SUN Thisweek Farmington and Lakeville by Sun Thisweek

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Farmington | Lakeville July 20, 2012 | Volume 33 | Number 21

Bonar to Most county drug cases run for tested by lab under scrutiny Judge’s decision may affect previous prosecutions council Farmington city election by Laura Adelmann

A Special Section Focusing on Summer Fun July 2012

Mature Lifestyles

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Caponi taps into Irish dance St. Paul’s O’Shea Dance nationally-recognized students will perform traditional Irish dances such as reel, slip and jig at Caponi Art Park. Page 12A

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Legion baseball teams rise up Lakeville North and South advance to championship rounds at the Gopher Classic baseball tournament. Page 10A

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filings open July 31 by Laura Adelmann Sun Thisweek

An 11-year Farmington resident and business leader will run for a position on the Farmington City Council in November. Doug Bonar, 55, a five-year member of the Farmington Planning Commission also in his first year as a member Doug Bonar of the Economic Development Authority, said his top priority as a council member would be attracting businesses to Farmington. “Economic development is, without question, one of the largest issues we have in Farmington,” Bonar said. To expand Farmington’s local economy and improve the tax base, Bonar said focus should be on attracting businesses that will transform the city into a destination in the metro. “The key in economic development for Farmington … is not to ask what is here, but what is not,” Bonar said. “What would get consumers to drive south instead of north?” In addition to attracting businesses, Bonar cited concerns about the city’s aging infrastructure and budget. “There are fewer (state and federal) dollars than we had in the past,” Bonar said. “We have to continue to look for efficiencies.” He said the city pool, ice arena and senior center are amenities that the community wants, but they are aging and need upkeep. “That’s a challenge for any community,” Bonar said. “To provide amenities that are budget-neutral.” Regarding whether the city should remain in the liquor business, a much-debated issue among Farmington City Council members concerned about the lack of profits, Bonar said he is not against government being in business. “I just want to make sure whatever we do, we do well,” Bonar said. He added that he is not seeking elected office with an agenda or because of any single issue, but because he feels he can “add value” to the community as a council member. Bonar said he would bring to the council his business background that includes experience in the public and private sectors. For 28 years, Bonar worked as director of buildings and grounds in school districts that include Farmington. He is now a construction contract administrator at a private company that builds and remodels school buildings throughout Minnesota. “I think I can adequately represent the citizens of this community and be a consistent conservative and good custodian of taxpayer dollars,” Bonar said. Bonar said a liberal arts education helps him to look at problems from many different angles and consider a variety of perspectives before making a decision. Bonar and his wife, Laura, have three children: Natalie, 28; Chance, 19, and Ian, 14. There are three positions up for election this year, held by Farmington Mayor Todd Larson and council members Julie May and Terry Donnelly. Larson has announced he is seeking re-election, but Donnelly and May have not announced whether they will run. Filings for City Council open July 31 and close Aug. 14; candidates have until Aug. 16 to withdraw their names from the race. The election is Nov. 6. Laura Adelmann is at laura.adelmann@ecm-inc.com or facebook. com/sunthisweek.

The St. Paul Crime Lab, under scrutiny for what two public defenders say are questionable testing practices, has been used almost exclusively in Dakota County drug cases for the past five years, said Dakota County Drug Task Force Cmdr. Dan Bianconi. While Bianconi and Dakota County Sheriff Dave Bellows credit the crime lab for its efficiency and quick turn-around

time, they both cited concerns about highly publicized court testimony from its employees this week indicating the lab’s practices may have compromised the reliability of the tests and results. Both officials indicated the county will likely seek other options for its future evidence testing. “My main concern is maintaining the integrity of our work,” Bianconi said. “That’s paramount and cannot be jeop-

ardized. We put far too much effort and labor into these cases, and we want them prosecuted and convicted. … We want our cases to be beyond reproach.” Bellows said he would talk with Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom and police chiefs this week to determine if changes are needed regarding where the county sends case evidence. During the three-day evidenSee crime lab, 20A

Cancer can’t keep her down Lakeville woman turns sickness into passion for Relay for Life by Aaron M. Vehling Sun Thisweek

It is a bargain many women have to make when suffering from breast cancer: A mastectomy for the possibility of getting rid of cancer. Deb Laugerude of Lakeville had endured five cancer scares and tumors were showing a deference for sticking around. “If I waited another year, it would have gone through my chest wall,” she said. There is a real psychological effect of a woman losing her breasts. But for Laugerude, she was dismissive. “I’m over 50 and have been married for more than 30 years, they’ve done their job,” she said. After witnessing a handful of family members die because of cancer, combined with her own fight, Laugerude, who had been somewhat involved with Relay for Life decided to become a more active volunteer. “Anything I can do for Relay for Life I will,” she said. She and many other people will be at the event at 5 p.m. Friday, July 20, at Lakeville South High

Photo by Aaron M. Vehling

Deb Laugerude is a cancer survivor and will be participating in this weekend’s Relay for Life at 5 p.m. Friday, July 20, at Lakeville South High School.

School. There are 179 participants on 24 teams so far with about $32,000 raised, according to the Relay for Life’s website. The Relay for Life is an overnight event that is the main vol-

unteer-driven fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, which says the event has raised about $3 billion worldwide since 1985 to support cancer research and awareness, among other things. Laugerude walks with a cane now. She has multiple sclerosis, so she won’t be able to walk in the event and cannot do a lot of heavy-lifting, but she has been involved in a capacity similar to her involvement with the Lakeville Lions: marketing and fundraising. As a cancer survivor, Laugerude has experienced a sea change in her outlook on life. In the past, Laugerude said she has not been keen on asking for help. “I’ve always been independent,” she said. “It’s not in my chemistry. I was a helper, not the helped.” But when cancer came and then MS, she has to rely in part on the goodwill of others. Another change of outlook centers on an overall awareness. “I’m more open about what’s happening in my life,” she said. Surviving cancer also, naturally, See Laugerude, 20A

Four finance director candidates considered

Farmington to select replacement for Teresa Walters by Laura Adelmann

File photo by Aaron M. Vehling

Noah Lind (center-left) and his grandfather (and then-principal) Terry Lind work on a computer assignment in his kindergarten class at Lakeview Elementary on May 31, 2011. The senior Lind retired after working 43 years in education.

Former principal to run for school board Terry Lind has more than 40 years of experience as an educator in District 194 by Aaron M. Vehling Sun Thisweek

Terry Lind, who last year retired from a 43-year career in Lakeville’s public school system, announced on Tuesday his candidacy for the Lakeville School Board. The former principal at Lakeview and JFK elementary schools cited his deep connections with the community and his intimate knowledge of school policy as reasons residents should vote for him. “I feel I really know how the school district works from the inside,” Lind said in an interview. “So many kids I’ve taught are now adults in the community. I even taught their kids and, in some cases, their grandkids.” In addition to his role in administration, Lind has been a junior high school social stud-

ies and communications teacher and an elementary school media generalist. “I have a good understanding of the educational system and the needs and wants of the different cultures that exist in the Lakeville community,” he said in a press release. “Our schools continue to face many challenges: the changing demographics in Lakeville, the decreases in the student age population, higher class sizes, additional parent costs for student transportation and student activities and more districtwide fiscal challenges in the future.” As has been previously reported, Lakeville’s school district faces declining enrollment as households age and as fewer young families move to the city. See Lind, 20A

Sun Thisweek

Four candidates are being considered as Farmington’s next finance director. City Administrator Dave McKnight said he planned to interview the candidates Thursday, after this issue David went to press. Candidates are McKnight Robin Hanson, former deputy commissioner and finance director for the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency; Andrew Lenz, a senior financial analyst for the city of Minneapolis; Daniel Lenz, senior management and budget analyst for Johnson County, Kan.; and Robert Mittet, former Maplewood finance director. McKnight said he did not know if the Lenz applicants are related. He said applicants that continue in the process will meet with city staff and Farmington City Council members, and all will have input into the hiring decision. McKnight said he will bring a hiring recommendation to the City Council for final approval. The position’s salary range is $76,447 to $93,684. According to their LinkedIn See candidates, 20A

July 20, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville

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Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville July 20, 2012

Lakeville VFW gets new leader

Randy Pronschinske seeks more community involvement

by Aaron M. Vehling Sun Thisweek

Randy Pronschinske of Lakeville is no stranger to community involvement: He is a regular at school board meetings and has even run for a seat on that board. The 12-year Navy veteran was elected the Lakeville VFW Post 210’s new commander recently and wants to leverage his outreach skills to grow the VFW and publicize its work in the community. Arnold Zach held the position for the past four years (a term is one year), but he was not interested in another term. Zach will be a senior vice commander. Pronschinske said he wants to improve the VFW’s connection with the community.

“The VFW is not a building. It’s not the bar,” he said. “It can exist without any of that.” Those are revenue points, to be sure, but he said the 320-member organization is about giving back to the community and helping veterans. He plans to revive the Voice of Democracy scholarship program, in which teens answer a question in essay form and give a speech, competing all the way up to a national tournament. This year’s question: “Is our Constitution still relevant?” The Post, he says, donates about $10,000 to $20,000 a year to various organizations, mainly to help veterans but there are scholarship programs and the like. The national VFW organization,

he said, is the biggest lobbyist for veterans’ causes, such as benefits and programs. “It’s no coincidence that Obama and Romney have speaking spots at the VFW National Convention in Reno,” Pronschinske said. Even though the organization might exist without the building in downtown Lakeville, the fact is the VFW has the building, and there are costs associated with that, Pronschinske said. The organization has been doing general maintenance work, such as repainting and furniture replacement. The bigger projects, such as bringing bathrooms up to code to accommodate the disabled, will take time. The cost for a project like that is about $15,000, Pronschinske said.

The VFW will also look into working with Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, an organization with which Pronschinske has met. Though the VFW might not do some of the daily activities that Yellow Ribbon does, he said, the VFW would donate money to support that organization’s cause. Building off that, Pronschinske addressed another major issue with VFWs everywhere: demographics and interest. Younger veterans might be members, but they are not as actively involved. This, he said, is largely because they are at a different point in their lives – with younger children and the responsibilities involved in raising them. There was also a rule that created a “20-year drought”

of new members, he said. Members, to join, must have fought in wars on foreign soil. After Vietnam, the United States got involved in smaller-scale foreign conflicts with fewer soldiers. With them spread out throughout the country, the odds of one of the 10,000 VFWs out there having a member from a given conflict diminished. “The average age is the mid- to low-70s,” he said. “We missed a generation.” The rules have been relaxed a bit to allow certain decorated veterans to join the VFW. Pronschinske is the first commander who did not fight on foreign soil, he said, though he did travel the world in a submarine. Additionally, the Af-

ghanistan and Iraq wars saw larger deployments, which means there is a better chance there are younger veterans out there who could be a part of the VFW. Outside of his role with the VFW, Pronschinske said he “personally knows 10 (veterans) who served in Iraq or Afghanistan.” “We know they’re not going to be engaged like us older or retired guys,” he said, “but if we can get them engaged a bit that would be great.” Aaron Vehling can be reached at aaron.vehling@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

County Board candidates to share views Farmington City Council, School Board forums planned Sun Thisweek

Economic concerns and future planning are just a few of the topics to be covered at the 7 p.m. July 26 Dakota County Board District 1 primary forum at Farmington City Hall. Invited are candidates Dean Birnstengel, Brian Jaye Budenski, Christy Jo Fogarty, Mark A. Henry and Mike Slavik. Dakota County Regional Chamber President Ruthe Batulis will moderate the event and pose questions to the candidates. During the forum, audience members can submit written questions that may be asked of any of the candidates who have filed to run in the Aug. 14 Primary elec-

Photo submitted

Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce President Ruthe Batulis will moderate the 7 p.m. July 26 District 1 Dakota County commissioner primary candidate forum at Farmington City Hall. tion. Questions directed to one particular candidate will

not be allowed. The forum will be telecast live in Farmington on Channel 16, said Mark Moore, cable coordinator for the Apple Valley, Farmington and Rosemount Cable Commission. Issues candidates may be asked about include those specific to District 1, budgeting and finance, the county’s Strategic Plan, property rights and parks, economic development, jail operations and transportation. The forum is designed to allow voters a more informed choice when, after 32 years, they will elect new representation in District 1, which includes Farmington, Hastings and area townships. Batulis said she hopes the

forum will provide voters a better understanding of the role of the county in citizens’ everyday lives and provide a focus for what she described as a “fairly hidden government.” “The Dakota County Board has control over so much of our daily lives,” she said. “It is really important to understand the scope of their work.”

After the Aug. 14 primary, the two candidates with the most votes will advance to the general election and compete for the seat held by Joe Harris since 1980. Co-sponsored by Sun Thisweek and the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce, the forum will be taped and shown on cable access television. The two organizations

are also planning forums for Farmington School Board and Farmington City Council candidates this fall. Laura Adelmann is at laura. adelmann@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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by Laura Adelmann

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Opinion

July 20, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville

Visionaries are helping high school students earn a two-year college degree by Joe Nathan Special to Sun Thisweek

They call it “4 for 2” and I call it brilliant. “They” are Long Prairie-Grey Eagle High School Principal Paul Weinzierl and Central Lakes College President Larry Lundblad. Their program saves students and families $20 to $30,000, by allowing high school students, taking classes in their high school, to simultaneously earn a high school diploma and a two-year, associate arts degree. Over the last two school years, 30 students have done this. About two-thirds of the high school’s approximately 180 juniors and seniors have earned at least some college credit. Weinzierl explained that the name comes from the fact that students can earn both a four-year high school and two-year college degree. Students are able to start taking a college level course in 10th grade (advanced placement biology). Many students in the 4+2 program started with this class. Long Prairie-Grey Eagle also offers some college level vocational courses on its campus, such as welding. Weinzierl says “we hope to offer more in the future.” Dr. Mike Lopez, associate vice chan-

Sun Thisweek Columnist

Joe Nathan

cellor for student affairs at Minnesota State Colleges and Universities notes that “credits earned through CLC’s concurrent enrollment programs are fully transferable within the MnSCU system as determined by Board Policy.” At private and other colleges and universities, a determination is made about how many of these courses will be accepted for credit. The 4+2 began about four years ago when a student discussed taking advanced courses on a college campus. Weinzierl thought this would be “cumbersome” and also hoped that the school could develop a program encouraging students to stay in the high school, rather than participate in Post Secondary Enrollment Options. Moreover, “the nearest college is about an hour away, so students taking PSEO would be taking not only funds, but also their leadership skills.” For about a year, Central Lakes trained

high school faculty at Long Prairie-Grey Eagle so they could offer some college level courses. “We have the same syllabus and in most cases the same book (as is used at Central Lakes),” Weinzierl said. “Central Lakes was wonderful to work with – they are really collaborative.” The high school “had the vision,” Lundblad said “I applaud them. We were glad to help.” Though other nearby high schools have not asked for an identical program, Central Lakes has worked with a number of others to develop College in the Schools courses, courses taught through an “Instructional Television” consortium, and Post Secondary Enrollment Options courses on campus. Lundblad reports that about 45 area high school students earned AA degrees last year, along with students who took some classes. Brenda Cassellius, Minnesota Commissioner of Education gave the commencement address at Long Prairie-Grey Eagle this year and helped confer the associate degrees. She told me “Long Prairie-Grey Eagle is leading the way in creating expanded college access and rigor to their students by forging rich partner-

ships with Central Lakes College. This is the way of the future. LPGE is showing us all that it is possible … this kind of innovation … will transform how we think about college and high school and make grades 11-14 much more relevant, fluid and integrated.” Recently the Public Broadcasting System featured a Texas school district serving mostly low-income Spanish-speaking students that has a similar program. Superintendent Daniel King started it. Here’s a link to the program: http://learningmatters.tv/blog/on-pbs-newshour/ watch-early-college-hs-in-south-texas/10190. PBS reporter John Merrow notes that the program has dramatically reduced the district’s dropout rate. The program also helped many students from low income families not only enter college, but also earn a two-year degree. Weinzierl, King and Lundblad are practical visionaries. Joe Nathan, formerly a Minnesota public school teacher and administrator, directs the Center for School Change. He can be reached at joe@centerforschoolchange. org. Columns reflect the opinion of the author.

Letters Government will take care of you To the editor: How can anyone not share Don Heinzman’s enthusiasm for the recent Supreme Court decision making Obamacare constitutional? After all, we know that we as individuals hate to have to make decisions and it is really wonderful to have the federal government take that responsibility from us. Could you imagine someone who eats very healthy, works out and does not want to pay for health insurance? How dare they try to put a dent in President Obama’s reelection statistics. These kind of free choices must be eliminated. We would much rather have our brain surgeries and open-heart operations be determined by the kind of people who work at the Department of Motor Vehicles – aren’t they practically brain surgeons themselves? Or how about having our children’s check-ups be performed by those selfless defenders of freedom – the Transportation Security Administration? After all, they can do a very thorough exam of your children – for a preview just buy a plane ticket. We know that nobody would ever think to drop their insurance and pay the lower amount for a fine (oh that’s right – tax) until they have a pre-existing condition. We also know profit-motivated employers would never dream of dropping their employee’s coverage and pay the smaller fine be-

cause they know their employees would be covered by the government. Heinzman is a big proponent of education. I bet he just loves the fact that our top students will flock to the medical profession just so the federal government can limit what they can charge as the feds do in Medicare. Meanwhile all the high school dropouts get free medical coverage paid for by those top students. Is this a great country or what? Hal Cranmer Lakeville

Beware of will predators To the editor: There are people in the Lakeville area that will “help” you “type” up your will and health directive. They “help” by taking advantage of vulnerable men who are lonely, widowed or divorced, have mental health issues, dementia and/or are addicted to alcohol or drugs. They hear about the men through word of mouth and visit them in the dark of night. They befriend the men. They get the men’s sympathy by telling stories about their childhood, such as growing up in foster homes, having been through every kind of abuse and having terminal cancer. They will tell the men not to tell anyone about the will, especially their family, because the family wouldn’t like what it says. After the man dies, red flags should go up when: • They won’t let the family see the will. Attorneys say an honest person would show the will to

relatives. • They insist on immediately changing the deceased homeowner’s door locks. An attorney says you don’t have to change the door locks until after probate. • They charge for “helping” to write the will. • They charge a fee of 10 percent of the estate. The Minnesota Attorney General says 0 percent to 3 percent of the total estate is the norm. • They need three years to settle the deceased man’s estate. • The documents were notarized at a local bank. Some notaries will no longer notarize wills because they do not want to appear at court hearings, trials or give depositions. I have been told the will helpers’ past behavior predicts their future behavior. Who do you think the deceased men’s estate will go to? Not the deceased man’s family. For more information, contact Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson at (651) 296-3353 or www.ag.state.mn.us and ask for booklet “Probate and Planning.” COLLEEN POWELL Lakeville

A watershed moment To the editor: The startling editorial about the reach of poverty in the state and south metro communities was part of a one-two punch to wake us up to the challenges confronting us in redesigning businesses, government, communities and families for the new economy. The other part

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.

of the punch was a call to cooperation, personal responsibility and innovation itself in forging new directions and opportunities for coming generations. Sometimes it just takes things getting bad enough before there is the willingness to consider something different. The need for a hand-up is an ongoing crisis when virtually 99 percent of us have seen falling incomes while the fortunate few have had excellent luck in gaining resources. People work three jobs to put food on the table. We scramble mightily to educate our kids. And the young folks’ prospects seem to diminish before our very eyes. The RedesigningMN. org site is a valuable impetus for all of us to use. We must help our poorest citizens survive, and we must build new and better opportunities for us all to work. Candidates like former state Rep. Mike Obermueller and U.S. Rep. John Kline will be discussing a new kind of world and 2nd Congressional District. It’s an interesting several months before us. Paul Hoffinger Eagan

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Fourteen years of being an ‘obstructionist’ is 14 too many To the editor: Elect Colin Lee, who has lived in Lakeville’s District 58A for over a decade, as your state representative. Lee is opposing 14-year incumbent state representative Mary Liz Holberg, who is moving into 58A from a different district to maintain her power for another two

years. After 14 years, Holberg is chair of the Ways and Means Committee, which made her the highestranking budget official in the Legislature when the shutdown occurred. Holberg is rightly named an “obstructionist” for another reason besides the shutdown. For 14 years, she single-handedly blocked a bill supported by many adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive families. This bill would grant adoptees their right to their original birth certificate. This session, she used her chair position to block our bill from even receiving a hearing. Holberg said she wanted “sunshine” on the stadium issue. She claims she does not trust government to make decisions. However, she opposes “sunshine” and routinely makes bureaucratic, heavy-handed decisions for adoptees and their birth parents. She cited “personal privacy rights” in spite of a provision which would allow birth parents to remain anonymous and block the release of the certificate. Her behavior shows she cannot be trusted to use her position wisely. At least eight states have restored this right to adoptees with no problems, yet Holberg continues to oppose it. Elect Colin Lee to right this wrong and end her obstructionism. I choose to fight for this bill because my three children were happily reunited with their birth families after 20 years. It was a precious moment in their lives. An adoptee’s original birth certificate is vital to them. Let their reunion properly be their decision. Don’t leave it to lifelong politicians.

EUNICE ANDERSON Burnsville

Who pays for photo ID? To the editor: I was wondering, after reading a previous letter, how the new photo IDs are going to be paid for. If in fact they will be free, won’t the burden fall on the Minnesota taxpayer? Will this be an ongoing expense for the taxpayer every year in order to cover everyone who moves? Stops driving? Goes away to college? Needs to vote while traveling on the job? Those temporarily employed out of state? Everyone who turns 18 every year but won’t be driving? Does anyone know? LYNDA MACKIE Apple Valley

This dog likes the new park To the editor: Hats off to Eagan! I have been waiting for a dog park since I moved here 9 months ago, from a rescue home. I couldn’t even wait for the official opening July 17, so my owners got a park license Monday, and even though it was 98 degrees, we went for a test run. It was great, but I got pooped running all over in the heat. Remember to bring water. Much to look forward to. My thanks to Mayor Mike Maguire and the council for their efforts. Dakota Miller springer, 5 years old Editor’s note: Dakota’s owners Sharon and Alan Miller of Eagan submitted the letter.

Lakeville man charged with alleged $1.4 million swindle Former mayor’s husband could face 30 years in prison

In federal court July 10, a 57-year-old Lakeville man was charged with fraudulently obtaining more than $1.4 million in loans from four different banks, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice. Kevin A. Dahl, husband of former Lakeville Mayor Holly Dahl, was charged with one count of bank fraud in connection to this case. According to the release, from Feb. 6, 2007 to Feb. 1, 2008 Dahl submitted false applications and supporting documents for loans he sought from various banks. In the applications, he alleg-

edly overstated his assets, writing that he had a net worth of more than $9 million, which the Justice Department says is not the case. Dahl allegedly obtained the loan money from four banks: Lake Area Bank, First National Bank of Northfield, Voyager Bank and Community Banks of Colorado. If convicted, Dahl faces a possible maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, which will be determined by a federal district court judge. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was responsible for investigating the case. –Aaron M. Vehling

Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville July 20, 2012

Klobuchar, Kline tackle idle trains in Lakeville Neighbors have advocated for change since 2009

by Aaron M. Vehling Sun Thisweek

U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Rep. John Kline (Lakeville) called on the Surface Transportation Board to press Progressive Rail to find a solution for the empty rail cars parked in Lakeville, according to a July 12 statement from Klobuchar’s office. In a joint letter to the board, Klobuchar and Kline wrote: “The storage of these rail cars has caused adjacent residential property owners to express concerns regarding negative effects on their homes and the general welfare of the community. We request your assistance in facilitating a resolution to this ongoing impasse.” Progressive Rail of Lakeville began storing the empty rail cars on

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File photo

Pam Steinhagen stands in her backyard in 2009, just a few feet from where a train car used to haul ethanol was parked. freight tracks in Lakeville in 2009. Most of them are in areas along Highway 50. Owner Dave Fellon said at the time that the

economic downturn led to his having to park them along tracks in neighborhoods. The company has been under pressure from lo-

cal advocacy groups, residents and city officials to find an alternative. “It’s an eyesore,” said Jeff Vanden Busch, whose wife, Angela, has taken to social media to help advocate for their cause. He lives near Lake Marion. “I get a note about code violations if I have garbage out back and this guy can park rail cars?” Fellon could not be reached for additional comment by the time this edition went to press. For the full letter, go to http://sunthisweek. com/2012/07/12/klobuchar-kline-tackle-idletrains-in-lakeville/. Aaron Vehling can be reached at aaron.vehling@ ecm-inc.com or facebook. com/sunthisweek.

July 20, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville

Mayor receives painful donation Farmington mayor will be Tased for a cause

by Laura Adelmann Sun Thisweek

Farmington Mayor Todd Larson’s July 25 graduation may prove jolting for him and beneficial to others. Larson and a few other Farmington Police Citizens Academy graduates will consent to be Tased for a few seconds during the 6 p.m. ceremony at Farmington City Hall. Larson is using the event to encourage food shelf donations toward his $500 goal. “I’m very nervous about it, but it’s going to a good cause,” Larson said. Larson will be Tased if he reaches his goal or not, though there are some folks in the community who don’t want him to be Tased because the shock delivered can be very painful. His commitment inspired Farmington Celts Pub manager Katie Gisla-

Photo by Laura Adelmann

Farmington Mayor Todd Larson will be Tased to “celebrate” graduation from the Farmington Police Citizens Academy and is seeking food shelf donations to recognize the event. son to hold two events Saturday, July 21, to help raise donations. Celts Pub patrons can purchase $1 tickets from

6-8 p.m. for a chance to win high-quality grill meat packages including hamburger and steak; a portion of the money raised will be donated to the food shelf. From 8 to 11 p.m., Celts will host a beer bash, selling three hours of all-you-candrink beer for $10; 50 percent of the cups sold will be donated to the food shelf. Gislason said she expects the events will raise most of the money needed to meet Larson’s goal. “If we can get a good crowd in here, we could donate upwards of $300 to $400,” Gislason said. “I hope we have a good turnout and get this raised for him. Then everything else is extra.” Donations of money and food are being accepted at Farmington City Hall. More families are turning to the food shelf for help because during summer va-

cation schools do not serve their children two meals per day, said Kris Akin, food shelf volunteer. Some of the biggest needs are for peanut butter, fruit, snack food, juice, and cereal, Akin said. She added that the money raised by Larson’s action will likely be used for eggs and milk. “We want to provide healthy, nutritious meals for our families,” Akin said. Larson said although he is nervous about being Tased, it helps that he is doing it for a good cause. “If I can do this and the food shelf can get something for it, I’m willing to suffer through 3 to 5 seconds of misery,” Larson said. Laura Adelmann is at laura. adelmann@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Zach Johnson promoted from interim Lakeville city engineer position by Aaron M. Vehling Sun Thisweek

The City of Lakeville has found a replacement for longtime City Engineer Keith Nelson, who retired last year after about 30 years with the city. Zach Johnson, who has been an assistant city engineer and interim city engineer, will immediately fill the role officially. Johnson was selected after a regional search, according to a report from the city. “His background and experience in the engineering field, as well as his knowledge of the City of Lakeville, make him a great fit for the position,” said Public Works Director Christopher Petree in a statement. Johnson

has been a city employee since 2001, when he was hired on as a civil engineer. The city engineer, who reports directly to the public works director, is responsible for the planning and coordination of activities of the engineering division, which also includes environmental resources and geographical information systems. The position was changed after Nelson retired, when the engineering and operations and maintenance departments were merged into the Department of Public Works. Aaron Vehling can be reached at aaron.vehling@ ecm-inc.com or facebook. com/sunthisweek.

Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville July 20, 2012

Photo submitted

Myron Orfield, director of the Institute on Race and Poverty at the University of Minnesota and Minneapolis legislator from 1991-2002, says concentrations of poverty can be overcome by cities banding together to demand change.

Cities, schools can battle poverty

Lack of affordable housing requirements in region fuel problems by T.W. Budig Sun Thisweek

Concentrations of poverty shown on Myron Orfield’s maps lunge into the suburbs, suggesting a dynamic that could leave cities like Brooklyn Center, Columbia Heights and other suburban communities as beleaguered as north Minneapolis, Orfield believes. “Probably (with) worse problems,” said Orfield, director of the Institute on Race and Poverty at the University of Minnesota and Minneapolis legislator from 1991-2002. Suburbs are vulnerable, according to Orfield, because many of them don’t have the “horsepower” of the central city. “It has a big downtown tax base. It has wealthy neighborhoods. There’s a certain stability in these big cities that these first and second-ring suburbs aren’t going to have,” he said. As for third-ring suburb Burnsville, its school district has encountered budget challenges as its student population has become more diverse and poor. While the district has a broad residential and commercial tax base, it has had to pare it budget and consider changes like a fourday school week and closing a school building in order to save money.

The Minnesota Department of Education found that nearly 50 percent of elementary school students in District 191 are minority and 48 percent of students receive free or reduced price lunches. Last school year, the department labeled Sky Oaks “racially identified,” which means it has at least 20 percent more minority students than elementary schools districtwide.

Debilitating cycle Orfield views a debilitating cycle at work in a growing area of the innerring suburbs, one creating low-opportunity neighborhoods, struggling schools and stressed local government. He depicts it as fueled to a great extent by a failure at providing affordable housing equitably across the entire metro area, a failure he places at the doorstep of the Metropolitan Council. Beginning in the late 1980s, the council began to backslide from policies it followed for more than 20 years, such as affordable housing being a prerequisite for gaining regional amenities in outer-ring suburbs, Orfield said. “They really defeated this (concentration-ofpoverty) problem, and then they just dropped the ball,”

Orfield said. “And it wasn’t racists who did it; it was just dumb.” In the book “Region,” by Orfield and Institute on Race and Poverty researcher Thomas Luce Jr., the men argue that ill-directed federal housing programs have contributed to concentrations of poverty. The authors argue that Low-Income House Tax Credit Program and Section 8 housing units and vouchers are disproportionately centered in Minneapolis, St. Paul and “stressed” inner suburbs where the population of minority and low-income people is already high. More than three-quarters of metro area residents of color live in the central cities and stressed suburbs – such as Crystal, Fridley, Robbinsdale and Coon Rapids – with two-fifths of the region’s white residents living in “low-opportunity” communities. “People may be fleeing increasing concentrations of poverty as much at they’re fleeing black people or Latino people or Asian people. I think that’s what people are really choosing against,” Orfield said. Concentration of poverty – the creation of low-opportunity neighborhoods – has a corrosive effect on See Orfield, 9A

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July 20, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville

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Farmington Briefs Groundbreaking for Veterans Memorial The Veterans Memorial Committee will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Veterans Memorial at 2 p.m. Friday, July 20. The memorial is located in Rambling River Park, along Highway 50, just east of Akin Road.

New publication for residents The City News & Recreation Guide is a new publication for the greater Farmington community. It is designed to appeal to a larger audience and replace The Bridge newsletter and the Parks and Recreation brochure publications. The next issue will be mailed out in time for the city’s Parks and Recreation

fall program registration, which begins on Monday, July 30. The guide announces what is happening in city government and provides answers to frequently asked questions. Look inside for fun activities and events for all ages and abilities. The publication will be mailed four times a year and posted on the city website. Visit www. ci.farmington.mn.us for more information.

Farmington Library events The Farmington Library, 508 Third St., has planned the following events. Call (651) 438-0250 for more information. • Travel Safety Seminar with AAA, 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 23. Learn how to stay safe when traveling by plane or automo-

bile, when staying in a hotel or when traveling internationally. Get tips on how to keep your home secure while you’re gone. Presented by AAA and Farmington Parks and Recreation. • Jewelry from Junk with ArtStart, 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, July 26. Create a pin, a necklace or bracelet to jazz up your wardrobe using recycled Micarta chips, beads and buttons. Supplies provided. Registration required. For ages 4 to 12. • Double Trouble Birthday with The PuppetTellers, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, July 28. The PuppetTellers share the story of two friends who throw their birthday parties on the same day at the same time – causing a rift in their relationship. For all ages.

Farmington Seniors The Rambling River Center is located at 325 Oak St. For more information on trips, programs and other activities, call (651) 280-6970.

Diamond Jo’s Casino Seniors can travel to Northwood, Iowa, for a day at Diamond Jo’s Casino Wednesday, Aug. 15. Program time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost: $25/members, $35/ nonmembers. Lunch included. Bus will leave from the Rambling River Center. Deadline: Aug. 1.

Sunshine Boys See Neil Simon’s “The Sunshine Boys” Wednesday, Aug. 22, at the Guthrie Theater. Program time: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Trip includes a backstage tour. Lunch or

snack on your own. Cost: $40/members, $50/nonmembers. Bus will leave from the Rambling River Center. Deadline: July 26.

Minneapolis/ Nicollet Mall Take a bus and light rail Thursday, Aug. 30, to downtown Minneapolis. Visit the Farmer’s Market and the Mary Tyler Moore statue. Lunch at Brit’s Pub. Program time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost: $10/members, $20/nonmembers. Bus will leave from the Rambling River Center. Deadline: Aug. 23.

Wabasha Street Caves, tacky tour On Wednesday, Sept. 19, start with lunch at Joseph’s Grill before going to the

Wabasha Street Caves for a 45-minute walking tour. Then hop a bus for the Twin Town Tack Tour of tacky place in St. Paul and Minneapolis. Program time: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost: $39/ members, $49/nonmembers. Bus will leave from the Rambling River Center. Deadline: Aug. 29.

Cirque Dreams – Winter Wonderland Spend Friday, Nov. 30, at Mystic Lake Casino with morning gaming, lunch on your own, followed by a performance of Cirque Dreams – Winter Wonderland. Bus will leave from the Rambling River Center. Program time: 9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Cost: $39/members, $49/nonmembers. Deadline: Sept. 10.

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PUBLIC NOTICE

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Rural Utilities Service Dairyland Power Cooperative: CapX 2020 Hampton-Rochester-La Crosse Transmission Line Project AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA. ACTION: Notice of Availability of a Final Environmental Impact Statement. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) has prepared a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to meet its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), RUS' implementing regulations, 7 CFR 1794, and other applicable environmental requirements related to providing financial assistance to Dairyland Power Cooperative (Dairyland) for its share in the construction of a proposed 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line and associated infrastructure between Hampton, Minnesota and the La Crosse area in Wisconsin (the proposed project). Dairyland is participating in the proposed project with a number of other utilities (Applicants). The purpose of the proposed project is to: (1) improve community reliability of the transmission system in Rochester, Winona, La Crosse, and the surrounding areas, which include areas served by Dairyland; (2) improve the regional reliability of the transmission system; and (3) increase generation outlet capacity. DATE: Written comments on this Final EIS will be accepted 30 days following the publication of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's notice of receipt of the Final EIS in the Federal Register. ADDRESSES: A copy of the Final EIS may be viewed online at the following website: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/UWP-CapX2020-Hampton-Rochester-LaCrosse.html and at the following repositories: Alma Public Library 312 North Main Street Alma, WI 54610 Phone: 608-685-3823

Shirley M. Wright Memorial Library 11455 Fremont Street Trempealeau, WI 54661 Phone: 608-534-6197.

Arcadia Public Library 406 E Main Street Arcadia, WI 54612 Phone: 608-323-7505.

Tri-County Electric 31110 Cooperative Way Rushford, MN 55971 Phone: 507-864-7783.

Campbell Library 2219 Bainbridge Street La Crosse, WI 54603 Phone: 608-783-0052.

La Crosse Public Library 800 Main Street La Crosse, WI 54601 Phone: 608-789-7100.

Cannon Falls Library 306 West Mill Street Cannon Falls, MN 55009 Phone: 507-263-2804.

Onalaska Public Library 741 Oak Avenue, South Onalaska, WI 54650 Phone: 608-781-9568.

Dairyland Power Cooperative 500 Old State Highway 35 Alma, WI 54610 Phone: 608-685-4497.

People's Cooperative Services 3935 Hwy 14 E Rochester, MN 55903 Phone: 507-288-4004.

Galesville Public Library 16787 South Main Street Galesville, WI 54630 Phone: 608-582-2552.

Plainview Public Library 345 1st Avenue Northwest Plainview, MN 55964 Phone: 507-534-3425.

Holmen Area Library 103 State Street Holmen, WI 54636 Phone: 608-526-4198.

Van Horn Public Library 115 SE 3rd Street Pine Island, MN 55963 Phone: 507-356-8558.

Kenyon Public Library 709 2nd Street Kenyon, MN 55946 Phone: 507-789-6821.

Xcel Energy 5050 Service Drive Winona, MN 55987 Phone: 507-457-1236.

Riverland Energy Cooperative, N28988 State Road 93 Arcadia, WI 54612 Phone: 608-323-3381.

Xcel Energy 1414 West Hamilton Avenue Eau Claire, WI 54701 Phone: 715-839-2621.

Rochester Public Library 101 2nd Street SE. Rochester, MN 55904 Phone: 507-328-2300.

Zumbrota Public Library 100 West Avenue Zumbrota, MN 55992 Phone: 507-732-5211.

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This is a summary of the Intermediate School District 917 Regular School Board Meeting on Tuesday, July 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.isd917.k12.mn.us or the District Office at 1300 145th Street East, Rosemount, MN 55068. The meeting was called to order at 5:27 PM. Board members present: Arlene Bush, Ron Hill, Jill Lewis, Kathy Lewis, Deb Clark, Vanda Pressnall, Tom Ryerson, Veronica Walter, and administrators were present. Absent: Dan Cater. Oath of office was administered to reappointed Board Member Arlene Bush from Bloomington. Good news reports were presented. The following Consent Agenda items were approved: minutes, personnel, donations, bills to be paid, wire transfers and the investment report. Reports presented: Lease Levy Allocation; Safe Schools Levy Allocation; Workers Compensation Insurance. Recommended actions approved: Membership with Metro ECSU, AMSD, and MSBA for 2012-2013; Resolution approving Health and Safety Program Budget; Health and Safety Plan and Indoor Air Quality Management Plan and Written Plans; Temporary Work Agreement Report; DCALS and DCALS North Student Handbook for 2012-2013; and Special Education Student Handbook for 2012-201; Terms and Conditions of Employment for PC Technician and Custodial/Delivery Staff. Adjournment at 6:51 PM. 3081840 7/20/12

District 917 School Board Proceedings

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: To obtain copies of the Final EIS or for further information, contact: Stephanie Strength, Environmental Protection Specialist, USDA, Rural Utilities Service, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 2244, Stop 1571, Washington, DC 20250-1571, or email stephanie.strength@wdc.usda.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) are participating in the EIS as cooperating agencies, with RUS as the lead Federal agency. The Final EIS addresses the construction and operation of the proposed project, which, in addition to the 345-kV transmission line and associated infrastructure, includes 161-kV transmission lines in the vicinity of Rochester, Minnesota; construction of two new and expansion of three substations, with a total transmission line length of approximately 171 miles. Counties through which the proposed project may pass include Dakota, Goodhue, Wabasha, and Olmsted in Minnesota, and La Crosse, Trempealeau, and Buffalo in Wisconsin. Among the alternatives addressed in the Final EIS is the No Action alternative, under which the proposed project would not be undertaken. Additional alternatives addressed in the EIS include route alternatives prepared for the proposed project by the states of Minnesota and Wisconsin. RUS has carefully studied public health and safety, environmental impacts, and engineering aspects of the proposed project. RUS used input provided by government agencies, private organizations, and the public in the preparation of the Final EIS. RUS has considered all comments received on the Draft EIS, and revised the EIS accordingly. Following the 30-day comment period for the Final EIS, RUS will prepare a Record of Decision (ROD). A notice announcing the availability of the ROD will be published in the Federal Register. In accordance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and its implementing regulation, "Protection of Historic Properties" (36 CFR 800) and as part of its broad environmental review process, RUS must take into account the effect of the proposed project on historic properties. Pursuant to 36 CFR 800.2(d)(3), RUS is using its procedures for public involvement under NEPA to meet its responsibilities to solicit and consider the views of the public during Section 106 review. Any party wishing to participate more directly with RUS as a "consulting party" in Section 106 review may submit a written request to the RUS contact provided in this notice. The proposed project involves unavoidable impacts to wetlands and floodplains; this Notice of Availability also serves as a statement of no practicable alternatives to impacts on wetlands and floodplains, in accordance with Executive Orders 11990 and 11988, respectively (see Final EIS Sections 3.2 and 3.5). Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project will be subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal, State and local environmental laws and regulations, and completion of the environmental review requirements as promulgated in RUS' Environmental Policies and Procedures (7 CFR 1794). 3077936 7/20/12

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District 917 School Board Proceedings

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This is a summary of the Intermediate School District 917 Organizational School Board Meeting on Tuesday, July 10, 2012, with full text available for public inspection on the district website at www.isd917.k12.mn.us or the District Office at 1300 145th Street East, Rosemount, MN 55068. The meeting was called to order at 5:00 PM followed by the pledge of allegiance. Board members present: Deborah Clark, Ron Hill, Jill Lewis, Kathy Lewis, Vanda Pressnall, Tom Ryerson, Veronica Walter, and administrators were present. Oath of office was administered to newly appointed Board Member Ron Hill (Burnsville), and reelected Board Member Vanda Pressnall (Randolph). The following officers were elected for 2012-2013: Chair/Deborah Clark; Vice-Chair/Jill Lewis; Clerk/Vanda Pressnall; Treasurer/Kathy Lewis. Recommended actions approved: School Board meetings dates for 2012-2013 to be held on the 1st Tuesday of each month at 5:30 PM, with the exception of August 21 at 5:30 PM and November 6, 2012, beginning at 4:30 PM; designated SUN/Thisweek Newspapers, Lillie Suburban Newspapers, Inc.; and the Hastings Star Gazette as official newspapers for ISD 917; ISD 917's Public Notice regarding student records; no increase in annual compensation for 917 Board members; designate depositories; authorize Business Manager to make short-term investments, to use facsimile signatures of Board officials, to perform the duties of clerk and treasurer as provided in M.N. 123.34, subd. 1, to make electronic transfer of funds, and to lease/purchase, and contract for goods and services within the Board approved budget. Committee and representative assignments were slightly modified. Adjournment at 5:25 PM. 3081497 7/20/12

�� District 194 School Board Proceedings

This is a summary of the Independent School District No.194 Regular School Board Meeting on Tues, June 26, 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 7:01 p.m. followed by pledge of allegiance. All board members and administrators were present. Public Comment: Anna Angeles-Farris, 9795 Upper 205th St. W and Leif Grina, 4937 Upton Ave. S as representatives of the custodial bargaining unit, asked the district to consider the role of community banks to strengthen the community. Consent agenda items approved: minutes of the meetings on June 12 & 14; employment recommendations, leave requests and resignations; non-affiliated contract agreement, 2012-13 as presented; additional staffing, 2012-13 as presented; payment of bills and claims subject to annual audit; wire transfers/investments; and 2012-13 milk bids award to Dean Foods. Reports presented: Student nutrition update; local literacy report; iLearn 194 update; key work of school boards. Recommended actions approved: Policy C-60 Health & Safety; Policy F-260 Acceptable Use - Electronic Resources; AP biology resources; 2012-13 preliminary budget. Closed session was held for discussion regarding Superintendent summative evaluation in accordance with MN Statute 13D.05(3). Adjournment at 10:51 p.m. __________________________________ This is a summary of the Independent School District No. 194 Special Board of Education Meeting on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 with full text available for public inspection on the district website at www.isd194.k12.mn.us or 8670 210th Street W., Lakeville, MN 55044 The meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m. All board members, Superintendent Snyder, Mr. Massaros and Mr. Klett were present. Closed Session: Update was provided regarding contract negotiations in accordance with MN Statute 13D.03. Meeting adjourned at 6:39 p.m. 3081524 7/20/12

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Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville July 20, 2012

A job well done

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Photo by Laura Adelmann

Farmington Mayor Todd Larson presented a plaque at the July 16 City Council meeting to Dawn Johnson in recognition for her 18 years of service on Farmington’s Parks and Recreation Commission. Farmington Parks and Recreation Director Randy Distad said the commission values Johnson’s input tremendously and will miss her. “If we get stuck, we might give her a call,” Distad said. orfield, from 7A the middle-class attitudes and values many people of all races strongly feel. “You live in a community that’s upwardly mobile, it pulls you up,” Orfield said. “A good kid in a bad neighborhood can get pulled into trouble.”

School segregating Public schools reflect the concentration of poverty afflicting the metro, Orfield argues. An unhealthy synergy exists between the two. Metro schools are segregating, Orfield said. According to Orfield and Luce, two decades ago, just nine elementary schools in the metro were nonwhite segregated. By 2008, the number had jumped to 108 – 23 percent. Almost all of these schools have high poverty rates, the men point out. Over the same time, the number of integrated schools increased from 22 to 37 percent, reflecting that white students were less likely to attend allwhite schools.

At the same time, the percentage of black and Hispanic students attending nonwhite segregated schools almost quadrupled for blacks to 51 percent and increased for Hispanic students from 3 to 43 percent. Students of color increasingly attend segregated schools with other students of color but not with whites, Orfield and Luce argue.

Reversing trends Despite growth in the concentrations of poverty and problems with schools, Orfield is upbeat about reversing current trends. The Twin Cities remains the second whitest, second most affluent metro area in the country with the smallest percentage of poverty, he said. “Our challenges are not huge,” Orfield said. “We have the laws in place to do it. We just don’t use them.” If the older suburban areas would unite with Minneapolis and St. Paul and insist newer suburbs do their fair share in terms of affordable housing, the tide

could be turned, Orfield said. “(But) I don’t see that happening right now,” he added. “You’ll see a lot of those northern suburbs become poorer, and more disinvested, and have more empty stores.” The days of traditional “white flight” are over, he explained. “You don’t really have ‘white flight’ from cities anymore. You have it from suburbs to other suburbs,” he said. A renewed sense of regionalism, besides being more just, can save money, Orfield explained, but it takes collective action. Minnesotans in general are welcoming to new groups of people, Orfield said. “I think Minnesota people are more hopeful and decent than the rest of the country,” he said. “It’s polarized (right now), but in general we’re better.” T.W. Budig can be reached at tim.budig@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

10A

Sports

July 20, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville

Lakeville North Legion blooms in July Baseball team makes final four in 84-team tournament

Photos by Andy Rogers

Above: Lakeville North’s Sam Petrick (19) throws a pitch to Coon Rapids in the Gopher Classic semifinal game in Minnetonka on Tuesday. Right: Lakeville North’s Dalton Lehnen (58) takes a swing during the Gopher Classic semifinals Tuesday in Minnetonka. Lakeville North was one of the last four teams playing in the 84-team American Legion baseball tournament. by Andy Rogers Sun Thisweek

Lakeville North outlasted the majority of the teams in the Jim Hanus Gopher Classic, the largest American Legion baseball tournament in the country with 84 teams. After winning its pool over the weekend in Elko and advancing through the championship bracket Monday, the party came to an end Tuesday in Minnetonka against a Coon Rapids team that went on to

win the tournament. After eight games in five days, Lakeville North didn’t have many pitching arms rested and ready. “It was a lot of baseball over the past few days,” co-head coach Josh Storm said. “You could tell they were getting a little tired.” Lakeville North put itself in an eight-run hole in the second inning. Coon Rapids’ bats seemingly found the ball wherever Lakeville North pitchers threw it, eventually winning

15-2. It was an oddly quiet afternoon for Lakeville North, which had been knocking the ball around this season, scoring 241 runs with a .365 team batting average. Last season the team totaled a little more than 200 runs. The top of the lineup with Zach Creighton (31 hits, 39 runs) and Brandon Morgan (.473 batting average) had been setting the table for Austin Streit (.417, 31 RBI) and T.J. Evanson (.459, nine home runs, 40

RBI), and Dalton Lehnen (.491 average, 1.259 OPS). “We could go to every single guy on the field and say something they’ve done,” Storm said. “Everyone is carrying their weight. Eric Rutt at shortstop, Henry (Wehlage) got hot for a while and so did Adam Alexander. It’s hard to pinpoint a few guys.” On the mound Jordan Jacobson (6-0, 2.32 ERA), Joel Klinkhammer (3-2, 36 strikeouts) and Cole Nonweiler (4-1, 2.35) have kept

the team competitive, while Sam Petric (2.09) has saved the team a number of times in relief recently. Lakeville North defeated Sioux Falls (S.D.) West 7-3 and New Ulm Gold 7-5 in the Gopher Classic playoffs to advance to the semifinals. In pool play, Lakeville North defeated the Rochester A’s 5-2, Harrisonville, Mo., 9-5, Alexandria 11-3, Mitchell, S.D., 13-5 and Hopkins 5-2 to win Site 10. It was the third time this season Lakeville North won

its pool in a tournament to advance to the championship round. The others were the Burnsville Snake Pit tournament, where North lost to eventual champion Excelsior, and in Duluth, where North lost to Wayzata in the championship division. Andy Rogers can be reached at andy.rogers@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Lakeville South Legion in midst of best summer yet Baseball team wins pool in Gopher Classic

by Andy Rogers Sun Thisweek

Photo submitted

The Dakota REV Rampage poses with its trophy and medals after finishing second in the girls vElite Under-16 division at the USA Cup Weekend tournament.

Local team competes with elite soccer squads

Dakota REV girls U16s just miss out on trip to Sweden

by Mike Shaughnessy Sun Thisweek

Dakota REV Soccer Club’s Under-16 girls Premier team is accustomed to traveling, but last weekend found itself one victory from a once-in-a-lifetime journey. The local team reached the championship game in the Puma vElite Group, held during the July 13-15 USA Cup Weekend tournament at the National Sports Center in Blaine. The event, billed by USA Cup officials as a “tournament within a tournament,” features several of the top domestic boys and girls club teams at the U16 level. In the girls division, the Dakota REV Rampage played the So Cal Blues of California for the championship – and an expensespaid trip to Sweden to train with one of the world’s top women’s club teams. The Blues won 1-0, depriving the Rampage of the international trip but perhaps sparing it from a major logistical headache. The trip to Umea, Sweden,

to train with the Umea IK club was likely to take place in September, in the middle of the Minnesota high school season. All of the Rampage players also play high school soccer. Rampage coach Tobbe Thorsell said the players had to submit passport information before the tournament, but beyond that, the team was taking a crossthat-bridge-when-we-cometo-it approach to the potential schedule conflict. The California team won the championship and the overseas trip. “We got medals and a lot of great memories,” Thorsell said. “And that’s fine.” La Roca Premier of Utah defeated Minnesota Thunder Academy 3-2 in the boys vElite division and will travel to England to train with Newcastle United, an English Premier League team. The vElite bracket at the USA Cup started in 2008 with a boys division. A girls division was added in 2011. The Rampage was

the first Minnesota team to compete in the vElite girls tournament. Several of the teams in the girls bracket were selected by Puma, the event’s title sponsor, and others were invited by USA Cup officials. The Rampage got an invitation because “our girls have played in the USA Cup since they were 9 and have won it just about every year,” said Thorsell, who also is Dakota REV’s director of soccer operations and an assistant coach for the Concordia University women’s team. “We’ve had success playing against other good teams.” The team won its division in the USA Cup five years in a row. Earlier this year, they reached the semifinals of a national tournament in Las Vegas and went undefeated at a college showcase in Omaha, Neb. Most of the Rampage players come from the Dakota REV core area of Rosemount, Eagan and Apple Valley. Elise Abbott, See soccer, 11A

The Lakeville South American Legion baseball team was one of eight remaining out of 84 at the Jim Hanus Gopher Classic, the largest tournament of its kind, on Monday. After winning its site in pool play over the weekend, Lakeville South eliminated Eastview 5-4 in 12 innings in the championship round at Eden Prairie to remain one of the few teams left playing among some of the best teams in the country. “Never in our program’s history have we been out of the pool play,” head coach Scott Howard said. “It’s probably the most prestigious tournament in the Midwest for summer baseball.” Lakeville South was behind 4-3 in the seventh inning, but Garrett Delich tied it up with a solo home run. The Eastview team featured several of the top players from the 2012 Class AAA state high school championship team in June, so it was a refreshing victory for many of Lakeville South’s players. Lakeville South lost to Elk Grove, Ill., 15-4 in

the next round. Lakeville South gave up seven runs in the first inning and never recovered. “The cliche would say we just run out of gas, but Elk Grove is just a really good baseball team,” Howard said. “But it was a pretty fun experience to advance that far. There were a lot of nationally ranked teams that didn’t make it to the final 16. It was nothing but positivity.” Lakeville South won Site 8 in Eden Prairie, kicking things off with a 6-4 victory over perennial national contender Rapid City (S.D.) Post 22. Will Lundquist had a no-hitter going into the sixth inning. The team also defeated the Rochester Patriots 10-2, Mankato 6-1 and Champlin 5-4. Lakeville South defeated Apple Valley 10-8 in league play Tuesday and is 14-12 overall. The team has never been above .500 this late in the season. “When I started with the program I think they might have gone winless the year before,” Howard said. “In spring ball they’re getting better. Another big part is the youth system. The coaches are doing a great

job. I’m getting the benefit of good coaches.” The team struggled early this season, but after going 2-2 with two losses by one run at the Upper Midwest Classic in New Ulm, another reputable tournament, its been on a run. “It’s more fun when you win,” Howard said. “That’s one of the reasons I come to the field every night. I think we can compete with anyone now. It’s been a total team effort.” Stars such as pitcher Lundquist and catcher Hunter Harnisch are leading the way along with Delich, Jake Miller and Sam Pecho. “I could really name the whole roster,” Howard said. “It’s been fun to watch. We’ve been really aggressive lately.” Nate Gelle, the team’s only player with college experience (St. Olaf), has been injured most of the season. But he could help during the playoffs, which start July 25. Andy Rogers can be reached at andy.rogers@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Sports Briefs Golf benefit for Farmington sports Aug. 3

ship opportunities are available. For more information email Dan Pickens at The Tiger Scramble, a dpickens@farmington.k12. golf tournament benefit- mn.us. ing the girls hockey and lacrosse programs at Farm- Farmington ington High School, will be Legion 1-4 at Aug. 3 at Fountain Valley Gopher Classic Golf Course. The tournament has a The Farmington Ameri10 a.m. shotgun start. Reg- can Legion baseball team istration fee is $65, which went 1-4 in pool play Friday includes 18 holes with cart through Sunday at the Jim and lunch on the course. Hanus Gopher Classic. Several levels of sponsor- Farmington opened

the tournament defeating Bloomington Gold 12-0 in five innings on Friday. Following the victory, Farmington lost to DePere, Wis., 4-2, the Calgary Redbirds 10-0, Coon Rapids 6-0 and Bemidji 3-1. Coon Rapids went on to win the Bloomington pool and the tournament championship. The Gopher Classic is the largest American Legion baseball tournament in the country with 84 teams.

Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville July 20, 2012

soccer, from 10A Kathryn Eaton, Brianna Lindstrom, Kellie McGahn, Chandler Peterson, Emily Sutliff and Paige Wilberding attend Eastview High School. Kaylie Hanson goes to Rosemount High, Julia Lam attends Apple Valley and Leah Schmidt is an Eagan student. Alexis Joyce and Lauren Sherry attend Lakeville North (Joyce did not play in last weekend’s tournament because she was attending a hockey camp). The team also has two White Bear Lake players (Jamie Rademacher and Rebekah Thom), one from Minnetonka (Emily Graupmann), one from Cretin-Derham Hall (Molly Johnston) and one from Owatonna (Katlin Ptacek). Thorsell became the team’s coach this season. Previously the Rampage was coached by Nels Dokken, Dakota REV’s player development director, and Thorsell said Dokken had much to do with molding the players into the kind of team they have become. After going 1-1-1 in pool play in the vElite tourna-

ment, the Rampage rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat Sereno 96 White of Arizona 3-2 in the semifinals. “The teams we played in that tournament are very good at possessing the ball,” Thorsell said. “They were better at it than the teams we see in Minnesota, and Minnesota has some very good teams. “We play a very highpressure style, and that might have forced the teams we played to adjust. That tournament also was the first time all season we’ve been completely healthy, and that was a big help.” Dakota REV will hold tryouts for its 2013 season teams later this summer, but it’s expected most of the Rampage players will stay together and play at the U17 level. The club actually could have two girls U17 Premier teams next year if its U16 Classic 1 squad wins the state championship later this month and earns a promotion. “There’s a lot of talent at that age level,” Thorsell said.

More USA Cup results Several other teams with local ties had strong performances during the USA Cup Weekend tournament. The Dakota REV Revenge reached the championship in the girls U14A division before losing to the Centennial Cougars 2-1. The Eagan Wave won its first four games in the girls U16A tourney to reach the final, where it lost to the Caledon Wildcats of Canada 2-1. The Lakeville Force went 4-1 in the girls U16B tourney, losing only to the Lakehead Express of Canada in the championship game. The Dakota REV Rebels (women’s U19), Valley United Fusion (boys U17A) and Eagan Wave (girls U13A) reached the semifinals in their tournaments. The weeklong USA Cup youth tourney – a separate event from the weekend tournament – runs through Saturday. Mike Shaughnessy is at mike.shaughnessy@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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Sports Briefs Lakeville North football camp starts July 23 The Lakeville North High School football staff is sponsoring a camp for athletes entering grades 3-8 and practice for athletes entering grades 9-12. All activities will be July 23-26. Camp for grades 3-6 will run from 1 to 4 p.m. The cost is $90. Camp for grades 7-8 also will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Equipment checkout information can be found on the Lakeville Football Association website. The cost is $90. Grades 9-12 will go from 9 a.m. to noon. The cost is $40 for ninth- and 10th-graders and $50 for 11th- and 12th-graders. Varsity players received equipment at the beginning of the summer. Ninth- and 10th-grade

players who have been lifting at school during the summer will receive their equipment at 10 a.m. on July 18. The camps will be held at Lakeville North High School. For more information, visit www.ihigh. com/lakevillenorthfootball/ or www.lakevillefootball.org/ or contact Chad Pothen at (952) 232-3694 or cjpothen@isd194.k12. mn.us.

basketball and the values of wholesome competition and sportsmanship, both for boys and for girls by recognizing outstanding players, coaches, teams, officials and other contributors from the beginning of high school hoops more than 100 years ago to the present day. Basketball fans may submit nominations to Bill Bentson at webents o n 2 2 @ ya h o o. c o m , Ron Haggstrom at rchag g s t ro m @ ya h o o. c o m Seeking or Kevin Anderson at nominations for k j a 8 0 6 7 @ g m a i l . c o m . Teams and players are basketball hall subject to a waiting period of fame of 10 years, while coaches The Minnesota High and other contributors School Basketball Hall of must have a career consistFame, a new venture fea- ing of at least 15 years. turing some of the most prominent names in Minnesota high school basketball, is seeking nominations for its inaugural class of inductees. The Hall of Fame plans to promote high school

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July 20, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville

Thisweekend Irish tradition

dances into Caponi Art Park

Photo submitted

Students of St. Paul’s O’Shea Irish Dance school will perform a variety of traditional Irish dances at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 22, at Caponi Art Park in Eagan. perform a variety of traditional Irish dances such the slip, reel and treble jib accompanied by Celtic music played the Center for Irish Music. “My hope is the audiences gets a little flavor of Irish dance and culture by seeing this performance,” said Cormac O’Se, director of O’Shea Irish Dance. The high energy dances have been mastered by most of O’Shea’s students, several of whom have taken top awards at national and international competitions. Among those are Evan Lowe, 16, of Rosemount who has received recognition

by Jessica Harper Sun Thisweek

They move in step, tapping their feet in perfect time as though they are the instruments playing the jig. The rhythm and complexity of Irish dance never ceases to amaze and entertain. Area residents will be able to view students from St. Paul’s O’Shea Irish Dance school perform their traditional art at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 22, at Caponi Art Park, 1220 Diffley Road in Eagan. Dressed in simple costumes that commemorate Irish heritage, 20 dancers from the nationally-recognized school will

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in the United States and in Ireland for his skilled dancing. Lowe said he views Sunday’s performance as an opportunity for all the dancers to showcase their talent and dedication to the art. “It’s more than a thing people do socially. It’s more physical like a sport and requires a lot of training,” Lowe said. “I hope it shines through that we worked really hard.” Fellow O’Shea dancer Krista Peterson, 17, of Lakeville said she hopes the event will generate interest in Irish dance. “I hope it will get more people to want

to try it like when we saw River Dancing growing up,” she said. The free performance is part of Caponi Art Park’s Summer Performance series, which features a variety of music, theater and dance concerts in the Theater in the Woods outdoor amphitheater. More information is at CaponiArtPark. org. Jessica Harper is at jessica.harper@ecminc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

Medallion hunt to start Monday, July 23 This year’s Leprechaun’s Lost Medallion Hunt will return to its traditional start time on Monday of Rosemount Leprechaun Days, which runs from July 20-29. The medallion hunt will start at 9 a.m. Monday, July 23, when the first clue is re-

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leased on the front door of Sterling State Bank, 4520 150th St. W., corner of County Road 42 and Diamond Path, and online at www.SunThisweek.com. Sterling State Bank is offering a $500 cash prize to the winner. The hunt has enough clues, in limerick format (a nod to the city’s Irish heritage), to have it run until the festival ends July 29. Over the years, the me-

dallion has taken on various shapes, sizes and colors. It’s been green to blend in with grass, red when attached to a fire hydrant and made of wood when placed on a bench. Medallion-seekers should note that this tradition will continue, along with it being hidden on city of Rosemount park property that can be seen and reached by even the youngest of hunters.

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Hunters should note that they won’t have to move, damage or destroy park property in order to find the medallion. Official rules and a picture of the prize will be posted at clue central at SunThisweek.com and on the front door of the bank. Clues will be published every morning at 9 a.m. at the entrance to Sterling State Bank and on the newspaper’s website.

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Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville July 20, 2012

family calendar To submit items for the Family Calendar, email: darcy. odden@ecm-inc.com. Saturday, July 21 Food drive for Dakota County food shelves from 9 a.m. to noon at Saints Martha & Mary Episcopal Church, 4180 Lexington Ave. S., Eagan. Requested items: Canned food, peanut butter, dry goods, personal hygiene items, cooking oil, flour and baking items. Cash donations encouraged. Car wash by the AVaires dance team from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Red Tag Cleaners, intersection of County Road 42 and Garden View (behind Flowerama) in Apple Valley. 30th anniversary celebration by AMVETS Post 1, Mendota, at the Mendota VFW on Highway 13 beginning at 2 p.m. Program at 3 p.m., pig roast and live music from 4 p.m. to midnight. Beer, fun, friends. All welcome, especially veterans and their families. Information: (651) 688-7408. Tuesday, July 24 Family Fun Tuesday – Minnesota Percussion Trio’s Clicks, Claps, and Clunks, 10 to 11 a.m. in the Sculpture Garden at Caponi Art Park, Eagan. $4 per person donation is suggested. Information: (651) 4549412 or www.caponiartpark. org. Music in the Parks – Splatter Sisters, 1:15 p.m. at Jaycee Park, Rosemount, after Blarney Stone Hunt. Free. Weather line: Call (952) 985-1780 option 6 to find out if a performance has been cancelled. Tuesday Evenings in the Garden – Lasagna Gardening with Mickey Scullard, 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the garden at UMore Park, 1605 160th St. W. (County Road 46), Rosemount. This no-dig method saves labor and

creates an environmentally friendly vegetable or flower bed. Fee: $10. Questions or to register by phone, call University of Minnesota Extension: (651) 480-7700. Wednesday, July 25 Eagan Market Fest, 4 to 8 p.m., Eagan Festival Grounds. Farmers market, concert by Wild Honey & The Locusts, free kids’ art, family games. Information: www.cityofeagan.com/ marketfest or (651) 675-5500. Thursday, July 26 Thursday Rockin’ Readers – Sky Oaks Principal Kay Fecke, 11:15 a.m., Nicollet Commons Park, 12600 Nicollet Ave., Burnsville. Free. Thursday Rockin’ Lunch Hour – Dazzling Dave yo-yo master, noon, Nicollet Commons Park, 12600 Nicollet Ave., Burnsville. Free. Friday, July 27 Outdoor movie, “Hachi: A Dog’s Tale,” 7:30 p.m. seating, dusk showtime, part of Burnsville’s “Flicks on the Bricks” series at Nicollet Commons Park in the Heart of the City. Summer Fresh Friday Film, “Simply Raw: Reversing Diabetes in 30 Days,” 6 to 8 p.m. at Valley Natural Foods, 13750 County Road 11, Burnsville. Information: (952) 8911212, ext. 221. Saturday, July 28 Youth Fishing Contest from 9 to 11 a.m. at Valley Lake, 16050 Garrett Path, Lakeville. Ages 13 and younger. Bring your own fishing equipment and bait. Register the day of the contest. Free. Sponsored by the Knights of Columbus and Minnesota Pole Benders. Blood drives The American Red Cross

theater and arts briefs 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. • July 21, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sprint Lakeville, 17713 Kenwood Trail, Lakeville. • July 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Hosanna Lutheran Church, 9600 163rd St. W., Lakeville. • July 25, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Prince of Peace Community Life Center, 13901 Fairview Drive, Burnsville. • July 25, 1 to 7 p.m., St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 22120 Denmark Ave., Farmington. Call Marlene at (651) 460-6083 for an appointment. Walk-ins welcome. • July 26, noon to 6 p.m., Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 12650 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley. • July 26, 2 to 7 p.m., Glendale United Methodist Church, 13550 Glendale Road, Savage. Reunions Lakeville High School Class of 1972 will hold its 40th reunion at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 28, at the home of Bruce and Pat Zweber, 387 Maple Island Road, Burnsville. Information: Mary Boegeman Johnson at MBoegemanJ@yahoo.com or Mary Ann Knox at MaryAnnKnox@visi.com. Burnsville High School Class of 1992 will hold its 20th reunion from 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at the Hyatt Regency, downtown Minneapolis. Tickets are $50 in advance or $65 at the door. To register and purchase tickets, visit https://reunionmanager. net/class_members/registration.php?class_id=124786 or contact Kelly Bruce Regan at kelbel070@gmail.com or Bob Hayes at bobhayes37@yahoo. com with questions.

theater and arts calendar To submit items for the Arts Calendar, email: darcy. odden@ecm-inc.com. Books Mystery authors Marilyn Jax and Jim Proebstle from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Apple Valley Barnes & Noble, 14880 Florence Trail. Comedy Bill Blank with special guest Laura Thorne at 8:30 p.m. Friday, July 20, and Saturday, July 21, at MinneHAHA Comedy Club, 1583 E. First Ave., Shakopee (lower level of Dangerfield’s), (612) 8609388, www.minnehahacomedyclub.com. Tickets: $13. Concerts Music in Kelley Park featuring Michael Monroe from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 20, at Kelley Park, 6855 Fortino St., Apple Valley. Free. Food and beverages available for purchase. Lyle Lovett & His Acoustic Group, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 21, Subway Music in the Zoo, Minnesota Zoo amphitheater, Apple Valley. Cost: $56. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com. O’Shea Irish Dance and Music, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, July 22, at Caponi Art Park’s Theater in the Woods outdoor amphitheater in Eagan. Suggested donation: $5. Rain date: July 29. Information: www.caponiartpark.org. Q The Clique, 7 p.m. Sunday, July 22, part of Sunday Night Music in the Park at Nicollet Commons Park, 12600 Nicollet Ave., Burnsville. Free. Los Lonely Boys and Ozomatli, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 22, Subway Music in the Zoo, Minnesota Zoo amphitheater, Apple Valley. Cost: $53. Tickets available at ticketmaster.com. Ticket to Brasil, 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, part of the Wednesday in the Park Concert Series at Civic Center Park, 75 Civic Center Parkway, Burnsville. Los Lobos and Steve Earle, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, Subway Music in the Zoo, Minnesota Zoo amphitheater, Apple Valley. Cost: $47. Tickets available at ticketmaster. com. Music in Kelley Park featuring MacPhail Jazz from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, July 27, at Kelley Park, 6855 Fortino St., Apple Valley. Free. Food and beverages available for purchase. BoDeans with Miles Nielsen and the Rusted Hearts, 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 27, Subway Music in the Zoo, Minnesota Zoo amphitheater, Apple Valley. Cost: $35. Tickets available at ticketmaster. com. Cactus Willie, Boxcar Bob and The Drifter, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 28, at the Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave. Tickets are $14 at the arts center. Advance purchase is recommended. Information: (952) 985-4640. BoDeans with Honeydogs, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 28, Subway Music in the Zoo, Minnesota Zoo amphitheater, Apple Valley. Cost: $35. Tickets available at ticketmaster. com. From Age to Age, a choral music ensemble, will present “Sing for the World” at 8 p.m. Saturday, July 28, at The Basilica of St. Mary, 88 N. 17th St., Minneapolis. Suggested donation: $20. Information: www. fromagetoage.org. Robert Randolph and the Family Band and JJ Grey & Mofro, 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July

29, Subway Music in the Zoo, Minnesota Zoo amphitheater, Apple Valley. Cost: $38. Tickets available at ticketmaster. com. Dance Zenon Dance School’s Hip Hop and Breakdance Camp Aug. 6-10 at Burnsville Performing Arts Center: 9 a.m. to noon, ages 6-10, $190; 12:30 to 4 p.m., ages 10-14, $220. Enroll online at www. zenondance.org/summercamps-2012 or call (612) 3381011. Exhibits Botanical art exhibit by The Great River Chapter of Botanical Artists at the Lakeville Area Arts Center, 20965 Holyoke Ave. Information: (952) 985-4640. Festivals Rosemount Leprechaun Days runs July 20-29. Information: www.rosemountevents. com/Leprechaun.html. Theater Eagan Summer Community Theatre will present “Cinderella” in the Eagan High School auditorium, 4185 Braddock Trail, at 7:30 p.m. July 18-21, 25-28, and 2 p.m. July 22 and 28. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for seniors 62-plus and children under 12. To purchase tickets, call (651) 6836964 between 1 and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or purchase online at www.eagan. k12.mn.us/. Workshops/classes Mystery Art Night will be offered Friday, July 20, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Eagan Art House. All supplies will be included and light refreshments will be served. Cost per class is $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Register at www.eaganarthouse.org. Call (651) 6755521 for information. 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. Information: (651) 675-5500. 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 class-

es 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. 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) 463-7833. The Lakeville Area Arts Center offers arts classes for all ages, www.lakevillemn.gov, (952) 985-4640.

Tickets for tween sensation on sale

mance will be moved to Crossroads Church, 4100 Lexington Way, Eagan. For more information, visit www.caponiartpark. org.

Tickets are on sale for the 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, performance of 11-yearold musical sensation Ethan Bortnick with special guests, The Kidz Bop Kids, at Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. Prices range from $24.50 to $49.50 and can be purchased at the box office, via Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster. com.

Harvest of Art

Drums at Caponi Art Park Mu Daiko, a Japanese taiko drumming ensemble, will perform at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 5, at Caponi Art Park’s Theater in the Woods outdoor amphitheater. A $5 per person donation is suggested. In the event of poor weather, the perfor-

The Eagan Art House will hold its seventh annual Harvest of Art Community Art Exhibit Sept. 9 through Nov. 2. The exhibit is open to all south-of-the-river artists ages 8-18 and ages 19plus. All media are accepted. The exhibit opening will be 1 to 5 p.m. on Sept. 9 at the Eagan Art House. The exhibit will then be divided to go on display at various community locations. Preregistration is required. Registration fee is $16 for up to two pieces of artwork for ages 8 to 18 and $22 for up to two pieces of artwork for ages 19 and up. Register by Aug. 20. Exhibit guidelines are available at www.eaganarthouse.org. For more

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information, call (651) 675-5521.

Taylor artwork on display

Artwork by Dakota County clay artist and photographer Linda Ann Taylor is on display at the Eagan Community Center, 1501 Central Parkway, Eagan. For more information, call the Eagan Art House at (651) 6755521.

Oak Ridge Boys tickets on sale Tickets are now on sale for the 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, performance by the Oak Ridge Boys at Burnsville Performing Arts Center, 12600 Nicollet Ave. Tickets are $49.50 and $79.50 and can be purchased at the box office, via Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787 or ticketmaster.com.

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July 20, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville

Which way will the people vote? Groups supporting and opposing same-sex marriage claim the lead

by T.W. Budig Sun thisweek

Supporters of the proposed constitutional amendment banning samesex marriage have long argued that passage would stave off legal challenges to the state law that already outlaws same-sex marriage. Some attorneys say to a degree that idea is correct. “Well, yes and no,” said Teresa Nelson, legal counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota. In general, there are two different challenges that could be brought against the so-called Defense of Marriage law, she explained. One would be to argue it violates the U.S. Constitution equal protection provisions afforded by the 14th Amendment — this is the basis for a ongoing challenge in federal court to California’s Proposition 8, Nelson noted. The other legal route would be to argue state DOMA law violates equal protection rights afforded by the state constitution, but passage of the proposed amendment would make such a challenge unfeasible, Nelson explained. U.S. Constitutional rights are superior to state law and would not be affected by passage of a state constitutional amendment,

she said. The ACLU opposes the proposed same-sex marriage ban amendment. “I think it’s a waste of money,” Hamline University Law Professor Marie Failinger said of the proposed amendment. Failinger is critical of the amendment for a number of reasons. For one thing, the Minnesota Supreme Court has not been silent on the subject of same-sex marriage. Back in 1971, the court dismissed a challenge concerning same-sex marriage, she noted. “The institution of marriage as a union of man and woman, uniquely involving the procreation and rearing of children within a family, is as old as the Book of Genesis,” the court ruled at the time. Failinger questions the urgency supporters of the amendment feel about placing it on the ballot. Valuable legal insight could be lost by acting in haste, she argued. Judges are smart people, Failinger said. Why not let them offer their legal insights on same-sex marriage as cases move through the courts? Failinger views the proposed amendment as “highly unusual.” It contains at least the “symbolic meaning” that the

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state constitution can be used as an instrument for thwarting the ambitions of minority groups for civil rights. Both Failinger and Nelson view passage of the amendment as restricting future legislatures. “I don’t think the answer to this is very clear,” Nelson said of the leeway lawmakers would have should voters approve the amendment. Failinger suggested the Legislature, if the majority did not support the amendment, could start down the “rough road” of repeal by proposing another constitutional amendment. Nelson suggested, given such a legislature, lawmakers could repeal the statutory DOMA law. But Chuck Darrell, spokesman for Minnesota for Marriage, suggests passage of the amendment championed by his group, which is supported by the Minnesota Catholic Conference, Minnesota North District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and many other churches and organizations, would not wholly bind lawmakers. Darrell does not rule out lawmakers extending benefits to same-sex couples, nor even passing civil union legislation. “It’s respectful. It’s in a loving manner,” Darrell

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See same sex, 19A

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said of the campaign for the amendment. He described the need for passage as urgent. For one thing, a current district court challenge exists in Minnesota to state DOMA law. In speaking of the proamendment campaign, Darrell cites an active church component — many suburban churchgoers have seen pro-amendment activities in their churches, he said — and a database of some 70,000 supporters. “Our outreach is everywhere,” Darrell said. He dismisses the results of a recent Public Policy polling indicating public support in Minnesota swinging against the amendment, saying internal polling shows support for the amendment in the mid-50s. As do amendment opponents, Darrell insists the proposed amendment crosses traditional votingbloc lines. Voting patterns in other states — nationally the amendment initiative has recorded a long and unbroken string of successes — suggests 30 to 40 percent of Democrats in Minnesota would vote “Yes,” said Darrell. The Iron Range, for instance, could yield many

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Cardona - Blair Heather Cardona and Joe Blair announce their engagement and upcoming wedding. Heather is the daughter of Dan and Pat Cardona of Apple Valley. She is a 2000 Burnsville High School graduate and a 2008 graduate of Concordia University. She is employed at an accounting firm as an Account Manager. Joe is the son of Dennis and Linda Blair of Bloomington. He is a 2001 Burnsville High School graduate and a 2004 graduate of Academy College. He is employed at an accounting firm as an Account Manager. An October 2012 wedding and reception are planned in Bloomington, MN.

Fox - Kraft Kelsey Fox, daughter of Rick and Brenda Fox of Lakeville, and Jordan Kraft, son of Trent and Kathy Kraft of Fargo, ND announce their engagement. Kelsey is a 2009 graduate of Lakeville North High School and is attending North Dakota State University. Jordan is a 2009 graduate of Park Christian High School and is also attending NDSU. An August 3 wedding is planned at Bethel Free Church in Fargo, ND.

�� Laon Solie Hammer 3-6-1922 to 7-14-2012 Born Bronis Kowalczyk in Middle River MN to Joseph & Caroline (died 6/1922), adopted by Julius & Florence Solie in Fall 1922, re-christened Laon Adair Solie. Graduate Washburn HS 1940, Miss Woods Academy 1942. Married Donald Hammer Oct 1943, they lived in Richfield and Lakeville MN.Preceded in death by both birth & adoptive parents, beloved brother Jack Solie; sisters Josephine MacGlover, Helen Frank; brothers Louis & Joseph Kowalczyk and husband Donald (2006). Survived by children: Marnie (John Flaherty), Laurie Hammer and David (Denise Iser) Hammer, grandchildren: Natalie (Jack) Tente, Nicholas (Chelsea Welch) Hammer and Stephanie Hammer and great grandchildren: Kourtney, Isabella and Cole.The famil y is deepl y gra tef ul for the excellent loving care provided by Minnesota Masonic Home for the last 5 years and to Fairview Hospice for their guidance & support the last 10 months of Laon's life. Family requests no flowers; donations may be made to Minnesota Masonic Home, 11500 Compass Dr., Bloomington MN 55437-3699. Services will be at Minnesota Masonic Home Chapel, Bloomington MN (use Landmark Center Parking) on Thursday, July 26, 2012 at 2 pm with visitation viewing from 1 pm to 2 pm. Private interment at Ft Snelling National Cemetery. The Funeral Directors 612-866-6711

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@ ecm-inc.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.

Cherry - Carroll Bob & Diane Cherry of Rosemount are happy to announce the engagement of their daughter Shannon to David Carroll, both of Farmington , MN. David is the son of Kay Carroll of Rosemount & Don Carroll of Hastings. Shannon is a graduate of Rosemount High School, and St. Mary’s University with a degree in Elementary Education. She is a preschool teacher in the Farmington School District. David is a graduate of Rosemount High School, and Dakota County Technical College with a degree in GM ASEP and Mankato State University in Automotive Engineering & Technology. He is an engineering technician for Cummins Power Generation in Fridley. Shannon and David will be married in Rosemount, MN in August.

Luger-Tervola Brooke Luger, daughter of Bob and Jacqui Luger of White Bear Lake, and Brent Tervola, son of Steve and Terrylee Tervola of Eagan, announce their engagement. Brooke is a 2004 graduate of White Bear Lake High School and has a degree in Public Relations from the University of St. Thomas. She is employed as a Community Relations and Communication Specialist with Globe University in Woodbury, MN. Brent is a 2002 graduate of Eagan High School and has a degree in Accounting and Real Estate Management from the University of St. Thomas. He is employed as a Senior Accountant with Ameriprise Financial in Minneapolis. A September 8th wedding is planned at the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas in St. Paul, MN.

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65th Anniversary Bob and Marilyn Christiansen of Lakeville invite you to join them in Celebration of their 65th Wedding Anniversary. Open House will be Sunday, July 29, 2012 from 2 to 4 p.m. It will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lakeville. No invitations have been sent. No gifts please.

Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville July 20, 2012

Donations sought for food shelf challenge grant 360 Communities and Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless announce the third annual $100,000 Food Shelf Challenge Grant. The more funds 360

Communities raises in July, the larger its portion of the Open Your Heart grant for its food shelves. Last year, 360 Communities raised more than $13,500 during the Open Your Heart

campaign – enough money to purchase additional food to feed 300 more people. This year, the nonprofit’s goal is to raise $20,000 during the campaign. Donations can

be made online at www.360Communities.org or checks can be sent to: 360 Communities, Attention: Open Your Heart, 501 E. Highway 13, Suite 102, Burnsville, MN 55347.

Education DCTC students win SkillsUSA competition Students from Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount, placed in the top 10 of eight competitions at the 48th National SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference June 23-27 in Kansas City, Mo. Team DCTC brought home three national championships (gold), a silver and a bronze. Alex Just earned a bronze medal in the Photography competition. Ben Jackson, Michael

Open house at Kindernook Kindernook Preschool, 20088 Kenwood Trail, Lakeville, will hold an open house from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays during the summer months. Fall pre-

school classes begin Sept. 10. For more information, call Laura Saarela at (952) 440-3662 or visit www. kindernook.com.

School Board filing period runs July 31 to Aug. 14 Residents interested in serving on the Farmington School Board may file for office starting Tuesday, July 31, with filing closing on Tuesday, Aug. 14. The filing fee is $2. The terms of board members Tim Burke, Julie McKnight and Julie Singe-

wald expire on Dec. 31, 2012. Newly elected board members will serve a fouryear term beginning in January 2013. Candidate filings take place at the District Service Center, 421 Walnut St., Farmington, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and close on Tuesday, Aug. 14, at 5 p.m. There is no primary election. All those who file for office will be on the ballot for Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 6, unless they file an affidavit of withdrawal by Aug. 16. For more information, call (651) 463-5013.

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Lakeville Seniors The Lakeville Senior Center is located at 20732 Holt Ave. Senior center inquiries can be directed to Linda Walter, senior coordinator, at (952) 9854622 or lwalter@lakevillemn.gov.

Free legal advice

Doyle, Samantha Hrbek and Joyce Ludwig were gold medalists in the team Entrepreneurship competition. Seth Hagan and Lorelei Rein were gold medalists in their respective divisions of Industrial Motor Control and Preschool Teaching. Kristin Vanevenhoven was a silver medalist in Pin Design.

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Free 30-minute legal consultations with a licensed local attorney will be offered Monday, July 30. Call the senior center to schedule an appointment. Cost: One punch.

Singles group The Lakeville Single Seniors group holds monthly planning meetings at 9:30 a.m. on the third Friday of each month. Participants must be current senior center members and pay a $5 group registration fee. Next activity: Sunday, July 29, Como Pops Ensemble, 1360 Lexington

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Parkway N., St. Paul. The concert is free. Carpool from the senior center parking lot, leaving at 1:30 p.m. The concert begins at 3 p.m. Afterwards, stop for a bite to eat at Tavern on Grand, 656 Grand Ave., St. Paul ( w w w. t ave r n o n g ra n d . com).

Driver safety classes The Minnesota Highway Safety and Research Center will offer an eighthour driver improvement course July 30 and 31, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., at the senior center. Cost is $24. Register by calling 1-888234-1294.

Photography class The digital photography class will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday, July 31. Cost: One punch.

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July 20, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville

Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville July 20, 2012

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July 20, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville

Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville July 20, 2012

Man charged after county building lockdown

A 53-year-old Inver Grove Heights man was charged on Friday with felony terroristic threats in connection with an incident that resulted in the lockdown of Dakota County’s Northern Service Center the morning of Thursday, July 12, according to a release from the Dakota County Attorney’s Office. According to the criminal complaint, Terry Lee Debates allegedly was depressed and told a social worker and staff at the mobile home park where

he lived on Thursday that if he was unable to obtain financial assistance from Dakota County to pay his rent, he intended to get into a confrontation with police and make them kill him. He also told staff at the mobile home park he would have a toy gun with him when he went to the Northern Service Center. The building was placed in lockdown at approximately 9:30 a.m. and a search of the building was conducted by approximately 40 police officers from West St. Paul, Dakota

County Sheriff, South St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights and Minnesota State Patrol. The search team located Debates in an office on the third floor at 10:35 a.m. and was arrested without incident. No staff or officers were injured during the incident. Debates made his first appearance in court Friday and was released without bail to a crisis center by Judge Jerome Abrams. His next court appearance is set for Oct. 2. – Tad Johnson

same sex, from 14A

a final solution to an ongoing debate. Carlbom views the suburbs as important to the success of the anti-amendment campaign. Minnesotans United has opened local offices in Eagan and Coon Rapids, he said. Even the 6th Congressional District, generally considered very conservative and represented by Republican U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann, will produce many “No” votes, Carlbom believes. “You’d be surprised,” he said of levels of support. “I feel good about it,” Carlbom said. The question appearing on the November ballot reads: “Should the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?” Even if the amendment fails, existing statutory law outlawing same-sex marriage in Minnesota would remain on the books.

preme Court alleging that Democratic Secretary of State Mark Ritchie had illegally changed the title of the proposed amendment. Ritchie argues that Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton’s vetoing of the amendment invalidated its title. Citing perceived state authority, Ritchie recently announced that he changed the title of the amendment from “Recognition of marriage solely between one man and one woman,” to ”Limiting the status of marriage to opposite sex couples.” Amendment supporters argue Ritchie is acting illegally. Sen. Warren Limmer, R-Maple Grove, Senate bill author, argued that Dayton’s veto of the legislation was purely ceremonial and that Ritchie was using it as a “trumped-up excuse” to thwart the Legislature, according to a Minnesota for Marriage press release. Unlike with other legislation, governors cannot kill proposed constitutional amendments by vetoing them.

pro-amendment votes, Darrell argued. Rather than neutralizing support for the amendment, having Democratic President Barack Obama energize the Democratic base in Minnesota could actually bring in additional amendment support, he said. Though still summer, the pace of the campaign is quickening, Darrell said. “(But) we expect to be out raised and outspent,” he said. Just recently, Minnesotans United for All Families, a coalition opposing the amendment, announced it had raised $4.6 million from some 19,000 individual donors. “Obviously, we’re happy about that,” Minnesotans United campaign manager Richard Carlbom said. Carlbom views the proposed amendment as wrongly “shutting the conversation down” on the subject of same-sex marriage. Minnesotans’ attitudes toward same-sex marriage are in flux, he explained. “We see Minnesotans evolving on the question over time,” said Carlbom, arguing against proposing

Lawsuit filed On Monday, July 9, Minnesota for Marriage announced that it had petitioned the Minnesota Su-

T.W. Budig can be reached at tim.budig@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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July 20, 2012 Sun Thisweek - Farmington - Lakeville

candidates, from 1A profiles: Mittet is a contracted accountant for St. Croix County and worked in Maplewood from 2007 to 2010 when he supervised a staff of six and oversaw a $50 million annual budget and capital improvement planning. Andrew Lenz has been in a financial analyst for Minneapolis since 2007, where he developed sev-

lind, from 1A Lind said he thinks a key to maintaining a healthy district in the face of these factors is to “get those people involved and to feel ownership over what’s going on.” He said he is also concerned about growing class sizes and rising participation fees for sports. “It seems like we’re shutting the door on opportunities for kids more than in the past,” he said. Lind and his wife, Glenda, put their two children through Lakeville schools. Now they have two grandchildren in the district: one attends Lakeview and another attends McGuire

crime lab, from 1A tiary hearing this week, defense attorneys Lauri Traub and Christine Funk scrutinized lab practices in the first of eight Dakota County drug cases they claim may have convicted people based on “bad science,” according to a report in the Star Tribune. Several St. Paul Crime Lab employees testified the lab has no written procedure or formal training program and does not keep documentation of

Laugerude, from 1A gave her a better perspective into the nature of the beast; instilling in her a desire to be more involved in finding a cure. Among the reasons she supports Relay for Life and the ACS is her experience watching some family members endure chemotherapy. Thankfully for her, she never had to undergo that. “One of my goals is to help get research going to find a way to treat cancer without it being so hard on the body,” she said, speaking about the method by which chemo kills good and bad cells alike in an effort to eradicate cancerous tissue. Her father beat prostate cancer and lymphoma because of chemo, she said, but not without some serious damage to the heart. When he died in 2010 it was because of complications

Today’s The Day Stop Smoking

eral department budgets, performed long-range financial planning and analyzed labor costing/ compensation and participated in union negotiations. Daniel Lenz has been with Johnson County since 2009 and is the Douglas County Special Olympics sports director and an office manager for the University of Kansas. Hanson’s most recent work history is from 1994

to 2000, when she was appointed the deputy commissioner of Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. She was a public accountant/auditor at KPMG Peat Marwick in St. Paul from 1983 to 1986. Hanson was responsible for planning and administering audits in various industries including mortgage banking and commercial real estate. Former Farmington Finance Director Teresa

Middle School. Lind has been involved as a principal representative in some districtwide committees, including three boundary adjustment task force committees, the district technology committee, a facility future needs task force and two district budget adjustment committees. He was in the Minnesota Air National Guard for more than 30 years, serving as the state staff historian, writing state histories and supervising the historical activities of Air National Guard units throughout the state. Lind was a Mandarin Chinese translator during the Vietnam War.

“You could say I was a radio spy,” he said in an interview last year when he retired from Lakeview. The People’s Republic of China was offering assistance to its Communist brethren in North Vietnam at the time, as part of the wider Cold War. Lind, trained in Mandarin Chinese in California, would monitor China’s air force radio transmissions from a U.S. Air Force base in Thailand. When he returned from Thailand, Lind jumped back into teaching at the junior high school. He maintained his connection with the military, though, joining the Air National

when drug evidence is accessed, according to Minnesota Public Radio and the Star Tribune reports. Minnesota requires prosecutors to prove the scientific techniques used are generally accepted in the scientific community, and that the lab conducting tests employed proper controls. With testimony concluding this week, the hearing will be suspended to give both sides time to review reports and documents that were recently

disclosed, Backstrom said. Backstrom said Judge Kathryn Messerich is expected to decide on the case by early fall.

Walters, who had worked in municipal finance for the cities of Bloomington and Waseca since 1997, resigned in June. McKnight has been leading the 2013-2014 budget planning process while also overseeing city operations. Laura Adelmann is at laura.adelmann@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek. ��

Guard as a historian for another 30 years. Lind was involved in sports when he worked in the district. He was a high school speech team teacher and coached boys and girls varsity tennis. Outside of district life, Lind has been an active member of Family of Christ Lutheran Church. His roles there have included director of education and president of the church council.

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Aaron Vehling can be reached at aaron.vehling@ ecm-inc.com or facebook. com/sunthisweek.

Laura Adelmann is at laura.adelmann@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

of the heart. “We need to get rid of this devil,” Laugerude said of cancer. “He can go away.” She encouraged people to attend the relay. “It’s a lot of fun,” she said. “There are games, food. ... It’s a fun way to raise money for an important cause.” Laugerude figures she’ll be permanently in a wheelchair in about five years because of MS. “I’m not looking forward to it,” she said. But she strives to maintain a can-do, positive attitude and contribute as much of herself as she can to ensuring future generations don’t have to worry about cancer. Aaron Vehling can be reached at aaron.vehling@ecm-inc. com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.

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