Erica Allenberg, chairman of the Edina School Board and a candidate for re-election in November, proposed to limit availability of the time devoted to Hearing from Members of the Public at Edina School Board meetings. This was at the Work Session on September 13. The entire School Board will be discussing this proposal later.

Every Edina School Board meeting allows time to Hear from Members of the Public. Anyone can sign up to address the School Board for 3 minutes. They just need to sign up ahead of time. This, along with the entire meeting, is recorded for anyone to review at a later date.

Allenberg has proposed to not record the “Hearing from the Members of the Public” portion of the meeting. It would be only heard by the 35 people who are actually attending that particular meeting. This is a bad idea.

The role of the School Board is to represent parents and students. The wider that the content of school board meetings is available, the better the public is informed on the issues of the day. This includes everything brought up as part of the community input.

I have heard discussions of school start times; bus schedules; school trips; academics; and many other subjects. In this segment, I heard a 4th grade girl talk about her struggles to learn to read in 1st, 2nd and 3rd grade. She had to leave the Edina School system to get the help she needed to learn to read. Many say that you “learn to read” in grades 1-3 and then “read to learn” the rest of your life. She read her 3-minute speech. It moved me that she came back to advocate for help for others like her.

Bloomington voters should consider who has contributed to their City Council members, to understand who might be aligned with whom and might be seeking influence.

According to finance reports filed with Hennepin County, State Rep. Steve Elkins (D, Bloomington/Edina) supported Bloomington Councilman Patrick Martin last year with a donation of $100.  Readers may recall that the previous edition of the SD 49 Newsletter reported on Elkin's bill to use the State's power to effectively outlaw single family residential zoning in Minnesota, and to make other changes to "densify" our neighborhoods.   

The financial reports show a direct tie between several of the current City Council members and one City Council candidate. Current Council members Jenna Carter and Shawn Nelson contributed to Patrick Martin. Lona Dallessandro also contributed $100 and was listed as Martin's campaign treasurer on the Schedule A of 2020's end of year campaign financing report.  Dallessandro is now running in City Council District 3 to replace retiring Jack Baloga. 

If Elkins, Martin, Carter and Nelson all support Martin, how do you suppose they will act  ending residential neighborhoods as we know them if Elkins' bill passes?  If Dallessandro wins her race and joins the Council, a majority of the council may be for actions like Elkins' Bill.  

The Federal 8th Circuit has declared a 2019 Bloomington law unconstitutional...and that could cost us a bunch of money.

Minnesota is in the  Federal 8th Circuit.  Appeals of any court decisions in Minnesota go to the 8th Circuit.  

In 2019, a group of citizens who objected to over-use of Smith Park, a public park owned by Bloomington, MN, began to collect evidence that the adjoining mosque, Dar al Farooq, dominated use of the park.  Part of the evidence was pictures of recess use of the park by students at Dar al Farooq's schools.  The City of Bloomington passed a city ordinance, Section 5.21(23) of the City Code, specifically because these pictures were taken.  The new city ordinance made taking pictures of children in city parks without their parent's consent a misdemeanor crime. 

The neighborhood group objected and filed suit under Federal Law 42 U.S. Code,  Section 1983, a civil rights law.  (See the original legal Complaint ). Sixteen journalistic organizations filed a joint friend-of-the-Court brief supporting the neighborhood association, but the Federal District Court in Minnesota threw the lawsuit out.   The neighborhood appealed.  Last week, the 8th Circuit overruled the District Court and declared the Bloomington law unconstitutional.

The lawsuit was fought by the American Freedom Law Center.  Constitutional lawyer Robert Muise argued the case.  You can find more legal details on their website CLICK HERE. 

The case is important to residents of Bloomington because our city council could have let us in for some hefty legal bills. As of press time, we do not know if the plaintiff plans to seek attorneys fees, but 42 USC 1983 allows a winning plaintiff to claim attorney's fees. Fees for an appeal by a lawyer of Muise's national standing could come to tens of thousands of dollars.  Under some circumstances, the law also allows the Plaintiff to ask the court to impose punitive damages to discourage the unconstitutional behavior.  There is no cap at all on potential punitive damages - the Federal law was originally passed to strongly discourage southern cities from discriminating against black citizens.

The Minnesota Secretary of State website shows that voters may cast their ballots through the mail or in-person as early as Friday, September 17. Technically, early voting begins 46 days ahead of Election Day, which would be September 18. However, that is a Saturday, when city halls are generally closed. So Secretary of State Simon has moved the first day of early voting up to Friday, September 17.

Candidates in local elections for City Council and School Board could use your help.

If you would like to help Bloomington Republicans get out campaign information, please contact Jim Bowen at (360) 927-8301 or [email protected]. Help is needed for stuffing and/or dropping lit bags, phone calling, and securing sign locations.

The city of Bloomington is launching a strategic planning process "Tomorrow. Together" and is seeking members of the community to participate in the planning teams.

It's important for Independents, Conservatives and Republicans to participate in groups such as these, to ensure that our viewpoints are heard and represented in plans.  Such teams also can help future candidates connect with activists in Bloomington, and increase awareness of city governance processes.

CLICK HERE to read more on the city website about the teams and available positions, and to apply.  Applications are due no later than September 30.

Although Sunday, August 8th started out damp and cloudy, the annual family picnic sponsored by the Republicans of Senate Districts 49 and 50 proved a great success.

More than 90 Republicans from across Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eden Prairie, Chanhassen, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Blaine, and Woodbury enjoyed some good food and great speeches.

Attendees were welcomed by the co-chairs of SD49 (Pam Tucholke and Joel Quinnell) and the co-chairs of SD50 (Kathy Kranz and Jim Lund).

For the first time, picnickers enjoyed special smoked BBQ by MJ Barbecue, thanks to the special smoking skills of Louis Dennard and his wife.  The BBQ pork and chicken was accompanied by our traditional roasted corn on the cob, complements of Tom Hulting and Ric Davies.

Thanks goes out to a number of the volunteers. The picnic organizer, Steve Curry, attributed the success to a team effort that included Lew & Sandra Coffey, Russ Burnison, Carol Kerr, Dennis Hogan, and Al Muerhoff. Special thanks to Sarah and Paul Patzloff for bringing a large cake and to Barb and Randy Sutter for the coleslaw

In addition to good food and fellowship, a number of candidates spoke for a few minutes about their campaigns. 

The Senate District 49 Newsletter has previously reported on new candidates who are running for the At-Large seat on the Bloomington City Council, Ric Oliva and Paul King.

David Clark has declared his candidacy for City Council in Bloomington’s Third District, which constitutes much of the northwest portion of the city.  You may find more information about his campaign at his website and on his campaign Facebook page.

Why is David Clark running? 

“I decided to run for Bloomington City Council after realizing our town is not safe, not responsive to residents and in need of lower taxes and less spending.

“My blend of real-world business experience and complete allegiance to residents (not outside interest groups) will help me to bring change to a city that is in the pocket of the Met Council and other interest groups. Enough!”

Click on link after the candidate's name for additional information.  Links to candidate information are provided by candidates.

Eden Prairie School Board Special Election (ISD 272) – Elect 1

Steven Bartz -- SteveBartz4EP.com
Albert Born -- not available
Michelle Mattison -- Michelle C. Mattison, MSW, RYT (mattisoncampaign.com)
Francesca Pagan-Umar -- Francesca4EP
Darryl Stanton -- Website is currently under construction Build a Free Website - Network Solutions (stanton4people.org)

Eden Prairie League of Women Voters Candidate Forums

Candidates for Eden Prairie School Board will have a chance to answer questions from voters in the Council Chambers. The LWV Minnetonka Eden Prairie Hopkins Chapter will accept questions on their website [email protected] starting September 1.  Attendees will also have a chance to submit questions on site before the forum starts. The meeting will be available for viewing afterwards via video on www.lwvmeph.org.

When
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
6 PM - 7:30 PM

Where
Eden Prairie City Hall
8080 Mitchell Rd
Council Chambers
Eden Prairie, MN  55344

The Minnesota Secretary of State website shows that voters may cast their ballots through the mail or in-person as early as Friday, September 17.  Technically, early voting begins 46 days ahead of Election Day, which would be September 18.  However, that is a Saturday, when city halls are generally closed.  So Secretary of State Simon has moved the first day of early voting up to Friday, September 17.

Several southwest Minneapolis metro cities are holding municipal and school board elections.  To see a listing of all of the candidates on the sample ballots, and also the dates/locations for League of Women Voters Candidate Forums,  click on the tab at the top of the page or from the list below for the specific city of interest.

Bloomington       Eden Prairie      Edina      Hopkins      Minnetonka 

CANDIDATE RECOMMENDATIONS

If you would like our recommendations to help with your ballot, please contact us HERE.

CAMPAIGN SUPPORT

Candidates in local elections for City Council and School Board could use your help.  The election is over within two months. Please consider contacting the candidates that you support and volunteer.  

OR

CLICK on this link and indicate to the SD49 volunteer coordinator the volunteer activities in which you would be interested.  With enough volunteers, we will be lit dropping, phone calling, and going out with the candidates to meet voters,

Key Dates: 

- Sep 17 - Early Voting - Vote by mail or in person Sep 17 -Nov 1
- Oct 12 - Register to Vote by October 12 to save time on Election Day
- Nov 2  - Election Day

Click on link after the candidate's name for additional information.  Links to candidate information are provided by candidates.

Hopkins Mayor

Jason Gadd – Mayor Jason Gadd for Hopkins, MN – Dedicated to a strong and vibrant Hopkins
Patrick Hanlon – Patrick Hanlon for Mayor - Hanlon For Hopkins
Samuel O Stiele -- stieleformayor.com

Hopkins City Council – Elect 2

Gerard Balan – BetterwithBalen.com[Gerard Balan for Hopkins City Council (betterwithbalan.com)]
Heidi Garrido –
Ben Goodlund --
Kristi Halverson --

Hopkins School Board (ISD 270) – Elect 3

Rachel Hartland -- (20+) Rachel Hartland - Candidate for Hopkins Schools Board | Facebook
David Larson – not available
Jason Ross – Elect Jason Ross to Hopkins School Board – Every scholar deserves a brilliant opportunity (jasondross.org)
Sarah Vaye – not available
Jen Westmoreland Bouchard – jenbouchard.org[Re-Elect Jen Westmoreland Bouchard to the Hopkins School Board (jenbouchard.org)]

Hopkins League of Women Voters Candidate Forums

Candidates for Hopkins School Board, City Council and Mayor will have a chance to answer questions from voters in the Council Chambers. School Board Candidates will talk 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM and Candidates for City Council and Mayor 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM. The LWV Minnetonka Eden Prairie Hopkins Chapter will accept questions on their website or via email at [email protected] starting September 1.  Attendees will also have a chance to submit questions on site before the forum starts. The meeting will be available for viewing afterwards via video on www.lwvmeph.org.

When
Monday, September 20, 2021
6 PM - 9:30 PM

Where
Hopkins City Council Chambers
1010 1st Street South
Hopkins, MN  55343