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“Where Fillmore County News Comes First” Weekly Edition
Harmony 4th of July Celebration PAGE
s 29-32
Housing Committee update PAGE
17
Monday, June 24, 2019
Pauly’s Canton Pub PAGE
23
Volume 34 Issue 38
Mabel-Canton to negotiate on project PAGE
26
County budgeting process begins PAGE
27
Canton • Chatfield • Fountain • Harmony • Houston • Lanesboro • Mabel • Ostrander • Peterson • Preston • Rushford • Rushford Village • Spring Valley • Whalan • Wykoff
Chatfield pool opening celebrated R-P approves sale of
former elementary/high school buildings BY K IRSTEN ZOELLNER kirsten@fillmorecountyjournal.com
The alligator is popular with the kids. He is movable; this area is also used for water aerobics. Photo by Karen Reisner BY K AREN R EISNER karen@fillmorecountyjournal.com
The new Chatfield swimming pool opened on June 7. On an unusually cool June 13 evening, Mayor Russ Smith stood before the new pool for a special dedication to celebrate the culmination of months and months of planning. He credited the Pool Committee (Julie Henry, Alesha Worden, Kari Fredricks, Greg LaPlante, Ed Harris, Kari Njos, Shari Harmann, Michelle Thompson, and Melissa Wolf, pool manager) for doing much of the hard work. They did work with a consultant, Burbach Aquatics, Inc. As part of the celebration, swimming was free for this evening. Shari Harmann took me
through some of the planning process which included one of the biggest decisions - where the pool should be located. The present location was chosen for ease of access and visibility from Highway 52. The committee looked at other new pools for ideas. They had to decide how big to make it in order to accommodate more people, and what amenities to add and what was affordable. The pool has a water slide, diving board, zip line, zero water entry, and alligator and water spouts for the kids. There is 6,300 square feet of water area. There is also a concession area attached to the bath house and a grassy area inside the fence. There are some large shaded areas covered with canopies with seating that surround parts of the pool.
The new pool has been very busy in its first week. The city has received more revenue at this point than they did all of last year. Much of that has come from individuals or families that buy a membership for the season; the number buying a season membership so far is double last year. Harmann teaches water aerobics, which are good for mobility. She has taught water aerobics for 20 years and says the ladies, which range in age from 35 to 84, are ecstatic this year. There is a chair lift to help some people that can’t use the ladder to get in and out of the pool. They can also use the zero entry area for easier access. Brochures are available which See CHATFIELD POOL Page 2 ➤
It’s been nearly two years since the Rushford-Peterson School District vacated the former school buildings in both Rushford and Peterson. In that time, several suggestions, scenarios, and proposals have been floated in the community over what to do with the sites. The former elementary and high school buildings, in Rushford, present a particular set of challenges for redevelopment due to the aging structure. The site is not on the historic registry, largely due to a number of additions and modifications to the original 1906 building, but there has been much sentiment from the community regarding its historical value. Early last year, the school board approved a plan to facilitate the
sale of the building. At that time, it was noted there had been some interest in the site and the plan was to lay out parameters for proposals. The district did receive a proposal from the City of Rushford to purchase the site, intending for it to be demolished to make way for new development. This past spring, the district sought ideas from potential developers. In April, the Facilities Committee recommended the district continue to seek proposals. Several on the board suggested the district needed to cast a wider net to potential developers. Proposals were due to the district by Monday, June 3. Three proposals were received. The first was a standing proposal from the City of Rushford to purchase the site for $1 with intent to level See R-P SALE Page 7 ➤
Kingsland acknowledges generous gifts BY R ICH WICKS rich@fillmorecountyjournal.com
The Kingsland School Board held a regular board meeting on June 17. Members present included board chair Jackie Horsman, Kyle Rader, Maranda Emig, Natasha Howard, Leah Stier, and Superintendent James Hecimovich. Tiffany Mundfrom was absent. Also attending was Principal Scott Klavetter. No members of the general public addressed the board. The board approved the consent agenda, which included
the hiring of Lindsey Montesano (ECSE teacher), and the resignations of Rebecca Oakland (SACC assistant), Scott Rindels (JV boys basketball coach), John Dols (activities director) and Lyman Richter (regular route bus driver). Principal Klavetter pointed out that the hiring of Montesano is “pending licensure.” Public thanks was given to recent donors, including Old Barn Resort (for allowing the golf team to practice on the course at no charge See GENEROUS GIFTS Page 6 ➤