Fall Sports Practices Begin Page 17
Dead Tree Gets New Lease on Life
BPHS Football Players Undergo Concussion Testing Page 4
Page 2
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FIRST YEAR
75¢ SINGLE COPY
BELLE PLAINE, MINNESOTA, AUGUST 15, 2012
NUMBER 33
The Bridge to Blakeley Workers from S.M. Hentges & Sons of Jordan continued work this week on repairing a deficient old bridge along Scott County Road 6 (also known as the Blakeley road). The project will be completed in October. County and state funding are paying for the $547,607 project.
Menden Wants Vote on Levy Hike; Wagner Says Plan ‘ Not Realistic’
Wayde Welter of Carver won the $2,000 first-place prize for catching this 42-pound, 10-ounce flathead Saturday.
Record Number of Fishermen Turnout for River Fishin’ Contest by Dan Ruud A record 244 anglers took part in this year’s Belle Plaine River Fishin’ Contest, the top dog of that group being Wayde Welter of Carver with a 42-pound, 10ounce flathead catfish. The catch netted Welter the $2,000 first-place prize, which was also a contest record. Nev-
er before in the contest’s 37year history was the grand prize more than $1,000, but a special sponsorship and donation by Matt Saxe Chervolet of Belle Plaine made the doubling of the grand prize money possible. Welter said he plans to give half of his prize money to fish-
Primary Election Results Online Lack of City Races Kept Voter Turnout Low in B.P. Tuesday Morning Approximately 120 people had cast their primary election ballot at the Belle Plaine Government Center just prior to the noon hour on Tuesday. There were no primary races for Belle Plaine city offices but Belle Plaine residents were able to cast ballots for other races, most locally Scott County Commissioner District 1 and Senate District 20. Squaring off for the Scott County Commissioner District 1 seat were incumbent Joe Wagner of Sand Creek Town-
ship, Jerry Kucera of Sand Creek Township and LuAnne Lemke of Louisville Township. The top two vote-getters will be on the general election ballot this fall. In Senate District 20, Mike Dudley of New Prague and Gene Kornder of Belle Plaine Township were vying to be the Republican candidate in the fall general election. The winner will square off against Kevin Dahle of Northfield. For primary election results, you can visit www.belleplaineherald.com or the Herald’s Facebook page. You can also visit Scott County’s website at www.co.scott.mn.us.
ing buddy Steve Martin of Farmington, who netted the fish and got it into the boat for Welter. Using a sucker minnow for bait, Welter caught his $2,000 prize at about 8 a.m. Saturday near Henderson in about 9 feet of water. He said it’s the biggest fish he’s ever caught. “I caught some 38s (pounders) in my life but this is the biggest to date,” said Welter, who was in a rush to return the fish to the river. “We’re taking him to Belle Plaine. He’s not going back to Henderson. We don’t want him dying,” Welter said. Welter’s fish was almost 9 pounds heavier than last year’s grand flathead, which was caught by Ed Borak (33 pounds, 14 ounces). In fact, the top four flatheads caught this year all exceeded last year’s winner. Perry Miller of Corcoran wasn’t far behind Welter as he reeled in a 40pound, 7-ouncer at about 4:30 a.m. Saturday in Carver. That
River Fishin’
(continued on page 15)
Scott County commissioners are considering a half-percent increase in the 2013 property tax levy. Commissioner David Menden of Shakopee says voters, not the board, should decide if the increase is approved. “It’s a nice idea, but it’s not realistic,” said Commissioner Joe Wagner of Sand Creek Township, Belle Plaine’s representative on the county board. Menden called for the referendum at the board’s Aug. 7 meeting. Tuesday (Aug. 14), Administrator Gary Shelton noted a memo from the county attorney’s office indicating there is nothing in state statute supporting putting a county levy referendum to the citizenry. He said case law opposes the idea. The county is pitching the proposed increase with the expectation about three-fourths of property owners would see a decrease in their county property taxes, thanks to new construction. Menden believes the half-percent increase would drive taxes up. County Administrator Gary Shelton disagrees. The county says Scott County taxpayers will cumulatively pay almost $352,500 less next year. Changes in state aid should hold the increase from $60.5 million to $60.8 million. About 26 percent of the property owners would see an annual increase in county property taxes of $25 or more under a plan presented to the commissioners during a recent non-
televised workshop. “Everybody would vote against it,” he said. With uncertain levels of state aid, the county will eventually have to increase its income. “Eventually, they’ll call 911 until nobody shows up.” The Scott County Attorney’s Office is researching if there
is still time to include the levy question on the ballot. Wagner, who is in a heated re-election battle is with Jerry Kucera of Sand Creek Township and LuAnne Lemke of Louisville Township, is opposing, like his opponents, the
Levy Hike
(continued on page 5)
Township Board to Vote on Road Issue Thursday The Belle Plaine Township Board is scheduled to hold a special meeting 6:30 p.m. this Thursday at its town hall to take action on an apparent compromise with the Belle Plaine City Council to resolve the Belle Plaine Trail issue. The city of Belle Plaine and representatives of Belle Plaine Township have seemingly ironed out an agreement for the long-term fix of the road following months of debate on whose responsible for how much of the costs to improve and maintain the country road that stretches approximately one mile through city and township property between Highway 169 and Ashford Way. Last Monday, the council voted 5-1 to approve a proposed agreement that would result in the entire road being paved this year. The agreement won’t become official until the Belle Plaine Township Board formally approves it. Several township representatives were in attendance last Monday, including Treasurer Kevin Slack. He told the council the township board will likely call a special meeting as soon as possible (which it since has) to put its stamp of approval on the agreement rather than wait until its next regular board meeting in September. The substantive points of the
agreement are: – A $60,537.05 payment from the township when the agreement is executed. – The city will pave all of Belle Plaine Trail and assume maintenance. – The township will maintain the city’s portions of the gravel sections of Kittson Boulevard and Jason Avenue. – The city’s obligation ends if Belle Plaine Trail is vacated, abandoned, terminated or otherwise closed, and the township’s obligation ends when the gravel sections are paved. – The city has the right to post Belle Plaine Trail for weight restriction and speed. – The township has the right to post gravel portions of city streets for weight restriction and speed. Chard Tiling and Excavating of Belle Plaine was awarded the contract for the project in June at a bid of $128,113.60.
Swimming Pool Closes for Season 9 p.m. Sunday With many of its staff returning to college or other fall activities, the Belle Plaine Community Swimming Pool will close for the season 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 19.
Scholarship Memorial Being Established in David Keup’s Name
St. Cloud Bound The Belle Plaine town baseball team will open state tournament play in St. Cloud 1:30 p.m. this Sunday (see sports inside). Members of this year’s team include back row, from left, coach Paul Fogarty, Derek Dahlke, Pat Schultz, Shawn Larson, Mike Schultz, Dylan Nyberg, Tyler Hartman, Zac Dahlke and Ryan Diers. In the front row are Dan Huber, Shane Hofmann, Trevor Latzke, Travis Latzke, Sam Korth, Josh Terrio, Brad Lawson and Jake Scherer. Not pictured are Miah Fogarty, Johnny Egan, Andy Lehman, Zach Horning, Matt Schultz, manager Jeff Miller, Jim Buesgens, batboy Dylan O’Brien and Tim Huber.
The Belle Plaine High School class of 2010 is establishing a Dollars for Scholars scholarship in memory of David Keup, who died unexpectedly last week. The class plans on giving out this scholarship every year to “a Belle Plaine graduate who demonstrates some of the same great qualities that David had.” In order to get this scholar-
ship started, the class is asking friends, family and classmates of David to help by donating money for this scholarship. All donations can be sent to “David Keup Memorial” at the State Bank of Belle Plaine.