One recent article caught our attention and has led to a 1000-word response from SouthWest Transit CEO Len Simich. The Star Tribune

recently looked at the issue of the differences of both subsidies and perception of quality between suburban bus services (specifically EP-based SouthWest Transit) and Metro Transit, which serves more city-dwellers.

Bidding opens Tuesday for the purchase of a historic barn in southern Eden Prairie. Hennepin County is looking to sell the Goodrich-Ramus Barn, 14150 Pioneer Trail. If no bid comes forward, the picturesque dairy barn that has long been a part of Eden Prairie’s farming history will be dismantled.

"Due to a security situation at the Hennepin County Government Center today, County Board committee meetings scheduled at 1:30 p.m. were postponed and then cancelled," according to a news release from Hennepin County.

"All business scheduled for those committee meetings will come before the board at the full County Board meeting Tuesday, Sept. 7."

For more information, visit www.hennepin.us.

The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is now accepting online applications from people who would like to volunteer for public safety duties at the Sheriff’s Office.

Volunteers are needed in the following areas: Water Patrol Unit, Mounted Patrol, Mobile Amateur Radio Corps and Emergency Squad Unit, according to a news release.

The Hennepin County Board is seeking applicants for two vacancies on the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District Board, due to expiration of terms of members Geoffrey Nash and Steve Kloiber. Both are seeking reappointment.

Congressman Erik Paulsen, R-Third District, will host a town hall meeting from 7-8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 2, at the Southview Middle School auditorium, 4725 Southview Lane, Edina.

"Paulsen will provide an update on recent legislation in Congress and share information on some of his other initiatives while taking questions and comments from constituents attending the forum," according to a news release.

The public is invited to meet Minnesota DFL gubernatorial candidate Margaret Anderson Kelliher and other political leaders at Glen Lake Golf and Eden Wood Center this Saturday, July 31. The golf, social and dinner event is hosted by Eden Prairie and Minnetonka Democrats. Reps. Maria Ruud (42A) and John Benson (43B), Sen. Terri Bonoff (43), and candidates Ray Daniels (District 42B) and Ron Case (Senate District 42) are among those slated to attend.

The Hennepin County Board, which usually meets on Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m., will meet Thursday, July 22, not Tuesday, July 20. The Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority also will meet on that day following the board meeting, according to a news release.

The regular board schedule will resume with committee meetings at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 27.

The board meets in the County Board Room on the 24th Floor of the Hennepin County Government Center at 300 S. Sixth St. in Minneapolis.

For more information, visit www.hennepin.us.

The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners is seeking applicants for a vacancy on the Riley-Purgatory-Bluff Creek Watershed District Board, due to the expiration of term of office July 31 of board member Michael Casanova, who is seeking reappointment.

The following candidates had filed to run for state and federal offices as of Wednesday morning. Filing closes June 1. Election Day is Nov. 2. For more general election information, visit www.sos.state.mn.us.

District 42A

Minnetonka resident Maria Ruud, a DFL-er who represents Eden Prairie and part of Minnetonka in District 42A, filed to run for re-election on May 19.