Other topics
Thank you
to community
Thank you to the community of Eden Prairie and the Eden Prairie Police Department! Tuesday, Aug. 5, was National Night Out and PROP Food Shelf was the recipient of great generosity! PROP received almost 8,000 pounds of food.
The timing couldn’t have been better as the shelves were becoming empty and the need for food increasing. This effort clearly shows me that Eden Prairie is a community of support from neighbor to neighbor. Thank you all for making a difference in the lives of those who struggle to feed their families.
Anne E. Harnack
PROP executive director
City government
FILE PHOTO
The Smith-Douglas-More house on Eden Prairie Road.

Support local
coffee house
The historical culture and small town feel of Eden Prairie is being diminished by ever-expanding development. As Eden Prairie rapidly develops, there is always one place that we can go to feel a sense of community. This special establishment is Dunn Bros Coffee managed and operated by local resident Ann Schuster in the historical Smith-Douglas-More house, and unfortunately we are once again at risk of losing Eden Prairie’s only accessible tie to its past.
The city will be discussing the renewal of its lease with Dunn Bros Coffee in the next few months, and it is imperative that Eden Prairie residents take a stand not only to preserve a bit of its history but also to save a constantly growing sense of community that stems from this establishment. Dunn Bros provides a setting that makes our big city feel a lot smaller. The possibility of the building being sold and closed to the public is very disappointing. The selling price the city is proposing would not be worth losing all t he benefits this business and landmark provides for the city and its residents.
As a business meeting place, Dunn Bros offers a comfortable setting with work accommodations including wireless Internet and spacious meeting rooms. On any given day you can find youth sports groups going over agendas, entrepreneurs checking their e-mail, and young and old professionals alike meeting clients for a relaxing cup of coffee.
As a center of local arts, Ann provides a platform for performers and artists of all types to express themselves. Local musicians are welcome to perform often for friends, family and customers. Looking around this historical house, you can also find displays of art ranging from paintings to photographs to pieces of advertisements that have been created by local artists, including students.
Speaking of students, the house provides a lot for the youth of this city. Study groups from two to 20 meet at the house during the school year, and in the summer it is used as a safe environment for teens to hang out. On top of that, the owner employs many high school students and provides a great work environment.
Dunn Bros bridges the gap between our past and our current identity as a city. It adds character and personality to our city as we grow. Speaking on behalf of all who work, perform, gather, study and enjoy themselves at Dunn Bros Coffee in the historic Smith-Douglas-More house, we ask for your support in preserving this unique site.
Colin Peters, Sam Buck and Claire Lukens
Eden Prairie

Election 2008
Supports
Sherry Butcher
As a resident of Eden Prairie for over 20 years, I am writing to support the re-election of Sherry Butcher to the Eden Prairie City Council. As a council member for the past 12 years her contributions to Eden Prairie have helped mold this community to be one of the best cities to live in the nation.
Her continued vision to improve our city services, expand our open space and protect our prairie heritage is the leadership Eden Prairie needs over the next four years. Our local government needs to listen to the community while being fiscally smart. Sherry’s service for the last 12 years states just that. I hope you will join me at election time and re-elect Sherry Butcher to the Eden Prairie City Council.
Vicky Miller
Eden Prairie

Supports
Brad Aho
I am writing in support of re-electing Brad Aho for Eden Prairie City Council. As a business founder and owner, Brad understands what it takes to manage budgets while staying focused on service to its clients (EP residents).
His engineering background enables him to see issues from a perspective different than other council members and allows him to fully understand complexities that are presented. His community service choices such as church board member and treasurer demonstrate his commitment to faith in his life and our community. His professional demeanor is a very stabilizing force which has dramatically reduced polarization on the council.
For these reasons and many more, please vote to re-elect Brad Aho.
Paul Gallenberger
Eden Prairie

Supports
Butcher
What brought you to Eden Prairie? Your answer might elaborate on the jobs, the homes, the businesses, the schools or the parks. Each of us had a reason why we first chose this city.
What has kept you in Eden Prairie? Perhaps it is the same reason. Or perhaps it is a combination of factors that can best be summarized as “the exceptional quality of life.”
My family and I have lived in this first-class city for 18 years. For 12 of those years, Sherry Butcher has been on the City Council, making the decisions that have created the Eden Prairie that we value today.
I want to keep Sherry on the City Council. I respect the role that she has played in the past and the responsibility with which she addresses the future. I trust her to serve with integrity, intelligence, passion and vision.
I plan to vote for Sherry Butcher on Nov. 4. It is my sincere hope that you will do the same.
Ann Haines
Eden Prairie
Editor’s note: Haines is Sherry Butcher’s campaign treasurer.

It’s campaign
season
Surprise! Campaign season is here. The signs are everywhere.
I recently attended an event in Bloomington. Jim Klobuchar, Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s father, introduced Ashwin Madia – Third Congressional candidate for Jim Ramstad’s seat. They were both wonderful speakers and reminded the group of how fortunate we are to live in this beautiful country. Of course, they stressed how each of us must participate in the political process to preserve that good fortune for future generations.
Some people say that politics is just a hobby – something for old ladies in tennis shoes to do. Well, a hobby in my estimation is doing something recreational – a lighthearted pastime. Gardening, golf, reading, dancing – those are hobbies. Attending town hall meetings, going to debates, discussing our economy, energy independence and such could be … nope, not hobbies. So why am I doing these things? I blame it on my parents, my husband, my daughter, co-workers, neighbors … and you, the readers. Really, I’m doing it for you.
It comes from caring. As a young child, I whined to my mother that she wasn’t paying enough attention to me and asked why she had so many children. (Hey, I was competing with seven siblings!) She was a modern Solomon. Her response expressed such wisdom – “Who would you have me give up?” Despite our childhood squabbles, I knew an answer was impossible.
It comes from curiosity. Having said seven siblings, there was puffing, teasing and downright story telling for the gullible. Learning to distinguish fact from fiction was a constant lesson when listening to those guys. In turn, learning to navigate to the source of the story and to find the truth has been one valuable lesson.
Finally, it comes from a sense of community. Realizing there were expectations, since my mother wouldn’t give up any of us, I channeled the whining into growing up with a crowd. My parents’ insistence in the necessity and advantages of a strong education guided us to become independent and responsible. Their example molded my absolute belief that the best way to attain security in the worldwide community is by supporting education and the opportunities it brings.
When people say they don’t know who to vote for because they don’t know about the candidates, these three characteristics rattle my “old lady” bones. Please care about the issues and discuss them with the candidates. As our future representatives, their messages must reflect and respect our opinions. Be curious about all of the candidates and learn from sources other than commercials and bumper stickers. Finally, let’s give up absolute reliance on historical party preference. The parties have changed. It’s a great time to exercise the skills our parents taught us – care, be curious, and preserve the good fortune we’ve enjoyed as part of the American community.
We have serious choices to make in this election. Hobby? No. Responsibility – yes! Drat, I’d rather be golfing.
Marylu Belisle
Eden Prairie

Supports Loon,
Paulsen, McCain
To all my fellow voters of Eden Prairie, a message – change is a much needed situation in our state House and our nation’s House, the election of a representative to the Third Congressional seat is of utmost importance. Erik Paulsen is very well equipped to push for and make the changes necessary – family values – understanding of what needs to be implemented – 14years of service to the people’s need – in our state House of Representatives.
Vote Erik to our Third Congressional District seat.
To all my fellow voters again of Eden Prairie, I would extend again my recommendation for the voters again to cast a yes ballot for the House seat being vacated by Erik for a very well equipped replacement. She has 12 years of service in the seat of national government on Congress, so she knows full well what changes are needed. She is family oriented. Please join me in voting for Jenifer Loon for House seat 42B.
They both will work to make sound change occur for the benefit of the citizen and future generation, our kids.
For the presidency of our nation a gentleman of outstanding quality who fully knows what it means to give fully of service to his country. I believe there are few who would have survived his ordeal. Thank you, John McCain. I must proudly cast my vote for your presidency. God bless you. God bless America. Let’s have a very resounding vote for our great nation.
Jerry LaBarre
Eden Prairie

Pitzrick supports
renewables
In the next few years, our state will need to make many decisions that will impact our ability to achieve the goal of being a national leader in developing renewable energy resources. These decisions must be driven by scientific, engineering and economic data, not political posturing.
In the past, we didn’t fully consider the broad range of economic and environmental issues impacted by increased ethanol production. But now new forms of ethanol are being developed. Three weeks ago, I was working with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado. One of their research projects is using corn stover (stalks and cobs) to produce ethanol for less than $2 per gallon by 2012. But before we decide to embrace this new development, we need to fully understand how much energy is required to gather and process the stover; how much water is used in production; how waste will be disposed of or reused; and if localized small scale or large scale production is most efficient, among other things. In other words, science, not politics.
We have made good progress in developing wind energy. This could be improved by more effective leadership in the coordination of new transmission line construction with wind generator construction. Right now, in many places, it takes longer to get wind energy to market than it takes to develop new energy.
According to a study by the National Renewable Energy Lab, the Minneapolis area has the potential for more roof top photovoltaic energy production than Houston, New York City or Chicago. This potential, together with new research leading to greater panel efficiency and lower costs, makes this a viable technology to support.
Signet Solar is a U.S.-based company that will produce thin-film photovoltaic modules. And they have chosen to locate their first manufacturing plan in Germany. Why? Germany passed legislation in 2000 that set the stage for their long-term commitment to the development and installation of new, solar energy systems. As a result, Germany has achieved a 56 percent market share of the world’s solar energy technology. They have met the challenges of developing new solar energy technologies and turned them into concrete economic success.
In Minnesota, we can achieve similar economic success if we embrace a decision-making process based on scientific facts, engineering data and economic analysis with a vision for the future.
Jerry Pitzrick
Eden Prairie
Editor’s note: Pitzrick is a DFL candidate for state representative in House District 42B.

Supports Pitzrick,
Madia
I have read several letters requiring response. In “A list of grievances” the writer claims “liberalism” is the greatest concern facing people today. Wars, failing economy, health care and energy are the fault of liberals says the writer. The war was started by this conservative administration. The effects on the economy are not liberal hogwash. My paycuts and lost quality of life are the result of corporate greed, something this administration supports.
Global warming is also mentioned. I agree Mother Nature has mood swings, but to discount billions of people having an effect on environment is naive and not the attitude I want from my politicians. As for oil, we could drill on every acre, but that won’t help bring the price of gasoline down. Unless oil companies use their gross profits for refinery capacity, it won’t matter how many wells we have drilled. The product will not be usable at the pumps. There’s not been an increase in refinery capacity in over 30 years. Ask the oil companies why not!?
As to who is qualified to run for office, I will gladly take a chance on new voices and ideas from candidates like Jerry Pitzrick and Ashwin Madia. Experience is not a requirement. The present rut of party politics begs for new ideas, so that what is best for the country and community is the deciding factor when we go to vote.
Jerry Pitzrick is an engineer and small business owner who knows how to solve problems. He knows how to break down issues and craft solutions. With the Planning Commission, he has great insight into our community and where we are headed. Jerry has a strong sense of what is best for Eden Prairie and a voice you can trust. His opponent’s career as a Washington lobbyist advocating for debt collection agencies does not make me trust that she would have our welfare at heart. Jerry, on the other hand, makes a living creating ways for people and companies to work together for the benefit of all. I’ve known Jerry for years. He is a man of his word.
Ashwin Madia is a breath of fresh air. He understands where we live and what we need to make our lives better. He is not a career politician like his opponent; he is a patriot who served as a Marine in Iraq. Coming from an immigrant family gives him an understanding of this country’s values, and in Congress he can work to ensure that those values are preserved for all of us. Given this administration’s abysmal record of military and veteran benefits, Ashwin will work tirelessly to ensure our troops are respected and taken care of. As a Navy veteran myself, I trust U.S.M.C. veteran Ashwin Madia.
It is obvious that drastic change is needed. New voices are the quickest way to break the deadlock of party politics. I would like to see people in office who care about their constituents. For that, I will be voting for change.
Jerry Bryndal
Eden Prairie