Luverne’s Nick Otten begins his leg of the 3,200-meter relay after taking the baton from Ruston Aaker during the Cardinal Quadrangular in Luverne Tuesday. The Luverne team placed third in the event.

By John Rittenhouse
The Luverne boys’ track team made its home debut during the Cardinal quadrangular Tuesday.

No team standings were kept at the meet, but it appeared the Cards were able to hold their own against the competition by winning seven events in their outdoor opener.

"The boys did well," said Cardinal coach Craig Nelson. "We had a couple of minor mishaps in handing off the baton, but that is something we can work on. We showed good improvement from last week to this week, and we appear to be developing some depth. We had a lot of kids score."

Marcus Walgrave had a fantastic meet for LHS that featured him winning three of the team’s seven meet titles. Walgrave won the 100-meter dash (11.16), the 110-meter high hurdles (11.16) and 300-meter low hurdles (40.31).

Justin Van Wyhe posted a pair of wins for LHS by producing the top distances of 19-1 1/4 and 41-1 3/4 in the long and triple jumps.

Cardinal Cody Gehrke won the shot put with a toss of 39-6, and Ruston Aaker took top honors in the 400-meter dash with a time of 55.44.

Luverne’s 1,600-meter relay team placed second with a time of 3:44.25. Scott Goebel, Jake Hendricks, Nick Otten and Tim Rust formed the team.

Chris Morgan (16.97 in the 110 hurdles), Jerome Willers (24.97 in the 200), Tony Willers (108-1 in the discus) and Andrew Hulstein (5-8 in the high jump) placed second in individual events for LHS.

Luverne will host the annual Cardinal Relays Tuesday. Field events begin at 3:30 p.m.

Here is a look at the rest of Luverne’s Top-Six finishers from the Cardinal Quadrangular.

Third place: 3,200 relay (Kyle Bitterman, Nick Otten, Aaker and Goebel), 8:57.6; Hulstein, 110 hurdles, 17.05; Rust, 100, 11.68; Hendricks, 400, 56.58; Morgan, 300 hurdles, 45.6; Nick Van Wyhe, shot, 36-10.
Fourth place: Goebel, 800, 2:16.05; T.Willers, shot, 36-6; Tyler Elbers, high jump, 5-8.
Fifth place: Gehrke, 300 hurdles, 49.26; Ben Cornish, 200, 25.6; Otten, 800, 2:19.78; Tom Gluf, discus, 104-3.
Sixth place: J.Willers, 100, 12.06; Cornish, long jump, 16-8.

Keith Erickson
Economic development is also a key issue to Erickson. HeÕs served on the LEDA for half of his 12 years on the council. "We've tried to be aggressive and promote Luverne," he said. "In cases with start-up businesses, there is a risk."

Erickson said Luverne was unique in its economic development when starting the LEDA apartments and developing spec homes in additions, which have all sold.

He said he hopes the ethanol plant's upcoming method of reducing odors will help sell homes in the southwest part of town, which has stagnated in development.

Erickson points to Agri-Energy, Gold'n Plump and the Minnesota Veteran's Home as positive additions to Luverne in recent years.

Keeping the former Tri-State is also something Erickson is proud the city was able to accomplish. He says a team effort from private players such as Greg Burger and public players like Matt Hylen helped make the deal and keep the business in Luverne. Councilman Tom Martius, who is a Continental Western employee, even worked a weekend helping on the new site.

Erickson also supports, in theory, assisting the hospital financially in a possible expansion project.

"It would be ideal for the city not to have to be involved," Erickson said of helping businesses stay or grow in Luverne. "But government has assistance options that the private sector doesn't."

Erickson said, "We would be wise to talk about money set aside from the sale of the hospital to assist them in a final project."

Fledgling Field is something citizens still ask Erickson about as well. "I'm for developing it," he said. "I'm only opposed to it as a current code violation.

"It's an R-1 zone right now, and I'm on record in the summer of 2000 when I said I thought an R-I (residential-institutional) should allow funeral homes. If we zone it anything other than R-I, we could get into trouble for spot zoning, but if they go through the right steps, they can get it done. It can happen."

Erickson said he's opposed to changing all of Highway 75 to a business zone, however, considering the many historic homes along the road.

Other, less visible projects, also have bearing on the city overall.

"We were aggressive with necessities and utilities, updating the sewers and burying the electric lines," Erickson said. Utility rates havenÕt increased since 1997.

The new automated garbage system protects workers, but also keeps the city looking uniform and tidy on garbage collection days.

"The word that best describes Luverne is 'pride,' not only the city, but citizens, churches and the school. And that's not something a mayor can take credit for, but we can appreciate it."

Erickson is a retired teacher and counselor who now substitutes for Luverne, Adrian and Hills schools as needed. He prides himself on being able to work well with children and the elderly, having started the Adopt-a-Grandparent program that's active in the Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center and the Minnesota Veteran's Home.

Erickson said the weak role of mayor, not getting a vote on the council, would be a good fit for him. He feels he can help guide the council, which will have two new members and two with just two years experience.

When the state talks about cutting Local Government Aid to cities, budget cuts appear inevitable. "I want to keep taxes and services at comfortable rates," Erickson said.

During his years on the council, Erickson said he's made connections locally, in the region and across the state that are valuable to the city. "I really enjoy interaction with the different organizations," he said.

Glen Gust
Gust has served one term as Luverne's mayor and says he's running again because there's more to accomplish than he could do in the two-year term.

"My No. 1 priority is economic development," Gust said. Luverne's mayor also serves as Economic Development Authority president.

He said Luverne's goal of growing in population starts with giving people good jobs. From there, more homes are purchased, more taxes are generated and more people patronize existing local services and businesses.

Gust is known outside his mayoral capacity as owner of Glen's Food Center, Luverne. He's also a lifetime member of the VFW and Legion and is active in Rotary, Lions and other area organizations.

He's proud of some things heÕs accomplished so far during his short time as mayor.

Gust helped lobby to get Border City Legislation passed and communicated with Continental Western leaders when the recent Tri-State deal was in the works.

A goal he hopes to accomplish by being re-elected is to maintain good relations with the county, school, city staff and law enforcement. "We have to build bridges to move the whole region forward," Gust said.

When asked about the possible hospital expansion, he said, "There's some projects in the works for the city, like a possible hospital expansion, that'll be a huge asset to the area and I'd like to be a part of them. Luverne has some incredible things to sell, and is very pro-business."

Gust wanted to remind people that most of the business ventures the city has been involved in have been in the form of loans, which the city will be repaid.

"It's an investment more than anything else," Gust said of the city's economic development philosophies.

Gust acknowledges other assets besides business of which the community should be proud. "I believe our education system, from ECFE to high school graduation is one of the best in the state."

Other issues Gust wants addressed by the city haven't been on the agenda for some time. Fledgling Field and its future is still a heated topic for many residents and Gust wants it developed.

"It'd add to the tax base and the town already has plenty of green spaces," he said.

The space is currently zoned as low-density residential, which is what prevented the property owners from getting a permit to build a new facility for Dingmann Funeral home.

Gust said he believes all of Highway 75 through Luverne should be zoned business because of the high traffic atmosphere that already exists there. Also, he said, it would keep Luverne parallel with other towns on Highway 75 that have businesses along the main roadway.

That highway, along with access to a major airport, Interstate 90 and proximity to I-29 are things Gust would like to highlight to businesses considering Luverne.

Budgets are always a concern to mayors and councils, especially when facing levy limits and possible cuts in state aid.

If any item on the budget should be increased, Gust said law enforcement would be his choice.

"We can cut costs or delay capital improvements if we have to. We don't want to cut services, if we can help it," Gust said. "I think there are other areas in the budget that can be cut if need be."

By Sara Strong
This year's city of Luverne mayoral race includes current mayor Glen Gust and long-time councilman Keith Erickson.

Because both are insiders, neither is using the typical, "It's time for a change," motto, but here's what they are saying.

Mike Winkels
Mike Winkels has been in law enforcement for 24 years and works with about 130 children with the D.A.R.E. program in Hills-Beaver Creek and Luverne schools.

Those contacts, he said, keep him connected with parents and young people and help bridge law enforcement and the community.

He thinks it's appropriate for the community to be involved in setting agendas or general goals for the department, with the sheriff, as an elected person, leading the department through those goals.

The philosophy of community policing, Winkels said, has been present in the Rock County Sheriff's Department in some capacity. The recent and ongoing training will help formulate specific ways to make it more complete though.

"We need to be better about getting information back to people and get out and talk and meet people," he said. "But some were already following up on things on their own."

Winkels said he's made good contacts in the community since he's lived here. "I had young kids when I moved to Luverne and I think that helped."

People got to see and know him outside his capacity as a law enforcement officer. For example, he developed relationships with children competing in sporting events with his children, who are now adults in the community.

Winkels said he supports adding an additional officer to the department to help ease logistical challenges like covering vacation times.

He also said the sheriff shouldn't spend as much time transporting prisoners, as the current arrangement is.

"Transports don't have to be done by non-sworn officers. A sheriff needs to be around more," Winkels said.

He'd like to see the department utilize part-time officers, non-sworn employees or volunteers to help the sheriff's department run more efficiently.

Winkels acknowledges the drug problem in the community, but adds that drugs, to some extent, have always been a problem.

"Parents can't allow risky behavior, like smoking cigarettes at home," Winkels said, because it can escalate to larger problems.

Theft and property crime are often related to drug use and supporting habits, Winkels said. But even with that activity locally, he points out that violent crime is low in Rock County and that people should generally feel safe.

Winkels said the department is always checking on leads from the community. He said officers stop suspicious vehicles on traffic violations, ask where they are coming from or going to, but stay within the law to avoid civil rights violations.

Ongoing investigations take time to develop into solid arrests, he said.

Ron McClure
McClure has been in law enforcement for 34 years. "I love my job and I care what happens to the community," he said.

Through his years of service, the job has gone through an evolution that McClure has supported. First, as the county and city of Luverne law enforcement departments merged, and now, as community policing is a trend Rock County is adopting as its manner of policing.

He sees the joint law merger as a positive thing for the county. It allowed for the investigator position, which the county attorneys will testify, has made reports and legal work more efficient.

When the concept of community policing arose earlier this year, the department faced more changes. "I support community policing, I believe in it very strongly. It will bring the community closer to us, and by doing that, we'll increase trust."

McClure said a noticeable change in community policing is the feedback individuals will get from officers, who will follow through more regularly with victims or complainants.

Encouraging two-way communication will help the department in the long run, McClure said. "Sometimes people might just have better ideas."

Much of the local talk recently has been about drug use in young people. "It's alarming and we have to continue to work on it, but we still have good kids. This is something we've always been working on," McClure said.

The drug problems now, he said, are different in nature because of the harshness of the chemicals ingested when using substances like methamphetamine.

Community policing will bring more communication with the public, but as an elected person, McClure still sees the department as setting its own goals from within.

Much of McClure's work involves a mixture of family issues with crime solving. "There's almost nothing I wouldn't do for people who need me," he said.

He wants to remind people that the department is investigating reports of illegal activity and following through to make solid arrests that can't be challenged.

The list of Luverne School Board members will remain unchanged in January, with all four incumbents re-elected to four-year terms. Luverne School Board members are:

Don Bryan, 669-2181

Colleen Deutsch, 283-9265

Dan Kop, 283-4733

Cary Radisewitz, 283-4372

Bill Stegemann, 283-8144

Steve Tofteland, 283-4503

Becky Walgrave, 283-4042

For lists of school board members in other Rock County districts, call 483-2232 for Adrian, 967-2242 for Ellsworth and 962-3240, for Hills-Beaver Creek.

"Possession:" Two Contrasting Looks At Love

Possession
Rated PG-13
Now Playing
Carol's grade: B+

The Plot:
Roland Michell (Aaron Eckhart) is an American scholar living and working in London. The focus of his work is Randolph Henry Ash, once poet laureate to Queen Victoria. Roland discovers original drafts of two love letters tucked inside of a book once owned by Ash. Ostensibly, they are in the poet's own hand. The letters, if authenticated, could alter the way history regards the renowned poet.

Research leads Roland to believe the letters may have been written to noted Victorian poet and feminist, Christabel LaMotte. The American enlists the help of proper British academic and LaMotte expert, Maud
Bailey (Gwyneth Paltrow) to look for the truth.

CAROL's Take:
"Possession" exists in two worlds. In one, Roland and Maud suffer a relationship compromised by their mutual mistrust of the opposite sex. In the other, Ash (Jeremy Northam) and LaMotte (Jennifer Ehle)
fall deeply in love.

The contrasts in "Possession" are striking. The two poets live in a world filled with taboo and shame, yet manage to engage in a rapturous, breathtaking romance. On the other hand, the two contemporary scholars live in a world filled with freedoms, but neither one is willing to be in love - suspicious of the very concept.

"Possession" is adapted from A.S. Byatt's novel. Words play a critical role in telling the story. Often, when we are watching Ash and LaMotte together, we hear Maud and Roland read from the Victorians' poems or letters. This layering is both effective and delightful. The words used to convey their feelings are simply beautiful.

While none of the acting in "Possession" is frivolous, unevenness is a problem. It is tough to believe the passionate Eckhart as a scholar. And Paltrow's Maud, while believably British, is inconsistent in character. Northam and Ehle, however, light up the screen. They infuse their tragic characters with enormous amounts of
faith and joy. When they're on screen, it's difficult to look away for fear of missing a glance, a gesture or a word that remains unspoken.

All in all, "Possession" offers two contrasting stories, merged into a romantic mystery well worth watching.

© 2002 Webster-Kirkwood Times, Inc.
Movie reviews by Carol Hemphill and Kent Tentschert
reelworld@timesnewspapers.com

Who Is Cletis Tout? Who Cares?

Who Is Cletis Tout?
Rated R * Now Playing
Kent's grade: C-

THE PLOT:
It is 1977 New York and Micah (Richard Dreyfuss), posing as a mime, absconds with $4.5 million in diamonds. Stashing them, he is subsequently caught and jailed for 25 years where he befriends Finch (Christian Slater).

Helping Micah escape, Finch tags along for a cut of the loot. Assuming identities of recently deceased individuals, Finch becomes Cletis Tout. But Finch gets more than he bargained for when he meets Micah's beautiful daughter, Tess (Portia De Rossi), a rambunctious equal to Finch. When Micah is killed by mobsters, Finch realizes they are after Cletis Tout, or rather, him. Hatching a daring plan, Finch and Tess try a ruse that would make Micah proud.

Kent's Take:
"Who Is Cletis Tout?" is not the most important question this movie summons to mind. Some more important inquiries run along the lines of - Where is the hook? Did anyone associated with this story know the importance of true conflict? And lastly, what kind of name is Cletis Tout? Is that some kind of venereal disease?

With a "conflict lite" story, this film never gathers momentum for the viewer. Having no real hook, we are left waiting throughout the movie for something to happen that will elicit a strong emotion (other than boredom).

With the talented Dreyfuss, Slater and Tim Allen (as critical Jim, a hit man) in interesting roles, this production does a wonderful job of wasting their talent by giving them either absolutely nothing to work with (Dreyfuss) or a character so over-the-top that he's ridiculous (Allen).

Simply put, the problem lies in the screenplay, the heart of every movie. This story is the broken cog in the gears that brings the film to a halt before it starts.

"Who Is Cletis Tout?" is not a horrible film. It's a below average endeavor that misuses or wastes skilled
actors and directing. Who is Cletis Tout? Who cares?

© 2002 Webster-Kirkwood Times, Inc.
Movie reviews by Carol Hemphill and Kent Tentschert
reelworld@timesnewspapers.com