Old disputes, new projects and vacancies spur filings

Discontent over major new projects in Farmington and Burnsville drew a crowd of candidates as filings for office closed late Tuesday afternoon. And a Prior Lake City Council member challenged the Scott County board member who represents that community.

Among the highlights:

Several candidates for the school board say they are motivated by community discontent with the board and bad blood that lingers after a 2005 lawsuit between the school district and the city over the location of the new high school.

"I think that right now, maybe some new blood might help the relationship between the district and the city and the community," said candidate Veronica Walter, a Burnsville-Eagan-Savage school district guidance counselor.

School board chairwoman Julie McKnight, the only one of the three board members whose terms are expiring who is seeking reelection, did not return a phone call seeking comment on Tuesday.

The district's most vocal critic, Tim Burke, put his name in the hat, saying he thinks the school board should be more transparent. Also running are Carol Kappes, Jim Peroutky, Julie Singewald, Bruce Westover, Kimberlee Simones and Darla Rotly-Donnelly.

Mayor Elizabeth Kautz is being challenged by three opponents in Burnsville, where the redevelopment called Heart of the City has been a hot issue.

City Council incumbent Dan Gustafson will face challengers Michael Esch, who serves on the planning commission, and Mary Sherry, a former planning commissioner who serves on the Burnsville Community Foundation.

Chad LeMair, a seven-year member of the Prior Lake City Council, will oppose Scott County board member Barbara Marschall, who has held that seat since 1997.

"I know what the city's done to reduce costs, including letting some people go," he said. "Most cities are having to take steps like that. I haven't seen any of that from the county's standpoint."

The same theme was sounded by a Prior Lake police investigator, Chris Olson, of Spring Lake Township, as he joined the race for the open seat created when county board chair Bob Vogel of New Market announced he won't run again.

Said Olson, who has never run for office: "We are making adjustments in our family, and I would like to see county government make the same adjustments."

As in Scott, Dakota's board chairman, Michael Turner, isn't running again. Burnsville City Council Member Liz Workman is giving up her city seat to seek that office. She will face Vicky Turner, a member of the Burnsville Planning Commission and the wife of Michael Turner's nephew.

The board members in other districts all drew challenges. Tom Egan, former mayor of Eagan, will face Scott Holm, also of Eagan. Willis Branning of Apple Valley is opposed by Paul Deslauriers, of Rosemount, a retired Burnsville police officer. And Joe Harris of Hastings will face Craig Altendorfer, of Farmington, and Dean Bernstengel and Doug Riley, both of Hastings.

City Council incumbents Cyndee Fields and Meg Tilley go unchallenged, but there will be a special election for a two-year seat for the unexpired term of Peggy Carlson, who recently resigned. Two candidates filed: Gary Hansen and Buzz Anderson. Tuesday night, the City Council chose from a pool of 10 applicants for an interim council member who will fill Carlson's seat until the November election.