Lakeville-conservative & religious? (school, suburban, building)

[mnfiddledragon]

Originally Posted by Lakeville resident

As a 10-year resident of Lakeville, I can tell you that there is a certain wave of conservatism here. We struggle to pass education referendums and certain groups of people tend to be rather shortsighted in planning for the community's long-term growth. Unfortunately, they tend to be the activists. There are plenty of people who wanted to see the recent referenda pass and it was close. The city's commercial areas have been divided up so that we are spread out from the Farmington border on the east to the Prior Lake border on the west to the Burnsville on the north. It makes it difficult for a restaurant like Copper Bleu to survive when location is difficult to nail down before the commercial districts being so spread out. Lakeville is very different from Apple Valley, which has a very centralized commercial district, where restaurants at least have a chance because they can become a group to draw customers.

*nod* I'd agree with this - though the area down by downtown Lakeville seems to be doing well - and the area over by the new Target, which seems to help.

Did you ever go to Copper Bleu? I'd wanted to go, but I'd heard it wasn't all that good. On the other hand, we go to El Patio fairly often and *love* it.

I'd also agree with the comment about politics. I think part of the problem with the politics in the area is that - especially with the economy - you have too many people thinking too short sighted about their own properties and their own money. They don't want to think about the long term effects that improving the community or the schools will do with renewing a particular tax...all they see is the bottom line on their tax bill going down when gas bills are going up.

Frankly? I've lived in California and saw what happened to the schools - I hate how schools are funded out there, and in my opinion the communities suffer when the community doesn't support their own schools. But that's a much larger discussion and I believe I'm showing my colors and preaching here. Sorry about that.

Originally Posted by Lakeville resident

As for the religious thing, I am not sure what the problem is. I don't believe anyone in LV, at least that I am aware of, is somehow discriminated against for not attending church or having certain beliefs. But maybe that's just off my radar.

*raises hand* I don't go to Church or have the commonly held beliefs in the area. I've also respectfully spoken up about them (ie., around holiday parties and such) and haven't had any problems in the community. In fact, it's often times opened up discourse and communication.

[Sarah Maske]

Just a quick comment regarding referendums and areas being conservative/liberal. I live in Robbinsdale, supposedly very liberal, however we failed to pass our much needed referendum last year. It's well known in the RE community that people pay top dollar for housing in good school districts. With the problem in Lakeville (and many others like Robbinsdale), this will hit people hard in the pocket book when it comes time to sell. It's unfortunate when this happens to a community that isn't very old (Lakeville). I will be surprised, shocked in fact, to see populations of people flooding that area of the metro given the failed referendum and gas prices being what we anticipate in the coming years. All in all, it is really too bad I suppose.

[ozzie679]

I've always been under the assumption that there are lots of Czech and German Catholics in Lakeville. People who have moved in from New Prague, Jordan, and other conservative towns.

Does the Catholic school in Lakeville still throw that big fund raiser? I heard that's one heck of a party. Lots of beer and fun!

[ozzie679]

Originally Posted by Sarah Maske

Just a quick comment regarding referendums and areas being conservative/liberal. I live in Robbinsdale, supposedly very liberal, however we failed to pass our much needed referendum last year. It's well known in the RE community that people pay top dollar for housing in good school districts. With the problem in Lakeville (and many others like Robbinsdale), this will hit people hard in the pocket book when it comes time to sell. It's unfortunate when this happens to a community that isn't very old (Lakeville). I will be surprised, shocked in fact, to see populations of people flooding that area of the metro given the failed referendum and gas prices being what we anticipate in the coming years. All in all, it is really too bad I suppose.

Ya know, I grew up in a small, low income, East Central MN town. Those poor people have passed every referendum that has been on the ballot. They have NEVER had on e fail.

[Haakon]

Originally Posted by mnfiddledragon

Compared to Seattle, yes - Lakeville is conservative and slightly religious.

Almost anywhere might seem conservative compared to Seattle. The city is even considering putting a tax on grocery bags to try and force people to use re-usable bags to 'save the environment'.

[HanaMandamom]

Wow, the thread was revived. I read over it again you guys give some great info. It looks like most likely we won't be heading that way but never say never. I still really appreciate all your efforts and think the area is still beautiful.

Thanks again to all. And p.s. Haakon I use those reusable cloth bags, they're great. How can helping to save the environment and the creatures we share it with be a bad thing?

[Haakon]

My wife uses the bags too, I never said using them was bad, but it's absurd for government to impose a tax, setup new administration, hire new enforcement agents for no reason other than to try and change peoples behavior to what THEY think is proper, especially for something as stupid as grocery bags. There are far, far bigger problems in Seattle than some imaginary overuse of grocery bags. Whatever tax money comes in from this farce is not going to be used to clean up the environment or educate people and isn't going to be enough to pay for the overhead created by this boondoggle, so they'll raise the taxes some more if/when it passes.

If they want to clean up the environment they could stop dumping sewage into the Sound or do something to actually decrease traffic congestion but they won't do either. It's much easier to impose or raise a tax in the name of the environment than to actually accomplish something for the environment.

[HanaMandamom]

I hear ya. How many times have we been taxed to fix roads and we know how long they stretch that out. I think they worked on the Renton S-curves for like 5 years or more. For being Seattle they run it very shortsided. How hard is it to actually look towards the future, plan and exacute They basically look, mumble and drop it...

ok, we are basically on the same page, now we can turn this back to the original post concerning Minnesota, not WA. Sorry everyone.

[K-Luv]

Originally Posted by HanaMandamom

Another reason regarding both the conservative/religious folks is that both my husband and I are tattooed and even though we are really nice and surprisingly somewhat traditional in the raising of our girls, I don't want to be a total outcast.

Not sure about Lkvl or AV, but you will most definitely fit into the Minneapolis area in general. Tattoos are not looked down upon as much as they are in other cities/areas and there are many, many tattooed people who are raising families. Despite what some may think, it is pretty normal around Minneapolis.

[HanaMandamom]

Thanks K-Luv. I know there are a ton of tattooed parents these days. I suppose I just need to not worry or analyze everything so much. If I can get by in my little, religious town I will be fine anywhere. I think I just find it easier here because it is very blue collar as apposed to a more conservative white collar area. It'll work out wherever I end up, I'm sure. Thanks for the support!