South metro news briefs: Shakopee, Savage candidate forums set

Your chance to hear from candidates for offices in Shakopee and Savage is coming up soon.

Chambers of Commerce in both cities are hosting the events over the next couple of weeks.

The Shakopee chamber will hold forums for both schools and city, both at Shakopee High School, 100 17th Av. W.

The event for school board candidates will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15. Candidates for four open school board seats are Chuck Berg, Jeremy Casper, Shawn Hallet and incumbents Mary Romansky and Scott Swanson.

The following Tuesday, on Oct. 22, there are forums for candidates for mayor and council.

Mayoral candidates will appear from 7 to 7:45 p.m. Oct. 22. The race pits incumbent Brad Tabke against longtime City Council Member Matt Lehman.

The forum for council candidates follows, from 8:15 to 9 p.m. The five candidates for two open seats are Mike Luce, Kathi Mocol, Jordan Olson, Mark Reimler and Aaron Weyer.

Questions for candidates can be e-mailed to shakopee elections@gmail.com.

The events won't be broadcast live, but taped and shown on cable channel 16 and streamed on the city's website.

In Savage, there's a candidate forum on Oct. 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. for council candidates.

The chamber hosts that event for six candidates, facing prepared questions from the public and local businesses inside the council chambers at City Hall. This event will be broadcast live on Savage TV.

Candidates include incumbents Gene Abbott and Jane Victorey and challengers Shaun Alexander, James "Chuck" Boisvert, Jeremy Seykora and Josh Welter.

Shakopee has changed its loan program for commercial exteriors in hopes of encour­aging owners to launch upgrades.

There's a forgivable loan for facade improvements in which the city would pay for half the cost up to $15,000.

Changes must be visible from outside, though they can include roofs. Planting of trees, painting, lighting, awnings, sign­age and restoration of historic details can be included.

Forgiveness of the loan would happen over five years, with 20 percent lopped off each year. If the building is sold, a new set of rules applies.

The city will post more details on its website at www.ci.shakopee.mn.us/economic development.cfm.

You can browse available dates and facilities under "Facility Rentals." If the date can't be found, no facilities are available that day.

Reservations can be made up to one year in advance.

The address to visit is www.priorlakerecreation.com; then find the "Programs and Facilities-Click Here!" tab.

Registration is open for this year's Scott County Senior Expo. The event is from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at Shakopee High School, 100 17th Av. W.

The expo features vendors and speakers on topics including "Adding Life to Your Years." Retired WCCO TV anchor Don Shelby is a guest speaker, on the subject of physical and mental challenges in later life.

The fee of $10 includes lunch. Register online with the program code SE 1018 or at the Shakopee Community Center. For more information, contact sfoley@ci.shakopee.mn.us.

There's a country club swing dance this week as a fundraiser for the Scott County Historical Society.

The Roseville Big Band Orchestra will play amid appetizers, a dance contest, auction and cash bar.

The event, open to those 21 and up, is at the Ridges at Sand Creek Golf Course in Jordan on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are $15, or a table for eight at $100. At the door it's $20.

For more information, call 952-445-0378, or e-mail info@scottcountyhistory.org. Order tickets at http://bit.ly/1drw2x9.

The group reviews the look of all new developments within the district, which is located along Nicollet Avenue and Burnsville Parkway. Anything built within the boundaries must conform to a special set of rules aimed at yielding a cohesive, quality look. Terms last three years.

For more information or to get an application, visit www.burnsville.org/commissions, e-mail macheal.brooks@ci. burnsville.mn.us or call 952-895-4490.