Rosemount’s own Sawtooth plays the Bluegrass Americana Family Night series. See Thisweekend Page 12A
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Thisweek Farmington-Lakeville
ing Wedd e d i Gu sue
February 3, 2012
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in th Included
VOLUME 32, NO. 49
NEWS OPINION SPORTS
www.thisweeklive.com
Opinion/4A
Announcements/5A
Board dismisses complaint against Sen. Thompson Claim deemed ‘insufficient’
Sports/6A
Classifieds/7A
Public Notices/10A
Valentine’s Day/10A
Romney, Pawlenty rally in Eagan
time, your complaint is considered on the basis of the A DFL complaint documented $3,750 payagainst state Sen. Dave ment.” Thompson, R-Lakeville, Because Thompson was was dismissed Tuesday, Jan. acting as an independent consultant, he was 31, about a week not an employee and after it was initially did not have to dismade. close the payments Gary Goldfrom the GOP, smith, executive Goldsmith said in director of the the letter. Campaign Finance Goldsmith wrote and Public Disclo- Sen. Dave that the DFL could sure Board, wrote Thompson re-submit the comin a letter to DFL plaint if it had more Chairman Ken Martin that the complaint “does not sufficient evidence, however provide a sufficient basis “on the basis of your curfor the commencement of a rent submission, this matter is closed.” Board investigation.” Martin alleged on Jan. In a statement, Thomp23 that Thompson failed to son said he “complied with include all required infor- all disclosure requirements. mation on his Statements Therefore, I am not surof Economic Interest filed prised by the Board’s deciwith the Board, leaving out sion. Still, it is gratifying to $70,000 in consulting fees see a clear statement from he earned from the state Mr. Goldsmith concluding Republican Party between that the complaint does not the fall of 2009 and early even provide a basis for an fall 2010, just before he was investigation.” elected to the state Senate, In response to the fian amount first reported by nance board’s ruling, Martin said in a statement that Minnesota Public Radio. “However, the only it “draws attention to a documentation you have legal loophole that has alprovided is a Federal Com- lowed elected leaders like munications Commission Senator Thompson to report showing a payment sidestep disclosure requireof $3,750 with a described ments that are there to purpose of ‘General Party make campaigns and govMedia Consulting’,” Gold- ernment more transparent. smith wrote. “If you have This loophole needs to be other documentation of closed immediately.” the alleged $70,000 in payments and wish to submit Aaron Vehling is at aaron.veit, the Board will reevalu- hling@ecm-inc.com or www. ate your complaint. At this facebook.com/thisweeklive. by Aaron Vehling Thisweek Newspapers
Photo by Rick Orndorf
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney made a campaign stop at Freightmasters in Eagan Wednesday, Feb. 1. His speech included mention of issues related to seniors, education, jobs and Obama’s leadership. Former Minnesota Gov. and presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty and former Senator Norm Coleman joined Romney as supporters.
Presidential hopeful receives support, some protest at event As he took the stage, Romney was “glitter-bombed” with confetti, which has recently been done to candidates who have anti-gay marriage views by pro-gay marriage activists. After brushing off the glitter protest, Romney said it’s time for new leadership and then led the crowd in singing the first verse of “America the Beautiful.” Before the rally began, a small group of protesters gathered outside the warehouse where Romney would later rally his supporters. One protester decried Romney’s tax rate, which was recently released. “To be honest, it’s class warfare,” said St. Paul resident John Ewaldt of AFSCME. “Middle-class Minnesotans are paying 35 to 38 percent and Romney is paying 15, and that’s just not right.”
by Matt Hankey Thisweek Newspapers
Fresh off his decisive victory in the Jan. 31 Florida primary, Republican presidential candidate and Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney spoke to an enthusiastic audience the following day at a Freightmasters Inc. trucking company warehouse in Eagan. “We just won Florida and we’re going to win the White House,” Romney said. Romney was introduced to the crowd of hundreds of supporters by former Minnesota governor and Eagan resident Tim Pawlenty and former U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman. Pawlenty has been campaigning for Romney in several states after having dropped his own presidential bid after the Iowa straw poll in August.
Others, like Apple Valley residents Judy Finger and Charlie Curry, said they’re worried about Romney’s promises to cut Social Security and Medicare benefits if elected president. “We don’t support Mitt Romney,” said Finger, who carried a “Keep Your Mitt(s) Off My Medicare and Social Security!” sign. “What more can I say?” Burnsville resident Bernie Rimnac, a conservative, said he’s open-minded regarding all Republican presidential candidates and is currently undecided. “When the time comes to vote, I’ll have my decision made,” Rimnac said. “We can’t have another four years of debt upon debt upon debt. It’s not going to go away unless we do something.” Another rally attendee, John Ryan of See Romney, 11A
Residential zoning change trapped family for a decade Farmington City Council could seek possible action
Thisweek Newspapers
For the last decade, a zoning change has prevented a Farmington man from improving his home built in 1905. David Marsh, 43, purchased a small home on First Street in 1999 with dreams of adding to it as his family grew. In 2005, he presented to the city building plans to add more bedrooms and bathrooms, a larger kitchen and a three-car garage.
But his plans were sidetracked when he learned his residential property had been rezoned commercial, and he needed a conditional use permit. So began Marsh’s 10-year quest to use his property as he wished. He paid for permit reviews, an attorney and hearings along the way, but every time his request to return his homesteaded property to residential use was denied, sometimes by the Planning Commission, other times the
City Council. Initially, his property was in a designated flood plain, which further impeded his building plans, but that designation has since been lifted. “This is the biggest loss of my life,” Marsh said of his initial $100,000 investment in the property. After all the battles he has been through with the city, Marsh has his home for sale, but said buyers lose interest once they learn it’s been zoned commercial and there are extra restrictions for im-
proving it. However, late last year city officials allowed Greg Feeley, another residential property owner in the same zoning area, to revert his property to residential from the business zoning so he could sell it. While Marsh said he’s glad Feeley was able to get his property’s zoning changed, he questioned why he has been denied that same accommodation. Farmington City Planner See Zoning, 11A
Family Leisure to move into old Kowalski’s site
Caucuses provide stage for workings of democracy Members of state political parties will gather Feb. 7
Building has been empty since early 2007
by T.W. Budig
by Aaron Vehling
Ecm Capitol Reporter
Thisweek Newspapers
This spring, home recreation retailer Family Leisure will move into the former Kowalski’s Market site at Lakeville Crossings that has been vacant since early 2007. Family Leisure sells a variety of products, ranging from hot tubs and lawn furniture to pool tables, grills and swing sets. The site at Cedar Avenue and County Road 46 will be Family Leisure’s second Minnesota location. Its only curPhoto submitted rent Minnesota site is in Brooklyn Park. The IndianapoFamily Leisure, a recreation retailer, will move this lis-based company also has stores in eight other states. Kowalski’s, a Woodbury-based high-end grocer, spring into the former Kowalski’s space at Cedar Avenue and County Road 46. The building has been vacant for See Family, 7A about five years.
General 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000
Photo by Laura Adelmann
David Marsh has been trying to sell his home on First Street as a commercial property since about 2006 with no luck. Several buyers have been interested in his home, but once they learn the city has zoned his property commercial, they lose interest.
It’s a chance to shape the political parties and the fortunes of candidates. Minnesotans will caucus on Tuesday, Feb. 7, gathering in neighborhoods across the state for an exercise in democracy. “It’s always a big deal,” said Minnesota DFL State Party Chairman Ken Martin of Eagan. DFL Secretary of State See Caucuses, 7A
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by Laura Adelmann
in brief Following are the Feb. 7 precinct caucus locations for residents in Senate District 36 which includes Farmington, Lakeville and surrounding townships. Registration typically begins at 6:30 p.m. and the caucus at 7 p.m. See Locations, 7A
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