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Document - Historical information/data - Tom Egan key accomplishments. 20 pages total. - 7/26/1998&AN, TROMAS (MyoR) Egan, Wachter honored for years of service Friends reminisce about past 20 years By Jon Fure Minnesota Sun Publications he last City Council meeting of 1998 was also the last meeting for Mayor Tom Egan and Councilmember Ted Wachter, who have served on the council together for the last 20 years. Each received a plaque for their years of service — Egan has been on the council since 1978, and Wachter began serving on the township planning board in 1958 before becoming a charter member of the City Council. They also got their share of good-natured teasing and words of appreciation from friends, rela- tives and coworkers during a re- ception Dec. 17 at Royal Cliff in Eagan. Egan said he has mixed feel- ings about retiring from the coun- cil. While he looks forward to spending more time with his fam- ily, he looks back on many fond memories. After receiving his plaque at the Dec. 15 meeting, he thanked his family, the city staff and all the people who have sup- ported him over the years. And after pausing for a few moments, he added, "You've put more faith in me then I've put in myself" City Administrator Tom Hedges described some of the major changes in Eagan by read- ing statistics from 1978 compared to the present. Eagan has grown from 7,000 households in 1978 to 24,000 today, he said. The Police Department had 14,000 calls in 1978 and has had 43,000 in 1998. The city's general fund budget was $1.3 million in 1978, whereas today's is $16 million. The city water system pumped 800 million gallons of water from seven wells in 1978, and today it pumps 2.9 billion gallons from 19 wells. Hedges also estimated that Egan and Wachter have each read about 144,000 pages of memos and reports in the council packets since 1978. And in meetings alone, he estimated they have each spent the equivalent of 135 24-hour days on the council in the last 20 years.. Alyce Bolke, who was appoint- ed township clerk in 1961 and be- came city clerk when Eagan was incorporated, described the meet- ings in the old Town Hall. She said they sat on wooden chairs and benches — sweating and swatting mosquitoes in the summer and huddling around a potbellied stove in their coats and boots in winter. She said she remembers Wachter and other charter council members approving the first zon- ing map, discussing the contro- versy of incorporating as a city, ap- proving plans for Interstate 35E, defeating a proposal to annex into Burnsville and many other major decisions in Eagan's history. "It's been a great pleasure for me to work with you, Ted. Thanks a lot for all you did for the city," she said. Rep. Tim Pawlenty, who was an Eagan council member for two years, said Egan and Wachter have both been good role models for him. He said the recent elec- tion of Jesse Ventura indicated that people are tired of politicians bickering, and they are looking for elected officials who will get things done. "They had Ventura's message before being like Jesse was cool. You look around at the city and you see their handprint all over. They can be very proud that they led us to this point. These are good people who have done good things for a good city. We owe them a great debt of gratitude," he said. Many people referred to Wachter as "Mr Tree" because of his efforts in preserving trees throughout Eagan's development. When Mayor -elect Pat Awada pre- sented his plaque, she pointed out that it has a small cross section of the lone oak tree. "As much as he has given to Eagan, we felt we should give part of Eagan to Ted," she said. "What can I say? It's been a wonderful trip from beginning to end. I take great pride in the city's 46 parks, over 92 miles of trails, Apple Vall :y/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Wednesday, Dec. 23, 1998 11 A Jan Abbott/Staff Photographer Eagan honored retiring Mayor Tom Egan and Councilmember Ted Wachter Thursday evening at Royal Cliff. They are looking at a 1957 map of Eagan at the spot of Wachter's contour farming techniques. Egan (below [eft) has been on the council since 1978 and Wachter (below right) began serving on the township planning board in 1958 before becoming a charter member of the Eagan City Council. two ice arenas, a library that is second to none, and now with an aquatic facility, the future of ac- tivities for our youth is assured," he said. Egan described some of the ideas that seemed radical when he first ran for election, like widening Pilot Knob Road, in- creasing the number of off -sale liquor licenses from three to four, allowing companies to build gas stations without service bays and purchasing compact cars or cars with diesel engines for the Police Department. He said not only has the landscape changed in Eagan, but people's perceptions of public officials have also: changed. "Expectations of elected offi- cials has increased immensely. Submitted Photo Back then people were very for- giving if they felt you were at- tempting to do the right thing. Now many people have become downright cynical. We're con- stantly faced with distrust, suspi- cion and cynicism, the likes of which we've never seen," he said. Farm fields have been re- placed by neighborhoods and of- fice buildings, and the rapid growth has created demand for services and amenities, Egan added. Throughout the changes, the constant demand has been for the council to keep taxes as low as possible, and he said he is proud that Eagan's taxes traditionally have been low. He thanked Hedges and each of the city de- partment heads for their leader - Submitted Photo ship. He also gave advice to Paul Bakken and Peggy Carlson, who will take office in January, and to anyone else who will seek election to the council. "You have to listen, listen, lis- ten. Listen intently to your con- stituents with your ears, listen with your eyes and listen with your heart and listen with your mind. And after you listen you must act. Eagan has a represen- tative form of democracy, which means most of the decisions are made by [the five -member coun- cil]. There is no room for arro- gance. You have to act decisively but without arrogance. "It's been a privilege and an honor to serve this unparalleled community." 12A •' Apple, Valley/Rosemount,,Eagan Sun•Current/Wednesday, Din: 23, 1998 oolittles New- Year's . Eve bash supports DD Doolittles restaurants hold alcohol -free party, benefit - By Kim -Johnson. Minnesota Sun Publications Next week,'people allover the Twin Cities will be ringing in the New Year — dining,_ dancing, drinking, or maybe even sleeping. For'its-third year, Doolittles Air Cafe will offer an 'alternative to what is ar- guably the biggest bar night of the year. Its alcohol -free New Year's -Eve party will take place at all four Doolit- tles-'locations:Eden Prairie, Eagan, -Golden Valley and Coon Rapids. • RestaurateursBarb Olson and her brother, Lynn -Reimer, have made some changes to this year's'event, which they hope will attract 200 guests to each lo- cation. But the party still will serve as a fund-raiser for. Mothers- Against Drunk Driving (MADD).. ' = All net profits from the evening will go to MADD, Olson. said. In the past two years, Doolittles has raised more than $3,000 for the nonprofit.organiza- tion. Olson hopes to collect $1,000 for MADD this year, and emphasized the restaurants also will accept `donations for the organization. In the past, Doolittles 'has received checks for $500. to go -to the fund-raiser, she said. "That's amazing," Olson said. "When that happens, all of us are just grateful. ,We don't expect it:" , In the past, the parties -offered buf- fet dining and dancing for $20 to $30, a head, and was geared more- toward adult.couples.•.Wine' and'beer. were available. ' This year, the event' is tailored to-. ward families,Olson said. Ticket prices,. are down to $10-for adults and $5 for . children 12 and under Ali -you -can -eat appetizers will, replace, the prime. rib' dinner buffet, and pop, coffee and water: will -be the drinks of choice. "That late,most people are just wanting to graze anyway," Olson said. , The party starts at 10 p.m., but din-, `People thought we closed down the restaurant for the party last year.. We just want people to know they can still come early and sup we're doing.': _ - port what .— Barb Olson restaurateur' i ner specials before the New Year's Eve festivities will be partofa two -fold pro- motion, Olson said. - "People thought we closed down the restaurant for the -party last year,".she said. "We just want people to know they .,can still come early and support what we're doing " • - A balloon,drop is -scheduled for mid- night, with prizes for all ages inside many:of the balloons, Olson said. A'dee- jay from KOOL 108 will set the stage -for dancing, and will play a variety of music, including requests, she said. Former middle linebacker for- the Minnesota Vikings, Jeff Siemon, :will be at Doolittles in Eden Prairie for the event, along with his wife, Dawn, and Olson and her husband, Dan. _ -"It's a great alternative on New Year's," Siemon said, adding that he wants to support the restaurants' fund- raising efforts and his friends, the 01- 'sons. Siemon played for the Vikings be- .• tween 1972-1983, under coach Bud Grant. He now lives and works in Edina: "I'm excited," Olson said. "I'm really • hoping we get a good response." The event might attract some young people,too, but minors must be accom- panied by an adult — which could be an older brother or sister, *Olson said. "It's 'a good way for parents to.know that (their kids] can come "down and - have a good time, and be safe," she said. • SERVICE • Navy Seaman Recruit Daniel Pa- cholke, whose parents are Randy and Jody Pacholke of Rosemount, has: com- pleted basic training in Great Lakes, Ill: Marine Staff Sgt. Michael Nimtz, whose parents. are Scott and Marlys Nimtz of Apple Valley, received a Merito- rious Mast. - . Navy Seaman - Recruit Brandon Mitchell, whose, parents are • William and Jackie Mitchell df Rosemount, has completed basic training in -Great Lakes, Ill. He is a 1998 graduate of Rosemount • High School. • - - . Army National Guard Pfc. • Michael Slag, whose parents are Joan Slag of _ . Devils Lake, N.D., and Jeff Slag of Rose_.• mount; has graduated from the wheeled vehicle repairer course at Aberdeen Prov- ing Ground, Aberdeen, Md.• - Navy Fireman Recruit Christopher • Budde; whose parents are Paul and Bon- ' -nies Budde of Rosemount;.has completed basic training at Recruit Training Com- mand, Great Lakes; Ill. He is a 1994 graduate of Rosemount High School.- • Air National .Guard Airman Vaughn Hanson, whose parents are -Richard and. Sandra Hanson ofRosemount, has grad- uated from basic military -training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, - Texas. He is a 1992 graduate of, Rose- mount High School and in 1994 received. an 'associate degree from Minnesota Bible College, Rochester. Army Pvt. Joel Jacobson, whose "parents are Lawrence and Susan Jacob- son of Rosemount, has graduated from One -'Station Unit Training i>a Fort Ben • ning, Columbus, Ga. He is a 1997 gradu- ate of Rosemount High School.' Army Pvt. Chad. -Morris, whose par= ents are Jean Smith of Apple: Valley and Dan. Morris of Farmington, has graduat- ed from the Bradley fighting vehicle sys- • tem turret mechanic course at Fort Knox,. - Ky. He is a 1997 graduate of Apple Valley HighSchooL - . Staff Sgt: Synita Loyd of Rosemount' has 'received the Meritorious Service - Medal as. a: result of being instrumental • HONOR ROLL . in the -management: of the annual train- ing budget at the 88th-Regional 'Support. Command at Fort Snelling. Loyd has an • ll=year career in the military. Part of this career- includes two;:years in the. active Army and -one year in the Army Reserve. ' In 1990 she joined the Active Guard Re- serve program and :had positions as an `executive assistant prior to her assign- ment at the, 88th--RSC. She currently works for the operations directorate: Air Force Airman Chad Jacobson, whose parents are Cheryl Jacobson of - • Rosemount and Steve Jacobson of Farm- ' • ington, has ,graduated from basic train- ing in San Antonio, Texas. He is a 1998 ` graduate of Rosemount High School.. - . Maurice Young of Eagan performed at the. National Veterans Creative Arts Festival in Houston, Texas. Young, 50, is_ - one of more than 100-U S.-military veter- • ans fromacross the nation who was in Houstonfor a week of workshops and re- - hearsals leading up to a gala stage per- formance and art exhibit at the Univer- sity of Houston's Cullen Performance Hall. Young won- first place in the na- tional music' competition, Vocal Group Jazz/R&B. category and also won in the Vocal Solo category. Young, together with his•two fellow "Bachelors," Sonny Knight i and Monroe Wright, sang "Up' a Lazy a River." The Bachelors have won this -com- petition for the past three years, howev- er, this is Young's first time to win a medal as a soloist: • Army National Guard Pvt. Samuel Holl, whose parents: are Mark and Katherine Holl of Burnsville, has -gradu- ated from basic training at Fort Leonard ;Wood, Waynesville, Mo. He is a 1998 . graduate of Burnsville High School.. Army Pvt. Charles Auld, whose par- ents are :Charles and Jackie Auld of ' Burnsville, has graduated from basic; training. at Fort; Leonard Wood, Way`, .. nesville, Mo. He -is a 1997 graduate ofai - Burnsville High School. - — • Army National Guard . Pvt. Bradley ?. McGraw, whose - parents are Timothy ,_. and Roxanne McGraw of Burnsville, has entered basictraining at Fort Jackson, • Columbia, S.C: He is a 1998 graduate of Burnsville High School. - A honor roll named at EVHS for first: quarter The following students were named to the Eastview High School "A" Honor Roll* for the first quarter of the 1998-99 school year: _ • Lindgren, Rachel Lucas, Molly Maistrovich; Ashley. Martens, John Maturen, Laura Mazurk, Sarah McCann, Elisabeth Heiss, Brian Henk, Barbara Henninger, Sarah ` Henningsen, Jaymeson,Heppelmann, Nicole-Heppner, Scott McGregor, Allison McKay, Ann McKenzie, Ashley- Mark Hines, Adam Holten, Marietta Hoogs, Shen Huffs- McNamara, David Meacham, 'Sara Mesarchik, Mitchell • tutter, Courtney Hugstad-vaa, Bryce Hutchins, Michael'• Meyer, John Millea, Knsti Millman, Michael Miserendi- Iverson, Keith Jasken, Lindsey Johnson, Nathan John - no, Andrew Morgan, Nicole Moulzolf, Andrea Mueller, son, Sarah Johnson, Kevin Kane, Jenelle Kasdorf, Sara - "James Scoville, Anna Shogren; Timothy Slu-• -Joshua Christie Mueller, Katey.Munson, Megan Murphy, Colan Keller, Ashley Kite, Brooke Kile,•Mark;Kmgsbury, Justin : • 'Solberg, Ryan Sommers, granNicholas Thompson; Jennifer Neese, Matthew Nelson, Emily Nichols,. Brent. Nicholson; Knoepfler, Breanna Korsman, Mackenzie Kristoff, Leah Katherine O'Sullivan, Benjamin Olson, Lexington Paiko; Krizak, Kristina Kurcinka, Lynne Kurdael, Kelly Laramy, Tomes; Kathryn Toscano, Rebekah Towner, Kelli Tsu- . Matthew Lattemer, Cassandra Lawin, Uo , An ..rusaki, Cortney Urbach, Nadezhda Verenich, Amy Andrew Panchenko, Danielle Patterson, Courtney Paul; Ryan 1rd Jessica Pederson, Joel Peterson, gela Lucas,. Anne Marden; Sarah' Marquart, Nicholas Waldera,Jody Ward;,Efias Way; Joshua Werner, Abigail. David Martin, Kathryn McCabe, Christopher McKenzie, Jacque White, Danielle Wiklund, Ashley Williams, Amber Wilson gregor, Carolyn Miler, Annika Moe, Nicolas Moreno, . •- Kristy Morse, Nicholas Napolitan, Megan Pauli, Meagan Rasmussen, Janet Reece, Andrea Reiter, Courtney Ries, Allison Romano, Samantha Saldm, Katy Sathre, Matthew • Sawka, Michael Schauerhamer, Jennifer Schneewind, A QUALITY CITY is of prime importance to your family and mine. The development of Eagan should carefully follow the long-range Compre- hensive Land Use Guide giving first priority to the impact of such development on the people of Eagan. The growth must be controlled. It is an investment in our future. We must carefully continue to expand the services offered to the people of Eagan without jeopardizing our low property taxes. Dear Neighbor: It's been a good eight years. Together we have faced many problems and had to make a lot of decisions. Eagan is the fastest growing city in the state and because of this, it is absolutely imperative that consistent and strong leadership is present on our City Council. I believe I have demonstrated these abilities while representing your interest. I ask your support on November 5th as I promise to continue to support you for the next four years. RE-ELECT TOM ELAN EAGAN CITY COUNCIL TOM ELAN FOR CITY COUNCIL PERSONAL GLANCE Married: wife -Betty, daughter -Shannon Raised in Eagan Chairman: Cystic Fibrosis Eagan Bike-a-thon 1981-Present Member: St. Peter's Catholic Church Eagan City Council since 1978 Airport Joint Safety Zoning Board Cable T.V. Advisory Committee Eagan Ad Hoc Sign Committee Eagan Special Assessment Advisory Committee EGAN'S GOALS FOR EAGAN Control Development in Eagan Update Land Use Guide Reduction of Airport Noise Completion of Eagan's Park Goals Traffic Safety in Neighborhoods Protect Property Taxes PROFESSIONAL GLANCE Graduate: College of St. Thomas and William Mitchell College of Law Member: American Bar Association Minnesota Bar Association Dakota County Volunteer Attorney's Panel Dakota County Bar Association EAGAN'S PROGRESS WITH EGAN SINCE 1978 Development of Land Use Guide Adopted Master Park Plan Achieved MN Star City which increased: Job Opportunities Commercial & Industrial Businesses Drafted Airport Safety Ordinance ISSUES BUDGETING is an ever present problem today I will work to eliminate sudden and unexpected expansion of Budget expenditures. I will promote future expansion of city services while keeping property taxes in line with assessed valuation. PLANNING is one of the most important issues facing our city I have participated in every meeting and public hearing in development and revision of Eagan's Land Use Guide. As a participant in the 1985 National Organization to Insure a Sound -controlled Environment (NOISE) Conference, I have studied and represented Eagan residents on vital airport noise issues. PARTNERSHIPS between city officials and residents of Eagan is our future I will work to develop planned neighborhoods which are compatible with proper zoning. I will continue to support completion of the Cable TV System for those who wish to subscribe. Prepared and paid for by the Egan Volunteer Committee, Doris Wilkins, Chair, Eagan, MN. °ruler mayor receive distinguishe leader:, away Former Eagan mayor Tom Egan received the ` Southwest Area YMCA Distinguished Leader Award at `tle `142nd' an=;` nual meeting . of tteYMCA of . Greater St. Paul held recently. Egan served the",YMCA=in a number of positions in the,_last 10years,- including the capital" campaign " and as a.'.;member of the planned giving committee. "Tom was. a key: figure• in the" creation of.:our.:'riew;':teen: `cen .. ter," ..- said "Southwest -YMCA, Executive: Director':; Tim Staley. •; "He ¢as 1heled build positive .? partnerships between 3 ' non- profits; . corporations"1 and. public; entities. He isialso_;a'great.ex ample of -the core values ;that: the YMCA holds;:so are thankful`' for Tom s contiT ued supporta and advocacy. for:;: the Southwest,; Area YMCA.:: Retirements mark e • 2 outgoing members of Council look back at years of service AMY SHERMAN STAFF WRITER Ted Wachter's first encounter with gov- ernment was when a pack of cars showed up at his family's farm in Rose- mount in March 1942. Federal govern- ment hacks said they needed the land for a gunpowder plant and the Wachters had two weeks to pack their bags. Wachter told himself that if he ever worked in government, he would try to help folks. He got the chance when he joined Eagan Township's advisory plan- ning board in 1958. Tom Egan's earliest experience with local government was less bitter. His neighbors recruited him to get involved with meetings about the proposed upgrade of Pilot Knob Road in 1977. Residents were concerned about the county's plans to transform the rural two-lane road into a major thoroughfare. Neighbors liked the way Egan handled himself and encouraged hin City Council. He won. Decades later, the two ve City Council members are end of their terms. Both h supporters and critics throw But there is one point tha argued: When Wachter an their terms this month, the will lose a big part of its memory. Wachter is the city's elde He graduated from the planr the village council in 1972. later, when Eagan incorporal he joined the City Council. Last week, Egan and Wa the council table together time and were sent off with city named a conference Wachter. The Eagan Histoi unveiled a display about Wac City Hall. The duo received typically reserved Egan even Both have loved serving tJ ty, but it hasn't always been There have been bitte ha nd of an era for Eagan to run for teran Eagan nearing the • attracted gh the years. t cannot be d Egan end City Council institutional ✓ statesman. ling board to Two years ed as a city, chter sat at for the last fanfare. The room after ical Society hter's life at plaques. The choked up. ae communi- fun. ✓ lawsuits, EAGAN CONT NUED ON 2B SCOTT TAKUSHI/PIONEER PRESS Eagan City Council Member Ted Wachter, left, has served in city government for 41 years. Tom Egan, the city's mayor, has served for 20. Both are retiring from their gov- ernment posts at year's end. - ou ow, om, we cou vo e for you that first election as mayor because you were responsi- • ble ... for throwing tomatoes at our car." I said, "No Dorothy no. Maybe later than sooner, we're getting this straightened out. It was my brother Johnny that actu- ally threw the tomatoes at your, i era y e up o eir doorsteps. People were concerned they would have dust, noise and heavy traffic and ' safety problems right up in frontof their living -room windows. So what we did was come in with a .reasonable : com- promise by removing most of the center medians . . the service >s en with your ear with your mind: Then act. There is no place at City Hall for arro- gance — you have to listen. .Amy Sherman covers Eagan, Inver Grove Heights and Rosemount. She can be reached at • asherman@pioneerpress.com or at (651) 228-2174. enter eeting Facilitator. Call (651) 438-8272. • • Rosemount Partnership Program needs volunteers for its programs and services. The pro- gram works to enhance the quality. of life for the community. Call (651) 423-4391. Lakeville Police Department • David- Luick appointed to the Lakeville City Council ■ New member will replace outgoing Mary Liz Holberg 1. KA VANG STAFF WRITER David Luick is an avid hunter and a whiz on environmental issues. . And early , next year, , he'll become a ' member of the Lakeville 'City Council. 'Luick, 40, will replace Mary Liz Holberg, who was elected to the state House • of Representatives in November.- - Luick, an environmental real estate manager for Minneapolis - based Target, will be sworn in at +the City Council meeting Jan. 4 after Holberg officially gives up her seat . during the meeting. A former member of the Lakeville Planning Commission,._ Luick was chosen unanimously by the current City Council during Monday's meeting. Holberg abstained from the vote because the law does not allow her to vote on her successor. Because of his knowledge. of the city's growth and development, Luick edged out 16 other candi- dates , who applied for the position. Mayor Duane Zaun said Luick was more qualified because of- his experience, on the city's planning commission. He served on that body from 1993 to 1997 and was 'its chairman from 1995 to 1996. "His knowledge about develop- ment in the city, particularly how it relates to the. comprehensive , plan, played an important part in my decision, Zaun said. "He is also very knowledgeable about other issues; and sharp to a degree. He really analyzes things." Luick, who is married and has two daughters, said . his biggest chal- lenge will be convincing residents that he will work hard for them even though hewas not elected. ' Luick was chosen after 'a two- month search that included two special work sessions in which two finalists were interviewed by y council members. . The second finalist; Dave Bellows, said the council made the right decision. "I was pretty convinced that David Luick would win. He is very qualified for the position," said Bellows, a pastor at the Fellowship Bible Church in Lakeville. • Bellows said he is not sure whether he will run • for election next year. Luick echoed Bellows' feelings, saying he has not decided to run for election in 1999, when the. position expires. And is there any advice from the current council? • "Have a good sense of humor," Zaun said. . Ka Vang covers Apple Valley and Lakeville. She can be reached at kvang@pioneerpress.com.or at (651) 228-2173. New Riedell '155 F� Just $39.99 o Ova • TRADE INYOUR OLD'SKATES AN I Hockey Skates Bauer 75 Youth Sizes Reg. S71.99 SALE 544.99 CCM Rapide Adult Sizes - Reg $83.99 SALE 549.99 Figui Lake Pla Rog.$49.! Riedel) 1 Reg.$89! Riedell 1 Reg.S139 Sale slates may haw We Have Ov Youth Family Owned Since 1957 - [ Park Richfield 6824 Penn Ave. So. Bloomington. • 3916 West Old Shako Minnetonka 10750 Cedar Bend Minneapolis 7.10 West Lake St. 'Eagan 2290 Ciff Road' it PIONEER PRESS BAN EDITION AL On PioneerPlanet TRAFFIC ALERT L� Get traffic updates and road conditions free through e-mail. www.pioneerplanet.com/ traffic/ Inside LOTTERY 38 BRIEFINGS 3B, 7B DEATH NOTICES 7B WEATHER 8B ;ROVE HEIGHTS ■ LAKEVILLE ■ ROSEMOUNT felines sought 'eiled The recommendations will be presented to the state Legislature atory and the Board of Peace Officers every Standards and Training. If approved, the proposal would with overhaul the state's standards for rips" police pursuit techniques for the eing first time in a decade and affect 7,500 law enforcement officers ula- across Minnesota. "We think it's very important rom to have mandated training," said nta- Delmont. "There's only so many iefs resources and money available sot a for training. If this is not manda- sota tory, this may not be the kind of oci- training cities want to spend their Itrol, training dollars on." ninal The report comes on the heels sota of a rash of deaths resulting from lards CHASE CONTINUED ON 4B WHIPPLE/PIONEER PRESS wing it," Bergeron says of her Santa seeing the joy they get from receiving." SECTION B State Carlson fill Ventura appointments, should says can't n make official that his own decides DENNIS LIEN STAFF WRITER Gov. Arne Carlson's eight -year stint as Because governor started with a brouhaha over botched vetoes. And it's ending with a snafu the terms over appointments. for those Armed with an opinion it requested from the Minnesota attorney general's office, the positions Secretary of State's office on Tuesday start the dzI returned to Carlson seven appointments for Y state -agency positions that he had made Gov. -elect earlier this month. Jesse Because the terms for those positions start Jan. 4, the day Gov. -elect Jesse Ven- Ventura tura takes office, the appointments belong to Ventura, the opinion said. takes Office, "Gov. Carlson is not authorized to make the appoint - the appointments referred to in your letter and, as a result, you are not obligated to menu belong accept the appointment notices," the attor- to Ventura. ney general's office wrote. The Secretary of State sought the opinion to clarify a situation that didn't look quite right, according to Joe Mansky, election division director for the Secretary of State. "When we saw the first four notices of appointment coming over, it just kind of raised a question in our minds that perhaps these were appointments more properly made by Gov. -elect Ventura," Mansky said. "Just to be sure, we wanted to get the attorney general's view on this." POSTS CONTINUED ON 4B HealthPartners' in Maplewood's Woodbury expands; closes clinic TOM MAJESKI STAFF WRITER Rapid growth in the East Metro area is prompting Health - Partners to construct a major addition to its 2-year-old clinic in Woodbury, company officials say. At the same time, the company announced it is closing its Ramsey Clinic in Maplewood on Feb. 26 and converting its Skyway Clinic in Minneapolis to a dental -only facility on March 1. HealthPartners will keep patients informed of their doctors' new clinic locations, said spokeswoman Sara McFee. Nevertheless, the clinic's closing will be a major blow to patients such as Andy Decker of St. Paul. Clinic doctors diag- nosed his kidney problem 10 years ago and referred him to specialists who successfully treated him with dialysis and then a kidney transplant. His wife also had a difficult pregnancy that was expertly handled by clinic staff, he said. "We will very definitely miss this clinic," Decker said. "The care we've had has just been fantastic." After the Maplewood clinic closes, the health plan will have 22 primary -care clinics in the Twin Cities metro area, four owned by Regions Hospital and 18 owned by HealthPartners, said Mary Brainerd, executive vice president of care delivery for HealthPartners, the second-largest HMO in the state. Construction at Woodbury will provide more space for pri- mary care, obstetrics/gynecology, pharmacy, laboratory and CLINIC CONTINIJFf ON 7R ► SAINT PAUL SOUTH S . SERVING, APPLE VALLEY s, EAGAN ■ INVER EGAN v CONTINUED FROM 1B marathon council meetings — and plenty of tough decisions. The two have witnessed comical mistakes the city made, such as purchasing diesel squad cars in the early 1970s that were so noisy criminals could clear out longbefore the-., cops could nab them. There have been the individual blunders: One time „Egan backed through his : own garage by acci- dent en route to a meeting because he was.so focused on an upcoming. vote about a controversial develop- - ment. Wachter accidentally sawed off part of three fingers during the: 1980s when he was run ragged by council meetings that routinely lasted until 3 a.m. But ..the accomplishments out- weigh` the problems. The duo can • take credit for helping Eagan secure the things residents now take for granted, such as paved roads and :full-time city staff, and. the things that make the suburb a community, such as the library and the ice arena. Egan helped woo West Publishing,. one of the largest taxpayers in the city. Wachter helped save and restore the old town hall. Neither council member is an Eagan native and .neither envi- sioned a life in politics. • They come from different back- grounds. Wachter - was the first in his family to graduate 'from high school. He spent his life as a farmer and a carpenter. Drop by his home, and the 75-year-old will show off -his boyhood toy train, his woodcarving :collection and his wife Anne's .intricate dollhouse. He's quick to crack a joke and chuckle. Egan is more of 'a mover and a shaker: After bouncing around the ' Twin Cities , and South Dakota, his family' moved to Eagan •Township when he was 14. Egan earned a political science degree at the University of St. Thomas and then went to William Mitchell Law School: He moved back to Eagan with his wife Betty in 1976. , ' Liz Witt, .the longtime former city clerk' describes the 51-year- old Egan as a quiet, but fair lead- er., "Tom certainly followed his - conscience, his' value system of fairness and honesty. He gives everybody an opportunity to give. their opinion." - Many will remember Wachter's passion for local history. He has a map of Eagan's past ingrained in his mind. If you need to know whom a particular farmer mar- ried. or. the location of the 1920s foundation of the moonshine still buried -in the woods,. Wachter is your man. • . "The experience these two gentle-._ man have will sorely be missed," Witt said:, "It will be a void that will be very difficult to fill." As their terms draw to a close, 'Egan and Wachter reminisced about their tenure. The following are excerpts from .several.inter- views: Q: What was 'Eagan like when you first moved there? Egan: Oh it was a township : = . very -rural.. There; were spot parcels of residential development : serviced by local septic systems and wells The population was perhaps 5,000 at the .time. I lived right next to a •(relative) of Ted's actually, theCordes, at 2 River Ridge Circle. It was a little gravel road just off of. Lone Oak Road about three . blocks up from Highway 13. ' (One time many/ years later) Carl and%Dorothy (Cordes) said, car." roads . . pedestrian overpasses. •Q: What does the neighborhood By the time we were done, we look like today? ' had worked out what I 'considered Wachter: Bulk mail facility. on to be an excellent plan. the farm, office building in. the ' On Interstate 35E, which was neighborhood' to the north, office built"inthe 1970sand 80s: . and warehouse in the neighbor- Wachter: I was v_ ery much con hood to the east. To the south is cerned about my farm because our Promenade shopping center. 35E was .going to come through it. It's different, no doubt about that: I had established some wildlife;, If •our forefathers were to come .planted trees and contoured the home they wouldn't know where farm for better conservation ,of they were. topsoil. • • Q: How did that make you feel At' first I was opposed to it about government whenyour fami- because I didn't know. what was Iy's farm was taken? all going to take place. Being a Wachter: I guess that was farmer, you're concerned about always in the ,back of my mind; taking your livelihood away. But and I said if I ever had a chance then after 'a while I realized what to do something for people from a it meant for the city of Eagan.' government angle I would try to This was the • so-called key to do my best to help them. I didn't opening those big doors to Eagan. pursue it at the time. But then Egan:. And it did. You could when I was asked by Herb Polzin erally hear- the "for sale" signs (who was active in Eagan govern- rising' from the ground. The whole. ment) to be on the planning board community had a "for' sale" sign for Eagan, I accepted. • on it. The community just 'started Q: What was your first reaction to developovernight almost imme- to learning the name of the town- diately when 35E was developed. • ship was the same as yours? . A gentleman by . the name of Egan: Believe it or not, I wasn't John Klein formed a' group called very concerned about that as a the .Urban Council on Mobility. teen-ager.. I ,was more concerned And John was town board chair - about the fact that I seemed to be man for' the township. He spear - out .in no man's land. When you're headed the completion of 35E. We too young to have a driver's all, took for granted the fact that license, living out in a township . . 35E would come but there was a . I felt somewhat isolated. very strong question. about Q: How did you decide to get whether it was necessary with the involved with local govemment? completion' of .35W and the exis- • Egan: I came home from work tence of Highway 13. John Klein one evening in June of 1977 and it took Tom Hedges to .Washington, was a bright sunny day. My next- D.C., Tom's first month or two in door neighbor saw the pull in the' ;office as city administrator. He garage.. She said there was a great went and lobbied hard with our concern about a project, a county congressional delegation and road project. It was coming in ,at begged them to please keep Pilot Knob Road and ,they would- 'money in the budget for: 35E. like me to attend the meeting. I. think what :almost killed John, We sat down and discussed the though, was when a group of preliminary plans for the upgrad- .'Eagan residents wantedto pre- ing of Pilot Knob Road. One 'of ' serve the - area. In particular they the real drawbacks to our decision were very concerned_ about pre - to move to' Eagan at the time was serving Blackhawk Lake. - the condition of the streets. We • 35E was going to go right over just didn't feel there was• any safe the narrows of Blackhawk Lake. or adequate street in Eagan, and . The residents objected and they Pilot Knob was one • of• those eventually filed an environmental - streets rwas concerned about. ist lawsuit to prevent if from Pilot Knob at. that time was a being built that way. Actually the two-lane rural ditch road that city of Eagan is better off by the went all the way from the knob in ' fact that the freeway went around Mendota Heights to Farmington '.. it because we have probably one r But what was being proposed -of Eagan's prettiest parks down was not only upgrading the road there. The court ruled there was a from two lanes to four lanes but prudent ;'and feasible alternative to to put in divided medians, going right through the middle o frontage roads. There were 'even the lake —you can go around it. pedestrian,crosspaths,. overpasses:- %, On; airport noise,, an,i issu My neighbors- were very con: Wachter and' Egan predict wil cerned about that. . never be resolved: I think what. I'm describing to ' Egan: I've been so actively you is the dawning of the develop- involved in that issue ... it's one ment of .Eagan. It may have been of those things that will never go the first time a large segment of away. It's one of those things that the then -Eagan, population became ' you have to continue and assert `aware of the fact that' Eagan was yourself and make sure your pres- in fact developing and. they want-' ence and your views are known. ed to be more actively involved in* (In 'the' 1970s) you had • stage 1, the process. • stage.2 and stage 3 aircraft. Most Q: What did you learn from that •of the airplanes flying back then first campaign? • were stage _1., which were Egan: I .became rather shocked extremely noisy., 0There were just to'find out the cause we were try- not many quiet planes at all. ing to protect was not universally Wachter: •(Airport officials) accepted. The cause was to try weren't concerned about it. Even and slow down progress. I can tell if people complained they •let it go you I'm not an obstructionist: - because they didn't feel it was I worked . very hard' 'during the necessary: Now they look at it in early months of that first term a different light and they are will trying to come up with a reason-ing to cooperate now. able compromise, which -we ' did... Q How did you learn to disagree . What we started to use almost and still be friends? immediately was the expression Wachter: Tom and I, we dis-. "`controlled . growth": Instead of agreed a few times. It never both having •rampant, ill-advised.. ered our friendship. growth, let's try and professional -Egan: Ted and I would end the ize this. day as cordial as we began it. Q: Can you give me an example? What advice would you give to the new,council? . Egan: Let's. use, Pilot Knob Egan: Listen, listen, listen. itself. The fear that the 'residents Listen' to everyone involved all along Pilot . Knob' had was if the sideson every issue.: Listen .with road was developed as wide as your -eyes, listen with your ears, I what was being nr000sed. it would Retirements mark end of an era tor E, • 2 outgoing members of Council look back at years of service AMY SHERMAN STAFF WRITER Ted Wachter's first encounter with gov- ernment was when a pack of cars showed up at his family's farm in Rose- mount in March 1942. Federal govern- ment hacks said they needed the land for a gunpowder plant and the Wachters had two weeks to pack their bags. Wachter told himself that if he ever worked in government, he would try to help folks. He got the chance when he joined Eagan Township's advisory plan- ning board in 1958. Tom Egan's earliest experience with local government was less bitter. His neighbors recruited him to get involved with meetings about the proposed upgrade of Pilot Knob Road in 1977. Residents were concerned about the county's plans to transform the rural two-lane road into a major thoroughfare. Neighbors liked the way Egan handled himself and encouraged him to run for City Council. He won. Decades later, the two veteran Eagan City Council members are nearing the end of their terms. Both have attracted supporters and critics through the years. But there is one point that cannot be argued: When Wachter and Egan end their terms this month. the City Council will lose a big part of 'ts institutional memory. Wachter is the city's elder statesman. He graduated from the planning board to the village council in 1972. Two years later, when Eagan incorpi-rated as a city, he joined the City Council. Last week, Egan and Wachter sat at the council table together for the last time and were sent off with fanfare. The city named a conference room after Wachter. The Eagan Historical Society unveiled a display about Wachter's life at City Hall. The duo received plaques. The typically reserved Egan even choked up. Both have loved serving the communi- ty, but it hasn't always been fun. There have been bitter lawsuits, EAGAN CONTINUED ON 2B Eagan City Council Member Ted Wachter, left, has years. Tom Egan, the city's mayor, has served for emment posts at year's end. wL3, U - °-fi r SERVING APPLE VALLEY • EAGAN ■ INVER G EAGAN CONTINUED FROM 113 tarathon council meetings -1.and lenty of tough decisions. • The two ave witnessed comical mistakes ie. city made, such as purchasing iesel squad cars in the'early 970s that were so noisy criminals ould clear out long before the ops could,nab them. There' have been the individual lunders: One time Egan backed hrough his own garage by acci- ent en route to a meeting because , e was so focused on an upcoming ote, about a controversial• develop- ment. Wachter accidentally sawed . ff'part of three fingers during the 980s when he was run ragged by ouncil meetings that routinely asted until 3 a.m. But the accomplishments out - neigh the problems. The duo can ake credit for helping Eagan- ecure the'. things residents now ake forgranted, such as paved pads' and full-time city staff, and he things that make the suburb a :ommunity, suchas ttie library ind the ice arena. Egan helped von West . Publishing, one of the argest taxpayers in the city.. Wachter helped save and. restore :he old town hall. • Neither council member, is an Eagan native, and neither 'envi-' sioned a life in politics. 'They come from different back- grounds. Wachter was the first in his family to graduate from high school. He spent his life: as .a farmer and a carpenter. Drop by his' home, and the 75-year-old will • 'show off his boyhood toy train, his woodcarving --collection and his wife Anne's intricate dollhouse. Ile's quick• to crack a joke and - huckle.' .Egan is more of a mover and Maker. After bouncing around the Twin Cities, and -South .Dakota. his-'_ family .moved: to Eagan Township When • he was. 14. Egan earned a political science degreeat the% University of St. • Thomas and then went to William Mitchell Law School. He .moved back to Eagan with his wife Betty in 1976.. - . Liz Witt, the, longtime former pity clerk, describes the..51-year- )ld Egan as a quietbut fair" lead- er. "Tom certainly 'followed his :onscience, his value system of fairness and honesty."fie gives everybody an opportunity to give their opinion." • Many will remember Wachter's passion for local history. Eleime'a map of Eagan's past ingrained in his mind. If you need to know whom a particular farmer mar- ried or the location of the 1920s foundation of the moonshine still buried in the :woods, Wachter is 'Four man. • 'The experience these -two gentle- man have will sorely be missed," Witt said. "It will be a void that wilt be very difficult to fila" • As their terms draw to a close;. Egan and Wachter reminisced about their tenure -The The following are excerpts from several inter- views: •• Q: What was Eagan like when you first moved there? • car.., Q: What does theneighborhood look like today? Wachter. Bulk mail facility on the farm, office building in the neighborhood to the north, office and warehouse in the neighbor- hood to the east. To thesouth is our Promenade shopping center. It's different, no doubt about that. If , our 'forefathers were to come home they wouldn't know where they were. ` - Q: How did that make yoh. feel about govemrent when your fami- ly's farm was taken? Wachter: I guess that was always in the back of -my ,was and I said if I ever. had a c!!ance - to do something for people from a government angle I would try' to do my' best' to help them. I: didn't'• pursue it at the time. Bu`,;then' when I was asked by' Herb Polzin (who was active in -Eagan govern ment) to be on the planning board for EaganI accepted. Q: What was your first reaction to learning the name of the' .own ship was the same as yours?: Egan: Believe it or not, I wasn't very concerned about that as a teen-ager. I was, more concerned about the fact that I seemed to be out in no man's land. When you're too young to have a driver's license, living out in a township .. ': I feltsomewhatisolated. Q: How did you decide to get" 'Involved with local government? Egan: I came home from work one evening in June of 1977 and it was a bright sunny day. My next•,. door neighbor'saw me pull in the garage. She -said there was a great. concern about . a project, a county road project It was coming in at Pilot Knob Road" and they would like me to attend the meeting; • ,We sat down and discussed 'the preliminary plans for the upgrad- ing of .Pilot:,Knob Road. One[of, the real drawbacks to our decision to move. to Eagan at the time was- the••conctifinn.of-the .s.trc ;,We` just didn't feel there was any safe or adequate. street in Eagan, and Pilot'Knob;was one of those streets.I was concerned about. Pilot -Knob at' that time was a two-lane rural ditch road, that went all the .way from the knob in Mendota Heights to; Farmington . . Butwhat was being proposed was not only upgrading the road from two "lanes to four lanes .but to put in divided medians, frontage roads. There were even pedestrian crosspaths, overpasses. - My neighbors were very con- cerned 'about that. - • I think' what I'm describing .to• you.is -the dawning of the develop- ment of Eagan.. It may have been the 'first time a large segment. of the then -Eagan population became aware of the fact that Eagan was in fact developing, and they • want- ed to be more actively involved; in the ,process. . • • Q:: What did you learn from that first campaign? • Egan: I became rather shocked to find out the cause we were "try- ing to protect was not universally accepted. The .cause was to -try and slow down ;progress.. I. car. tell you I'm.not an obstructionist: I worked -very hard during the early ;months,.of that first' term 4...:.:n 4.. .......n ..n ,n:4h .n ..•.v.o..n: roads . .. pedestrian overpasses. By the time wewere done, we had worked out' what I considered " to be an excellent plan. - On Interstate 35E, which was • bulltIn the 1970s and 80s: Wachter. I was very much con- cerned about""my farm because 35E was-going'to come through it. I had established some wildlife, planted trees and contoured the farm for better conservation of topsoil. At first I was opposed to it because 3 didn't know what was all going to take. place. Being a farmer, you're concerned about taking your livelihood away. But then after a while Irealized what it meant • for the city of Eagan. This was the -so-called key to opening those big doors to Eagan. Egan: And it did. You could lit- erally hear the "for sale" signs rising from the ground. The whole -community had_ a "for sale" sign on it. .The community just started '•"to."develop'overnight almost imme- diately when 35E was developed. • A gentleman by the name of John -Klein formed a group called the Urban Council on Mobility. And John was town board chair- man for the township. He spear- headed the completion of 35E: We • all took for granted the tact that 35E would come but there was a very strong question about whether it was necessary with the - completion of 35W .and the exis- tence of Highway •13. John Klein took Tom Hedges to Washington. • D.C., Tom's first month or two in office as • city; administrator. He went. and lobbied hard with our congressional delegation and begged them to. please keep money in the budget for 35E. I think what almost killed John, 'though, was when a group of Eagan residents wanted to pre- serve 'the'area. In particular they were very concerned about pre- serving BlackhawkLake. 35E..vas: go i g'tc ge•.r ght over the narrows. of Blackhawk Lake. The residents objected and they eventually filedan environmental- ist lawsuit to prevent• if from being built that way. Actually. the city of Eagan is better off by the fact that the freeway went around it because we have probably one of Eagan's prettiest parks down there. The court ruled there was a : prudent and feasible alternative to going right through the middle of the lake — you can go around it. On airport, noise, an• Issue Wachter and Egan predict will never be resolved: Egan: I've been so actively involved in that issue '.. it's one never • SERVING APPLE VALLEY ■ EAGAN ■ INVER G EAGAN ' CONTINUED FROM 18 iarathon council meetings --and-, lenty of tough decisions. The two • ave witnessed comical mistakes • ae city made, such as purchasing iesel squad cars in the early 970s that were so noisy criminals. ould clear out long before the ops couldnab them. There' have been the individual lunders: One time Egan backed trough his own garage by anci- ent en route to a meeting because e was so focused on an upcoming ote about a controversial develop- neit. Wachter accidentally sawed` ff part of three•fingers during the 980s when he was run ragged by ouncil meetings that routinely asted until 3 a.m. • 'But the accomplishments out- reigh the problems. The duo can ake credit for helping Eagan ecure the things residents now ake for, granted, such as paved Dads and full-time city staff, and he things that make the suburb a :ommunity; such as the library Ind the •ice arena. Egan helped boo West Publishing, one of the argest taxpayers in the city. Nachter helped save and restore :he old town hall. Neither council member is an. - Eagan native and neither envi=' uioned a life•in politics. They come from different back- grounds. Wachter was the first in Ws family to graduate, from •high school. He spent his life as a farmer and a carpenter. Drop by Ms -home, and the 75-year-old will ihow off his boyhood toy train, his woodcarving collection and his wife Anne's intricate ,dollhouse. • He's quick to crack a joke and :buckle. Egan is more of a mover and: a- ;haker. After bouncing around the Twin Cities and_South Dakota. his family moved to Eagan Township when -he was 14. Egan earned a political science degree at the University of St. Thomas and then went to William Mitchell Law - 'School. He .moved back to Eagan with his wife Betty in 1976. • , Liz Witt, the longtime former aty clerk, 'describes the_ 51-year-, ,ld Egan as a quiet but fair' lead �r. "Tom certainly followed his -onscience,- his- value ,system of fairness and honesty.. He, gives. veiybody an opportunity to give their opinion." Many. will remember Wachter's passion for local history. He has a map of Eagan's past ingrained in his mind. If you need to know whom a particular farmer mar- ried orthe location of the 1920s foundation of the moonshine still auried in the woods, Wachter is your man. ' "The experience these two gentle- man have will sorely be missed," Witt said. 'It will be a void that will be very -difficult to fill." AS their terms draw to a close, Egan and Wachter reminisced -- about their tenure - The The following are excerpts from several inter -- views: • ' Q: What was Eagan like when you first moved there? • car." Q: What does the neighborhood look like today?.. Wachter: -Bulk mail facility on the farm, office building' in the neighborhood' to the north, office and .warehouse. in the neighbor- hood to the east. To the south is our Promenade shopping center. It's -different, no doubt about that. ,If our forefathers were to come home they wouldn't know . where they were. Q: How did that make yo. feel about government when your fami- ly's farm was taken? • Wachter: I guess that was always in the back of my 'mind, and I said if I ever had a chance roads ... • pedestrian overpasses. By the time we were done, we had worked out what I considered to bean excellent plan. • On Interstate 35E, which was built In the 1970s and 80s: Wachter.. I was_ very much con- cerned about my farm because 35E was going to come through it. I had established some wildlife, planted trees and contoured the farm for better conservation 'of topsoil. At first I was opposed to it because I didn't know what was all going to -take place. Being a farmer, you're concerned about taking your livelihood away: But -then after a while I realized what to'do something for people frum'a : 'it : meant' for' the city of Eagan., government angle I_ would try, to''. This was the so-called key to do my best 'to ;help them.. I didn't:' 'opening those big doors to Eagan. pursue it at the time. Bu :alien Egan: And it did. You could lit- when;I was asked by' HerbPolzin 'T erally hear the "for sale" signs (who was active in Eagan govern'' rising from the ground. The whole ment)-to be on the planning board community had a "for sale" -sign for Eagan, I accepted. on it. -The community just started Q: What was your first reaction' to develop overnight almost imme- to learning the name of the .own- diately when 35E was developed. ship was the'same as yours? • - A gentleman by the name of Egan: Believe it or not, I wasn't John Klein formed" a group called very concerned about that as a the Urban Council on Mobility. teen-ager. I was, more concerned And John was town board chair - about the fact -that I seemed to be man for the township. He spear- - out in no man's land. When you're headed the completion of 35E. We too young to have a driver's all took for. granted the fact that license, living out in a township .. 35E would come but there was a I felt somewhat isolated. very strong question about Q: How did you decide to get whether it was necessary with the involved -with local government? completion of 35W and the exis- - Egan: -I came home from work tence of Highway •13. John Klein - one evening -in June of 1977 and -it took Tom Hedges to Washington, wasna'bright"sunnyday: My next',.. D.C., Tom's first -month or two in door neighbor saw me pull in the office as' city administrator. He -garage. She said there was a greatwent and lobbied hardwith our concern about a project. a county congressional delegation and road project. It _was coming in.at,.begged them to please keep Pilot Knob Road and they would money in.the. budget for 35E. 'like me to attend the Meeting. ` .I think -what almost killed John, We sat down and discussed the though, was when a group of preliminary plans. for the upgrad-. Eagan -residents wanted to pre- ing of • Pilot Knob -Road. One of.; serve the' area. In particular they . the real drawbacks to our decision..' were very concerned about pre - to move to Eagan at the timewas: -serving Blackhawk Lake. __the : condi+I^"-af th�strea!,a.:We'- ,35E-,c5as-goung to ge-^p t evcr just didn't feel there was any safe ,the?'narrows of Blackhawk Lake. or, adequate street in Eagan, and• The residents objected and they Pilot Knob was one of those'" eventually filed an environmental - streets I was concerned about. ' • ist lawsuit to prevent if" from Pilot Knob at that time was a being built that way. Actually the two-lane rural' ditch road that city of Eagan is better off by the went all the way from .the knob infact that the freeway went around. Mendota Heights to Farmington .. it because we have probably one But what' was being proposed of Eagan's prettiest parks down was not only upgrading the road there. The court ruled there was a from -two lanes to four lanes .but ' prudent and feasible alternative to to -put in, divided medians, , going right through the middle of `frontage. roads. There were even the lake — you can go around it. pedestrian crosspaths, overpasses. On airport, noise, am issue My neighbors were very con- Wachter. and Egan predlct,will eerned about that:. • never be resolved: I think- what I'm describing -to• Egan: I've been so actively you is the dawning of the develop- involved in that issue it's -one ment• of Eagan. It may have been of those things that will never go the first time a `large segment. of away: It's one of those'things,that the then -Eagan population became, you' have• to continue and assert aware of the fact that Eagan was: yourself and make sure your pres- in fact developing. and they -want- ` ence and your views are known. ed to be more actively involved in (In the 1970s) you had .stage 1, the process. stage' 2 and stage 3 aircraft: Most •Q What did you leam from that of the airplanes flying back then first campaign? • were ' 'stage 1, •which were Egan: I became rather shocked , extremely noisy. There were just to find out the cause we were try,... ' not many quiet planes at *all. • ing to protect•was not universally:- Wachter: (Airport officials) accepted. The .cause •was to -try ; weren't concerned about it. Even and slow down progress..I can'.tell if°people complained -they -let it go you I'm not an obstructionist. ' because they didn't feel it was • _.: I worked • very hard during '.the' nor'• Now they look at it in earl months of 'that first term a different light and they are will- i� GL4171 CRYc March i ► , Iov Mayor responds to redevelopment questions The Feb. 18 issue of the Eagan Sun Current included a letter to the editor from Dr. Bruce Hansen of the Eagan Pet Clinic concern- ing the potential redevelopment of the Cedarvale commercial area. I wanted to share com- ments with the public as well. First of all, some comments I made were perceived as being negative about the Pet Clinic property. My comments referred to the need to revitalize and re- develop the Cedarvale area overall and were not intended to suggest that the Eagan Pet Clin- ic is poorly maintained or that it is not valued as a part of the community. To the contrary, the Eagan Pet Clinic is one of the businesses that obviously has reinvested in itself and its prop- erty and I consider it to be very important to the community. _ There are, however, parts of the Cedarvale area that have not been able to reinvest in them- selves as successfully as the Eagan Pet Clinic has. The revi- talization and redevelopment of this area is something the city believes to be important. The ap- proach that we have taken has been to engage the Cedarvale area businesses and business property owners in discussions of how to respond to these chal- lenges. They have been invited to numerous meetings. We ap- preciate their participation. Through these meetings, area property owners asked the city to explore the feasibility of a tax increment district as a fi- nancing tool for redevelopment. A feasibility study was conduct- ed and results will be reported at 7 p.m. March 26 in the City Hall Community Room. Separate from the tax incre- ment study, Delta Development acquired the rights to a number of the properties on the south side of Beau D'Rue Drive and submitted an application to the city to reguide the area for a townhouse development. Adja- cent property owners were in- formed of the proposal and a number of them attended the meeting. As a property owner within the area, Mr. Parranto of Delta Development was also aware of the tax increment fea- sibility study. At the time of his application, he indicated an in- terest in using this financing tool to assist with some of the ex- traordinary costs that would be involved in preparing the area for redevelopment. Because of the condition, size and shape of some of the other properties in the area, the City Council advised Mr. Parranto that it would consider a develop- ment plan that would incorpo- rate as much of the area south of Beau D'Rue as practical. He was asked to pursue that possibility and report his progress to the council. He did so at the recent workshop. At that time, the City Council said that it would con- sider a proposal but stressed that it would be necessary for Mr. Parranto to submit the ap- propriate applications to permit the public and affected proper- ties to be properly noticed and involved in any decision. I regret that a newspaper article did not mention this important fact, but it was the primary message from the council to Mr. Parranto. I want to make clear that no decision has been made by the city to acquire any particular properties in the area. Many peo- ple in the community have con- cluded that parts of the area will need to be reshaped and replaced for it to become vibrant again. I would encourage residents and businesses to recognize that there are a number of issues that converge in this one situa- tion. Certainly, there are the in- terests of the existing property owners both within and around the area. There is also the issue of the appropriate land use for this part of the Cedarvale area. There is the issue of how to en- courage the orderly develop- ment of a number of small and unusually shaped parcels. There is the issue of whether public financing assistance will be necessary to bring about re- development regardless of whether it is commercial or res- idential. There is the interest of the larger community in seeing the city's tax base remain healthy and continue to expand. There is the issue of how best to take advantage of emerging op- portunities to respond to all of the other issues. I believe that the facts show that the situation that is evolving in the Cedarvale area has and will continue to involve a lot of public input. I would hope that in- terested persons will attend the March 26 meeting to learn more and to share their thoughts on how best to revitalize this ar.">: 4Bw. Wednesday/November 8/1989/Star Tribune Election '89 Eagan's Egan defeats Mayor Ellison; Lakeville newcomers win By Gary Harvey Staff Writer Popular 10-year Eagan City Council Member Tom Egan defeated Vic Elli- son for mayor Tuesday in what was viewed as a mild upset. Egan re- ceived 3,512 votes to 2,539 for Elli- son. Raymond C. Nutzmann got 248 votes. Two years ago Ellison had received more than 60 percent of the vote in wresting the mayor's chair from Bea Blomquist after a bitter campaign. Egan said his polling had showed he could win, but he said he was sur- prised at the margin. "What this indicates to me is that there has been a substantial reaction to what happened two years ago," Egan said. "I just think that Vic made so many promises and raised expectations of so many people, but people came away with such an emp- ty feeling. "You have to have the humility of representing the people," he said. "People are sick and tired of the overcommercialization ... and the lack of sensitivity to neighborhood issues." Two Ellison supporters won election to the Eagan council. Tim Pawlenty received 3,808 votes and Council Member Pam McCrea, who had been appointed to fill Ellison's seat when he was elected mayor, received 2,998. Other candidates were Sandra A. Ma - sin, 2,444 votes; Mark Olson, 1,411; Jim Wade, 661; Renee N. Herzog, 458; and Curt England, 258. Ellison had asked voters to give him another two years to complete what he said was a four-year job. He had stressed a commitment to quality growth rather than rapid growth and Tom Egan emphasized his record as mayor. In Lakeville, Mayor Duane Zaun, who was unopposed for reelection, received 1,934 votes. Elected to four- year council terms were newcomers Lynette M. Mulvihill with 1,150 votes and Wenzel Ruhmann, 1,129 votes. Defeated were incumbent Robert Nelson, 905, Sandi Goetze, 795, and incumbent Nancy Enright, 706. In Shakopee, developer Gary Lau- rent ousted 1 7-year council member Dolores Lebens for the mayoral seat, 2,274 to 1,497. Allan Hastings was third with 199. Lebens, elected mayor two years ago, had twice been taken to court by the City Council after she attempted to block a bridge project that is expect- ed to ease some of the city's traffic congestion. A council member who frequently supported Lebens, Gary Scott, also was defeated. Scott re- ceived 1,262 votes, giving up his seat to Robert Sweeney with 2,942. Vic Ellison Council Member Gloria Vierling was reelected with 2,661. Running fourth in the council race was Richard Ke- chely with 424. "I just hope that in the next ,few months the community can pull to- gether and focus on the future," Lau- rent said. "Once we do that, then me can start moving together. "A mayor has to be mayor for the entire community," he said. He add- ed that he hopes Lebens' supporters will feel comfortable calling him about their concerns. In Rosemount, City Council Member Vernon Napper, who was unopposed for mayor, got 641 votes. Elected to four-year council terms were Sheila Klassen with 418 votes and Harry R. (Bob) Willcox, 406. Vote totals -for other candidates were not available. Results were unavailable for city elections in New Market, Prior Lake, Savage and Farmington. ah7Y�is eK Egan (Continued from front page) Awada announced May 17 she will run for mayor. Egan said he did not want Awada to have to run against him or announce her candidacy before he made clear he would not seek office again. "I think Pat Awada would make a good mayor," said Egan. "If you have a person who is bright, caring and vi- sionary such as Pat, it seems like an appropriate time to step down. I'm trying to be courte- ous and encourage her to run. I know she would do a good job." Awada, a two -term council member, has served on the council for seven years. "My goal is to put the finish- ing touches on the work that has been done over the past 20 years to build one of the most vibrant and vital communities in Minnesota," Awada said. "Twenty years ago Eagan was Mayor will not seek re-election Egan endorses Council Member Awada By MARK LARSON Tom Egan, mayor of the city of Eagan for eight years, an- nounced June 16 he will not run for re-election. • Egan said he will give his family and professional career the attention thcy have long been denied. "For as long as 1 am alive, 1 will thank the good Lord and the people of Eagan for the op- portunity to serve this great city," Egan said. The decision came aftcr sev- eral months of talking with his wife, Betty, whom Egan said is his "No. 1 concern and No. 1 constituent." "My family is growing and I'm still young, healthy and TOM EGAN energetic," Egan said. Egan's daughter, Shannon Herrera, has a 15-month-old son and is expecting another child. "This feels like a fitting time to step down and allow some, fresh blood to come forward," Egan said. Egan, a partner in the Ahl- berg, Egan, Stewart & Lauer, P.A. law firm in Apple Valley, served on the Eagan City Council from 1978 to 1989 be- fore he was elected mayor. He said he will step down to make room for the vision of new and creative minds that will be "vitally important in bringing Eagan into the 21st century." "I already know there is tal- ent which desires to provide Eagan with new and positive leadership, and that talent de- serves every opportunity," Egan said. Council Member Patricia (See Egan, p.14A) farmland. Now it is a thriving suburb. For several years dur- ing that time it was the fastest - growing community in the state. Now it is time to make it the most exciting, livable community in Minnesota." Awada said that as mayor, her priorities would be to keep Eagan's taxes among the low- est in the metro area, protect the park system and open spaces and expand "amenities for our citizens and children without raising taxes." Awada is president and CEO of Capitol Companies, a multi - divisional corporation with headquarters and operational facilities in Eagan. She lives in Eagan with her husband, Mi- chael, and daughters, Alexan- dra, 5, and Katie, 16 months. Over the 22 years Egan has lived in Eagan, he has served on several municipal commit- tees. He has been a member of the Association of Metropoli- tan Municipalities since 1991 and has served as president. He is currently president of the National Organization to Insure a Sound -Controlled Environ- ment (NOISE), which he joined in 1985. He is a past president of the Municipal Legislative Com- mission and served on the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority board from 1990 to 1992. Egan is currently serving as public -sector co -vice chair of the Metro East Development Partnership. Egan said some of the proud- est moments he has witnessed in Eagan were the relocation of the West Publishing headquar- ters to Eagan, the development of the Promenade Shopping Plaza on Yankee Doodle Road and the construction and suc- cess of the first ice sheet in Eagan. "We've had so many suc- cesses in Eagan, one phe- nomenal success after an- other," said Egan. "Eagan is a first-class city in which to live and work. I will always have tremendous interest in Eagan and I'm honored to have been able to serve here." In the community, Egan has been active as a charter mem- ber of the Eagan Rotary Club, where he formerly served as secretary, club service director and international service direc- tor. In 1994 Egan coordinated the Jail and Bail event for the March of Dimes, and is a long- standing Jail and Bail partici- pant. He chaired the Eagan Cystic Fibrosis Bikeathon from 1981 to 1985 and is a former treas- urer of the regional Cystic Fi- brosis Golf Tournament. Egan is also a former mem- ber of the Burnsville Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Northern Dakota County Chamber of Commerce -Eagan Chapter and a member of the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce. Although Egan said he will now concentrate on spending time with his family and at work, he said he would not rule out returning to politics some- day. - Egan will not seek 4th term as mayor = By Sue Hegarty Minnesota Sun Publications It won't be nearly as easy for Eagan resi- dents to remem- ber the name of their next mayor following elec- tions this fall. Mayor Tom Egan (no relation to Patrick Eagan whom the city was named for) announced last week that he will not seek re-election to a fourth term. He has been mayor since 1990, having been a council member before .that. is o- ` '� ipaVpohtical;`tareerThpanne more than two decades during a period of time when Eagan expe- rienced tremendous growth. During his years of public ser- vice, Eagan grew from a popula- tion of 18,000 to a community of more than 60,000. "Yes, Eagan has made dramat- ic strides. However, much remains to be done. While a significant por- tion of Eagan remains to be devel- oped, it is the area of redevelop- ment which I believe provides Eagan with its greatest challenge," Egan said in a press release. Tom Egan EGAN: To Page 9A allan Stnn Correvit Jun� Egan: Term as mayor ends in January 1999 From Page 1A He was in Duluth late last week attend- ing the League of Minnesota Cities meeting. To bring Eagan into the next century, Egan said he looks forward to the vision of new and creative minds. "To make room for those new and cre- ative ideas, I have made a decision not to run for re-election as mayor of Eagan." He will now be able to give his family and career "the attention which they have long been denied," he said. An attorney, Egan is a partner in the Apple Valley law firm of Ahlberg, Egan, Steward & Lauer. He served on the City Council from 1978 to 1989 and never finished an election lower than in first place. In 1990 he defeat- ed incumbent Mayor Vic Ellison by nearly 1,000 votes. He captured 13 of the city's 1z precincts during his first bid for mayor. He has served as president of the Na- tional Organization to Insure a Sound. Controlled Environment and with the Association of Metropolitan Municipali ties. On a local level, he is a charter mem ber of the Eagan Rotary Club and is in volved with various non-profit organiza- tions. An avid bicyclist, he was chairman of the Eagan Cystic Fibrosis Bike-athor from 1981 through 1985. His term as mayor expires in January 1999. The day following Egan's announce- ment, Councilmember Pat Awada an- nounced her bid for mayor. Awada is com- pleting her second term on the council. She recently relocated her business. Capitol Companies, to Eagan. (A[0(1 -rnI.s VJCb \liAki Zia) loW Mayor Egan misrepresented conversation To the editor: Mayor Egan should be ashamed. At the July 7 council meeting he admonished citi- zens to discuss only the fiscal analysis of the aquatic facility and then launched into an "anecdotal" conversation de- scribing supposed verbal abuse in a phone conversation. Perhaps the mayor does not know, but I was a third party to that interaction and his rendi- tion is simply false. Shame on him. There were no expletives un- less you count "politician." In . truth, his filibuster did not al- low for normal discourse. The rage and scolding on his part were conveniently left out of his report. If the conversation had animus, it was on the mayor's part. He is elected, and paid by the citizens. When we call to discuss issues, we should not be subjected to first, his intimidating behavior, nor later portrayed on local cable as unstable as we deal with the loss of a loved one. Should the mayor choose to misrepresent citizen conversa- tions in the future, he should make sure there are no wit- nesses. He owes us an apology. Shame on him. PAULINE HIGDON Eagan SPORTS LIFESTYLE NEWS 2" Eagan gymnasts set school record in win 14A People are finding fitness innovations District 197 to hear community center plan -Y-' /A-9: u EiliGAN inside Nournmstordr— Heil*" Sun'Current Vol. 21, No. 6 2 Sections January 31, 1996 Mayor Egan delivers state of city address By Sue Hegarty Staff Writer For Eagan, the one constant is change, said Mayor Tom Egan in his state of the city address Jan. 18. Egan talked about several re- cent changes in city operations and touched upon upcoming changes. Communication Improved communication methods ranked high in priority among off gals and staff last year. For example, new green signs have been posted on properties that have development applica- tions pending before the council. "This will increase neighbor- hood awareness of proposed de- velopments beyond the legal no- tice system," Egan said. Also in the area of communi- cation, city offices have added voice messaging services beyond normal business hours. Last fall, a series of outreach meetings brought city officials and the business community around a common table and this winter, public information meetings allowed residents an alternative to the more formal public hearing process. Later this year, a survey of residents' attitudes about public services is expected to further communication between city of- ficials and residents. Eagan Promenade A March ground -breaking is scheduled for a new shopping center in the northeast corner of Interstate 35E and Yankee Doodle Road. Opus Develop- ment Corp. and Eagan's City Council have approved prelimi- nary plans for streets and util- ities. The center will combine small retail with "big box" an- chor stores, such as a Byerly's grocery store. Included in the overall plan is a 294-unit hous- ing complex. Civic Arena More than 1,200 hours of ice time have been rented since the new Eagan Civic Arena opened Students feel right at home at Prairie Creek By Melissa Bergquist Staff Writer last October. More than 400 peo- ple registered for the first session of public skating lessons and rink operators said more than 500 are registered for the second session. Municipal Center Dedication of the remodeled Municipal Center and of the new Police Facility included tours for 300 residents. Construction was finished under budget and without using property taxes, Egan said. CITY: To Page 5A Campaign increases olice; Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current Wednesday, Jan. 31, 1996 5A City: Key accomplishments, future plans revealed From Front Page Budget Historically, Eagan has been one of the lowest spending cities per capita in the metropolitan region, Egan said. Council mem- bers certified a $12.6 million tax levy for 1996 to support a gener- al fund budget of $15 million. "This keeps the property tax capacity rate flat, and in fact it actually went down slightly from 1995," Egan said. Airport noise Following studies and recom- mendations from three city advi- sory commissions, the City Coun- cil recommended expansion of the current Twin Cities airport facility based on three conditions. First, it supported land preservation at the proposed al- ternative site in Dakota County in case air traffic exceeds cur- rent capacity. The council insists that substantial funds be set aside for sound insulation. No expansion should occur until there is an all Stage III, quieter airline engine fleet. Public facilities City officials expect to study several options in the next few months for the acquisition or construction of a municipal golf course. At the same time, they will be asked to amend the city's Comprehensive Guide Plan amendment for a proposal that would change Carriage Hills Golf Course to residential devel- opment. Residents can expect to hear more this year about a proposed park bond referendum. If ap- proved by voters, the funds would be used to acquire park property and to preserve natur- al areas. Due to the icy road conditions Jan. 18, few people got to hear the mayor's address. Egan and Safe: Holiday DUI cases down From Front Page improved from 1994. Johnson said 17 people were arrested for DUI in 1994 com- pared to 10 DUI's in 1995. Sgt. Dwayne Kuhns said four people were arrested for DUI in Rosemount. It's unclear whether that means fewer people are drinking and driving, he said. "We like to think so, but it could've been a fluke," he said. The next period of enforce- ment will begin on weekends in April and extend through the months of prom and graduation. city staff plan to deliver the same address at 4 p.m. Feb. 1 in the City Council Chambers, 3830 Pilot Knob Road in Eagan. The message will be broadcast live on Channel 16 and residents are encouraged to check cable listings for rebroadcast times. may be changed, Magnuson said. 019 M Mtnncwra State Loonlottery *tears mot be 18 rears of age or older LOWEST MILK AND EGG PRICES IN TOWN ! 4195 Nichols Rd., Eagan (Diffley St Cedar) LOWEST GAS AND CIGARETTE PRICES IN TOWN ! IFS ENOUGH TO UR HEART aPITTER. FIATTF.