WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2017
Serving Polk County’s St. Croix Valley since 1897
VOL. 119 NO. 37 www.osceolasun.com $1.00
SPORTS: Soccer records second straight shut out. PAGE 16
New Kids Zone joins OMC’s Healthy Heart 5K
Voters say no to school funding increase Anderson will replace Uzpen on school board BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
In a 52-48 percent split, voters denied the Osceola School District’s request for progressive levy increases of $950,000 for the next four years, building up to an eventual $3.8 million annual increase. District wide, 1,020 votes were cast against the referendum and 939 were cast in favor. Voters in the village and town of Osceola approved of the measure by slim margins, but voters in Alden, Farmington and Garfield tipped the scales against the levy increase (see graph). Osceola School Board
President Timm Johnson said the school board was evaluating various factors before planning the district’s next steps. “Since the referendum did not pass we have to start balancing our budget for next year,” he said. “And we’re looking at an $850,000 deficit.” The board pre-approved a list of cuts, but is waiting to see if any teachers announce retirement before laying staff off. “We’ll be addressing personnel issues, and that’s based on retirement,” Johnson said. “Then we’ll be addressing maintenance items, technology purchases, bus purchases. This will play out over a couple of months.” The school board will consider approaching voters with another ref-
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Voters in the village and town of Osceola approved of the levy increase by slim margins, but voters in Alden, Farmington and Garfield tipped the scales against the measure. Graph based on data from Polk County.
erendum in 2018. “We made the cuts for next year but we’re looking at a million-dollar deficit for the year after that,” Johnson explained. “At some point we have to decide whether to come back for another referendum. The soonest it would be is
Farewell, Joel
next spring.” In the meantime, the district will cut spending — including delaying maintenance, which would likely push costs into the future — and start charging fees. “One thing that’s comSEE SCHOOL, PAGE 21
Nearby, no upsets BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
Joel Schwochert
library’s current roster of employees. In that time, Schwochert said the library has become “a warmer, friendlier place.” “It really is a place many people come to soSEE FAREWELL, PAGE 20
Voters in the Village of Osceola elected a new trustee, Van Andrew Burch. As a candidate, the retired police chief and Army National Guardsman praised historical preservation and development of parks and trails in Osceola, emphasized his experience in emergency services, and said he would aim to support small businesses and encourage industry and tourism in the village.
With 272 votes, Burch edged out incumbent trustee Wally Piszczek, who received 224 votes. Incumbent trustees Stephen Bjork (304 votes) and Carol Otto (301) kept their seats. For village president, incumbent Gary Beckmann ran unchallenged, garnering 404 votes. No challengers in Town of Osceola Town Chair: Incumbent Doug Schmidt ran unchallenged, gathering 508 votes. Board members: Incumbent trustees Dan Burch (414 votes) and Mike Wallis (399) also ran unchallenged. No upsets in Dresser
Van Burch
Village President: Incumbent Bryan Beseler won against challenger Jeff Gutzmer, 88 to 69. Trustees: Incumbent trustees Grace Bjorklund (120 votes), Wayne Moberg (105) and Richard Durand (100) won
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and agility skills to large muscle activities. The Kids Zone is for younger children, and a parent or guardian needs to be present. The activities are free, but registration is required prior to participate. The 11th annual Healthy Heart 5K is April 22, rain or shine. Starting and ending at Osceola High School, the 5K will take runners and walkers through the neighborhoods of Osceola and along a scenic trail in the community. Individuals, families and teams, such as companies, churches, runner’s clubs, neighbors SEE KID ZONE, PAGE 28
Osceola elects new trustee
BY SUZANNE LINDGREN EDITOR@OSCEOLASUN.COM
After nearly 15 years at the Osceola Public Library, assistant library director Joel Schwochert is leaving Osceola for new ventures. Her last day is April 13. “It’s been a great place to work,” Schwochert said of the library, where she started out cataloging new items, then began managing data and helping with anything from finances to planning Rhubarb Days, eventually assuming the assistant directorship. June would have marked her 15-year anniversary at the library, making her the longest standing of the
A free Kids Zone will be part of Osceola Medical Center’s Healthy Heart 5K Run/Walk this year. Geared towards 4 to 8 year old children who do not wish to participate in the 5K, the Kids Zone will feature activity stations to help instill fitness and wellness, according to OMC’s Bob Wolf, event coordinator. “Children who used to participate in our former kids run are now choosing to participate in the 5K, instead. So we decided to switch out the kids run to a series of activities,” he said. The activities will be in the high school gym and range from balancing
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against challenger Jeff Gutzmer (66). No change in Farmington Town Chair: Incumbent Dennis Cottor beat challenger Lee Wood, 330 to 180. Board members: Incumbent representatives Rick McGuiggan (346) and Dennis Neumann (343) ran unchallenged. Clerk/Treasurer: Incumbent Debbie Swanson (390) kept her seat against challenger Erin Lu nd g r en-M a r t i n s on (145). Polk County Judge Recently appointed incumbent Dan Tolan beat Malia Malone, 4,839 to 3,218, for the Branch 1 judgeship. Incumbent
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