Alice Smit, 85, Luverne, died Thursday, April 18 at Arnold Memorial Health Care Center, Adrian. Visitation will be Friday, April 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne. Services will be Saturday, April 20 at 10:30 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church, Luverne. Burial will be in Maplewood Cemetery.

Edward John Reisdorfer, 78, Worthington, died Saturday, April 13, 2002, at Crossroads Care Center in Worthington.

Services were Tuesday, April 16, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Worthington. The Rev. Larry Brixius officiated. Burial is in St. MaryÕs Catholic Cemetery.

Edward Reisdorfer was born to Frank and Marie (Pieper) Reisdorfer on July 18, 1923, in Lismore. He moved with his family to Ellsworth and graduated from St. Mary's Catholic School in Ellsworth in 1940. He worked for various lumberyards in the Tri-State area.

He married Lorraine Heikes on May 21, 1949, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ellsworth. They lived in Huron, S.D., Primghar and Waterloo, Iowa, before moving to Worthington in 1962. He worked for Fullerton Lumber Company until he retired in 1984.

Mr. Reisdorfer was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Worthington and also an RSVP volunteer. He enjoyed woodworking and building bird houses.

Survivors include his wife, Lorraine Reisdorfer, Worthington; two sons, James Russell (Ann) Reisdorfer, Oregon, Wis., and Gregory (Barb) Reisdorfer, Tacoma, Wash.; one daughter Julynn (Steven) Surprenant, Oregon, Wis.; one daughter-in-law, Sandi Heidemann, Sioux Falls, S.D.; eight grandchildren; two stepgrandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Evelyn Magee, Fairfield, Calif., and Marge McCabe, Lancaster, Ohio.

Mr. Reisdorfer was preceded in death by his parents, one son, Paul Reisdorfer, one grandson, Kerol, two brothers, Earl Reisdorfer and an infant brother, Ronald Reisdorfer.

Dingmann Funeral Home, Worthington, was in charge of arrangements.

Donald T. Mulligan, 73, Golden, Colo., formerly of Windom, died Saturday, April 6, 2002, in Golden. He was the son of Esther Mulligan and the brother of Richard, Billy, Jackie Mulligan and Rosie Moerke, all of Luverne.

Services were Tuesday, April 16, at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Luverne. The Rev. Andrew Beerman officiated. Burial was in St. Catherine Cemetery, Luverne.

Donald Mulligan was born to Charles Francis and Esther (Snyder) Mulligan on March 9, 1929, in Windom. He grew up and attended school in Windom. He served in the U.S. Navy, the Air Force and the Marine Reserves.

He married Ida Bevington on Feb. 17, 1956, in Denver, Colo. After marriage they lived in cities throughout the United States, including Washington, D.C., in California, Indiana and New Mexico. He served in Korea and Vietnam before retiring in Golden.

Mr. Mulligan was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Golden and the VFW.

Survivors include his wife, Ida Mulligan; one son, Jeff (Danielle) Mulligan, Lakewood, Colo.; five daughters, Sandy (Khaled) Sharmit, Highlands Ranch, Colo., Barbara Lombardi, Lakewood, Penny Sanderson, Denver, Donna (Robert) Reed, Golden, and Kelle Mulligan, Wheat Ridge, Colo.; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; his mother, Esther Mulligan, Luverne; seven brothers, Bob (Mary Jean) Mulligan, Heartland, Wis., Billy (Mary Lou) Mulligan, Luverne, Jimmy (Dorothy) Mulligan, Warminster, Penn., Jackie (Delores) Mulligan, Richard Mulligan, all of Luverne, Gene Mulligan, Maple Grove, and Mike Mulligan, Delano; and two sisters, Carol Van Orden, Portland, Ore., and Rosie (Dale) Moerke, Luverne.

All-Veteran Memorial Funeral Home, Golden, was in charge of arrangements.

By John Rittenhouse
When Ron Behr rolled his first 300-pin game at Luverne Lanes Nov. 25, 1992, the perfect performance was followed by a thunderous celebration by the appreciative members of the Wednesday Night Pinbusters League who witnessed the event.

Behr remembers that occasion well.

It was the night before Thanksgiving Day, and it ended with the Hills man producing the establishment's first 300 game since the 1960s.

Behr is a member of the Hills-Beaver Creek Co-op Farm Service Grain Elevator team that competes in the Saturday Night Mixed League at the Luverne Lanes. He relived his perfect performance of 10 years ago on March 30, 2002.

Only this time his achievement went virtually unnoticed by those in the building.

"The unusual thing about it was we thought he rolled a 290," said Luverne Lanes owner John Serie. "When he threw his first ball of the game, it got stuck in his hand. His momentum carried him over the foul line, but the ball never touched the lane."

In front of teammates Nelva Behr, Lloyd DeBoer and Bev Wassenaar, Behr proceeded to roll 12 straight strikes after his unfortunate start. However, since he did cross the foul line during that first attempt of the game, he played the game like he recorded a spare in the first frame.

"I was using my new ball for the first two games, and my finger had swelled up before the third game. When I threw it (his first ball of the third game), I couldn't get rid of it. I figured it was a foul because my momentum carried me over the line. After that I used a different ball, and struck out," Behr said.

Behr's assumption that he had a spare in the first frame turned out to be wrong.

Under American Bowling Congress (ABC) rules, since the ball didn't leave his hand and touch the lane, it's officially considered to be a dead ball. Although he intended to release the ball, it's considered a non-throw because the ball did not touch the floor.

In the end, the game Behr thought wasn't perfect really was.

It will go down as the sixth 300-game in the history of Luverne Lanes, and the first since Larry Mulvihill rolled his on Oct. 28, 1998.

Prior to Behr's 1992 gem, the local bowling alley didnÕt have a perfect game recorded in two decades. In the 1960s, Charlie Zoellner rolled a pair of 300s (one was sanctioned). Ron Mulvihill also had a non-sanctioned 300 game in the 1960s.

All signs point to Behr's effort on March 30 turning into a league-sanctioned 300 game that will be recognized by the ABC.

The ABC then will award Behr with a ring for his 300 game and a watch for bowling a game 100 pins higher than his 183 league average.

ISD #2184 School Board meets March 26
MARCH 26, 2002
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2184, ROCK COUNTY, LUVERNE, MINNESOTA.
A regular meeting of the Board of Education, ISD #2184, was held in the MS/HS Library on Tuesday, March 26, 2002, at 7:30 p.m.

The following members were present: Don Bryan, Colleen Deutsch, Dan Kopp, Cary Radisewitz, Bill Stegemann, Steve Tofteland, and Becky Walgrave. Also present: Superintendent Vincent Schaefer, Marlene Mann, Jim Harner, Jan Olson, Melody Tenhoff, Louise Thorson, Roger Headrick, Dianne Headrick, Wyatt Cote, Travis Halfmann, Paul Hamann, Jessica Klein, Natalie Kopp, Jackie Petersen, Carol Goehle, Sandy Klosterbuer, Shirley Harrison, Todd Oye, Diane Robinson, Beth Capistran, Seana Graber, Jane Cote, Helen Laabs, Lorna Schoeneman, Linda Limesand, Emily Matthiesen, Pam Christensen, Deb Ward, Rhonda Winter, Becky Runnoe, Mary Jacobson, Jeanne Bowron, Elizabeth Petersen, Cloyce Smith, Michelle Johnson, Terry Althoff, Mary Jo Graphenteen, Delaine Jensen, Jerry Jensen, Mark Lundgren, Kathy Olson, Theresa Graff, Joel Swanson, Wendy Bosshart, Peggy Goettsch, Debra Vogt, Patti Nelson, Debrah Vander Kooi, Russ Schneider, Jan Schneider, Tom Lanoue, Patsy Amborn, Kim Schmidt, Michael Wenninger, Kara Johnston, Doug Dooyema, Al Brinkman, Steve Kollmann, Dan Amborn, Gordie Hansen, Tom Rops, Tim Christensen, Marie Atkinson-Smeins, Jason Phelps, Angie Swenson, and Lori Ehde, Rock County Star Herald.

The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Don Bryan. Superintendent Schaefer announced there is an addendum to the agenda. Motion by Radisewitz, second by Deutsch, to approve the agenda and addendum. Motion carried. Chairperson Don Bryan gave a report on the Student Discipline Hearing held on March 19, 2002.

Jane Cote, acting Vice President of the Luverne Education Association, addressed the school board. She requested a clarification of the Structural Balance reporting requirement to the Department of Children, Families and Learning.

Administrative reports were given. Melody Tenhoff presented her enrollment projections and staffing requests for the 2002-2003 school year. Jim Harner addressed the school board regarding the Middle School staffing for next year. Superintendent Schaefer gave a report for Gary Fisher who was absent.

Marlene Mann presented a budget update. We have completed 66% of our fiscal year or 60% of the school year.

Motion by Tofteland, second by Kopp, to approve the consent agenda to include the minutes of the March 14 and March 19 meetings and the Student Activity Report showing the balances as of February 28, 2002. Motion carried.

Marlene Mann reviewed the district bills for the month of March. Motion by Radisewitz, second by Stegemann, to pay the district bills in the amount of $880,941.95. Motion carried.

Motion by Walgrave, second by Deutsch, to add Section VI "Operation and Maintenance Schedule" to the Indoor Air Quality Plan of the School District. Motion carried.

Motion by Kopp, second by Radisewitz, to approve the child care leave request by Marie Atkinson-Smeins. Motion carried. Motion by Kopp, second by Stegemann, to approve a leave without pay request by Gail Jahn for March 28 and April 5. Motion carried. Motion by Radisewitz, second by Deutsch, to approve the leave without pay request from Phyllis Schaefer for March 27 and 28. Motion carried. Motion by Tofteland, second by Deutsch, to approve the leave without pay request from Connie Lindblom for March 28. Motion carried.

Superintendent Schaefer reviewed the proposed school calendar for the 2002-2003 school year. The calendar that was presented does not have any scheduled early dismissal days for Staff Development. It was also noted that four snow days have been built into this calendar. Discussion was held regarding the three staff development early dismissal days. Motion by Kopp, second by Radisewitz, to approve the calendar as presented with the addition of three early dismissal days. It was noted that Spring parent/teacher conferences also need to be scheduled into the calendar. Motion carried.

Superintendent Schaefer reviewed the Armory Project with the School Board.

Committee reports were given. Don Bryan reported the Negotiations Committee met with the LEA representatives on March 19. The last package offered by the School Board was 9.75% (3.34% for the 1st year and 6.41% for the 2nd year). The last staff request presented was for 12.16%. The School Board has been contacted by the LEA to schedule a meeting and the School Board would like this meeting to be with the Bureau of Mediation (mediator) present.

Superintendent Schaefer gave an open enrollment update. The upcoming meeting dates were reviewed. It was noted that April 6 beginning at 9:30 a.m. the School Board and Mr. Schaefer would be meeting with the two MS Principal candidates.

Motion by Walgrave, second by Kopp, to move into Executive Session for the purpose of the Superintendent's annual evaluation. Motion carried.

Motion by Kopp, second by Deutsch, to move out of Executive Session and re-open the public meeting. Motion carried.

Motion by Tofteland, second by Radisewitz, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.

Dated: March 26, 2002
Rebecca Walgrave, Clerk
(4-18)

Severson probate
DISTRICT COURT
PROBATE DIVISION
FIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
NOTICE AND ORDER OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION OF INTESTACY, DETERMINATION OF HEIRSHIP, APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
STATE OF MINNESOTA
COUNTY OF ROCK
ESTATE OF
ROBERT S. SEVERSON, SR.
DECEDENT
It is Ordered and Notice is given that on Monday, May 6, 2002 at 9:00 (a.m.) a hearing will be held in this Court at Rock County Courthouse Luverne, Minnesota, for the adjudication of intestacy and determination of heirship of the Decedent, and for the appointment of Gayle Stegemann whose address is: 117 E. Barck Avenue, Luverne, MN 56156 as personal representative of the Estate of the Decedent in a SUPERVISED administration. Any objections to the Petition must be filed with the Court prior to or raised at the hearing. If proper and if no objections are filed or raised, the personal representative will be appointed with full power to administer the Estate, including the power to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, to sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the Estate.

Notice is also given that (subject to Minn. Stat. 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal representative or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred.

/s/ TIMOTHY K. CONNELL
TIMOTHY K. CONNELL
Judge Date
/s/ SANDRA L. VRTACNIK
SANDRA L. VRTACNIK
Court Administrator Date
Attorney For Personal Representative
BENJAMIN VANDER KOOI, JR.
VANDER KOOI LAW OFFICES, P.A.
127 E. Main
P.O. Box 746
Luverne, MN 56156-0746
507-283-9546
Attorney I.D. No. 112124
(4-11, 4-18)

Swenson probate
DISTRICT COURT
PROBATE DIVISION
FIFTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
NOTICE AND ORDER OF HEARING ON PETITION FOR PROBATE OF WILL AND APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS
STATE OF MINNESOTA
COUNTY OF ROCK
ESTATE OF
DOUGLAS J. SWENSON
DECEDENT
It is Ordered and Notice is given that on Monday, May 6, 2002 at 9:00 (a.m.) a hearing will be held in this Court at Rock County Courthouse Luverne, Minnesota, for the formal probate of an instrument purporting to be the will of Decedent, dated September 14, 2000 and codicil (N/A) to the will dated N/A, and separate writing (N/A) under Minn. Stat. 524.2-513 ("Will"), and for the appointment of Vincent Swenson whose address is: RR 1, Box 77, Luverne, MN 56156 (2) Joyce Thode whose address is: 609 W. Main, Luverne, MN 56156 as personal representatives of the Estate of the Decedent in a SUPERVISED administration. Any objections to the petition must be filed with the Court prior to or raised at the hearing. If proper and if no objections are filed or raised, the personal representatives will be appointed with full power to administer the Estate, including the power to collect all assets, pay all legal debts, claims, taxes and expenses, to sell real and personal property, and do all necessary acts for the Estate.

Notice is also given that (subject to Minn. Stat. 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal representatives or to the Court Administrator within four months after the date of this Notice or the claims will be barred.

/s/ TIMOTHY K. CONNELL
TIMOTHY K.CONNELL
Judge Date
/s/ SANDRA L. VRTACNIK
SANDRA L. VRTACNIK
Court Administrator Date
Attorney For Personal Representatives
BENJAMIN VANDER KOOI, JR.
VANDER KOOI LAW OFFICES, P.A.
127 E. Main
P.O. Box 746
Luverne, MN 56156-0746
607-283-9546
Attorney I.D. No. 112124
(4-18, 4-25)

ISD #2184 School Board meets March 14
MARCH 14, 2002
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2184, ROCK COUNTY, LUVERNE, MINNESOTA.
A regular meeting of the Board of Education, ISD #2184, was held in the MS/HS Library on Thursday, March 14, 2002, at 7:30 p.m.

The following members were present: Colleen Deutsch, Dan Kopp, Cary Radisewitz, Bill Stegemann, Steve Tofteland, and Becky Walgrave. Absent: Don Bryan. Also present: Superintendent Vincent Schaefer, Marlene Mann, Gary Fisher, Jan Olson, Melody Tenhoff, Gordie Hansen, Mary Jacobson, Becky Runnoe, Tim Christensen, Tom Rops, Louise Thorson, Dale Nelson, Chris Nowatzki, and Wade Hiller.

The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Dan Kopp. Motion by Radisewitz, second by Stegemann, to approve the agenda. Motion carried.

Wade Hiller, District Technology Coordinator, and Tim Christensen, Fourth Grade teacher, made a presentation to the School Board on how Mr. Christensen is using technology in his classroom.

Kara Johnston and Greg Antoine, representing the Staff Development Committee, reviewed the school calendar proposals for the 2002-03 school year. They are requesting three early release days to allow for collaboration among the staff.

Gordie Hansen, representing the Luverne Education Association, addressed the School Board.
Administrative reports were given.

Motion by Stegemann, second by Radisewitz, to approve the consent agenda which included the School Board minutes of February 28, 2002. Motion carried.

The Middle/High School HVAC Remodeling bids, which were received on March 13, were reviewed:
(Add) (Add) (Deduct) (Add)
ALT. 1 ALT. 2 ALT. 3 ALT. 4
BIDDERS BASE BID Wk Stat/Sftwr Warr/Maint Ag W.Wing Un Htrs Cor-WtRm
Midw. Mechanical $904,600. $7,400. $3,800. $7,500. $38,800.
Howe Htg/Plbg $806,800. $7,200. $3,700. $8,700. $31,000.
Motion by Walgrave, second by Deutsch, to reject all bids. Motion carried.

Marlene Mann presented information on the following projects that may be completed during the summer: replacement Ð Industrial Arts roof; hallway lighting & ceiling Ð 2nd floor; weight room; sidewalk on North side of building, blacktopping of the new bus garage lot; and MS/HS plumbing repairs.

Motion by Radisewitz, second by Walgrave, to approve the Final Seniority List and Probationary List for Certified staff. Motion carried.

Motion by Radisewitz, second by Tofteland, to accept the request by Council 65, AFSCME, AFL-CIO to negotiate the contracts for clerical, cooks, educational assistants and custodians. Motion carried.
Committee reports were given.

Motion by Walgrave, second by Deutsch, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.
Dated: March 14, 2002
Rebecca Walgrave, Clerk
(4-18)

Luverne junior left fielder Jesse Kuhlman (right) has a word with Cardinal coach Mike Wenninger during Tuesday's baseball game against Tracy-Milroy-Balaton at Redbird Field. The Cards erased a pair of deficits to win their home opener.

By John Rittenhouse
The Luverne baseball team broke into the win column for the first time during the second week of the 2002 season.

The Cardinals traveled to Pipestone for a Southwest Conference double-header Saturday. LHS posted a one-run win in the opener and was awarded a sweep of the twin bill when the second game was rained out.

Luverne opened the home portion of its schedule by nipping Tracy-Milroy-Balaton by one run Tuesday.

The 3-1 LHS team will play an SWC set in Jackson Saturday.

Luverne 5, T-M-B 4
The Cardinals came from behind twice to win their home opener against the Panthers Tuesday.

Luverne faced 2-0 and 3-2 deficits in the game before putting together a three-run sixth inning to help settle the issue.

T-M-B had moved in front 3-2 by scoring one run in the top of the sixth before the Cards scored three times in the bottom of the frame to take their first lead at 5-3.

Jake Studer walked to start the rally before Kyle Kreun delivered a two-run homer to left field. Luke Iveland was hit by a pitch, stole second and third and scored the third run of the inning when Eric Edstrom singled.

Edstrom, Luverne's starting and winning pitcher, recorded a pair of quick outs before being touched for a run in the top of the seventh. Iveland replaced Edstrom and fanned the last T-M-B batter to lock up a save.

T-M-B scored twice in the second inning.

Luverne tied the game at two in the fourth, when Aaron Schmidt singled and Studer walked. Both runners scored on T-M-B fielding errors.

Edstrom yielded seven hits and fanned seven batters during six and two-thirds innings of work on the mound.

Box score AB R H BI
Iveland 3 1 1 0
Edstrom 2 0 1 1
Sandbulte 4 0 2 0
Goebel 3 0 0 0
Schmidt 3 1 2 0
Studer 0 2 0 0
Kuhlman 2 0 0 0
Kreun 2 1 1 2
Crable 3 0 0 0

Luverne 5, P-J 4
The Cardinals posted their first win of the season when they traveled to Pipestone for an SWC double-header Saturday.

A late rally in the opener gave the Cards a one-run victory, and they were awarded a 1-0 win in the finale when rain and lightning forced cancellation of the contest before it started.

LHS needed a two-run rally in the seventh inning to win the opener.

P-J snapped a tie at three by scoring one run in the bottom of the sixth, but the Cards countered with a two-run top-of-the-seventh before blanking the Arrows in the bottom of the frame to steal the victory.

A double by Kyle Crable, a bunt single by Luke Iveland and Eric Edstrom being hit by a pitch loaded the bases for LHS in the seventh. Sacrifice flies by Tony Sandbulte and Aaron Schmidt produced the tying and winning runs.

Luverne opened a 2-0 lead in the top of the first when Schmidt walked and scored on a ground out by Kyle Kreun, and Jake Studer got hit by a pitch before scoring on a single by Crable.

P-J moved in front 3-2 in the second inning, but Iveland was hit by a pitch, stole second and knotted the score at three when Ryan Goebel slapped an RBI single.

Iveland fanned three batters without allowing a hit while pitching two innings of scoreless relief to pick up the pitching win for LHS. Kreun worked the first five innings of the game, allowing four hits, four walks and four runs while fanning two batters.

Box score AB R H BI
Iveland 3 2 1 0
Edstrom 3 0 0 0
Sandbulte 2 0 0 1
Goebel 3 0 1 1
Schmidt 1 1 0 1
Studer 2 1 0 0
Kuhlman 2 1 0 0
Kreun 3 0 1 1
Crable 3 1 2 1

By Sara Strong
Dick Asleson, a financial consultant for the city, reported on a tax increment financing review he completed for the city.

The purpose of the review during Tuesday's meeting of the Luverne Economic Development Authority wasn't to judge the validity of TIF projects but to report on the status of them.

"We didn't sit down and say ÔDid the council make the right decision in 1992?' I don't know," Asleson said.

With TIF, the city, county and school do not realize additional tax revenues from projects until development costs are paid off.

Asleson said that $4.1 million in capital improvement has been completed in Luverne since 1975, when the first TIF district was established.

The concept of TIF has been debated at all levels of government, and the state changes rules in the program in nearly every session.

Most recently, legislative decisions mean that Luverne is getting less of the TIF money from the projects than previously expected.

Until all the TIF districts are paid off, the city will get an estimated $440,000 less than first calculated, starting in 2003. That number, Asleson said, is a very high estimate and includes all the years the current TIFs will be in existence.

In 2002, the city will get about $47,000 less than expected.

The Agri-Energy and Jubilee Foods TIFs are paying as much as was budgeted for because their agreements included provisions to make up for any money lost to the state.

Even though the city will see less money from TIFs, the businesses will probably still pay out the same amount because of new business taxes.

Because of so many variables, like state grants that may make up for the lost revenue, the city is unsure how the budgets will be impacted in years to come.

By Sara Strong
Luverne Economic Development Authority discussed the possibility of adding another pocket park on the north edge of town Tuesday.

City statutes require another park a little more than two acres large in the Evergreen Addition. The city hasn't added pocket parks in every new addition as required by statute, so this park would be a sort of catch-up.

LEDA director Tony Chladek said he and Public Works Director Darrell Huiskes looked at plans to use the former Christensen home lot as a base for the park.

LEDA member Bob Latham said, "We have to have a pocket park; itÕs a matter of where we put it."

Nate Golla, LEDA member, said the convenience of the location might make it a good choice.

The countyÕs bike trail project begins this summer and would follow Blue Mound Avenue to Blue Mounds State Park. The proposed pocket park would also be along Blue Mound Avenue, utilizing the existing driveway to the Christensen home, which will be moved this spring.

A water fountain could also be available at the park if the city decides to take advantage of the existing hookups.

LEDA member Keith Erickson said, "It's an ideal place for a park; however, are those lots also ideal for housing?"

Not wanting to lose potential land sales, LEDA chairman Glen Gust wondered if a park in another part of the addition would be a better choice.

There are six lots in the area proposed for a park that would cost the city about $100,000 to get ready for sale. Considering that the city has about 90 more lots available, the cost may not be worth it for the city.

LEDA member Karis Gust said that lots further from Blue Mound Avenue have seen more sales, and a park might be a better option for the land next to Blue Mound Avenue.

More park options will be explored to find what location is ideal, and the LEDA will look at those during an upcoming meeting.

Exsito debt
The LEDA voted to stop efforts to collect money from Frank and Ruthann Patterson, former owners of Luverne Foods, which made Exsito tomato products.

They owe about $50,000 to the city from a loan and guarantee to a local lender. Ruthann and Frank have both individually filed for bankruptcy, so the likelihood of collecting the debt is small. Also, the city would have to spend more money on legal fees to keep the process going.

The Pattersons left town late in 2000.

The money directly owed to the city does not count the building, land and updates worth $215,000 the city completed in order for the Pattersons to operate in Luverne.

On a bright note, Erickson pointed out that the property can be sold to another business and that the city owns the recipes if they can be used in the future.

The food processing equipment in the building will be sold at auction or to other manufacturers.