Category: Local Issues

No, really, there’s a new sheriff in town. This is what he did on his first day.

Dave Hutchinson took the oath of office to succeed former Hennepin County sheriff Rich Stanek Monday afternoon. Credit:
Jessica Lee, MinnPost

Shots were fired, decades-old laws discussed and new ways to make transgender inmates feel more comfortable in jail were contemplated — all within the first few hours of Dave “Hutch” Hutchinson’s tenure as Hennepin County Sheriff this week.

On Monday, in front of a welcoming crowd at the Hennepin County Government Center, Hutchinson took the oath of office to succeed former sheriff Rich Stanek, who led the department for 12 years. In what was his first speech as an elected official, Hutchinson — who previously worked as a sergeant in Metro Transit Police Department — reaffirmed a campaign promise to improve how the agency interacts with the public and treats its employees.

“We’re here to protect you; we’re here to have you chase your dreams; we’re here to make sure that you never give up,” Hutchinson said at the ceremony.

View the complete January 9 article by Jessica Lee on the MinnPost website here.

New Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson hits ground running on first full day

New Hennepin County Sheriff David Hutchinson checked out the Hennepin County Jail with his director of communications Jeremy Zoss. Credit: Richard Tsong-Taatarii, Star Tribune

Wherever he stopped during the day, Dave Hutchinson repeated his campaign promise to be “a sheriff that truly represents all residents.”

A couple of workers patched holes and brushed beige paint Tuesday morning on the walls of Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson’s new office. He had already met with deputies and been assigned an e-mail address, and a colorful Post-it note with his name was stuck outside the office door to identify the occupant.

So it was on the sheriff’s first full day in office as he stepped into a position held by Rich Stanek for the last 12 years. And if Hutchinson felt overwhelmed making the leap from Metro Transit police sergeant to head of the largest sheriff’s office in Minnesota, he did a good job hiding it.

Maybe that’s why he decided the first stop of the day would be the North Metro Range in Maple Grove, where he tested for his yearly duty weapon qualification.

View the complete January 8 article by David Chanen on The Star Tribune website here.

Hennepin County Board Committee Chairs

The board selected the following committee chairs:

  • Administration, Libraries and Budget: Commissioner Debbie Goettel, District 5
  • Health and Human Services: Commissioner Angela Conley, District 4
  • Intergovernmental Relations: Commissioner Jan Callison, District 6, and Mike Opat, District 1
  • Public Safety: Commissioner Jeff Johnson, District 7
  • Public Works: Commissioner Mike Opat, District 1

Apply by December 31 for Citizen Advisory Board Openings

Applications close in two weeks for 28 citizen advisory board openings.

Appointed members advise county commissioners on issues and programs, help set policy, and deal with a variety of topics of concern to the county.

Current openings

As part of its annual open appointment process, the county board is recruiting for the following vacancies: Continue reading “Apply by December 31 for Citizen Advisory Board Openings”

Are the Suburbs Getting More Progressive on Guns? Moms Demand Action Bets Yes

Gun control group found winning candidates within its own ranks

Amid a debate within the Democratic Party about whether progressive ideas can sway voters in suburbia, candidates affiliated with an advocacy group that campaigns against gun violence sought — and won — elected office even in historically conservative suburban districts.

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America appealed to suburban women on overhauling gun laws amid a rash of mass shootings in recent years, including the one in Parkland, Florida, in February.

The organization advocates so-called red-flag laws and banning bump stocks and assault weapons, and it opposes allowing guns on college campuses. It plans to achieve those policy aims by campaigning aggressively in future election cycles.

View the complete December 14 article by Emily Koop on The Roll Call website here.

Situation with Minnetonka City Council Opening

Minnetonka will have a vacancy in the at-large City Council Seat B when Patty Acomb joins the Minnesota Legislature in early January. Three years remain in the seat’s four year term.
The City Council is now considering whether to hold a special election on April 9 to fill that seat for the remainder of the term, or to appoint an interim council member which does not require a competitive application process. If there is an interim appointment, the seat will be on the ballot in November (and if 3+ candidates file, it would also be on the primary ballot in August).

Minnetonka residents may contact the City Council to express their thoughts on the process for filling this vacancy before the January 7, 2019 meeting of the Minnetonka City Council.

For more information on this question, please review the Dec. 3, 2018 City Council meeting video for the Council Members’ comments (starting at timestamp 1:14), and the staff report below.  Continue reading “Situation with Minnetonka City Council Opening”

Jim Hightower: Free the free press from Wall Street plunder

Our right to a free press is meaningless if hedge funds can gobble up and gut the community newspapers that exercise it.

A two-panel cartoon I recently saw showed a character with a sign saying: “First they came for the reporters.” In the next panel, his sign says: “We don’t know what happened after that.”

It was, of course, a retort to Donald Trump’s campaign to demonize the news media as “the enemy of the people.” But when it comes to America’s once-proud newspapers, their worst enemy isn’t Trump — nor is it the rising cost of newsprint or the “free” digital news on websites.

Rather, the demise of the real news reporting by our city and regional papers is a product of their profiteering owners.

View the complete December 2 article by Jim Hightower on the AlterNet.org website here.

Rep. Andrew Carlson (HD50B) Update: November 30, 2018

Dear Neighbors,

I have great news! The Orange Line Bus Rapid Transit that goes from Minneapolis through Bloomington to Burnsville received full funding. The Orange Line will connect Minneapolis, Richfield, Bloomington, and Burnsville along I-35W, providing frequent, all-day service in both directions, seven days a week. The route is an upgrade and will replace the existing local Route 535 with enhanced service and amenities, and new station features will benefit other transit riders along the I-35W corridor. If you would like more information check out the METRO Orange Line web page by clicking here.

Here are a few other announcements from the Capitol.

MN House Committee Structure announced
The MN House DFL Majority has announced the 2019-20 committee structure and leadership staff. Click here to view.

Minnesota House Jobs Postings
As the MN House transitions to a DFL Majority, there are a number of employment opportunities. Go to the House web page to check for availabilities. But hurry, some of the positions close soon.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Andrew Carlson
State Representative