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Weekly Edition
National Trout Center receives funds Page 19
One path to a better future page
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Monday, December 12, 2011
Chatfield to limit property tax impact page
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Volume 27 Issue 12
Journal Writing Project page
Burros down Cougars
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Canton l Chatfield l Fountain l Harmony l Lanesboro l Mabel l Ostrander l Peterson l Preston l Rushford l Rushford Village l Spring Valley l Whalan l Wykoff
Lanesboro City Council approves liquor licenses By Mitchell Walbridge mwalbridge@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Emily Torgrimson founded Eat for Equity, an organization that raises money for those in need. Photo submitted
Preston native gives back to her community through food By Jade Wangen jwangen@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Fundraisers are a great way for people to get together and have fun while helping others out. Emily Torgrimson has found a unique way to give back to others, all while having a great time, meeting new people, and eating great home cooked food. Torgrimson, who graduated from Fillmore Central High School in 2002, was living at a cooperative house in Boston when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans. She was looking through a recipe book and saw a recipe for jambalaya, and wondered if people would pay to come and eat for hurricane relief. They decided not just to
have a dinner for people, but to make it a party as well. They invited many friends, who had a great time and helped raise money to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. From there, Eat for Equity was born. They began to have more dinners at their home, and to help other organizations they believed in. Those organizations involve the environment, health, education, and many other issues addressing inequity. The Boston area was very supportive of the Eat for Equity dinners. When Torgrimson moved to the Twin Cities area, she decided to give it a try there. She is currently attended graduate school at the University of
Minnesota for Public Health. “I’m interested in food access,” she said. “How do you create an environment with access to healthy foods that are also affordable?” For the last four years, Torgrimson and a group of volunteers have had more than 50 Eat for Equity dinners in the Twin Cities area. They ask the people that come to pay $10$20 for a meal, but they take whatever people can give. “It’s a real community-driven approach to giving,” said Torgrimson. “We have a big themed meal around a cause that’s nominated by the people who come to Eat for Equity.” See TORGRIMSON Page 10
Lanesboro City Council Members had a very busy evening on Monday, December 5, 2011. Three council meetings took place that evening: The regular monthly meeting, the Truth in Taxation Hearing, and a joint meeting of the city council and public utilities committee. In the board committee reports, the park board discussed updates that are being made to the Lanesboro Community Center building. City Administrator Bobbie Vickerman stated that there are a few more small jobs to be finished and then the updates will be complete. Also, Vickerman announced that the annual Christmas Carnival will be held on December 10 at the community center. Administrator Vickerman and council
109 S. Parkway, Lanesboro, MN 55949 • www.riversideontheroot.com
See LANESBORO Page 5
Preston details 2012 budget/levy By K aren R eisner kreisner@fillmorecountyjournal.com
City Administrator Joe Hoffman summarized the details of the 2012 budget/levy at the council’s December 6 meeting. This time for public comment required by state law before the final budget and levy is adopted was unattended by the public. The final budget and levy will be voted on at the council’s December 19 meeting. Hoffman noted the city managed to keep the levy relatively
New Years Eve - Join us the last night of the season! 3 Course Dinner with glass of wine 4-9pm
member Ceil Allen expressed thanks to all of the organizations and volunteers who make the event possible. In addition to the carnival, a reminder was given about the other activities happening that day, including the Lion’s breakfast. During the library report, council member Ceil Allen reported that the library would be closing on January 1, 2012, for about fifteen days for renovations to be completed. Allen also recognized the Lanesboro School for having students volunteer to contribute artwork for the project. Following the library report, the board approved motions to pay outstanding bills and approved 2012 liquor licenses to Lanesboro businesses including the Root River Saloon, the Parkway Pub, the American
Dirty Martini Lounge CuSToMer AppreCiATion 9pm-12am • Live Music Discount Drinks Free Appetizers
Dirty
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flat from 2011 (a decrease of 0.04 percent or $270 less than 2011). The total levy for 2012 will be $653,229. The tax levy is 43 percent of the city’s revenue, with state aid providing 32 percent of the revenue. Other revenue comes from police and fire (12 percent), tourism/park (6 percent) and other sources including fees and licenses (7 percent). The city’s expenses include the general fund (29 percent), police (16 percent), fire (six percent), See PRESTON Page 9
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