Community Corner

School Referendum, Split Votes and Mourning: Feedback Friday

The most thoughtful, moving, controversial or just plain funny comments from around the west metro between Jan. 4 and Jan. 10.

Each week, Patch users contribute numerous insights, opinions and observations. The following is a collection of the most thoughtful, moving, controversial or just plain funny comments that appeared on Patch sites in Eden Prairie, Edina, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Richfield, Shakopee, Plymouth, St. Louis Park and St. Michael. Click on the headline to read the full story and join in the conversation.

(The comments below are not meant to reflect the opinions of Patch or its staff.)

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VIDEO: State Rep. Yvonne Selcer Discusses Priorities

The state legislative session began on Tuesday, Jan 8 at noon. What issues should Yvonne Selcer and our other local representatives focus on?

Find out what's happening in Hopkinswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

From Becky Henry:

Thanks for this helpful video interview of our new Rep Yvonne Selcer! This was helpful to hear her talk about what she will be focusing on. I'm so grateful that smart, informed people such as Yvonne are working for us to help keep MN a great place to live and work. As a small business owner I'm glad for her business background. I'm grateful for the time we spent together as volunteers in the Hopkins School District. I'm so proud of you Yvonne!

Another School Board Referendum to Go Before Voters in 2013

After a painful referendum defeat in 2011, the Richfield Public Schools Board tried again in 2012 with success. A renewal and small increase for the district's operating levy was easily approved by voters on Election Day. But 2013 will bring another referendum before voters. The district's technology levy will expire at the end of the 2013-14 school year and will be on the ballot for a renewal—and possibly an increase—this November.

A reader going just by the name Neimand wasn't supportive of an increase:

I would support a renewal but not a increase. I think the school should shift it's resources from traditional training to computerized training. Students need to keep up with technology. Technology is our future.

However, Jeremy Larson, said he would support an increase if it was asked for:

I am bias. One child attends R-STEM and our youngest will be there next year. We have been very happy with Richfield schools so far. I would prefer a renewal with no increase, but at the end of the day, I would support an increase as well. The reality is that with inflation, we are asking our school district to do more with less and I would prefer that my property tax dollars go directly to our Richfield school district rather than the district needing to lobby for or rely on more state or federal aid. Let's keep our local community strong by supporting a quality education in our City!

New Albertville Mayor Appoints Rob Olson to City Council Monday After Split Vote

Split votes are nothing new to the Albertville City Council; in the 2012 general elections repeat split votes led to a Larry Sorenson being selected by a coin toss. In an Albertville City Council meeting full of change Monday, new mayor Jillian Hendrickson was sworn in to office Monday shortly before she appointed Rob Olson to city council after a split vote left the seat undecided. Half of the council members had wanted to appoint Mark Barthel, who received a tie vote with Sorenson in the elections, with one ballot in question, but lost the coin toss. Controversial comments sprouted about the voice of the voters.

Scotty O. said:

Look out Albertville, the Mayor is already making decisions against what the people wanted. I am sure Rob is a good guy, but the people voted for Mark Barthel and by a big margin. He lost to Larry by a coin flip. The Mayors job is to mediate the council, this should have been a no-brainier decision to select the candidate the people most voted for.

The Golden Valley Rotary Club is proposing to host monthly meetings for local business professionals, interested residents and community groups in partnership with the City. The meetings would be free to the public and supported by the rotary club.

Kathryn Simpson, owner of The Beauty Lab, said:

Great idea. I own a business & live in Golden Valley so I would defiantly attend these meetings.

Park and Ride Worries Top Hopkins’ Thoughts on Southwest LRT Project

The City of Hopkins is urging planners to use caution when considering building park and rides at the three Southwest Light Rail Transit stations planned in the community.

Barb reminded officials not to overlook bus service:

This is aside from the LRT article. But I think that hopkins should focus on hopkins bus service and improve its bus stops along the main street. It is so frustrating when you come into hopkins and you can only get dropped off on certain streets. So let's forget about the LRT and focus on improving better ways to get around hopkins and mtka area for people that do not drive as it is so hard to get around if you do not drive and everyone can not live in downtown hopkins.
Barb

Quinn Kirsch 'Was a Joy and Light to Our Community'

Quinn McManus Kirsch, an 8-year-old who passed away suddenly early Monday, Jan. 7, will be remembered at Our Lady of Grace Catholic School for his smile and "zest for life."

OLG Principal Maureen Trenary said Quinn—who was in third grade at the school—is being remembered by his teachers for "his friendliness."

"His classmates always enjoyed being with him whether it was for a school project or a football game during recess," she said. "Students wanted to be in his presence. His teachers will always remember is smile, his trademark."

Patch reader carol kaiser milan shared some of her thoughts regarding Quinn's passing:

The only comfort one can find when a child passes away, is that God our Father has one more angel sitting by His side. ALL children go to heaven; may Quinn's parents, brothers, grandparents and cousins know that they will be together again one day...forever.

Updated: Carly's Church Devoted Part Of Wednesday Service To Her

14-year-old Carly Christenson of St. Louis Park died Jan. 8 of flu-related complications.

Carly, 14, came home from basketball practice at St. Louis Park High School with a bad sore throat Dec. 20 and was admitted to Children's Hospital in Minneapolis on Dec. 24.

Westwood Lutheran Church, which the Christenson family attends, confirmed her death Tuesday afternoon on its Facebook page.

Mike Hindin said:

As a parent this is the worst tragedy that can befall a family. Our prayers are with Carly's family. friends and our community. The rest of us can help stop the spread of this virus. While vaccines are not 100% effective and some individuals don't have adequate immune systems or underlying problems, we can help protect them by getting vaccinated ourselves. There is a public health principal called herd immunity that recognizes that if about 70% of the population is immunized, there are too few susceptible individuals to transmit viruses effectively. Immune people are a barrier to transmission to the very young, the very old and other individuals who can't be vaccinated successfully. Please do your part and get vaccinated.

Thief Steals Eden Prairie Band’s Banjo

A 66-year-old man and a 20-year-old man items stolen from a vehicle parked in a driveway in the 6000 block of Stonewood Court. One of the victims found the rear cargo hatch unlocked and various guitars and accessories, including the banjo, were missing.

RE Whitty said:

I am disturbed to realize that as much as Eden Prairie is promoted as one of the neatest places to live and work for people in Minnesota/the USA, there seems to also be a lot of creepy people coming into the city limits that want to take advantage of the good fortune we have here. Stealing a banjo? Who would do this?


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