The Official Legal Newspaper for Fillmore County
FILLMORE COUNTY JOURNAL
Monday, August 27, 2012
Page 5
C ommentary One Moment Please... Are we there yet? By Jason Sethre Publisher of the Fillmore County Journal & Olmsted County Journal Cell phone: 507-251-5297
jsethre@fillmorecountyjournal.com
All throughout this past summer, during trips here and there I think I heard, “Are we there yet?” from my children enough to earn a cameo appearance on the next sequel in the series of National L a m p o o n’s Vacation. Yes, my cheeks and chin have grown enough in recent years Jason Sethre for me to be a stunt double for Chevy Chase, but that’s not my fault. My wife feeds me too well, and I lack selfcontrol. But, I digress. Well, we survived the summer
months balancing daycare and all of the other summer activities that seem to saturate our days and weeks. So, now the Fillmore Central kids are back to school as of this past Monday. “We are there,” I can finally say. The kids are back in school, full of routine and studies. And, with the school year back in full swing, there are a number of exciting things that I want to share with our readers relating to all that we have to offer at the Fillmore County Journal. Scholarship As of three years ago, the Journal started awarding a $500 annual college scholarship to one graduating senior in Fillmore County who met the eligibility requirements. Each year, we have selected one student from the pile of applicants, which has never been an easy decision. Our
entire staff partakes in the process to determine who should earn this scholarship. If you know of a person graduating from high school in 2013, please let them know about this scholarship opportunity. There is an advertisement appearing in today’s Journal with more details about the scholarship opportunity, and you can find an entire application on our website at fillmorecountyjournal.com. Journal Student Writing Project Now in its 14th year, our assistant editor, Jade Sexton, will be working with all of the high school English departments in Fillmore County, including Chatfield, Mabel-Canton, Fillmore Central, Lanesboro, Kingsland and Rushford-Peterson, to put together an all-star team of student writers. Each week throughout the school year, our area students touch on local and national issues from their perspective. And, every week, I guarantee that this feature is one of the most read
Monthly meeting of the Ostrander City Council Pledge of Allegiance The monthly meeting of the Ostrander City Council was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Linda Schwenn. All council members were present. Approval of Consent Agenda Motion by Start, and seconded by Thompson and unanimously carried to accept the consent agenda. VISITORS: Karen Jensen, Dan O’Connell, Larry Christenson, Tom Thorson, Pam Kunz, Erin Brugh, Barb Olsen, Pauline King, Department Heads Public Works Director—Jimmie Dean—Was present. Council approved monthly report. Fire Chief—Jimmie Dean— Was present. Council approved monthly report. Police Chief—Tom Mosher— Was present. Council approved monthly report. Old Business Job Pay Scales—For 1-20 years of employment for city employees, council would like FT Public Works from $15.50 to $20.50; PT Police Chief from $16.75 to $21.75; PT Clerk/ Treasurer from $12 to $17. Rhonda typed up a pay scale to reflect these wages. Motion by Start, and seconded by Nesler and unanimously carried to raise Tom’s wages to $17.50/hr
Pet of the Week
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and Jimmie’s will stay the same because of his insurance increase of $84.50/month. Move office to 306 Main Street or enlarge current office and make bathroom handicap accessible—Visitors at this meeting were Jimmie Dean and Lois Hanson. A special meeting was held on June 21st with Matt Litwiller to discuss following through with the lease or backing out. It was discovered that the furnace is only approximately 4 years old, which was a big concern. After discussing this with Matt, the City Council decided to move ahead and just make the minimal updates that are needed. Motion by Thompson, and seconded by Start and unanimously carried to rescind the motion to back out of the lease with the Ostrander Farmers Co-op. Motion by Start, and seconded by Kunert and unanimously carried to keep the lease with the Ostrander Farmers Co-op. Sign retroreflectivity—Rhonda spoke to someone at the League and he said to hold off for now. (August is when we will know more) Should money for the water distribution modeling be taken from the water CD?? Motion by Thompson, and seconded by Nesler and unanimously carried CaliCo Mix
Patience was found at 3 weeks of age with a broken rear leg. She has healed completely and is now ready for her forever home. She is very sweet and quiet and adores people. Patience is good with other cats, dogs, and kids. If you would like more information about our Trap, Spay-Neuter, Return program or would like to adopt or volunteer, please contact us. Camp Companion PO Box 7478, Rochester, MN 55903 Phone: 507-951-7801 or 800-896-7009 Email: campcompanion@yahoo.com
to use money from the water CD for this project. To put up the security light on the donated land, it will be $10.11 instead of $9.74 plus tax. They need to put up a new pole. Should it be moved from the current location?? It was agreed to put it more centered New Business Can it be added to the Hall Rental agreement to get an approximate time of event?? No Cement barriers for donated Lund property—$3,600 for 12; Rhonda contacted Red Man Construction $3,412.24 for 29 Bollards—Mayor Schwenn suggested posts/planters. Rhonda will get some cost ideas on planters. It was also commented that just to put in some hedge bushes. Rhonda also heard from Dean Lund to maybe have Pauline King help with this project. Communication between city employees—Mayor Schwenn commented that there needs to be communication between employees. Zoning Ordinance and Comp plan reviews—Planning Commission (schedule public hearing)—Council agrees to go ahead and schedule it on August 7 @ 5:30 p.m. (before Council Meeting). Rhonda will need to get it posted and published in the paper. Planning Commission Applications—Dan Hellerud, Pauline King, Amanda Siskow, Kelvin Niemeyer. Council was in agreement that since Pauline King was present at the council meeting to offer the position to her and she accepted the offer Can signs be connected to the City Limit Signs for UffDa Days Returns?? Council didn’t think this this would be a
features of the newspaper. I have seen past student writers take on very sensitive subjects with such poise and grace. With these commentaries, our area students give us a glimpse into the future of what great contributions they will make to our world as they graduate into the next phase of their lives. I’m looking forward to another enlightening year, along with Journal readers. Athlete of the Week Something new this school year will be a feature focused on the “Athlete of the Week.” Each week, starting in September, our sports reporter Paul Trende, will recognize one athlete in all of the six school districts in Fillmore County that has achieved a special accomplishment. I cannot thank Paul enough for continuing to breathe new life into our sports section each week. I have received many e-mails from coaches and readers showing appreciation for Paul’s keen sense of detail pertaining to every game and every player pouring their heart into each game. I look
forward to seeing individual talent and accomplishments highlighted each week in the pages of the Journal – another enhancement to our newspaper. Social Scenes This doesn’t relate to the new school year, but I’ve been given just a little extra writing real estate to tell you about a new feature we started roughly a month ago. By now, you’ve probably noticed a special page titled “Social Scenes.” This new feature is dedicated to highlighting birthdays, weddings, engagements, birth notices, anniversaries, military service announcements, and anything else worth celebrating, such as retirement! We have always had the happy ads in the classifieds section of our newspaper, but we felt this presentation format brought the happy ads together with those special announcements that appeared elsewhere in the newspaper. This new feature brings it all together in one place. We hope you’ll enjoy the new format, as well.
good idea, they would be awfully small. Tentative schedule in packets. Rhonda will call Pepsi about a scoreboard for the ball park. There are also Liability Waivers that should be signed for insurance purposes. SEMLM, General Membership Meeting—Tuesday, July 31st in Mantorville @ the Hubble House Councilmember Thompson was wondering if there should be some reimbursement from Rural Fire Dept for the insurance on their vehicles?? Rhonda will check with other cities Have we ever, or would we want to keep a schedule on the pavilion in the park?? Council was in agreement that this would be awfully hard to enforce. Other Council Member Nesler questioned the Balance sheet under Equity and what that was. On line I found explanations which you can find in council packets. I also called Smith Schafer & Associates; Ben explained that the Retained Earnings is the money from year to year either added or subtracted depending on the net income each year. Primary election (August 14)
and General election (November 6)—Candidate filing period for November 6, 2012, General Election is July 31st through August 14th at City Hall. Office hours are from 7 a.m. to noon, Monday through Thursday. On August 14th, I will be at the Community Center for the Primary election but I need to have any filings turned in by 5 p.m. Region VI meeting for Rhonda—Thursday, July 26th @ 12:15 in Albert Lea with Mark Ritchie. Motion by Thompson, and seconded by Start and unanimously carried to send Rhonda to this meeting. The check for the custom rebate through Alliant energy for $368.82 has been received and deposited. Jimmie will be gone from September 9th to the 14th and return on the 15th. Motion by Thompson, seconded by Start and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 p.m. Next meeting is scheduled for August 7th, at 6 p.m. Rhonda Klapperich City Clerk/Treasurer Vernon Thompson Deputy Mayor
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l is rna or u o J ch f ty oun t sear rite a C ion en ore ow illm a tal iter t rotat ly F The ucting ry wr on a imate s x a d le con ment artic , appro ur view m m y o s a co entar writer ress y ice, fro ny m p o a com other th. Ex our ch ts to ou. n y h n y o wit a m ic of t eve ests r e n p onc he to curre t inte on t ics to ife tha l t poli ct of e Please email a sample article to asp jsexton@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Submit by August 24, 2012.
or mail it to Fillmore County Journal PO Box 496, Preston, MN 55965