By Jolene Farley
Hills City Council members Dana Dahlquist and Wendell Bengtson faced a tough decision Thursday evening when they voted on a replacement for former mayor George Langford.

The city published an ad soliciting interested mayoral candidates, but the only response came from council members Jim Jellema and Arlen Leenderts.

Jellema and Leenderts abstained from the vote leaving council members Dana Dahlquist and Wendell Bengtson to decide.

City Clerk Connie Wiertzema assured the council that according to the rules of the League of Minnesota Cities, the council could establish a quorum with only two voting members as long as Jellema and Leenderts abstained.

Bengtson was the first to cast his vote. He thanked Jellema and Leenderts for their interest in the mayor seat.

"I would rather have the problem of having to decide which one of you two I was interested in," he said. "I had difficulty deciding where I was going to come to roost."

Bengtson went on to say he was impressed with the way Jellema had handled his duties as mayor pro-tem after Langford's resignation.

"I would like to see Jim appointed understanding the fact that Arlen is equally qualified," he said.

Then it was Dahlquist's turn to vote. "I appreciate both of you, and I think both of you would do a good job," he said to Jellema and Leenderts. "But as long as Jim is pro-term I think he should have the job."

A resolution was adopted appointing Jim Jellema mayor.

The council then had to vote on the candidates for Jellema's vacated seat on the council. Linus Svoboda and Keith Elbers responded to the city's ad asking for interested council candidates.

"Considering the fact Linus has been at every meeting and he was up for election," said Dahlquist, "I would nominate Linus for council member."

After thanking Svoboda for his continuing interest in the city, a resolution was passed naming Svoboda as council member.

With two years remaining on a three-year term, Langford announced his intentions to move to Luverne after the sale of his home in Hills.

He submitted a letter dated Dec. 28, 2001, to the council tendering his resignation effective Jan. 1, 2002. Langford's resignation was accepted at JanuaryÕs meeting.

In other business:
The council negotiated with Martin Township representatives on fire protection contracts. The Hills fire department provides protection for 19 sections of Martin Township and the city of Steen.

Township fees increased from $300 per section to $350 per section and protection for the city of Steen was increased from $2,000 to $2,300.

To justify the increase, the council explained that operating costs keep increasing, and the fire hall, built in 1981, needs new garage doors and will soon need a new roof.

The United States Post Office has again contacted Wiertzema about renting space in the City Hall building.

The council published an ad offering the space for rent after correspondence from the post office indicated fiscal difficulties caused a nation-wide freeze on construction. No other parties are currently interested in renting the space.

An architect retained by the post office took pictures and measurements of the space on Feb. 12, according to Wiertzema.

The council decided to continue with a plan to randomly sample water meter readings in Hills. Customers currently read their own meters and send the figures to the city.

By Sara Strong
Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer equates caucuses with a town hall meeting. And anyone who wants their opinions heard by local party leaders has a chance at 7 p.m. Tuesday.

A caucus is a public meeting conducted by major political parties to elect delegates to party conventions and to discuss issues. It's a preliminary step toward supporting candidates for the coming elections.

Delegates from precinct caucuses go on to county and district conventions and may be elected to go on to the state conventions of their party.

The Rock County Republican Party will have its caucus at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Luverne Elementary School Commons.

The Rock County DFL Party will have its caucus at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Luverne Senior Center.

Kiffmeyer said in a press release, "The precinct caucuses are a wonderful opportunity for you to get together with your neighbors to discuss issues and to get in on the ground level of political activity."

The state requires major political parties to host precinct caucuses during general election years, or even numbered years.

Caucuses often turn into major discussions of issues that may be on a party's platform. It is a time when there is most influence over candidates and positions. Voting for precinct officers is by secret ballot.

Because of the importance of caucuses, state agencies, school boards, county boards, township boards and city councils cannot conduct meetings after 6 p.m. that night.

Working people are also supposed to be allowed time off to attend the caucus.

Anyone who is eligible to vote can vote at the caucus. No previous party affiliation is required, but attending usually shows support for that party in the next general election. Children or those not able to vote can attend as observers.

Birthday No. 7 will be observed with a smaller, more intimate gathering
Jonathan's birthday party last week was designed after my childhood dream party. Brightly-colored helium balloons bobbed cheerfully around a dining room table loaded with cupcakes, peanuts and M&Ms and a big pitcher of pink lemonade. Activities were planned, and the pi–ata was poised in the air with a stick and blindfold nearby ready to go.

It would have been the dream party, too, if the birthday boy and his guests had cooperated.

I knew we were in for a change of plans when I looked out the window at 3:30 and saw seven rowdy boys hurtling off the bus toward the house at break-neck speed. Once inside, they didn't slow down. After terrorizing the cats, the group divided with impressive organization into two warring factions, chasing and attacking each other with any six-shooter and dry water pistol they could find. Some hid under and behind furniture for sneaky ambushes, while others charged fearlessly at the enemy, getting tangled in balloon strings en route.

The host and hostess were a bit overwhelmed. A structured game of pin the tail on the donkey paled in comparison to this drama.

About the time we considered intervening, one little boy emerged from the chaos with a slightly bleeding nose. It had collided, while southbound, with a barrel of a speeding northbound cork gun.

It was definitely time to intervene. That was when we heard a massive thud from the direction of the kitchen. It was the sort of thud that sounded like a head smacking the hard linoleum. "Is everyone OK?" we rushed to the scene. At first, all we heard was, "...fell." Who fell? Is he conscious? I had visions of Jonathan unwrapping presents in the emergency room with his fallen comrade.

We were relieved to learn the only casualty was a crafty wooden angel who had toppled off her perch and suffered a dented wing and bent halo. She'd heal.

So went the rest of the party. The boys weren't naughty; they were just, well ... excited.

They piled M&Ms on their cupcake frosting and dipped peanuts in their pink lemonade. They fought over whose gift should be opened first, and, when it was time to play games, no one was interested, because they were so deeply engrossed in assembling unwrapped birthday Legos.

It was appropriate, then, that our pi–ata turned out to be the indestructible kind. I was so concerned one strong boy would break the shell on the first whack, but we eventually did away with the blindfold and finally encouraged the big kids to hit harder and more often. In the end, the pathetic thing fell to the ground before it broke, and the boys had a heyday pounding away at the dented, beaten shell on the ground.

Alas, at the first sign of a tear, we confiscated the stick and shook the candy out from the small opening. As it turns out, the beating was much harder on the contents of the pi–ata than on the pi–ata itself. Lollipops crumbled when wrappers were removed, and Valentine hearts were smooshed into unrecognizable blobs of foil and chocolate. The boys didn't seem bothered with the spoiled loot. Getting to the candy was obviously more fun than eating it.

I don't recall ever asking for my dream birthday party, and it was certainly never offered, but I have vague recollections of my older sisterÕs sixth birthday. It involved a herd of pigtails running amuck through a city park in the heat of July, with spilled Kool-Aid, picnic bugs and skinned knees.

My mom's no dummy. After that experience, I'm sure she saw the wisdom in suggesting more intimate gatherings with a best friend or two. We're thinking that would be a nice way for Jonathan to observe his seventh birthday.

Send Lori an e-mail

By Lori Ehde
A former Pipestone City Administrator and former CEO of the hog operation Global Ventures Inc. was indicted Thursday, Feb. 21, by a federal grand jury.

David S. Logan, 65, Pipestone, was charged with one count of conspiring to defraud the United States, one count of misapplication of bank funds and one count of mail fraud.

The jury alleged that Logan and a "senior bank officer" at First National Bank, Pipestone, conspired to violate banking regulations regarding lending limits and insider loans.

The bank officer allegedly caused a series of illegal loans to be made to companies controlled by Logan, including two in which the bank officer held an interest.

The indictment follows testimony before a grand jury earlier in the week by Pipestone residents.

Alleged illegal activity
According to the indictment, the senior bank officer caused illegal loans to be made to FAMAR Inc., a company owned by Logan.

Proceeds from one of the loans was used by Logan and the senior bank officer to invest in Global Ventures, a company in which the bank officer actively concealed that he held a 30-percent ownership interest. A second loan made to FAMAR was used by Logan to purchase stock in First National Bank, Pipestone and Garretson.

Logan and the bank officer allegedly utilized another company, Gandami Inc., doing business as Global Feeds, a corporation in which the bank officer had ownership interest, to obtain improper loans for the payment of personal debt and other unlawful purposes.

According to the indictment, Logan and the senior bank officer also created a fictitious company, Willey Contract Nursery Services, to act as a nominee to obtain loans for use by Global Ventures and its principals.

Through this fictitious company, Logan and the bank officer were able to obtain several illegal loans, including a $1 million Small Business Administration loan in March 1996 that was used for payment of $500,000 in construction costs for a Global Ventures hog facility.

The grand jury also alleged that Logan had knowledge that Global Ventures was being used as a nominee in a $400,000 loan that was actually being used to purchase a $1.1 million problem loan of a radio broadcasting station in Sioux Falls, S.D., in order to deceive federal bank regulators.

It is alleged in the indictment that beginning prior to June 1996, Logan devised and executed a scheme to deprive others of the intangible right of honest services in connection with matters involving Pipestone County and Rock County.

As part of that scheme, Logan allegedly made arrangements through the bank officer to provide preferential loans and cash to former Rock County Feedlot Officer John Burgers, Hills. The intent was to influence Burgers and obtain preferential treatment for Global Ventures.

Global responds
In a statement released Feb. 21, Global Ventures made it clear Logan is no longer affiliated with the company.

"In September of last year he resigned as an officer, director and employee," the statement read. "He has no voting rights in any shares of company stock. No one currently with the company had any knowledge or involvement with the alleged criminal wrongdoing of Mr. Logan."

The statement goes on to say Global Ventures has nothing to do with the indictment.

"The allegations do not pertain to the company and have no direct effect on its operation," the statement reads. "The provisions relating to forfeiture would involve personal assets of Mr. Logan only, and do not involve any assets of the company. This is an individual matter between Logan and the government."

Global Ventures raises about 175,000 hogs per year in Pipestone and Rock counties and markets an additional 550,000 hogs for area family farmers.

Possible sentence
If convicted, Logan faces a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine on each count of conspiracy to defraud the United States and mail fraud. He could be sentenced for up to 30 years in prison and/or up to $1 million in fines for misapplication of bank funds.

Any sentence would be determined by a judge based on sentence guidelines.

The case is the result of an ongoing investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hank Shea is prosecuting the case.

At right, Joe Stearns, Erin Hamann & Elizabeth Enenga blend ingredients for ethanol productions.

By Lori Ehde
It all boiled down to a winning score of 12.2 percent - ethanol that is.

More than 100 sophomore biology students have just wrapped up a five-day segment learning about ethanol production.

Students studied the process of ethanol production by doing everything in their lab as technicians do at the plant.

Throughout the week, students grind corn with mortar and pestle, add yeast and filter and distill the alcohol. They also study ethanol plants, flex fuel and Minnesota environmental laws.

The students make regular visits to the Agri-Energy lab, and Luverne High School biology teacher Jerry Jensen said he's been pleased with the willingness of the ethanol plant staff to work with his students.

Ethanol plant biologists provide students with enzymes, yeast and technical support for the class and then analyze their samples in the end for efficiency of their fermentation process.

The week ends with a formal tour of Luverne's Agri-Energy ethanol plant.

On that day, they bring their own samples of ethanol to be tested for purity. The brew submitted Friday by Justin Arndt, Katie Sandager, Chris Thacker and Jamie White Mountain turned out to be the best in the class, 12.2 percent.

According to lab technicians at Agri-Energy, that's good content coming from a high school lab, but it's not close to industrial quality.

Agri-Energy's ethanol content is considered confidential trade information, and the plant couldn't release those numbers.

Jensen has been partnering with the local plant on the learning series since 1999.

What began as a field trip has blossomed into a full week of fuel grade ethanol-based activities. "The plant does so much to make this activity work," Jensen said. "The kids like it. It's real world."

He added that his ethanol curriculum with Agri-Energy is commonly used as a model for other districts setting up similar studies.

Jensen works the ethanol study into the energetics portion of the curriculum that focuses on photosynthesis and respiration. It is now part of the biology profile of learning for Minnesota graduation standards.

Jensen also uses the ethanol segment to introduce students to technical and professional careers in agriculture.

Veletta Matilda Conley, 85, Worthington, formerly of Hardwick, died Monday, Feb. 18, 2002, at South Shore Care Center in Worthington.

Services were Saturday, Feb. 23, at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Woonsocket, S.D. The Rev. Daryl Tompkins officiated. Burial was in Eventide Cemetery, Woonsocket.

Veletta Andersen was born to William and Clara (Stelling) Andersen on Aug. 5, 1916, in Hardwick. She grew up near Hardwick and attended school there. She married Leo Johansen in 1937 in Hardwick. After their marriage they moved to Woonsocket where they farmed for many years. She worked at Van Dyke's Taxidermy in Woonsocket for several years. Mr. Johansen died in 1971.

She married Walter Johansen in 1975 in Woonsocket. Mr. Johansen died in 1983.

She married Hubert Conley in 1985 in Woonsocket. Mr. Conley died in 1994. She spent many winters in Blythe, Calif.

Mrs. Conley was a member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Woonsocket and was president of the Ladies Aid for many years and also a member of the Legion Auxiliary and Senior Citizens. She enjoyed being in craft clubs and card clubs.

Survivors include two sons, Darwin (Sharon) Johansen, Worthington, and Ardell Johansen, Bismarck, N.D.; two stepsons, Ronald Johansen, Spearfish, S.D., and Duwayne (Carolyn) Johansen, Corson, S.D.; one stepdaughter, Veloris (Glen) Youngstrom, Mount Vernon, S.D.; four granddaughters, Michelle (Kirk) Honius, Worthington, Jennifer Johansen and Stephanie Johansen, both of Bismarck, N.D., and Nicole (Keith) Branstiter, Indianapolis, Ind.; three great-grandchildren, Kara, Kody and Karter Honius, Worthington; several stepgrandchildren; two brothers, Myron (Lil) Andersen, Aurora, Colo., and Merlyn Andersen; and one sister, Vyonna (Curt) Maxwell, Luverne.

Mrs. Conley was preceded in death by her parents, her three husbands, Leo, Walt and Hugh, one granddaughter, Kristine, one brother, Major, and one sister, Vercella.

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

Lloyd E. Carlson, 78, Luverne, died Friday, Feb. 22, 2002, at Luverne Community Hospital in Luverne.

Services were Tuesday, Feb. 26, at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. The Revs. Maurice E. Hagen and Dell B. Sanderson officiated. Burial was in Luverne Memorial Gardens, rural Luverne.

Lloyd Carlson was born to Ed and Mary (Ellison) Carlson on Dec. 20, 1923, in Wakefield, Neb. He attended school in Wakefield. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps and served his country during World War II.

He married Corinne Mae English on July 3, 1946, in Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. After their marriage they lived in Uehling, Neb., where he owned and operated Carlson Plumbing & Heating. Later they moved to Norfolk, Neb., and Ft. Dodge, Iowa. In 1959 they moved to Luverne. He worked for Central Natural Gas in Luverne. He retired in 1986.

Mr. Carlson was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and served on the stewardship and evangelism committees and was active in the Big Kids Soul Food Group. He was a member of Luverne VFW and past member of Luverne Lions Club. He was a Boy Scout leader. He also volunteered as a driver for others. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping.

Survivors include four children and their spouses, Patricia Powell and companion, Loran Kirby, Hatfield, Mike (Lori) Carlson, Beaver Creek, Laurie (Jerry) Bailey, Limon, Colo., and David (Tanya) Carlson, Maple Grove; 10 grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and one stepgreat-grandchild.

Mr. Carlson was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Corinne, on Sept. 9, 1994, two infant brothers and six sisters.

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

Margaret Lenderts, 84, Ellsworth, died Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002, at Luverne Community Hospital in Luverne.

Services were Wednesday, Feb. 27, at Dingmann Funeral Chapel in Adrian. The Rev. Dean Hofstad officiated. Burial was in Grand Prairie Cemetery, Ellsworth.

Margaret Richter was born to Bernard and Esther (Riley) Richter on Sept. 27, 1917, in Ellsworth. She graduated from Ellsworth High School.

She married Otto "Spike" Lenderts on March 8, 1942, in Ellsworth. After their marriage the couple lived in Ellsworth. She was a homemaker and a resident of Ellsworth all of her life.

Mrs. Lenderts was a member of First Congregational Church in Ellsworth. She enjoyed reading and doing crossword puzzles.

Survivors include three children, Lynn Afu, Orlando, Fla., Bruce Lenderts, Rock Rapids, Iowa, and Vicki (Brad Gould) Lenderts, Beaver Creek; five grandchildren, Shelli (Don) Custer, Jill (Ken) Mobeck, Shawn (Paul) Shaw, Keli (Oscar) Orellana and Roxanne (Jason) Dohlmann; nine great-grandchildren; one brother, Ed (Ella) Richter, Mound; two sisters, Dorothy Barton, Dallas, Ore., and Martha Jane Richter, Ellsworth; and two cousins, Dean and Phyllis Hofstad, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Mrs. Lenderts was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Spike, on Sept. 12, 1990, a great-grandson, Michael, in 1990, and two brothers, Robert and Russell Richter.

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

Elisabeth Nelly Earl, 74, Branson West, Mo., died Saturday, Feb. 23, 2002, in her home. She was the mother of Steven Earl of Luverne.

Services were Wednesday, Feb. 27, in Stumpff Funeral Home-South, Kimberling City, Mo. The Rev. Jack Day officiated. Burial was in Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield, Mo.

Elisabeth Winnewisser was born to Freddich and Elsa (Claus) Winnewisser on April 13, 1927, in Mannheim, Germany. She married Dale Earl on Dec. 10, 1955. They had made their home in Branson West the past 18 years after coming from California. She was a retired legal secretary and of the Lutheran faith.

Survivors include her husband, Dale Earl, Branson West, two sons, Steven Earl, Luverne, and Perry Earl, Niangua, Mo.; two grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one brother, Theodore Winnewisser, Stuttgart, Germany; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Stumpff Funeral Home-South, Kimberling City, was in charge of arrangements.