By Lori Ehde
In the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on East Coast, communities nationwide have responded in their own ways with acts of patriotism.

In Rock County, as in all parts of the country, generous individuals have been eager to help with relief efforts.

Boxes are set up at banks and investment offices community-wide to accept donations to be sent to the East Coast. Checks are made payable to the Red Cross Relief Fund for America.

According to Stephanie Moran, director of the Southwest Minnesota Chapter of the Red Cross, this isn't something these businesses were asked to do.

"They're just doing it on their own, so we can't say all banks are doing it," she said.

Moran said 100 percent of donated funds are sent directly to the East Coast for meal and clothing vouchers and to fund emergency shelters. At this time, she said no items are being accepted.

"They are so bombarded with donated items, they have too many to go through now," she said. "They mainly need money to continue their relief efforts."

She said she's not sure how long the local depositories will be available, possibly a few weeks, but she said residents can also send checks directly to the local office.

That address is: American Red Cross, 321 11th St., Worthington, MN 56156.

She advised people to give only through their local institutions or directly to the office to avoid giving to scam artists.

Football fans attending Adrian's homecoming game will also have an opportunity to drop money in a box at the gates. The game starts at 7 p.m.

Moment of silence
Local churches joined others across the nation Friday at noon in a national moment of prayer. Residents were encouraged to pray for comfort for the families of those who died and for recovery and healing for those injured.

They were also encouraged to pray for wisdom for national leaders, economic recovery and stability, for good to overcome evil, peace to replace fear and for love to overcome hate.

At the American Reformed Church, worshippers read aloud the words from Psalm 46.

"God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear," part of the passage reads.

"The nations are in uproar, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge."

Red, white and blue
As a mark of respect for those killed on Sept. 11, President George W. Bush ordered flags at all public buildings be flown at half-staff until sunset Saturday, Sept. 22.

In addition, the national commander of the American Legion urges all Americans to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff.

"As in times past, the presence of Old Glory at half-staff will remind all that we are citizens of a great nation in mourning," said Richard Santos on the American Legion Web site.

"Those citizens who died are members of the American family. All America grieves that loss."

In a demonstration of solidarity, residents and businesses nationwide are proclaiming their support for national efforts.

For example, "Pray for the nation," is the message typed into the lighted sign at Country Kitchen on South Highway 75.

"I guess we just thought it would be the appropriate thing to do," Raney Israelson said.

What do we tell the children?
In Luverne Elementary School, counselor Marie Atkinson Smeins canceled all her regular classes Tuesday and spent time in each classroom talking to students about the terrorist attack.

"I talked to the children about how sometimes people don't get along with each other and this sometimes causes violence," Atkinson-Smeins said.

She went on to encourage students to talk about it with their parents and teachers, and she assured them everything was being done to keep everyone in the rest of the country safe.

Elementary Principal Melody Tenhoff said she felt Tuesday's events robbed a piece of childhood from the children.

"Tuesday's events can be described in words that all children can understand: evil, hatred and violence," Tenhoff said.

"Students can help by living their life with honesty, respect and kindness."

For adults struggling with individual response to the attacks, the Red Cross issued the following tips for those feeling overwhelmed by emotions:

Avoid viewing repeated media coverage of the event.

Talk it out, ask for help and listen to other people.

Be especially kind to others, and do something that could help others, like make an appointment to give blood.

Spend time with your family and return to your usual routine.

Find a peaceful, quiet place to reflect and gain perspective.

By Sara Quam
State workers put off a strike until Oct. 1, pending the end of contract negotiations with the state.

Talks were postponed beyond the original Monday deadline because both parties felt that the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks warranted more attention.

Although a strike won't happen until Oct. 1, negotiations will continue starting Sept. 27.

Gov. Jesse Ventura had ordered National Guard members to train for work in state-run nursing homes and similar facilities in case of a strike. Meanwhile some Guard members are also on hold in case they are needed nationally for military reasons.

Temporary workers would be hired for other positions left by strikers.

The points of contention between the two sides are insurance costs and wages. The local American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees president David Meyer said the insurance proposal hits workers the hardest.

State health insurance premiums have increased 20 percent in each of the last two years, and the state anticipates about 10 percent next year.

The state proposed a new plan to control costs. It would reduce employee premiums but require workers to share the costs of services. Now it requires employees to make only co-payments for some services and doesn't impose a deductible.

Under the proposal, employees would take on more of the costs through higher co-payments and deductibles for those who use the services.

A co-payment is an amount the employee pays for each service provided. A deductible is the amount the employee pays before insurance will pay for services. Co-insurance is the percentage the employee pays after the deductible is paid.

More employee co-payments that charge those using medical services is what the state is pushing for in exchange for low premiums.

As for wages, the state and unions are far apart on that, too. The state has offered increases of 2.5 percent for two years while AFSCME wants 6.5-percent annual pay raises.

The most recent, large state employee strike lasted 22 days in 1981.

By Sara Quam
Anticipation of next year's road construction and related assessments prompted the Luverne City Council to review some of its policies Tuesday.

Scheduled reconstruction includes portions of Freeman and Estey streets. Estey will be reconstructed from Main to Barck, and Freeman will be worked on from Lincoln to Barck. Also, the city will reconstruct Brown from Freeman to Highway 75, Crawford from Estey to Highway 75 and Bishop from Freeman to Highway 75.
Estimated cost for the project is $850,000.

Because the construction will include special assessments, the city will contact property owners and host public hearings.

The council looked over its improvement policy and City Administrator Matt Hylen asked, "What percentage is acceptable to this City Council to charge abutting property owners?"

The council decided that the current policies are adequate and that it doesn't need to amend them.

The 153 affected property owners will pay assessments estimated at about $2,000. The assessments are usually paid over 10 or 15 years.

The estimates could change if the price of oil increases drastically because of the recent discussions of war or military action.

Property owners will pay assessments of 50 percent of the sidewalk, 50 percent of the street and 100 percent of curb and gutter. Special calculations are used for corner properties. Measurements of each lot are used for the percentages that property owners will have to pay and property owners’ specific costs will come out later.

An engineer and surveyors will look at the project before it begins next spring. The city urges other people who are considering alley paving or parking lot improvements to use the engineer at the same time to save on costs.

The city, in the past, has notified property owners that benefited from similar projects by letter how they will be affected. The letter makes city staff available for visits to their property to explain the project.

Councilman Tom Martius said he'd like to see that continue. "I think you should visit with people and give them a heads up on what’s going on."

Hylen said, "The sooner we talk with citizens that are affected, the better."

Bids could be opened for the construction as early as January.

Enrollment
Several weeks into the school year, enrollment numbers have solidified.

According to District Financial Officer Marlene Mann, there are fewer students in Luverne this year, following a projected trend toward declining enrollment.

Last year, there were 1,348 students in the district. This year there are 1,327. The largest class is the ninth grade, with 124 students. The smallest class is the third grade with 87 students.

While some Luverne students attend school in other districts, open enrollment has helped Luverne with 121 students coming in from other districts. The most come from Hills-Beaver Creek (64), Jasper-Pipestone (26) and Ellsworth (24).

Personnel
In personnel matters Thursday, the board:

Approved the contract for Tina Egland as math teacher for $26,744. Her additional assignments will be academic league and prom adviser.

Approved the contract for Katia Lopez Petrovich as Spanish teacher in the amount of $29,511. Additional assignments will be extra class and prom adviser.

Approved the contract of Louise Thorson moving to full time to accommodate a larger-than-expected number of special needs students in the elementary school.

Approved medical leave of absence for Leo Brady, effective Aug. 15.

Approved the resignation of Josie LeBrun as Title I paraprofessional.

Approved hiring Brandee Nowka and Elizabeth Moe as Title I paraprofessionals.

Other business
Middle School Principal and Athletic Director Dave Deragisch reported that seventh- and eighth-grade football helmets will need to be replaced. The lifetime use allowed for liability is expiring.

Nancy Kaczrowski has volunteered to coordinate the Adopt-A-Grandparent program, funding for which had been cut this spring.

Parents of all grade-level students are sought to serve on the district's Curriculum Committee. "This committee should be one of the most important committees we have in the district," said Curriculum Coordinator Jan Olson.

By Lori Ehde
After 20 years in the same robes, Luverne High School choir members are looking forward to a new look, thanks to approval from the Luverne School Board.

Choir director Beth Behal has been shopping for new robes and presented School Board members with her request and some options at the Thursday, Sept. 13, board meeting.

She said her choir has grown from 45 members in 1993 to nearly 100 members now, but that's six more students than she has robes for.

Last year she borrowed some robes from Edgerton High School, which uses a similar style. That worked for a few events, but Behal said she's hesitant to do that this year for a full year.

Also at issue is the fact that the current robes were purchased in 1981, and Behal said 20 years is the average life expectancy of the robes.

She estimates the cost of purchasing 100 new robes may be $8,000 to $10,000, but she's ordered several sample robes to find the best quality for the money.

"I'm going to look at the craftsmanship to see if the quality is reflected in the prices," she said.

High School Principal Gary Fisher supported Behal in her request. "It's been a very positive program for our students," he said of choir.

Behal said appearance is important in concert performances. "If we have a choir that sounds good, we want them to look good, too."

The current red and white choir robes will be kept to use for graduation ceremonies.

The board directed Behal present them with price quotes after she's had a chance to see some samples.

Nov. 1 is the first concert choir performance, and Nov. 5 is the Southwest Conference Festival of choirs in Worthington. Behal hopes to have robes purchased by then.

By Lori Ehde
In an effort to balance decreasing revenues against increasing costs, Luverne School District is joining districts statewide in proposing an excess levy referendum.

During their regular meeting Thursday, Sept. 13, Luverne School Board members agreed to put the proposal to district voters, and during a special meeting Monday night, they decided on an amount.

Voters will be asked to approve a $400-per-pupil excess levy that would amount to approximately $234,000 asked of Luverne School District property owners.

What could make the excess levy more palatable is a proportionate property tax reduction.

"If you put down 37 cents you get 63 cents back," said district financial officer Marlene Mann.

If the excess levy is approved by voters, it will generate roughly $635,000 for the district. The local effort would be nearly 37 percent of that, or $234,000, with the balance coming from state aid.

"It's important to know it's a matched effort from the state," Mann said.

The levy would be in effect for 10 years.

According to Mann, district residents are already seeing a 38-percent decrease in the amount they'll pay for education next year. That decrease is due to a state shift of school funding from property taxes to sales and income tax.

If the excess levy is approved, local property taxes will still decrease by more than 30 percent. "You're still going to have a huge reduction in our local effort," Mann said.

She said the excess levy will be relatively painless for local taxpayers, but it will be priceless for the district in terms of guaranteed revenue when all other sources are shaky.

She said shifting school funding to sales and income tax looks good to local property tax payers, but she said those funding sources are vulnerable to the economic health of the state.

Further, she said the district's own revenue sources are uncertain when student enrollment is projected to steadily decline.

Despite last year's $328,000 in cuts, the Luverne District's revenues still fall short of expenses by more than $100,000. Expenses such as fuel and health insurance have affected all districts.

That, combined with state support not meeting inflation and rising expenses, adds up to a projected $120,000 shortfall by the end of this school year.

For these reasons, the board hopes voters will approve the excess levy to hedge the district's revenues against an uncertain future.

"It seems to make good business sense to have some guarantee from local voters that we'll have some revenue," said Superintendent Vince Schaefer. "Especially since we're down to one-month's operating reserve."

If it's not approved, the district stands to lose more than $75,000 in equity aid from the state.

If the $234,000 excess levy is approved, the local tax burden for education would be nearly 37 percent. The rest by law would be paid by the state.

District residents will vote on the excess levy in a special election Nov. 6. They will be asked to answer the question, "

Fifty percent of the voters, plus one, is needed for the referendum to pass.

By Sara Quam
Commissioner Jane Wildung voiced concern over Lyon County Regional LandfillÕs future at the Tuesday Rock County Board meeting.

Rock County hauls its garbage (except for demolition material) to the Regional Landfill, which has applied for an expansion.

Wetlands and how they are assessed during the application could stop that expansion, and Rock County, along with others in southwest Minnesota, would have to find another landfill.

Landfill expansion requires completion of an environmental assessment worksheet, which is reviewed by the state.

As it is planned, the expansion would move into an acre of land that is a part of 12 acres of wetlands. The land was developed into a wetland with the help of the Department of Natural Resources.

Now the Army Corps of Engineers is asserting that the landfill has to be moved because of what Wildung called "damp ground."

To move the landfill would cost $5 to $7 million.

The Army Corps of Engineers says that the wetland is a "navigable waterway." Some of the water, through a series of ditches and culverts, trickles into the Minnesota River, which is a navigable waterway.

The landfill has applied for the expansion because it has run out of other space. The decision will be made by March.

Wildung said the wetland is about the size of a large room. "It is so small," she said.

County Administrator Kyle Oldre said, "There was less objection to the Hoover Dam than this."

Wildung said that some area legislators have toured the area in question and support the landfill expansion, saying they don't fear for water contamination.

In other business Tuesday, the board:
Passed a resolution condemning the deadly terrorist acts and supporting President Bush and the National Security Team in defending the nation.

Approved the removal of some trees on the courthouse lawn and additional landscaping worth about $1,600.

Put values on tax-forfeited properties in Steen and Beaver Creek. These will be advertised and auctioned.

Hills resident Norm Sjaarda joins many Americans Monday flying their flags at half-staff to honor the victims of the World Trade Center and Pentagon incidents on Tuesday, Sept. 11. As a mark of respect for those killed by the Sept. 11 acts of violence, flags will fly at half-staff at the White House and all public buildings and grounds, military posts, naval stations and naval vessels until sunset on Saturday, Sept. 22.

Photo by Jolene Farley

Church services and flying of the American flag characterized local response to the Sept. 11 attack.

Story inside.