NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARINGNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Luverne City Council will hold a public hearing commencing at 5:00 P.M., Central Daylight Savings Time, on Tuesday, October 19, 2004, in the City Council Chambers located on the second floor of City Hall, 203 East Main Street, Luverne, Minnesota, to discuss and hear testimony relating to the Wellhead Protection Plan for the City of Luverne prior to taking action regarding the Plan. A copy of the Wellhead Protection Plan for the City of Luverne is available at the City Clerk’s Office. All citizens are encouraged to attend the hearing, ask questions, and/or give comments. Any citizen may also submit written questions or comments prior to the hearing by addressing them to the City Administrator, PO Box 659, Luverne, Minnesota 56156. Anyone needing reasonable accommodations or an interpreter should contact the City Clerk’s Office, 203 East Main Street, Luverne, MN (507) 449-2388.Marianne PerkinsCity Clerk(9-30)

9:00 AMRock County Courthouse September 21, 2004Vice Chair Hoime called the meeting to order with Commissioners Boyenga, Wildung, Bakken present and Commissioner Jarchow absent.Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Bakken, to approve the September 21, 2004, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Bakken, seconded by Wildung, to approve the September 07, 2004, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Bakken, to approve the following consent agenda items, declared carried on a voice vote. 1. Day Care Relicensing – Peggy Fisher; Peggy Nelson; Lisa Durst; Evonne Top; Sue Stroh2. Snowmaster’s Grant agreementLisa Graphenteen, Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership Representative, presented Resolution No. 28-04, a resolution in support of a housing rehabilitation project in the Rock County region; motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to approve Resolution No. 28-04, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board was reminded of a meeting regarding ethanol production in the Commons Area of the Luverne Elementary School on Wednesday, September 22nd at 7:00 PM.The County Board discussed a letter received from the City of Luverne informing Rock County of their intent not to contribute the full amount to law enforcement for 2005. The County Board directed that a letter be drafted by County Attorney Klosterbuer and County Administrator Oldre to inform the board of our intent to enforce the contractual obligations that was signed by both parties regarding payment. The County Board discussed a land acquisition and tax abatement for the Luverne Clinic; motion by Boyenga to abate fifty percent (50%) of the property taxes for ten years; the motion died for a lack of a second. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to grant the tax abatement as presented in Exhibit B, ten year abatement at $10,000 per year or actual portion of county taxes, whichever is less, declared carried on a voice vote with Boyenga voting nay. Terrie Gulden, Heartland Express Transit Director, informed the County Board of a 30-year anniversary for Heartland Express. The County Board congratulated Mr. Gulden. The Transit Director also informed the County Board of a grant application for a new bus garage and office and requested that a letter of support be drafted and sent to Representative Gutknecht’s office. The Transit Director also stated that he would be receiving a new bus this week; motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to purchase magnetic signs for each bus displaying Heartland Express’ 30 Year Anniversary and that the expense be billed to the advertising and publishing line of the County Board, declared carried on a voice vote. Mark Sehr, Engineer, presented Resolution No. 29-04, a resolution amending prioritized bridge replacement list; motion by Boyenga, seconded by Bakken, to approve Resolution No. 29-04, declared carried on a voice vote.The Engineer also requested to surplus (2) roll of containers at the Highway Department; motion by Wildung, seconded by Boyenga, to authorize the equipment as surplus, declared carried on a voice vote. Mr. Sehr stated that construction would begin on September 20th on the bridge over CSAH 17 west of Beaver Creek and that the box culvert projects would begin the week of September 27th. Motion by Bakken, seconded by Wildung, to authorize a Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee be established, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board was informed of a tree planting memorial ceremony for Ione Bush to be held at the Rock County Human Services building at 4:00 PM on September 24th. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to approve job descriptions of Assistant County Recorder and GIS Technician/Staff Assistant II, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board acknowledged thank you letters from the Green Earth Players and Arts and Humanities Council in receipt of their 2004 appropriation from the County Board. Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Hoime, to authorize signature of the IES contract, declared carried on a voice vote. Commissioner Bakken informed the County Board that he had attended a meeting with US Fish and Wildlife regarding weed control at the Brandenburg Prairie project site. Commissioner Boyenga stated that he had attended the Ag Task Force meeting and update in St. Paul over the past several days. Commissioner Hoime stated that he had attended the Corrections conference.The County Board briefly discussed funding issues for Corrections and that those issues will be discussed further following the next Community Corrections meeting. The County Board directed the Administrator to set up a Law Enforcement Building Committee meeting as soon as possible. The County Board went into closed session at 12:45 PM for the purposes of discussing union contract negotiations. The County Board rose from closed session at 1:20 PM by order of the Vice Chair Hoime. Doug Host, Accountant with Larsen & Allen, presented the exit audit for year 2003. He stated that it was a pleasure working with the staff of Rock County and that he will be issuing an unqualified opinion of the finances of Rock County. Gloria Rolfs, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims; motion by Wildung, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the claims, declared carried on a voice vote. A complete listing of the claims is available by request at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office.General $ 17,964.33LEC .00 Road & Bridge 44,199.67Welfare 62,461.31Landfill 957.41TOTAL $125,582.72Motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to approve the fund balance report, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Wildung, to renew to the Select Account contract with MII Life for an annual fee of $680.00 plus $2.40 per month per employee, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Bakken, to authorize the collaborative account to received interest from the General Fund, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Bakken, to move the AS400 mainframe computer to Morris, Minnesota, as part of a contract with Computer Professionals Unlimited, declared carried on a voice vote. With no further business to come before the County Board, meeting was declared adjourned.Ken Hoime, Vice Chairman of the BoardATTEST:Kyle J. Oldre, Clerk to the Board(10-7)

NOTICE OF HEARING ON PROPOSED ASSESSMENTNotice is hereby given that the City Council will meet at 5:00 p.m. on October 26, 2004, in Council Chambers, second floor of City Hall, 203 East Main Street, Luverne, Minnesota, to consider, and possibly adopt, the proposed assessment for unpaid utility charges. Adoption by the City Council of the proposed assessment may occur at this meeting. Such assessment is proposed to be payable in one (1) installment payable on or before the first Monday in January, 2006, and will bear interest at the rate of five (5) percent per annum from the date of the adoption of the assessment resolution. To the installment shall be added interest on the entire assessment from the date of the assessment resolution until December 31, 2005. You may, at any time prior to certification of the assessment to the Rock County Auditor-Treasurer, pay the entire assessment on such property, with interest accrued to the date of payment, to the City of Luverne. No interest shall be charged if the entire assessment is paid within 30 days from the adoption of this assessment. You may, at any time thereafter, pay to the Rock County Auditor-Treasurer the entire amount of the assessment remaining unpaid, with interest accrued to December 31 of the year in which such payment is made. Such payment must be made before November 15 or interest will be charged through December 31 of the succeeding year. If you decide not to prepay the assessment before the date given above, the rate of interest that will apply is five (5) percent per year. The proposed assessment roll is on file for public inspection at the City Clerk’s office. The total amount of the proposed assessment is $9,978.93. Written or oral objections will be considered at the meeting. No appeal may be taken as to the amount of an assessment unless a written objection signed by the affected property owner is filed with the City Clerk prior to the assessment hearing or presented to the presiding officer at the hearing. The City Council may upon such notice consider any objection to the amount of a proposed individual assessment at an adjourned meeting upon such further notice to the affected property owners as it deems advisable. If an assessment is contested or there is an adjourned hearing, the following procedure will be followed. 1. The City will present its case first by calling witnesses who may testify by narrative or by examination, and by the introduction of exhibits. After each witness has testified, the contesting party will be allowed to ask questions. This procedure will be repeated with each witness until neither side has further questions. 2. After the city has presented all its evidence, the objector may call witnesses or present such testimony as the objector desires. The same procedure for questioning of the City’s witnesses will be followed with the objector’s witnesses. 3. The objector may be represented by counsel.4. Minnesota rules of evidence will not be strictly applied; however, they may be considered and argued to the City Council as to the weight of items of evidence or testimony presented to the City Council.5. The entire proceedings will be taped-recorded.6. At the close of presentation of evidence, the objector may make a final presentation to the City Council based on the evidence and the law. No new evidence may be presented at this point. 7. The City Council may adopt the proposed 0assessment at this meeting.An owner may appeal an assessment to District Court pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 429.081 by serving notice of the appeal upon the Mayor or City Clerk of the City of Luverne within thirty (30) days after the adoption of the assessment and filing such notice with the District Court within ten (10) days after service upon the Mayor or City Clerk. /s/ Marianne PerkinsCity Clerk(10-7)

Public HearingThe Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging public hearing to review the 2005 Area Plan and budget is at 9:30 a.m. on Wed., Oct. 20 at the Wabasso Community Center, 1429 Front Street, Wabasso. Information is available by calling 507-389-8879.(10-7)

Notice of ApplicationFor Livestock Feedlot PermitNotice is hereby given per Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 215, that Binford Farms has made application to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and Rock County for a permit to expand an existing feedlot with a capacity of 500 animal units or more. The existing feedlot is located in the NW 1/4 of section 4, Magnolia Township, T102N, R44W, Rock County.The existing facility consists of a 125’ x 165’ open lot with runoff controls housing 280 head of feeder cattle (196 animal units), a 140’ x 135’ open lot with runoff controls housing 280 head of feeder cattle (196 animal units), a 100’ x 240’ total confinement building housing 560 head of finishing cattle (560 animal units), and a 28’ x 76’ total confinement building with a 10’ x 80’ x 8’ poured concrete pit to house 500 head of nursery pigs (25 animal units), for a total of 977 animal units. The proposed expansion shall consist of a 100’ x 630’ total confinement barn to house 1140 head of finishing cattle (1140 animal units). The two open lots will be closed and all cattle will be in total confinement. After expansion the feedlot will have a total capacity of 2100 head of finishing cattle (2100 animal units) housed in a 100’ x 240’ and a 100’ x 630’ total confinement building, 500 head of nursery pigs (25 animal units) housed in a 28’ x 76’ total confinement building with a 10’ x 80’ x 8’ poured concrete pit. The total animal units will be 2125. This publication shall constitute as notice to each resident and each owner of real property within 5,000 feet of the perimeter of the proposed feedlot as required by Minnesota State Law.(10-7)

The following article appeared in the Rock County Herald on Feb. 9, 1934:Rabbit Hunt results in slaying of 345 "Jacks"Fifty hunters join in affair sponsored Sunday by Rock County Game Protective AssociationFifty hunters joined in the rabbit hunt conducted Sunday by the Rock County Game Protective Association, and when the smoke of the day’s bombardment had cleared away the casualties numbered 345 jackrabbits. Confined to four sections of land about three miles northwest of Luverne, the hunt started at 10 o’clock in the morning and lasted until about 4 in the afternoon. In the forenoon a total of 121 rabbits were bagged on just one section, and 35 more were shot on the same section in the afternoon, which gives some idea of the surprising abundance of these animals. A truck was used for gathering up the carcasses, which were sold to a Sioux Falls firm to be used in the preparation of pelts for commercial purposes. The association received $20 for the rabbits, this amount being turned into the treasury to be later used for a feed and entertainment. A meeting will be held this Friday evening at the city hall to make plans for the luncheon, and also for another hunt in the near future. All members of the hunting party left from this city at the same time. In covering a section, the party divided into four groups, all approaching the center of the section from the four sides. Pastures, cornfields and creek beds were thoroughly covered. Most of the hunters were from the rural districts. Only shotguns were used. No contest was held in connection with the hunt, but as a sociable "get together" it was a highly enjoyable occasion for all who joined in it. Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@iw.net.

October is time to start Christmas shopping and get wise about candidatesToday is Oct. 7, and that means a few things:
Only 11 more weeks until Christmas
There’s still a decent selection of Halloween costumes in local stores
A couple more hard freezes and all the bugs will be dead.
There’s still time to buy me chocolate for my Oct. 23 birthday.… and, while these might all have potential as column topics, Oct 7 also means …
We’re less than a month away from the general election.It’s time to stop watching campaign ads and time to start asking tough questions.Jonathan, 8, told me he’s learning about the elections in school and he asked me which presidential candidate I was going to vote for.I paused.I knew if I told him, he’d want to know why, and I really didn’t have a good answer.I clearly hadn’t been paying attention, and time is running out to get answers. But getting truthful answers to the tough questions isn’t always easy.The easy thing would be to vote ignorantly, or even not vote at all. That way, when the elected officials screw up, we can say we didn’t vote for them.For some who vote ignorantly, or don’t vote at all, it’s because they don’t know where to turn for factual, unbiased information on candidates.For starters, turn off the television and radio and fire up the computer, if you have access to one. Go to a public library to get online if you have to.The Minnesota League of Women Voters each year puts out a voters guide that offers a Q&A-style information on candidates in all the races. Their site is www.lwvmn.org. From their home page, click on "voting and election information," and then on "2004 election information" which offers candidate information specific to each voter’s address.The Minnesota Secretary of State Web site offers candidate information, plus links to their web sites. So, even though the sites are pedaling the candidates, a voter can get a feel for what the candidates are passionate about.That site is www.sos.state.mn.us.Other good, non-biased sources for voter guides can be found at the Minnesota Newspaper Association site, www.mnnewspapernet.org.Click on the red, white and blue "vote" button toward the bottom of the page to link to the Q&A style information on Minnesota candidates.The St. Paul Pioneer Press, www.twincities.com, and Minneapolis Star Tribune, www.startribune.com, also publish voters guides worth reading. Watch those sites for that information soon to be released.We at the Star Herald will, for the most part, leave state and national politics to our colleagues in the daily news business.Our readers can count on us instead to offer thorough coverage of our local county, city and school races.We’re putting together interview questions and questionnaires, and we’ll publish that information in coming weeks.… Meanwhile, there’s still time to shop for my birthday present.

Read the following the next time you lose your temper with your child, decide to drive over-aggressively, or get discouraged about your life. Read it as if it were a cold, tart lemonade on a sultry, summer afternoon.The responsive giggle of a happy child to the tickle of your finger.The first bite on a hot, dry day into a sweet and succulent oversized Georgia peach.The cat's coarse, wet tongue on your smooth cheek.The ballet of a wide receiver catching a sideline pass with his toes paired to the ground behind him. The long-delayed first full hug from a father or mother for a child who had never been cuddled.The sight of the lofted flight of a white golf ball against a backdrop of cumulus-clouded blue sky and fertile, green landing area. A Frederic Chopin composition skillfully interpreted on a finely-tuned grand piano.The first time your newborn closes his miniature hand around your finger.Standing with closed eyes in a gentle spring rain. Awakening on a fall morning to the sweet, transforming smell of freshly baked bread.The exhilarating animal instinct of pure pleasure when your parched mouth first tastes a stream of earth-born cold artesian well water.With eyes closed in your church pew absorbing an affective, angelic full choir singing with deepest heart the "Hallelujah Chorus". The first flower of spring. The soothing rhythm of the ocean's eternal heartbeat on a sand-swept beach. The perfectly-written and styled business letter.A child's art interpretation of the family in which mommy and daddy are both smiling.A sensual foot massage after a long day.The sight of a teenager pausing to help a senior citizen to cross the street.To hear "I love you" from the one you are deeply in love with.The everlasting wonder of the external structure of a flower.The incomprehensible notion that space has no boundary and the wonderment of its orchestration of stars.Slipping on a new pair of winter gloves that fit perfectly.A cold drink after a day of baling hay.The Vikings up by 40 points with two seconds to play in the Super Bowl.Your fingers melting into the smooth belly of your new baby.A fresh blanket of pure snow from here to the horizon.Your frigid hands hugging a hot cup of chocolate.The earthy smell of a freshly cut piece of wood.The sight and sound of tall prairie grass dancing in the wind.The concentric circles from a stone dropped in a placid lake.The intricacy of a spider's web.The Blue Mounds.A maple leaf.Sunrise.Sunset.The sense, if only momentarily, that all is right with the world. And guess what? The more you pause to identify the beauty all around, the more all will be right with the world.

The outsourcing of American jobs isn’t a laughing matter, and the latest news about this growing trend is literally hitting us below our belts. Yes, we’re talking about fast food. It’s one thing to try to communicate with a stranger in Mexico about questionable charges on your credit card or with someone else in New Delhi, India, about your computer problems. The situation is much more serious now that fast food restaurants, icons of our culture and symbols of all that is good and right about our country, are outsourcing their drive-through orders. According to the International Herald Tribune-New York Times, three McDonald’s restaurants in Missouri, Minnesota and Massachusetts recently began outsourcing their drive-through orders to a call center in Colorado Springs, Colo. With the new system, a Big Mac order shouted into a microphone is typed into a computer in Colorado and a digital photo of the customer’s car is taken in order to reduce errors. The order is then clicked back to the originating restaurant’s kitchen, which has the order ready in less time (30 seconds on the average) and with fewer mistakes. Really! Of course, it’s only a matter of time before other fast food restaurants jump on the bandwagon and decide to outsource their customers’ orders to remote third world countries, where a burger and fries would cost approximately a month’s wages. The following situations will indicate if such a change has taken place at your favorite drive-through window: To begin with, you order a Big Mac and french fries but land up with an order of sushi or a bowl of wonton soup. The voice taking your order yawns, "Good morning!" and it’s 7 p.m. where you live. You order a milkshake and the mechanized voice asks, "Would you like chopsticks with that?" Your order for several all-beef burgers is met with an audible gasp in New Delhi. In an ironic twist of your mother’s advice, "Eat everything on your plate because there are starving people in India," your fast food order is taken by someone very possibly starving in India. After you have placed your order, the voice on the other end of the intercom advises, "Please pull ahead to the first window. The total for your order is 10,040 pesos." Ordering fast food with outsourcing may save time, but it now requires three people — you, the order taker and a translator. The winter wind chill temperature outside your car at the drive-through window is 80 degrees below zero and your car is dwarfed by towering snow banks. When you roll down your car window to place an order, your eyelids begin to freeze shut. However, the voice from South America on the intercom greets you with, "Good afternoon! How are you enjoying this beautiful summer day?" Finally, you can’t understand what the order-taker is saying. All you can hear are garbled sounds. Wait a minute, that’s already happening!