DECEMBER 22, 2003MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2184, ROCK COUNTY, LUVERNE, MINNESOTA. A regular meeting of the Board of Education, ISD #2184, was held in the District Office on Monday, December 22, 2003, at 6:30 p.m. The following members were present: Don Bryan, Colleen Deutsch, Dan Kopp, Cary Radisewitz, Bill Stegemann, Steve Tofteland, and Becky Walgrave. Also present: Superintendent Vince Schaefer, Marlene Mann, and Matt Crosby, K101/KQAD Radio.The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Dan Kopp. Motion by Stegemann, second by Bryan, to approve the agenda. Motion unanimously carried. Administrative reports were given.Motion by Stegemann, second by Deutsch, to approve the school board minutes for November 20, 2003. Motion unanimously carried.Motion by Bryan, second by Radisewitz, to receive the Student Activity Report showing the balances as of November 30, 2003. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Radisewitz, second by Tofteland, to approve payment of the District bills in the amount of $943,464.59. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Walgrave, second by Deutsch, to adopt Policy 529 — Staff Notification of Violent Behavior by Students. The policy is required by Minnesota Statute. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Bryan, second by Stegemann, to adopt the Assurance of Compliance with State and Federal Law Prohibiting Discrimination. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Tofteland, second by Bryan, to approve the 2003 Payable 2004 Levy in the amount of $1,492,511.13. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Walgrave, second by Stegemann, to approve the following student teachers for Spring 2004: Southwest Minnesota State University: Tiffany Raymo, Jeremy Childress, Mark Rentschler, and Karie Schlomann; Augustana College: Tessa Holinka. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Deutsch, to approve LaDonna Iveland and Colby Anderson as co-directors of the Spring Play. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Stegemann, to approve a six month leave of absence for Cheryl Cronberg, paraprofessional, beginning on December 1. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Bryan, to approve the hiring of Deborah Kneip as paraprofessional. Motion unanimously carried. No committee reports were given. The upcoming meeting dates were reviewed. Motion by Stegemann, second by Bryan, to adjourn the meeting. Motion unanimously carried. Dated: December 22, 2003William Stegemann, Clerk(1-29)

The purpose of this letter is to enlist your help and the help of your readers to repeal an unconscionable Minnesota State law that imposes a surcharge on private pay nursing home residents. Our 96-year-old mother, a 75-year resident of Minnesota, a retired school teacher of modest means and now a 4 1/2-year private pay resident of a nursing home in District 22, received notice last June of a rate increase due to a nursing home surcharge imposed by the state. We accept rate increases as necessary and fair as our mother’s level of care increases and/or the nursing home faces higher costs due to inflation. We find it difficult, however, to comprehend the logic and the fairness of asking a 96-year-old nursing home resident to pay a surcharge in the amount of $7.71 per day that "goes into the state’s general fund where it is used to fund all state obligations. Sen. Jim Vickerman voted against this bill (thank-you, Sen. Vickerman). On Aug. 15, 2002, it was increased to $990. Effective July 15, 2003, it was nearly tripled to $2,815 per year or $7.71 per day. This amounted to an increase of $5.56 per day of which we were informed by letter on June 26, 2003. Prior to that we were not aware of a surcharge because it did not show as an itemized monthly charge. Telephone calls to Rep. Elaine Harder, who voted for this bill (shame on you, Rep. Harder), elicited a letter to one of us which began by acknowledging a $4.63 billion budget deficit. She went on to explain "the driving force was that by doing so (i.e. supporting the nursing home surcharge bill), there will be approximately $96 million additional federal dollars (for a combined total of $192 million) to be gained by our state." Telephone calls to Rep. Doug Magnus, who voted for this bill (shame on you, Rep. Magnus), netted one conversation with an aide who seemed to agree with our position and suggested it was probably an add-on to another bill. We don’t think so.Our mother is obviously not alone in her plight if the state of Minnesota expects to generate approximately $96 million and her share is $2,815. We urge the rest of you nursing home residents and/or your responsible parties and/or all other Minnesotans to telephone, write or e-mail your legislators to express your outrage and to ask them to revisit this bill in the session due to open in February. In District 22 these legislators are: Sen. Jim Vickerman, 226 State Capitol Building, St. Paul 55155; phone (651) 296-5650; e-mail: senjim.vickerman@senate.leg.state.mn.usRep. Elaine Harder, 509 State Office building, 100 Martin Luther King Blvd., St. Paul 55155; phone (651) 296-5373; e-mail: rep.elaine.harder@house.mnRep. Doug Magnus, 515 State Office Building, St. Paul 55155; phone (651) 296-5505; e-mail: rep.doug.magnus@house.mnBonnie RogersWilmont, MNDick BjornstadSierra Vista, AZRuth GodfreyBuckeye, AZ

Last week’s story on the Minnesota Veterans Home was interesting, however, some items have been forgotten during the past 10 years. We must give credit where credit is due. I believe at one time there might have been 26 sites. In politics neither side likes to give the other side credit. Our governor at that time was a Democrat, our state senator was a Democrat and our state representative was Andy Steensma. Now we take a look at the 26 sites again. How many do we have left?Our local committee did a great job. Their work was second to none. But the day Rep. Andy Steensma was appointed to head the sub-committee on veteran’s affairs was the day I felt the Home would be in Luverne. Thanks, Andy.Leon PickLuverne

Not long ago, a friend of mine was perplexed by the fact I hadn't jumped on the Howard Dean bandwagon.Well, I looked around to see who was supporting him for the Democrat presidential nomination. They were (and are) Rob Reiner, Martin Sheen, Susan Sarandon, Paul Newman, Ted Danson, Carl Reiner, Whoopi Goldberg, Jane Garofalo and Joan Jett. That caused me pause.Then when I saw Michael Moore and Bill Clinton were supporting Wesley Clark — I admit — I just didn't know which candidate was less worthy of consideration for anything more than a permanent position behaving naturally on the Comedy Channel.Jay D. Page, formerly LuverneAnchorage, AK

The top 10 reasons George W. Bush ordered the FDA to stop lower priced pharmacy drugs coming into the U.S.:No. 10: It’s an election year and he needs all the U.S. drug makers campaign contributions he can get. No. 9: U.S. drug prices have to be higher so drug companies can pay off lawsuits after selling harmful drugs to unfortunate victims in the U.S.No. 8: He would rather you be ripped off all the time by U.S drug makers than by a foreign one, once in a great while. No. 7: After tax cuts for the rich and leaving billions of tax dollars slip away through big U.S. corporations using a Bermuda P.O. box number to evade tax loopholes, there is no money left for a good Medicare drug program. No. 6: Senior citizens who can’t afford their drugs won’t live long enough to use much of the Social Security fund. No. 5: Only illegal drugs, illegal aliens with tuberculosis and cows with mad cow disease are allowed to cross into U.S. borders. No. 4: All Americans should be fat and healthy after eating meat, milk and eggs from poultry and livestock pumped full of growth hormones and antibiotics. No. 3: You can’t get any interest on your savings anyway so you may as well spend it on overpriced drugs.No. 2: Corporate greed and political corruption is business as usual for most big U.S. companies. Get used to it!No. 1: Dick Cheney and his friends told him to. Marvin KroontjeMagnolia

There is one question that I have been asked several times when talking about my time in the military, "Why do people do it?" Why do people take time out of their lives to serve their country when there are so many other choices and it is not required? Some of these answers are what you see in the commercials. Education, life experience, and the opportunity to see the world. There are people who sign on the dotted line just for that reason. There are other reasons though, and many pieces to the complex puzzle that is military life. When you look at it, it doesn’t seem too glamorous. The pay is okay, the benefits are good, three hots and a cot and a guaranteed contract. The training can pay great dividends in some cases. In other cases it is tough to use in the civilian world. Training in the fields of infantry, artillery, etc. are hard to apply to a civilian career. As much as military experience helps you in the "real world", there are viable reasons that people choose to serve their country. In a way it is a calling that many cannot explain. They are driven to put themselves in the position to help those they will never know. A lot of first termers and many career military personnel feel that this is their way to make a difference, to protect the greatest nation in the world from those wishing to cause us harm. Throughout the last century many have come for different reasons, but most to serve, period. During some of the conflicts it was common for very young men, as young as twelve, to lie to get into the fight. They would use forged birth certificates to go to war. This is not youthful exuberance; this is the heart of the military ideals. Common people driven to serve and sacrifice everything for their fellow man. Dig into the Bible and you can find the idea millennia old. One common ideal of the American serviceman is that if they serve, their children will not have to. It is the idea that every family must give back to their country and who better to do it than they? While life in the military is not a living hell, there is not much glory and accolade in training day after day to go to war, working long shifts during the holidays and missing precious time with loved ones. Life in the military can be fun, but it can also be incredibly tough. Military life is not the easy path to travel and there is always the chance that you get deployed to fight a war that you did not bargain for. You could also spend a short tour in Thule Greenland. But yet they sign up, year after year, to serve this nation. No they are not crazy, and they are not warmongers, they are just Americans, proud of their country and willing to put it all on the line for every one of us. One thing remains certain for most veterans, no matter how bad life gets the pride instilled in you during your service is one thing no one can ever take away.Curtis Hendel Adrian

10 years ago (1994)"By the end of the day Monday, Mike Grimmus and Julian Spielman were exhausted.Their first day as the first residents of the brand new Minnesota Veterans Nursing Home was certainly exciting. But being first sometimes comes at a cost.For example, Mike Grimmius, Worthington, had been residing at the Minneapolis Veterans Home. His wife Margaret woke up at 2:30 a.m. to drive to Minneapolis. Once there, she helped him pack his bags and the two headed to Luverne."25 years ago (1979)"In a split decision, the board of the Magnolia School District has voted to pair with the Ellsworth District.The vote taken at a meeting of the board Wednesday night, is a preliminary move that puts the machinery in motion to attempt to bring about the pairing of the two districts.At the same meeting, superintendent Jay Heath resigned as head of the two districts. He has split duties equally between the two schools for two years."50 years ago (1954)"Turn on your porch light early tonight, you’re going to have a visitor.This is the night for Luverne’s ‘Mother’s March On Polio,’ when dozens of mothers in all sections of the city will make a house to house canvass to obtain contributions to the county infantile paralysis fund.This mother’s march is not the only one. Throughout the nation, some 3,000,000 mothers will be doing the same things, some of them on foot, on snowshoes, on horseback and in automobiles, according to reports coming from the national foundation."75 years ago (1929)"Three new members were added to the board of directors and a new executive position created at the annual meeting of the stockholders of Nelson Brothers, Inc., held Monday.Stockholders meeting was held at 10 o’clock in the forenoon and at that time S.B. Nelson, R.B. Nelson, J.W. Ulrich, E.A. Ulrich, B.E. Pelstring, D.W. Danforth and Celestine Busch were elected directors."100 years ago (1904)"Labor troubles in the East may force many manufacturers to remove their plants to points far from the industrial centers, and there is prospect that Luverne will be selected as the point of location for one or more of these factories. A member of a firm engaged in general foundry business was here last week, looking over the town with the view to locating here, having been made acquainted with Luverne through correspondence R.B. Hinkly has had with the manufacturers of brick making machinery."

I moved to southern California in 1983 to stretch my mind and attitudes. It worked. And there's no better way to express how the change opened my mind and challenged my thinking than by reviewing with you some of the human characters I met during my 11 years in Santa Barbara.The town is perhaps the most beautiful city in America, lodged between the Pacific Ocean and a rim of mountains, accented with red-tiled roofs and palm trees. So it's not surprising to know that Santa Barbara is a melting pot of personalities. My roommates alone were a case study in human nature. There was the suspicious young man who we eventually learned had been wanted for years by the police for car theft. He still owes me $200 rent money! This became my lesson No. 1 in "how to find a roommate."The "fugitive" was followed by a construction-working Tom Selleck look-alike who had more girlfriends than jobs. Next came a French au pair who spoke very little English and insisted on eating all her meals in her bedroom. Finally, I wised up, paid double rent and lived with my best friend in paradise — me.There were plenty of characters at my dialysis center, too. The most memorable was the middle-aged woman with kidney disease who believed that her organs' function would return by rubbing a copper bracelet over her belly and drinking nothing but pure carrot juice. She died a few months later. The opposite spectrum was Phil who followed all the doctor's orders. He soon died, too. Another woman, calling on family tradition, claimed she used voodoo at home to stay alive. Who am I to judge? She's the only one of the three who was alive when I left! An older Hispanic man was always so tired during dialysis. I soon learned he slept in one room with his wife ... and nine children!The Queen of England visited Santa Barbara my first spring and promptly arrived during the most destructive ocean storm in city history. She was visiting our then-president Reagan. I could always tell when Ronald was coming or going from his nearby ranch — from my hillside vantage point I could see the traffic on Highway 101 come to a stop while the president's entourage passed through.Other people and events that helped "stretch" me included: A surgeon who felt mother nature could do as good a job as his scalpel and canceled one of my surgeries — and he was right. A therapist who was my fifth attempt to find an appropriate professional for my emotional needs and still today takes my monthly calls. And the numerous homeless people who were, in general, far more polite than the yuppies and the ubiquitous members of the upper crust.Finally, there are the contrasts I encountered, highlighted by sharing the YMCA swimming pool with supermodel, Kathy Ireland, and a low point of getting shot at from a passing car one night while waiting for a bus. What all this taught me is that the American pie is sliced into many fascinating flavors and that my personal growth required that I taste as many as possible. I edged a bit closer to learning just where I fit into the mix, what (who) to avoid and what to pursue. But this is precisely why I moved to southern California and why I enjoyed my associations there so much.

Before taking up jogging as a New Year’s resolution you should know this — jogging can become an addictive behavior. This may explain why we see joggers pounding the pavement at all hours of the day and night and in all sorts of weather, even extreme conditions that keep postal service employees from their appointed rounds. Addicted runners undoubtedly need our help, but are afraid to ask. According to a University of Wisconsin study, which was published in the journal Behavioral Neuroscience, "run-loving mice showed much higher levels of activity in brain regions that also light up when mice addicted to cocaine or nicotine don’t get their daily fix." The white mice in the program were selectively bred to love running, and we can only suppose their tiny sweatbands and color-coordinated jogging outfits set them apart from the drug-addicted mice, a surly and less desirable group. Although many of us can readily identify with a "chocolate buzz" or a "shopper’s high," it’s difficult for many of us to imagine a "runner’s high." If anything, we’re suspicious of joggers who apparently can live without sleeping late or automatically jumping into a car whenever they leave the house. It’s easy to distrust runners. If joggers tell us that it feels good to have their lungs bursting through their rib cages, to have their hearts beating at four times their normal rates and to have their legs feel like knotted ropes at the end of a run, they would probably lie about other things too. Pain and fun were never intended to be synonymous. Joggers’ apparent failure to pay attention to their physical pains may be the reason why more people are collapsing in perfect health than ever before. It’s not that I’m unfamiliar with running. With a stopwatch in one hand and as many chocolate chip cookies as I could hold in the other, I once ran three-fourths of a mile and back in 1974. It turned out to be the longest morning of my life. The run immediately followed a determined walk, another first in my life, over the same section of gravel road. The walk was relatively unremarkable and lasted 30 minutes. Inspired by this physical accomplishment, I decided to run the same distance. After all, running looked easy when other people did it. Unfortunately, there were witnesses even though the isolated rural road rarely had traffic on most days. It seemed as though every time I sat down on the edge of the road to catch my breath and boost my stamina with a cookie, a vehicle would stop and someone would yell, "Do you need a ride?" They all asked — the neighbors, the UPS guy and the fuel delivery truck driver. "I’m fine," would be my gasped response. "I’m just running. Trying to get — some exercise." In addition to having shortness of breath, it was difficult to answer their questions with a mouthful of cookies. The running portion of my new exercise regimen that morning lasted one hour, twice as long as it took to walk. Running hardly seemed worthwhile. According to the stopwatch, it definitely didn’t save time. Ever since that exhausting day in 1974, I have wisely followed the advice of Robert Maynard Hutchins — "Whenever I feel like exercise, I lie down until the feeling passes. " Just say, "No!"