A suggestion
on recycling
In last week’s letters to the editor, Leslie Fuller wondered why the city of Eden Prairie doesn’t provide recycling bins in our city parks. Although I can’t provide the real answer to this question, I have a hunch that the blame is being aimed in the wrong direction. We used to have the opportunity to recycle cans and bottles in our city parks. Whether due to ignorance, laziness, or obstinance, compliance was horrible.
Although clearly marked, and often sitting right next to a trash bin, recycling bins would be just as full of garbage as the non-recycling containers. Another example: At my workplace of roughly 70 employees, there is a blue recycling container with a circular hole in the lid, adjacent to the trash can. It is specifically labeled, “aluminum beverage cans only.” Someone has even attached a plastic beverage bottle to the side of the hole in the lid, with the universal red slash, meaning “no,” yet people continue to throw in plastic bottles, steel soup cans, leftover food from lunch and other trash. In addition, aluminum beverage cans are routinely thrown into paper-only recycling bins. Having been a conscientious recycler for 30 years, I do not understand why people cannot put forth the small effort it takes to recycle properly. Collectively we could make a significant difference in our communities and our world.
Ann Berne-Rannow
Eden Prairie

A sad day
for Eden Prairie
The proposed siting of storm water drainage ponds on the former Sjostrand property illustrates the confusing state of affairs in local Eden Prairie government today. First, let me be clear about something. During my last few months on the City Council back in ’06, the preliminary approved Pioneer Trail Road expansion layout placed the drainage ponds to the west of the Sjostrand property on city park land. So, the proposal to initiate a quick-take, condemnation process to grab the Sjostrand land, demolish his buildings and construct ponds was made in the early days of 2007 by the new City Council.
What is frustratingly obvious is that we, the people of Eden Prairie, had tax revenue coming off that property. We had an owner who was painstakingly caring for the buildings. We had a piece of Eden Prairie history, arguably one of the finest vintage barns in the western suburbs, being preserved in private hands. Now the council is scrambling to defend why the environmental review never identified the barn as a possible National Historic Register site, why the plans changed to move the ponds off public land and onto private property, and why other less intrusive storm water collection concepts were never considered (such as rain water gardens).
Whatever happens now will not replace the tax generating, privately funded preservation we had. Either the barn will be torn down and we the public will get ponds in its place or the barn will survive and we the public will pay for its continued upkeep. (The barn would make an incredible venue for community theatre, concerts and public recreational opportunities.) But to have acquired this property over the objections of its owner and as a consequence to lose one of Eden Prairie’s last hobby farms for some ponds that could have gone about anywhere is truly a sad day for Eden Prairie.
Ron Case
Eden Prairie

Election 2008
Supports
Jenifer Loon
Energy consumption and supply is an important national and local issue. Jenifer Loon, the Republican candidate for representative of District 42B, believes in creating marketable energy solutions that will benefit all Minnesotans. Recently, she proposed a plan to sponsor small businesses to look at available research and develop innovative energy technologies, which would invigorate the local business environment statewide and attract new business to the state as well.
By electing Jenifer Loon as representative for District 42B, we can ensure that a reasonable and responsible energy plan will be a part of Minnesota’s future.
Deborah Sershon
Eden Prairie

A list
of grievances
I proudly fly the flag of the United States of America year round. First to show my pride in the freedom I am allowed through effort and work, also for many personal and private reasons of remembrance. And I thank the good lord for the right to do so.
I shall embark upon a list of grievances that I feel are leading this great nation of ours down a horrific path we must reverse, through the exercise of our right to vote.
Liberalism is and should be our greatest concern, the constant bad-mouthing of industry and assorted businesses, and supposedly its deplorable greed – hogwash. Crooks and rip-off artists come in all sizes and shapes. The fore-mentioned is what supplied the foundation for the growth of our nation with all types of jobs, through entrepreneurship not greed.
It is now being torn asunder by out-of-control spending by the liberal-minded politician – for things we could really do without, especially in these trying times – by promising to do this for you, for your vote, a very sick situation primarily for total control of political power for a variety of reasons, which would have very little benefit to the average citizen. The end result? Higher taxes.
Global warming, the highly touted piece of baloney; rail systems to nowhere primarily supported by the taxpayer. Global warming is and always has been in the hands of Mother Nature for eons upon eons of time.
The people have been put in a terrible situation by the absolute foolishness of so many of these. Its correction is needed now, 2008, November, the national election.
We have an ample if not overabundant supply of oil offshore, in our nation, and yes ANWR our national wildlife refuge and it will not disrupt the wildlife. This should have been going on for 20 years. We could have forestalled what is taking place now (out of control gas prices). Yes change is needed now and with the casting of your vote in 2008 it will occur.
The number of businesses that have left the country, the jobs lost can all be laid upon the liberal spending that has put an unbearable assessment upon the backs of taxpayers.
Governor, do the people of Hennepin County a favor put the Twins stadium on the ballot and allow the voter the right which is theirs to take it off our property tax bill, and let the owners and players pay for that grand and glorious pile of junk. The same goes for the Vikings and their so grand and glorious stadium. Nuff said.
Jerry LaBarre
Eden Prairie

Listen and think
Eden Prairie
There have been a couple of letters in the paper recently about the “wonderful” slate of candidates that the Democrats are choosing for the upcoming election.
Let’s consider some of the people they have passed over. A few months ago, there were several vying for the presidential nomination. Beside the two who have been embroiled in the campaign dogfight, there was Joe Biden who was first elected to the Senate from Delaware in 1973, 35 years ago. Christopher Dodd from Connecticut elected to the Senate in 1981, 26 years ago. Bill Richardson served in congress for 14 years, served for a year as UN Ambassador, three years as energy secretary, and has been governor of New Mexico for five years. Evan Bayh served two terms as governor of Indiana and has been in the senate for nine years – experience, experience, experience!
And who do the Democrats pick as their bright star?
Barack Obama, whose vast resume includes community organizer (whatever that is). This man, who was more known for voting “present” than for standing on his newly discovered high morals, didn’t even complete his first term in the Illinois State Senate before attempting to run for the U.S. House in 2000. He makes it to Washington less than four years ago and, as one reporter has stated, has spent only about 14 months of real time in the U.S. Senate. What a phony!
As for this Ashwin Madia, running for congress – who’s he? As a young bachelor, he has no understanding of a family budget, family healthcare costs or college expenses. In a campaign year demanding change, I’d caution voters to look at exactly who can best represent our needs in Washington – a single guy who moved back into the district to run or a family man like Erik Paulsen who has served Eden Prairie so well in St. Paul for 14 years.
As for the comedian whose “jokes” have turned out to be not so funny after all; whose plummeting ratings forced him off the air and who is probably brushing up on how to spell the words s-e-n-a-t-e and W-a-s-h-i-n-g-t-o-n. Well that background speaks for itself. I’ll take a seasoned record like Norm Coleman’s any day.
At a time in our country when there are very serious issues involving our economy and our national security – I know that the wise voters of Eden Prairie will take a look at substance, experience and character in November and not be caught up in the modern-day media fawning over fluff and image.
Fred Koppelman
Eden Prairie

Other topics
Responds to
column
In the July 3, 2008, edition of the Eden Prairie News, Rev. Timothy Johnson addressed many of the concerns held by traditionally minded people regarding gay marriage in the United States. His strongest argument against allowing gay people to enter into marriage is a citation from Genesis. He concludes, “... traditional biblical standards regarding marriage are not some ancient throw back to a previous age ... they really are the dynamic, vital prescriptions for a healthy future, securing the best possible preparation of the emerging generations.”
Setting aside the fact that many young people today are well brought up in homes that don’t fit Rev. Johnson’s narrow ideal of the nuclear family, he crucially ignores the fact that the Christian church does not hold a monopoly on marriage in the United States. A couple in the state of Minnesota cannot legally go to his church, hold a ceremony and be considered married in the eyes of the state. In order to be legally married, a couple must first receive a license from a local government office, and only afterwards may they solemnize their vows through a Christian ceremony. The couple might choose instead to take vows through a non-Christian church, or simply through a justice of the peace or other public servant.
Rev. Johnson’s arguments that the “institution of marriage must be protected and strengthened” only apply to the institution of Christian marriage. If he and other Christian leaders choose to deny gay couples the opportunity to hold marriage ceremonies under their auspices, that is their right, as private religious organizations. For those who value equal rights under the public institutions that govern us all, Rev. Johnson’s biblically based conclusions are irrelevant.
Cynthia Schaufenbuel
Eden Prairie

Future world
of hydrogen
The year is 2025. Outside the Twin Cities, large petroleum-shaped storage tanks have the word “hydrogen” stenciled across the sides. Electrolysis is turning water into hydrogen. A plant across the street is changing renewable hydrogen into anhydrous ammonia.
All across Minnesota, tractors are powered by hydrogen. School children ride buses powered by hydrogen engines.
Annual farm incomes have become much more stable. Energy has become a major Minnesota farm crop adding hundreds of millions of dollars to farm income. Prosperity and jobs are being restored to rural Minnesota.
The Twin Cities have benefited. Metropolitan households have a reliable source of renewable energy. Electrolysis has been creating hydrogen all winter. Fuel cells are now generating electricity for the city’s air conditioners.
Times are especially exciting for Southwestern Metro commuters traveling to Minneapolis and St. Paul. These commuters make stress-free trips to their job while saving thousands of gallons of expensive gasoline. They are riding the light rail. The train’s electric motors are powered by fuel cells using hydrogen.
For over a hundred years, our unsustainable economy has been powered by fossil fuels that pollute the water and air with mercury and carbon dioxide.
America’s goal is to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. We cannot take the easy path which will lead to known catastrophic consequences. We must choose the more difficult road that leads to sustainable economic prosperity.
A renewable energy economy based on hydrogen is an economy that we can pass on to future generations.
Ran Daniels
Eden Prairie
Editor’s note: Daniels is executive director of the Hydrogen Fuel Society of Minnesota.

Explore Three
Rivers parks
If you’re finding that high gas prices are limiting your travel and recreation budget this summer, I’d like to invite you to check out what we have to offer at Three Rivers Park District. Do you like to camp but aren’t sure about trekking to northern Minnesota? We have camping opportunities for every skill level – from cabin camping at Baker Near-Wilderness Settlement to family camps at Carver Park Reserve to hike-in camp sites at Cleary Lake Regional Park.
Many families are discovering that great camping opportunities are available close to home. Our reservations office reports the number of reservations for all campgrounds has increased since 2007, with the Lake Auburn Campground at Carver showing a 19 percent spike over last year.
Three Rivers offers countless opportunities in our 21 parks in five counties for recreation in any season of the year. We have numerous lakes where you can launch your boat or cast a line. The Park District operates upland swim ponds at Elm Creek Park Reserve and Lake Minnetonka Regional Park that feature filtered and chlorinated water, and we also have beaches on many of the lakes in our park system. Our parks contain miles of paved and turf trails that allow people to explore at their own pace.
Every day, Three Rivers offers free parking for personal and family vehicles. There is never any charge to use basics like the trails, creative play areas, fishing piers and lake beaches. We want to make it easy and affordable for families to enjoy the outdoors. If people choose to use facilities such as upland swim ponds, boat launches, archery ranges, dog off-leash areas and rental equipment, we charge modest fees for those services.
On behalf of the Board of Commissioners, I invite you to explore our parks this summer. If you have any questions about Three Rivers Park District, please e-mail me at commissioners@threeriversparkdistrict.org [2] or visit http://www.threeriversparks.org [3].
Larry Blackstad
Minnetonka
Editor’s note: Blackstad is chair of the Three Rivers Park District Board of Commissioners.