Flying Cloud Airport
Planes need
decibel limitation
During the recent air show at Flying Cloud Airport there were many WW II military planes that flew low over our house. Surprisingly, most of these did not sound as loud as the hundreds of small planes that fly overhead every day. The point is not that these high horsepower planes are super-quiet, but that the small planes can be super-loud. It seems incongruous that a car with a loud muffler can be ticketed for disturbing the peace but a small plane with a loud engine that flies over hundreds of homes has no such decibel limitation. Homeowners who live close to Flying Cloud wish that wasn’t the case.
Bob Cody
Eden Prairie

Questions value
of airport
MAC Chairman [Jack] Lanners said the “improvement project will make Flying Cloud an even more valuable regional asset.” And EP Chamber President [Pat] MulQueeny “touted regional economic benefits from the airport” and that is “why other chambers have supported this modernization plan and expansion.” So now we find out it has not just been Eden Prairie pushing for this expansion but for corporate executives from other communities so they don’t have to be inconvenienced by going to MSP to catch their flights at 5:30 a.m. or 11 p.m. And to top it off, our tax dollars are paying for the $11.2 million pork project to expand the second runway to 5,000 feet. Will someone please inform me what regional economic benefits will come from the airport expansion at the expense of we, the high taxpaying residents of Eden Prairie, who are having our lifestyles trashed by airport activity between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.?
Income [personal property tax] estimated to be generated in 2008 by Flying Cloud includes $90,638 to the city and $109,043 to the school district (these figures came from the city). This is a drop in the bucket compared to the income generated from the homes in the area.
Rick King, chair of the city’s Flying Cloud Airport Advisory Commission, said that out of the 2002 Final Agreement not to oppose the airport expansion, the city “received a number of concessions” namely: access to parkland and trails (are there trails on airport property?); ball fields (on which the city has used our tax dollars to make improvements) that should be provided gratis because Flying Cloud pays no taxes on the land; noise monitoring (this is done by citizens submitting noise complaints to MAC every day); voluntary curfews – no fly 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. And then he says, “the good news is both sides have kept their commitment.”
What a joke! Just this morning (Aug. 7) there were 10 departures between 5:46 a.m. and 6:46 a.m. Tuesday night there were four departures between 10:50 p.m. and 11:30 p.m. Every day there are departures or landings that violate the voluntary curfew and there is no penalty for anyone violating the curfew.
Why would we trust MAC to keep their word on anything? Such total disregard for the residents who live around the airport is inexcusable.
Caryl Hansen
Eden Prairie

Thank you
Thank you from
Lions, Lioness
We would like to give special thanks to everyone who joined us this year at the Eden Prairie Lion’s corn feed. We were thrilled to see the great support from community members, softball players, family and friends.
We would also like to thank the dedicated Lions and Lioness volunteers who made this event a huge success. Also, a special thanks to Rob Fletcher, Jake Baldwin and Cory Grindberg of the Rob Fletcher Trio who provided the wonderful musical entertainment.
Gregg Fletcher and Jo Van Remortel
Eden Prairie
Editor’s note: Fletcher and Van Remortel are the Corn Feed Lions Chair and Corn Feed Lioness Chair.

Election 2008
Supports Aho
I am writing to share a few thoughts, feelings and facts on my dad, Brad Aho, who is running as an incumbent for the City Council of Eden Prairie. My dad relocated our family to Eden Prairie when I was in second grade. He coached my hockey teams and ran the computer systems for my swim teams, supported me at Gustavus (all while running his own company) and finally got me well out of the house, as I am currently working for an investment bank in Singapore. My experience abroad has allowed me the opportunity to reflect, compare and appreciate his unique personality. I say ‘unique’ because the personal values that my dad lives by are often talked about, but rarely followed. I want to highlight what I believe are three of his strongest attributes:
* Integrity, as it is easily seen throughout his decision-making process which is thoughtful, diligent and responsible. I often find myself looking to his example when negotiating deals or advising clients.
* My dad is an effective team player because he understands and utilizes the strengths of those around him, which has a powerful synergetic effect. Tomorrow’s leaders need to look at problems from different perspectives and execute with conviction.
* Lastly, his commitment to his values, family and community must not be overlooked. My dad is a community leader with an undeniable track record of honesty, hard work and results. This is something that cannot be forged and should be expected from every constituent.
I have witnessed and worked with a variety of leaders and politicians, which is why I have truly come to appreciate the rare qualities and attributes my dad embodies. I wish you could all see him as I do: a solid oak tree, always listening to the winds that blow and flexible to adapt as necessary, but with roots that remain steadfast in principle and the belief that we can each make a difference.
I believe one would be hard pressed to find someone close to him who disagrees.
It’s an easy vote.
Austin Aho
Singapore

Supports Case
Count me as a voter who is very glad to see Ron Case running for Eden Prairie City Council.
Throughout all of his 29 years as a resident, and especially his prior 12 years on the City Council, there is no other person who studies the issues that come before our fair city with such detail and depth. This is true as a private citizen as well as when in a more formal role, such as a member of a committee or board.
Ron uses this knowledge and experience and leads the way with his optimistic Midwest ability to seek cooperation among competing interests to provide a high quality of life for all of us, and our future households and businesses.
Understanding the budget process and the challenges going forward for efficient and accountable government is where our citizens will find him having an immediate effect. He has always examined problems from many angles with an eye on the long-range impact of city decisions. This tends to limit the “Law of Unintended Consequences” that so often happens with partisan political and special interest spending. He is for all of Eden Prairie and respects the financial needs of households and businesses. We need his common sense approach to the business side of our city government – the budget.
I am an 18-year resident, married with two children who grew up here, and have certainly seen the growth of our city as it nearly tripled in size. Ron Case was instrumental in establishing the high quality of life for this southwestern suburb. We need him back to use his voice and vote to work for all of us.
“Bring Ron Back” to the Eden Prairie City Council. Ron Case is the best candidate for Eden Prairie on the ballot in November.
Tim Beutell
Eden Prairie
Supports Aho
I am writing to support the reelection of Brad Aho for Eden Prairie City Council. I have greatly appreciated the many contributions Brad has made to the city and strongly feel his continued presence on the City Council will provide further great benefit to Eden Prairie.
Brad was a member of the I-494 Corridor Commission and helped push to expand 494 and construct 312, which has greatly eased the traffic problems in the city. He is actively working to fix the I-494/Highway 169 interchange, which is another heavily congested traffic area. Further, Brad is a member of the Southwest Metro Transit Policy Advisory Committee to plan the light rail route through EP. All of these efforts make our community a better place in which to live and work.
Under Brad’s leadership, the City Council opened the always controversial budget process to residents of the city by creating the Budget Advisory Commission. This commission involves Eden Prairie residents in reviewing city budgets and capital spending. Brad is a great advocate of involvement of residents in the work of city government.
My husband and I use the park system in Eden Prairie frequently, as do our friends and neighbors. Brad has been a strong proponent of parks and trails and actively worked to see Round Lake cleaned up and re-opened to the public. The park system in our area is envied by many other communities.
Brad has a long record of volunteerism and has been active in Eden Prairie for many years. He has lived here for almost 20 years and has raised his family in the community. He knows this city, and his heart is in continuing to make EP the best place to live.
Please join me in supporting incumbent Brad Aho for another successful term on the Eden Prairie City Council. With Brad involved, our community will continue to prosper and grow.
Julie Albrecht
Eden Prairie

Supports Paulsen
I am very pleased that Third District Congressional candidate Erik Paulsen has unveiled a well-reasoned and comprehensive energy policy that is a healthy blend of existing and developing technologies and public and private sector initiatives. Most importantly, I'm glad that Paulsen recognizes that America's current energy woes are both a sweeping and critical problem requiring urgent short-term action and a pragmatic long-term solution.
For many months, the price of energy has hamstrung nearly every facet of this nation, from its security interests and financial markets to the vacation patterns and thermostat settings of individual families. Decisive action is long past due and I find it unconscionable that Congress has thus far managed only to bicker and duck the issue, evidently hoping it will solve itself. Paulsen has my vote for prioritizing and acting upon this vital concern shared by both Minnesota and the nation.
Jared Jordal
Minnetonka

Supports Madia
Haven’t you had enough of politicians in big oil’s back pockets?
Erik Paulsen, who is running for Congress, plays both sides of the energy debate. His Web site claims support for solar, wind and renewables, and says “We can jump-start an entirely new job-creating industry of green innovation and technology for the future.”
Yet a mere four months ago, Paulsen voted against Minnesota’s participation in a regional greenhouse gas reduction program. He has opposed requiring 20 percent of the state’s energy be produced from renewable sources by 2020, and voted against requiring renewable energy as part of the electricity utilities sell.
Paulsen has a legislative record the exact opposite of what he wishes his image to be. Paulsen consistently sided with big oil to oppose tough measures to fight global warming and promote energy self-sufficiency. Paulsen is in the hip pocket of special interests including big oil, even accepting PAC money from Exxon Mobil and the Petroleum Marketers Association of America. Paulsen refuses to endorse Madia’s position to remove corporate tax breaks for big oil, and his plan is filled with empty promises that, if all applied, would only put our country into deeper deficit.
Ashwin Madia a former Marine Corps Captain and an Iraqi War veteran, does not accept corporate PAC money. Madia’s fiscally responsible plan is a comprehensive energy program that includes environmentally responsible drilling, research and development into renewable energy and embracing technologies that will help reduce our energy consumption.
Consider actions vs. words before you vote for your Congressional representative. Paulsen doesn’t walk the walk. We don’t need another typical politician, vote for the true patriot.
Cheryl Larson
Eden Prairie

Supports
Jenifer Loon
As a small business owner in Eden Prairie, I'd like to add my name to the many others who have written in support of Jenifer Loon to be our next representative to the Minnesota House.
Like her opponent, I am an engineer. In my analysis of the two candidates, It is clear which one will fight for me, as a taxpayer and a job creator in our community. Jenifer Loon has spent her entire career working for common sense policies that will help small businesses succeed. She knows that lower taxes, streamlined paperwork requirements and fewer burdensome regulations are the key.
I took the risk of starting a small business, and through the hard work and sacrifice of my entire family, we are able to support ourselves, and provide jobs for eight others. Jenifer understands that government does not create prosperity – private enterprise does, providing the good paying jobs we need. That’s why I will be voting for a true small business advocate and taxpayer watchdog to represent me in St. Paul. Please join me in supporting Jenifer Loon as our next state representative.
Thomas Schwieters
Eden Prairie