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Newspaper Clipping - Newspaper Clipping Scan - Mayor Patricia Awada Newspaper Articles -- fkt Pw.10.aa1 11q% - 200q cd. ico 1W W W yt421.--F' "_ `J i d?dL JLVIG Was sQ1_ Eagan Eagan Mayor Pat Awada, left, and Council Member Paul Bakken, middle, are presented with serv- ice awards by Council Member Cyndee Fields. Photo by Erin Johnson Eagan's Awada, Bakken say farewell by Erin Johnson Staff Writer During their last meeting as members of Eagan city government, Mayor Pat Awada and Council Member Paul Bakken were each presented with service awards by their colleagues on the council. The two exiting members were given plaques of appreciation for their years of service to the city. Bakken, who has served on the Eagan City Council since 1999, said that he's already had a taste of life after city government. "Now that I'm a lame duck, when I'm out driv- ing around people wave to me...and they use all five fingers now," he said. He said he is looking forward to spending more time with his family and going back to being a "regular Joe citizen." "I'm making a transition from'public service to what passes for a regular life, I guess,". he said. "Looking back at the last four years, I've really had the opportunity to watch Eagan grow and change quite a bit and I'd like to think that I had a little tiny part of moving Eagan in the right direc- tion" He said he is very proud to have been part of so many positive things that have happened in Eagan, like Cascade Bay and the new community center. "But more than anything else, I'm going to miss the people that I've had the opportunity to work with — my colleagues on the council, staff and the residents." Awada served as a council member from 1992- See Farewell, SA Farewell/From 2A 98 and was elected mayor in 1999. In January she will begin her new position as state audi- tor. "It's really been rewarding to have lived through the development of the communi- ty," she said "Going from ... hardly any businesses, very few restaurants and no shop- ping when I came out and that was only 11 years ago, to real- ly creating a community. And I think that's what the last decade's really been about — finishing the development in Eagan and creating a commu- nity, a real community we can all be proud of." Awada said that the future of Eagan is "very, very bright" with Pat Geagan coming in as mayor and Mike Maguire as the city's new council member. Even though she is moving on to higher office, she said she will still miss being a part of city government in Eagan. "I'm really going to miss this. This has been a big part of my adult life — I was 25 when I was elected to the council," she said. "I'm going to miss the people, the citizens, deal- ing with the issues." Eagan Mayor Pat Awarda is leaving city government after a suc- cessful bid for state auditor. Photo by Erin Johnson She said that Eagan should be very proud of its city staff, but she still left them with a warning. "As I move on, I'll be watching the finances," she said, laughing. "I'll be watch- ing you from afar as I go over the books." Erin Johnson is at eagan.thisweek@ ecm-inc.com. Copeland/From 1 A see from it is actually very lit- tle." He said he will also lose about 13,000 square feet of frontage property, and traffic flow around his property will increase. The assessment itself, he said, equals a "very good per- centage" of what he originally bought the property for. "I'm not sure where to go with the cost, what I'm going to be able to do," he said. "It's something I can hardly fath- om." Mayor Pat Awada explained that every resident in Eagan is assessed when value is added to their property through improvements. Otherwise, she said, "tax- payers would be subsidizing what would ultimately be the development of your proper- ty." In most cases, she said, the city will defer large assess- ments, which can be addressed at the assessment hearing. The council approved the final plat and planned develop- ment as well as the street and utilities on a 4 to 1 vote. Council Member Meg Tilley cast the lone dissenting vote, stating that she has issues with the funding of the project. "I've received several e- mails and calls on this in the last couple of days, and the question is, `Where is the money coming from?" she said. "It keeps coming up and the questions have never been answered. I have been elected by the citizens of Eagan to be fiscally responsible and I have not seen all the funding sources and the financial on this and I cannot vote yes on this project" Awada said that how the project gets its funding is not the council's concerns and that is not the issue on the table. "This is a very, very straightforward issue, it's a street and utility issue," she said. "This is not about where is the money coming from, where is she getting her dona- tions — that is none of our business. This . is a private enterprise. We approved the project, we have to bring utili- ties to it." Erin Johnson is at eagan.thisweek@ ecm-inc.com. 1-luOt O °I ` 2J 0 2 4A November 9, 2002 THISWEEK EG Reflect/From 1 A "My first years were his last years on the council," she said. "I know him well. He's my legisla- tor. We're friends. We will work really hand -in -hand together on a lot of the issues." The state auditor is essentially the taxpayers' watchdog, Awada said "It's the person who has fiscal oversight over local units of gov- ernment, not the state, but cities, counties, school districts, special service districts," she said. "And the Met Council, " she added, laughing. "A lot of the issues that affect local govern- ments, which I'm essentially responsible for, will be directly affected by the decisions that the governor and the Legislature make — local government aid, school funding, which programs are going to be eliminated at the county level, for instance." She said she will by no means be a behind -the -scenes auditor. "I think I will be a very visible auditor. I've been a very visible mayor," she said. "And we need a visible auditor. We've got a $2 billion to $3 billion deficit that's got to be solved next year and many new legislators who don't understand the budget or how it affects different things, and they're going to need some guid- ance. And I will be there to do that" Awada said she's confident that she's leaving Eagan in good hands. "We have good, good council members. Pat Geagan will make an excellent mayor — I have sup- ported him all the way through," she said. "We also have a very, very good city staff, so I think the citizens of Eagan will be well served by the new mayor and council." Regardless, she will miss being part of the local political • •44iiir • a . `duo stitot an totits pauiquioo saIAal process in Eagan, she said. "I am going to miss it so much. I've watched the city grow. I've helped shape what Eagan has become," she said. "We were just a bunch of housing subdivisions being built on farmland at the point I started serving the citizens of Eagan. And we have become the eighth largest city in the state. We have built ourselves a fantas- tic reputation metro -wide. I'm very proud of what I've done in Eagan and I'm also very close to the people here in Eagan." Awada said she will probably follow in the footsteps of former Mayor Tom Egan and watch the Tuesday night council meetings at home with some popcorn and a beer. "I'm not moving. I'm staying here and I'll still be active in the community, but it's different than when I am the mayor and I'm leading the community;' she said. "I joke with the council that I'll be down under `Visitors to be heard' complaining about something on the other side of the podium." Erin Johnson is at eagan. thisweek@ ecm-inc. corn. oMj l 1 by. Ste Mi Sc im en di PI to b p, e -1,W-(-- 11- 0�1 moo 2- 2A November 9, 2002 THISWEEK EG Pawlenty/From 1 A do," said Moe. On Wednesday morning, Pawlenty appeared with run- ning mate Rep. Carol Molnau, R- Chaska, and Gov. Jesse Ventura at the Capitol. Pawlenty is assembling a transition team — his top pri- ority is the budget, he said. Ventura, a critic of Pawlenty's no -new -taxes stance, agreed tongue-in- cheek that the state budget could be balanced without raising taxes. "You can do it," said Ventura, as if acknowledging a theoretical possibility. "But can you do it?" he slyly ended. Pawlenty jokingly replied that Ventura's return to the pri- vate sector would be a good source of revenue for the state. More seriously, Pawlenty said he could balance the budget without raising taxes. "We believe we can," he said. While saying the strength- ened Republican hold on the House and Senate obviously would prove helpful in advancing his agenda, it also argues for action, said Pawlenty. Offering explanations for the strong Republican showing this election — three of four state constitutional offices will be held by Republicans — strength as starting with President Bush. "In a democracy, in America, the pendulum swings," he said. Ventura pledged his assis- tance to Pawlenty in helping with the transition, between administrations, saying he hoped the transition went smoothly. As for living in the gover- nor's mansion, Mary Pawlenty, the governor -elect's wife, said while the family will use the mansion, they will not change their Eagan resi- dence. A district court judge in the 1st Judicial District, Mary_ Pawlenty has remained largely .7" an unknown figure because as a judge she is prohibited from attending political functions. Still, Mary Pawlenty, who met her future husband while attending law school, said judicial edicts do permit her to engage in charitable functions and in other roles suited to the role of first lady. Shedoes not envision her- self in a prominent role, said Pawlenty. "I don't see myself in the foreground," she said. "You won't be seeing me a lot," she told reporters late Wednesday. Yet Mary Pawlenty said she considers the role of first lady a grand opportunity. The Pawlentys have two children. McGinn/From 1A 1996 and 2000. She was the chair of the Higher Education Budget Division and served on several other committees such as Capital Investment, Commerce, Education, Finance and Health, Human Services. She could not be reached for comment before this issue went to press. McGinn said that while a recount is imminent, he feels con- fident that the results will remain in his favor. Meanwhile, he said, budget and transportation are the two top issues that will have his attention. "The budget shortfall is cer- thinly a foreboding issue, but they tell me the trend is for an eco- nomic turnaround," he said. "But that probably won't save us from making cuts." He said he believes the budget problems can be solved without raising taxes. "I'm counting on it," he said. Addressing transportation, McGinn said that Dakota County residents essentially live on an island in terms of the metro area. "We have to cross rivers all the time," he said. "Roads are an immediate solution to a long-term problem. New construction with- in two years can really make a big difference' McGinn' said he's not sure to what exactly he should attribute his win, but there's probably more than one factor involved. "I think the redistricting may have helped. It's probably a com- bination of things. I think part of it may have been the Republican sweep, the fact that folks were voting on Republican issues;" he said. "And also name recognition — in the previous election I was a total unknown. At least this time around my name stuck." Erin Johnson is at eagan.thisweek@ecm-inc.com Awada/From 1 A "People want to know where the money is going," said Awada. - "And I'm here I'm going to be a very active auditor — and, I'm going to let people know where the money's going," she said. Although the auditor's race is typically the least -watched of constitutional officer races, charges of excessive travel made by Awada against Johnson spiced up the campaign. Other candidates for state auditor were the Green Party's Dave Berger and the Independence Party's John David Hutcheson. The two men tallied about 4 percent and 7 percent of the , vote, respectively. About 61 percent of eligible voters voted in Tuesday's elec- tion. Mayor sees year of celebration, healing ahead Awada joined by council members in pledge to work as 'one entity with one voice' By Joshua Nichols Sun Newspapers Standing shoulder to shoulder withher fellow City Council members, Eagan Mayor Pat Awada proclaimed 2001 would be a year of unity and cooperation to heal the wounds of the past and work toward a successful fu- ture for the community. City From Page lA Awada said .the severe flooding expe- rienced by Eagan this past July served to highlight the flooding problems faced by the city. She said that even though no storm water system could have handled the heavy rainfall July 7-8, when 11 inches of rain fell over the course of a couple hours, the system has to be improved to handle at least the 100-year storm stan- dard. "We need to fix the system so that Eagan residents can sleep better at night when the forecast calls for rain and we will be better able to deal with Mother Nature in the future," Awada said. She also praised the ability of the com- munity to come together and help each other in a time of need. She pointed to groups and residents who offered "re- sources, a helping hand or sometimes just a shoulder to cry on." "To this day some of our citizens are still not whole and they continue to suf- fer both financially and psychologically" she said. "It's a huge credit to the Eagan spirit how neighbors, businesses, non - "It's an important time for our city as we set about building our future and ensuring that the hopes and dreams of Eagan resi- dents are fulfilled," Awada said. "Without question, Eagan is a very successful city with a great future. We've come through a year filled with challenges and achieve- ments, and a crisis that will long be remem- bered by the people of Eagan." Councilmembers Paul Bakken, Peggy Carlson, Cyndee Fields and Meg Tilley joined Awada Jan. 18 during her annual "State of the City" address to present goals for the community. "All the council members that stand be - profits and [the] 'faith community rallied behind those in need." The major highlight for 2001 will be the city's new central park and commu- nity center northwest of the intersection of Pilot Knob and Yankee Doodle roads. The city will use the park for its Fourth of July celebration this year and for other community events. "It will be a place for the community to gather and a place to hold our Fourth of July events," Awada said. "2001 will be, a year of celebration, a year of achievement and progress toward our goals and our vi- sion and a year to complete the healing from 2000." Each of the four council members pre- sented a portion of goals the new council. has set for itself over the next two years: •Carlson discussed plans to revitalize areas and improve communication with the public. Part of the effort to revitalize the com- munity will be the continuation of the Cedarvale area redevelopment effort with continuous input from residents and -businesses, Carlson said. In addition, the city plans to continue t6 make improvements to its Web site, newsletter and cable programming to en- sure the public is kept up to date with city business. "We emphasize that communication is fore you are committed to a positive Eagan," Awada said. "We're committed to serving you in a fashion you rightfully demand and deserve; we are committed to leading and guiding our great city to fulfill its dream of excellence." Awada described the council as "one enti- ty with one voice, one set of goals and one agenda." One of the main goals for 2001 and be- yond will be fixing problems with the city's storm water drainage system to prevent fur- ther flooding problems in the community. CITY: To Page 16A a two-way process with information flow- ing from the city to the citizens andtvvel- coming feedback from a well-informed community," Carlson said. "Good commu- nication is the key to a harmonious com- munity." •Bakken addressed efforts designed to expand and improve the' city's infra- structure, including not only fixing the storm water system but also improve- ments to roads. He also said the city will work to provide better public services for residents and businesses. •Fields gave an overview of the coun- cil's plans to help build a sense of com- munity identity. That effort would in- clude not only the community center and central park, but also building monu- ments at city entry ways, expanding com- munity and recreational events and adding to central area streetscaping. •Tilley said the city would continue to work to attract positive businesses into the community using the results of a re- cent business survey conducted by the Economic Development Cgmmission. In addition, the city has retained an airport noise attorney to help it in its effort to keep noise from the new runway at tire Minneapolis -St. Paul International Air- port to a minimum. She also said that ef- forts will continue toward expanding se- nior housing in the community. Residential property values continue to rise in Eagan because it is a desirable place to live, Awada said. The council will work to build on what has been accom- plished and make it an even better place to live. The Eagan economy continues to thrive, with new businesses coming to the community and existing firms under- going expansion, Awada said. The econo- my saw market valuations increase by more than $400 million in 2000, bringing the total to more than $4.25 billion. This compares to a little more than $2 billion in 1990. The council's stance in favor of conservative financial management has limited the growth in the city's budget over the same 10-year time span to 69 percent, Awada said. Awada also alluded to the recent struggle with the Met Council over the city's comprehensive guide plan in pledg- ing to continue to speak out for the inter- ests of Eagan in dealings with other gov- ernmental agencies. - "In Eagan we have practiced smart growth for a long time, but we defined it on our own terms," she said. "We believe that community development decisions should be made by the people who live in this community and not imposed by some remote, un-elected and uninformed body." Gurv() ))- off 4A Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Wednesday, April 11, 2001 www.mnSun.com OPINION Eagan Mayor Pat Awada praises city as flood effort continues By Pat Awada Guest Columnist Since the disastrous super, storm of July 2000, Eagan city staff and the City Council have been extraordinarily busy dealing with the aftermath and looking to- ward a long-term solution for our storm drainage system. After completing more than 21 neighborhood and city-wide meetings and two detailed engi- neering studies, the city has iden- tified a series of storm drainage system improvements that should provide protection from any future 100-plus year storms. Those improvements are being designed to protect our communi- ty not only from a 100-year storm, but also from a storm such as that in July that fell into the 800-plus year range. While we cannot protect from every possible scenario, it is clear that Eagan is getting more than its share of super storms that ex- ceed the design of any metro util- ity system. After the storm in 1987, some improvements were implemented to bring old utility systems up to the current city standard. This was not enough. While I don't want to get into a discussion of whether there are systemic en- vironmental changes going on, it is clear there are certain areas of Eagan which require a higher level of storm drainage improve- ment. With this in mind, our two en- gineering studies have identified a number of improvements for those areas that did not perform well during this last storm. Pre- liminary cost estimates approach $10 million. The council's stated goal is to get through the imple- mentation of as many of these im- provements as possible this year so we, and our residents, can all feel comfortable that Eagan is protected from any future storms. Since the city does not have the $10 million needed to fund these improvements, we have asked for state assistance through the form of disaster relief and mitigation. State Sen. Dean- na Wiener and Reps. Tim Paw- lenty and Tim Wilkin are carrying the bill for all the communities in- cluded in the federal disaster de- claration last year. We all owe them a great debt of appreciation for their hard work in getting this funding included in the budget package this year. In addition, I extend my sin- cere thanks to Eagan resident and flood victim Dennis Bauman for his time and effort in testify- ing before both the House and Senate committees on the pro- posed legislation. Mr. Bauman spoke for many as he recounted the tragic experiences of his fam- ily, and so many other Eagan fam- ilies, during their flood recovery efforts. Now that the engineering studies are done and we are get- ting closer to putting together a funding package, the City Council has scheduled a series of addi- tional community meetings. These meetings are for the flood impacted areas of our community and are set for 5:30 p.m. April 26, 27 and 30 with a location to be an- nounced. At that time, we will consider proceeding with detailed feasibility reports that will allow the city to construct the specific flood mitigation projects. The goal of the council is to move forward with the projects that the engi- neers, council and affected neigh- bors are all in agreement on. Since what is being proposed is generally what has been worked through together in the last round of neighborhood meetings, we expect approval of feasibility studies on most of the projects. Staff will then begin preparation of the detailed plans necessary for construction this summer. I want to again give my thanks to the citizens of this outstanding community. The input, support and patience you have all shown during this time has allowed us to bring about this positive ending to a tragic disaster. I also want to thank City Administrator Tom Hedges, who has guided our com- munity and staffthrough this last year. Many do not know that Tom's own home was severely flooded last July. While his base- ment stood in ruins, he spent 24 hours a day during that week helping others and guiding our city staff in an effort to save oth- ers' homes. Together with Public Works Director Tom Colbert, they have spent countless extra hours on this project. I thank them for their professional dedication and commitment to our community. I also wish to extend my gratitude to all members of our faith com- munity, the Eagan Foundation, the numerous non-profit organi- zations and agencies, as well as to the many neighborhoods and in- dividuals that have extended sup- port to storm victims throughout the past nine months. I look forward to bringing a positive resolution to this matter during the next several weeks. The council is dedicated to mak- ing sure this disaster does not re- peat itself. Pat Awada has been mayor of Eagan since 1998. b w € k- 0 (3 - boo I Wiener's record shows liberal spending bills To the editor: If truth is when the deed and the word .are the same, we have a problem. Following the 2001 sessions, Sen. Deanna Wiener, along with Reps. Pawlenty and Wilkin, took credit for doing good things for their con- stituents. However, unlike the repre- sentatives, Wiener did us no favors. In fact, her abysmal vot- ing record is one of tax and spend. Early on, before all the heat- ing costs were determined, Wiener voted to spend another $30 million on fuel subsidies for schools that had overspent their fuel allotment. Of course Eagan received none, while the profli- gate spending districts were rewarded. Instead of bragging about returning our overcollected taxes, Wiener will have to con- fess to voting for the original senate transportation bill that would have cost us an addition- al $300 million of the rebate. Wiener again voted against the onerous Profile of Learning, but voted in favor of eliminating many restrictions on welfare benefits to included restoring benefits to those exceeding their five-year limit. Further restrict- ing the initiative for unem- ployed workers to get jobs, she managed to vote for 95 weeks worth of unemployment bene- fits to Laid-6ff workers at the defunct LTV plant. She voted against Women's Right to Know in favoY of the governor's nego- tiating domestic partner bene- fits. When Wiener's record is reviewed, one would have to conclude that she does not have Eagan residents in mind when she is voting for big, liberal spending bills. RICHARD IFFERT Eagan Eagan should become a "UN Free Zone" To the editor: It is time for Eagan's mayor, Pat Awada, to show some more leadership. She does an excel- lent job of demonstrating her steadfast support for individual freedoms and the unmatched efficiency of free markets. She understands that everyone loses when governments intervene in commerce to include mandatory affordable housing. We may be secure in keeping the heavy hands of local govern- ment off the backs of our citi- zens, but what about the power grab of United Nations offi- cials? Today they levy capitalist countries so that they can ease the plight of citizens in socialist and communist countries. Only the countries that . practice capi- talism are able to assist bank- rupt nations living the totalitari- an regimes of the communists. Now, UN leaders have deter- mined who the victims and criminals are in war. Woe to the United States as the UN tri- bunals scrutinize bombings from Hiroshima to Hanoi to the Balkans. How soon before U.S. citizens are adjudicated by the dictators at the UN? The UN charter exists with- out a bill of rights or the power to assure their enforcement. The sole purpose of the UN is to steal from the poor nations and give to wealthy dictators in the poorest nations. Mayor Awada, it's time for you and the city council to show the same leadership that you have in the past. Lead the peo- ple of Dakota County and Minnesota and declare Eagan a "UN Free Zone." JON RUKAVINA Eagan , og-.9-i Eagan as a 'UN Free Zone'? To the editor: It is time for Eagan Mayor PatAwada to show more leader- ship. She does an excellent job of . demonstrating her steadfast support for individual freedoms and the unmatched efficiency of free markets. She understands that everyone loses when gov- ernments intervene • in com- merce to include mandatory af- fordable housing. We may be secure in keeping the heavy hands of local govern- ment off the backs of our citi- zens, but what about the power grab of UN officials? Today they levy capitalist countries so that they can ease the plight of citi- zens in socialist and communist countries. Only the countries that practice capitalism are able to assist bankrupt nations liv- ing in the totalitarian regimes of the communists. Now UN leaders have deter- mined who the victims and criminals are in war. Woe to the United States as the UN tri- bunals scrutinizes bombings from Hiroshima to Hanoi to the Balkans. How soon before the citizens of the United States are adjudicated by the dictators at the UN? The UN charter exists with- out a bill of rights or the power to assure their enforcement. The sole purpose of the UN is to steal from the poor nations and give to wealthy dictators in the poorest nations. Mayor Awada, it's time for you and the City Council to show the same leadership that you have in the past. Lead the people of Dakota County and Minnesota and declare Eagan a "UN Free Zone." Jon Rukavina Eagan hope you print my letter be- cause a few weeks ago, I publi- cally announced on the Jason Lewis talk show that I did not think there was a need for such a home after reading a long ar- ticle about orphanages printed in the Star Tribune. Since that time, I have had the opportunity of talking to Mary Jo and Dick personally and have seen some of these children which are not being served well by our present bu- reaucratic policies. I under- stand how traumatic it must be to children without a home to be separated from their siblings. There's a bond there for life, which is often broken by foster home placements. It is also easy to understand how difficult it must be to be shuffled from one foster home to another. Copeland's plans call for a complex of 20 homes, housing 10 children and two "parental fig- ures." The children living in the homes would attend a K-12 pri- vate school on the site. This as- pect upsets the teachers' unions because of the loss of revenue. And the idea of losing children out of the "social service estab- lishment" upsets the Child Pro- tection people because they might be out of jobs when this Eagan orphanage becomes suc- cessful. Remember that the Copelands are not asking tax- payers for a dime to build this. Of course, you could donate if you feel so moved. Copelands' faith -based ini- tiative is obviously in the best interests of children. The De- mocrats are afraid the success of this endeavor will "open the flood -gate" for other such estab- lishments and thus the govern- ment schools and present bu- reaucracy will "lose funding and control." Yikes. These are two of the reasons DFLers, Rep. Neva Walker (651-296-7152) and Sen. Jane Ranum (651-297-8061) have in- troduced a bill to prescribe a two-year moratorium on the li- censing and funding of chil- dren's homes. The bills are House File 3422 and Senate File 2875. So far, it passed in the small committee in the DFL- controlled Senate, but it is still sitting on the Senate floor. Its time to call our own Rep. Dean- na Wiener at 651-297-8073 and tell her to listen to her con- stituents for a change- and vote to kill this ridiculous bill. We know that these folks listen to the mandates of the teachers ,c rtar;X o 3 - 7 2k0 2- union and every other union who funds their campaigns but they depend on us for votes and are "supposed" to listen to us. Please call them or email. Mayor Pat Awada is to be commended for her intelligent forethought about this orphan- age idea. Councilmember Paul Bakken has organized a group called "Help the Orphanage find its place in Eagan." If you'd like to be involved, call 651-688- 7075 and leave your name and number, or e-mail to eagan- hope@msn.com. The project should come up before the Eagan Advisory Planning Commission in the end of April. I urge you to at- tend. Alice Kreitz Eagan. Epinephrine is life- saving medicine To the editor: Our 2-year-old son, Nicholas, has life -threatening food aller- gies. Even a minute amount of proteins could set off a cata- strophic reaction causing the airway to swell shut, blood pres- sure to drop, and quite proba- bly, breathing would stop. Luck- ily, we have a life-saving drug, called epinephrine; it's inexpen- sive, easily accessible, and even at 2 years old, Nicholas knows how to inject himself with it. Epinephrine is the only drug that could save his life in the event of a reaction. And half of the ambulances in Minnesota do not carry it. More than 70 percent of all catastrophic reactions occur in individuals who aren't aware they have allergies; medica- tions, foods and insect stings are the main culprits. In these cases, the victims must rely on ambulances to bring epineph- rine to them. However, instead of simply carrying epinephrine, many ambulance services in the state opt to transport non - breathing allergic patients to a hospital — often precious min- utes away. Each year, 500 peo- ple nationwide die from cata- strophic reactions. These people either received epinephrine after it was too late, or not at all. In the current legislative session, we are working to change the level of basic care available on Minnesota ambu- lances. Two hours of training time for Emergency Medical Technicians and a $5 vial of ep- inephrine per ambulance is all we're asking for. Nicholas, and the rest of us, deserves at least that much from ambulance per- sonnel already trained in child- birth, CPR, and other technical emergency procedures. Using epinephrine is a natural addi- tion to the services our EMTs already provide. Michelle and Jeff Moe Eagan Commission not enemy of city To the editor: Mayor Patricia Awada is frustrated with the state "butting in" to the City Council offering a place for Mary Jo Copland's latest charitable ven- ture. This is a good illustration of how statutory cities are di- rectly manipulated by the state Legislature. The citizens of Eagan, the City Council and the Eagan Charter Commission would do well to study how the city might shake the grip of the legisla- ture. How would this issue be han- dled if the Legislature were dealing with home rule Charter City Eagan? Maybe not with this kind of legislation, but there are a whole host of other circumstances where that extra layer of state government can be removed from, local control. With the cooperation and par- ticipation of everyone in Eagan we can explore the questions and decide together what is the correct answer for us. --The commission typically meets at 6:15 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month and will have a regular meeting . at 6:15 p.m., April 10. A special meeting is scheduled" 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, at Wescott Public Library, Eagan, for rep- resentatives of the city of Bloomington to describe their experience as a home rule char- ter city. • Attend, compare and con- trast the definition of statutory vs. home rule. Learn that the Eagan Charter Commission is not "poisonous," as the Mayor has been quoted. We are or- phaned children that the City Council has turned out into the cold. Susan Widmar Eagan LETTERS: To Page 9A May.25. 2000 2:41PM THE WALLACE GROUP No.2027 P. 4/4 Thursday MAY 25, 2000 Metro/State B SECTION Www,elertiOurre.com/metro StarlPibune Man acknowledges Involvement In forged letter Michael Vincent of Eagan acknowledged under oath Wednesday that he helped prepare a politically damaging letter that bore a forged signature of Mayor Pat Awada. Vincent, a failed City Council candidate, was charged in Decem- ber after letters allegedly signed by Awada and suggesting that she was contemplating candidacy for an unspecified Senate seat were distributed in the Dakota County suburb. Awada said that her signature was forged and that she had been the target of another in a series of political shenanigans in the city. Though he didn't plead guilty to a crime, Vincent said in court Wednesday that he had participated in preparing the letter. In return, he was placed in a diversion program and will have to complete 70 hours of community service and pay a $300 program fee by December 2001. Vincent was charged after materials linking him to the incident were found in his household trash. Dakota CountyAttorney James Backstrom, who said Vincent "in essence" acknowledged taking part in a conspiracy, said further charges are unlikely because authorities had no knowledge of who else participated. "We have no way of knowing," he said. Howard Bass, Vincent's attorney, said that his client didn't admit to committing a crime and that attempts to link Vincent to a conspiracy were "a real stretch." He said Vincent's criminal charge was retaliation for Vincent's having sued the city for not being reappointed to the city parks commission. "The mayor was calling the shots here," Bass said of his client's criminal problems. Awada, he said, "was behind this prosecution from the beginning," Awada said she was pleased with the outcome but disappointed that others who may have been involved are "apparently escaping without penalty." — Mike Kaszuba 6514523504 => CITY OF EAGAN ,TEL=6516814612 05/25'00 15:33 z O ea- UMW/ rfeNt— 0g — z7— Z�oz Commission is real local control To the editor: A message for Eagan's Mayor Awada (and her city council allies Paul Bakken and Peggy Carlson): "Stop your hypocrisy!" Referring to state legislation that would temporarily prohib- it an orphanage in Eagan, Mayor Awada said in a March 14 Pioneer Press editorial "that the citizens of Eagan should be allowed to proceed without the Legislature imposing a political judgement on a local issue, an issue that can mean so much to children in need.."' The Mayor wants the state to "butt out of Eagan[s] orphan- age decision". In the words of fellow council member and or- phanage supporter Paul Bakken, Eagan's decision re- garding the orphanage is an issue of "local control;" deci- sions impacting a local govern- ment, in this case Eagan, should be made by that local government, not by the state Legislature. Judging from the number of committees and task forces Mayor Awada has appointed, it seems she genuinely supports local control. In my view, how- ever, these committees and task forces usually are special inter- ests gathered to shepherd large city expenditures on things most of us in Eagan don't care about. Eagan's successful refer-. endum on bond money for its community center, for example, was shepherded by the inter- ests of local developers, restau- rant owners and men's basket- ball league promoters — few oth- ers even knew of the special election held in late spring. Un- like these and other special in- terest groups appointed by the Mayor, real local control is shared directly in equal por- tions with all of a city's resi- dents. There is one group in Eagan that may propose real local con- trol for Eagan, the Eagan City Charter Commission. Consist- ing of 13 volunteers appointed by the -district court, the Com- mission may recommend that Eagan become a charter city. As a charter city, Eagan's voters in- stead of the state Legislature would decide the basics of Eagan government, including mayoral and council powers, the number of council members, spending limits, geographic representation and initiative and referendum. Like most cities its size (Bloomington, Ply- mouth, etc.) Eagan would have the ultimate local control in the form of a city charter approved and monitored by its citizens. The issue of real local control, passed on in equal shares to all of Eagan, is the Charter Com- mission's core issue. Ironically, the Mayor abhors the Eagan Charter Commis- sion. She tried to prevent the commission from being ap- pointed by challenging the number of signatures needed to require the Commission's ap- pointment. She Ied the council charge to prevent the Charter Commission from meeting in Council Chambers (even though the District Court re- quired the Commission to meet in Council Chambers for its first meeting). In a recent (Star Tribune) newspaper article about her, she referred to the Charter Commission as a "poi- sonous group" of political oppo- nents. I would like to think the "poisonous" reference is just a ' knee-jerk reaction to the prospect of change, but it seems the Mayor prefers only the type of local control that she sees when she looks in the -mirror. With a preference for local con- trol that ends with her image, how can the Mayor provide fair information and leadership re- garding Mary Jo Copeland's or- phanage proposal, -the Eagan Charter Commission or any other issue? Eagan residents should be wary of whatever the Mayor says about the Copeland Or- phanage proposal (good or bad). Finally, Mayor Awada should give the Eagan Charter Com- mission the same respect she expects from the state legisla- ture. She should allow the Commission to proceed without imposing a political judgements on the Commission's members or issues, issues that can mean so much to providing Eagan cit- izens with a versatile tool (a city Charter) for responsible cit- izenship. Michael Dean Eagan Reader supports Copelands' plan To the editor: I am publically stating my support for Mary Jo and Dick Copelands' plan to have a chil- drens' home built in Eagan. I Eagan mayor, council should stop hypocrisy To the editor: A message for Eagan's Mayor Awada (and her City Council allies Paul Bakken and Peggy Carlson): "Stop your hypocrisy!" Referring to state legislation that would temporarily prohibit an orphanage in Eagan, Mayor Awada was quoted in another newspaper's editorial as saying that "the citizens of Eagan should be allowed to proceed without the Legislature impos, ing a political judgment on a local issue, an issue that can mean so much to children in need" The mayor wants the state to "butt out of Eagan's orphanage decision" In the words of fel- low council member and orphanage supporter Paul Bakken, Eagan's decision regarding the orphanage is an issue of "local control" Decisions impacting a local government, in this case Eagan, should be made by that local government, not by the state Legislature. Judging from the number of committees and task forces Mayor Awada has appointed, it seems she genuinely supports local control. In my view, how- ever, these committees and task forces usually are special inter- ests gathered to shepherd large city expenditures on things most of us in Eagan don't care about. Eagan's successful referendum on bond money for its commu- nity center, for example, was shepherded by the interests of local developers, restaurant owners and men's basketball See Dean, 16A Dean/From 1 A league promoters — few others even knew of the special elec- tion held in late spring. Unlike these and other special interest groups appointed by the mayor, real local control is shared directly in equal portions with all of a city's residents. There is one group in Eagan that may propose real local con- trol for Eagan, the Eagan City Charter Commission. Consisting of 13 volunteers appointed by the district court, the commission may recom- mend that Eagan become a charter city. As a charter city, Eagan's voters instead of the state Legislature would decide the basics of Eagan government, including mayoral and council powers, the number of council members, spending limits, geo- graphic representation and ini- tiative and referendum., Like most cities its size (Bloomington, Plymouth, etc.) Eagan would have the ultimate local control in the form of a city charter approved and moni- tored by its citizens. The issue of real local control, passed on in equal shares to all of Eagan, is the Charter Commission's core issue. Ironically, the mayor abhors the Eagan Charter Commission. She tried to prevent the commis- sion from being appointed by challenging the number of sig- natures needed to require the commission's appointment. She led the council charge to prevent the Charter Commission from meeting in council cham- bers (even though the District Court required the commission to meet in council chambers for its first meeting). In a recent article about her in another newspaper, she referred to the Charter Commission as a "poi- sonous group" of political oppo- nents. I would like to think the "poisonous" reference is just a knee-jerk reaction to the prospect of change, but it seems the mayor prefers only the type of local control that she sees when she looks in the mirror. With a preference for local control that ends with her image, how can the mayor pro- vide fair information and lead- ership regarding Mary Jo Copeland's orphanage proposal, the Eagan Charter Commission or any other issue? Eagan residents should he wary of whatever the mayor says about the Copeland orphanage proposal, good or bad. Finally, Mayor Awada should give the Eagan Charter Commission the same respect she expects from the state Legislature. She should allow the commission to proceed without imposing a political judgments on the comrnission's members or issues, issues that can mean so much to providing Eagan citizens with a versatile tool (a city charter) for responsi- ble citizenship. MICHAEL DEAN Eagan (EDITOR'S NOTE: The author is a member of the Eagan Charter Commission.) Please join us in celebrating the accomplishments & years of public service to the City of Eagan of Mayor Pat Awada Councilmember: 1992-1998 Mayor: 1999-2002 At a reception in her honor Thursday, January 2, 2003 5-8p.m. (Program at 6:15 p.m.) Royal Cliff Banquet Center 2280 Cliff Road Eagan, Minnesota Please RSVP and send payment by Friday, December 27 to: Mira McGarvey, Eagan Municipal Center 3830 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, MN 55122 651-675-5013 Please make checks payable to the City of Eagan Appetizer buffet $14 per person. Cash bar. city of eclgan Awada From Page lA When Awada came to the council, the real estate market was not doing well and many homeowners couldn't sell their homes for what they had paid for them several years before. Awada said that she had felt the housing stock was unbal- anced with too much multi -family hous- ing being`built and not enough single- family housing. "The whole situation with the afford- able housing groups today, it was the ab- solute opposite situation back then," she said. "Many people thought there was too much multi -family housing being built and I spent much of my career try- ing to change the housing stock in Eagan." Affordable housing was only one issue that became a hot point in Eagan over the past several years. Awada has also become the focal point on issues such as Mary Jo Copeland's children's home, a golf course considered for Patrick Eagan Park and a contentious sidewalk project on Dodd Road. "My positions on the issues were not at different than the rest of the coun- il," she said. "I think in most cases the ayor of a city becomes the lightning od for those issues. They take the lead nd have the wrath of those who dis- gree with them. The issues with hous- ng groups and Dodd Road and to some xtent the orphanage are not any differ- nt than any other issues that other mayors have dealt with." Awada said that many issues become contentious because there are neighbors near every proposed project who might not want the project going in next door. However, she said her job as mayor is to balance those concerns against the feel- ings of the rest of the community. "I always tried to make a decision that was in the best interest of the whole com- munity," she said. "Sometimes those de- cisions were not in the best interest of the neighbors, but the whole community wants it." Awada said her interest in controlling multi -family housing and ensuring that only quality developments went forward sprung from her experiences when she first joined the council. "I truly believe I had a large role in changing the nature of Eagan," Awada said. "I spent my career working to change the nature of Eagan, working on down -zoning, bringing in different kinds of business and bringing in single-fami- ly housing. I wanted to create quality in Eagan and bring a very balanced hous- ing stock." Awada said that among the highlights of her time in office was the way the city dealt with the aftermath of the July 2000 floods and the storm sewer improve- ments that followed. Although there were residents' complaints and ques- tions about how to best respond to the city's flood issues, the city recently com- pleted all its sewer improvement pro- jects and won an award for the effort. "It could have been much, much worse," she said. "The council needed to step up to the plate and I am very proud of how the council handled that head on and worked with the neighbors." She also pointed to the various facili- ties that the city built during her time on the council, including the Civic Arena, Cascade Bay and the still under con- struction Community Center. The facili- ties not only met a need in the communi- ty, but also were done right so they ended up supporting themselves, she said. However, she also said she was disap- pointed that the city never took the final steps to permanently protect the Caponi Art Park. The art park, which is private- ly -owned by Anthony Caponi, is often threatened by development because of rising valuations in Eagan. "That is something that even previous councils and mayors worked on," Awada said. "It is one area of unfinished busi- ness. I certainly wanted to help make that a reality and it's something the city has been working on for the past 20 years. It's not necessarily the city's role to take it over, but there are ways we could help." She also said she would have liked to see the city finish its work on better defining its central area. That work will continue with the opening of the Com- munity Center and Central Park, along with streetscaping work, Town Centre traffic improvements and completion of a ring road around the city's central area near Pilot Knob and Yankee Doodle roads. Those challenges will be taken up by new Eagan Mayor Pat Geagan and the council members, including newcomer Mike Maguire. Geagan and Maguire were sworn into office at the beginning of the council's Jan. 7 meeting. "I think we have a shared vision and I have lots of confidence in my successor, Pat Geagan," Awada said. "I think he will be a very good mayor and I support- ed him in the election. There will not be as much to do and the issues are going to be different. It will be more neighbor- hood related and special interest issues." The challenge now facing the new council will also be one of maintaining what the city now has, Awada said. "It will be a lot of maintenance is- sues," she said. "The council will have -to work to not allow the community to de- teriorate." Awada said she is looking forward to starting her new job and sees a lot of challenge in her role as the taxpayer's watchdog. "It will involve a lot of local govern- ment finance stuff and that's what I enjoy getting into," she said. "This will be a new era brought on by the budget deficit. I need the challenge and I like to get things done when faced with a chal- lenge like that. I would rather take office in a position like this instead of less needing to be accomplished." In the end, Awada said she hopes that when people look back at her time in of- fice, they will remember her as a person who got things done. "I am very proud of what Eagan has be- come," she said. "I hope people look back and think of me as a builder. A builder of things, a builder of community, a builder of infrastructure. I hope that I am re- membered as someone who is fair. They may not have always liked where I was on an issue, but realize that I always did what I felt was best for the community." Mayor Patricia Awada Eagan City Councilmember 1992-1998 Eagan Mayor 1998-2002 Under Mayor Awada's leadership, the City saw the following: A Mayor Awada actively led numerous Council committees to formulate the design and operations of the Community Center, Central Park, Rotary Band Shell, ice skating pond, and sliding hill. lA Moody's Investment rated the City of Eagan a AA1, putting the City in the top 6% nation-wide. A Cascade Bay was opened and proved to be extremely successful. USA Today ranked Cascade Bay as one of the top 10 water parks in the country! A The Civic Arena was built and found immediate success. Given the popularity of the first sheet of ice, a second sheet was added. d The Council approved storm mitigation improvements for more than 40 project areas involving construction costs in excess of $5.75 million, which resulted in the City of Eagan being awarded the 2002 American Public Work's Association Project of the Year. A A $5 million grant, to fund a portion of the storm mitigation improvements, was awarded to the City of Eagan from the Minnesota State Legislature. A Major street improvements such as the upgrades of Wescott Road, Dodd Road, Lexington Avenue, Cedar Grove Parkway, T.H. 13, and Central Parkway were all completed. A A $15.3 million referendum was passed to fund the land acquisition for the new Community Center and Central Park. • TIF Redevelopment Districts were established for the Highway 55 and 149 area, as well as the Cedar Grove area. Redevelopment is currently underway in both areas. A Streetscaping elements have been introduced in various locations, including Central Parkway and within the Cedar Grove Redevelopment Area. Plans are also underway for City entrance monuments. • A new aerial fire truck was acquired to replace a 25-year-old vehicle. • A total rebuild of the police, fire and public works radio system was implemented to provide for efficient service delivery. A Communications were enhanced through the hiring of a Communications Director, which has resulted in further development of the City's website, newsletter, and cable programming. • A community -wide survey was completed, asking more than 100 questions on various topics. Through the survey, Eagan residents voiced a 95% quality of life rating! • Over Mayor Awada's 10 years, she attended over 240 regular City Council meetings, over 150 Special City Council meetings, served on over a dozen Council committees, and made numerous presentations to community groups such as the Rotary, Lions, and Key Club. Congratulations Mayor Awada...A job well done! Mayor Awada and Eagan developer named to list of 40 influential people byErin Johnson The council presented Awada Bakken said that after gradu- Staff Writer with a certificate and flowers ating from college, Awada began after Council Member Paul a direct -mail company that she Eagan honored its mayor at Bakken spoke a few words about turned from a fledgling start-up the June 5 City Council meeting the mayor. into a company that does busi- for being recognized as a major "There's a fairly common ness throughout the state. She influence in the area. misconception in the public that later acquired a small telecom - Mayor Pat Awada was named all Patty does is be the mayor of munications company, he said, to the "40 Under 40" list by Eagan," Bakken said. "And which she turned into a $2.5 mil- CityBusiness as someone pre- although the mayor of Eagan lion a year business. dicted to be a major influence in often seems like the equivalent of Bakken also mentioned Twin Cities business and social a full-time job, she does much, Awada's love of gardening, and circles. much more." See Awada, SA Awada/Continued the fact that she and her husband are busy raising their four chil- dren. "For these reasons and more, out of over 170 nominees, she was chosen to be honored with the '40 Under 40' award," Bakken said. Speaking to Awada, he said, "We're very proud of you, and you should be very proud, too ... for two reasons. First of all, it's an acknowledgment of your impressive achievements to this day, and it's also a public affir- mation of the fact that you are indeed under 40." Awada, who recently turned Mayor Awada thanks the Council for their recognition. Photo by Erin Johnson 35, has had career aspirations since she was 12 years old and began a daily newspaper route. When she was a teenager, Awada was a car hop at the local A&W. She received a bachelor's degree in international relations from the University of Minnesota and later earned a master's in public administra- tion from Hamline University. Awada was first elected to the Eagan City Council in 1992 and then re-elected in 1996. She became Eagan's mayor in 1998. "I feel that my work in busi- ness and as a public servant is an extension of who I am and what I believe in rather than just `work,' "Awada said. "I have a great many things I want to accomplish." Brian Carey, a real estate developer with United Properties, Inc. and a member of the Eagan Economic Development Commission, was also named to the "40 Under 40" list. Carey, 39, received a mas- ter's in real estate investment analysis from the University of Wisconsin and became a devel- opment project manager for United Properties. He has spo- ken to community groups about child abuse issues and has been a volunteer with numerous organizations, including the Special Olympics. Pat Awada reflects on years of service in Eaga New state auditor also looks to her future role BY JOSHUA NICHOLS Sun Newspapers For many people Pat Awada has become inseparable from the city of Eagan. However, when the Eagan City Council met for the first time this year Awada was not a part of the city government for the first time in a decade. For Awada, who has served as Eagan's mayor for the past four years, the coming of 2003 meant the opening of a new chapter in her political career. Awada was elected state auditor in November and has since moved into her new digs in St. Paul. "I came to the realization late last spring that this would be a re- ality" Awada said. "Over the past few weeks I've had to accept it. I will still be actively following the city government and I will still live here so I will have an active interest in what happens. But it's Andy Blenkush/Sun Newspapers Former Eagan mayor Pat Awada chats with friends and co-workers dur- ing a recent recognition dinner. hard to go sometimes." Awada finished up her last ac- tion as Eagan mayor last week when she attended her last work- shop session. As she reflected on her years as mayor and council member, she remembered when she joined the council. "In those years everything different," Awada said. "Wl got on the City Council, the is were very different. It was a very different Eagan. Many p€ didn't even know where it wa: Things have changed s then. Development was pie] up speed and many Eagan 1 nesses still listed their addre: being in St. Paul. Today Eag well-known and almost comp ly developed. Awada is fond of recalling the council meetings in tl days ran for hours as deve ment issues ruled the day. It into that environment 1 Awada, then 25, ran for the cc cil for her first time. "It was over local issues tl first ran," Awada said. "I been active politically in col] and then after college. This the community we picked make our life and it wasn't bE developed the way we thougl- should be." AWADA: To Page Vincent admits role in Awada forgery by Dan Gearino Staff Writer Michael Vincent has admit- ted under oath his role in the fall 1999 forgery of a letter that falsely claimed to be from Eagan Mayor Pat Awada, Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said. The May 24 admission was a condition of Vincent's entry into a Dakota County adult diversion program for low-level, first- time felony offenders, Backstrom said. According to Backstrom, Vincent, 34, of Eagan, admitted that in the fall of 1999 he came into possession of a draft of a letter concerning a potential Senate run by Awada and was asked to make comments on it before it was to be distributed. He also admitted that he knew the letter contained false state- ments and a false signature, Backstrom said. Shortly after the false letter was distributed, Eagan City Council Member Paul Bakken drove to Vincent's home and See Vincent, 34A Vincent/Continued removed bags of garbage from the curb. Bakken said he sus- pected Vincent was involved in the production and distribution of the letter. According to the criminal complaint filed against Vincent, Bakken examined the bags and discovered envelope boxes, shredded paper and gloves. Bakken brought the bags to a Dakota County Sheriff's Department, where deputies determined that some of the shredded paper matched the heading on the forged letter, the complaint said. In his May 24 staten*nt_ Vincent admitted that the con- tents of the garbage bags were his property, Backstrom said. Based on the contents of the bags, the Sheriff's Department obtained a search warrant for Vincent's home and seized items believed to be related to the letter, including a computer that contained a draft of the let- ter on the hard drive, the com- plaint said. Subsequently, Vincent was charged with forgery (a felony) and criminal defamation (a mis- demeanor). Awada said she is pleased that Vincent admitted his role in the incident. Awada said she hopes that the conclusion of Vincent's criminal case will reduce the negativity in Eagan city politics. According to Backstrom, Vincent is now an admitted felon but not a convicted felon. By participating in the criminal diversion program, Vincent will pay a $300 fine, complete 70 hours of community service and must remain law abiding for two years. Failure to complete these conditions could result in the charges being reinstated, Backstrbm said. No felony will appear on Vincent's record, Backstrom said. Vincent was at the Dakota County Government Center in Hastings May 24 for a hearing on the case when Backstrom's office offered him a place in the diversion program. "In my mind, there wasn't a strong enough case to go for- ward," Vincent said. In a telephone interview May 24, Vincent said he saw the let- ter and knew it wasn't real, but that was the only part he played in the incident. 4A Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Wednesday, April 11, 2001 www.mnSun.com OPINION Eagan Mayor Pat Awada praises city as flood effort continues By Pat Awada Guest Columnist Since the disastrous super storm of July 2000, Eagan city staff and the City Council have been extraordinarily busy dealing with the aftermath and looking to-,'r? ward a long-term solution for our' storm drainage system. After completing more than 21 neighborhood and city-wide meetings and two detailed engi- neering studies, the city has iden- tified a series of storm drainage system improvements that should provide protection from any future 10Qplus year storms. Those improvements are being designed to protect our communi- ty not only from a 100-year storm, but also from a storm such as that in July that fell into the 800-plus year range. While we cannot protect from every possible scenario, it is clear that Eagan is getting more than its share of super storms that ex- ceed the design of any metro util- ity system. After the storm in 1987, some improvements were implemented to bring old utility systems up to the current city standard. This was not enough. While I don't want to get into a discussion of whether there are systemic en- vironmental changes going on, it is clear there are certain areas of Eagan which require a higher level of storm drainage improve- ment. With this in mind, our two en- gineering studies have identified a number of improvements for those areas that did not perform well during this last storm. Pre- liminary cost estimates approach $10 million. The council's stated goal is to get through the imple- mentation of as many of these im- provements as possible this year so we, and our residents, can all feel comfortable that Eagan is protected from any future storms. Since the city does not have the $10 million needed to fund these improvements, we have asked for state assistance through the form of disaster relief and mitigation. State Sen. Dean- na Wiener and Reps. Tim Paw- lenty and Tim Wilkin are carrying the bill for all the communities in- cluded in the federal disaster de- claration last year. We all owe them a great debt of appreciation for their hard work in getting this funding included in the bud4et package this year. r _ 4.,► In addition, I extend my sin- cere thanks to Eagan resident and flood victim Dennis Bauman for his time and effort in testify- ing before both the House and Senate committees on the pro- posed legislation. Mr. Bauman spoke for many as he recounted the tragic experiences of his fam- ily, and so many other Eagan fam- ilies, during their flood recovery efforts. Now that the engineering studies are done and we are get- ting closer to putting together a funding package, the City Council has scheduled a series of addi- tional community meetings. These meetings are for the flood impacted areas of our community and are set for 5:30 p.m. April 26, 27 and 30 with a location to be an- nounced. At that time, we will consider proceeding with detailed feasibility reports that will allow the city to construct the specific flood mitigation projects. The goal of the council is to move forward with the projects that the engi- neers, council and affected neigh- bors are all in agreement on. Since what is being proposed is generally what has been worked through together in the last round of neighborhood meetings, we expect approval of feasibility studies on most of the projects. Staff will then begin preparation of the detailed plans necessary for construction this summer. _ I want to again give my thanks to the citizens of this outstanding community. The input, support and patience you have all shown during this time has allowed us to bring about this positive ending to a tragic disaster. I also want to thank City Administrator Tom Hedges, who has guided our com- munity and staff through this last year. Many do not know that Tom's own home was severely flooded last July. While his base- ment stood in ruins, he spent 24 hours a day during that week helping others and guiding our city staff in an effort to save oth- ers' homes. Together with Public Works Director Tom Colbert, they have spent countless extra hours on this project. I thank them for their professional dedication and commitment to our community. I also wish to extend my gratitude to all members of our faith com- munity, the Eagan Foundation, the numerous non-profit organi- zations and agencies, as well as to the many neighborhoods and in- dividuals that have extended sup- port to storm victims throughout the past nine months. I look forward to bringing a positive resolution to this matter during the next several weeks. The council is dedicated to mak- ing sure this disaster does not re- peat itself. Pat Awada has been mayor of Eagan since 1998. www.mnSun.com Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Wednesday, April 11, 2001 3A SCHOOL DISTRICT 191 District 191 references sexual misconduct in policy By Lori Carlson Sun Newspapers The recent case of a former District 191 teacher's assistant charged with sex- ual misconduct involving a 14-year-old boy has troubled district officials, who re- cently made policy revisions stemming from a similar case involving former teacher Kristin Osterbauer last year. Shawn Marie Blessum, 35, of Eagan was charged in Dakota County District Court April 2 with one count each of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and furnishing alcohol to a minor. Blessum is accused of having sex with a 14-year-old student whom she met while working at Vale Educational Center, a school in Eagan for students with emotional disor- ders and learning disabilities. According to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County, the boy told police Bless um had sex with him on at least two occasions in the fall of 2000. He said on one occasion, Blessum drove him and his sister in her van to purchase beer, then dropped off his sister and drove to an area in Eagan and had sexual relations with the boy. On March 29, the day following the boy's statements to police, Eagan officers set up a recorded telephone conversation between the boy and Blessum. According to the criminal complaint, Blessum indi- rectly referred to the sexual contact. 'This type of thing happening to any child is a tragic situation. But students in this situation [at Vale] are quite vulnerable.' — Superintendent Benjamin Kanninen Oct. 20, 2000. She had worked in the dis- trict since 1993, first as a hall monitor at Burnsville High School and later as a teacher's aide at Vale. Superintendent Benjamin Kanninen said that on or about March 21, a district employee reported to police statements regarding the sexual contact made by the boy during an earlier counseling session. Kanninen said the boy, who still at- tends Vale, was never a student of Blessum's, but that she likely met the boy during her time as a teacher's assistant at the school. District officials first heard concerns about Blessum Oct. 2, 2000, Kanninen said, when a teacher heard "an expres- sion of concern" from a neighbor of Blessum's regarding her conduct toward a child in the Eagan neighborhood. Those concerns were not directly related to the charges Blessum is facing, Kanninen said. The teacher referred the matter to dis- garding the complaint. A closed hearing before the Board of Education was prepared for Oct. 19, but before the hearing could take place, Blessum announced her resignation ef- fective Oct. 19. Blessum gave no reason for her resignation, Kanninen said. Because Blessum no longer was an employee, data from the district's inves- tigation will remain private unle'` the county attorney's office files a formal court order to view the investigation's findings, Kanninen said. The Blessum case comes at a particu- larly tough time for the district, which is still doing "clean up work from issues that arose in the Osterbauer case," Kan- ninen said. The Board of Education April 5 re- vised its personnel policy regarding staff and student relations to specifically ref- erence prohibition of "interaction or ac- tivity of a sexual nature with students, inducing students to commit illegal acts degree criminal sexual conduct with a 13- year-old male student. In Osterbauer's case, the situation may not have been handled properly by some staff members, and the district has worked to ensure that doesn't happen again, Kanninen said. The district acted promptly and prop- erly regarding the information it received about Blessum, he said. "I'm pleased to say the district did everything it should have done," he said. "If it were not for the diligence of indi- viduals at Vale, we may not have uncov- ered the misconduct [involving the 14- year-old student]." The Blessum case is compounded by the fact that the boy involved has emo- tional/behavioral needs, Kanninen said. "This type of thing happening to any child is a tragic situation," he said. "But students in this situation [at Vale] are quite vulnerable." DISTRICT BRIEF Community Ed offers seven new classes Community Education in School Dis- trict 191 will offer upcoming classes in hncire r„linarvhpncq 50 ways iG leek. Nile\reh i ) pcig7 Capitol Companies moves to accommodate growth Capitol Companies, Inc., re- cently created through the merger of Verification Center, Inc., and Capitol Direct, has moved from St. Paul to ex- panded quarters in. Eagan. The larger offices will pro- vide the space needed to meet increasing business demands. Patricia E. Awada, president and chief executive officer, said the combination of the two firms into a single organi- zation, Capitol Companies, sets a framework for improved operating efficiency and a foundation for further growth. The Eagan location will be the headquarters of the com- pany, but a smaller support fa- cility will continue to operate in downtown St. Paul. "This new space and the combined organization result from the growth we have expe- rienced and will better ac- commodate our plans for fur- ther expansion in the future," said Awada. PATRICIA AWADA Verification Center primarily serves the needs of long- distance telephone service re - sellers who require independ- ent confirmation of sales by telemarketing representatives. Generally, prospective cus- tomers who decide to use a particular company's long dis- tance service are held on the line and connected with Veri- fication Center, which con- firms the customer's decision to change carriers. Capitol Direct focuses pr marily on providing direct ma services and meeting the need of public affairs clients for pn fessionally produced materia' for candidates and those seek ing to influence public polic} Established by Awada in 199: Capitol Direct was a successc to her original firrn, which be gan operations in 1993. Doug Anderson will serve a director of operations for Cap. i tol Direct and David Hoium i director of communications. Awada acquired a majorit interest in Verification Cente, Inc., in 1996 and has increase the organization's rate of sale growth. Capitol Companies Inc., wit more than 70 employees, ha its main office at 1270 Eaga Industrial Road, in Eagan. Th Verification Center unit, als based in Eagan, will continu to operate a satellite office a 350 St. Peter St. in St. Paul. Pat Awada Teamwork the theme of address Eagan Mayor Pat Awada ,emphasizes working together during State of the City speech By Mike Cook Sun Newspapers "I believe the people of Eagan think their city has developed well, favor the overall policy di- rections and are ready to take that next step." So said Mayor Pat Awada at her Feb. 18 State of the City address. "The state of the city is this — over the past 25 years we have built what is perhaps the most de- sirable community in the metro- politan area — and in the future our city will become even better." Her approximately 20- minute speech contained a mix of Eagan's past, present and fu- ture. Awada also focused on spe- cific issues the city is dealing with or soon will. She credited early city lead- ers, including Ted Wachter and Tom Egan, with setting de- manding goals and reaching them. Wachter was on the City Council since before Eagan was incorporated until his retire- ment last year, while Egan served many years as a council member or as mayor. He, too, re- tired at the end of 1998. "Our city continues to honor these goals, and we have been progressing steadily," - Awada said. She believes the new coun- cil is up to challenges set forth by people like Egan and Wachter. STATE: To Page 10A 7LvP( ,j 2/-fq Eagan mayor onders city' past, future in speech By SARA THOMALLA BLOOD In her first State_ of the City address, Mayor Pat Awada said she intends to stick with her campaign theme: building on Eagan's excellence. - "The question is no longer what we'll be, but how great we can become," said Awada. From the various faith com- munities to its schools, from the businesses to nonprofit agencies, the mayor said the city of Eagan is not just City ._ Hall. "It is the cumulative effort of -all the entities that have e n, t6,ec a taak ag . rt is today," the first term mayor and those'in attendance at the council ' chamheis Feb: -:18 The;' morning event was sponsored by the =Eagan Chamber of .. Commerce. Awada set the stage for the i future by going over _ Eagan's II past. "On the slim chance that any of you has not heard, the city of Eagan is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. It is re- markable how (much) the city has changed, how far it has come over those 25 years," said the mayor. Awada discussed how Ea- gan's residents, ' business .corn- , munity and local : government faced numerous challenges and continued to , change. She re- called how dirt roads became (See Speech, p.12A) 111,1W _ OL ' ZI - 19 Speech (Continued from front page) four -lane thoroughfares, and how pastures filed with live- stock became homes and busi- ness parks. She also spoke of the devel- opment of retail businesses. "Longtime residents often reflect on the fact that there was a time when you could hardly get a loaf of bread or a quart of milk in Eagan. Today, there are few retail needs that cannot be satisfied right here in the city limits," said Awada. Awada said residents and the city set the tone for the devel- opment of Eagan. "Let us rememberthat the city did not come with instruc- tions. There was no 'how to' book to tell Eagan's residents or their elected officials how the city should develop," said Awada. She also said that the city's 24,000 children have also 'in- fluenced the direction of de- velopment. "Children are why we have built the amenities in this city... why we strive to have - efficient and effective city services.... and why Eagan has taken such pains to preserve green and open spaces for our children to .play in," said Awada. ' The mayor praised the efforts of former Council Member Ted Wachter and former Mayor Tom Egan. "Tom and Ted were enemies of complacency, always be, lieving that we could do better. They have set the bar high and issued an implicit challenge that those of us who serve now must follow," said Awada. But the mayor said there is room for improvement in the city of Eagan, and that she and the new City Council are up for the challenge. She spoke on how the last 25 years has focused on the de- velopment of Eagan. "Now that focus must change. The city is now ap- proximately 85 percent devel- oped. The focus must now shift to the redevelopment and the building of real communities in the city of Eagan," said Awada. • Three hotels opened in Eagan in 1998, and a fourth hotel will open this year, said Awada. IIWe Are Pleased EAGAN MAYOR Pat Awada gave her first State of the City address before the Eagan Chamber of Commerce Feb. 18. Photo by Sara Thomalla-Blood She said that commercial and industrial.. building activity made sizable gains in the last year and overall valuation rose to $160 million in 1999. "Eagan continues to prosper with business :activity, tax base and"`employmetit _a11= reaching tiew heights," said Awada. maintaining its streets. Some " of the other projects Awada highlighted included the revision of the city's Com- prehensive Guide Plan and the redevelopment of the Highway 55 corridor. Awada said she -hopes-the success of the. High- way 55 project through the efforts of a public/private part- nership — can be repeated in the redevelopment of the Cedarvale area. - "This is truly an exciting pro- ject," Awada said of Cedar - vale. The City Council hired a consulting team and is devel- oping a community task force to look at a variety of issues, from housing and business to transit improvements that may include a Tight -rail line. Awada said another one of her goals is to develop Eagan's riverfront. "Fpr too long Eagan has failed to capitalize on a major asset, frontage on the Minne- sota River, that is the city's recreational and environmental frontier," said Awada. She also said the city is working on other issues, in- cluding the Year 2000 Prob- lem, and is making prepara- tions for the federal census and the new millennium. She thanked the various businesses and civic groups that have donated time and money to the city's tree re- planting project, "Eagan... For- ever Green!" The mayor expressed her ex- citement about Eagan's prog- ress and future, but she main- tained that neither are possible without the community meet- ing the challenges presented. "Much has been accom- plished in Eagan. But there are challenges that lie ahead. I •am,. confident this community will meet those challenges," said Awida. len this year, said Awada. EAGAN MAYOR Pat Awada gave her first State of the City address before the Eagan Chamber of Commerce Feb. 18. Photo by Sara Thomalla-Blood She said that commercial and maintainidg its streets. industrial building activity Some .of the other projects made sizable gains in the last Awada highlighted included year and overall valuation rose the revision of the city's Com- to $160 million in 1999. prehensive Guide Plan and the "Eagan continues to prosper redevelopment of the Highway with business .activity, tax base 55 corridor. Awada said she an• eni Ion k fall reaching hopes the success of the. High - new heights," said Awada F' She stressed the expansion of both business and residential areas demands that the city keep pace by buffing and Orndorf planting project, "Lagan... rul- ever Green!" The mayor expressed her ex- citement about Eagan's prog- ress and future, but she main- tained that neither are possible without the community meet- ing the challenges presented. "Much has been accom- plished in Eagan. But there are challenges that lie ahead. I am, confident this community will meet those challenges," said Awada. ,. (Continued) during the six weeks of Lent. It was to be something that we , enjoyed throughout the year. Weall would pick candy. At around the second week of Lent we would forget about our fast and be distracted by other things. Cedarvale (Continued) Letters should be submitted no later than early March. Hedges anticipates the City Now it is the nation's turn to fast from accusations and in- nuendoes, conspiracies and perjuries. This might be easy to do here in Minnesota. Our distractions come easily in the form of the day-to-day activities of the "Wrestling Governor." Council will approve resident appointments to the task force at its March 16 meeting. -17OSc2SiLS9 NVOVg 0 )IID <_ 2L94iL99LS9=191' '7S:20 OO.LO/LO glikk SAINT PAUL PIONEER PRESS EAGAN MINNEAPOLIS Liquor Jecoy wounded A teen-ag •r working for $10 an hour b.help police prevent illegal liquor sales was hit in the arm by a stray bullet. PAGE 2B SOUTH SUBURBAN ST. PAUL Library funding sought A citizen advisory board is recommending that Mayor Norm Coleman make a new Rice Street branch library a reality_ PAGE ats 0 0 0 0 Fri INSIDE - " • ` m Briefings ....NI, • Weather I -o Obituaries FRIDAY, JULY 7, 2000 Woman aginiIkges threats by may Pat Avvada denies latest accusation by council member AMY SHERMAN STAFF WIRE sank to new depths this week when Blomquist told authorities that the mayor had threatened ber. When asked to be more specific, Blomquist said she felt she was going to be shot or raped, said Dakota Coun- ty Sheriff Don Gudmundson. Blomquist made that stag in a taped conversation with a detective. The long-standing conflict between report the allegations, but the caseThe council member called police to Eagan City Conncil Member Bea has b ,A forwarded to the sheriffs Hlomgnist_and _Mayer Pat. -Awada- - .._ Asked about the situation by a reporter, Blomquist initially denied knowledge of the incident and then said that the matter was under inves- tigation and declined to discuss it. When asked about ber fear of being shot or raped, she said, "That's not quite what I said." Blorngaist's allegations stem from a Wednesday telephone conversation with Awada. The mayor said she called Blomquist to discuss a latter involving coil minutes and : eest- ed creating peace on the couociL The conversation turned to the upcoming election and the mayor said she told Blomquist a group of citizens plans to publicize legal and ethical issues involving her past. The mayor said she is not a member of the group. Blomquist has not announced whether she is running for re-election; the mayor's seat is not up this year. Awada said she wasn't surprised by BLONIQUIST CONTINUED ON 2B MAYOR - RESPON "I should -7:►` W probably slit my poi cy of speaking to iime." —MAYOR PAL-•_. „ AWADA REFERRING 1O- COUNCIL MEMOR BEA BLOMQUI' 0 1111 WIC • 3ra mast tom'" eyet mpleee '�Q_sh W to dote heaves thought it ;oral will get zder when you }. Least - n of the .shly go ▪ xlfy hair. rth grade 2L9f7L99L59=131' LL:90 00,2L/60 I realize I at column. ably isn't aimed. she'd with a probably Sundays, le can be rpress.com 'mere were 1,341 resignation tali scnool Loved /us job at Black Hawk Middle itself on the academic ace year and summer, before the new con- School, he said, but had three reasons tract, according to the district's human for leaving. The "significant" pay TEACHERS a EAGAN Mayor's vote wasn't a conflict of interest • City attorney: Awada's sign business didn't require disclosure AMY SHERMAN STAFF WRITER Eagan Mayor Pat Awada, who owns a sign company, did not have a conflict of interest when she voted to schedule a meeting on signs, according to the city attorney. In August, the City Council unani- mously voted to set a public hearing to discuss a sign ordi- nance Nov. 21. Scheduling a public discussion on an issue over which the council has legislative authority can Awada never be a conflict of interest, attorney Jim Sheldon wrote in a recent memo. Eagan OPEn — which stands for Eagan Organization for Process Enlight- enment — said that Awada should have disrlosed that her business sells election signs before voting. Three City Council candidates bought signs from Awada's company: Duey Bendt, Cyndee Fields and Shawn Hunter. Council Member Sandra Masin, who brought up the issue at last week's coun- cil meeting, said the mayor should have laid the issue on the table before voting. Awada said she didn't bring it up because she knew it wasn't a conflict of interest. The mayor said she and the public are tired of Masin's attacks. The two elected officials often disagree. Nor will it be a conflict of interest for' Awada to vote on the sign ordinance itself, Sheldon said. For a conflict to MAYOR CONTINUED ON 2B ► SIGNS The City Council wanted to wait to discuss signs until after the elections because It wouldn't be fair to change the rotes amid a campaign, Mayor Pat Awada said. Viz/0o 0 0 C T1 NVOV3 AO AllD < 21.9'i 1.991.59=1R1' 91.: 90 00.21. / 60 ie le to to 7n to a 3II rs ut ld id ty 4 Is - he us he it rt 10 ad in at se tut ial tor this scnooi year aaaurxeu tau levy referendum would pass this fall. She and other teadiers took that to mean more jobs are hi*_; to go if it fails. Skeie, 28, started a new job this month at Crosswinds Middle School in St. Paul. She said she received a pay raise at her new job, making her decision easier. Because of retirements and teachers leaving for other reasons — including jobs in other districts -- no teachers were laid off money will be used to restore the recent budget cuts and reduce class sizes. The new contract boosted start- ing teachers' salaries by almost $4,000 in its two years, making District 196 competitive with many Twin Cities districts. Start- ing teacher pay this year will be $28,590, more than $1,000 higher than the starting pay in St. Paul and just less than the $28,942 beginning teachers will be paid in money would be used for new ath- letic facilities. That's not where the money was headed and it's not where it will go if this fall's refer- endum is successful. "If the levy fails this time, I'm thinking we'd have cuts that would get into staff that's tenured," Smola said. John Weibes covers Dakota County edu- cation_ He can be reached at jwelbes@ pioneerpress.com or (651) 2282175. MAYOR ♦ CONTINUED FROM 16 occur, the ordinance would have to affect Awada's company more than any other company that sells signs, he said. Just because the mayor's company sells signs to Eagan candidates does not mean her company would receive spe- cial benefit or harm from an ordi- nance. For instance, Sheldon said if a council member with a real estate license were to vote in favor of a subdivision, "the allegation would be that you're voting for that sub- division, you're voting to increase the housing inventory that you can sell." But for that to be a conflict, there would have to be a direct financial benefit to the council member's real estate office that is different from the impact on other real estate offices Awada said she plans to vote on the sign ordinance. She said she supports restricting the number of public rights -of -way where signs — including election signs — can be placed. The council wanted to wait to discuss signs until after the election because it wouldn't be fair to change the rules in the midst of election, Awada said. Eagan OPEn also questioned whether it was unethical for Awada's company to sell signs to a "vote yes" group for the central park referendum, which narrowly passed in June. The group has asked Common Cause of Minneso- ta to investigate that issue, as well . as the August vote. Awada denied any wrongdoing. "As a business owner, people want to buy my products," she said. "I should have the ability to sell them to them." Holly Duffy, assistant city administrator, has said Eagan can't spend city funds to support or oppose a referendum, although there is no problem with the mayor's company selling referen- dum signs. Duke Addicks, special counsel with the League of Min- nesota Cities, agreed. The mayor owns Capitol Cos. in Eagan. One of the three divisions sells signs nationwide. - Amy Sherman, who covers Eagan, Inver Grove Heights and Rosemount, can be reached at asherman@pioneerpress. corn or (651) 228-217 4. deputy pulled out tus and fired at least tw one of the shots stri pect in the upper area, the sheriff saii The officer and standing an estimate' ^' apart at the time c o which occurred at 5:17, The man was ai copter to Regions He was pronounced dead Sep.12. 2000 7:27AM THE WALLACE GROUP No.2980 P. 4/6 WFAX COVER SHEET TO: Joanna Foote PHONE: 651-681-4604 City of Eagan FAX: 651-681-4612 FROM: Aaron Hustedde PHONE: 651-452-9800 The Wallace Group FAX: 651-452-3504 RE: Pioneer Press clip Number of pages (including this cover sheet): 3 Dear Joanna: Here's a story from today's Pioneer Press. Regards, Aaron ' 6514523504 -> CITY OF EAGAN ,TEL-6516814612 09/12'00 08:16 www.mnSun.com Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eag Awada makes local list of `40 under 40' Brian Carey also recognized for business success, community service By Joshua Nichols Sun Newspapers Eagan Mayor Pat Awada recently was recognized for her success in the business world, her dedication to the community and for not having yet reached the big 4- 0. CityBusiness, a business publication serving Minnesota and the Minneapolis and St. Paul business communities, has named Eagan Mayor Patricia Awada to its "40 under 40" list. The list recognizes young people expected to be extremely in- fluential in the years to come. "This is a great honor to be placed in such select company, a group of out- standing individuals," Awada said. During a recent Eagan City Council meeting, council members presented Awada with a certificate recognizing the honor and a bouquet of flowers. However, before that presentation, Cbuncilmem- ber Paul Bakken had a few words to say about the mayor. "There's a common misconception in the eyes of the public that all Patty does is be the mayor of Eagan," Bakken said. "Although the mayor of Eagan often seems like a full-time job, she does much, much more." While the honorees were selected pri- marily for their accomplishments in business, their contributions to the com- munity also were given weight. Awada, 35, started down her path into the business world at the age of 12, when she began a daily neighborhood newspa- per route. She delivered the papers by bike and made collections every two weeks. In her mid -teens, Awada became a car hop atanA&W. Bakken told Awada the council is proud of her accomplishments and told her she should also be proud of them for two specific reasons. "First of all, it is an acknowledgment of your impressive achievements to this day, and it's also a public affirmation of the fact that you are indeed under 40," Bakken told Awada. After graduating from the University of Minnesota with a bachelor's degree in international relations, Awada took a post as accountant and assistant finance director for the Grunseth for Governor campaign. While the campaign was not successful, Awada said she received an education in politics and campaign strat- egy over the course of the campaign. She later earned a master's in public admin- istration from Hamline University. Awada started Capitol Direct, a direct mail and political consulting firm, in 1993 and later acquired the operations of Verification Center, an organization that confirms orders given to telemarketing organizations to ensure that they are valid and comply with consumer protec- tion regulations. After combining these operations in the Capitol Companies Inc., a third unit providing signage was added. Awada was first elected to the Eagan City Council in 1992 and re-elected in 1996. She became Eagan's mayor in 1998. "I feel that my work in business and as a public servant is an extension of who I am and what I believe in rather than just 'work,'" Awada said. "I have a great many things I want to accomplish." Brian Carey, a real estate developer with United Properties Inc. and a mem- ber of the Eagan Economic Development Commission, was also named to the "40 Under 40" list. Carey, 39, studied finance at the Uni- versity of Wisconsin and planned on a ca- reer as an equity analyst, but said he was dissuaded by the long odds against beat- ing the market on a consistent basis. After receiving a master's in real es- tate investment analysis from Wisconsin, Carey joined United Properties as a de- velopment project manager. Carey was involved in the development of the 900,000 square -foot Centennial Lakes Office Park in Edina. In addition, he has spoken to community groups about child abuse issues and has served as a volun- teer with a range of groups, including the Special Olympics. ULM) Ut L Li- Lvk-/ 1 . . Mayor sees year of celebration, healing ahead Awada joined by council members in pledge to work as 'one entity with one voice' By Joshua Nichols Sun Newspapers "It's an important time for our city as we fore you are committed to a positive Eagan," set about building our future and ensuring Awada said. "We're committed to serving that the hopes and dreams of Eagan resi- you in a fashion you rightfully demand and dents are fulfilled," Awada said. "Without deserve; we are committed to leading and question, Eagan is a very successful city guiding our great city to fulfill its dream of with a great future. We've come through a excellence." year filled with challenges and achieve- Awada described the council as "one enti- ments, and a crisis that will long be remem- ty with one voice, one set of goals and one bered by the people of Eagan." agenda." Standing shoulder to shoulder with her Councilmembers Paul Bakken, Peggy One of the main goals for 2001 and be - fellow City Council members, Eagan Mayor Carlson, Cyndee Fields and Meg Tilley yond will be fixing problems with the city's Pat Awada proclaimed 2001 would be a year joined Awada Jan. 18 during her annual storm water drainage system to prevent fur - of unity and cooperation to heal the wounds "State of the City" address to present goals ther flooding problems in the community. of the past and work toward a successful fu- for the community. CITY: To Page 16A ture for the community. "All the council members that stand be-g City From Page lA Awada said the severe flooding expe- rienced by Eagan this past July served to highlight the flooding problems faced by the city. She said that even though no storm water system could have handled the heavy rainfall July 7-8, when 11 inches of rain fell over the course of a couple hours, the system has to be improved to handle at least the 100-year storm stan- dard. "We need to fix the system so that Eagan residents can sleep better at night when the forecast calls for rain and we will be better able to deal with Mother Nature in the future," Awada said. She also praised the ability of the com- munity to come together and help each other in a time of need. She pointed to groups and residents who offered "re- sources, a helping hand or sometimes just a shoulder to cry on." "To this day some of our citizens are still not whole and they continue to suf- fer both financially and psychologically," she said. "It's a huge credit to the Eagan spirit how neighbors, businesses, non- profits and [the] faith community rallied behind those in need." The major highlight for 2001 will be the city's new central park and commu- nitycenter northwest of the intersection of Pilot Knob and Yankee Doodle roads. The city will use the park for its Fourth of July celebration this year and for other community events. "It will be a place for the community to gather and a place to hold our Fourth of July events," Awada said. "2001 will be a year of celebration, a year of achievement and progress toward our goals and our vi- sion and a year to complete the healing from 2000." Each of the four council members pre- sented a portion of goals the new council has set for itself over the next two years: •Carlson discussed plans to revitalize areas and improve communication with the public. Part of the effort to revitalize the com- munity will be the continuation of the Cedarvale area redevelopment effort with continuous input from residents and businesses, Carlson said. In addition, the city plans to continue to make improvements to its Web site, newsletter and cable programming to en- sure the public is kept up to date with city business. "We emphasize that communication is a two-way process with information flow- ing from the city to the citizens and wel- coming feedback from a well-informed community," Carlson said. "Good commu- nication is the key to a harmonious com- munity." •Bakken addressed efforts designed to expand and improve the city's infra- structure, including not only fixing the storm water system but also improve- ments to roads. He also said the city will work to provide better public services for residents and businesses. • Fields gave an overview of the coun- cil's plans to help build a sense of com- munity identity. That effort would in- clude not only the community center and central park, but also building monu- ments at city entry ways, expanding com- munity and recreational events and adding to central area streetscaping. •Tilley said the city would continue to work to attract positive businesses into the community using the results of a re- cent business survey conducted by the. Economic Development Commission. In addition, the city has retained an airport noise attorney to help it in its effort to keep noise from the new runway at the Minneapolis -St. Paul International Air- port to a minimum. She also said that ef- forts will continue toward expanding se- nior hpusing in the community. Residential property values continue to rise in Eagan because it is a desirable place to live, Awada said. The council will work to build on what has been accom- plished and make it an even better place to live. The Eagan economy continues to thrive, with new businesses coming to the community and existing firms under- going expansion, Awada said. The econo- my saw market valuations increase by more than $400 million in 2000, bringing the total to more than $4.25 billion. This compares to a little more than $2 billion in 1990. The council's stance in favor of conservative financial management has limited the growth in the city's budget over the same 10-year time span to 69 percent, Awada said. - Awada also alluded to the recent struggle with the Met, Council over the city's comprehensive guide plan in pledg- ing to continue to speak out for the inter- ests of Eagan in dealings with other gov- ernmental agencies. "In Eagan we have practiced smart growth for a long time; but we defined it on our own terms," she said. "We believe that community development decisions should be made by the people who livo in this community and not imposed by some remote, un-elected and uninformed body." aee rien, aA Mayor Awada will announce candidacy for state auditor by Erin Johnson Staff Writer Mayor Pat Awada was expected to announce that she will run for state auditor Wednesday, Oct. 17 at a fund- raiser for her candidacy. Awada said she will seek the endorsement of the Republican Party, but will abide by the party's decision if she is not endorsed. "I think it is likely f will get the endorsement," she said. If, however, she does not receive the party's endorse- ment, Awada said she will seek re-election as mayor of Eagan. Awada said she believes her skills and experience make her a good candidate for the posi- tion. "The duties of the state audi- tor are to make sure local units of government are managing their finances correctly," she said. "I have a lot of experience with that. It seemed like a natu- Pat Awada ral fit for me.'.' Awada said she began seri- ously _ thinking of pursuing the position back in .January. She said she had previously consid- ered running for U.S. Congress, abut that this position will work better for her at this. point. "There's a large group of people in the Sixth District who are pushing me to run for Congress against Bill Luther," she said. "But I want to stay in See Awada, 9A Awada/From 1 A Minnesota right now. I have four children. I don't want to uproot my family." Awada said she is more inclined to pursue an executive position rather than legislative office at this point because her personality and skills are better suited for an executive environ- ment. "It's a very logical move for me to make," she said. "I think I would serve the citizens of Minnesota well." Awada said her fellow City Council members were hoping that she would seek re-election as mayor, but they have been supportive of her decision. "My whole council -has expressed that they wish I would run again," she said. "But I think they have accepted this because I've been dis- cussing this - with them for months." City Council Member Cyndee Fields said she has mixed feelings about Awada's decision. "I'm excited for her. I know she'd be a great auditor, but I'm disappointed she's leaving the city of Eagan," Fields said. "But I think she'll be great for the state of Minnesota." Council Member Peggy Carlson said simply, "It's her decision. Best of luck to her." Awada said she feels she's leaving the city in good hands with the current City Council. "I feel like Eagan is really on a good, positive path," she said. "I have a lot of faith in the current council members." In addition, she said, there are a lot of people in the com- munity who have the skill set and the ability to serve as mayor of this community. Awada will make a run for state auditor ditor by Erin Johnson the Eagan City Council in 1991 Staff Writer and has served as mayor for the last three years. She is also pres- Eagan Mayor Pat Awada for- ident and CEO of Capitol mally announced Wednesday Companies, a telephone verifi- that she will run for Minnesota cationasand ed in Eagan. direct mail company state auditor. filed aP ers Awada made the announce- Awada officially P ment at a fund-raiser for her to start her candidacy as state candidacy held at the Holiday auditor Wednesday morning. Inn in Eagan. In attendance Three Democrats have already were Awada's fellow City filed for candidacy for state Council members Paul Bakken, auditor, she said. Peggy Carlson, Cyndee Fields As Awada addressed her sup - and Meg Tilley. porters, she was joined by her Campaign signs posted husband, Michael, and three of around the room read "Patti her four children, Michael, 13, Anderson Awada for Auditor." George, 12, and Alexandra, 8. Awada said Anderson is her Her parents, Henry an ty maiden name, so it was logical Anderson, were also in atten- to include it in her campaign. dance' the main motivating She's going with Patti, she said, "1 think to avoid .any confusion about factor for me running for audi- her gender. tor is that I really understand "Even in Eagan, a lot of pee- local government finance," she ple think I'm a guy, believe it or said. "We've had a very conser- not," she said, laughing. "And vativecity council. We have a this way they will know for sure low tax rate. Wove done every - that I am not a guy." thing we can to make_st :that Awada was first elected to See Awada, 20A Awada/From 1 A we are accountable as a city to the taxpayers. My intention is to spread that across the entire state of Minnesota." Awada is seeking the Republican Party ment, but she said she will seek re-election as mayor f she does not receive it. the parry's "I will abide by endorsement," she said. 1 1 Control/From 28A next 20 years. "It's something that the city of Burnsville wants to do," Mondale said. "What Smart Growth is really about is understanding that when we make large infrastruc- ture investments ... you need to look at the full impact." But Busho said only certain cities receive that kind of atten- tion and financial help from the council or state government. "Rosemount isn't recognized as a major power player in the metropolitan area," said Busho. "Sometimes we have to go knock on their door three or four times to get their attention because we're only Rosemount." That position, Busho stated, deteriorated the city officials' ability to implement growth strategies local officials and resi- dents desired during the compre- hensive plan process. She said local officials had to compromise, with the Met Council by reduc- ing the city's future growth plans for 80 percent single-family housing to 65 percent single- family. "That is Met Council guide- lines," Busho said. "If we ever go to the council for grants, I'm sure they'd ask if we are adhering to our comprehensive plan," Busho said. Said Awada, "It is much easi- er to go along with the Met Council than to fight them." School districts in Minnesota and across the nation are also struggling with federal and state mandates. Current reform move- ments have created a concentrat- ed effort to establish a common set of skills and knowledge that all graduates must demonstrate mastery of before they graduate. District 196 School Board Member Judy Lindsay said high - stakes testing creates a situation where teachers are forced to teach to the test, and in that way government controls curriculum. "All the school districts want the kids to have high scores, in order to have high scores you have to teach what they're going to be tested for," said Lindsay. "They spend weeks and weeks preparing these kids before hand, so all that time spent takes time away from other things they could be learning." District 191 Assistant Superintendent Gerry Ackermann agreed that tests drive curriculum. "If there are tests that provide accountability measures or are high -stakes, that means our cur - Eagan Mayor Pat Awada is opposed to Smart Growth pro- moted by the Metropolitan Council. riculum needs to be aligned," said Ackermann. He added that the district is working to integrate all standards into its curriculum, and that grading has changed to give "definitive data on progress of skills." Ackermann said the district must report to the Department of Children, Families and Learning what standards are offered in what classes, which students are being "held harmless" from com- pleting all of them and why, and when the full 24 standards will be fully implemented into the district. Ackermann said all schools receiving Title I funding must comply with goals 2000 legisla- tion and implement the required standards. Even police departments struggle to maintain independ- ence to address local issues. Dennis Delmont, executive director of Minnesota Police Chief's Association, said train- ing, reporting and equipment mandates profoundly impact police budgets, forcing invest- ments in areas that may not be a high priority locally. Although reimbursements are available, Delmont said the money only covers about 10 to 30 percent of the municipality's expenses. Farmington Police Chief Dan Siebenaler said policy mandates also impact how police do their job. For instance, a new racial profiling law will require each department to develop a "equi- table treatment" policy. "Rather than allow each indi- vidual department to come up with their own ... we have a model to follow. Even if you come up with your own, it has to have all the components of the one the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board is giving you," he said. Other required policies include pursuit driving, conduct unbecoming an officer and com- plaint procedure. These and oth- ers, Siebenaler said, multiply to greatly impact local control. "When the state comes out with a mandate, it's one -size -fits - all," he said, adding that one model can't be equally imple- mented with the same results. Siebenaler used racial profil- ing, because it is the most recent policy mandate, as an example. In a city without a significantly diverse population, pulling over one person of a minority race as compared locally would exceed the percentage allowed under the law. "The smaller your population is, the more those numbers will effect you," he said, adding that police can still make stops under reasons of probable cause. Siebenaler said the number of mandates are increasing. Delmont added that once imple- mented, unfunded mandates are rarely, if ever, removed. "If it were to continue unchal- lenged, there is the potential for loss of local control on a wide scale. You may have standard policies regarding most of your operation," said Siebenaler. "One size does not fit all. The concept of government is that it is of the people and by the people — not to the people." i �r� yt� - Apple Valley/Rosemount, Awada's candidacy for state auditor made official _ ___— ----- cial Eagan Mayor Pat Awada sent out no- tices of her intention to seek the Repub- lican endorsement for state auditor last month but did not make the official an- nouncement until a fundraising event Oct. 17. "I understand the needs of local gov- ernment and the responsibilities placed on municipalities under state law and this knowledge will help me monitor the activities of municipalities under state law," Awada said. "I also see a broader role for the state auditor in sharing in- formation and methods that will allow local governments to operate more effi- ciently, providing benefits for taxpayers." Awada made the official announce- ment during an event at the Holiday Inn Select in Eagan. Mayor for the past three years, Awada previously served as a member of the Eagan City Council for seven years. She said her candidacy comes after numerous calls from govern- around went leaders and tofficials the state suggesting she tun. "They understand that I am a strong believer in maintaining local control over a range of issues and do not advocate that all decisions be made in St. Paul," Awada said. "In Eagan we have stood firm against the Metropolitan Council when it has sought to overstep its authority over zoning and housing policies and our posi- tion had been sustained. We do more than give lip service to local decision making." Awada, 35, was first elected to the Eagan City Council in 1991. She and her husband, Michael, are the parents of' four children: Alexandra, 8, Katie, 4, and two adopted sons, Michael, 13, and George, 12. President and chief executive officer of Capitol Companies, a telephone in cation and direct mail basedcompanyy in Eagan, Awada has a master's degree public administration from Hamline University and a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota. The state auditor serves as a watchdog for Minnesota taxpayers by helping to en- sure financial integrity, accountability, and cost-effectiveness of Minnesota's local governmental entities. The state auditor has oversight responsibility for approximately 4,300 units of local gov- ernment, including cities, school districts and counties. Currentauditor, Judi Dutcher, is running for governor. C)LuN 10 -11- j,poi I Pat Awadawu fset to tac October 10, 2001 I run or state auditor Akor will officially er iwanted to stay in at Oct 17 event announce hcandidacy ly I've always able to do that." Eagan and this way / will b By Joshua Nichol fice in 2002 when sorne people in Awad sald she began think- j Sun News pers the state _Republican Part.y ap- ing about running for higher of - Eagan Mayor Pat Awada, a Luther. U.S. Congress against S • B111 4xture on the Eagan City Coun- ' rorn there she began proached her about running for cil for the past decade, could nd mulling her decision over and _with a bigger role in state gov- cou i In a coup/e Years but the part•Y herself without a spot on the seeking advice from oth s in ernment. timately, the decision to Awada 1 ns to announce rather than a congressional seat d ring a Wednesday, Oct. 17, came down to her amily Awada event that she plans to seek the and her husband, Mike, have seek the office of state auditor state auditor next year. . Republican endorsement for four children, and she said she made sense for me and rn.v fanl- been going on for so rather than /eave the state for process. "In the end / decided it /onVA.wada said of the decision Washington, D.C. wants to stay at hoe in Eagan ARAN: To Page -19A COUn tY in -business d C� U Jvf, 10 - 1 l - 00 www.mnSun.com Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2001 19A Awada From Page lA "Myself and the auditor's office are a perfect fit," Awada said. "Given my strengths in financial areas and. my ex- perience with local government financ- ing, I feel this is the right job for me." Awada said she was still trying to come to a decision about whether to seek the office when she spoke during the state Republican convention in July. Dur- ing that convention she- spoke as a po- tential candidate, but she had not made the final decision yet. "After giving it some more thought since then, I finally came to a decision and decided I was going to give it a shot," she said. The state auditor serves as a watchdog for Minnesota taxpayers by helping to en- sure financial integrity, accountability, and cost-effectiveness of Minnesota's local governmental entities. The State Auditor has oversight responsibility for approximately 4,300 units of local gov- ernment, including cities, school districts and counties. Current Auditor Judi Dutcher is running for governor. Awada previously considered a run for higher office in 1996, when she pursued the Republican endorsement for state Senate. However, when she did not re- ceive that endorsement, she dropped out of the race. She said she will once again abide by her party's endorsement in 2002, meaning if she does not get the en - dorsement for state auditor, she would run for re-election as mayor. Still, Awada said she thinks there is a "high likelihood" that she will be the en- dorsed candidate for the state auditor's office. Awada was first- elected to the council in 1990 and served two terms on the council before being elected as mayor in 1998. Although she has become a fixture in the city, she said she isn't worried if she ends up leaving the council because she feels it is in good hands. In fact, three of her fellow council members, Paul; Bakken, Peggy Carlson and Cyndea Fial'ds, are also members of her campaign committee. "I am sure they would like to see me run for re-election, but they will survive just fine," Awada said. "Especially with U T TMTTV T .TN the new council in place, I feel as though the city is on the right track now." Awada said she thought the previous city council was often bogged down by conflict and bitter -feelings. She said the new council members who were elected in 2000, Fields and Meg Tilley, have helped end that period and that she doubts it will happen again. "The current council members are all good people and I think they work to- gether well," Awada said. "I think they will do great with whoever takes my place if that happens." Awada was working last week to send out invitations for the Oct. 17 event, which will serve the dual purposeof an official announcement of her candidacy and also as a fundraiser for her eventual campaign. PTTQTcc T .T 7635411700 WSB & ASSOCIATES MAY-29-2001 As Patricia Awada's vision of the world keeps expanding, so too does her life. In the past five years, she has added three kids, two companies and one city to her list of responsibilities. Sure she's only 34, but Awada doesn't believe in wasting her time. 'There's a tot I want to do in the world," she says, "and I intend to do it." Nobody could accuse her of slack- ing off. After Awada's second girl was born, she and husband Michael adopted two boys from a CATCH PHRASE "DEAL WITH IT." Bulgarian orphanage. She expanded her Eagan -based political mail-order company Capitol Direct, to become Capitol Co& Inc. when she bought a third -party verification firm for phone service switchovers and added a political yard -sign company Oh, and in 1998 Awada was voted mayor of Eagan, a 62,000-plus suburb on the Interstate- 494loop. Awada says she is able to do it all because she is well -organized, has Iots of energy and doesn't watch television_ "1'm the type of person who can juggle 50 balls at once and they'll all land safely" she says. "I have a lot of energy and drive. I always had the belief I could do anything successfully" Awada learned responsibility early grow- ing up as the oldest of five children in a mid- dle-class Forest Lake family Her father was an airplane mechanic, her mother a systems ana- lyst, and she was a "junior mom" to her younger siblings. She learned political activism from her father, drive and juggling from her mother and toughness from both. "My maiden name is Anderson," she says. "We had that Scandinavian work ethic. We were fairly tough. No one talked about it if they were sick-" CHRIS GEORGACAS GOFF & HOWARD INC DOB: 02/28/63 TODD HARTMAN ROBINS, KAPLAN, MILLER & ORfSM DOB: 07/07/66 PATRICIA AWADA CAPITAL COS. INC., CITY of EAGAN DOB: 06/04/66 Awada was active in a fledgling Young Republicans group as a student at the University of Minnesota, and worked on the ill- fated Jon Grunseth campaign for governor in 1990. She went to work for a Republican polling and fund-raising company and was also execu- tive director of Minnesotans for Term Limits. She started Capitol Direct in 1994 after rec- ognizing a need for direct -mail companies that catered to political candidates. Now she does direct mailing for most Republican candidates in the state, along with many advocacy groups, nonprofits and some commercial parties. Awada's own role as a political officeholder began in 1991, when she won a spot on the Eagan City Councd. By 1998 she decided to run for mayor with the backing of the former mayor "I love being the mayor," she says. "I love being involved in public policy" Her vision for the future keeps expanding. She says she'd like to eventually run for high- er office, whether in -state or beyond. But probably not 'til she's older. Maybe 35 or 36. — Lee Roberts CONTRIBUTING WRITER ,TEL-6516814612 -> CITY OF EAGAN 7635411700 2001 11 :18AM THE WALLACE GROUP lo.6864 P. LOC MINNEAPOUS Ventura re-enters ring Gov. Jesse Ventura climbed back Into the spotlight at Target Center with his former employer Vince McMahon. PAUB as NORTHERN MINNESOTA Steel inquiry President Bush's call for an '4, Investigation of steel imports is good news for the Iron Range. PAGE SD INSIDE Subuwbe Cepi01 rep obttuarres Briefings Weather . SAINT PAU[ PIONFER PRE$6 WEDNESDAY, JUKE 6, 2001 EAGAN r) Mayor, commissioner win awards: CityBusiness, a local busi- ness publication, has named Eagan: business owner Mayor Pit Awada; to its "40 under 40" list a slate of young people expected tb be inf lu - ential in the years to cotne. Briar : Carey, a member of the Eagan: Economic Development Commis-1 sion, was also on the list. Awada, 35, owns Capitol Compa- vies, a direct mail and political:; consulting firm that also confirms;; orders given to telemarketing:4 organizations. Awada won the 1991N Eagan City Council election ands; later won a second term before being elected mayor in 1998. .4 Carey, 39, is a real estate. vel- oper for United Properties. has volunteered with thb S ial' Olympics among other group§, Honorees were chosen primarily for their business accomplishments but contributions to the communi; ty were also considered, — AMY SHERMAN, STAFF WRITER Welcome home (6/25/2001) Page 1 of 3 <ADVERTISEMENT> STORY OPTIONS . E-mail to a friend ...............__________..__................. . Print this article j ■ FIND A CAR ! FIND A CAREER IN FIND A HOME iwincities com Published: Monday, June 25, 2001 Welcome home Today's Pioneer Press PAT AWADA PioneerPlanet.front Communities should decide • News .........._.__. Columnists The Twin Cities area is a growing, strong, great place to live. B.us.ine..ss. Our success is due to our history and values: a strong economy Sporta lead by a highly educated work force; old-fashioned work ethics Entertainment that prize independence; strong civic leadership. Since the Summer Guide. beginning, people in Minnesota have been farmers and Travel landowners. We own our homes. We value green and open Living space. Tech • Health Housing policy decisions should reflect a consensus of the • water Cool.e...r.. majority, as expressed through their elected representatives. In SQeeiai._R_e_.ports fact, the whole point of having different municipalities is to Classified Ads allow local variation and localized decision -making. Through Site index uniqueness, we create a sense of community and provide choices for Minnesotans. We should never dictate to others how they should zone and develop their communities, as the Metropolitan Council is attempting to do. People are invested in their communities and empowered because they can affect their destinies. City council chambers are the purest form of democracy -- a place where neighbors can debate issues and the destiny of their community. Through elections, the housing debate has been subjected to the will and beliefs of the voters. Eagan has chosen the path of homeownership, independence and diversity. Of all the housing in Eagan, 75 percent is owner occupied. That is exactly the same percentage as the Twin Cities metropolitan area as a whole, which has the highest percentage of owner occupied homes in the entire United States. Subsidized "affordable" housing advocates say Eagan needs more "work force" housing. What they don't understand is that Eagan's primary work force is college -educated, white-collar http://www.pioneerpress.com/opinion/ocl_docs/71843.htm 6/25/2001 Welcome home (6/25/2001) Page 2 of 3 and high-tech. If we were to take an activist role in building housing (which we won't), we would continue to encourage exactly what is being built. We cannot legally tell developers what price house to build. Eagan also has taken the long view of the changing demographics of our community. We know we need more senior and "empty nester" housing. Our zoning categories enable the private market and the Dakota County Community Development Agency to create more senior rental and owner occupied housing in all price ranges. The Eagan City Council understands government should not manipulate land or housing prices. We cannot dictate what someone should sell his or her property for, or to whom. That's why we have been so outspoken against the Met Council's vision of "smart growth," policies which have centrally mandated growth restrictions that drive up costs, emphasize multifamily and rental housing, and fail to provide needed road improvements to account for the increases in population growth. A large part of this emphasizes government -subsidized "affordable" housing as an answer to the rising costs of market housing they created through growth restrictions. Eagan won't start expensive new government programs just to cover up the failures caused by other government programs. There is no social justice in a nonelected metropolitan government driving up land and housing costs, and then forcing our citizens to pay for government -subsidized rental housing for formerly self- sufficient workers driven out of the housing market. As Eagan Council Member Paul Bakken said recently, "The city of Eagan will not be a willing accessory to this social crime." The opposition's policies cripple opportunities for upward mobility by steering people into government -owned, subsidized housing and perpetuating a permanent, dependent underclass. Instead, we should keep private housing affordable and get people into those homes. First-time homebuyers' assistance is one example of a sensible program. Our teachers, medical workers and others want to stand on their own two feet, have their share of the American dream and be responsible for their own destiny, not live under the thumb of a government entity. Advocates who really want more housing projects should assemble the funding and submit a development proposal -- just like everyone else. They should not railroad their agenda by attempting to intimidate local government http://www.pioneerpress.com/opinion/ocl_docs/71843.htm 6/25/2001 Mayor Awada and Eagan developer are named to list of 40 influential people Page 1 of 2 NEWSPAPERS Monday, June 11, 2001 News I Mayor Awada and Eagan developer are named to list of 40 influential people Sports Classifieds I Posted 6/8/01 Bu p Directory by Erin Johnson ss Staff Writer Links Our Company J Eagan honored its mayor at the June 5 City Council meeting for being recognized as a major influence in the area. Contact Us Mayor Pat Awada was named to the "40 Under 40" list by CityBusiness as someone predicted to be a major influence in Twin Cities business and social circles. The council presented Awada with a certificate and flowers after Council Member Paul Bakken spoke a few words about the mayor. "There's a fairly common misconception in the public that all Patty does is be the mayor of Eagan," Bakken said. "And although the mayor of Eagan often seems like the equivalent of a full-time job, she does much, much more." Bakken said that after graduating from college, Awada began a direct - mail company that she turned from a fledgling start-up into a company that does business throughout the state. She later acquired a small telecommunications company, he said, which she turned into a $2.5 million a year business. Bakken also mentioned Awada's love of gardening, and the fact that she and her husband are also busy raising their four children. "For these reasons and more, out of over 170 nominees, she was chosen to be honored with the `40 Under 40' award," Bakken said. Speaking to Awada, he said, "We're very proud of you, and you should be very proud, too ... for two reasons. First of all, it's an acknowledgment of your impressive achievements to this day, and it's also a public affirmation of the fact that you are indeed under 40." http://www.thisweek-online.com/2001/June/8mayor.html 6/11/2001 Mayor Awada and Eagan developer are named to list of 40 influential people Page 2 of 2 Awada, who recently turned 35, has had career aspirations since she was 12 years old and began a daily newspaper route. When she was a teenager, Awada was a car hop at the local A&W. She received a bachelor's degree in international relations from the University of Minnesota and later earned a master's in public administration from Hamline University. Awada was first elected to the Eagan City Council in 1992 and then re-elected in 1996. She became Eagan's mayor in 1998. "I feel that my work in business and as a public servant is an extension of who I am and what I believe in rather than just `work,' " Awada said. "I have a great many things I want to accomplish." Brian Carey, a real estate developer with United Properties, Inc. and a member of the Eagan Economic Development Commission, was also named to the "40 Under 40" list. Carey, 39, received a master's in real estate investment analysis from the University of Wisconsin and became a development project manager for United Properties. He has spoken to various community groups about child abuse issues and has been an active volunteer with numerous organizations, including the Special Olympics. ©Thi sweek Newspapers http://www.thisweek-online.com/2001/June/8mayor.html 6/ 11 /2001 Oct.18. 2001 10:02AM THE WALLACE GROUP No.8590 P. 2/3 .,.. Wen el Roes {{, its Obhw N, p etm/State motet Sao •- 5 � Thursday October Id, Olt • Se2atkati3 ww+Katirtrine cons/metro Eagan mayor running for state auditor Eagan Mayor Patricia Awada announced Wednes- day that she is running for state auditor in the 2002 election and is seeking the Republican Party endorse- ment. "I understand the needs of local government and the responsibilities placed on municipalities under state law, and this knowledge will help me monitor the activi- ties of municipalities around the state," she said. "I also see a broader role for the state auditor in sharing information and methods that will allow local govern- ments to operate more effi- ciently, providing benefits for taxpayers." Awada, 35, who has been mayor for three years, was a member of the Eagan City Council for seven years. State Auditor Judi Dutch- er is a DFL gubernatorial candidate. Mayor to run for state auditor (10/04/2001) Page 1 of 2 <ADVERTISEMENT> 1I Crke L> OEN , tl'LANET STORY OPTIONS . E-mail to a friend . Print this article f oday's Pioneer Press PioneerPlanet: front News Columnists Business Sports Hunting Guide Entertainment Fall Events Guide Travel Living Tech Health Water Cooler Special Reports Classified Ads Site index FC.1 A CAR a FIND CAREER al FIND A HOME TWiltClti.s«comL_: Published: Thursday, October 4, 2001 Mayor to run for state auditor BY AMY SHERMAN Pioneer Press Eagan Mayor Pat Awada, one of the most outspoken and well- known suburban mayors in the metro area, will announce in two weeks that she will seek the Republican endorsement for state auditor next year. Awada struggled for months deciding whether to run for auditor, Congress or mayor. The 35-year-old mother of four ruled out Congress because she wants to stay in Minnesota. Awada said she felt comfortable not running for mayor because she feels that the City Council will continue on the same path without her. Republican Party spokesman Bill Walsh wouldn't speculate on whether Awada will get the endorsement but said, "she's a strong candidate and coming out early gives her an advantage." The state auditor is a watchdog for taxpayers, overseeing the financial dealings of cities, counties and school districts. While that may not sound politically powerful, the position has become a springboard to higher office. Auditor Judi Dutcher is running for governor and former Gov. Arne Carlson and Sen. Mark Dayton were both state auditors. Awada said she is qualified for the job because she understands local government financing . "I have a long track record of running the city of Eagan in a very fiscally responsible manner," she said. Awada served two council terms before she was elected mayor in 1998. Both are nonpartisan offices. In 1996, she pursued a bid for state Senate, but dropped out when she didn't get the party endorsement. Awada said she will abide by the endorsement, and if she This W4 a RC Click B Martha Home Fa Ladies Mens‘ Electrc Food & Music & And Mi http://www.pioneerplanet.com/news/mtc_docs/150950.htm 10/4/2001 iv'iayor to run for state auditor (10/04/2001) Page 2 of 2 Search Recent Articles More Search Options Contact Us Newspaper Subscriptions Terms and Conditions Newspapers In Education Help News Archives Feedback Advertising Information Internship Information Back to Top doesn't get it will likely seek another term as mayor in 2002. Awada is president of Capitol Companies, a direct mail, verification services and lawn sign business in Eagan. The Eagan mayor is perhaps best known for criticizing the Metropolitan Council and for her stances on affordable housing. Awada has said that the Met Council has no right to dictate to cities what type of housing they should build. She doesn't believe the city should be in the housing business and should leave decisions about housing cost to developers and landlords. No Republicans have established exploratory committees for the auditor's office. During the July Republican convention, Glen Menze, a farmer and former accountant who lost a congressional race last year, announced his candidacy. Awada also spoke at the convention. On the DFL side, State Reps. Mark Gleason and Greg Gray are running for auditor. State Treasurer Carol Johnson, who established a committee last year, said she hasn't decided if she's running yet. Ramsey County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt said she would establish a committee within the next week. Most candidates will announce plans to run by the end of the year to prepare for March precinct caucuses. The DFL will endorse in May and Republicans will endorse in June. Invitations went out today for Awada's official announcement, which will be at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Holiday Inn in Eagan. Amy Sherman, who covers Eagan, Inver Grove Heights and Rosemount, can be reached at asherman@pioneerpress. com or (651) 228-2174. CO 2001 PioneerPlanet / St. Paul (Minnesota) Pioneer Press / TwinCities.com- All Rights Reserved copyright information http://www.pioneerplanet.com/news/mtc_docs/150950.htm 10/4/2001 ,•;fr ti „i :• i''t k. rw r.�� .t�'f:�:.T•T'rT. JR •''tMs t s1t OPINio\ In response to Eagan Mayor Pat 'Awada's commentary on affordable housing and "Eagan's view" [arti- cle, June 25]: Let it be clear that many in Eagan oppose this narrow-minded and exclusionary vision. For several years, this "Eagan view" has been upheld by a slim 3-2 margin of the city council with much public dis- sension. Awada says Eagan doesn't need "work force" housing because the city's work force is college -educat- ed and high tech and that the coun- cil can't tell developers what price house to build. The council does, however, estab- It.. thn "nninn and rlonirlo mho oetc LE ,I�s. •1 SAINTfAUI IONEER PRESS; ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS slit,+�tr4ii ItsRS TO THE EDITOR FAX TO: LETTERS TO"I'HB.FDITOR4t' .. 345 Cedar St. Fax Number. (651) 2285564 5L Paul, MN 55101 Internet letterseploneeryre5s.com We welcome your letters. Make them exclusM1e to us. On a mall or pilot letters, provide a full signature, city of residence end (for verification) your address and daytime phone. Preference goes to Ietters questions to underwords. Aillettersalbiect to salting. Dect KIRK ANDERSON/PIONEER PRESS kandersoneplonserprsx.com LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Calling all . ) -' :... We extend: an invitation'to readers to test their political.cattocaing ckilly Draw your opinions ' en' people and events in the news and send: . to us. We will select the best and ,1 them in the Pioneer Press. We're looking for a wide range of topics, and a diverse grotip't of amateur cartoonists. By "ama- teur," we'renot suggesting ',that this invitation is open only to th'Ose, who draw stick figures or 'b]i'e had no professional experieii.e. We're very loose in our interprea- tion, as long as someone is rioil a regular political cartoonist ' foi^I a larger newspaper. Entries must be in our hands''by: June 29. Concentrate on news everts. that have occurred in 2001; draw on letter -size white paper with bliick ink; and include your name and''(fbr verification but not publicatidn) address and phone number. "` oud Send entries to GUEST CAR- TOONS, c/o Editorial Page;" iSt. • Paul Pioneer Press, 345 Cedar''St.; St. Paul MN 55101. ' • trot • Eagan mayor's vision for city draws mixed reactio ness. ;. .M1 Furthermore, a'•capitalist`lworld.r view always' equates to freedom' for( the rich, but not always for the poor or working class, which Is r� indeed, as she rightfully,: potots,out; truly an underclass in her city.+,`, I' ♦ find her ' proclamations 'xregarding her "insight", to the , perspectivejof°s: her underclass both grandiose' and). arrogant in the extreme?'How'does she, an unperclass.. RRpbli lives in a bubble, think that most' members' of'h class want • • home • ownership? she ever met — on equal ter a member of her servant class,'' counting when she was•bagging ceries or preparing her meals?t, value increases that we are seeing here. It's good for us, it's good for our neighbors and its good for the' city. ROBERTA RYAN EAGAN Awada speaks of social justice by saying "there is no social justice in a nonelected metropolitan govern- ment driving up land and housing costs ..." She also quotes city coun- cil member Paul Bakken as saying, "Eagan will not be a willing acces- sory to a social crime." ,l By using phrases like"social jus- '%tire" and "Srx'ial"c•rime•" it 'impetus entitled to own a Lexus when they can, only make payments on a leased Saturn? Yet, the Met Council and pop culture pushes the agenda that a first-time homeowner is enti- tled to the "Lexus of communities at a leased (rental) price of a Sat- urn. JIM JANSEN ST. PAUL One of the major reasons for the shortage rests squarely on the shoulders of the unelected Met Council. It does not matter what type of housing it is, all housing is in short simply, and the term KIRK ANDERSON/PIONEER PRESS kends .onOpkmrpr.u.com LETTERS TO THE EDITOR verification butw not publicatfdn) • address and phone number.'I•"';bud Send entries to GUEST,'' CA$-'• ; TOONS, c/o 'Editorial 'Page;'$k` - Paul Pioneer Press, 345 Cedar'lgk;; St. Paul MN 55101. i.`3Y�9IY2.j • Eagan mayor's,::vision , for city:;draws . mixed , reactib In response to Eagan Mayor Pat Awada's commentary on affordable housing and "Eagan's view" [arti- cle, June 25]: Let it be clear that many in Eagan oppose this narrow-minded and exclusionary vision. For several years, this ."Eagan view" has been upheld by a slim 3-2 margin of the city council with much public dis- sension. Awada says Eagan doesn't need "work force" housing because the city's work force is college -educat- ed and high tech and that the coun- cil can't tell developers what price house to build. sory to a social crime." The council does, however, estab- By using phrases like "social jus- lish the zoning and decide who gets 'Mice" and "social''crime,' it appears. the variances, and by every meas-. ''these" elected .officials are con- ure they have decided that CEOs ''cerned about doing the morally cor- need housing, too. One of the goals''rect thing. ' of this council is to find a way to The mayor also seems to imply 'develop a championship golf course that with regard to the affordable for Eagan: That's `something ,• this ;'housing issue, the morally correct area needs -more of 'since getting, a,:> thing isto-simply`do•the.will. of!the tee'time has becomef`a"rear hard-?p"voters:fihls raises a'couple;of ques-' ship for the executive set. ' ' :'lions: Did Jefferson Davis do the The; reason a Metropolitan Coun 'morally correct thing by allowing cil is necessary' is' to ride 'rough -!the continuance of slavery? Did shod over the cliques of developers ''Adolph Hitler do the morally cor- and chummy city councils whose "rent thing by•"exterminating so only measure of success is dollars "many Jews? Both of these elected and cents. officials saw themselves as doing the will of the voters, too. When the will of the majority becomes a tool of oppression, no one - not elected officials, nor the voters — can claim to be doing the morally correct thing. TERRY MCCARTY EAGAN VINCE MCGOWAN EAGAN Awada is absolutely my favorite politician. The way she told the socialists on the Met Council to go to hell made me proud to be an American and even prouder to be a resident of Eagan. Any time the subject of which is the best suburb comes up with my friends, I scream from the tree tops, "EAGAN." I then justify it by saying we have some of the lowest property taxes in the Twin Cities area and the mayor told the social- ists at • the Met Council to go to hell. Her article in the Pioneer Press (a lefty rag) was positively bril- liant. She should keep up the good work. She's a true bulwark of free- dom. SCOTT MCMORRAN ' EAGAN value increases that we are seeing here. It's good for us, it's good for our neighbors and its good for the' city. ROBERTA RYAN EAGAN Awada speaks of social justice by saying "there is no social justice in a nonelected metropolitan, govern- ment driving up land and housing costs..." She also quotes city coun-, cil member Paul Bakken as saying, "Eagan will not be a willing acces- • I just finished reading Awada's column. I must say, "Bravo!" I think she did an exceptional job of expressing her views and the views of the majority of Eagan res- idents. I have lived in Eagan for seven years and have seen it grow and mature. Our family intends to stay for a long time. I don't know of anyone who shares Jack Conrad's views [article, June 25]. As far as I'm concerned, he really needs to return to Africa. RICK JOHNSON entitled to own a Lexus when they can only 'make payments on a leased Saturn? Yet, the Met Council and pop culture pushes the agenda that a first-time homeowner is enti- tled to the "Lexus"' of communities •at a leased (rental) price of a Sat- JIM JANSEN ST. PAUL One of the major reasons for the shortage rests squarely on the shoulders' of the unelected Met Council. It' does not matter what ' type of housing it is, all housing is in short ' supply, and the term "affordable" is relative to the per- son trying to buy it. The Met Council has done more to reduce the number of "afford- able"' housing units in the Twin Cities than any 'other cause. If you give incentive:to the private sector 'to' supply""affordable"'housing; it': will. You cannot mandate or restrict a relief to housing short- ages. I commend Awada' for standing up to this Americanized version of the politburo. I don't remember ever being asked at the polling sta- tion'who •I wanted to serve on this • council, or- having authorized the ♦ Awada proposes ' that Eagan' `immense power it wields, but it • should encourage the building of • manages to fill a space on my As a resident of Eagan and on the staff of the Eagan Convention and Visitors Bureau,•I applaud the mayor's thoughts on affordable housing. My husband and I bought our townhome in Eagan in July 1989. We bought here because of the nice city — clean, nice people and very ' low crime rate. When we bought our home here, I drove to downtown Minneapolis for. my job. Over the years I made that drive, I saw lots of affordable hous- , ing go up. After two years, you could drive by the same places and they looked like dumps. I am afraid that is what would happen here. I have arguments with those peo- ple (mostly from neighboring cities) who think Eagan • should have affordable housing put up here and when I ask them if they want it put up across the street or next to their home ... of course, they have no answer. Because they don't want it on their street. We feel very fortunate and proud to live in Eagan and want the kind of progress that the city is making now. I am glad the' mayor is not afraid to voice her. puuon. I like to see the kind of( property more homes for CEOs of corpora- property tax statement each year. I tions [story, June 13, 2001]. She is believe that's called taxation with - quoted as saying, " .,. Eagan cur- out representation., rently does not have a significant `i When our • governor was on his amount of truly upscale properties campaign bully pulpit at the State that would attract CEOs to live in ::Fair,' he •said, "One of my first the city." ; duties as governor, if elected would • Given the prevailing public attI- ,zbe.• to abolish the Met Council." tude toward highly compensated ,What happened to that promise? CEOs and their inclination > to lay If and • when the other cities off workers while collecting their :decide to stand up to the tyrannical executive bonuses, perhaps Awada 'Met Council and exert their own could inaugurate her own "Habitat 'self-determination, we will be on for Inhumanity" program, using the our way to solving this housing labor, made available by these lay- problem. offs. MICHAEL ERICKSON SPRING PARK. ROB SCARLETT LINO LAKES, MINNESOTA • ; Awada's editorial is one of the most honest expressions written by a local politician. It read more like a person expressing deep,philosoph- ical ideals, instead of a puppet • being pulled by the strings of pop cultural agendas and indoctrina- tions. I'm writing this as a' husband, , father and first-time homeowner on the West Side of St. Paul. Why is it that a first-time car buyer isn't. ' I don't doubt that Awada's vision fs representative of a majority con- sensus of landowners in Eagan, which makes it even more disturb- ' ing. A view of the world that arbi- trarily assigns the value of "good" to market capitalism and "evil" to government is one lacking in com- plexity. In fact, it is oxymoronic that Awada — as a representative of government would decry its bad intension, while at the same time playing the pawn o big busi- , Furthermore,` a capitalist'"world:! view always'equates to freedom'forr the• rich, but''not always for the; poor or working class, which is 4'" indeed, as she: rightfully points. out;r- truly an underclass in her city.''I r, find her' proclamations'regarding•, her "insight"-, to theyperspective of. • her underclass' both grandiose"'and`+': arrogant In the extreme"How'does,k she, an upperclass:Itep bltcanp o.� lives in a bubble, think e';lglva that most- members' of =h class want -home' ownership she ever met -'on equal a member of her servant class counting when she was,bagg ceries or preparing her meals? When wage • earners ' find"t]fey have nowhere,to live or that'a com=,a mute is not worth' the effo who's~ going to wait on her in resta wash her car or shine her shoes Does she really think she . and Republican 'business elites can • pos- 'sibly" functiorki,without ' a servant 'Ito class? Who is going' to caddy. for the fat, rich white men for wham she is building that executive'"lf course? sin REV. JUSTIN TEERLINpK ' ST: PAUL I don't"know'where116ie, [letter,' June 25] is getting;his j motion about", affordable` hot). but maybe • he' should:.chec.4 facts. A $36,000-a-year"' he° qualifies one to be "eligible affordable housing. That means 2e manager at the local coffee'fran- chise where he gets his;:morning coffee, the ' woman who, "cares for his children and the clerk' who processes his payroll check would be the ones bringing "all that (affordable housing) entails (noise, litter, crime,' drugs, juvenile-delie- quents, etc.)" to his community;n9 It's time to get the real definitfon of affordable housing out tcPthe public. It does not mean subsidized,••, Section 8 housing. It ,means?othe;,: average working family can bujl?ori rent , a home that will - not f ice :: them to live from paycheck!to y, : check just to pay for a decent ; to live. 'It means' homes''•tha it continue to be'affordable::today. in the future' and won't' beu'3; square -foot' minimansionsthat will be no market for in 20'y Take a look' around.? The more people in' your life lib" affordable housing than dull ine. e sw' sl l0 JENNIFT.12 SUMMERS At • ; 'PAUL, . e.;ice u1M News from THE WALLACE GROUP P.O. Box 21303, Eagan, MN 55121 3750 Pilot Knob Road, Eagan, MN 55122 (651) 452-9800 (651) 452-3504 fax City of Eagan Contact: Joanna Foote (651) 681-4604, or Roy Wallace, Wallace Group, (651) 452-9800 For Inuuediate Release MAYOR SAYS UNITED CITY COUNCIL WILL BRING GREAT PROGRESS TO EAGAN, CITES SHARED VALUES AND VISION; PLEDGES IMPROVED INFRASTRUCTURE, NEW SENIOR HOUSING Councilineinbers join Mayor Pat Awada in presenting goals for coming two years, saying they are committed to serving the community in the way it rightfully demands and deserves Mayor Pat Awada said today that Eagan has entered a new era and that the City Council stands as one as it commits to "leading and guiding our great city to fulfill its dream of excellence." Declaring that negative politics do not belong in the community, the mayor said "Eagan needs a City Council that is able to work together, shares the same core values, and has live members who have respect for each other, tor the city staff and for the citizens they serve." The Council is conunitted, she said, "to one set of goals, and one agenda —the agenda of building a great, positive community around a shared set of values and a shared vision." The mayor notcd that thc city had comc through a year filled with challenges and achievements and a crisis, the July flooding and resulting hardship. While many pitched in to assist those affected by the flooding, work on the city's storm water system is a top priority. 651-452-8360 _> CITY OF EAGAN ,TEL=6516814612 01/18'01 14:35 From: Sherie Wallace To• Joanna Foote Date• 01/18/2001 Time 1.47`42 PM Page 3 of 4 Eagan State of City/page two Councilmcmbcrs Peggy Carlson and Paul Bakken joined thc mayor in thc presentation, together with newly elected councilmemhers Cyndee Fields and Meg Tilley. The new Council has already held several retreat meetings, in which the shared goals were developed. Among the key goals presented were the addition of a third senior housing complex in Eagan, a joint projcct with thc Dakota County HRA. In addition to thc storm water system reinforcement, some 11 IIIajor iI1rastructure projects are slated for 2001, includiIlg completion of the State Highway 13 expansion north of Silver Bell Road. Also, work is underway on upgrading Cliff Road and the Council has called for the Lexington Avenue enhancements to proceed. High on the civic improvement list is Eagan's new Central Park, which will be the site of this year's Fourth of July celebration, and work on the new multi -purpose conununit_y center which shares the site. The City also plans to move forward on placing attractive monuments at the major entryways to Eagan, as well as adding appealing streetscaping to the central business area. The City also is moving ahead on the Cedarvale area redevelopment program, incorporating office, retail and residential elements in the overall project. This may be the arca whcrc thc planned new senior housing facility is locatcd. 651-452-8360 => CITY OF EAGAN ,TEL=6516814612 01/18'01 14:36 From: Sherie Wallace To: Joanna Foote Date: 01/18/2001 Time: 1:47:42 PM Page 4 of 4 Eagan State of City/page three The Eagan economy continues to thrive, with new businesses in the community and a number of expansions at existing firms. The robust business economy saw market valuations increase by over $400 million in the year 2000, bringing the current total to four and a quarter billion dollars. This compares to a little more than $2 billion in 1990. Mayor Awada said that while the value of property more than doubled, the city's budget had only grown by 69 percent during the same period. The City Council said it remains steadfast in its con1Initinent to conservative financial management and is determined that Eagan maintain its standing as having one of the lowest tax rates in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Mayor Awada also pledged to continue to stand up and speak out for the interests of Eagan in dealings with other governmental agencies. Observing that Eagan has practiced "smart growth" for a long time, she said it was as defined by the City. "We believe that community development decisions should be made by the people who live in this community," she said, "and not imposed by some remote, unelected and uninformed body." The mayor also thanked the community and city staff members for their patience and support over the past four years, saying "through their dedication, we have made great strides towards our goals and an era of excellence." # # # 651-452-8360 => CITY OF EAGAN ,TEL=6516814612 01/18'01 14:36 From: Roy Wallace 651-452-3504 To: City Administrator Tom Hedges Date: 4/2/01 Time: 3:58:42 PM Page 1 of 4 WFAX COVER SHEET DATE: April 2, 2001 TIME: 3:55 PM TO: Tom Hedges PHONE: 651-681-4607 City of Eagan FAX: 651-681-4612 CC: P. Awada, Joanna Foote FROM: Roy Wallace PHONE: 651-452-9800 The Wallace Group FAX: 651-452-3504 RE: Op -Ed piece by Eagan Mayor Pat Awada Number of pages: 4 Dear Tom: Following is the Op -Ed piece by Mayor Awada that is slated to run in tomorrow's St. Paul Pioneer Press. It is probably lively enough to attract one or two phone calls. Please give me a call to talk about the first listening session, which is scheduled for 6 p.m. tomorrow. Someone should cover it from a communications standpoint, and it would be nice to get some photos, if the speakers are not the reluctant type. By the way, it should be planned to have coffee on hand to help welcome the participants. Look forward to talking with you. Sincerely, Roy TheWallaceGroup => CITY OF EAGAN ,TEL=6516814612 04/02'01 15:36 rom oy allace 51-452-3504 To: City Administrator Tom Hedges Date: 4/2/01 Time: 3:58:42 PM Page 2 of 4 The Martinets at the Met Comicil by Eagan Mayor Patricia. E. Awada Abetted by allies in Congress and state legislatures, urban planners across the nation are seeking to control what they consider a growing menace —America's attraction to thc suburban lifestyle. Hcrc in Minnesota thc charge is bcing led by Ted Mondale and the Metropolitan Council, just the sort of unelected central planning organization that our more liberal leaders love. And, just what is the threat that the planner fraternity fears from thinkers in the suburbs? Essentially, it is the willingness to see suburban growth as a positive, together with the belief in freedom promoted by keeping decision making over local matters close to home. Mondale and the martinets at the Met Council are helping to implement the views of Myron Orfield and his narrow band of supporters in the legislature, hoping to impose through regulation and blackmail what cannot be accomplished in the battle for public opinion. Across the nation, government agencies — conceived by liberal politicians — are taking up the challenge to limit individual freedom. One can only wonder why. I believe that part of the sense of dread comes from the success of an essentially Republican agenda, including such components as a balanced budget and welfare reform. When Republicans stood up and said the liberal welfare state was only hurting those it was supposed to help, the Democrats said they were cold-hearted and mean. They said poor children would be thrown out on the streets and that their parents would be forced into crime. What has happened? Our welfare rolls have shrunk to a fraction of the past and our crime rate has dropped dramatically. Work has provided dignity and a good, positive example to the children of former welfare moms. And it has given them a stake in their communities. TheWallaceGroup => CITY OF EAGAN ,TEL=6516814612 04/02'01 15:37 From: Roy Wallace 651-452-3504 To: City Administrator Tom Hedges Date: 4/2/01 Time: 3:58:42 PM Page 3 of 4 Awada/page two Having a stake in one's community is a key attribute of most successful suburbs, being able to affect the policies of the communities in which we live and shaping its future. That is why more and more of us are standing up and saying it is wrong for any goveriunent agency — especially a non -elected liberal bureaucracy like the Met Council — to try to turn us into their Myron Orfieldian vision of the proper American lifestyle. A vision of dense, urban living with lots of government subsidized housing for the working families that they just priced out of the housing market through growth restrictions and high taxes. A vision with no private yards, crowded under -sized highways and a light rail line ninning between every central business district in our communities. That is not the vision of Minnesotans. That is not the lifestyle we choose. The problem, as they see it, is growth itself. They call it "sprawl". I call it growth. 20 years ago, Woodbury and Eagan were only cornfields. If they could have stopped growth at the Maplewood border, we would all be living in high rises in south Minneapolis. Or, in Wisconsin. Anyone with an ounce of common sense knows that if you artificially restrict growth, you drive up prices. By driving up prices, you are cutting out the hope of homeownership for many people on the lower end of the wage scale. These are people who are traditionally self-sufficient homeowners or renters. It is just wrong to deny them the chance to climb the ladder. It goes against everything America stands for. We cannot afford to stand by while the "new urbanist" ideology forces our children out of the housing market. TheWallaceGroup => CITY OF EAGAN ,TEL=6516814612 04/02'01 15:38 From: Roy Wallace 651-452-3504 To: City Administrator Tom Hedges Date: 4/2/01 Time: 3:58:42 PM Page 4 of 4 Awada/page three The tactics being used by the city liberals are scary. Make no mistake — light rail projects and the lack of highway construction are not a result of budgetary constraints, they are attempts by these people to change our behavior. They do not wish to alleviate traffic congestion, but increase it. Policies have recently been written and implemented to keep our state and federal road money "inside the 694/494 beltway". That means that any of us who live outside this line have to continue to see our tax money go to subsidize light rail, transit and irurer city streets while we sit for hours on undersized freeways waiting to get through our local bottlenecks. No wonder we are seeing more and more of our businesses move out with us. Traffic congestion is getting worse every year because we have done little to grow our infrastructure as we grow as a region. And the strength of our region is coming from outside the core — from those very taxpayers and conununities who the urbanists despise and wish to control. Those of us in local government arc fighting this battle every day. But it is not only a local issue. It is a state and federal issue. Those of us who hold public office cannot do it alone. The liberty you and your children enjoy is at stake, and I urge all of you to be vigilant and to join in this fight for common sense and local control. # # # TheWallaceGroup => CITY OF EAGAN ,TEL=6516814612 04/02'01 15:38 Roy Wallace 651-452-3504 To Commun. Coord. Joanna Foote Date: 4/2/01 Time: 4:04:00 PM Page 2 of 4 The Martinets at the Met Council by Eagan Mayor Patricia E. Awada Abetted by allies in Congress and state legislatures, urban planners across the nation are seeking to control what they consider a growing menace —America's attraction to the suburban lifestyle. Hcrc in Minnesota the charge is bcing lcd by Ted Mondale and the Metropolitan Council, just the sort of unelected central planning organization that our more liberal leaders love. And, just what is the threat that the planner fraternity tears from thinkers in the suburbs? Essentially, it is the willingness to see suburban growth as a positive, together with the belief in freedom promoted by keeping decision making over local matters close to home. Mondale and the martinets at the Met Council are helping to implement the views of Myron Orfield and his narrow band of supporters in the legislature, hoping to impose through regulation and blackmail what cannot be accomplished in the battle for public opinion. Across the nation, government agencies — conceived by liberal politicians — are taking up the challenge to limit individual freedom. One can only wonder why. I believe that part of the sense of dread comes from the success of an essentially Republican agenda, including such components as a balanced budget and welfare reform. When Republicans stood up and said the liberal welfare state was only hurling those it was supposed to help, the Democrats said they were cold-hearted and mean. They said poor children would be thrown out on the streets and that their parents would be forced into crime. What has happened? Our welfare rolls have shrunk to a fraction of the past and our crime rate has dropped dramatically. Work has provided dignity and a good, positive example to the children of former welfare moms. And it has given them a stake in their communities. TheWallaceGroup => CITY OF EAGAN ,TEL=6516814612 04/02'01 15:42 r��toy Wallace 651-452-3504 To. Commun Coord Joanna Foote Date: 4/2/01 Time: 4:04:00 PM Page 3 of 4 Awada/page two Having a stake in one's community is a key attribute of most successful suburbs, being able to affect the policies of the communities in which we live and shaping its future. That is why more and more of us are standing up and saying it is wrong for any government agency — especially a non -elected liberal bureaucracy like the Met Council — to try to turn us into their Myron Orfieldian vision of the proper American lifestyle. A vision of dense, urban living with lots of government subsidized housing for the working families that they just priced out of the housing market tlu-ough growth restrictions and high taxes. A vision with no private yards, crowded under -sized highways and a light rail line running between every central business district in our communities. That is not the vision of Minnesotans. That is not the lifestyle we choose. The problem, as they see it, is growth itself. They call it "sprawl". I call it growth. 20 years ago, Woodbury and Eagan were only cornfields. If they could have stopped growth at the Maplewood border, we would all be living in high rises in south Minneapolis. Or, in Wisconsin. Anyone with an ounce of common sense knows that if you artificially restrict growth, you drive up prices. By driving up prices, you are cutting out the hope of homeownership for many people on the lower end of the wage scale. These are people who are traditionally self-sufficient homeowners or renters. It is just wrong to deny them the chance to climb the ladder. It goes against everything America stands for. We cannot afford to stand by while the "new urbanist" ideology forces our children out of the housing market. TheWallaceGroup => CITY OF EAGAN ,TEL=6516814612 04/02'01 15:43 rrom: rroy wariace 651-452-3504 To: Commun. Coord. Joanna Foote Date: 4/2/01 Time: 4:04:00 PM Page 4 of 4 Awada/page three The tactics being used by the city liberals are scary. Make no mistake — light rail projects and the lack of highway construction are not a result of budgetary constraints, they are attempts by these people to change our behavior. They do not wish to alleviate traffic congestion, but increase it. Policies have recently been written and implemented to keep our state and federal road money "inside the 694/494 beltway". That means that any of us who live outside this line have to continue to see our tax money go to subsidize light rail, transit and inner city streets while we sit for hours on undersized freeways waiting to get through our local bottlenecks. No wonder we are seeing more and more of our businesses move out with us. Traffic congestion is getting worse every year because we have done little to grow our infrastructure as we grow as a region. And the strength of our region is coming from outside the core — from those very taxpayers and conununities who the urbanists despise and wish to control. Thosc of us in local government arc fighting this battle every day. But it is not only a local issue. It is a state and federal issue. Those of us who hold public office cannot do it alone. The liberty you and your children enjoy is at stake, and I urge all of you to be vigilant and to join in this fight for common sense and local control. # # # TheWallaceGroup => CITY OF EAGAN ,TEL=6516814612 04/02'01 15:43 i in his first network television interview on CBS' nt Ed Bradley. "The truth is, I blew up the Murrah how building,,'.,and isn't it kind, of scary hildren that one man could reap this kind of aerated hell?" p when Terrifying is the word;, which is out the why it's useful to hear from McVeigh nd he himself. The hate at his mortal core of it. is ugly to behold, and he's not the t some- only one carrying it around. kid to Still, if his excerpted remarks are I had indicative of the book, there's no dan- ay-care ger that he'll be remembered hero - pause ically by anybody other than a few large fringe paranoids in the white militia movement. explain By his own vainglorious words, s:; tod- McVeigh betrays himself as a loser up his who chose the most cowardly way to ration. make a name for himself. He also lel sol- affirms, as if we needed reminding, service, that he's right where he ought to be, remem- awaiting a fate he richly deserves. solitary is loner Hiaasen is a columnist for the Miami Herald, ICk full 1 Herald Plaza, Miami FL 33132. Distributed by KRT News Service. ate pitchman t of Apple Computer's "Think Different" cam - In, which also included likenesses of Picasso, Idhi, Einstein and Amelia Earhart. lcatel, a French company that builds voice and t networks, hired George Lucas' Industrial bt + Magic wizards to recreate King's best- wn moment. ad, why not? All icons are vulnerable to com- :cialization. Look at the way Presidents Day has ome synonymous with post -Christmas clearance is not that hard to imagine King's most famous sound rites similarly morphed into future ad campaigns. s. Look at the way Christmas and Easter have ame occasions for feverish shopping and buying: !any of my fellow baby boomers went ballistic n Nike leased the rights to John Lennon's volution" from Michael Jackson and used the Iles song for athletic shoe commercials in the 1980s. Hardly a peep of protest has been heard e recently as the sounds of Jimi Hendrix and x '60s rockers are used to sell cars and other iucts. is not that hard to imagine King's most ous sound bites similarly morphed into future :ampaigns. How about: 'I have a dream' of a brand new convertible... 'All should be judged, not by the color of their 4 but by the content' of their cold medicine!"? 'Justice will roll down like waters and right - mess like' the all new cola sensation!"? 'Free at last ...' with store discount ant facto- •ebate ..."? nything is possible when King is sold on a new Lion block — and by no less than his own kin - is a Washingtoftcolumnist for the Chicago Tribune. Dis- rted by KRT News Service. Met Council seeks to rein in suburban lifestyle A betted by allies in Congress and /estate legislatures, urban planners across the nation are seeking to control what they consider a growing menace — American's attraction to the suburban lifestyle. Here in Minnesota the charge is being led by Ted Mondale and the Metropoli- tan Council, just the sort of unelected central planning organization that our PAT AWADA more liberal leaders love. And, just GUEST what is the threat that the planner fra- COLUMNIST ternity fears from thinkers in the sub- urbs? Essentially, it is the willingness to see suburban growth as a positive together with the belief in freedom promoted by keeping decision making over local matters close to home. Mondale and the martinets at the Met Council are helping to implement the views of state Sen. Myron Orfield, DFL- Minneapolis, and his narrow band of supporters in the Legis- lature, hoping to impose through regulation and blackmail what cannot be accomplished in the battle for public opinion. Across the nation, government agencies —conceived by lib eral politicians —are taking up the challenge to limit individ- ual freedom. One can only wonder why. I believe that part of the sense of dread comes from the success of an essentially Republican agenda, including such components as a balanced budget and welfare reform. When Republicans stood up and said the liberal welfare state was only hurting those it was supposed to help, the Democrats said they were cold-hearted and mean. They said poor chil- dren would be thrown out on the streets and that their par- ents would be forced into crime. What has happened? Our VIEWPOINT welfare rolls have shrunk to a fraction of the past and our crime rate has dropped dramatically. Work has provided dig- nity and a good positive example to the children of former welfare moms. And it has given them a stake in their com- munities. Having a stake in one's community is a key attribute of most successful suburbs, being able to affect the policies of the communities in which we live an shaping its future. That is why more and more of us are standing up and saying it is wrong for any government agency —especially a non -elected liberal bureaucracy like the Met Council —to try to turn us into their Orfieldian vision of the proper American lifestyle. A vision of dense, urban living with lots of government -subsi- dized housing for the working families that they just priced out of the housing market through growth restrictions and high taxes. A vision with no private yards, crowded under- sized highways and a light rail line running between every central business district in our communities. That is not the. vision of most Minnesotans. That is not the lifestyle wo chose. The problem, as they see it, is growth itself. They call i. "sprawl." Call it growth. Twenty years ago, Woodbury and Eagan were only cornfields. If they could have stopped growth at the Maplewood border, we would able living ir, high rises in south Minneapolis. Or, in Wisconsin. Anyone with an ounce of common sense knows that if you artificially restrict growth, you drive up prices. By driving Up prices, you are cutting out the hope of home ownership for many people on the lower end of the wage scale. These are people who are traditionally self-sufficient homeowners . or renters It is just wrong to deny them the change to climb the ladder. It goes against everything American stands for. Wt cannot afford to stand by while they "new urbanist" ideology forces our children out of the housing market. The tactics being used by the city liberals are scary. Maki, no mistake, light rail projects and the lack of highway con• struction are not a result of budgetary constraints. They an attempts by these people to change our behavior. They do .no wish to alleviate traffic congestion, but increase it. Policies. have recently been written and implemented to keep our state and federal road money "inside the Interstate 694/494 beltway." That means that any of us who live outside this line have to continue to see our tax money go to subsidize light rail, transit and inner city streets while we sit for hours on undersized freeways waiting to get through our local bot- tlenecks. No wonder we are seeing more and more of our businesses move out with us. Traffic congestion is getting worse every year because we. have done little to grow our infrastructure as we grow as �s region. And the strength of our region is coming from outside. the core —from those very taxpayers and communities who the urbanists despise and wish to control. Those of us in local government are fighting this batth every day. But it is not only a local issue. It is a state ant federal issue. Those of us who hold public office cannot do i alone. The liberty you and your children enjoy is at stake, ano I urge all of you to be vigilant and to join in this fight for common sense and local control. Awada is mayor of Eagan. Contact her through city hall, (651) 681-nF00 4- J 0 6 2Z - 2002 Awada/From 1 A their money," quipped Awada about her opponent. Speaking of her first 100 days as auditor, Awada pledged to examine school finances, saying everyone wants to know where their money is going. She would also be an advo- cate for local government con- trol, said Awada. Why did the Founding Fathers allow for local control if they didn't Republicans endorse Awada for state auditor by Tim Budig ECM Capitol Reporter Eagan Mayor Pat Awada was endorsed by proclamation for state auditor at the Republican State Party Convention Saturday, June 15 at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. "I will not run from a fight," Awada told convention dele- gates. Awada was originally sched- uled to be endorsed later mean to have it, she asked. "They could be all one nation under the Met Council," Awada joked. Styled as a go-getter in her campaign video, Awada got her first job at age 12 deliver- ing newspapers and was work- ing regular hours by age 15. Currently, Awada owns two businesses. First elected to the Eagan City Council in 1991, Awada became mayor in 1998. In recent days, Awada championed the controversial Saturday morning — not a cou- ple of hours before the first birds chirped — but a prolonged gubernatorial endorsement kept the convention in session so late, delegates voted to wrap the convention up that night. Awada, 36, now faces Rep. Gregory Gray, DFL- Minneapolis, in the contest for auditor. "Even most DFLers won't trust a Minneapolis liberal with See Awada, 8A effort to bring Mary Jo Copeland's proposed chil- dren's home to Eagan. Awada and her husband Michael have four children. She was the second Eagan political talent endorsed by state Republicans, House Majority Leader Tim Pawlenty of Eagan being endorse for governor earlier that night. Besides facing Gray, Awada will also face Green Party can- didate Dave Berger in November. - w-esL L 0b -O 20 0 -z Awada/From 4A used by the opponents which I must discuss with the Eagan community to put to bed any untruths. One which was par- ticularly disturbing was the leaflets sent around some neighborhoods near the pro- posed site which stated that this facility would have chil- dren with criminal back- grounds, most notable those with a history of rape and assault. Nothing could be fur- ther from the truth. This facility is privately run and Mary Jo Copeland has stated over and over that she will not accept children with criminal backgrounds. Her intention is to take children -that are generally younger than 12 that "she can help." In some cases, older children will be at the facility when they are part of a sibling group or become older simply because they have grown up in this home. I have spent a lot of time with the Copelands at their Minneapolis facility. The place is extremely well run and immaculate. In fact, a large part of the criticism lev- eled at Mary Jo from the Minneapolis African American community is because of the fact that she is selective in who she serves. She is a woman who doesn't put up with any monkey busi- ness. And she can do this because the facility is com- pletely privately funded. Think this through. Mary Jo's success is built on the willingness of people and cor- porations to donate to her charities. If she has any prob- lems, especially of the nature that was described in the leaflets, her funding source will immediately be cut off. She must have success with these kids in order to make her facility work. I have worked against Rule 8 group homes in the past when they are planning on serving a population with criminal backgrounds. This is not the case with this planned orphanage. As mayor, I would never support anything that I thought would bring harm to the community. Mary Jo's orphanage will bring us wonderful opportuni- ties to expand our faith and non-profit communities. She will bring us the opportunity to volunteer and make a differ- ence in these young children's lives. She will bring us the opportunity to show the world that there are other alterna- tives for these children and that the community of Eagan can do its part to help these children become productive, loving adults. The people of Eagan have shown their faith and true col- ors. The citizens of this state look up to us for our courage to accept and make this hap- pen. Let's all work together to make sure this is something we can be proud of for decades to come. PATRICIA AWADA Mayor of Eagan o o .o 3 3 W o To the editor: 0 -0• -0on o g a) 0 0 c 0 N U N ca .3 z �• y N y 0 w See Awada, 21A • u )2 A .TATCIT TAT cry Ircvi•simpers Select a Town: (Select a Town Local News r Local News Community Education Calendar Opinion Public Safety Seniors Obituaries Legais Election News Local Sports Sports News Sports Briefs Events/Scores MNSun Home Page Archive Business News Classifieds Finance Calc Horoscope Market Place Net Directory Nutrition Calc Weather Contact Us How to Advertise Jobs At Sun Sun Slots Special Sections Health & Fitness NET DIRECTory Dealing With Drugs Affordable Housing Forms In Memory Of Let It Be Known Sport Shots Stork Report Local News Local Forecast Click Here Mayor: Eagan set ambitious goals, achieved them By Joshua Nichols Sun Newspapers (Created 1/16/02 9:32:54 AM) Looking back over a year that was marked with accomplishments as well as tragedy, Eagan Mayor Pat Awada said 2002 would find the city continuing to follow an ambitious agenda. _ 1 _ C ^1 Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2002 "We have those finishing touches that are making Eagan one of the most desirable communities in the state," Awada said during her Jan. 10 State of the City Address. Awada led off the presentation talking about the changes in the country since the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. She saluted the work done by the city's Police Department and Fire Department, noting that one project for 2002 will be a garden memorializing those who have served the city. "To recognize the contributions that public safety forces play here in Eagan and across the nation, and to honor those who did so much during and after the attacks, the city of Eagan has approved a proposal to dedicate part of the new Central Park as a memorial to the courage and dedication of these American heroes," Awada said. Declaring that the City Council had produced the most ambitious agenda ever, Awada said they accomplished what they set out to do and that 2002 will be the same. Councilmembers Peggy Carlson, Paul Bakken, Cyndee Fields and Meg Tilley joined in the presentation, with each speaking to goals and areas in which they have taken a leadership role. The presentation focused on the goals the council set for itself at the beginning of 2001 and recapped how far it had come since then in meeting those goals. 12.59:43PM Part of the TwinCities.com Network .(I.TC'TTAT 1,T___._ Search The Web Powered by: Yopt Search 1 Carlson said the city has come a long way toward meeting its redevelopment goals. She pointed toward redevelopment occurring in the area around highways 149 and 55 and the Cedar Grove area. Eagan is working with developers on proposals for office space in the Cedar Grove area and anticipates a preliminary agreement this year for a mixed development featuring senior housing, a full -service hotel and a park -and -ride facility. "Needless to say, all this redevelopment activity in the Cedar Grove area will take a lot of time, effort and patience, as well as cooperation with the developers and current property owners," Carlson said. "We anticipate even greater and more visible success in our redevelopment areas in the year 2002." On the development front, Tilley said the city added commercial projects with valuations totaling more than $60 million to the city's business economy during 2001. Included in that total is three new Duke -Weeks office warehouses, a $5.6 million Sam's Club and new office and medical buildings. On the residential side, new valuations totaled approximately $45 million, with single family home, apartment and townhouse development. Tilley said the council is continuing to work to maintain the city's strong tax base and that its efforts have paid off with a new higher bond rating from Moody's Investor Services. Moody's gave the city a double -A -one bond rating, a standing enjoyed by only 6 percent of all U.S. cities. "This higher rating was mainly due to the city's financial management practices and growth in the tax base, but Moody's also pointed to Eagan's diverse economy, expected continued growth, moderate debt load and ample reserves," Tilley said. Tilley said that while the economic impacts post -Sept. 11 have affected many businesses in Eagan, the city's economy continues to look strong as it enters 2002. In the area of infrastructure improvements, Bakken reported that the widening of Lexington Avenue had been completed, that Highway 13 had been upgraded and that Cliff Road had been expanded. Some 12 miles of highway rehabilitation is set for 2002. Approximately 75 percent of the storm water projects planned in the wake of flooding in the year 2000 were completed in the last 12 months, with the remainder slated for 2002. "We are confident that these measures will prevent any reoccurrence of the flooding experienced a year and a half ago, and we appreciate the cooperation and understanding of area residents," Bakken said. Another goal the council set for itself in 2001 was working to build a sense of community in Eagan. The city strives toward that goal by continuing work on the Community Center and surrounding Central Park. Fields said the project moved along well in 2001, with work on the park advancing far enough so that the city was able to mark the Fourth of July there for the first time. "Work is now about to proceed on the multipurpose community center and the band shell, which is being developed in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Eagan," Fields said. "Most of the contracts for construction of the community center have now been awarded. The major good news is that most came in below or at estimates." w Ah.re, TT .T T _____ Another council goal aimed at providing more amenities for the community was looking into the possibility of a municipal golf course. While a city committee has been studying the feasibility of building a course near Wescott and Lexington avenues, possibly including portions of Patrick Eagan Park, a proposal in its beginning stages is being considered near Interstate 494 and Dodd Road. The golf course committee is slated to present its findings to the council in February. "Contrary to some rumors, there has never been any prejudgment of this proposal and now it appears that an alternative site may be emerging," Fields said. "Above all, we will follow the fair process that has been established to settle this question. It is the policy of this council to keep the public informed." In reviewing the many accomplishments of the year, Awada said, "We have made this progress because we have a team where all contribute, where there is an honest exchange of views, mutual respect and a commitment to serve the public." At the National League of Cities conference in Atlanta, the Eagan City Council and one other such body were cited as world class councils for their performance and work systems by consultant Carl Neu, a nationally recognized authority on local governance issues. "We have worked hard to achieve this distinction and I hope you believe we have lived up to the expectations we laid out as a group just 12 months ago," Awada said. "I am proud to be serving as a member of this council, a group with high positive energy, a desire to accomplish and an incredible grasp of the desires and pulse of our city." r- This site and its contents 02000, 2001. Sun Newspapers - Main Office: 952-829-0797 webinfo@mnsun.com - Created and maintained by Quantum Digital Interactive jcorbo@quantumsite.com uoug (.irow: Candidate tweaks name -- for upright reasons, she assures us Page 1 of 3 news freetime - travel - homezone - cars - shopping - workavenue - communities metro / region - nation world - politics - business - sports - variety - opinion - fun & games - talk metro/region faith & values police/court news lotteries obituaries traffic photos live cam news graphics ap news minnesota wisconsin archive stories photo reprints projects contact us corrections feedback Vacation Days Doug Grow: Candidate tweaks name -- for upright reasons, she assures us Doug Grow Star Tribune Published Jun 30, 2002 The Republican candidate for state auditor wants to make one thing clear: She's not suddenly Pat Anderson Awada as a way of promoting her Swedish roots to Minnesota voters. According to the person formerly known only as Pat Awada, this name - adding is a clarification deal, not a political stunt to grab the votes of Minnesotans who are most comfortable with names such as Anderson, Johnson, Carlson and Olson on the ballot. "It's my maiden name," Anderson Awada said. "I've used it sometimes. We had this dilemma: There are some people who think I'm a guy. I get letters from people, 'You and your wife have such lovely children.' I didn't want people to be confused. This seemed to solve the problem." Why not just go with the name Patricia Awada? There was silence. Anyhow, during this campaign and on the ballot this fall, voters will see the name Pat Anderson Awada. This is the first time the mayor of Eagan has used her maiden name in a campaign. "I didn't need to in Eagan because people knew who I am," she said. Happy as she is about tackling the gender identification problem, the candidate is concerned that when people see that double last name -- Anderson Awada -- she'll be mistaken for a feminist. "That's why we didn't use the hyphen," she said. "I'm not a feminist. I don't want people to perceive use of both names as a feminist thing." This statement required another clarification. Once upon a time, Anderson Awada said, she would have considered herself a feminist. She believes, pretty much, in equal rights. But .. . Relate( Email 1 W Print tt Search News Find it! I More search GROV\ "I was in college, at the University [of Minnesota], about 15 years ago," http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3025337.httn1 7/5/2002 Doug Grow: Candidate tweaks name -- for upright reasons, she assures us Page 2 of 3 Anderson Awada said. "That's when they started the feminist department. That turned me off. That victim mentality. That anti -men mentality. That's what probably made me a conservative." Which required another clarification, because she didn't want to sound insensitive to the doors that strong women opened. "Maybe I'm the beneficiary of the women's movement of 30 years ago," said the woman who's owned businesses and has been in elected politics in Eagan for a decade. "I might have been a feminist then, but it's just ridiculous now. Women need to work with men, not be at war against them." No matter the gender, it's long been a benefit in Minnesota politics to have the Scandinavian surname. The extreme example of the benefit showed in a 1993 school board primary race in Minneapolis when Elizabeth Swenson, a 21-year-old Socialist who didn't bother campaigning, finished third among nine school candidates. Swenson was honest about why she received more than 13,000 votes. "It's because I have a next -door -neighbor Swedish last name," she said. The young, noncampaigning Socialist did manage to lose in the general election. More recently, there was the saga of Greg Wersal, who added his wife's maiden name, Carlson, to his name in his 2000 Supreme Court race against Justice James Gilbert. Carlson Wersal didn't win his race. But he said, laughing: "I believe it should be a God-given right in Minnesota to have a middle name like Anderson." Anderson Awada said her name -tinkering is not like Carlson Wersal's. She repeatedly said she's not trolling for Scandinavian votes, though she added that she's very proud of her Swedish heritage and also mentioned that she can speak Swedish. But Awada's a good name, too, she said. "My husband is half -Lebanese," she said, which required some clarification. "He's third -generation," Anderson Awada explained. "His family's Christian, not Muslim or anything." Move away from Anderson Awada for a moment and consider the political mountains that Gregory Gray, the DFL's endorsed candidate for auditor, must climb. It's expected he'll have to run against State Treasurer http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3025337.html 7/5/2002 Showing her true colors I'm not Christian or anything, but I am a feminist, and I think Pat Awada's bigotry came through loud and clear in her interview with Doug Grow ("Candidate makes name for herself," June 30). In Grow's column, we learned that the Republican candidate for state auditor used to go by Pat Awada, but now feels the need to insert her maiden name, Anderson. And her husband -- who is part Lebanese -- is Christian, "not Muslim or anything." And please don't mistake her for a feminist. Indeed, Awada equates feminism with a "victim mentality" and an "anti -men mentality." Need we remind Awada that as comfortable as Minnesotans might be with an "Anderson" on the ballot, we've also been known to elect Democrats, Jews and even former pro wrestlers? What a relief to see a candidate show her true colors before the election. Let's show Awada that Minnesotans are above the bigotry she portrays, and elect someone else. — Elisabeth Grant, Minneapolis. Lori Sturdevant: When Awada speaks, it's the suburbs talking Page 1 of 3 news freetime - travel - homezone - cars - shopping - workavenue - communities metro r region - nation i world - politics - business - sports - variety - opinion - fun & games - talk index cartoons commentary editorials letters lou gelfand arguments through the ages projects china: a brighter moon compete or retreat imagining africa tending the cities learning to die other special projects contact corrections how to submit a letter or commentary feedback Lori Sturdevant: When Awada speaks, it's the suburbs talking Published Apr 4, 2002 For a sample of post -redistricting, more -suburban -than -ever Minnesota politics, look to Eagan Mayor Pat Awada. She's an almost-36-year-old businesswoman, mom, mayor -- and she's suburban. That combination has Republican visionaries seeing her in the state auditor's office next year, and in higher places after that. When Awada speaks, it's the suburbs talking -- or so it appears from Eagan election results for the past 11 years. Anyone who thinks that makes her a small-town functionary should take a closer look at the 2000 census. Eagan is now Minnesota's eighth -largest city. In fact, eight of the state's 13 largest municipalities are Twin Cities suburbs. They may have started as bedroom communities, but today the adjective "sleepy" no longer applies -- at least not in any political sense. The suburbs are in Minnesota's driver's seat -- metaphorically and literally. If Awada is right, the "independent spirit" of the suburbs will steer state transportation policy away from transit and onto the highways. The old urban vs. rural transportation debate at the Legislature is quickly becoming suburban vs. core cities, with the future of light rail, commuter rail and other transit options on the line. "We don't support [transit] because we don't use it," Awada said of her constituents. Eagan's adults are confirmed drivers -- "everybody owns a car" -- and have no interest in getting around any other way, she maintains. "I don't ever see a senior citizen catch a bus out here." Buses take some Eagan residents to Minneapolis or St. Paul to work, she concedes, but do not serve the many people who work in the suburbs. She does not want to eliminate bus service in the core cities. What she objects to is "our road money going to build 10-mile trains, when we have a desperate need for more road infrastructure. We see huge amounts of money being thrown into transit that won't be used, while we sit out here with clogged freeways." Awada doesn't buy the argument that building more roads will only attract more traffic, as it has in other American cities. "The growth Relates .E Email t • Print th Search News Find it! 1 More search http://www.startribune.com/stories/562/2205624.html 4/4/2002 Lori Sturdevant: When Awada speaks, it's the suburbs talking Page 2 of 3 communities have had to build our own roads. People say you can't build your way out of congestion. That's bull. We do it all the time." Transportation is one of two high -stakes policy battlegrounds for state politicians in the next few years. The other is education funding. "Suburban people live for their kids. We want the best schools. But does more money translate into good schools?" It did for years in districts like Edina and Hopkins. But people in the boomer suburbs are skeptical, Awada says. She takes issue with those who think suburban Republicans are anti -public education. But they object to schools spending money on "diversity training and counseling and the other extra things that we all got along just fine without." She also objects to schools playing parent, which is what she thinks is going on when Minneapolis sends school staff to round up truant kids. Suburban parents "expect people to get up, feed their kids breakfast and get them to school, because we do it," she said. What will more suburban clout mean for housing policy? "We will defend anyone's right to live on 5 acres in Hugo if they want to... . Smart growth is a fad that will be gone in four or five years." For welfare? "Suburban mothers work, and they expect that of others." For the environment? "Suburban voters are environmentalists, but not to extremes. They want to preserve parks and open spaces. That's why a lot of us live here." There's that theme again: We live, and move, and behave in a certain way, so everybody should. It's policy by personal experience -- and not to be faulted as such. All of humankind judges the world through subjective lenses. But the world as seen from the cul-de-sacs of Eagan and Lakeville and Woodbury is more homogeneous than the one visible from most Minneapolis neighborhoods, or even a rural town. It's hard to empathize with a single mother without a car when you never see one. It's hard to imagine a less automobile -dependent lifestyle when you make 4.5 car trips per day. It's hard to start planning for an aging population when fewer than 5 percent of your neighbors are over 65, as is the case in Eagan. Minnesota will need to guard against the possibility that as politics become more suburban, policy will become more narrow. -- Lori Sturdevant is a Star Tribune editorial writer and columnist. She is at lsturdevantaJstartribune.corn. http://www.startribune.com/stories/562/2205624.html 4/4/2002 Metrn/State StarTribtre Faces &Places 1S Obituaries 68810 weather B12 March 10, 2002 • Sedan la Eagan's energetic r eticmayor isn't afraid of a fight newspaper clippings and other rurnrnaging ing, so much so that she needs to material in her company office, lie! site sell at least one in order to make searching for a file she wanted file - more time for other enterprises. right now. rg Her four children are involved in It was a Friday, and the office all the usual activities. She's an as - payroll was finished, but still her sistant Girl Scout troop leader. frustration mounted. "I'm going ary peland She is entering her fourth year as to have a nervous breakdown ... fo mayor of a large Twin Cities sub - unless something cuts here," she things always ul urb. muttered. After a few mare minutes of Pat Awada-makes no apologies for being a lightning rod on issues such as affordable housing. By BB McAsillfe Stm 7rebune Staff Writer Eagan Mayor Pat Awada was tearing. through a pile of loose and a fruitless speak- erphone call for p, uncov- ered the . But for the energetic mayor, whose resistance to affordable - housing mandates and support for M to Co 's orphanage plan have made her a magnet r controversy, are pil- ing two businesses are thriv- AWADA cowleraposon 14 9 don't waste time,' says PatAwada wbbo's always on tha go. c CIC m 6-3 m Mayor says she's not afraid to be outspoken Add a well -organized cam- paign for state auditor as a Re- publican, and Awada admits she can feel challenged. "I'm sleep -deprived," she said. "But I have a lot of energy_ I don't waste time_ I don't watch TV. Well, the news, may- be.. " Recently, Awada went out of her way to invite the orphan- age project, rejected by four other cities, to Eagan. For her risk, she was praised for being good-hearted and excoriated for trying to boost her political fortunes. She had previously earned virtual outlaw status among area affordable -housing advo- cates for challenging the Met- ropolitan Council's authority on the subject while keeping Eagan out of a Met Council t > Wiroal Eagan, her leader- ship has earned praise and a supportive City Council, but it also has kept old opponents energized and created new skeptics. "That's OK," Awada said. "You don't run for office be- cause you need to feel good. I think if you hold strong posi- tions about something, and be- lieve in them, you need to be outspoken." Eagan Mayor Pat Awada arrived at the State Office Bolding recertify to appear before the House Taxes Committee. Just behind her at left Is House Ma jority Leader Tim Pawleaty, R-Eagan, who once served with her on the Eagan City CounciL Awada spoke it favor of a bil extendfng a property tax deferral far Eagan's Capon' Art Park, created by Anthony Caponi, a sculptor and retired art professor. date conservatives and moder- ates both like." On the host committee for a $250-a-plate fundraiser Iast month for her campaign for auditor, she listed Republicans ranging from former Gov. Arne Carlson, champion of the party moderates, to former U.S. Sen. Rod Grams and former state party chairman Bill Cooper, ti- tans of the right. Keynote speakers were U.S. Rep. Jim Ramstad, R-Minn., who described her as the dic- tionary definition of compas- sionate conservative, and for- mer U.S. Rep_ John Kasich, R- Ohio, former chairman of the House Tax Committee and a hero to fiscal conservatives. CC T d1080 30V11VM 3Hl n,u,.11• cuuc 1L:LUNM THE WALLACE GROUP No.0246 P. 4/7 fusing Stec Awada, 55, has emerged as what Republicans hope is their kind of candidate: a young, smart, successful, free -market- ing, postfeminiat business owner and working mom, po- litically savvy, stubbornly con- servative and suburban. "She's strong-willed but ,oft -hearted," said Tim Paw- lenty, state House majority leader and and a candidate for the Republican gubernatorial nomination. He was on the Ea- gan City Council with Awada. "She's demonstrated con- servative leadership as a may- or, which will please the Re- publicans," he said, "She's a strong, smart, experienced leader who happens to be a woman." Awada La the oldest of five children who grew up In Forest Lake. Their father, Henry An- derson, an ex -Marine with a graduate degree In forestry, and their mother, Betty, often took them on extended camp- ing trips, winter and summer. Awada said that she'd never put her own kids through the winter version but that she now can see the value of the' survival experiences — and of the political debates she has of- ten had with her father, an avowed Libertarian. "He's very opinionated po- litically, and he probably creat- ed that in me," Awada said. "And he doesn't think I'm good enough," she added with a laugh. Awada describes heraelf modestly as "the only candi- Adoption experience Awada acknowledges that any move she makes now will be viewed in a political context. But her interest In Cope• land's project, she said, stems from her experience adopting two boys from a Bulgarian or- phanage, and from o belief that the private sector ought to offer en alternative to the foster care system. We all believe the best place fora child Is in a stable, loving home," she said. "But during that time when kids are thrown Into a system, whether it's temporary foster care or waiting for adoption, kCope- lands proposal} provides an- other alternative to foster care." Copeland, the founder of the Sharing and Caring Hands shelter in Minneapolis whose work has been praised by Pres- ident Bush, said she is looking over some of the land Awada and other Eagan officials have identified as possibly suitable for her 290-bed orphanage. She said she believes that Awada is sincere in wanting to bring the orphanage to Eagan, but added that she wants to avoid being "a political back- drop," The suburban vision In her long -running opposi- tion to the growth -control strategies set forth by the Met Council, the regional planning agency, Awada has come to be, regarded by some as isolation- ist, elitist and not a terribly grind neighbor. When the council urged the city in 1998 10 adopt a housing plan Belling for higher densi- ties as a means of helping the region generate more "afford- able" housing, Eagan resisted. .Awada argued that Eagan resi- dents preferred lower densi- ties, that the Met Council's strategies were actually driving up housing and land costs and that the issue was one of self- determination vs. regional control. "My parents live on 5 acres In Forest Lake and think there's way too many people around," Awada said, 'The Met'Council calls this sprawl, a waste of acreage. But the public likes that, and supports that, It's the ideal most people would like to achieve." Awada has tempered her antipathy toward the Met Council in recent months. Ea- gan has accepted some higher - density housing projects aimed at reietively low-income resi- dents and has compromised on overall density standards in its long-range planning. "You can see her rhetoric doesn't always match the ac- tion," Met Council Chairman Ted Mondale said, noting Ea- gan's adjusted housing strate- gies. "I think she chooses to do It for all politics." Critics in Eagan Awada gets widespread credit in Eagan for leading the efforts to finance and build the city's Cascade Bay water park and a new community center, But her brash style has cost her, Former Mayor Tom Egan, who supported Awada's bid to succeed him in 1998, said he thinks she !e more interested in winning on an issue than in building a consensus. He also said he found it "embarrass- ing" when the Eagan City Council, with Awada in the ma- jority, voted to boycott the Met Council's Livable Communi- ties grant program, Standing out on that par- ticular issue did not endear [Eagan) to other communities in the metro area," Egan said. More recently, a Charter Commission was formed in Ea- gan, in response to a citizens' petition, to investigate whether Eagan might organize its gov- ernment differently. Awada, who describes the commission as a "poisonous" group of po• litical opponents, led a council Challenge to the commission that ultimately barred it from meeting in City Hall. It meets int astead. county library branch in - Gunnar Isberg, a retired planner and commission member who said he hardly PhotograprebyioeyMcle}star/SterTribune knows Awada, said that ban - Eagan Mayor Pat Awada, an assistant troop leader, helped her ning the commission'from City .daughter, Alex, left, dlstrlbute boxes of Ohl Scout cookies last weak Hall has caused him to ques- ar Twaseract School in Fagan, where Alex le 'third -grader. tion the administration's open - ness to a range of citizens. 'few dull moments' The file that Awada was so eager to find recently con- tained a personality profile, conducted by a leadership consultant, on Awada as well as on her fellow City Council members. It described her as "a domi- nant, forceful and direct per- son who wants to be seen as an individualist." "forward -look- ing, aggressive and competi- tive; 'opinionated" and a per- son who `bends to have a short fuse." On the list of qualities she brings to an organization, it noted "Few dull moments." The profile also indicated that Awada tends to take on too many challenges. But she said she's running for auditor, a post that Carlson and U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton held on the way to higher of- fice, because the seat is open and 'die city doesn't need my leadership as much as it did thieeyears ago." Also, though she -was en- couraged to consider running for Congress, she determined that it would be better for her young family if she were to stay loser to home. 'One only has so.mudi time and ability to focus," she said. "At some point you have to choose your path." Bill MNnfi, f feis at nacaultaskirtnIsuse.00ns. dnOdD 33V11VM 3H1 TT TT /",TTAT , 'T TTTt 7. Tl_ _ T - _a - f a/_ - _ _ '1n/1'1 _ 1 _f'1 CITY PAGES MThe Online News E Arts Weekly of the Twin Cities HOME I CLASSIF ECS I PERSONALS I ASNUA_ MAN _,AL I PROMOTIC1" S I T—I S WEEK'S ADS THE CITY GRITTY OUT & ABOUT BOUGHT & SOLD ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT SEX, DRUGS & ROM & ROLL RESTAURANTS FOODSTUFF READERS' POLL BEST OF 2002 KEYWORD SEARCH: GO HEY' FEEL LIKE PRINTING ALL OF THE WINNERS FROM THE CITY GRITTY? n<PREV BEST OF THE TWIN CITIES THE CITY GRITTY BEST MAYOR Pat Awada NEXT»» With the exception of the leaders of the two Twin Cities, metro mayors don't spend much time in the limelight. Not so 35-year-old Pat Awada, who, in addition to leading Eagan for four years, is running two businesses and a campaign for state auditor. Awada, whose politics skew to the right of even some of her fellow Republicans, has never shied away from controversy. She has fought tooth and nail against affordable -housing advocates and Metropolitan Council officials who have encouraged Eagan to develop more high -density housing. More recently, she aligned herself with Mary Jo Copeland to bring an orphanage to Eagan, a controversial proposal that had failed to find a home in four other municipalities. Like all true conservatives, Awada has long kept her eye on the bottom line: Eagan, home to Northwest Airlines and several ancillary airline businesses, has been hit hard by layoffs since 9/11. But according to the mayor, the city's budget remains on the plus side, and most infrastructure costs will be met. Her politics may be downright unforgivable to many, but even her archenemies (and she has plenty) respect her for sticking to her guns. And in this era of governing by conformity, that in itself is all too rare. Readers' Choice: R.T. Rybak ««PREV NEXT»» 2002 Best of the Twin Cities HOME I THE CITY GRITTY I ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT I OUT & ABOUT I BOUGHT & SOLD I RESTAURANTS I I FOODSTUFF I SEX & DRUGS & ROCK & ROLL I I READERS' POLL I Mmmm, Mmmm MMD! City Pages MN Music Directory has been completely revamped for 2002! Browse over 1,200 tasty MN music listings: MUSICIANS BANDS SOLO ARTISTS INDUSTRY AGENCY / MANAGEMENT CLUBS/VENUES RADIO STATIONS RECORD COMPANIES RECORD PRODUCERS RECORD STORES SERVICES AUDIO DUPLICATION EQUIPMENT RENTAL EQUIPMENT REPAIR EQUIPMENT SALES MUSIC INSTRUCTION RECORDING STUDIOS REHEARSAL SPACE SOUND REINFORCEMENT GRAPHIC DESIGN / PHOTOGRAPHY / WEB DESIGN VIDEO SERVICES V,Yv of --woa 8A Apple Valley/Rosemount, Eagan Sun•Current/Thursday, Jan. 9, 2003 Awada From Page lA When Awada came to the council, the real estate market was not doing well and many homeowners couldn't sell their homes for what they had paid for them several years before. Awada said that she had felt the housing stock' was unbal- anced with too much multi -family hous- ing being built and not enough single- family housing. "The whole situation with the afford- able housing groups today, it was the ab- solute opposite situation.back then," she said. "Many people thought there was too much multi -family housing being built and I spent much of my career try- ing to change the housing stock in Eagan." Affordable housing was only one issue that became a hot point in Eagan over the past several years. Awada has also become the focal point on issues such as Mary Jo Copeland's children's home, a golf course considered for Patrick Eagan Park and a contentious sidewalk project on Dodd Road. "My positions on the issues were not that different than the rest of the coun- cil," she said. "I think in most cases the mayor of a city becomes the lightning rod for those issues. They take the lead and have the wrath of those who dis- agree with them. The issues with hous- ing groups and Dodd Road and to some extent the orphanage are not any differ- ent than any other issues that other mayors have dealt with." Awada said that many issues become contentious because there are neighbors near every proposed project who might not want the project going in next door. However, she said her job as mayor is to balance those concerns against the feel- ings of the rest of the community. "I always tried to make a decision that was in the best interest of the whole com- munity," she said. "Sometimes those de- cisions were not in the best interest of the neighbors, but the whole community wants it." Awada said her interest in controlling multi -family housing and ensuring that only quality developments went forward sprung from her experiences when she first joined the council. "I truly believe I had a large role in changing the nature of Eagan," Awada said. "I spent my career working to change the nature of Eagan, working on down -zoning, bringing in different kinds of business and bringing in single-fami- ly housing. I wanted to create quality in Eagan and bring a very balanced hous- ing stock." Awada said that among the highlights of her time in office was the way the city dealt with the aftermath of the July 2000 floods and the storm sewer improve- ments that followed. Although there were residents' complaints and ques- tions about how to best respond to the city's flood issues, the city recently com- pleted all its sewer improvement pro- jects and won an award for the effort. "It could have been much, much worse," she said. "The council needed to step up to the plate and I am very proud of how the council handled that head on and worked with the neighbors." She also pointed to the various facili- ties that the city built during her time on the council, including the Civic Arena, Cascade Bay and the still under con- struction Community Center. The facili- ties not only met a need in the communi- ty, but also were done right so they ended up supporting themselves, she said. However, she also said she was disap- pointed that the city never took the final steps to permanently protect the Caponi Art Park. The art park, which is private- ly -owned by Anthony Caponi, is often threatened by development because of rising valuations in Eagan. "That is something that even previous councils and mayors worked on," Awada said. "It is one area of unfinished busi- ness. I certainly wanted to help make that a reality and it's something the city has been working on for the past 20 years. It's not necessarily the city's role to take it over, but there are ways we could help." She also said she would have liked to see the city finish its work on better defining its central area. That work will continue with the opening of the Com- munity Center and Central Park, along with streetscaping work, Town Centre traffic improvements and completion of a ring road around the city's central area near Pilot Knob and Yankee Doodle roads. Those challenges will be taken up by new Eagan Mayor Pat Geagan and the council members, including newcomer Mike Maguire. Geagan and Maguire were sworn into office at the beginning of the council's Jan. 7 meeting. www.mnSun.com "I think we have a shared vision and I have lots of confidence in my successor, Pat Geagan," Awada said. "I think he will be a very good mayor and I support- ed him in the election. There will not be as much to do and the issues are going to be different. It will be more neighbor- hood related and special interest issues." The challenge now facing the new council will also be one of maintaining what the city now has, Awada said. "It will be a lot of maintenance is- sues," she said. "The council will have to work to not allow the community to de- teriorate." Awada said she is looking forward to starting her new job and sees a lot of challenge in her role as the taxpayer's watchdog. "It will involve a lot of local govern- v ment finance stuff and that's what I enjoy getting into," she said. "This will be a new era brought on by the budget deficit. I need the challenge and I like to get things done when faced with a chal- lenge like that. I would rather take office in a position like this instead of less needing to be accomplished." In the end, Awada said she hopes that when people look back at her time in of- fice, they will remember her as a person who got things done. "I am very proud of what Eagan has be- come," she said. "I hope people look back and think of me as a builder. A builder of things, a builder of community, a builder of infrastructure. I hope that I am re- membered as someone who is fair. They may not have always liked where I was on an issue, but realize that I always did what I felt was best for the community." New state auditor also looks to her future role BY JOSHUA NICHOLS Sun Newspapers. For, many people Pat Awada has become inseparable from the. city of Eagan. However, when the Eagan City Council met for the first time this year Awada was not a part of the city government for the first time in a decade. For Awada, who has served as Eagan's mayor for the past four years, the coming of 2003 meant 'the opening of a new chapter in her political career. Awada was elected state auditor in November and has since moved into her new digs in St. Paul. "I came to the realization late last'spring that this would be a re- ality," Awada said. "Over the past few weeks I've had to accept it. I will still be actively following the city government and I will still live here so I will have an active interest:in: what happens. But it's otw service in agan Andy BlenkushlSun Newspapers Former Eagan mayor Pat Awada chats with friends and co-workers dur- ing a recent recognition dinner. hard to go sometimes." Awada finished up her last ac- tion as Eagan mayor last week when she attended her last work- shop session. As she reflected on her years as mayor and council member, she remembered when she joined the council. - "In those years everything was different," Awada said. "Whe{I,I got on the City Council, the issues were very. different. It was a very, very different Eagan. Many people didn't even know where it was." Things have changed since then. Development was picking up speed .and many Eagan busi- nesses still listed their address as being in St. Paul. Today Eagan is well-known and almost complete- ly developed. Awada is fond of recalling how the council meetings in those days ran for hours as develop- ment issues ruled the day. It was into that environment that Awada, then 25, ran for the coun- cil far -tier first time. "It Was over local issues that I first ran," Awada said. "I had been active: politically in'college and then after college. This was the community we picked to make our life and it wasn't being developed the way we thought it should be." AWADA: To Page 8A i 11»Wo-e* 06 -11- 20° 9 yS. Brod, RN reached o p' uicy d byw thB ig the news q ineyeL� Trnswawlen.them Laura'sblic safews that Gov. Tim t seek typhOnDean saidwavernfewould not seek aatsytermad Re - cans rabbthe rcell phosattDn, 2A June 19, 2009 THISWEEK a an isseEgor anmay. Eag FOUU" govemorsisp contacting ,tmadeadecision Yet sneraganmat pIidersUpaOnewPragu, saidAnRe Rep' sit- pa�better thanwornacR-Dellwood, fl - but a Baat an environ- Andeon locanls dering aokeswobtdicated ling connDCare activelyresswomanrob- entlrorat leastshog Eagtearzors oth bo fulltieha m Washington, run at gov in former Repub- finding themselves on can - along with fo Auditor Pat Alnd State LaUta didate watch lists. Anderson and Rep. • «I knew ewas blow- lawmakerCharlie commissioner Ko- wi u e actively co with a r is only ermg for governor. sid- But Brod group ermg a run f District governor. one of a big g Sixth D Bach of Republicans - an Michele Congress- hand- woman as been found on pail No Watering Between 1.1 am - 3 pm y Water on Odd/Even Days Only For more information 1 952-895- . 0 www.burnsville.org the wasn't inter lawmaker Former watchdog Phil and fiscal resident of Krinkie, now president Taxpayers League' dicated it was unlikely he would attempt a run. "At this point it is not a prima- ry consideration," he said. Anderson, who now lives in Dellwood, is weigh- ing the odds of a guberna- torial run. consid- ering seriously said Anderson, errng who lost re-election as state auditor in 2006 to Rebecca Otto. Moues a gubernato- rial Hi se 3', A Je la. Sc of caL cap, fr�.