By Richard Crawford

As candidates prepare to head into the home stretch for this year’s early primary election on Aug. 10, one topic that is rising to the top of many lists is the tax climate in Carver County.

There will be contested primary elections for two County Board seats.

And there are divergent views on whether the County Board has been good stewards of taxpayer dollars. (See the candidates’ answers on their view of the tax climate in the county on page 8).

A primary election will be conducted on Tuesday, Aug. 10. There will be two county commissioners races on ballots in Carver County: District 1 and District 3.

Carver County Board District 3 covers the city of Carver, Chaska Ward 1 and Chaska Ward 2, precincts 1 and 2, and the city of Victoria. The candidates are Debbie Boe, Randy Maluchnik (incumbent), Kevin Masrud and Jay Swenson. The two candidates who receive the most votes in the primary race will be on the ballot in the November general election.

Chanhassen and Carver County Day at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum will be Friday, Aug. 6. On this special day, residents of Chanhassen and/or Carver County will be admitted free of charge to the Arboretum (with proof of residency).

Local government and Arboretum officials will speak at a public welcoming ceremony, with complimentary refreshments, at 10 a.m. in the Oswald Visitor Center. Immediately following, free gift bags will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Also on tap this special day:

By Richard Crawford

A new state law that takes effect this election cycle builds in more time for military personnel and others who are overseas to participate in this November’s general election.

To accomplish that, the date for the primary election has been moved up a month. Instead of the second Tuesday of September, the primary will be on the second Tuesday of August.

Estimated completion  date: December 2011

Chan transit station groundbreaking .

A Carver County road construction project to improve the safety of
Turning lanes will be added and intersections widened at Kerber
Boulevard, Lake Lucy Road, and Pleasantview Road.

Some traffic delays are expected during the project, according to
Carver County Engineer Scott Smith. These will be due to construction
activities that affect the travel lane.

“In general, road work will be done so that most of the time traffic
will flow normally,” Smith said. He expects the biggest delays to occur
between Aug. 18 and Sept. 2.

Leaders from Southwest Transit and the city of Chanhassen gathered at 10 a.m. Monday at Chanhassen Dinner Theatre for the
Chanhassen Transit Station ground-breaking ceremony.

Photo by Unsie Zuege

The wood rail around
the antique tin bathtub provides sure footing for Abbie the cat. Arndt
found this tub years ago near Mankato.

Straw Hill Farm

Address: 10151 Great Plains Blvd., Chanhassen.

What it is: Historic mid-1800s country farm house.