Friday, November 9, 2012
‘Major opponents of transit lost their 2012 re-election bids, particularly in the areas representing the Southwest Light Rail Transit Corridor.’
- OPINION
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Friday, November 9, 2012
Editor’s Note: The Counties Transit Improvement Board, a five-county agency that invests in transit using a quarter-cent sales tax and $20 a motor vehicle sales tax, published this article Thursday. The election results make it clear the dialogue about transit in the State of Minnesota has changed. “Voters throughout the State of Minnesota expressed the desire to shift the state’s focus to fundamental questions about how we can best invest in our communities to achieve a prosperous and thriving future,” said Counties Transit Improvement Board Chair Peter McLaughlin. “Transit is part of the solution that will make our region competitive.” Major opponents of transit lost their 2012 re-election bids, particularly in the areas representing…
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Election Day is bringing in a Legislature that should be more supportive of LRT.
For the past couple years, the road ahead for the Southwest Light Rail Transit was uncertain. It faced steeped opposition from leaders in the Republican-controlled Legislature who oversaw key transportation committees. Shakopee Rep. Michael Beard, the former Transportation Policy and Finance Committee chairman, once even said he wanted to stop the project "in its tracks." But all that changed Tuesday night when the DFL took control of both the House and Senate—sweeping in more light rail supporters and handing the reins to a party that’s historically been a bigger backer of public transit. “The bottom line is we didn’t get anywhere (before), so it’s pretty significant to us,” said Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman, chairwoman of …
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
President Obama defeated Republican Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election.
President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden were re-elected Tuesday night, defeating Republican challenger Mitt Romney and his vice-presidential running mate Rep. Paul Ryan. NBC News called the presidential election for Obama around 10:15 CST. The president sent a message on Twitter at 10:14 saying simply, "This happened because of you. Thank you." The Obama campaign won the most expensive presidential race ever, with both parties raising about $2.6 billion. The race was filled with negative campaigning on both sides, from President Obama attacking Romney’s business experience with Bain Capital to Romney lambasting Obama’s handling of the economy. The race tightened during the final months of the campaign, with gaffes and surges …
All incumbents in county commissioner races defended challenges from opponents touting their fiscally conservative credentials.
Welcome to Patch's Hennepin County hub for all things Election 2012. This page will offer some historical perspective of recent voting in Hennepin County, along with up-to-the-moment election results for county races. It will also have links to Patch's coverage of local, state and federal races. *** With five of the seven county commissioners up for re-election this fall, the Hennepin County Board could’ve seen a major shake-up from this election. But Hennepin County voters seem to prefer for county government to continue on its current course—choosing steady-as-she-goes incumbents over the fiscally conservative challengers who criticized the County Board for runaway spending. Incumbents Mike Opat, Randy Johnson, Jan Callison and Jeff …
Editors from across Minnesota will be at the polls and in the community on Election Day. Check back here throughout the day for regular updates and photos.
The 2012 Election isn’t just a political event; it’s a community event. Patch editors embedded in their communities are perfectly situated to capture all the local flavor that goes along with Election Day—from polling place activity to “I voted” stickers. Throughout the day, these editors will be bringing you photos and updates from Patch sites across Minnesota. Check back regularly to see just what the 2012 Election means for your neighbors.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
The Hopkins Legislative Action Coalition invited attendees to share their thoughts on Twitter at a Monday forum focusing on school issues.
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Thursday, October 25, 2012
Wahlstedt discusses key issues and how he views the job of county commissioner.
The race for the District 6 seat on the Hennepin County Board has become a lively one—with dueling yard signs and Internet comments. There’s a good reason why. In the coming years, Hennepin County commissioners will have to tackle many complex issues. To help you know how the candidates would tackle the challenges ahead, Patch asked the candidates where they stand on key issues and how they view the job of county commissioner. Today, we’re running an e-mail interview with challenger Dave Wahlstedt. Yesterday we ran an interview with incumbent Jan Callison. *** Patch: What would your philosophy be toward your work on the County Board? Dave Wahlstedt: Remembering that it is other people's money we are spending, I would seek through …
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Callison discusses key issues and how she views the job of county commissioner.
The race for the District 6 seat on the Hennepin County Board has become a lively one—with dueling yard signs and Internet comments. There’s a good reason why. In the coming years, Hennepin County commissioners will have to tackle many complex issues. To help you know how the candidates would tackle the challenges ahead, Patch asked the candidates where they stand on key issues and how they view the job of county commissioner. Today, we’re running an e-mail interview with incumbent Jan Callison. Click here for the interview with challenger Dave Wahlstedt. *** Patch: What would your philosophy be toward your work on the County Board? Jan Callison: My philosophy is to thoughtfully consider the issues, listen to other points of view and …
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
"She has worked cooperatively with the City of Hopkins and other neighboring
cities."
- OPINION
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Tuesday, October 16, 2012
To the editor: It is with great pleasure that I recommend Jan Callison for County Commissioner with Hennepin County. She has worked cooperatively with the City of Hopkins and other neighboring cities. She assisted the City of Hopkins with ongoing infrastructure projects such as Shady Oak Road and SWLRT as well as working on grants for Shady Oak Beach, Little League Fields and many other projects within the City of Hopkins. Recently she assisted us in the transition of our City of Hopkins dispatch to Hennepin County. Her dedication of time and effort helped this transition go smoothly and she was instrumental in this process. It is an honor and a pleasure to work with Jan Callison and I highly recommend her for the Hennepin County …
'Dave Wahlstedt is a small business owner and he knows that wasteful spending would put him out of business in no time.'
- OPINION
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Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Dear editor, Did you know that the Hennepin County commissioners purchased the 701 building for $23 million AFTER it was assessed by Hennepin County for $11 million. Did you know for decisions like this these commissioners are paid $97,000 per year. Dave Wahlstedt is a small business owner and he knows that wasteful spending would put him out of business in no time. Vote for Dave Wahlstedt for District 6 commissioner and he will hold the line the county's crazy spending habits and curtail our rapidly rising property taxes. Dave Spilseth Orono
Daryl Fryxell
1:08 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
This cadre of unelected bureaucrats can claim that wasteful spending on LRT got a boost from the election. But their claim does not make it so. We have a metro bus system where the taxpayers already subsidize transportation for others. What we need to do is abolish the Met Council, abolish this Counties Transit Improvement Board, and put the savings in the general fund. End of story. more ›