Thisweek Farmington and Lakeville

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AL SPECI N I T SEC O sue

Included

The spectacle of sight and sound that is ‘Joseph’ comes to Eagan.

A NEWS OPINION SPORTS

Thisweek Farmington-Lakeville

in this is

JULY 15, 2011

VOLUME 32, NO. 20

See Thisweekend page 7A

www.thisweeklive.com

Messages/2A

Opinion/4A

Public Notices/6A

Classifieds/9A

Announcements/8A

Sports/12A

Metro transit budget cuts could mean reduced transit in Lakeville Once funding would be restored routes could be restarted by Aaron Vehling THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

When it comes to discussions about the Legislature right now, most of it centers on the current state government shutdown. There are calls to come to a compromise to pass the budget and get the state moving again. But what can be overlooked is the content

of that budget. Should it pass, the budget includes a 20 percent cut in funding to Metro Transit that could possibly eliminate all its bus routes to Lakeville, according to proposals the Met Council presented at a recent public meeting. The $109 million reduction would hit some of the

center cities’ busiest bus routes, too, but the typical scenario maps indicate Lakeville would be cut off from the system. “We’re trying not to be route-specific in the absence of a specific proposal or recommendation,� said Metro Transit spokeswoman Bonnie Kollodge. “But we’re also saying everything is on

the table. A 25 percent reduction in service is huge.� About 131 of Metro Transit’s 146 routes would experience elimination or some level of reduction, Kollodge said. This comes on the heels of Metro Transit’s highest ridership year in decades. In addition, Lakeville’s Kenrick Avenue park-and-

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Lakeville’s Kenrick Avenue park-and-ride facility, which serves at least 600 people a weekday, could be moth-balled because of budget cuts. ride, located off I-35, is an Thisweek Newspapers increasingly popular transit reported in late March that solution for area residents. See Transit, 5A

Local Republicans standing firm Haugen, Farmington School Board sign three-year contract

Shutdown standoff deep as GOP rejects new tax revenue by John Gessner

our state spending for many years has been increasing so fast we absoComments from several legisla- lutely have to bring down the spendtors in the solidly Republican south- ing increase,� said the Apple Valley ern suburbs show the depth of the lawmaker, who represents District standoff that has kept Minnesota 37. “The root cause is overspending. The problem is not that government partially shut we don’t tax Minnesotans down since July 1. enough.� With $1.4 billion still sepMost Republican lawmakarating Republicans from ers say the $34.2 billion in DFL Gov. Mark Dayton in spending they approved this the fight over spending for session is the limit. Repubthe next two-year budget pelican legislative leaders have riod, local Republicans are taken that stance into talks standing firm against Day- Dave with Dayton. There’s a $5 ton’s proposals to raise new Thompson billion gap between the Retax revenue. publican budget measures “For me, where to get revand forecasted spending for enue to grow government the 2012-13 biennium based isn’t the right question,� said on current spending levels. freshman Sen. Dave Thomp“The leadership has the son of Lakeville, who reprepulse of our caucus,� said sents District 36. Senate Republican Dan Hall Sen. Chris Gerlach of of Burnsville, a freshman Apple Valley, a Capitol vet- Pat representing District 40. eran in a south metro area Garofalo “They’re certainly in agreeinfused with freshmen from the 2010 electoral sweep that put ment with us as a caucus,� Hall said. both houses of the Legislature in “We feel good about where we’re Republican hands, said state spend- at. We just feel sad about what the governor’s done. The governor, the ing growth must be slowed. “I have pretty strong feelings that DFL, the unions – they’re pretty AND THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS STAFF

First-year salary pro-rated at $172,500, start date today by Laura Adelmann

Photo by T.W. Budig

The state shutdown persists as DFL Gov. Mark Dayton and the GOP-led Legislature remain at philosophical odds over how to fund the government. much all together on this: Raise taxes. We’re pretty much saying that’s the wrong way; we don’t need that in this economy.� The Republican budget represents See Shutdown, 13A

Is your legislator still collecting a paycheck? More are choosing to get paid during shutdown than not by Erin Johnson THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

Some Minnesota lawmakers have declined their July paychecks, but more have continued to receive payment even as the state remains shut down for the foreseeable future. Gov. Mark Dayton announced June 18 that he would refuse pay during the shutdown, and some lo-

cal legislators have followed suit. Sen. Ted Daley of Eagan is the only state senator in Thisweek’s coverage area who declined his July paycheck. Senators who chose to take their paycheck during the shutdown include Sen. Chris Gerlach of Apple Valley, Sen. Dan Hall of Burnsville, and Sen. Dave Thomp-

“I’m thrilled to be here tonight. I feel like I’ve reWith palpable excite- ally found a home,� Haument, the Farmington gen said. “We’re very excited School Board unanimously approved on to have you,� McKnight Monday a three-year said, “and the community is very excited contract with Jay as well. This is the Haugen as the beginning of a district’s new suwhole new future perintendent. for us.� Haugen’s anFollowing the nual salary starts vote, Haugen left at $180,000, but the meeting to atis prorated to $172,500 this year Jay Haugen tend his last meetfor a two-week late start. ing in the West St. PaulHe officially begins Mendota Heights-Eagan the job July 15 and is School District, where he scheduled for annual sal- has been superintendent ary increases of at least for about five years. He said in an inter$4,500 through June 30, 2014, when the contract view he plans to continue straddling both positions expires. In 2012-13, Hau- through the transition pegen is scheduled to earn riod. Outgoing Farming$184,500 and $189,000 in ton Superintendent Brad 2013-14. The contract allows Meeks, who begins as Haugen the possibility of superintendent of Steamadditional pay increas- boat Springs, Colo., es during the contract School District July 15, term but doesn’t specify was not at the Farmingamounts. It allows no pay ton meeting. Meeks’ final salcuts. Following the vote, the ary in Farmington was board and a few audience $176,000, but in 2010, he members broke into rous- was also paid a $6,917 bonus for meeting some ing applause. Haugen smiled broad- district goals. In his new position, ly as Board Member Julie McKnight invited him to Meeks’ salary was set at the podium to share his $165,000 under a oneSee Haugen, 13A thoughts. THISWEEK NEWSPAPERS

son of Lakeville. In the House, Rep. Kurt Bills of Rosemount, Rep. Pat Garofalo of Farmington, and Rep. Doug Wardlow of Eagan have all declined their July paychecks. House members who continued to get paid during the shutdown include Rep. Diane Anderson of Eagan, Rep. Mary Liz Holberg of Lakeville, Rep. Tara Mack

of Apple Valley, and Rep. Pam Myhra of Burnsville. According to House payroll officials, lawmakers can choose to permanently not collect the pay, or they can still choose to collect the full amount retroactively when the shutdown ends. Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ecm-inc.com.

Pan-O-Prog scores big again this year

Photo by Rick Orndorf

More Pan on page 7 -O-Prog photos A www.This , and online at weekLive.c om

Photo by Rick Orndorf

Music in the Park was among the many musical offerings of Lakeville’s Pan-O-Prog Tate Gerc from Lakeville is the winner of the 4 years and under tractor pull division during celebration. For more photos, go online at www.ThisweekLive.com. Pan-O-Prog.

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