Stadium debates set the stage for county board campaigns

08/01/2006

Paul Levy, Star Tribune
Last update: July 31, 2006 – 11:17 PM

In Hennepin County, the only commissioner running unopposed for reelection is the one who opposed a new Twins stadium.

In Anoka County, candidate Janelle Kirkeide, who opposes a Vikings stadium in Blaine, said bluntly: “The stadium issue is the reason I filed.”

After the Legislature approved stadiums for the Minnesota Twins and the University of Minnesota football team this spring and set the stage for a third—a new stadium in Blaine for the Minnesota Vikings—to be considered next year, the fallout is affecting county commissioner races in Hennepin and Anoka counties this fall.

In Hennepin County, site of the new Twins ballpark, challengers to commissioners’ seats have blasted incumbents who did not push for a referendum on a 0.15 percent sales-tax increase that will help fund the $522 million stadium project.

Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman, who challenged building an open-air Twins stadium in downtown Minneapolis, is unopposed. Commissioners Mike Opat, Mark Stenglein and Peter McLaughlin—who voted for the ballpark—have opponents for reelection.

While Stenglein and McLaughlin downplayed the ballpark’s role in influencing people to run against them, Stenglein’s opponent, Gregory Gray, disagreed.

“The stadium has hijacked the attention of a lot of constituents,” Gray said. “I would venture to say that everybody who’s running against one of the three [other incumbents] is against the stadium.”

In Anoka County, the stadium stakes may be higher. Four board seats held by commissioners who approved the Vikings stadium plan are up for grabs. The county offered to help fund the stadium through a 0.75 percent sales-tax increase. A change in commissioners could affect the county’s willingness to work with the team.

One change is certain: Board Chairwoman Margaret Langfeld, a staunch supporter of the stadium, will not return to the board. She’s retiring. Commissioner races around the county are crowded with stadium foes—including Rosella Sonsteby of Andover. The strong candidacy of Kirkeide, in another district, led two other stadium opponents to drop out and rally around her. “People are angry about being denied the right to vote on the issue,” she said.

Here’s how county commissioner elections are shaping up around the metro area:

Scott County

In recent years, the Scott County Board has been a low-key, collegial bunch, with members united to improve roads and prepare for growth.

But while Board Chairman Jon Ulrich of Savage finds himself without a challenger for a second consecutive election, two other incumbents—Jerry Hennen of Shakopee and Joe Wagner of Jordan—face four other candidates each heading to the Sept. 12 primary.

Among Hennen’s challengers is Jerry Poole, a former Shakopee deputy police chief whom Hennen defeated four years ago. One of Wagner’s competitors is Ralph Malz, a former County Board member whom Wagner turned out of office in 1998 and defeated again in 2002.

Todd Anderson, a Shakopee school board member who also is challenging Hennen, said that it is time for the laid-back board to be more proactive when it comes to such issues as growth: “Let’s get out [and talk with people] rather than wait—and get stuck.”

ANTHONY LONETREE
Carver County

Divisive is the word often used to describe the dealings of the Carver County Board, and while some say tensions have cooled of late, issues involving taxation and suburban vs. rural interests can cause friction.

Seven candidates, including incumbent Gary Delaney of Victoria, will vie Sept. 12 for the chance to represent the Chaska, Carver and Victoria areas.

Challengers include former Board Member John Siegfried of Chaska, whom Delaney defeated by just 63 votes in 2002. Siegfried says the current board is too conservative and prone to attack.

Also on the Third District slate are Paul Andrescik, a former Carver City Council member; Randy Maluchnik, a Chaska City Council member, and Greg Boe, a Chaska Planning Commission member who has worked on community development issues as a Scott County employee.

In the Fifth District, Board Chairman James Ische of Norwood Young America will face three challengers, including Fern Lindemeier, a former teacher and veteran letter-to-the-editor writer.

ANTHONY LONETREE
Washington County

Two-term commissioner and Board Chairman Bill Pulkrabek will face a challenger: Sandra Cullen. Pulkrabek represents District 2, which includes Oakdale, Landfall, Lake Elmo and a small portion of Woodbury. Cullen is a civil engineer who is transportation manager for Washington County, where she has worked for 10 years. She also has professional experience in the private sector.

In District 5, Greg Orth and Shawn Peterson are competing for the seat being vacated by Commissioner Dick Stafford, who will retire when his term expires in December. District 5 includes Woodbury.

Orth was Woodbury’s police chief for 26 years. Peterson, of Woodbury, has worked for the Minnesota House of Representatives for nearly 13 years.

KEVIN GILES
Ramsey County

All board members representing the four districts that encompass the city of St. Paul face election this fall, but two will be returned without opposition.

Janice Rettman, a former City Council member who has represented District 3 since 1997, and Toni Carter, the former school board member elected from District 4, in 2005, drew no challengers.

In District 5, former Board Chairman Rafael Ortega, who was first elected in 1994, faces a primary challenge from Dan Galles, a St. Paul business owner and former Metropolitan Council member. Charles Barklind, who finished a distant third in the 2002 primary, will also be on the ballot.

Incumbent Jim McDonough and challenger Will Waterkamp will advance to the Nov. 7 general election in District 6.

JEFFREY W. PETERS
Dakota County

It’s a typical year in Dakota County politics: Most of the commissioners up for reelection aren’t even being challenged. But the one incumbent who did draw an opponent, has a history of tough contests.

Nancy Schouweiler of Inver Grove Heights will face challenger Diane Anderson of Eagan. Anderson said a major challenge facing the county will be keeping taxes low as poverty rises and demand for human services increases.

In at least one way, Dakota’s electoral slate differs from that of other counties and may help explain why one person isn’t challenged: in a sports-minded county, incumbents include Vikings football legend Paul Krause.