Crotchety old man takes center stage. See Thisweekend Page 7A
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JULY 29, 2011
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VOLUME 32, NO. 22
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Superintendent choice seen as cure for ailments Lakeville School Board praised her vision, technology background by Aaron Vehling THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
ishment of traditional public school bureaucracy. “Autocratic, top-down leadership is a thing of the past,” Snyder said. Many businesses have come and gone while adhering to this method of governance, she added. “People want to be part of the decision-making process,” Snyder said. “They want to be heard. They want to be part of the solution.”
“She’s a visionary,” Board Member Bob Erickson said.
You know it’s a good sign when the public’s assessment Forum The community forums, of a superintendent candidate which both Snyder and the is summed up in one question: other candidate, Bob Laney, “When can she start?” participated in, were But it was her perunscripted and loosely formance at a Thursregulated. day evening communiThe only questions ty forum that solidified that the audience the Lakeville School couldn’t ask were Board’s decision to those typically illegal choose Lisa Snyder to during job interviews, be its next superintenLisa Snyder such as religion, resident. dence choices and famSnyder’s calm, commanding demeanor appeared ily matters. About 40 people showed up to keep the attendees’ attento hear Snyder speak. About a tion. Her discussions of her dozen asked questions on topexperience with business partics such as fiscal responsibility nerships and tackling changing financial situations proved (or the perception that the disimpressive to the attendees, trict does not have it), how to as was her diagnosis that the improve the district’s commuLakeville district needs to up- nications with the community and what to do about bringing date its technology. In addition to excitement Lakeville into modern times in from the audience, the School terms of technology. When she finished, she reBoard’s palpable enthusiasm culminated in hugs once the ceived a level of applause not decision had been made and afforded to any other candiSnyder had been called back date. Perhaps it was her admoninto the board chambers.
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Bacteria keep residents from some beaches Antlers Park is open again, but Valley Lake Park remains closed
Minnesotan Snyder is the superintendent of schools in Merrill, Wis. She has been with that district since 2009. She previously has worked in various administration and teaching capacities in the Holmen and Sparta school districts in Wisconsin and the Winona district in Minnesota. She received her doctorate in education from the University of Minnesota and her master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Winona State University. Snyder, whose children and grandchildren live in the Twin Cities, said she is “absolutely See Snyder, 13A
Photo submitted
Lakeville residents enjoy Antlers Park beach on a typical summer day. The Lake Marion beach was closed for about five days because of high levels of coliform bacteria. Valley Lake Park beach still closed at press time. by Aaron Vehling THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
Calm down, Flagstaff Avenue Lakeville to implement measures to slow down residential traffic on the busy intercity thoroughfare 160th St W
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Chris Johnson was fed up with the speed of cars traveling on Flagstaff Avenue between 160th Street West and Dodd Boulevard. His and his neighbors’ driveways empty onto the busy thoroughfare that for most of its run through Apple Valley and Farmington is a virtual highway onto which no driveways front. “I don’t feel safe,” Johnson told the Lakeville City Council at a June 6 meeting. “I can’t mow my lawn without worrying about getting hit.” See Flagstaff, 13A
APPLE VALLEY
Parkview Park
Sleepy Hollow Park
Bunker Hill Park
Dodd Point Park
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Fairfield Park
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by Aaron Vehling
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Map by Robyn Berg
This map shows the area along Flagstaff Avenue in Lakeville where the city will install speed signs and restripe the lanes in order to slow down traffic through a residential neighborhood along one of the South Metro’s main thoroughfares.
This past week has been a good one for bacteria and a bad one for those who want to get in some highquality beach time. City crews discovered the presence of coliform bacteria in waters at Antlers Park and Valley Lake beaches. The city subsequently closed both beaches, opening Antlers only after tests came back July 27 suggesting the bacteria levels subsided. When this edition went to press, Valley Lake Park beach remained closed. During some routine tests, Lakeville’s Parks and Recreation Department discovered on July 21 an excessive presence of coliform bacteria in the swimming areas at both those beaches, said Lakeville Parks and Recreation Director Steve Michaud. On July 22, the city closed both beaches pending more positive test results. Michaud said the city conducts these tests every two weeks.
After submitting tests from Wednesday, July 20, and receiving those tests from the lab Thursday evening, Michaud decided to close both beaches. The causes of coliform proliferation are many, but Michaud said that recent conditions have made it easy for the bacteria to thrive: several days of hot weather, excessive precipitation (a recent 5-inch onslaught of rain) and the presence of legions of Canada geese (or, more notably, the birds’ droppings). Michaud said that a few years ago one of Lakeville’s beaches had tested positive for the same bacteria but there were no reports of sickness. He said this time around he has not received any complaints either. Coliform bacteria, commonly referred to as “e. coli,” can cause ear infections and viral and bacterial gastroenteritis. Aaron Vehling is at aaron.vehling@ecminc.com and www.facebook.com/thisweeklive.
Burke will ask district ‘32 years is enough’ to reimburse his legal fees
County Commissioner Joe Harris won’t run for re-election
Farmington School Board may consider issue in August by Laura Adelmann
an agenda whenever he makes the request. “I can honestly underFarmington School Board Member Tim stand why he’s asking,” Burke will seek approxi- Lee said, however she cited concerns about mately $5,000 from whether such a rethe Farmington imbursement would School District to set precedent for reimburse legal fees the district regardhe incurred defending cases it may face ing himself against with employees. a criminal invesBurke said in Detigation that was cember when the dropped for insuf- Tim Burke 2010 School Board ficient evidence. His attorney, Frederick voted to proceed with the Finch, is researching infor- investigation that a resomation to present before lution was passed stating the School Board, possibly that School Board memin August, Burke said in a bers are not district employees. Wednesday interview. “That vote was taken Board Chair Tera Lee said she has discussed the so board members names matter with Burke and she wouldn’t be redacted in the intends to approve Burke’s report,” Burke said. The investigation was request to add the item to THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
General 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000
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initiated by the 2010 Farmington School Board, citing concerns that Burke may have violated data privacy laws. As Burke had pursued public district information, some district personnel accused him of treating them disrespectfully and creating a hostile work environment. Some interviewed in the report stated staff delayed providing information to Burke and reviewed his email and district phone call records to determine his associations. Once the district completed its investigation, the findings were forwarded to Dakota County. The county declined to investigate the findings beSee Burke, 6A
The Dakota County Fair special section is located inside this edition. It contains a schedule of events and stories about fair highlights and musical entertainment. For more information about the fair, go online to www. dakotacountyfair.org.
by Laura Adelmann
“I wanted to see the county be fiscally respon“I’m going to miss a sible … more accountable lot of people, but it’s time to the people,” he said. Upon taking office in to move on,” said Dakota 1981, Harris said County Commishe never dreamed sioner Joe Harris of he’d still be there his decision not to three decades later, seek re-election to but, the wide varithe County Board ety of issues at the in 2012. county kept his in“Thirty-two terest piqued, and years is enough. voters kept electing It’s time to move Joe Harris him into office. on and let someone During his tenure, Harelse enjoy it,” he said. Harris, 56, of Hastings, ris has seen growth in the said he decided to an- county’s population from nounce his decision now 175,000 to about 400,000, so others may consider if expansion and improvethey would like to run for ment of the road system and the beginning of some the seat. He does not plan to significant initiatives. He cites with pride the seek higher office, and will continue his insurance county’s many high-quality senior housing projects, sales business. At least two people its public library system have indicated to Harris and the county’s financial their interest about pos- stability as exemplified by sibly seeking the office; he its AAA-bond rating. Harris also said he’s didn’t reveal their names but said one was a man particularly proud of the county’s east/west extenand the other a woman. “I certainly haven’t sion of County Road recruited anybody, and 46 from Burnsville into will in the future talk to Hastings. The project took over anyone who’s interested,” 10 years of work, much Harris said. His own decision to run of it involving negotiafor the County Board in tions with the University the 1980 election stemmed of Minnesota represenfrom his desire to influ- tatives because the road cuts through some of the ence change. THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
UMore acreage. Harris said while he enjoyed his time as a commissioner, he is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Pam, their three grown children and eight grandchildren. Anyone considering running for the District 1 seat should know it’s not a 9-to-5 job and it can interfere with family time, Harris said. In addition to attending Tuesday morning board meetings, commissioners serve on various committees and attend meetings that may be in the morning or night; commissioners earn $64,000 annually. Commissioners must live within the district they represent. District 1 includes the cities of Coates, Farmington, Hampton, Hastings, Lakeville Precinct 13, Miesville, New Trier, Randolph, Vermillion and Northfield Precinct 3. It also includes the townships of Castle Rock, Douglas, Empire, Eureka, Greenvale, Hampton, Marshan, Nininger, Randolph, Ravenna, Sciota, Vermillion and Waterford. Laura Adelmann is at laura. adelmann@ecm-inc.com.