Philosophy, hard liquor and ďŹ sticuffs color “Art,â€? the new stage comedy by Chameleon Theatre Circle. See Thisweekend Page16A
A NEWS OPINION SPORTS
Thisweek Farmington-Lakeville JANUARY 28, 2011
VOLUME 31, NO. 48
www.thisweeklive.com
Opinion/6A
Announcements/7A
Real Estate/9A
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Walmart to build new location in Lakeville this year Retailer signed a purchase agreement for the site near Harry’s and Muller Theatre by Laura Adelmann, Aaron Vehling and Tad Johnson
Proposed Walmart
THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
National retail giant Walmart plans to build a 150,000-squarefoot superstore with groceries northwest of the new interchange of Interstate 35 and County Road 70 this year, according to Lakeville city officials. Community and Economic Development Director Dave Olson said that Walmart informed the city of the signed purchase agreement for the site a week and a half ago. The building would be located in the Lakeville Commerce Center east of the Muller Family Lakeville Theatre and between Harry’s Cafe and an office building to the north. Walmart officials are currently
Photo by Rick Orndorf
Walmart has entered into a purchase agreement to build a new 150,000 square foot superstore at the intersection of Interstate 35 and County Road 70 by the end of the year. conducting a wetland study. After that is complete, a final plat will be drafted and brought be-
fore the Planning Commission for consideration. Olson said the new inter-
change at CR-70 and I-35 was a factor in attracting the world’s largest retailer. Bob Erickson, a current School Board Member with Lakeville schools and former Lakeville city administrator, said Walmart has shown significant interest in that site for at least a decade. He said the site has been ready for development for 20 years. The property taxes from the site will bode well for the city and the schools, Erickson said. The main thing would be employment for adults and for the city’s teens. “Payroll would be a significant,� Erickson said, discussing the theory that paychecks “turn over four times.� An employee gets a paycheck and spends that on goods and services in the community, whose proprietors then spend that on other goods and services and so forth. City Council Member Colleen Ratzlaff LaBeau said that during her campaign last fall she heard from residents in that area that
Nixed budget item leads to questions, accusations at District 192 meeting THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
Questions surround the Farmington School Board’s 4-2 vote at a Jan. 24 meeting to cut an agenda action item regarding the Farmington School District budget. Board Member Brian Treakle’s motion to remove the budget item from the agenda was unexpected by Board Member Julie Singewald, who asked for explanation. Treakle said the board didn’t have enough information about what would be proposed, then added, “there’s more to it than that.� Noting data privacy laws, Treakle said he’s not
allowed to expand on the reasons for his concerns. The board packet included only a motion to approve Finance Director Jeff Priess’ recommendations, which were not detailed. After the meeting, Board Member Melissa Sauser, who cast the deciding vote to pull the budget item, said she was told prior to the meeting that the recommendations would be based on a November 2010 study by the accounting firm Baker-Tilly. Sauser said she’d only read the report’s executive summary. “I like to be able to review ‌ it so I know what questions to ask, what I
can think about. If I’m presented on the spot, that’s not fair for myself or the constituents,� Sauser said in a later interview. The Baker-Tilly report recommended numerous budget cuts that could amount to a maximum of $1.1 million annually, achieved in part by staff cuts, including the administrative services director. Several board members, including Board Chair Tera Lee, refused to expand on the reasons for their vote to remove the budget agenda item other than a lack of information, but she also cited data privacy laws. Board Member Julie Singewald voted to keep See Board, 5A
Lakeville over Farmington Lakeville’s success in attracting a Walmart was news to new Farmington City Council Member Jason Bartholomay, an independent consultant who helps businesses expand into different markets. See Walmart, 5A
Twins Caravan visits Lakeville
Singewald accuses members of violating state law by Laura Adelmann
they needed more shopping options. Another benefit is that often a large anchor such as Walmart attracts other businesses, said Ratzlaff LaBeau, a Realtor and land developer. For Todd Bornhauser, executive director of the Lakeville Area Chamber of Commerce, the move is a good sign. “One of the reasons the Chamber supported the expansion of the County Road 70 bridge reconstruction and a quick development/construction process was to try to help spur development in that area,� he said. Calls to Walmart’s attorneys were not returned by the time this story went to press.
Photo by Rick Orndorf
Minnesota Twins outfielder Ben Revere signs Twins souvenirs for Bob Curtis, a Lakeville Farmers Insurance agent, on Jan. 24 when the Twins Caravan stopped by a Lakeville Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Curtis’ daughter Allison, 3, watches it all unfold. For more photos, go online at www.ThisweekLive.com.
Washington comes to Crystal Lake Elementary Lakeville elementary U.S. Rep. John Kline, Education Secretary Arne Duncan discuss student achievement, education reform at northern Lakeville school by Aaron Vehling THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
Last Friday, Jan. 21, a Lakeville resident hosted a friend at Crystal Lake Elementary, his neighborhood school, to discuss some heady education issues. It could have been another day in the monthlong discussion about the Lakeville School District’s budget but for the large group of movers and shakers following the two men around. District administrators, the School Board, Mayor Mark Bellows, some welldressed aides, security forces and hordes of media stuck by the two men as they traversed the school. Along the way, some good old-fashioned science Jeopardy with some spritely kids added some levity. “Welcome to my hometown and my neighborhood school,� the resident said to the masses. See Washington, 5A
school closing moved up Decision on which northern building to be made by March by Aaron Vehling THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS
Photo by Aaron Vehling
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan enjoyed an educational game with two English Language Learner students at Crystal Lake Elementary School in Lakeville on Friday, Jan. 21, during a tour of the school with U.S. Rep. John Kline, who lives in the neighborhood.
In the wake of the Lakeville school district’s $15.8 million budget adjustment plan, scores of residents, teachers and district staff have advocated for programs on the chopping block that they believe should be spared – even pared – but not eliminated. But the planned shuttering of an elementary school on the city’s older-demographic north side has not garnered much public outcry. Initially planned for the 2012-13 school year, the school closure would save the district $725,000. Now, however, the closure will likely happen sooner. At its Thursday, Jan. 20, study session at Lakeville South, the School Board directed Superintendent Gary Amoroso and upperlevel administrators to de-
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cide on which school to close by March 8, which would trigger a boundary change vote on April 26 and closure this summer. The move provides realized savings earlier: half of that $725,000 each year of the biennium instead of the whole sum in the second year. It also lumps the pain of transition into one school year, but Amoroso and Administrative Services Director Tony Massaros expressed concern that rushing the decision would have an adverse affect on staff morale and not allow enough time for a comprehensive analysis of future uses for the closed building. Because Massaros would have to plan for a closure immediately with respect to staffing arrangements, despite not knowing which school is to close, he See Closing, 5A
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