Thisweek Newspapers Burnsville and Eagan

Page 1

Burnsville | Eagan

www.SunThisweek.com Opinion More space on the shelves Larry Werner, general manager and editor of Sun Thisweek, writes about how the newspaper has more shelf space for the news people want. Page 4A

thisweekend

May 4, 2012 | Volume 33 | Number 10

Rare mistrials declared due to prosecutor conduct Kevin Golden’s actions resulted in dismissal of two criminal cases

by Laura Adelmann Sun Thisweek

Two First District judges have thrown out two criminal cases tried by Dakota County Assistant Attorney Kevin Golden, finding he twice created a mistrial so he could retry defendants, according to court orders. Among the findings in the rulings is that Golden held back evidence, dismissed witnesses early and

“I strongly disagree with the labeling of anything Kevin Golden did as being prosecutorial misconduct.

– Jim Backstrom

Dakota County attorney

made statements to provoke mistrials in criminal cases so he could retry them. Hamline University law

professor and former prosecuting attorney Joseph Olson called the cases “astonishing” and said based on

the rulings, the findings of prosecutorial misconduct against Golden are “so egregious” that the cases should be reviewed by the Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board. “It’s certainly worthy of investigating and worthy of some kind of professional sanction,” Olson said. “I’m amazed the county attorney didn’t fire him after the first case because he … deliber-

ately misused the process.” Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said he is disappointed the trial courts did not allow the county to continue with the prosecutions, stating Golden made mistakes, but did not intentionally try to cause mistrials. “I strongly disagree with the labeling of anything See Mistrials, 7A

Pioneers pave way for female officers, retire Ballet wizardry in Burnsville Twin Cities Ballet presents its original adaptation of “Wizard of Oz” at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center this month. Page 10A

sports

Eagan’s first two female police officers to leave in late May by Jessica Harper Sun Thisweek

When Lori Tripp joined the Eagan Police Department in 1980 as its first female officer, her presence wasn’t always well received. Male suspects often took offense at being arrested by a woman. And her male colleagues weren’t much better. “Some were direct and told me they didn’t want me there,” Tripp recalls. Others marginalized her in their attempts at praise. In one instance, a superior offi-

Linda Myhre

Lori Tripp

cer repeatedly complimented her for tackling a difficult suspect. Normally such praise would be gratifying, but she knew the comments were out of surprise she was able to assist in restraining the suspect. See Officers, 3A

Somalis sip and chat at Burnsville coffee shop Blaze softball turning a corner Burnsville softball team wins five in a row after a rare three-game losing streak. Page 14A

Eagles wrestling coach resigns Jim Jackson, the longtime coach of the Apple Valley wrestling team, announced he would be stepping away from the game. Page 15A

Index Opinion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4A Mother’s Day Ads . . . . . 9A Thisweekend. . . . . . . . . 10A Announcements . . . . . . 13A Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14A Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . 16A Public Notices. . . . . . . . 20A

General Information 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000

Raaho Coffee and Tea opened this year by Ibrahim Hirsi special to Sun Thisweek

When Somali-born Ahmed Mohamed arrived in the United States more than four decades ago, he expected two things: a better education and a life of contentment. He has met his expectations. What the retired mechanical engineer didn’t expect, because he couldn’t imagine it, was establishing Raaho Coffee and Tea, a social hub in the Colonial Ridge Shopping Center in Burnsville. Dozens of local Somali immigrants meet at the coffee shop to exchange information about their community here and about the troubling politics back in Mogadishu. Raaho Coffee and Tea, which Mohamed called a “Caribou Coffee version” of the community, has become a centerpiece for Somalis in Burnsville Photo by Rick Orndorf and surrounding cities since it opened Owner Ahmed Mohamed opened earlier this year. Raaho Coffee and Tea earlier this year See Raaho, 21A next to his halal market in Burnsville.

Photo by John Gessner

Rosemount High School science teacher Veda Kanitz, an organizer of the Dakota County Votes No campaign and a member of Open Circle Church in Burnsville, spoke at a kickoff event Sunday, April 29.

Foes of marriage amendment unite Campaign launched in Dakota County by John Gessner Sun Thisweek

The debate over constitutional banning of same-sex marriage in Minnesota came home Sunday, April 29, as nearly 200 packed a Burnsville church vowing to fight the socalled marriage amendment. By turns solemn and boisterous, the afternoon crowd gathered at Presbyterian Church of the Apostles for the kickoff of the Dakota County Votes No campaign. After a round of speeches that often invoked religious teachings, participants stayed for training on ways to bring

their message to Dakota County voters before the November election. “There will be phone-banking, there will be door-knocking,” said Kate Brickman, press secretary for Minnesotans United for All Families. “All of those things will be happening in Dakota County.” Minnesotans United for All Families is a statewide coalition urging “no” votes on the amendment, which asks voters whether the state constitution should be changed to define marriage as a union between See Campaign, 2A

Obermueller gets DFL nod in the 2nd District by T.W. Budig Sun thisweek

Former state representative Mike Obermueller of Eagan won the 2nd District DFL endorsement for U.S. House. He will now challenge five-term Republican U.S. Rep. John Kline of Lakeville. Obermueller, defeated in his second bid for the Minnesota House in 2010, bested Dakota County Commissioner and former South St.

Paul mayor KathDemocrats as it the leen Gaylord and now includes South Northfield City St. Paul and West St. Council member Paul, both traditional Patrick Ganey afDFL areas. ter three ballots at Obermueller is a Rosemount High good, organized camSchool on April 28. Mike paigner, Hansen said. “It’s a tough Obermueller Anyway the Repubseat,” Rep. Rick lican U.S. House isn’t Hansen, DFL-South St. that popular with voters, he Paul, who attended the con- explained. vention. According to a Minne Hansen views this year’s sota House biography, Oberredistricting as somewhat im- mueller was adopted and proving the 2nd District for raised on a dairy farm.

He is an attorney by profession. Obermueller was defeated by Republican Doug Wardlow in the 2010 election, taking about 48 percent of the vote to Wardlow’s 52 percent. “Congratulations to Mike Obermueller on winning the DFL endorsement today,” said DFL State Party Chairman Ken Martin in a statement. “John Kline’s time in Washington has expired as

��� � ���� ����� ��� �������� ���� ��� � ���� ��� ���� ������� ������� ������ ��� �������

��������������� ����� ������������

���� � ���� � ���� ��������

���������� ������������

����� ������ ������������

he has proven just how out of touch he is with his constituents and the values of Minnesotans,” he said. “Mike has been a strong, progressive leader who has the experience and the message to win in November, and we will be working side by side with him to make sure he succeeds,” Martin said. T.W. Budig can be reached at tim.budig@ecm-inc.com or facebook.com/sunthisweek.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.