NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR CONDITIONAL USE PERMITNOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, by the City Planning Commission that a public hearing will be held in the Council Chambers located on second floor of City Hall, 203 East Main Street, Luverne, Minnesota, at 5:00 p.m., Central Daylight Savings Time, on Tuesday, June 3, 2003, to rule and make a recommendation to the Luverne City Council on a requested conditional use permit application submitted by Farmers Union Coop Oil Company to allow construction of a bulk fuels storage plant on Lot 2, except the East 60 ft of Block 5 in Gabrielson Industrial Subdivision, Luverne, MN.All persons wishing to be heard in favor of or in opposition to the conditional use request should be present at the hearing or present written comments prior thereto to the Building Official. Anyone needing reasonable accommodations or an interpreter should contact the City Clerk’s Office, 203 East Main Street, Luverne, MN (507) 449-2388.By order of the Luverne City Planning Commission of Luverne, Minnesota, this 19th day of May, 2003. Marianne PerkinsCity Clerk(5-22)

10 years ago (1993)"Luverne’s Erin Connell and Krista Heikes earned medals by placing individually during the annual Southwest Conference Golf meet played at the Worthington Country Club Friday.The top six players in the boys’ and girls’ divisions received all-conference honors at the annual meet. Connell and Heikes are the only two Cardinals who earned the honors."25 years ago (1978)"The day after Memorial Day will be the beginning of a six-week holiday in Luverne. A holiday, at least, in terms of the fact that there will be free parking throughout the central business district. On the recommendation of the parking committee of the Luverne Chamber of Commerce, the City Council has agreed to cover all parking meters from May 30 to July 15. The six weeks will be a trial period to consider removing all parking meters in Luverne."50 years ago (1953)"A total of 103 students will be graduated from four Rock County high schools in the class of 1953. Twenty-three students will also be graduated from Jasper high school with some of the students from Rock County.Luverne has the largest number of graduates with 63, Hills has 17, Magnolia 15 and Beaver Creek 8."75 years ago (1928)"Among the letters received the fore part of the week by S.B. Nelson, of Nelson Bros. Inc., was an unsigned one containing $16 in cash, with the statement that the sender was making the remittance in payment of a suit of clothes and a hat that he had secured from the store and had never paid for. In other words, the remittance was sent as a conscience payment and the sender explained that after meeting that obligation he would be able to sleep better.This remittance is only one of several the firm has received during the present year, and receives publicity at this time because the sender especially wished that a few words be put in the Herald about the transaction so that he will know that Mr. Nelson got the money."100 years ago (1903)"Purchases of wool twine by sheep raisers indicate that shearing will begin soon. In former years it was the practice to shear in midsummer, but the tendency in recent years has been to begin earlier. Because of the backward spring, no shearing is reported at this time, farmers preferring to wait for dry weather."

To the Editor:Seat Belt LawThank you God, for the seat belt law.Now maybe, God, our law makers can spend as much time on preventing abortion and save our babies and the future of our country. Marlin MarkusAdrian

To the Editor,I could not have been more pleased with the letter written by Mr. Heeren which ran last week.I used to work at that radio station, and while I cannot blame the personnel at that studio on the hill for following orders, I wish they hadn't. But as they say, don't bite the hand that feeds you. It's not the fault of Bruce, Roger or Jay. It's probably not even Steve's fault.This trend toward silencing people who speak out against the Bush administration should alarm every American citizen. Though I have strongly disagreed with many people who have written letters to this publication, fiercely even, at times, I would never mount a campaign to force Roger and Lori to stop publishing their views. Attorney General John Ashcroft's Patriot Act is McCarthyism clad in the titanium armor of self-defense. It is a response to the horrendous 9/11 attacks, but it oversteps its bounds. It allows for broader wire-tapping abilities, at times without the permission of the judiciary, encourages neighbors to spy on one another, and seeks to limit people's access to legal recourse when accused of a crime, even if one is an American citizen. Does that sound like America to you?Mr. Heeren makes a great point about the Iraqi woman imprisoned for dissenting in Iraq. The Bush Administration is having a hard time finding evidence to justify this war. It was originally about weapons of mass destruction, and the grave threat that Iraq posed to the United States and its allies. When no WMD were used or found, it quickly became a mission to "liberate Iraq."After we granted the Iraqis "liberty", our troops shot 17 protesters who were exercising their newfound rights as "free citizens". As Mr. Heeren said, so much for freedom of speech.I don't care much for new country music, but I think I might go out and buy a Dixie Chicks album.And don't feel bad, Leroy. I'm sure that I've been on the FBI's watch list since I was 16. It's a thing of honor.Matthew HoilandBloomington

To the Editor:A day to rememberThe long farewells, the tears, the agony; precious time lost. Throughout our history, many men and women and their loved ones have gone through this so that members of our military could go off to serve their country during wartime. These soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines have volunteered and been drafted, sent to the far corners of the globe in the name of our country and freedom. During this time a great number have not returned, they made the ultimate sacrifice for all of us. This is the greatest tragedy of war, all of the lost lives, young people killed before they really had a chance to live. It is hard to imagine all of the 18-year-old "boys" killed on foreign soil in our name. Memorial Day originated in Waterloo, N.Y., as Decoration Day when a local druggist, Henry C. Wells suggested taking a day to honor the soldiers killed in the Civil War. This was in 1866, and it was decided that wreathes, crosses, and bouquets would adorn each of the veteran’s graves. The village was also draped in black to denote mourning and flags were flown at half-mast. As the nation adopted the new holiday, the date was moved from the 5th of each May to the 30th of May. It was eventually moved again to the last Monday in May.Over the last several decades Memorial Day has turned into a three-day weekend. A reason to have a party or do something with friends. This is the first weekend of summer, a time for graduation parties, hit the lake or campground, or to just rest after a long winter. Our military forces have fought off the Kaiser, Hitler, Hirohito and Communism. This year we have tens of thousands of troops in several countries fighting for our principals and to eliminate the terrorist threats against our country. Since Sept. 11th, our military has suffered many losses, brave men and women lost for the cause. Once again there are fresh graves to mark for Memorial Day. This Memorial Day there will be ceremonies at each of the cemeteries. These ceremonies are normally short, with the Legion Honor Guard and a member of the clergy. The 21-gun salute and the playing of Taps round out a solemn prayer and the laying of the wreath at the base of the flagpole. Conducted mid morning, it is very easy to get to one of these to honor those who fought and died for the very freedom you enjoy today.So this Memorial Day, try to take the time to attend a ceremony for those who have given everything for you and your loved ones. Few communities in our nation have been spared the loss of a young man to the ravages of war. If you can’t make it to the cemetery, say a short prayer for those brave souls and the families that lost them.Curtis Hendel

To the Editor:How blissful it must be to a liberal in America now. To be able to alter reality in your own mind to suit your needs. I guess it would be even better if they were able to spin the 2000 election into something they could stomach. Wonder why they can't? I suppose we all need to be angry about something. I really feel I must help Leroy Heeren. Free speech in America is alive and well, thanks to the Navy, Army, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, … and YES George W. Bush! Free speech is making a triumphant comeback in Iraq too. Where free speech is hurting, is here in Luverne where not all letters to the editor are printed. Only the ones that are not too controversial. (Lori you didn't think I would let that die that easily did you?)*OK Leroy, let me explain the difference between the woman in Iraq that was punished by the despot Saddam, and the Dixie Chicks. Free speech means you can say most anything (short of threats) and you will not be prosecuted. It does not, however, mean there are not consequences for your actions. Now, I understand as a liberal there is not a lot of understanding about consequences of actions. It is always another's fault. It was the "Vast right wing conspiracy". The woman in Iraq, pre liberation, was wrongly punished for speaking out about the dictator. The Dixie Chicks were not punished. They did however suffer consequences for their actions. The radio stations and the people that run them are capitalists. If enough people like me call in and say they are not going to tune in again if they continue to play the Dixie Chicks, they begin to see that their stations listenership may drop causing them to lose money. Given the choice of losing market share and therefore money, or supporting the careers of the Dixie Chicks, they are going to look out for number one every single time. Likely also, because they understand that the country is run by the Republican Party, and there will be no social program created to support them if they choose to forsake capitalism. Let me put it in even simpler terms. If you tell your boss to take a long walk off a short pier, you will not be thrown in jail. You also will not have to go back to work with that boss. You were not prosecuted, but you did suffer consequences. I really doubt you will be put on any list for your letter. Unless you really believe they are coming to Luverne, Minn., for you. In that case you may just make the roster at the padded facility.As for the liberal media, you can have them. The Republicans have the Judicial, and the Executive branches, along with the House, and the Senate. That is where the real work is done.Now, for you few that want to play this "support the troops but not the President" game. As a troop I just want to say Pfffffft! Protest with your vote November 2004. And good luck, you’re going to need it.Joseph Baloun USNR*The Star Herald letters policy prohibits publication of letters containing personal attacks. Rather, it encourages expression of opinion in letters that focus on issues — not on one person’s description of another’s character.

A Victory TuneOn April 1, Pres. Bush addressed the nation from the deck of the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln. The speech did not declare a devastating victory or brag of our power. The President thanked and praised the work of our military and reiterated his pledge to continue the war on those that threaten us. He also repeated his view spoken in the wake of Sept. 11th; you are either with us or against us. This attitude has slowed many of the countries that may otherwise have chosen to take some type of terrorist action against us. The speech was to the nation, but mostly for the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines that had given to their country. As much as some believe this was a reelection speech, most people could see the honesty and appreciation Bush felt for those he sent into harm’s way.Our military has proven itself in many ways in the last several weeks. Not only do we have a force capable of protecting us from those that wish to do us harm, but we also have military units that go into battle with a certain amount of compassion for the enemy and civilians. Several of our casualties in the initial week were attributed to a fake surrender ambush and the protection of civilians. Although these two attributes seem impossible to mix, our service men and women have done just that.The members of our all volunteer military have given crucial months of their lives to liberate an oppressed people and ensure the protection of all of us. How many children have been born while their fathers have been at war? This experience can never be replaced for these families, but yet they love and support each other. Then there was the Marine Major whose infant son needed a heart transplant. He was offered a desk job to keep himself from being deployed but still went, with the blessing of his wife. They both knew that his Marines would be placed in danger if a command officer had to be replaced. At last report his child had received the transplant and was recovering.Bringing our military members home will be a slow process that will take many months, but the homecomings will be great for the families and the nation. I find it very satisfying that the anti-war movement has run out of steam so that these brave souls can return home to the hero’s welcome that they deserve. When they return you should thank them, no matter where they served or what their part in the victory entailed.As Memorial Day approaches, we should all make a conscience effort to remember those who have been lost since the War on Terror began. In Afghanistan, Iraq, and other unknown areas of the world we have lost sons and daughters, parents, siblings, and friends. They can never be replaced and must never be forgotten. Just a short prayer of remembrance on a holiday, may they rest in peace for what they have done for us.Curtis Hendel,Adrian

What your mother told you is true after all — good deeds are eventually rewarded. Marco d’Aviano had to wait more than 300 years. With a headline reading, "Cappuccino Friar Moves Along Sainthood Path." Reuters reports that the 17th-century friar and five other Italians were recently beatified by Pope John Paul in a final step before sainthood. According to the article, d’Aviano created the frothy coffee drink cappuccino. (Incidentally, he also thwarted a Muslim invasion of Europe and cured a nun who had been bedridden for 13 years.) Reuters notes, "The drink, now supped by millions around the world, was called cappuccino after the Capuchin order of monks to which d’Aviano belonged." There is no mention of caffeine as being the reason the nun finally got out of bed, but many of us could attest to similar experiences. Although the last thing any of us would ever want to do is tell the pope how to do his job, one other unsung hero should definitely be singled out for sainthood honors. That candidate, of course, would be the person who invented elastic waistbands. In fact, if the waistband inventor hadn’t done the impossible, we would be forced to drink our cappuccinos with milk froth instead of more satisfying whipped cream. Without elastic waistbands, our lives would be isolated and lonely. Many of us would be unable to leave our homes and mingle with other people on a daily basis. Our regular waistbands, unattractive combinations of strained zippers, buttons and snaps, would have to be held together with series of safety pins or rubber bands. We would be unable to get dressed up and go out to eat at the same time. Without elastic waistbands, we would have little or no flexibility. We would be unable to bend over with no "give" at our waistlines. Because of elastic waistbands, we can be more gracious dinner guests. We never run the risk of insulting chefs or hostesses by turning down their offers of second or third helpings of food. Because of their flexibility and magical characteristics, elastic waistbands can easily cover a span of four sizes and make up for a lifetime of being unable to resist food in any form. (The latter might be referred to by some as gluttony, but I prefer to think of it as having a healthy appetite.) Elastic waistbands will stick with you through thick or thin. They are extremely forgiving and they will go out of their way to cover up your past mistakes and weaknesses. Not unlike some favorite foods, they can actually be your best friends. Without stretchable waistbands, we would become a nation of muumuu wearers. Other nominees for sainthood might have easily included the inventors of automatic washers, dryers and dishwashers, microwave popcorn, aspirin and non-feathering lipstick. (In case you’re wondering, that’s the lipstick that stays on the lips and doesn’t flow along most of the wrinkles on the lower half of one’s face, creating the illusion of a complicated roadmap.) As far as sainthood is concerned, it might help if the inventor of elastic waistbands did some other incidental things related to world peace or solving a major health problem along the way. It worked with Marco d’Aviano.

After years of study and research, statistics have proven that there are two methods of getting up and getting ready for work in the morning. This is method one: Set the alarm clock for 90 minutes prior to work time. Hit the snooze alarm 30 times, then pop out of bed at the last possible minute and get ready. April (children’s librarian) says she can rise 10 minutes before work starts and still be on time. I’m thinking that’s two minutes in the shower, one minute for "other" bathroom things, four minutes to apply styling products to the hair and one minute to style. That leaves one minute for makeup and one minute to drive to the library. I (library director) happen to be a follower of method two: I set my alarm to go off 90 minutes before work begins. I pop right out of bed, brush my teeth, wash my face, grab a cup of coffee, and sit down on the couch to relax. After the first cup of coffee I "get ready" — 15 minutes in the bathtub, 10 minutes for hair, 10 minutes for makeup (I obviously need more help than April) and 10 minutes to dress. Then I sit down and relax with another cup of coffee. Then I putz around the house, doing dishes or laundry, watering the plants, playing with the bird, checking the garden. By then I’m ready to face the workday. Some people may wonder why an individual would have to relax immediately after waking from a full night’s sleep. I admit, it is unusual. Barb (assistant librarian) is a method two person, but only after she gets the boys off to school. My niece, Michele, gets up two hours before work starts so she can relax and putz. The loving husband is a method one person. He can get up at 7:30, get ready and be to work in Sioux Falls by 8:00 … that’s a two-minute shower, one-minute "other" and one minute dressing. That leaves 26 minutes to get from our house to his bank in Sioux Falls. It’s do-able. More important than your getting-up schedule, is your going-to-bed schedule. Be sure to leave plenty of time for reading once you hit the sack. You might want to try "Ties That Bind" by Philip Margolin for your nighttime reading pleasure. Success is fleeting; nobody knows this better than lawyer Amanda Jaffe. She had been the undisputed rising star of Portland's legal community, but in a cruel twist of irony, the same case that put her on the map — the Cardoni trial, left her traumatized, doubting her instincts, and shunning the limelight. This reticence ends when Amanda agrees to handle the case no one else will touch. Jon Dupre, who runs an upscale escort service, is accused of murdering a U.S. Senator. Dupre claims to possess proof of the existence of a secret society of powerful men who have banded together for a commonly held political agenda. The rite of passage that binds them together — the initiation into this powerful brotherhood — is murder. To Amanda these seem the desperate claims of a man who will lie to save his own skin — until she is pressured to walk away from the case. But she refuses to abandon her investigation. It's a decision that will place her and those she loves directly in the path of a deadly juggernaut with ambitions that extend all the way to the presidency of the United States. (This book is also available as a Book on Cassette and a Book on CD. The Library will be closed on Sundays beginning this weekend and will be closed on Monday, Memorial Day.