to you, is a blessing from God.” A constitutional ban on same-sex marriage rubs against the Lutheran tradition of listening and open discourse, Stehlin said. “If the Minnesota constitution is amended to permanently define marriage as between one man and one woman, the conversation stops, and that would be unholy. Unholy, indeed,” she said. The Rev. Joy Smith of Presbyterian Church of the Apostles said defeating the marriage amendment is a “social justice issue” for her congregation. In addition to the traditional election fare, the campaign will focus on individual conversations people have in their everyday lives, organizers say. “We’re giving them tips on how to have that conversation,” Kor said. “Family, friends – the conversation will have more impact when it comes from someone you care about.” John Gessner can be reached at john.gessner@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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May 4, 2012 Sun Thisweek

Race, from 1A around forever,” Johnson said. “But his ideas and ideals will be. There’s a movement to just embrace the ideals minus the man, if you will.” Peterson, 46, said the time between the endorsing conventions gave her a chance to reach out to delegates. “Obviously, smaller government, less spending and lower taxes was sort of a common theme,” Peterson said. “I was grateful and humbled by the support I received” on April 26. Peterson has twice won election to the Lakeville Area School Board and is a commercial real estate agent for Cerron Commercial Properties. Her family owns shopping centers in LakevRecycle, from 1A ment will provide Lakeville with recycling containers, labels and technical support at no cost to the district, Superintendent Lisa Snyder said at a recent school board meeting. The county will offer services such as waste sorts and environmental curriculum materials. “We should see some long-term benefits from this,” she said. Five schools have volunteered as part of this fall’s pilot program – Century, Kenwood and McGuire middle schools, and Eastview and Lakeview elementary schools. The initiative is the result of interest from the city of Lakeville, Dakota County and Snyder at District 194, Board Member Jim Skelly said. Snyder met with city and county officials to discuss the program, was impressed and asked school principals for support. The five schools are a trial run, “with the idea that if it worked within those buildings, it could be expanded to other buildings,” Skelly said. A 2010 Minnesota Pollution Control Agency study found that about 78 percent of school waste materials

ille, Inver Grove Heights and Hopkins. “I think the thing I bring to the table is I’m a smallbusiness owner, a commercial realtor, I’ve been in this community for over 25 years, and I know where jobs come from,” Peterson said.

Morgan

Morgan represented the current House District 40A from 2006 to 2010, when he was unseated by Pam Myhra. “I think it suits me fine,” Morgan said of the new district, which takes effect next year. “I’m excited to get a chance to meet some new voters in parts of Burnsville and parts of Lakeville I haven’t had a chance to meet before.” Education, health care and the environment will be could be diverted from trash to compost and recycling programs. The study used six schools from Minneapolis and Hopkins school districts. Rosemount-Apple ValleyEagan public schools has been involved in similar measures for at least the last five years. It started out its program with help from a grant similar to Lakeville’s. District 196 has about three times the students of Lakeville, tackling more than 2,000 tons of waste. According to a previous Sun Thisweek report, about half of that was trash, nearly another half was recycling and about 6 percent was compost. In 2010, District 196 saw a doubling of recycling rates compared to the previous year by “commingling” all recyclables in one container, as opposed to separate cans for each. The 140 tons of compost the district processed in 2010 contributed to reducing the presence of organic material such as food in the trash, but it also served a curricular role. Kindergarten teachers at Cedar Park STEM school in Apple Valley, just north of Lakeville, used compost bins to teach about the collaboration of living and nonliving

big issues in the campaign, said Morgan, 45, a Burnsville High School science teacher. “You wrap all that up in a jobs and the economy context, and that’s what we’re going to be talking about at the doors with folks,” he said. Education funding must be improved, in light of the lengths to which some school districts are going to balance their budgets, Morgan said. His district, Burnsville-Eagan-Savage, is considering a shorter school calendar. “I think it’s just awful that we even have to think about these things,” Morgan said. John Gessner can be reached at john.gessner@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek. systems. Cost was a factor in District 196 once the four-year county grant concluded, but it used the savings from recycling to help fund the compost program. Skelly said that in the Burnsville and Farmington school districts students were involved in a day-long “trash audit,” which allowed them to learn about what they are actually throwing away. “It’s not just a lip service thing for students,” Skelly said. “They really get involved.” As much as it is about cost savings – Lakeville could save 17 percent on landfill taxes and tipping fees by composting organic materials, Skelly said – it is also about instilling in students a sense of environmental stewardship. “They learn what it means to recycle and what impact it has,” he said. An added benefit of the program is the coming together of various entities for a common cause. “It’s best if the city, the school district and the county work together for the benefit of kids,” Skelly said. Aaron Vehling can be reached at aaron.vehling@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Sun Thisweek May 4, 2012

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�� PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED PLAN UPDATE FOR THE BLACK DOG WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, the Black Dog Watershed Management Board will meet at the Burnsville Maintenance Center, 13713 Frontier Lane, Burnsville, Minnesota at 5:00 P.M. on May 16, 2012 or as soon thereafter as possible. The purpose of the meeting will be to hold a public hearing on a proposed updated and amended watershed management plan. All persons who desire to be heard shall be heard at this time and place. DATED this 26th day of April, 2012. BLACK DOG WATERSHED MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION BY: /s/ Roger N. Knutson, Its Attorney 2995521 5/4-5/11/12

Gordon R. Docken

Hareid, Ruth L. age 90, of Burnsville, passed away peacefully at her home on April 25, 2012, preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Lloyd; siblings, Cybil, Thelmer, Orville and Sanford Olson; survived by her loving children, Kay (Don) Thielen and Karel Jelinek, 5 grandchildren, Brent (June) Thielen, Tiffany (Bryce) Cox, Amy (Jake) Rath and Jennifer (Tom) Jelinek, Lindsay Jelinek; and 9 great grandchildren; siblings, Sylvia (Verle) Taylor and Beatrice (Charles) Lee; sister in law Shirley Olson; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Memorial service took place on Monday, April 30, 2012 at 11 AM at Messiah Lutheran Church, 16725 Highview Ave., Lakeville, MN a gathering of family and friends was 1 hr prior to the service at church. Interment, Fort Snelling National Cemetery. White Funeral Home Burnsville 952-894-5080 www.whitefuneralhomes.com

�� Morgan Thelen

Daughter of Cindi & Peter Thelen of Lakeville Mn. Will Graduate with Deans List recognition from U.W.R.F. on May 12th 2012 with a B.S. in Social Work. Morgan is planning to be a Licensed Social Worker.

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LaMonte “Monte” Squires LaMonte “Monte” Squires, 62, passed away April 23, 2012 in Burnsville, MN. He was born April 1, 1950 in Eau Claire, WI. He worked for Unisys in Eagan, MN for 30 years, before retiring. He was preceded in death by son, Logan and father, Lawrence. He will be deeply missed by wife of 40 years Mary Ann (Macs), mother, Lorraine, 6 siblings and all who knew him. A celebration of LaMonte’s life will be held on Wednesday, May 9th at 7:00 pm at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave S, Burnsville, MN. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred, which will be donated towards cancer research.

50TH Wedding Anniversary The family of Rick and Gerry Schmidt, of Lakeville, are proud to announce their 50th Anniversary on May 5th. Their children and grandchidren will be celebrating with them this weekend. Please join us in wishing them congratulations on their Golden Anniversary.

To submit an announcement Forms for birth, engagement, wedding, anniversary and obituaries announcements are available at our office and online at www.thisweeklive.com (click on “Announcements” and then “Send Announcement”). Completed forms may be e-mailed to class.thisweek@ecminc.com or mailed to Sun Thisweek, 15322 Galaxie Ave., Suite 219, Apple Valley, MN 55124. If you are submitting a photograph along with your announcement, please only submit photographs for which you have the right to permit Sun Thisweek to use and publish. Deadline for announcements is 4 p.m. Tuesday. A fee of $50 will be charged for the first 5 inches and $10 per inch thereafter. They will run in all editions of Sun Thisweek. Photos may be picked up at the office within 60 days or returned by mail if a self-addressed, stamped envelope is provided.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS MULTI-SITE MECHANICAL REPAIRS Lakeville, Minnesota 55044 Lakeville Area Public Schools (ISD #194) will receive single prime sealed bids for the Multi-Site Mechanical Repairs project until 2:00 p.m. local time on May 17, 2012 at the District Office, 8670 210th Street West, Lakeville Minnesota 55044, at which time and place all bids will be publicly opened and read aloud. Bidding documents, including the Proposal Form, Drawings and Specifications, will be on file at the Offices of the Architect, Wold Architects and Engineers, 305 St. Peter Street, St. Paul, Minnesota 55102. (651) 227-7773; at the Minneapolis Builders Exchange; Builders Exchange at St. Paul; McGraw Hill Construction /Dodge Plan Center; Reed Construction; iSqFt Plan Room (St. Paul, MN); and from PlanWell at www.e-arc.com. This project includes: Removal and replacement of deficient mechanical components at multiple facilities throughout the School District (including patching of existing roof system and all associated mechanical and electrical connections). American Reprographic Company, 2007 E. 24th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55404 (612) 722-2303, facsimile (612) 722-2958, will provide complete sets of the Bidding Documents to prospective bidders and subcontractors. The copies will be available about April 30, 2012. Both a deposit check in the amount of $70 and a non-refundable check in the amount of $30 made out to “Lakeville Area Public Schools (ISD #194)” for each set ordered are required or Bidding Documents may be ordered via the internet at www.e-arc.com and clicking on the PlanWell icon, then the Public Plan Room icon, select Multi-Site Mechanical Repairs. The following information must accompany the deposit: Company name, mailing address, street address, phone and facsimile numbers and type of bidder (i.e. General, Mechanical or Electrical Subcontractor to General, or other). A refund of $70 will be sent to prime contractors who submit a bid to the Owner and subcontractors for each set (including addenda) returned to American Reprographic Company Imaging in good condition within ten (10) calendar days of the award date, subject to the conditions of AIA Document A701. Refunds will not be given if the plans are returned to the Architect’s Office. Make proposals on the bid forms supplied in the Project Manual. No oral, telegraphic or telephonic proposals or modifications will be considered. Submit with each bid, a certified check or acceptable bidder’s bond payable to Lakeville Area Public Schools (ISD #194) in an amount equal to five percent (5%) of the total bid. The successful bidder will be required to furnish satisfactory Labor and Material Payment Bond, and Performance Bond. Bids may not be withdrawn within thirty (30) days after the scheduled time of opening bids, without the consent of the Owner. The Owner reserves the right to accept any bid or to reject any or all bids, or parts of such bids, and waive informalities or irregularities in bidding. The Owner requires Substantial Completion of the project on or before August 17, 2012. Independent School District No. 194 8670 210th St. W. Lakeville, MN 55044 Kathy Lewis, Clerk Publish: May 4 and May 11, 2012 2997030 5/4-5/11/12

Credit River Township Board Meeting Monday, May 7, 2012, 6pm Agenda

6 PM: Call Meeting to Order, Pledge of Allegiance 1) Approve or Amend Agenda 2) Consent Agenda 3) Open Forum 4) Old Business 1) County Road 8 Corridor Update 2) Liberty Creek Update 3) C r e e k w o o d P a r k P l a y g r o u n d Equipment 5) New Business 1) Charitable gambling permit for the Dakota Ringnecks/ Pheasants Forever Foundation to be held at the Minneapolis Horse & Hunt Club June 6, 2012. 2) Eller's Bonding 6) Road Report 7) Engineer's Report 1) Large Scale TMDL's. 2) 195th Street E 3) Lynn, Monterey, and 207th 8) Treasurer's Report 1) Transfer Funds 2) S& P Rating 3) Budget 2013 Schedule 4) Treasurer 1 Year Review 5) Developer's Escrow Updates 9) Clerk's Report 1) Charitable gambling permit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, to be held at the Legends Club. June 16, 2012. 2) Couri & Ruppe Township Legal Seminar, June 7, 2012. 10) Review and Pay Bills 11) Adjourn 2997343 5/4/12

�� District 194 School Board Proceedings

This is a summary of the Independent School District No.194 Regular School Board Meeting on Tues, April 10, 2012 with full text available for public inspection on t h e d i s t r i c t w e b s i t e a t www.isd194.k12.mn.us or District Office at 8670 210th Street W., Lakeville, MN 55044 The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. followed by pledge of allegiance. All board members and administrators were present. Consent agenda items approved: minutes of the meetings on March 23 & 27; employment recommendations, leave requests and resignations; payment of bills and claims subject to annual audit; donations; and fieldtrips. Reports presented: Social Studies curriculum update. Adjournment at 7:47 p.m. ___________________________________ This is a summary of the Independent School District No. 194 Special Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, April 17, 2012 with full text available for public inspection on the district website at or 8670 210th www.isd194.k12.mn.us Street W., Lakeville, MN 55044 The meeting was called to order at 5:34 p.m. All board members and cabinet members were present. Discussions: Proposed strategic priorities and board position; EML/Board of Education/Admin collaborative project; participation in district-written surveys; summary of staffing changes. Meeting adjourned at 7:29 p.m. ___________________________________ This is a summary of the Independent School District No. 194 Special Board of Education Meeting on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 with full text available for public inspection on the district website at or 8670 210th www.isd194.k12.mn.us Street W., Lakeville, MN 55044 The meeting was called to order at 8:02 a.m. All board members and cabinet members were present. Discussions: The board received a presentation from Springsted regarding a long-term community engagement plan. Meeting adjourned at 9:38 a.m. 2991777 5/4/12

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Age 78, of Rosemount, passed away peacefully on April 30, 2012 surrounded by his loving family. Gordy served his country in the US Air Force, he retired from FAA as air traffic controller after 30+ years, and he enjoyed wood working and especially biking. Gordy is preceded in death by his son, Glen; parents, Harry and Frances Docken. He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Milly; daughters, Michele (Tim) Hoaglund, Carla (Doug) Maile and Paula (Ron) Docken Blair; grandchildren, Andrew and Olivia Hoaglund, Makayla and Danica Maile; siblings, Doug (Judy), Mary Jo (David) Prekker, Lyle (Linda) and Mark (Jane) Docken also by nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. A memorial service will take place 3 PM Sunday, May 6, 2012 at the Lighthouse Church, 3285 W. 144th St. Rosemount, with a gathering of family and friends 1 hr prior to service. Private interment will be at the Rosemount Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers memorials will be donated to MS society. Online condolences at www.whitefuneral home.com

Ruth L. Hareid

PUBLIC NOTICE

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May 4, 2012 Sun Thisweek

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Sun Thisweek May 4, 2012

Senate District 57 Republicans endorse candidates

Pat Hall, Anna Wills selected to run for Senate, House

by Tad Johnson Sun Thisweek

The Senate District 57 Republicans endorsed Pat Hall for Senate and Anna Wills for House District 57B on Saturday. Hall was endorsed on the first ballot over Tim Gould, and Wills was endorsed by acclamation on the first ballot during the convention that was a continuation of the Republicans March 17 gathering when they postponed endorsement for the two offices. Not long before the convention, Rep. Kurt Bills and Sen. Chris Gerlach announced they wouldn’t seek re-election to their seats.

“I am excited for the voters in Senate District 57 to get to know Pat,” Senate District 57 chair Pat Staley said in a release. “He is dynamic and engaging. He has extensive and diverse experience as a businessman, pastor, and community leader. He has a terrific understanding of the people of this community and the challenges and issues they face. He will prove a worthy successor to Sena-

tor Chris Gerlach.” Gerlach announced he would not seek a fourth term in the Senate in March. He had previously served three terms in the House. The convention also passed a resolution thanking, congratulating, and commending retiring Gerlach. “Anna has proven herself to our delegates, and is eager to do the same to

the voters of District 57B,” Staley said. “Her work as a legislative aide has given her a deep understanding of all the issues most important to people in Rosemount and Apple Valley.” The Senate District 57A Republicans endorsed incumbent Rep. Tara Mack, R-Apple Valley, on March 17. During the March 17 DFL Senate District 57 convention in Rosemount,

the party endorsed former killed in action, in 57B. Rosemount High School principal Greg Clausen for Tad Johnson can be reached tad.johnson@ecm-inc. Senate, former DFL Senate at District 37 chair Roberta com or facebook.com/sunGibbons in 57A and Jeff thisweek. Wilfahrt, the father of a U.S. Army soldier who was

Golf Guide

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Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 13th

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May 4, 2012 Sun Thisweek

Crystal Lake facility on �� track to debut this fall

Building will house early childhood, several other District 194 programs

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by Aaron M. Vehling Sun Thisweek

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Counter to what F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, second acts in America are possible. Lakeville’s Crystal Lake Elementary, shuttered during a round of $15.8 million worth of budget adjustments in 2011, is an example of this. It will return this fall remodeled and repurposed as the Crystal Lake Education Center (CLEC). The new facility will house much of the district’s early childhood programs, as well as some community education and special education offerings. The closure of the school and subsequent repurpose will save the district more than $1 million with a huge chunk coming from the district’s vacation of the Kenwood Center, which it has leased for early childhood programs. In addition to saving money, the repurposed space has other benefits. “The venue is desperately needed so we can compete with neighboring districts who have had newer sites,” School Board Member Bob Erickson said. The revamped site also comes at a time of increased recognition of the importance of early childhood education, Director of Special Services Renae Ouillette said. “We can look at how early childhood ties into the district,” she said. “How to start becoming a more early childhood to (grade) 12 system.” A steering committee and additional volunteer groups have logged countless hours planning the transition from a neighborhood elementary school with one of the highest percentage of students on free or reduced-price lunch to a facility that will house the Early Childhood Family

Photo submitted

Crystal Lake Educational Center (CLEC) will debut this fall, as a result of a repurposing of the former Crystal Lake Elementary. That school was shuttered last year as part of School District 194’s $15.8 million budget adjustment plan. Above is a model of what the typical CLEC classroom will look like. The CLEC will house the district’s special education and early childhood programs, in addition to offices and some community education offerings. Education and Special Education programs, early childhood screening, Small Wonders preschool and Wonder Zone, the district’s all-day educational child care. Director of Community Education Steve Porter and Ouillette presented to the board a timeline of all the work that has been completed or will lead up to the fall premiere. Security and Wi-Fi improvements were recently made to the building, providing, in part, the ability for teachers to train on the new iPads used for the iLearn program. Porter and Ouillette said administrators and committees have been working with Wold Architects on final bids and specifications for the remodeling work. By July 27, there will be a significant completion of this work, Porter estimated. This will be followed by a move from Kenwood to the CLEC. Parent open houses will take place Sept. 4, around which time programming will debut. In October, there will be a grand opening celebration.

In the meantime, the perimeter of the building needs a reassessment. “The playground at Crystal Lake is nicer, newer, but it’s rated for ages 5 to 12,” he said. However, most students in the programming at CLEC are aged 3 to 5. “It’s not only a matter of what is appropriate, it is also a liability issue.” Superintendent Lisa Snyder said at the recent school board meeting that some staff members’ offices could be relocated to the CLEC, including those part of the new iLearn digital education initiative. Given the increased emphasis nationally on the importance of early childhood education, Ouillette said, CLEC will put the district in a positive position. “There have been a lot of developments in early childhood that we need to be in front of to provide the best programming and services as possible,” she said. Aaron Vehling can be reached at aaron.vehling@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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Coach ends legendary career by Mike Shaughnessy Sun Thisweek

In 1995, Jim Jackson took over a wrestling program that might already have been the state’s best. In the years that followed, he helped take it to national prominence. And now, with Apple Valley synonymous with wrestling excellence in Minnesota, Jackson is stepping away. He announced Tuesday he will retire from coaching after 32 seasons with the Eagles, the last 17 as head coach. He will continue to teach physical education at Falcon Ridge Middle School in Apple Valley. Jackson, who has a 12-yearold daughter who plays competitive tennis, cited a desire to spend more time with his family. “His mom is still living in Iowa, and now he will have more time to see her,” Apple Valley High School athletic director Pete Buesgens said. “His daughter is entering junior high next year, and she’s big in the tennis world. “I think he’s at a point where wrestling is still a passion, but there are other things in his life.” Jackson’s teams won 14 state championships, including the last seven Class AAA titles. He has a career record of 619-26-3, and his winning percentage of 95.8 is by far the highest in state history. He had 56 individual state champions during his tenure as head coach. He’s only the second head wrestling coach Apple Valley High School has had. Bill Demaray was head coach from the school’s opening in 1976 until 1995. Demaray took one year off before Jackson asked him to return as an assistant coach, and he’s been on the staff ever since. “At the time, I felt it was

important for Jim to have his own space, go his own direction and do what he wanted to do,” Demaray said Wednesday. “When he asked me to come back, it didn’t take much persuasion. I was still very interested in coaching wrestling, just not as a head coach.” Jackson had been an assistant on Demaray’s staff for 15 years, during which time the Eagles won six state championships. “Coach Jackson was an integral part of the staff even before he became head coach,” said Chad Erikson, a four-time individual state champion for Apple Valley in the 1990s who remains with the program as a part-time assistant coach. “But during his time as head coach, the program went to a completely different level. “When I wrestled in high school, to win a state championship, that was it. Now they’re contending for national championships.” Apple Valley topped national high school rankings done by two wrestling websites in 2010 and 2011. The Eagles were third in the national rankings in 2012. Erikson said Jackson’s retirement took him by surprise, but he could understand the reasoning. “It’s a full-time job for coach Jackson and coach Demaray,” Erikson said. “There’s no off-season. In the summer, they’re trying to get kids to train, go to camps and wrestle in tournaments. To have a successful high school program, the coaches have to be all in. Whatever their stipend is for coaching, they’ve earned it and then some.” The Eagles’ greatest success came at a time when other high schools were dropping the sport or consolidat-

ing their programs because of lack of participation. Yet Apple Valley always had large numbers on its teams. “One of the key things is we had Jim teaching at Falcon Ridge and we used to have (assistant coach) Chad Clendening at Valley Middle School,” said Buesgens, who was an assistant wrestling coach before being named AVHS athletic director three years ago. “They were always talking to kids, telling them if they weren’t in another winter sport that they might want to give wrestling a try. “Another big thing is, I’m not aware of the wrestling team ever cutting a kid. In wrestling, you can keep 100 kids, but you can’t do that in basketball and hockey. In wrestling, a kid knows if he works hard enough he’ll have a chance to be part of a team.” Buesgens said Jackson’s preparation was legendary. He said the coach has a yellow notepad with projected lineups for 2015, even 2016, and if there was a gap in the lineup, Jackson would start talking to middle-school boys who might fill that spot in a few years. Wednesday morning, less than 24 hours after Jackson announced his retirement, Buesgens said he had received two applications from California and one from South Dakota. The school will accept applications for the coaching position until May 25. Demaray said he expects the position will draw plenty of qualified applicants. “Jim left the program in great shape,” he said. “There’s a great youth program, and the high school coaches are very involved in it. And the administration has always been very supportive.”

Sun Thisweek May 4, 2012

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May 4, 2012 Sun Thisweek

Thisweekend Dorothy dons dance shoes Twin Cities Ballet presents ‘Wizard of Oz’ at the Burnsville PAC

VocalEssence concert

by Andrew Miller Sun Thisweek

Fans of the film version of “The Wizard of Oz” starring Judy Garland will notice some conspicuous differences in “Wizard of Oz – The Ballet.” The Twin Cities Ballet production, which plays the Burnsville Performing Arts Center’s main stage May 11-13, features a storyline adapted from the classic L. Frank Baum fantasy tale, but has no dialogue or music from the iconic 1939 movie. “It’s a compilation of classical music, edited together with sound effects, and the story’s told through dance and music rather than words and song,” Twin Cities Ballet board member Rick Vogt said. “It’s a variety of dance styles, not just ballet – the ‘cyclone dance’ and the winged monkeys use modern Photo courtesy of Flint Images dance. The ‘ s c a r e c r o w With a cast of about 100, Twin Cities Ballet’s original production of “Wizard of Oz – The Ballet” features dancers drawn mainly dance’ is jazz, from Ballet Royale Minnesota, the Lakeville dance studio run by Rick and Denise Vogt. with the scarecrows dancunique performance op- The five flying monkeys “Wizard” is being staged co-written with Rick, is ing like they’re without portunity. are really fun to work by Twin Cities Ballet, for- set to premiere in spring bones, and it has almost “Most people clas- with.” merly Lakeville City Bal- 2013, and is already in the a hoedown feel to it.” sify ballet as really gentle The Vogts tend to go let, which is known for pre-production phase. With a cast of about and sweet,” said 16-year- big with their produc- its annual south-metro Tickets for “Wizard of 100, the show features old Nicole Brown of tions. For “Wizard” they production of “The Nut- Oz – The Ballet” range dancers drawn mainly Lakeville, who’s cast as brought in professionals cracker.” from $12 to $26 and are from Ballet Royale Min- the Wicked Witch. “The for the sets, lighting and Denise Vogt wrote and available at the Burnsville nesota, the Lakeville witch is different – you other production ele- choreographed “Wizard” Performing Arts Center’s dance studio run by Vogt twist your movements to ments. in the manner of classi- box office, and through and his wife Denise. make them seem dramat- “We describe Twin cal story ballets such as Ticketmaster, 800-982 For the dancers in- ic and evil. Cities Ballet as a semi- “Swan Lake” and “Sleep- 2787 or Ticketmaster. volved, the show offers a “Plus I have monkeys. professional company, ing Beauty.” Her goal is com. Show times are 7 and the performances themselves are professional productions,” Rick Vogt said. “It’s a unique opportunity for the students to be part of something of this caliber.” This is the second year

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to build a repertoire of original story ballets that will rotate throughout the year; prior to the debut of “Wizard” in 2011, Twin Cities Ballet’s sole performance each year was “The Nutcracker.” Her next story ballet,

theater and arts briefs

p.m. May 11, 2 and 7 p.m. May 12, and 2 p.m. May 13.

Andrew Miller can be reached at andrew.miller@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

The 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 22, VocalEssence ¡Cantaré! Concert at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center will feature world premiere compositions by Mexican composers Rodrigo Cadet and Jorge Cózatl, sung by elementary, high school and community choral singers. Singers from Burnsville High School will be among the groups performing. Admission is free. Tickets may be picked up at the box office, 12600 Nicollet Ave., or go to www.vocalessence.org/2012_cantare_ concert for details.

Homecoming concert The Dakota Valley Symphony Chorus will perform a homecoming concert featuring folk ensemble Dragonfly at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $5 for students. Tickets are available at the box office and via Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com.

Photo program expands Caponi Art Park and Learning Center, Eagan, will expand its photography program to include two photo workshops for beginner and intermediate photographers and a fall color Family Portraiture Day. Sponsored by Legacy Creative Images, the program will continue its annual photo contest culminating with a gallery exhibition. Up to five photos taken at the art park may be submitted in youth and adult categories through Oct. 31. The new photo workshops will be free, with a $5 per person suggested donation. • Introduction to Digital Photography, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 9. • Intermediate Digital Photography, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 18. Family Portraiture Day will be Sept. 22. Legacy Creative Images will be at the park to take outdoor photos of families, couples or individuals for a $20 sitting fee. Reservations are required. More information about Caponi Art Park’s photography program is available at www.caponiartpark.org/ programs/photoprogram.

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theater and arts calendar To submit items for the Arts Calendar, email: darcy. odden@ecm-inc.com. Art Open house from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at Caponi Art Park, 1220 Diffley Road, Eagan. Information: www.caponiartpark.org. Camps The Allegro Choral Academy is now accepting registrations for its “Pitch Perfect” Summer Singing Camp June 18-21 at St. John’s in Lakeville for children ages 6 to 11. Find information and registration materials at www.allegroca.org or (952) 846-8585, artisticdirector@allegroca.org. Comedy Jamie Blanchard with special guest David Rose at 8:30 p.m. Friday, May 4, and Saturday, May 5, at MinneHAHA Comedy Club, 1583 E. First Ave., Shakopee (lower level of Dangerfield’s), (612) 860-9388, www.minnehahacomedyclub. com. Tickets: $13. Dance Twin Cities Ballet will perform “Wizard of Oz The Ballet” May 11-13 at Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. S. Tickets range from $12 to $26 and are available at the box office, via Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com. Group discounts are also available. Visit www.TwinCitiesBallet.org or call (952) 452-3163 for more information. DAdance will present “The Three Bonnies” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 8, at Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. Tickets are $26 for adults, $19 for seniors and $16 for students and can be purchased at the box office or via Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com. Exhibits Children’s Art Festival exhibit is on display through June 2 at Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. Free. Information: (952) 895-4685. Music Musician Dan Newton will perform swing, Latin, French

musette and European folk music at a Silver Tea for ages 55plus at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, at Heritage Library, 20085 Heritage Drive, Lakeville. Free. Lorie Line’s “Live In The Sunshine” performance, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, at Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave. Tickets are $39 and are available at the arts center or by calling (952) 9854640. Ross McLeod will perform his “Best of the ’30s and ’40s Show” from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, May 10, at the Burnsville Senior Center, 200 W. Burnsville Parkway, Suite 102, (952) 707-4120. Poetry Poets in the Park Teen Poetry Slam with slam master Cynthia French at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 13, in the outdoor amphitheater at Caponi Art Park, Eagan. Teens ages 12-19 are invited to perform up to three pieces of original poetry; those interested in competing should arrive at 1:30 p.m. to sign up. Information: www.caponiartpark.org. Theater “Ole & Lena’s 50th Wedding Anniversary and Vow Renewal” performances will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 11, and Saturday, May 12, at the Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave. Tickets are $15. Call (952) 985-4640 for information. The Christian Life School Drama Club will present “Fairy Tale Salad” Friday, May 11, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 12, at 2 and 7 p.m. at Christian Life School, 6300 212th St. W., Farmington. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets are available at the door or at the school office. More information at www.christianlifeschool.org or (651) 463-4545. Workshops/classes Music Together in the Valley offers classes for parents and their infant, toddler and preschool children in Rosemount, Farmington, Lakeville and Apple Valley. Information: www.musictogetherclasses. com or (651) 439-4219. The Eagan Art House offers classes for all ages. For a complete listing go to www.

eaganarthouse.org or call (651) 675-5521. Dan Petrov Art Studio in Burnsville offers oil painting classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced skill level painters, www.danpetrovart. com, (763) 843-2734. Teens Express Yourself with Paint, 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays at Brushworks School of Art in Burnsville, www.BrushworksSchoolofArt.com, (651) 214-4732. Drama/theater classes for ages 4 and up at River Ridge Arts Building, Burnsville, (952) 736-3644. Special needs theater program (autism-DCD), ages 5 and older, Burnsville, (952) 736-3644. Join other 55-plus adults at the Eagan Art House to create beaded jewelry. The Jewelry Club meets on the third Friday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. Fee is $3 and includes all supplies. Bring any old jewelry you would like to re-make. 3981 Lexington Ave. S., (651) 6755500. Savage Art Studios, 4735 W. 123rd St., Suite 200, Savage, offers classes/workshops for all ages. Information: www. savageartstudios.com or (952) 895-0375. Soy candle making classes held weekly in Eagan near 55 and Yankee Doodle. Call Jamie at (651) 315-4849 for dates and times. $10 per person. Presented by Making Scents in Minnesota. Country line dance classes held for intermediates Mondays 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Rambling River Center, 325 Oak St., Farmington, $5/class. Call Marilyn (651) 463-7833. Beginner country line dance classes on Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at the Lakeville VFW, 8790 Upper 208th St. $5/class. Call Marilyn (651) 463-7833. Country line dance classes on Wednesdays at the Lakeville Senior Center, 20732 Holt Ave. Beginners, 9-10 a.m.; Intermediate, 10 a.m.-noon. $5/ class. Call Marilyn (651) 4637833. The Lakeville Area Arts Center offers arts classes for all ages, www.lakevillemn.gov, (952) 985-4640.

family calendar To submit items for the Family Calendar, email: darcy. odden@ecm-inc.com. Saturday, May 5 Kids and More Sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Ames Arena, 19900 Ipava Ave., Lakeville. Children’s clothing, toys, home decor, sports equipment, men’s and women’s clothing and more. Free parking and admission. Information: www.TreasureHuntSales.com. Spring Fling family fundraiser from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Primrose School of Lakeville North, 9711 163rd St. W., Lakeville. Food, bouncers, pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, crafts, silent auction, and carnival games. Proceeds will support local charities. Information: www. primroselakeville.com or (952) 435-8885. Sunday, May 6 Kids and More Sale from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ames Arena, 19900 Ipava Ave., Lakeville. Children’s clothing, toys, home decor, sports equipment, men’s and women’s clothing and more. Free parking and admission. Information: www.TreasureHuntSales.com. Monday, May 7 Pregnancy & Postpartum Support Minnesota anniversary and fundraiser from 6 to 8 p.m. at Buca de Beppo, 14300 Burnhaven Drive, Burnsville. Tickets are $35 and include appetizers and a beverage. Silent auction, too. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/

Sun Thisweek May 4, 2012

pregnancypostpartumsupport/ events. Thursday, May 10 Plant sale by the DCTC Landscape Horticulture Club from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dakota County Technical College, 1300 E. 145th St., Rosemount. Bedding plants and vegetables for sale. Information: catherine. grant@dctc.edu. Alzheimer’s seminar on understanding communication and challenging behaviors from 4 to 6 p.m. at Trinity Evangelical Free Church, 10658 210th St. W., Lakeville. For information or to register go to www.trinityefc.net. Cost: $5. Friday, May 11 Plant sale by the DCTC Landscape Horticulture Club from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Dakota County Technical College, 1300 E. 145th St., Rosemount. Bedding plants and vegetables for sale. Information: catherine. grant@dctc.edu. Saturday, May 12 Plant sale by the Lakeville Area Garden Club from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 9975 W. 194th St., Lakeville (across from Kenwood Trail Middle School). Perennials, annuals, and hanging baskets will be on sale. Plant sale by the Eagan Garden Club from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Holz Farm Park, 4669 Manor Drive, Eagan. Perennials, annuals, and hanging baskets will be on sale. Proceeds benefit gardens at Trapp Farm Park, Cedar Pond Park, Wescott Library,

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and Holz Farm. Child car seat recycling from 9 a.m. to noon at AAA, 600 W. Travelers Trail, Burnsville. Fee: $10 per seat. Information: http://recycleminnesota.org/. Blood drives The American Red Cross will hold the following blood drives. Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. • May 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lakeville Fire Department, 20190 Holyoke, Lakeville. • May 7, 1 to 7 p.m., Apple Valley Fire Department, 15000 Hayes Road, Apple Valley. • May 8, 1:30 to 6:30 p.m., School District 191 - Community Education Center, 200 W. Burnsville Parkway, Suite 102, Burnsville. • May 9, 3 to 8 p.m., Rasmussen College, 3500 Federal Drive, Eagan. • May 10, 1 to 6 p.m., Hope Church, 7477 145th St., Apple Valley. • May 11, 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., Easter Lutheran Church - By The Lake, 4545 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan. • May 12, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dakota County Wescott Library, 1340 Wescott Road, Eagan. • May 12, 10:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., Burnhaven Library, 1101 W. County Road 42, Burnsville. Memorial Blood Centers blood drive: • May 4, 9 to 11:30 a.m., Fantastic Sams, 270 E. Travelers Trail, Burnsville, (952) 890-7267.

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Sports

May 4, 2012 Sun Thisweek

Youthful Panther softball team starts season 10-1 Lakeville North is off to best start in years

by Andy Rogers Sun Thisweek

The Lakeville North softball team has the makings of the best sophomore-laden team in the state. Armed with a roster of underclassmen, the Panthers have showed varsity teams across the metro that age doesn’t matter if the players can throw strikes and average about seven runs per game. With sophomores Erika Rozell, Michaela Zins, Jessica Meidl, Tera McKenney and Katherine Parker, the team’s potential is off the chart. “I’m excited because I think we can be even better,” pitcher Zins said. “I’m not really surprised by our success. It could have gone both ways. I was excited for the season to start. I had confidence in myself, but winning has certainly helped build everyone’s confidence.” It’s been a trifecta of positives for the Panthers. Zins has been throwing strikes

and the defense cleans up behind her. At the plate, the Panthers usually take an early lead and never look back. “Michaela has been pitching great and the defense has done well behind her,” head coach Sean Hall said. “We usually score a few runs early, so that’s a good recipe for success.” The girls have defeated senior-laden teams from Chaska, Rosemount, Lakeville South, Edina, Eagan, Apple Valley and Burnsville – last year’s conference champion. One of the most satisfying victories came on April 26 against Prior Lake, one of the South Suburban Conference leaders. “The whole week was leading up to this game,” Rozell said. “It was a big win for us.” The victory put the Panthers in a two-way tie for first in the conference with Bloomington Jefferson, the top ranked program in Class AAA.

But the trophies haven’t been handed out yet. “I knew with what we had we had the potential to be good,” Hall said. “There’s still a lot of areas we need to improve. We are not focused on how great we’re doing. I would say the tougher part of the schedule is coming up, so we get a chance to see how good we can do. “We need to get better at hitting, especially later in our lineup. We’re not getting a lot of bunt downs. Michaela is pitching great, but even she can get better, and that’s exciting.” Against another top conference rival, Eastview, the Panthers were again victorious, 10-2, on Monday. The Lightning, led by University of Minnesota recruit Paige Palkovich, started the season 6-1. The eight-run loss margin was the largest for Eastview this season. The Lightning had losses of one run to Bloomington Jefferson and two runs to Prior Lake.

The win put the Panthers’ record at 10-1. The last time Lakeville North reached double digit victories was in 2010, but it wasn’t until playoff time. The Panthers will welcome teams from Bloomington Jefferson, Lakeville South, Prior Lake, Eden Prairie, Farmington, Mankato West, Wayzata and Chaska this weekend for their home tournament at Aronson Park. The girls may not reach all of their goals in one season, but that doesn’t mean they never will. “With the program being young, I think they can only benefit from playing a lot now,” Rozell said. “We’ll only get better.” Andy Rogers can be reached at andy.rogers@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek. Photo by Rick Orndorf

Lakeville North’s Michaela Zins throws a pitch against Eastview on Monday.

Tiger lacrosse off to best start yet Farmington team getting some revenge in 2012

by Andy Rogers Sun Thisweek

The Farmington boys lacrosse team is in the midst of easily its best season ever. After lacrosse was added as a varsity sport, the boys team won just one game during its first two years. Although the Tigers lost to Holy Angels on Monday by a score of 10-4, the Tigers have gone 5-2 this season. The Tigers were coming off a four-game winning streak that featured victories against East Ridge (11-8), Rochester Century (8-7), Lakeville South (109 in overtime) and Chaska/ Chanhassen (7-4) as well as a season-opening victory against Simley (15-3). “Every team we beat we hadn’t beaten before,” head coach Paul Sorensen said. “The hardest win is the first win. After they started to learn how to win, they got that swagger about them and got some confidence and it can go a long way.” The Tigers were tied 4-4 at one point against Holy Angels in the second quarter with a man advantage, but it was the Stars that took ad-

vantage of penalties. “We were pretty good there until halftime,” Sorensen said. “Penalties killed us. A man down, that’s where they got us in the second half.” Up 5-4 at halftime, the Holy Angels team took advantage of two Tiger penalties to go up 7-4. It deteriorated from there. “We had our lapses,” Sorensen said. “No matter how much you’re down you still have to go out there and play hard.” Brendon Berg got a few good looks at the Stars’ goal, but they all rang off the crossbar or bounced off the net. “In high school athletes, once it starts to go away, it goes downhill and you can’t get it back,” Sorensen said. “Last year we lost to those guys by like 15 goals. There’s no such thing as moral victories, but it shows we’re getting there. We were right there with them in the first half.” Farmington is getting there without one of its top players, co-captain Mitch Collier, who is out for the

no matter what happens.”

Girls lacrosse The girls lacrosse team is on a three-game winning streak and it could have been more after losing a few early games by one goal. “I will take the threegame win streak, especially since we had only one win last season and two the season before total,” head coach Dan Pickens said. It’s been a challenging road bringing varsity lacrosse to prominence in Farmington. “You have no idea how good it feels to win some games, and some tight ones,” Pickens said. “We lost five games by two goals or less last year. The girls deserve to win some games, they have worked hard and continue to push on even after being Photo by Andy Rogers a door mat for a couple of Farmington’s Kevin Clifton, No. 15, puts a hit on Holy years in the win column.” Angels on Tuesday. The teams were tied 4-4 at one point in The girls team has been the second quarter, but Farmington was shut out from there. virtually the same team for three years now, so they have season with a broken leg. “We’ll persevere,” So- the experience. Leading scorer Trevor How- rensen said. “We’re a lot “The senior leaders have ard is banged up too, with deeper then we used to be. really stepped up and bea rib injury, although he But you couldn’t strap Trev- came leaders this year rather played against Holy Angels, or down. He’s going to play than just lacrosse players,”

Pickens said. “It also doesn’t hurt that we can throw and catch much better and more consistently now. We were forced to rely on our speed only in past years, but now we can pass and catch with a nice change of pace for our runners.” Captains Adrienne Jolicoeur, Ally Midboe, and Haley Bradshaw along with hockey goalie Jess Erchul have accounted for 56 of the team’s 74 goals this year. “Really our entire roster has their own role and they know they need to do what is best for the team and they don’t need to be the ones scoring the goals,” Pickens said. “It is a good team concept here. It also has helped to get our goaltender, Maddie Kohlbeck, back this year after tearing her ACL last season.” Kohlbeck had 12 saves on 16 shots against Chaska, who averages double digits. Andy Rogers can be reached at andy.rogers@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Struggling Cougars focused on improving Panther girls South softball looking for more pop in its bats

by Andy Rogers Sun Thisweek

The Lakeville South softball team has been working on a list of things to improve so it’s ready for the playoffs in two weeks. After a 9-1 loss to Burnsville on Monday, the list got a little longer. “We’re having a couple growing pains at this point and it’s not always going in our favor,” head coach Colleen Powers said. “We just have to go back to the drawing board and work a little harder.” The Cougars were held to two hits Monday, and one of them was a home run by Lindsey Kamleiter. Burnsville had 14 hits and Lakeville South helped out the Blaze by committing three errors. The Cougars fell to 1-5 in the South Suburban Conference. “When you’re not putting runs on the board, it makes it a lot tougher,” Powers said. “You need more than two hits to win a ballgame like this.” Scoring is perhaps South’s biggest obstacle. The Cougars aver-

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Lakeville South’s Baylee Meier, No. 4, relays a ground ball in the infield during a game against Burnsville on Monday. age about three runs per game, making them one of the lowest-scoring teams in the South Suburban Conference. “We’re finding ways to put the ball in play. One of the things we’ve done is decrease our strikeouts,” Powers said. “We just have to get some ground balls and get on base.” Powers is also starting several newcomers this season who have yet to settle into their roles. “We had people in different spots and they weren’t necessarily com-

fortable today,” Powers said. “But I believe in them. They’ll figure it out after a few more games. They’re getting their feet wet at the varsity level. We have some work to do, but if anyone will do it, it’s these girls.” Lakeville South started the season by losing three of its first four games. The three losses were by a combined 26 runs. Since then the girls have defeated Hopkins 5-2 and lost to Rosemount by one run. South also played competitively

against Lakeville North, losing 3-0 to a team that averages almost seven runs a game. They’re looking for little victories in each game. “The kids are staying positive and confident,” Powers said. Kamleiter’s home run and pitcher Kylie Stober’s performance were highlights for South in the Burnsville game. Stober came in for Madeline Bianchi in the second inning and held the Blaze scoreless for four of the remaining six innings. “She was hitting her spots, that’s for sure,” Powers said of Stober. “She’s getting more confident.” Powers also praised the play of catcher Allie Kent, who was brought up from junior varsity. The Cougars will play at a hometown tournament at Aronson Park on Saturday against teams from Farmington, Bloomington and beyond. Andy Rogers can be reached at andy.rogers@ ecm-inc.com or facebook. com/sunthisweek.

lacrosse on a tear

Girls averaging nearly 20 goals per game lately by Andy Rogers Sun Thisweek

The Lakeville North girls lacrosse team is on a run like no other team in the state. The girls are averaging almost 18 goals per game while giving up around seven after seven games. But coach Kate Leavell isn’t satisfied just yet. “We are hoping to keep improving as the season goes along,” Leavell said. “By sections, we would really like to decrease our goals allowed and clean up some of our plays. The girls are playing great but we know that there is much to work on to reach our potential.” Leavell feels this team has the potential to be one of the best teams in Lakeville history. Two years ago she coached a combined program with Lakeville South that went to state. “This North team is ahead of where our combined team was at this point into the season, but we are lacking senior leadership,” Leavell said. “The underclassmen have really stepped up and they are hoping to lead the team through the playoffs. There’s a lot of tal-

ent here and its exciting to watch them play.” The top players are all underclassmen. Point leaders are sophomore Kacie Waagbo, freshman Logan Dobratz, and juniors Hannah Koloski and Lauren Storhoff. And the team’s top defensive player is freshman Lexie Witte, who shut down Eden Prairie’s Christine Easton and Eagan’s Simone Haugen. The girls have a scheduled game at Blake at 5 p.m. on Saturday, which will go a long way toward seeing where they stack up. Blake is ranked No. 1 in the state and has won the state title the past two seasons. If the Panthers can keep up the high scoring machine that got it 20 goals against Prior Lake Monday, 20 goals against Wayzata on Saturday, 19 against Eagan on April 26, 18 against Apple Valley on April 24, and 20 against Bloomington Kennedy on April 19, the Panthers could dethrone the defending champions. “All of our midfielders and attackers are pretty driven to hit the net,” Leavell See lacrosse, 15A

lacrosse, from 14A said. “Our focus is always on total points rather than goals. Assists in the stat book mean that our offense is working together.” The only loss this season came against Eden Prairie, the No. 2 ranked team in the state, on April 11. Still, the Panthers managed 11 goals against a team that allows on average around four. “We are hoping to get

another chance to face them after having more time to develop our defense and transitions,” Leavell said.

Boys lacrosse The Panther boys lacrosse team broke a twogame losing streak on Monday by defeating Prior Lake 10-9 in double overtime. With a 2-2 score at halftime, the Panthers were down by four goals midway through the second half, but

started to score in bunches. In the second overtime, Sean Mitchell scored the winning goal to break a two-game losing streak. The Panthers had victories over Owatonna, Farmington and Bloomington Kennedy to start this season. The only losses came against Apple Valley and Eagan, two of the top ranked programs in the state.

Panthers prevent Lightning Photo by Rick Orndorf

Lakeville North’s Jordan Jacobson unloads a fastball in a 6-5 victory over Eastview on Monday. With the win, the Panthers moved into second, behind Burnsville, in the South Suburban Conference.

Head coach Jeff Wright feels the best is yet to come. “We have yet to play a compete four-quarter game of lacrosse,” Wright said. “We must come together and play an entire game. We also must play as a team and have a little more patience, but at the same time we also need to play with a little more urgency as well. This is an extremely talented team and I cannot wait until we really start to click.” It’s been a team effort lead by Charlie Hayes and Jack Hughes with eight players with at least one goal. The boys will head to Chanhassen for a 12:30 p.m. game on Saturday. The playoffs are scheduled to begin May 23. Andy Rogers can be reached at andy.rogers@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Sun Thisweek May 4, 2012

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Tiger baseball action

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Farmington’s Ryan Schoening attempts to tag a Holy Angels runner in an 11-2 loss on Tuesday. It was a tough loss for the Tigers as the team managed four hits while the defense gave up 12 walks and three errors. John Stibal hit in Ty Vincent for one Farmington run, and Jake Baskerville scored the other off an error.

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May 4, 2012 Sun Thisweek

TXT a blast for teens Girls go ‘under the hood’ of technical education

District 194 School Board

by Tad Johnson Sun Thisweek

One participant in last year’s Teens eXperiencing Technical Education said she learned that just because she was a girl didn’t mean she couldn’t do the things that boys do. Those “boy” things included fixing cars, carpentry, computer repair and more during the summer Dakota County Technical College TXT workshops, which are back for a second year Monday, July 30-Friday, Aug. 3, at the Rosemount campus. Last year, more than 150 girls in grades 5 through 8 got their hands dirty (and sometimes sterile clean) in technical programs, such as automotive, computer design, health, science and business. “The excitement and energy the girls brought to our campus was amazing,” event organizer Linda Foster said. Registration opened May 1 for the program, which is open to 200 girls for a $40 fee. Some scholarships are available for those in need of financial assistance. One of last year’s participants said the program was beneficial because it introduced the girls to more careers than just being a teacher or a veterinarian. Another said: “The coolest thing was working with cars. We got to do a lot of the work ourselves. And, we got to see an airbag explode.”

Education

Following is the agenda for the 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, regular meeting of the District 194 School Board in the District Office Board Room, 8670 210th St. W., Lakeville.

Photos submitted

The Teens eXperiencing Technical Education workshops for girls in grades 5 through 8 will return to the Dakota County Technical College campus this fall.

In brief

For more information about the Dakota County Technical College Teens eXperiencing Technical Education workshops, go online to www.dctc.edu/go/txt or call (651) 423-8439. One girl said her favorite activity was analyzing blood tests “because we got to look through microscopes at sickness. It was cool but gross.” Foster said the feedback from participants and their parents was so overwhelmingly positive that a fourth daily session was added to the schedule to help girls experience even more aspects of technical education. “We knew we were on to something when before we even finished the event last year there was buzz about next year’s program,” Foster said. She said some parents were calling her in advance

to know the 2012 dates so they could plan family vacations around it. “The … program fills a need as career and technical education is becoming more limited in the K-12 environment, and there is an increasing need for technical training to be prepared for tomorrow’s workforce,” said Kelly Murtaugh, vice president of academic and student affairs at the college. “TXT provides an avenue for girls to learn about technical fields and provides another option for future education.” That option is a twoyear degree in a wide range of programs, such as photography, information technology and industrial trades. “I am proud of what we created,” Foster said. “It provides girls an opportunity to explore a variety of career fields that they might not even know existed or had exposure to before our event.” One parent thanked the organizers for making the

program available to her daughter. “She had a great time,” the parent said. “She would have loved to have been there an additional week because so many of the classes were right up her alley.” Another parent said: “My overall impression is that this is truly an enjoyable, educational and selfdirecting opportunity for my daughter in her future career opportunity.” Foster said she is very excited that the program seemed to create conversations with teens and their parents about what they are learning when often the responses are shrugs or one-word answers. “This program essentially sent the message that these girls can do anything they choose,” the parent said. “That is very powerful.” Tad Johnson can be reached at tad.johnson@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

1. Preliminary Actions a. Call to Order b. Pledge of Allegiance c. Roll Call and Board Introductions d. Spotlight on Education/ Good News e. Public Comment f. Board Communications g. Agenda Additions 2. Consider Approval of Consent Agenda a. Board Minutes b. Employment Recommendations, Leave Requests and Resignations c. Resolution Approving Placement of Teachers on Unrequested Leave of Absence d. Other Personnel Matters e. Payment of Bills & Claims f. 2012-13 School Lunch Prices g. Alt Facilities Bids & Quotes h. Other Business Matters i. Acceptance of Gift Dona-

Lindstrom receives scholarship Madeline Lindstrom, a senior at Lakeville North High School, is the 2012 recipient of the Neoma Isaak Scholarship from Grace Preschool, Apple Valley. The $300 scholarship is awarded each year to one graduate of Grace Preschool in honor of founding director Neoma Isaak. Lindstrom will attend Gustavus Adolphus College in the fall, where she plans to major in special education.

tions j. Field Trips 3. Consent Agenda Discussion Items 4. Reports a. ELA Curriculum Update. Presenter: Dr. Emily McDonald, E12 Teaching & Learning b. Online Learning. Presenter: Dr. Emily McDonald, Professional Development Coordinator c. 2012 Summer School Program Report. Presenter: Mr. Cliff Skagen, ALC Director d. ALC Programming. Presenter: Mr. Cliff Skagen, ALC Director e. Equity 2011-12 Budget Revisions Report. Presenter: Ms. Stacy Wells, Education Equity Coordinator 5. Recommended Actions a. 2012-13 Management Policies. Presenter: Mr. Tony Massaros, Director of Administrative Services b. Strategic Direction for 2012-2015. Presenter: Dr. Lisa Snyder, Superintendent c. Agreement with ISD 917 – 360 Communities. Presenter: Dr. Lisa Snyder, Superintendent 6. Additions to Agenda 7. Information a. Superintendent’s Report b. Board Member Reports 8. Adjournment

DCTC president joins forum Ronald Thomas, president of Dakota County Technical College, has joined the National Association of Community College Entrepreneurship’s newly formed Presidents for Entrepreneurship Forum. Through the program, presidents of community colleges throughout the country commit to increase the focus on entrepreneurship at their institutions and the impact these colleges have on the economic well being of the communities they serve.

Sun Thisweek May 4, 2012

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reid, from 1A where Reid continued to lead with insight and caring, said Penny Thraen, speech and language pathologist at Meadowview. “He’s a quiet, gentle, strong leader,” she said. “A calm visionary.” During his tenure, Reid has also gained the respect of the community and students, said Farmington School Board Chair Tera Lee, who attended middle school when Reid was its principal. “He had a great reputation,” Lee said. “He was the kind of principal you could talk to if you needed to.” As a parent and board member, Lee said she has found Reid to be “thoughtful and wise.” He also proved a strong resource for Superintendent Jay Haugen, who is in his first year of leading the district. “He has, for me, been so much a part of learning the history of the district,” Haugen said. “He has wisdom from having seen decades of education here.” Among the biggest chang-

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es Reid has seen have been because of computers and technology. “Originally, we had to type everything up on ditto masters and ditto everything off,” he said. “I remember those blue sheets … and how they had that alcoholish smell.” Computers solved problems the district faced with storing and sharing hard copies and became a staple at every teacher’s desk. Reid also remembers rapid housing development that increased Farmington’s population and brought graduating classes from 150 to 500. “We’ve made it,” Reid said. “We’ve got a large metro school district now. It’s been wonderful being part of that growth over the years.” Reid expressed excitement about the district’s new goal for every Farmington student to have their own personal learning device, possibly an iPad. “The publishing industry is responding, and starting to create curriculum and texts for these devices specific to education,” he said. “They’re convenient and easy to use. … That’s going to be the next

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thing.” Despite the dramatic changes, Reid said, one thing has remained a constant: student-focused schools. “It’s still a teacher and a child,” he said. “That relationship hasn’t changed. The desire for a teacher to serve and the desire of the child to please their teacher.” Next fall, when school starts again, Reid said he will miss seeing the kindergartners embark upon their educational journey. “After all these years, seeing those kindergartners come in, and they’re still only about three feet tall, is so renewing every September,” Reid said. He said he plans to accomplish things he has always wanted to do, including getting involved in Habitat for Humanity and traveling while he can still carry his own bags. He expressed admiration for all the school district staff and students for accomplishing “very exemplary performances.” Haugen said the search for a new principal will be extensive and begin in about a week. He said the ideal candidate would excel at collaboration and teamwork within the district, and the process will include input from school staff and the community. “We want to get as many people as possible interested in applying,” Haugen said. Thraen said staff members are sad to see Reid go but understand his desire to enjoy retirement. “I hope we can find a leader who has the same qualities as Jon,” she said. “He’s a hard person to replace.” “He will be missed,” agreed Murphy. Laura Adelmann is at laura. adelmann@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

21A cumstantial evidence” led him to determine Golden was “grossly negligent” and caused the mistrial, stating, “I found that the prosecutor’s tactics were concerning, that his decision to excuse the witness was intentional, and that he was trying to hide things including the witness.” In an email ,Golden wrote that he strongly disagreed with Carter’s comment. According to the ruling, Golden said he believed the defense had concluded its cross-examination and he intended to rest the state’s case. Carter cited two statements Golden made during trial that indicated he intended to call another witness, not resting his case. Backstrom told Sun Thisweek the witness was pregnant and uncomfortable, and the next day she was hospitalized with false labor pains. “I think it would have been reasonable to have

Sun Thisweek May 4, 2012

mistrials, from 1A were inadvertent mistakes which can happen to anyone under the stress of trial proceedings.” The orders were issued Oct. 24, 2008, by nowretired Judge Leslie Metzen and April 5, 2012, by Judge Joseph T. Carter. Both judges indicate in their rulings that Golden violated a defendant’s constitutional rights against double-jeopardy, being prosecuted twice for the same offense or “unduly harassed … until the desired result is achieved,” according to Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Rosalie E. Wahl in an opinion cited in Metzen’s ruling. In that 2008 case involving a fight, Golden was seeking to prosecute the defendant for the same crime a third time. The first time, the case was dismissed because Golden was unable to locate the alleged victim. Backstrom said witnesses are often fearful to testify. Golden next issued a

warrant for the defendant’s arrest, and he went before a judge but was released on his own recognizance pending trial, according to the order. The defendant refused plea bargains Golden offered, and the day of trial, Golden added three more serious charges to correct a “clerical error,” Metzen’s ruling stated. She also found Golden produced medical records never introduced in the two years since the alleged fight occurred, despite the defense’s repeated requests for them. Golden requested the court to delay trial again because the witness was missing, the order states. His request was denied by Judge John Connelly. During Golden’s opening comments he told the jury the defendant should testify because, “You can’t know what’s in someone’s mind unless they tell you,” a violation of the defendant’s Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination, Metzen’s order stated. Because the court

found the comments prejudicial, the case was declared a mistrial. While Connelly and the defense attorney stated they believed Golden when he called the comment “a simple mistake on my part,” Metzen found otherwise. Metzen’s order granted the defense’s request to bar the case from re-prosecution, finding Golden’s comments prejudiced the jury and shifted the burden of proof from the state to the defendant. In her ruling, Metzen explained if the defense agreed to a mistrial, the state could prosecute again; if not, the accused must rely on the judge’s instructions to the jury that they dismiss the prosecutor’s comments, Emphasizing Golden’s then-17 years of experience, Metzen stated he was “well aware” that criminal defendants are protected from having to testify against themselves, and lawyers and judges cannot comment about his silence. “At every arraignment,

in every plea offered to the court, this principle is repeated again and again,” Metzen ruled. “In other words, this is not a case where a unique pre-trial court order was negligently breached; this was a blatant violation of a fundamental principle which has been hammered into Mr. Golden’s mind arguably every day of his 17 years representing the State.” She ruled Golden intentionally provoked a mistrial because he would not be able to prove his case without the witness. Golden said in an email to Sun Thisweek that Metzen did not hear the case nor preside at the trial. “The presiding judge, who had decades of experience on the bench, found just the opposite – that it was accidentally done,” he wrote. Retired Judge William Thuet told Sun Thisweek it is not unusual for victims to “disappear” because they fear retribution if they testify. “I think Golden was

playing games when he carries it up to the last minute,” Thuet said. “He knows if he’s got a witness or not. He figures if he plays his cards, the defendant is going to fold … and the case would settle.”

Second ruling

In the 2012 ruling, Carter found Golden committed prosecutorial misconduct and declared a mistrial in a theft case, citing several of Golden’s actions, including that Golden sent a witness home although it was “readily apparent” the defense had not completed cross-examining her. Carter also ruled Golden refused a court order to provide the defense with a photo lineup because it contained a “blown up” photo of the defendant that was different from the others; Carter concluded Golden avoided using it because he “apparently believed that the photo lineup was harmful to his case.” In his order, Carter found “the weight of cir-

See mistrials, 22A

22A

May 4, 2012 Sun Thisweek

mistrials, from 21A allowed a short continuance to enable us to get the witness to court rather than declaring a mistrial,” Backstrom said. In declaring the mistrial, Carter barred the case from being re-prosecuted under different charges. In part, Carter stated, “The State’s actions were intended to provoke a mistrial. The bad-faith actions of the prosecutor were designed to afford the prosecution a more favorable opportunity to convict the defendant.”

Unusual rulings Citing a prosecutor’s conduct as a reason for mistrial is so rare that several attorneys and judges told Sun Thisweek they have not heard of similar orders involving another local prosecutor. “Mistrials happen very seldom, and mistrials because of government misconduct are almost as rare as hen’s teeth,” Olson said. “I know prosecutors who have gone lifetimes without mistrials granted,” Thuet said. Olson called Golden’s opening comments to the jury “absolutely astounding,” and agreed with the judges’ findings in both cases. Metzen told Sun Thisweek that in her 23year career, she does not recall another time when she declared a mistrial based on prosecutorial misconduct. “This is not something you do lightly,” she said. “And, I don’t remember doing it on any other occasion.” Metzen called Golden “a really competent prosecutor” who usually plays by the book. Thuet said Golden tried cases before him that he thought should have settled, but added Dakota County prosecutors have to get approval from supervisors to settle a case. He described Golden’s courtroom style as “ag-

gressive,” stating “he wanted to win,” adding that he does “not necessarily agree with his tactics.” Olson said there is nothing wrong with being tough on crime, but added, “What’s wrong is breaking the rules.” “This conduct is so egregious, that it’s the sort of thing nobody does.” Olson said. “This guy put his finger on the scale of justice and pushed down as hard as he could.” Minnesota case law (State v. Cabrera) describes a prosecutor as “a minister of justice” obliged to “guard the rights of the accused”

and “enforce the rights of the public.” It states prosecutors must “refrain from improper methods calculated to produce wrongful conviction.” In an email, Golden said his primary concern is justice. “I have never intended to provoke a mistrial” he wrote. “Both of the cases were going very well for the State and a mistrial would have simply meant more delay and more difficulty in proving the cases at a later time.” Laura Adelmann is at laura.adelmann@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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