A new national anthem for Australia could easily be a remake of a song made popular by Rod Stewart. The title would be, "Have I toad you lately I don’t love you?" An estimated 100 million cane toads, fatal to Australian predators such as crocodiles and dingoes because of their toxic skin, have multiplied out of control. The toads, native to South America, were imported to Australia in the 1930s to eat beetles that were destroying crops. They proved to be a sorry solution. As a result of the plague of toads, a member of Australia’s parliament upset animal-welfare advocates when he recently urged all citizens to kill as many poisonous cane toads as possible. "Hit them with cricket bats, golf clubs and the like," was his call to action. The toad-welfare people are telling everyone not to bludgeon the toads, but rather put them in a freezer until they die. Apparently, slowly freezing to death next to fish caught last summer and trays of ice cubes is more humane. It seems fair to say that freezing countless numbers of live toads to death in home freezers might not be all that good for unsuspecting people who open the freezers. They will shockingly discover what appears to be tiny toad actors, sprawled every which way in a realistic re-enactment of America’s Donner Pass tragedy. The freezing of poisonous toads might lead to complications other than grandmotherly homemakers discovering frozen toads stuck to the tops of ice cream pails and packages of frozen peas. A small, innocent child might grab one of the poisonous toads and bite into it, temporarily mistaking it for one of those ice cream novelty treats with its stick missing. The possibility also exists that the frozen toads, after they’re removed from the freezers, might thaw out and survive. One minute they might be piled on the kitchen table like so many little, stiff green logs and the next minute they might be invading every closet of the house. My family’s closest brush with an amphibian plague coincided with the annual migration of frogs from one lake to another in a remote corner of northwestern Minnesota. It all had something to do with the frogs mating, hatching eggs or moving to a better neighborhood. There were many theories. My husband, one of our daughters and I were being driven from an airport to a small cabin in the middle of a moonless night by one of the locals. Our driver wore a black shirt inscribed with disparaging remarks about someone’s mother and the road surfaces were totally covered with the hopping, croaking frogs. Croaking took on a new perspective as they and our car tires became inseparable on the lonely secondary road. As the car careened wildly from side to side of the road, slippery and wet with thousands of frogs migrating to a better life, our driver told us about a motorcycle accident that changed his life, if not his mind, forever. "Saw a doc down in Minneapolis and he said my IQ is only 80 now. Isn’t that something? Who’d ever think I’d be driving a car again?" His words were accompanied by the splats, splashes and thunk-a-thunks beneath the car. Huddled in the backseat with my husband and daughter, I couldn’t imagine what was more frightening — hydroplaning off the road on the slippery frog bodies or being driven around by a self-described medical miracle. It was the longest car ride of my life.

By Lori EhdeLuverne’s Troy Thone was honored Tuesday with the Rotary Centennial Service Award for Professional Excellence.The award is intended for a non-Rotarian who is an established member of his or her profession, who demonstrates high ethical standards and who has achieved professional distinction.Luverne Rotary Club member Curt Bloemendaal nominated Thone for the award."I have known Troy for several years, and I am continually amazed at his willingness to contribute to society in addition to a heavy workload," Bloemendaal wrote in his nomination.The award was established in honor of Rotary Club International’s 100-year anniversary, and all clubs were encouraged to nominate individuals from their communities.Of the 40 clubs in District 5610, eight nominations were approved for the award.In his nomination letter, Bloemendaal mentioned Thone’s achievements at work and in the community.Thone graduated from Luverne High School in 1994 and attended St. Cloud State University.He works as a software configuration analyst for Berkley Technology Services in Luverne. He is responsible for implementing software releases for the WR Berkley Corp, a $1.5 billion property and casualty insurance company."He has a big job and plays a big role in the company," Bloemendaal said.Thone’s contributions to the community include his role as a certified paramedic with the Rock County Ambulance Service and as a local CPR instructor and defibrillator trainer. He also actively promotes local blood donation.He’s involved with his church, where he volunteers as a pianist and choir member, Sunday school teacher and Bible school teacher and has served as church financial secretary and is on the missions committee and AWANA."Troy is committed to improving life in our community," Bloemendaal said. He and Luverne Rotary Club President Nate Golla presented Troy with the award during their Tuesday meeting at the Blue Mound Banquet Center.

By Sara QuamRock County Commissioners are ready for a hearing at 8 p.m. Monday in the Human Services Building to publicly discuss the development of a five-year capital improvement plan. The plan would utilize bonding to pay for special projects. If the board decides to use bonding to pay for special projects through the CIP, it is subject to a reverse referendum that can be forced through a petition signed by 263 voters (5 percent of last election’s turnout).If the county bonds $1 million, the county portion of taxes would increase by 2.44 percent. Other taxes aren’t affected. The county is considering bonding for up to $1.75 million.The Monday hearing will illustrate specific tax impacts and outline projects in the proposed CIP.A primary concern to the Commissioners in the CIP is funding for a new or remodeled Law Enforcement Center. An architect has looked at the options preliminarily and the board will discuss them in detail as the Sheriff’s Department communicates needs with the architect.Meth policiesThe county is reviewing policies that are needed when employees, children or medical personnel come into contact with methamphetamine lab sites.Within the last two weeks Nobles Rock Corrections received a call for advice from Pipestone County. A meth lab with children present was discovered, and law enforcement and child protection workers didn’t know how to handle contamination issues with people in the home.Jackson County shared its policies and Rock County will review them in various departments and will adopt similar guidelines.Potential immediate medical concerns are upper and lower respiratory inflammation, aspiration pneumonitits, cardiac arrhythmias, burns of eyes, mouth or skin or gastrointestinal irritation or burns.Sometimes meth exposure shows up in children as chronic problems such as developmental delays or liver, kidney or neurological dysfunctions.In the case of children found at home lab sites, various screenings over time are recommended. With a policy in place, county workers will know protocol.Student internLuverne junior Kim Rockman reported to the Board on her six-week internship with the Extension Office.A major part of her work there was marketing and helping to plan a program on effective leadership called "Twenty Things Everyone Needs to Know When Serving on a Committee."Rockman said she learned a lot and the county said her services were valuable. The program had a turnout of 36 people. The same in Worthington drew just 11.

By Lori EhdeWhat April lacked in spring showers May is more than making up for in precipitation.Since Mother’s Day weekend, Rock County has seen nearly 3 inches of rain, with showers drawn out over long periods of gray, drizzly days.Soybean producers have had to be quick during opportunities for planting, because dry days have been few and far between.In the past two weeks, it’s rained 10 out of the 14 days.According to agronomist Chris Hein, nearly half of Rock County’s soybeans have been planted and dry weather is needed to get the rest in."I don’t feel like we’re at a point where we’re getting behind, but typically we like to have them in by the third or fourth week in May," said Hein, who works for SWMN Farmer’s Co-op Elevator, Luverne.He said corn was planted on time, but cold, wet weather isn’t good for new sprouts."It’s been popping up in the last day or two, and it’s coming up yellow and unhealthy looking," Hein said Tuesday. "Considering the weather, we’re not surprised. We need some 70- to 80-degree planting days to get us going."The winds don’t stop Also noteworthy about May’s weather patterns is the wind.Since May 1, wind gusts in Luverne have measured at more than 25 mph for all but three of the past 17 days. For 11 days, gust speeds were more than 30 mph, topping out at 42 mph on a few days.While it’s generally a nuisance for most people, some pay close attention to the wind forecast because it affects their livelihood.For example, LFW Sandblasting and Painting crews have been waiting for calm days to finish painting the water tower north of the new hospital complex. The inside and exterior primer and final coats are nearly done, but they still need to paint the City of Luverne logo and the Sioux Valley logo for the final touch.In order for conditions to be safe, paint crews need winds to be slower than 20 mph. The scheduled completion for the water tower is June 1.Wind makes moneyOn the other hand, local wind energy investors are enjoying the windy weather.Seven wind turbines are now capturing the breezes and converting wind to marketable kilowatts."We sell electricity by the kilowatt, so we get paid for it and it does mean more for our owners," said David Kolsrud, Beaver Creek. "When we have sustained winds like we’ve been having, the towers are producing electricity at maximum capacity."Kolsrud is on the Minnwind board and is one of roughly 250 local investors in the wind energy projects.He said the turbines are programmed to shut down if gusts reach more than 40 mph, but for the most part, windy days are good news."You lay in bed at night and you hear the wind hitting the house, and at least you know the wind turbines are turning," he said. "So there’s a silver lining to this little wind cloud."He said another local wind energy project is on the horizon, so there may be opportunities for new investors.

By Lori EhdeLuverne’s Stacy Mente served as spokesperson for a room full of parents who attended the Thursday, May 12, School Board meeting.She’s among roughly 110 kindergarten families in the district deciding whether to enroll their children in Kinder Plus. It’s an afternoon program the Luverne district offered after the all day every day program was cut last month.Mente was on Thursday’s agenda to request that the board reconsider its vote to cut the program.But before she addressed the board, Superintendent Vince Schaefer reminded the parents about previous public board meetings where more than $646,000 was cut from various program, staff and other areas in the past five years.He also said the daily morning program with afternoon enrichment was the first choice among four options presented in surveys of kindergarten parents and K-2 teachers.She came with a long list of questions (see sidebar story), ranging from the price of the Kinder Plus program and busing costs, to the equity in offering a program that some may not be able to afford.Jodi Bosch also spoke briefly. "As parents we wish we could have been more involved in the process," she said. "We feel the decision was made, and that we were given no voice."Kristee Hart said, "I’ve always thought public education was about equal education for all students, but with the price you’ve put on the program, not everyone can afford it."Board Chairwoman Becky Walgrave ended the dialogue."This has been a painful five years," she said. "We’re talking about 1,300 kids we need to provide for."We don’t have any more funds to work with. We’ve cut the middle school high school programs to bare bones, and we’ve had very little input from anyone through all that."One parent, Lauree Teunissen, said offering the afternoon option presents parents with difficult choices, and she said it shouldn’t have been offered at all. "Either have all day every day kindergarten or don’t," she said. "That’s what we’re asking."This brought response from other parents in attendance, including board clerk and parent Brenda Teal. "I very much support the Kinder Plus program," she said, saying that she appreciated having the afternoon program for her child.Walgrave closed the discussion by offering responses to Mente’s questions at the next meeting, May 26.However, she said the board wouldn’t be able to consider reversing the decision to cut all day every day kindergarten."The money simply isn’t there," she said.Cliff Carmody, Southwest/West Central Service Cooperative was on the agenda to report on the district’s strategic planning, but he addressed the budget issue."These folks aren’t your issue," he told the parents in the room. "You need to challenge yourself to take the same emotion and talk to the folks in St. Paul."He said local school boards don’t control the environment, don’t get to decide funding. He said during Gov. Jesse Ventura’s administration the Legislature decided to fund education through sales and income tax instead of property taxes."They did that without a plan to fund it," Carmody said. "And guess what? I can go to any district in my region and the same discussion is taking place. … The funding hasn’t been there for four years."He talked about his home budget and that if he’s low on cash he simply cuts back on expenses. The state of Minnesota, on the other hand, budgets money for education, but withholds 20 percent until the new fiscal year."These guys have to fund 100 percent of their expenses on 80 percent of their revenues," Carmody said about the School Board. "The state says we’re not going to do anything about the problem. You go to your local boards. …"Local school boards have lost most of their control, and it’s a place for us to complain about something they can’t do anything about."Carmody was at Thursday’s meeting to talk about the district’s strategic planning."Now you’re here to try to put together a strategic plan at a time when it seems ludicrous to do so," he said."But you have to, because you have to have a plan."He recommended the board assemble a strategic planning committee to identify several priority initiatives to pursue. "One goal would be to pass a referendum, so you need to come up with a plan to do that."He reminded the board and others in attendance to remain focused through budget cuts."The pride in this district goes back forever, and you don’t want to lose that," he said.In other business Thursday, the board:oAccepted the retirement of Cheryl Roberts, high school English Teacher and assistant speech coach, effective June 2.oApproved a resolution placing elementary/middle school music teacher Patti Nelson on unrequested leave of absence for .41 FTE. This is a result of fewer sections in the school.oNoted that baccalaureate will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 22, and graduation will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 5. The last day of school is Wednesday, June 1.

By Sara QuamThe Luverne City Council is still finalizing a separation agreement with City Administrator Greg La Fond, who leaves office May 27.He is represented by Luverne attorney Doug Eisma.La Fond was terminated without cause Monday, May 9. He has been with the city since September 2003.It is in La Fond’s contract that he gets six months severance pay and benefits after a no-cause termination. He is earning an annual salary of $83,345.Even with the contract outlining severance pay, City Attorney Ben VanderKooi said other issues will be tied up in the final separation agreement.Until then, the city has no immediate plans for an interim administrator."I have no ill will," La Fond said at Tuesday’s Council meeting. "Luverne has been a great place to work and all the staff has been wonderful."Council member Pat Baustian said, "I would like to commend La Fond for his professionalism to consider still working for the city after being terminated."La Fond has continued to be productive, knowing his last day is May 27. Typically, when administrators are let go, they are asked to clear their offices of personal materials and sever all ties to the city government immediately.La Fond said he is concerned about projects that he knows the city will be facing, and wants to help them along while he can — union contract negotiations, what to do with the "old" hospital and airport expansion for examples.The pastThe last time the city of Luverne hired an administrator was in 2003, after Matt Hylen left through a special "separation agreement." He was earning $75,545.At that time there was a pool of 40 initial applicants. The position was advertised with a salary in the range of $60,000 to more than $70,000. The firm Brimeyer Group, Hopkins, was hired by the city to do the "headhunting" for $14,000. Jim Brimeyer said that many applicants for administrators appear to have a short work history or job hopping. "It’s just the nature of the job," Brimeyer said. "Sometimes a new council or mayor may use the job politically." When the city does advertise the position, the names of applicants aren’t public until they interview before the Council.

By Sara QuamA petition circulating in Luverne may result in the recall election of South Ward Councilman Maynard Lafrenz.The move for recall is largely based on the termination of City Administrator Greg La Fond last week.David Hauge, who ran for re-election against Lafrenz, is on the five-person recall committee. Hauge said he wants the Council seat back.The committee had to submit a statement on grounds for removal in order to start the process. That statement said in part, "City Council Member Maynard Lafrenz has, with no factual basis to support his position, voted to terminate the Employment Agreement of City Administrator Greg La Fond. "Such unwarranted action by Maynard Lafrenz will result in City of Luverne taxpayers and rate payers making payments to La Fond in excess of $50,000. Such expenditures of city funds is neither necessary nor fiscally responsible."The statement also says Lafrenz violated open meeting laws by discussing the termination in closed sessions of small groups of council members to avoid a quorum, even though votes were pretty much tallied in those meetings.The statement claims this opens the city to further litigation and legal liability and has damaged employee morale and efficiency.Other people on the recall committee are Gary Kurtz, Shirley Akkerman, David Meyer and Jason Johnson. (Akkerman, Kurtz and Meyer actually live in the North Ward.)City staff estimated that the cost of a special election in one ward would be about $2,000 to $3,000. There would probably be 1,000 ballots printed, and they would be hand counted.Hauge said Tuesday that he’s gotten a "pretty good" reaction to his efforts so far. "People are afraid that the Council is being too rash in the decision-making process," Hauge said. "Everybody knew La Fond was looking for a new job and they could have just waited for him to leave and avoid the severance pay."Hauge said, "Maynard is a good guy, but I don’t think he’s thinking of the ramifications of his actions."Breaking down the processThis is the first recall effort anyone can find in the history of Luverne, so interpreting this portion of the City Charter at this point is new to everyone. oDeclaring the existence of a committee, as the five Luverne people have, is the first step in a recall election. oThe city administrator then has to verify the petition, which Greg La Fond did Thursday, May 12. oWith the clock ticking from that point, the group has 30 days to collect 500 signatures from registered voters in Luverne. The magic number 500 is specified in the Charter and isn’t based on population or percentage of registered voters.City Attorney Ben VanderKooi said the Charter is "silent" as to where within the city signatures can originate. It just says the petitioners must be registered voters in Luverne. Hauge said they will collect from any registered voter who lives in the city, even though the council position in question is from the South Ward.oIf 500 signatures are collected, the city administrator certifies the signatures. The city has a list of registered voters to compare to the petitioners, and any newly registered voters will also be counted.La Fond won’t be working for the city after May 27, and there is no stand-in administrator yet, so the signatures will be certified by City Clerk Marianne Perkins. Perkins is always in charge of regular elections.oAt the Council meeting following certification of the signatures, the Council sets a date for the election by resolution. The election date must be set at least 45 days, but not more than 60 days after that meeting, and publicly noticed.Lafrenz has the chance to make a case for keeping himself in office, too. Other than the usual advertising or publicity, Lafrenz may write a statement of up to 500 words, which the city pays to publish in the newspaper as a part of the election notice. If the whole process goes through, voters will see a ballot that is unusual. The ballot would first ask the question of whether Lafrenz should be recalled. If the answer to that question is no, the voter is done. If the answer is yes, he continues to the next question and chooses a candidate. Because Lafrenz is a part of the first question (and a "no" means the voter wants Lafrenz in office), VanderKooi’s opinion was that Lafrenz can’t file to be listed on the second question.Hauge has said he wants to represent the South Ward, so he will likely file for office and his name will be on the ballot. Because there is no primary, any number of people may also file for election.Lafrenz said he had no comment on the recall issue.

10 years ago (1995)
The Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center is getting a new addition, which should be complete by September.
The Hills-Beaver Creek district had a record voter turnout of 657 people. By contrast, there were 170 voters in 1994 elections. Top vote getters were Dan Siegfried and Lloyd DeBoer.
Dennis McNeil, Luverne, came home from the Governor’s Fishing Opener Saturday with the biggest fish of the day, a walleye weighing 8.9 pounds.25 years ago (1980)
A group of citizens challenged the vote to dissolve the Magnolia School District. They said voters were not well informed as they cast ballots because the school board withheld information.
A three bedroom house constructed by students at Blue Mound Vocational Center will be sold at auction.
More than 350 Rock County area students will receive high school diplomas this spring.50 years ago (1955)
Interest has shown up more enthusiastically the past week on the coming Hills school bond election issue, scheduled for Friday, June 3. The school officials are also urging legal voters (freeholders or not) in the district to be sure to turn out for the public hearing, to be held in the school house Thursday night preceding the election, June 2.75 years ago (1930)
Anna Kartrude filed for the office of register of deeds, joining the race against Bertha Adams, L.H. Jones and M.L. Ruddy.
Nearly 100 members of the junior and senior classes attended the Junior-Senior Prom. The juniors proved unusually hospitable hosts to their guests, the seniors. The general scene was that of an old-time pirate vessel.,li>Jake Kuker’s famous California Knight Hawks have been secured to furnish music for the dance to be given next week at the Armory.100 years ago (1905)
The work of moving the corner saloon building into the street, preparatory to beginning work on the construction of the new brick building to take its place, was begun this week under the supervision of P.N. Gillham. Mr. Gillham has the contract for the excavation of the basement and construction of the basement walls, and will begin this work as soon as the ground is cleared.

NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTSMinnesota Rule 7020.2000, subp. 4NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR LIVESTOCK FEEDLOT PERMITNotice is hereby given per Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 215, that G & A Farms Inc., have made application to the County of Rock, for a permit to construct a feedlot with a capacity of 500 animal units or more. The proposed feedlot will be located in the NE 1/4 of the SE 1/4 of section 3 in Clinton Township, Rock County, Minnesota.The proposed facility consists of a 101’ x 176’ total confinement barn to house 2200 head of swine between 55 and 300 pounds and a 51’ x 176’ total confinement barn to house 1100 head of swine between 55 and 300 pounds. Using 0.3 animal units per head, total animal units are 990. The buildings shall have a 101’ x 176’ x 8’ poured reinforced concrete pit for manure storage and a 51’ x 176’ x 8’ poured reinforced concrete pit for manure storage. The total animal unit capacity will be 990.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. (5-19, 5-26)