Part 3: New Trier agrees to disagree

NEW TRIER, MINN. - Every Friday night in this small cozy town about 30 minutes southeast of the Twin Cities, locals take a vote, of sorts, on a topic of immense local importance: Whether to go to Dan's Bar and Grill or the Trophy House Country Dining and Cocktails a half-block away for the weekly fish fry.

Both establishments have their strengths, but locals seem particularly fond of one or the other. It's a town divided -- over cod. If prodded, they might even tell you which they prefer. Privately.

It's a lot like the town's politics. In 2004, 66 of New Trier's 116 residents voted for president of the United States. Thirty-three voted for George Bush. Thirty-three voted for John Kerry. But on a recent visit, there was not a single campaign lawn sign in sight, and only one bumper sticker.

New Trier is one of a dozen or so communities surrounding the Twin Cities that were nearly even in 2004, and probably will be in November. Whether the people in places such as New Trier, Anoka, Burnsville and Edina tilt toward John McCain or Barack Obama will likely signal which way the election, and the country, will turn.

But people in New Trier will make that decision quietly and respectfully, if the debate between neighbors is any indication.

Thumbs up for change

New Trier is arranged like a pyramid of American icons in descending order of importance. The coral-and-white St. Mary's Catholic Church, a Beaux Arts landmark where wooden pews are varnished to a sheen and draped with rosaries, sits atop a tall hill. A cemetery spills below into a ball field and a playground with colorful plastic rocking horses.

Just below that is the town core, the two saloons. That's life in New Trier: God, death, kids, softball and fish fries.

But the issues of the country affect them here as well: Iraq, gas prices, the economy, health care and national security.

One resident -- perhaps the only one -- who openly displays his politics is Dave Anderson, whose car sports a bumper sticker for U.S. congressional candidate Steve Sarvi, a DFLer. Soon, the Obama signs will go up in his yard.

"Last time I had a Wellstone sign out and people will drive by and give me a thumbs down," said Anderson, who works at the postal center in Eagan. Because he's a government employee, "I don't get to talk politics at work."

Anderson moved to New Trier seven years ago from Minneapolis and jokes that he had to "learn a new language" in a small town. "I found out you have to talk about the weather first," he said.

Now, Anderson readily debates a few of his neighbors, particularly about the war. "It's a huge issue for me," Anderson said. "I never thought we should have gotten involved."

He thinks the Bush administration used bad information to get us into a war that has needlessly cost lives. It has been poorly run and horrendously expensive, he says.

"I grew up during Vietnam," he said. "I'm not any happier with this war than with that one. I'm a change person. We need something different."

Though he's now in management, Anderson spent 20 years in a union and is sympathetic to worker rights. He has good benefits, a pension and health care, so he's not concerned about how those issues affect him. But he's willing to pay taxes to help those who don't have them.

"This is a nice looking little place, but I think a lot of people are living paycheck to paycheck," he said. "We need an economic boost."

Kids either get jobs at the nearby refinery, he said, maybe help out on a family farm, or more likely, leave.

An avid traveler, Anderson is also concerned about America's image abroad during the Bush administration. "I'd like to get back to being a decent nation that's respected around the world," he said. "Obama's trip was a little rah-rah for me even, but it shows he can connect with a lot of people, and we need connecting."

Economy, education, troops

Josh and Dorine Geurts moved to New Trier in 2006, so you can add two more Republicans to the vote count. Josh planned on voting for McCain since the beginning, while Dorine is for the candidate "most pro-troops."

Josh is in the Minnesota National Guard. He served in Iraq and may have to go back. He likes McCain's military background and leadership experience.

"I know Obama supports the troops, too, but he's not as much of a military supporter," Josh said. "I agree with a lot of the reasons we went into Iraq, but not all of them. Being there and seeing the people makes me think we should be there and help get them to a better place."

Josh thinks McCain has a more realistic view of the conflict, and recognizes the danger of leaving too soon.

The Geurtses have two daughters, Allison and Victoria, so the economy and education are foremost on their minds this election.

They are uncertain whether the "No Child Left Behind" strategy is working if half of Minnesota schools are falling short.

The economy has strapped the Geurtses, but they don't think any president has much control over the cycle of ups and downs.

"The economy is hurting people," Dorine said, "but a lot of people put it upon themselves" by taking loans they couldn't afford.

The Geurtses do a biweekly budget and follow it religiously. They avoid the frills and are fixing up their home as money allows. They only go into town to shop when they need numerous items, and recently bought a whole pig to save money, "kind of like the farmers back in the 1900s," Dorine said.

Anderson and the Geurtses agree on at least one thing: "I don't think whoever is elected will really change the economy," Josh said.

Respect and fate

A bulletin board at the gate of St. Mary's cemetery has a list of parishioners who have passed away over the decades. A quick check shows that 10 of them have died since 2004; potentially almost one-sixth of the town's voters.

It's possible that it won't be McCain's experience or Obama's ability to rouse the crowd that inevitably decides the outcome in New Trier, but rather fate itself.

Until then, the debate will go on, respectfully. With one exception: Anderson has decided for pragmatic reasons to avoid any political discussions with a new neighbor for now.

"Their son mows my lawn," he said with a smile. "I wouldn't want to risk that."

Jon Tevlin • 612-673-1702