Belle plaine herald january 11, 2017

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Scott West Beats Royals

Mankato Mayor Seeks Belle Plaine’s Support

Boys’ Hoops Team Wins Two of Three Page 11

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ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SIXTH YEAR

BELLE PLAINE, MINNESOTA, january 11, 2017

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Belle Plaine Photographer Earns a Spot on NWS Facebook Page by Baylye Anderson Nick Peters will go out of his way to take a good photograph. He drove from Belle Plaine through Henderson, on his way to work in Victoria, to snap the kind of photo that wins amateur photography contests. The Belle Plaine resident recently won top honors for a monthly photo contest using a picture he took in Henderson. The National Weather Service regularly holds monthly photo contests. The NWS called for submissions via social media (Twitter or Facebook) and selected a winner from the entries. The NWS uses the photo it selects on its Facebook page for a month or so. Peters’ photo of a sunset was the top pick for December. Peters took the award-winning photo Nov. 25. It was snapped at the intersection of Highway 19 and Henderson Station Road. He was out just driving waiting for the sunset, along gravel roads. The view of the sunset just happened to be at that spot at the time the color was good.

Exploration

Nick Peters “I would say 90 percent of the time I just take photos. I don’t really have a plan on where to shoot,” he said. “I just drive around until I find a place I like.” Peters sent a tweet to the City of Henderson’s Twitter account so that residents could see the photo. He has taken quite a few pictures from Henderson and the surrounding area, noting the Scenic Byway (Sibley County Road 6) and the lesser-traveled gravel roads leading out of town as some of his frequent stops when he has his camera with him.

Driving from his house to Deer Run Golf Course in Victoria where he works as an event coordinator gives him the chance to explore small towns – like Henderson -- that he would otherwise pass right by. Peters said he prefers to take the back roads and try new routes often. He takes many pictures of the scenery, the wooded areas, sunrises and sunsets. Originally, Peters said his girlfriend purchased a camera for taking pictures of their children. “She ended up having to buy another one because I would always have the camera with me,” he said. After snapping a few shots, Peters would post the photos on social media. He said he was very surprised when he started to get positive feedback from friends about his photography. Mike Pingalore’s final duty as mayor was to administer the oath of office to his replacement, “When I would post pictures, Chris Meyer, last Tuesday night at Belle Plaine City Hall. Moments after being sworn in, people would say how great Meyer (below) then administered the oath to longtime City Council Member Cary Coop, left, and new City Council Member Ben Stier. Theresa McDaniel, who also was elected to the city council in November, was out of town and will be sworn in at the next city council meeting. Photographer (continued on page 12)

B.P. School District Taking Aim at 100 Percent Participation As he walks the hallways of Belle Plaine Junior-Senior High School, Principal Dave Kreft knows what students are not involved in any activities. The Belle Plaine School District has a goal of every student being involved in some kind of activity. It’s all about connection. They believe students who are involved in co-curricular activities – robotics, drama, speech, athletics, visual arts, yearbook, fine arts, community education classes and the like -- have a greater connection to their classmates, their school and the community than if they attend class each day and go home. “If you are connected, you’re more likely to care about what you are doing,” Kreft said. Studies have indicated students who are connected to school through some form of activity typically perform better in the classroom, he said. Students who are involved in a variety of programs are also typically better at managing their time, Kreft said. A high level of participation helps the school district make

sure students are involved, that they have friends and people they feel connected to through activities, Kreft said. A high level of participation is one of five target areas the Belle Plaine School District is promoting as a means to signal its success. The other areas include individualized learning, academic performance, earlylearning initiatives and quality instructional practices. The activities goal the district is promoting is primarily aimed at junior-senior high school students. But the district wants all its students in some kind of program. It wants as many elementary students as possible taking advantage of community education programs. Whatever it takes for a student to be involved. “Students who are involved develop a wide spectrum of skill and talents that will serve them in their adult lives,” said Superintendent Ryan Laager. “We look at research and talk to hiring managers in corporate America. They will tell you they look as much if not more at student involvement than just

GPA.”

Unique Programs

Jeff Heine, BPHS’s robotics coach, knows many of the students his program attracts might not be in athletics, but partici-

School Participation (continued on page 4)

St. Patrick’s Planning Meeting Jan. 12 The Belle Plaine St. Patrick’s Committee will hold a planning meeting for this year’s celebration on Thursday (Jan. 12) at Neisen’s Corner Bar downtown. All committee members and bar/restaurant owners are asked to attend. It begins at 5:30 p.m. This year’s celebration will take place Saturday, March 18. Queen Candidates Sought All Belle Plaine girls who are a junior in high school are invited to be a 2017 Miss Shamrock queen candidate. For more information, call Jeanette Gloege at 873-6684 or 612-501-8529.

City Council Holds First Meeting of 2017, New Mayor Makes Statement

The Belle Plaine City Council, featuring three new members, held its first regular meeting of 2017 last Tuesday night. The new council consists of Mayor Chris Meyer, Cary Coop, Paul Chard, Theresa McDaniel and Ben Stier, the latter two of whom join Meyer as this year’s new members. Chard was appointed vice mayor. Shortly after receiving the oath of office from outgoing Mayor Mike Pingalore, Meyer administered the oath of office to Coop and Stier. McDaniel, who defeated longtime Council Member Gary Trost for a twoyear seat on the council in the November election, was out of town and will be sworn in at the next council meeting. After assuming the mayor’s seat for his first council meeting, Meyer made the following statement: As we all know by taking on the responsibilities of these elected positions, we have committed to acting in the best interest of all of our great citizens to be their financial stewards, city ambassadors and representatives. These are huge responsibilities, but with this dedicated and knowledgeable council as well as a very experienced and The quartet of (from left) Shay Compaan, Kaylee Wagner, Kaci Wagner and Megan Com- hands-on staff, we are poised for great success. paan enjoyed time in the pleasure skating rink at the corner of South Market and West Park streets Sunday afternoon. City As this council takes its place in 2017, we are at a very excitcrews have battled weather the past few weeks to get Belle ing and challenging time for Plaine’s three public rinks into good condition for skating and the City. There are many opice hockey.

Ice Time

portunities that are currently in discussion as far as commercial and residential development. This will be very important to help make these a reality to continue to grow the tax base and maintain current tax levels as well as having the opportunities to add additional services and amenities. Our council will have to take all of the upcoming challenges and make them into opportunities. As we know, there continues to be growth and development in the neighboring cities and counties and we have to set Belle Plaine apart from these others and make this a destination where we not only are easy to work with, but also a place that these investors will realize a great return on the monies invested. The past history has shown what one commercial project can do to spur several others. We also have a huge advantage of having a historic downtown that is also in need of some economic growth and redevelopment. With some additional planning and resources, this can continue to be a vibrant business and entertainment area as well as a place of community and identity for Belle Plaine. I would ask that each of the council members to take on their committee appointments with determination and help lead these specific areas and

projects to the most successful outcome possible. We also know that we will not all agree on every decision that we are faced with, but ask that we handle these differences in a professional and courteous manner. I look forward to a time when we can look back at this year and talk about all of the successes that we have had as a council and a city. Action Items Last Tuesday *The council unanimously appointed Mike Gau as a lieutenant with the Belle Plaine Fire Department, replacing Justin Dean, who recently resigned. Chris Herrmann and Anthony Olson were also appointed lieutenants, and Brian Siekmann was appointed chief 3. *Unanimously reappointed Dawn Meyer as temporary acting city administrator for when the city administrator is absent. *Unanimously appointed Kathryn Meyer as swimming pool manager. She replaces Jackie Hillstrom, who resigned after last pool season. Murphy, who was the assistant pool manager last year, will work parttime prior to the pool opening and full-time during the pool season. *Unanimously appointed Nick Jensen as a member of the

City Council

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