A whole lotta ‘uff da’: Ole and Lena are coming to Lakeville. See Thisweekend Page 12A
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Thisweek Farmington-Lakeville February 10, 2012 VOLUME 32, NO. 50
NEWS OPINION SPORTS
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Lakeville’s economy improved in 2011 Major businesses, housing drove up permit valuations by Aaron Vehling Thisweek Newspapers
Things are getting better in Lakeville, at least when it comes to economic development. A number of businesses have either moved to the city or expanded their current footprints; new housing units are up, too, according to an annual report Community and Economic Development Director Dave Olson gave to
the City Council on Monday night. Permit valuations increased to about $84 million in 2011, compared to about $54 million in 2010. Permit valuations represent the value of all improvements on properties in the city.
Bustling businesses Among the highlights is a huge increase over 2010 in commercial and industrial
development – about $18 million in permit valuations in 2011 versus about $3.7 million in 2010. At least seven new corporations purchased buildings or are leasing commercial and industrial property, including Dayton Freight, JD Woodcraft, Viking Performance and Computer Sciences Corporation, which has leased 160,000 of 282,000 square feet at the spec in-
dustrial site at the corner of Dodd and County Road 70. That site had been vacant for years. “More than a half-million square feet of building space in Airlake (Industrial Park) was either purchased or leased in 2011,” Olson said. This would have been a good number even during the boom times, he added. This reflects a region-wide See Economy, 5A
Republican caucuses draw crowds Presidential hopeful Rick Santorum comes out ahead
Photo by Aaron Vehling
Economic development in Lakeville in 2011 showed signs of recovery. Airlake Industrial Park saw a decrease in vacancies, more housing units were added to the city and large retailers such as Walmart (above) plan to open this year.
Little leads fundraising in Lakeville mayoral race That could change when Bellows switches to campaign mode by Aaron Vehling Thisweek Newspapers
Photo by Laura Adelmann
State Rep. Patrick Garofalo, R-Farmington, shakes hands with residents during precinct meetings at the Republican caucus Feb. 7. by Tad Johnson and Patrick Garofalo’s challenge: “Let’s votes cast. There were also three writeLaura Adelmann beat Barack Obama in 2012.” in votes for former Minnesota Gov. Thisweek Newspapers But in precinct discussions, residents Tim Pawlenty. Farmington and Lakeville-area Re- debated the best strategy by which to Lakeville SD 36 precinct 1 cast 12 votes for Santorum, seven for Paul and publicans turned out in force to the Feb. accomplish that goal. 7 Senate District 36 caucus at Boeck- A majority in that precinct voiced Gingrich and Romney each earned five man Middle School, filling the audito- support for Rick Santorum, several votes. stating they thought he filled both In Lakeville’s SD 36 12th precinct, rium. As he did statewide, Rick Santorum major criteria: the candidate who best Romney won the straw poll with 24 easily won the district’s straw poll, earn- matched Republican views and the one votes; Santorum was in second place ing 404 votes or 42 percent of the re- with the best chance to beat President with 16 votes, Paul had 13 votes and Obama in November. Gingrich came in last with nine votes. porting ballots cast by press time. Some townships still had not turned Candidates Romney and former At the Democratic caucus, which in their results as of Wednesday morn- front-runner Newt Gingrich were called met at Farmington High School, things “big government progressives,” and were much quieter. ing. According to the information avail- Paul was described as having “bag- A group of 30 attended the caucus, and organizer Steve Quist said all voted able, presidential candidate Ron Paul gage.” took second in the district with 26 per- One woman said she liked Paul’s for Obama. plan to restore America, but was im- He said there were several resolucent of the votes. The decisive win in Minnesota and pressed with Santorum because he’s not tions passed opposing voter ID measures because they said it would take in the other two states holding presi- a “typical politician.” dential preference votes – Missouri Before visiting the Farmington cau- away voting rights from some poor, eland Colorado – means Santorum has cuses that evening, State Sen. Dave derly and disabled people. new momentum in a race that seemed Thompson announced his endorsement Republicans have backed the Constito be led by Massachusetts Gov. Mitt of Santorum; he also reported that the tutional amendment to ensure election Romney, who campaigned in Eagan on Lakeville Republican caucus he’d been integrity and prevent fraud. Farmington DFLers passed several Wednesday, Feb. 1, with former Min- at was “standing room only.” nesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, an Eagan While Republicans statewide voted other resolutions, including one opresident and former state representative for Santorum, the poll was not binding, posing a constitutional amendment on meaning delegates can cast their ballots gay marriage, another for increasing and city council member in Eagan. student loan funding and a resolution Santorum spent much more time in for any candidate. the state, appearing in such ECM-Sun In Farmington precincts, Republi- opposing a right-to-work amendment. cans cast 169 votes for Santorum; Paul cities as Eden Prairie and Blaine. At the Farmington Republican cau- came in at 88 votes; Gingrich had 47 Laura Adelmann is at laura.adelmann@ cus, rousing cheers welcomed State Rep. and Romney was in last place with 34 ecm-inc.com.
Zoo’s dolphin calf dies after sudden illness Complications from stomach ulcer was cause of death
The Minnesota Zoo’s female dolphin calf Taijah died Monday after coming down with “a sudden and acute illness,” zoo officials said. Taijah began showing signs of severe illness Monday morning and an ultrasound showed fluid in her stomach, according to zoo General 952-894-1111 Distribution 952-846-2070 Display Advertising 952-846-2011 Classified Advertising 952-846-2000
officials. She was immediately put on medication and her condition seemed stable until late Monday night. Zoo officials said the cause of death was complications from a stomach ulcer. “This is a very sad day at the Minnesota Zoo,” said Kevin Willis, the zoo’s director of biological programs. “Known for her spunky personality and playful antics, Taijah was a favorite among staff and guests alike. She was a bright spot in anyone’s day.” Born at the zoo in July 2010, Taijah was the calf of Allie, a 24-year-old Atlantic bottlenose dolphin who has been at the zoo since 2008, and Semo, 48, believed to be the oldest dolphin currently
File photo
The zoo’s dolphin calf Taijah, seen here swimming with her mom Allie shortly after her birth in July 2010, died Monday night after coming down with a sudden illness. in human care. Taijah’s grandmother, April, died at the zoo in February 2011 at age 44 after
battling age-related health issues in preceding months. —Andrew Miller
The 2012 Lakeville mayoral race has two declared candidates so far, incumbent M a y o r Mark Bellows and challenger and City Mark C o u n c i l Bellows Member Matt Little. The fundraising numbers show Little with a significant lead in contributions with more than $8,000 reported versus Bellows’ zero dollars. Given that the filing deadline for mayoral candidates is not until Aug. 14, the landscape could change. What follows is a snapshot of the race so far.
Bellows Bellows said he has not raised any money because it is “too early in the process.” “I haven’t put any energy into my campaign in that way,” he said. A look at his 2010 campaign finance report from his first mayoral race might indicate a general outlook for this year’s fundraising efforts.
Bellows raised more than $6,000 in 2010 and spent most of it, according to his report. The donor list was largely local names, including business owners such as James Matt and MiLittle chael White of White Funeral Homes; Council Member and real estate developer Colleen LaBeau and her developer father James Stanton; and Chamber of Commerce Vice President Sheila Longie. There also was a $300 contribution from the Minnesota Association of Realtors Political Action Committee. His campaign’s expenses were typical of local races: newspaper ads, fliers and signs.
Little At least part of the reason for Little’s amount is that he has been actively fundraising since the first quarter of 2011. On his Facebook page and Twitter feed, Little has operated fundraising See Race, 5A
Two longtime firefighters retire Chief: They will be missed
by Laura Adelmann Thisweek Newspapers
Over 40 years of service has been completed with the retirement of two longtime Fa r m i n g ton firefighters. K e v i n Kuehn, 49, will retire Feb. 24 af- Kevin ter more Kuehn than 20 years as a firefighter and Capt. Dan Meyer, 53, culminated 21 years with the department Jan. 13. Kuehn, a rescue squad member, said he began his volunteer service because he was interested in helping people in their time of need. “That was very much accomplished,” Kuehn said. As an emergency medical technician and rescue squad member, Kuehn was on the scene of Farmington’s first emergency call where a patient’s life was saved by use of an automatic defibrillator. “When someone is having severe issues like that, you feel honored to have the opportunity to be able to help them so they walk another day,” Kuehn said. He has since lost count of the number of patients
he’s been able to save using a defibrillator, and he knows the adrenaline rush that comes with safely delivering crash victims onto a medical helicopter. But a job promotion has kept him to out of town more ofDan ten, makMeyer ing it difficult for Kuehn to arrive to the emergency calls, and so he decided to retire. Kuehn said he has enjoyed his time with the department and considers the other firefighters family. “There’s not many people in life who will run into a burning building with you,” Kuehn said. He called his time working in the city a pleasure. “All the guys are going to be well-missed,” he said. “They will never be forgotten, and will always be deep in my heart.” Fire Chief Tim Pietsch called Kuehn “a valuable member of the team. … I hate to see him go.” Pietsch also had high praise for Meyer, who has served as captain for the last six years. “Dan was very active See Longtime, 5A