9:00 a.m.Rock County Courthouse October 19, 2004Chair Jarchow called the meeting to order with all Commissioners present. Motion by Boyenga, seconded by Bakken, to approve the October 19, 2004, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Wildung, seconded by Hoime, to approve the County Board minutes of October 5, 2004, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the following consent agenda items:1. Day Care Relicensing — Peggy Fisher; Peggy Nelson; Lisa Durst; Evonne Top; Sue Stroh. 2. Voluntary Day Care closing — Ginger Schomacker3. FSA Contract with TriMin Systems, Inc. to provide computer programming, technical assistance and related services to support and maintain the FSA Integrated Financial System.Randy Ehlers, Family Services Director, informed the County Board that the Southwest Minnesota Adult Mental Health Consortium would be having an annual meeting and that all commissioners were invited to attend. Ruth Hubbling, Director of Southwest Minnesota Crisis Center, presented a program update and requested funding for the program. Motion by Bakken, seconded by Hoime, to designate $5,000.00 from the FSA budget for funding in 2005 for the Southwest Minnesota Crisis Center, declared carried on a voice vote.Motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to exercise the Energy Task Force Joint Powers Agreement, declared carried on a voice vote. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Boyenga, to send a letter to the City of Luverne, that expenses for equipment purchased earlier this year at the Rock County Pool & Fitness Center are operational expenses and to pay for them as such and to cc the pool commission members, declared carried on a voice vote. Gloria Rolfs, Auditor/Treasurer, provided an update regarding forfeited property in the City of Beaver Creek. The State of Minnesota and City of Beaver Creek would be working out the details of that sale. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the claims as presented by the Auditor/Treasurer, declared carried on a unanimous vote. A complete listing of the claims is available by request at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office.General $ 50,612.92LEC .00Road & Bridge 22,021.02Welfare 58,156.35Landfill 39,370.47TOTAL $170,160.76Motion by Bakken, seconded by Wildung, to approve the fund balance report as presented by the Auditor/Treasurer, declared carried on a voice vote. Mark Sehr, Engineer, requested final payment on (3) bridge projects; motion by Hoime, seconded by Bakken, to authorize final payment for SP 67-599-62 to Duininck Brothers, Inc. for $206,335.50 and SP 67-599-111 and SP 67-599-66 to Duininck Brothers, Inc. for $483,097.50, declared carried on a voice vote. The Engineer provided a construction update: oBridge L2148 on CSAH 17 west of Beaver Creek — construction is going as planned oBox Culvert Project — one location is complete and beginning construction at another locationThe Administrator informed the County Board of the Hazardous Mitigation meeting that was held and that the next meeting will be held on November 12th and that a survey of potential hazards will be conducted at the Annual Township Association meeting in December. The County Board was invited to attend the Nobles County Family Connections Collaborative annual meeting. The County Board also discussed the AMC Region VIII meeting and the information that was presented be discussed at this meeting. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the Lincoln-Pipestone Rural Water appointees, declared carried on a voice vote.The Building Committee presented an update from their recent meeting. Motion by Wildung, seconded by Hoime, to authorize the Law Enforcement Center Building Committee to pursue grants by the Administrator and Sheriff and that the committee will solicit RFP’s from architects for the development of preliminary plans, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board was in receipt of the Final Report from the Community Policing Institute; it was determined that the report will be placed on the November 9th County Board agenda for additional discussion. The County Board briefly discussed the disposition of the Rock County Pool & Fitness Center; no action was taken. With no further business to come before the County Board, meeting was declared adjourned. Bob Jarchow, Chairman of the BoardATTEST:Kyle J. Oldre, Clerk to the Board(11-11)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR SUBDIVIDING PROPERTY AND APPROVING PRELIMINARY PLATNOTICE 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 Standard Time, on Monday, November 22, 2004, to rule and make a recommendation to the Luverne City Council on a request submitted by the County of Rock to subdivide property and approve the Preliminary Plat for property described as Outlot 3 of Sioux Valley Addition to the City of Luverne, MN.All persons wishing to be heard in favor of or in opposition to the subdivision 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 10th day of November 2004. Marianne PerkinsCity Clerk(11-10)

The Senior Nutrition Program is accepting bids to provide noon meals at several dining locations from 1/1/05 – 12-31/05. Call Nutrition Services, Inc. at (507) 835-9145 for bid specifications. Deadline for bids is November 24, 2004.(11-11)

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALENOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage.DATE OF MORTGAGE: July 21, 2000ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $50,320.00MORTGAGOR(S):Deb Whiting, a single woman, and Chad S. Two Hearts, a single manMORTGAGEE: Equity One, Inc.DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING:Recorded: June 28, 2001Rock County RecorderDocument # 150187ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE:And thereafter assigned to:Select Portfolio Servicing, Inc.Dated: October 5, 2004LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY:Lot 6 and 7 in Block 10 in the original plat of the Village Hills, Rock County, Minnesota.COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: RockAMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID BY MORTGAGEE: $66,169.48THAT all pre-foreclosure requirements have been complied with; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof:PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows:DATE AND TIME OF SALE: December 30, 2004 10:00 A.M.PLACE OF SALE: Sheriff’s Main Office Courthouse Steps, West Entrance Luverne, MNto pay the debt secured by said mortgage and taxes, if any, on said premises and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys fees allowed by law, subject to redemption within 6 months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns. Mortgagor(s) released from financial obligationNONETHIS COMMUNICATION IS FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR ATTEMPTING TO COLLECT A DEBT. ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION.THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED. Dated: November 11, 2004Select Portfolio Servicing, Inc.Assignee of MortgageeWilford & GeskeAttorneys for Assignee of MortgageeLawrence A. WilfordJames A. Geske7650 Currell BoulevardSuite 300Woodbury, Minnesota 55125(651)209-3300File ID: 53803(11-11, 11-18, 11-25, 12-2, 12-9, 12-16)

10 years ago (1994)"Plans are moving forward for converting the Magnolia School building into a nonsecure residential treatment center for troubled youth.Pinnacle Programs Inc., as the facility has been named, will have its operating license in the next couple of weeks, and remodeling of the building will begin shortly thereafter."25 years ago (1979)"The recent heavy rainfall, the high moisture content of the corn and lack of storage space are all serious problems for the 1979 corn harvest in Rock County.At the end of last week, it was estimated that 70 percent or more of the corn in Rock County was still in the field, yet to be harvested.Corn harvest in the county has been at a standstill for several days due to extremely wet field conditions. Some fields are so saturated with moisture that they will require many days of extremely good drying weather before they will be fit for harvesting. Some low areas may not be able to be harvested until after the ground freezes."50 years ago (1954)"An ‘all electric house,’ in which six Luverne business firms had a part in construction, will be open for public inspection Sunday, Nov. 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. The new dwelling, on the Melvin Uecker farm, three miles west of Sherman, features electric radiant heating, and is the only house of its kind in this immediate area."75 years ago (1929)"Violations of the motor vehicle license act kept members of the State Highway patrol busy a large part of the time in September, to judge by the monthly report of Earle Brown, chief patrol officer, made public this week by C.M. Babcock, commissioner of highways. Thirty-seven cars driven without license plates were taken into custody, 94 drivers were given red tags with instructions to have improper licenses corrected, and 399 were let off with warnings."100 years ago (1904)"George Arneson arrived in Luverne Friday from Northwood, N.D., and on the following day assumed his new duties as pharmacist at Mead & Christianson’s drug store. George is a familiar figure in this city behind a prescription counter and has a host of friends who rejoice that he has again taken up his home in Luverne."

Rock County’s voter turnout of 95 percent is something we should all consider a source of pride. Someone once said that Americans will cross an ocean to fight for democracy, but won’t cross the street to vote.That’s certainly not the attitude of our local voters. Part of our high turnout could be because we have an older population, and those 18 to 24 are the least likely to vote. But whatever the reason, our 95 percent is incredible.Depending on how you wanted the votes to go, here are some other thoughts on democracy:o"The great thing about democracy is that it gives every voter a chance to do something stupid." — Art Spander o"The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter." — Sir Winston Churchillo"People vote their resentment, not their appreciation. The average man does not vote for anything, but against something." — William Bennet Munroo"Democracy is being allowed to vote for the candidate you dislike least." —Robert ByrneAfter acknowledging the high voter turnout, we need to turn focus on the newly elected, especially the Luverne mayor and City Council-elect.They will make the city’s governing body heavily weighed by rookies. People have been commenting all over town about whether it was a surprise that no incumbents won, or whether it was wise to focus on law enforcement so much during the campaigns.To me, the most important trait in our mayor and council members is thoughtfulness, and that will come out in a short time, no matter what issue is at the table. They should keep in mind that their ‘ayes’ and ‘nays’ affect employees and their citizens’ daily lives as well as tax collection figures. They should remember that they are the employers of city administrators and staff and don’t have to bend to their every recommendation.Last year, for example, we had an interim city administrator. He said cutting staff and programs was the way to save money. The council laid off employees and cancelled some services, such as the tree dump.The same council, with a new city administrator, rehired employees, brought back services and instead wants to slash contract costs to save money.Both actions, from totally different perspectives, were taken by the same council. It seems like they were lead by staff, when it should be the other way around.Maybe both administrators are right in their approach to saving money, that’s not what this is about. But the council should take a stronger lead on whatever issue it faces. Some contradictory things take place in every council — like wanting to cut employee overtime but assigning new work. Or cutting back on capital improvements that will end up costing more in the long run.To disagree with a vote is one thing, but I always respect an elected person who gives the issue clear thought and consideration and places it in the big picture.That’s just my theory. People have been talking about their own theories all week, and we even have letters to the editor based on the election results. We (or at least 95 percent of registered voters) did our part by turning out in such incredible numbers at the polls. Now, it’s up to the newly-elected people to do theirs.

"Education is too important to be left solely to the educators." —Frances KeppelAs soon as I heard the Luverne School Referendum did not pass, I thought of this quote. Luverne, as a community, prides itself on having a good school system and educating its students to the highest degree. I feel this pride was lost when the referendum did not pass, and pride alone cannot educate the students. Luverne has a staff that is second to none, but they cannot educate the students without financial support. I feel the reason Luverne has such a good staff is because the community supports the public school system so well. Now I fear the quality of educators in Luverne could be lowered simply because taxpayers could not open up their pocket books. Numerous teachers have told me that a property owner with $100,000 in property would pay 40 cents a day. I feel that that is an extremely small price to pay for quality education. A good education is priceless and should never be taken away. With many things being cut in this last school year, I am afraid to think what is going to get cut in the years to come. Being a junior, I know that I will not feel the major consequences of this decision by the taxpayers, but I feel for the younger students who will. I know, however, that I will feel some of the effects in my last year of high school. I have had a wonderful high school experience with all the activities and class offerings at LHS and do not want anyone to be sold short of that. Many students live, so to speak, for extracurricular at LHS. If these activities were taken away, I am afraid many students would lose their enthusiasm for school. Extracurricular activities are what keep students excited about school; lack of excitement from students may lead to poor performance by students. Taxpayers, please think about the decision you made at the polls. Think about the experience students are being denied when you voted no. I feel the staff, superintendent, and school board are doing an awesome job to keep the quality of education alive in Luverne, but they cannot do it without your support. Please help support them the next time the referendum is on the ballot. After all, you are supporting the future of Luverne by supporting the school and its students. Alissa JohnsonLuverneLuverne High School Junior

It was more than interesting to hear the response one interviewer received when he questioned a group of people as to why they voted as they did. The greatest response was the issue of moral values. One can say this was pleasing to our God who rules this great nation, America.This brings to mind the promise found in II Chronicles 7:14: "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land."This thought from "Prayer Point" by Franklin Graham said it well, "As we approach this Thanksgiving season, Christians especially should not forget that it is God who has protected, prospered and preserved us as a nation. Thank Him for our material blessings, for freedom of worship without fear of reprisal. Above all for God’s matchless grace and precious gift of eternal salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ."Elmer HovlandLuverne

I am sure that there will be many letters about the referendum failing in Luverne's school district last night. I am going to write another one. Words cannot begin to describe the disappointment I felt when hearing the news that it failed. I don't understand why we wouldn't support education.Walking through the halls of Luverne High School today was depressing. I wish there was a way to describe what I saw and felt. Teachers I had never seen angry, upset, or hurt were down. Students who I never saw care had a look of defeat in their eyes. Students walked around with their heads down, and everybody was wondered what was going to happen now. Although it was a beautiful day outside, the minds of the teachers and students were full of gloom. Sitting in classes, teachers didn't really seem into it — but neither did the students. Our school is divided politically, but the one issue we stood together on was the referendum. We all looked around at each other and wondered how the community could vote something so essential down. I just don't get it — and I don't know who does.I think it is extremely selfish of the people in Rock County to vote down education. Critical cuts are going to be made, and then the administration and school board are going to be blamed for not giving students the opportunities they deserve. I challenge the people that voted this referendum down. I challenge you to look me, my classmates, and my teachers in the eye and tell me that you made Rock County better. I challenge you to say that you improved society and made the world a better place.Sadie DietrichLuverne