Saving history
Double up
In a park not far from here lies a pioneer home. Is it worth preserving?
The Jordan Jaguars’ outstanding doubles team qualifies for state
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JORDAN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2011
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INDEPENDENT CREMATORY
A signature moment: Mayor sued If Ewals won’t sign ordinance to allow downtown crematory, court might make him BY MATHIAS BADEN editor@jordannews.com
Pete Ewals won’t sign a crematoryrelated ordinance.
Mike Shaw wondered aloud if the mayor would reconsider. Ewals wouldn’t.
Tanya Velishek made the motion to sue the mayor, and it passed.
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The mayor’s colleagues want him to sign on the line. On Monday, with threats of litigation lingering, Jordan City Councilmember Joe Thill offered an out for Mayor Pete Ewals: “If we put it in front of you right now, would you sign it?” Thill asked. Ewals uncomfortably paused for 15 seconds, looking down in thought. “I think we’re going to just end the discussion,” Ewals told Thill. “I don’t really want to get into it.” The mayor didn’t want to sign the amended zoning ordinance for which the Jordan City Council
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voted two weeks ago. If enacted after signing and publication, it would allow crematories as accessory uses to funeral homes, effectively allowing Ref lections Crematory to operate downtown, where Ewals has said a crematory does not belong. Ewals also said that five votes are not enough to pass the zoning amendment. With Councilmember Thom Boncher and him voting
against the proposal on Oct. 3, a supermajority vote was not achieved. City Attorney Annette Margarit, on the other hand, argued that per state law, which supersedes city ordinance in this case, only a simple majority is necessary. Jordan’s mayor and attorney will take their arguments to Scott County District Court. On Monday, the Jordan City Council voted 5-2 to sue the mayor to get the ordinance signed.
LEGAL OPTIONS “Mayor Ewals has decided that he will not sign the above text amendment because he doesn’t agree with the ordinance’s approval,” Shukle said, reading a
Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 8, and five candidates are running for three open seats on the Jordan School Board. Please learn about the candidates before you vote. This week, the Jordan Independent features Caroline Carritt, Lauren Pedersen and Melisa Stoltz. You can read questionand-answer responses and minibiographies in their own words on page 6. Last week, your local newspaper featured Dennis Schmit and Bob Vollbrecht and published their questionand-answer responses and minibiographies. The deadline for letters to the editor about candidates is 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24. By Oct. 28, election coverage will be available at jordannews. com. Your local newspaper will remind you about the candidates’ positions on issues by the Nov. 3 print edition.
Carritt journeys to city, returns to a small town BY DAVID SCHUELLER dschueller@swpub.com
Caroline Carritt grew up on the farm, where feeding the animals, bailing hay or cutting thistles were common chores. But after graduating from high school she moved away to a city, and had continued to live in a more urban setting, until three years ago. That’s when she moved back to a small town – Jordan – and she feels at home.
“I’ve experienced a lot of places and a lot of different people, and this is where I’m most happy,” Carritt said. Carritt is one of five candidates for three seats on the Jordan School Board. Her journey to Jordan highlights the nearness-tonature that small-town living can afford. “I love gardening, I love nature. I could hike all the time. I’m an apple orchard lover,” Carritt said.
Carritt to page 6 ®
PHOTO BY DAVID SCHUELLER
Sand Creek is only a few steps from Caroline Carritt’s backyard. Language about the creek, an asset for her as a nature lover, made it into Carritt’s wedding vows. Her dogs Malibu (left) and Daisy joined her on the water’s edge.
The scrap house is a little old place where Lauren Pedersen and her friends can get together – and do some scrapbooking. No distractions, only scrapbooking, which involves getting that per fect layout of photos and embellishments to commemorate holidays and treasured memories. Pedersen goes on scrapbooking retreats a few times a year with anywhere from five to 15 friends.
“You’re always laughing. Half the time, you’re looking at your pictures and telling stories,” Pedersen said. Pedersen is one of five candidates for three seats on the Jordan School Board. While a scrapbooking retreat could happen in a lot of settings, she especially enjoys going to a scrap house because it has tools and supplies that she doesn’t. For example, the Cricut brand of cutting machine can make thin letters
Pedersen to page 6 ®
PHOTO BY DAVID SCHUELLER
Lauren Pedersen enjoys scrapbooking with friends. She said lots of scrapbookers, and even a scrapbooking business, can be found in Jordan. “It’s harder than you think,” she said, of the hobby.
Stoltz follows signs all the way to South Dakota BY DAVID SCHUELLER dschueller@swpub.com
Where the heck is Wall Drug? Melisa Stoltz can tell you. She’s been there five times. “I’m always amazed about what you can find in there,” Stoltz said. For the record, the store, which has the feel of a supersized flea market, is located in Wall, S.D. And you really never know what you’ll find in there.
But some things never change. “They still have that green dinosaur,” Stoltz said. Stoltz is one of five candidates for three seats on the Jordan School Board. For her, trips to South Dakota hold a special family significance. Her first trip there was when she was in second grade. She and family members were on their way out to Wyoming on a hunting
Stoltz to page 6 ®
Linking to parents, pushing students to achieve among high priorities for new Jordan High School principal BY DAVID SCHUELLER dschueller@swpub.com
Pedersen, friends pour over pages at scrap house BY DAVID SCHUELLER dschueller@swpub.com
Mayor to page 23 ®
McNulty stresses academic principles
ELECTION 2011
Get out and vote
memorandum detailing his discussion with Ewals. “He believes the motion to approve the text amendment ordinance failed because he believes it is illegal. He indicated that state law forbids him to sign this ordinance since it is illegal.” T hen, M a rga r it d ropp e d a bomb, introducing 11 pages of lega l options a nd suppor ti ng documents related to the mayor’s inaction on the ordinance, which Margarit deemed to be legally approved. The mayor is responsible for ensuring a legal process is followed, the memo said.
PHOTO BY DAVID SCHUELLER
Melisa Stoltz has fond memories of family trips to South Dakota, including to one well-known store. Can you guess which one? Here, she’s behind the wheel of the vehicle she took on her most recent road trip.
INSIDE OPINION/4 OUR SCHOOLS/5-7 PUBLIC SAFETY/8 SPORTS/10-11 CALENDAR/12 DAYBOOK/27 TO REACH US SUBSCRIBE: (952) 345-6683 EDITOR: (952) 345-6571 OR E-MAIL EDITOR@JORDANNEWS.COM.
Barb McNulty learned one of the benefits of supervising lunch periods in a high school smaller than the one she left in Shakopee. “It’s just a joy to be able to stand in the lunch room and see everyone without putting my glasses on,” McNulty said. Barb McNulty McNulty is Jordan High School’s new principal, after being a school administrator in Shakopee and Lakeville for more than 16 years. So far, McNulty has spent time strengthening lines of communication with parents and district staff, and getting to know students. McNulty is enthusiastic about showing students how much high school academics can shape their futures. “The kids are really interested to know,” she said. Meanwhile, the district has been getting to know McNulty since she started this year, after former principal Mark Ruggeberg resigned. It was an emotional transition for some. Ruggeberg had a reputation of being well liked and respected by students.
McNulty to page 7 ®
VOL. 128, NO. 24 © SOUTHWEST NEWSPAPERS