By Leah Shaffer

Last year’s contentious budgeting year at the State Capitol is likely to extend into another round as the legislative session starts up Feb. 4. Though a bonding bill will be at the top of the agenda, so will budget cuts.

The November economic forecast from Minnesota Management and Budget estimated a projected $1.2 billion shortfall for 2010-2011, and the February financial forecast is unlikely to get sunnier.
The common concern among all three EP Legislators was how to tackle the deficit.

Eden Prairie School District voters have elected Ranee Jacobus, Suzanne Kutina and Chuck Mueller, according to results posted on the district Web site a few minutes ago.

These results are not official until the School Board vote on Nov. 4, according to the information, at www.edenpr.org.

The following are the candidates and the number of votes they received:

Ranee Jacobus - 1,598 (winner)
Chuck Mueller - 1,566 (winner)
Suzanne Kutina - 1,365 (winner)
Rob Willey - 1,297
Tori Hill - 909
Mike Goergen - 833
Monica Opalinski - 764
Alan Rivers - 475
David DePaepe - 159

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3. Up for election this year are three seats on the Eden Prairie School Board.

Running for Eden Prairie School Board are David DePaepe, Mike Goergen, Tori Hill, Ranee Jacobus, Suzanne Kutina, Chuck Mueller, Monica Opalinski, Alan Rivers and Rob Willey. There are no incumbents in the race.

Running for three seats on the Minnetonka School Board are Erin Adams, Peg Keenan, Pam Langseth and Jim Patterson.

Four candidates have filed for three positions up for election Nov. 3 on the Minnetonka School Board. The candidates are Erin Adams, Peg Keenan, Pamela Langseth and Jim Patterson.

To find your polling location, go online at http://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/.

To view the candidates' Web sites, go online at:

www.electErinAdams.com

www.electpegkeenan.com

www.pamlangseth.com

www.patterson4schoolboard.com

The candidates recently responded to the following Q&A from the Chanhassen Villager:

Erin Adams

Age: 47

The following residents of Eden Prairie are running for three Eden Prairie District 272 School Board seats being vacated by Board Members Jan Eian, Jim Mortenson and Jill Scholtz. Election Day is Nov. 3. All nine candidates responded to Q&As that appear in this week’s issue: David DePaepe, Mike Goergen, Tori Hill, Ranee Jacobus, Suzanne Kutina, Chuck Mueller, Monica Opalinski, Alan Rivers and Rob Willey. For information on where to vote, visit http://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us.

David DePaepe
Age: 51
Address: 9173 Shetland Road

A strong slate of candidates is poised to fill the seats of outgoing board members Jan Eian, Jim Mortenson and Jill Scholtz, and these are big shoes to fill.

As in past years, all candidates met with members of our staff, and we considered what was said at the debate, in interviews, in answers to questionnaires and in campaign materials in making our endorsement decision. There is no set system or complicated grading process for endorsements. We discussed the candidates’ stand on issues, experience and involvement in the Eden Prairie School District.

The following residents of Eden Prairie are running for three Eden Prairie District 272 School Board seats being vacated by Board Members Jan Eian, Jim Mortenson and Jill Scholtz. Election Day is Nov. 3.

Click on the candidate's name to read their profile.

David DePaepe

Mike Goergen

By Leah Shaffer

Rob Willey first became interested in running for Eden Prairie School Board after attending a board meeting and connecting to a group of parents with concerns about looping at Oak Point. During his visits to board meetings, he heard some common themes and concerns. Willey, 42, who has children at Eden Lake, CMS and Oak Point, has narrowed the themes of his own campaign to four issues: focus, accountability, transparency and results.

By Karla Wennerstrom
Alan Rivers said dissatisfaction with some district decisions that seemed to have no foresight and no plan pushed him to run for School Board.

“It seems to be a somewhat common theme, that the foresight is either not being communicated, which could be, or is simply not there,” he said, on long-term planning. For example, he cited the decision to eliminate an atrium at Oak Point Intermediate School to make room for part of Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion School.

By Karla Wennerstrom

“I am a volunteer in every aspect,” said Monica Opalinski, owner of her own business, Pampered Paws.

With two children at Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion School, Opalinski has served as a PTO co-president and also attended meetings with the PTO presidents at the other schools.

“This is a big picture,” she said. “It’s not just about my children and my school and our little world.

“I want to be part of the solution,” Opalinski, 41, said.