This will be a new year with different rules for the chickens of Bartow, Florida, and some very affectionate Siberian rabbits. Associated Press reported both changes in animal lifestyles at the end of December, when many of us were contemplating new year’s resolutions and changes in our own lives. Chickens will no longer enjoy an elevated status, similar to that enjoyed by the sacred cows of India, within the city limits of Bartow. After receiving countless complaints about bothersome stray chickens, the powers-that-be decided to repeal a 1922 ordinance that made it illegal to kill, capture or "annoy" birds. The news story didn’t mention whether the new ruling will include other birds, such as pheasants, ducks or robins. With the change in effect, it will no longer be necessary for Bartowians to deal with the issues created by chicken sensitivity. For example, it will be easier to have a KFC restaurant franchise in town now that chickens no longer rule the roost. Menus, restaurant signs and billboards at the city limits may now feature mouth-watering illustrations of fried chicken parts with sides of cole slaw and buttered rolls without worrying about what the chickens might think. The gloves are off. Fowl language, not to be confused with foul language, will once more be allowed in public places when referring to other people. Fowl language includes insults such as, "Hey, look at that chick!", "What an old hen!", and "What’s the matter, are you chicken or what?" Older women in constantly bad moods will be called "old biddies" without offending chicken sensibilities. Recipes using chicken may once more be printed in their original forms in the local newspaper. Under the censorship brought about by the 1922 ordinance, recipes for popular hot dishes typically included the following ingredients: "One-half cup chopped onions, one can cream of mushroom soup and two pounds of the other white meat (and we’re not talking pork)." The "Chickens Rule!" slogan on the town’s water tower may now be replaced with something less pro-poultry. "Why-did-the-chicken-cross-the-road?" jokes may now be repeated without fear of repercussion. In fact, it will no longer be necessary to veer cars into ditches and risk life and limb when real-life chickens choose to cross any street in town. Rabbits also face changes. A company farm in Siberia, owned by the Russian oil giant Yukos, was charged with illegally allowing rabbits to mate "unsystematically." The decision leaves the rabbits with a couple of options, however. One solution would involve arranged marriages and a complicated system of hop-proof fences to keep philandering rabbits where they belong. The second option would be a video-dating. All rabbits would be required to make video tapes with their own little sales pitches for potential partners – – "Hi, my name is Bugs and I’m a Libra. My favorite pastimes are eating raw carrots, twitching my nose and hopping around aimlessly." Of course, the new "systematic" mating system will set rabbits apart from all other animal species, including humans. We’re usually not that organized.

I’m writing in reply to Curtis Hendel’s letter to the editor, "Why This War?" that appeared in the Jan. 8 edition of the Star Herald.Why this war? First of all our troops are not in Iraq because they want to be. No one in the service desires to be taken away from their jobs to a far away country, disconnected from their loved families. They are trained professional soldiers, and, I might add, damn good ones. They don’t have to believe in what they are doing. They only have to do what their superiors tell them to do. In this case of Iraq, the command is to fight this war, … a war predicated upon lies (WMD) without regard to the lives that will be lost, … a war based on personal reasons (they tried to kill my daddy) and the financial reasons of oil revenues (Halliburton and Cheney).Hussein was technically contained while the inspectors were there. As unprepared as Iraq was, the Green Berets could have had him captured without killing 10,000 innocent Iraqi people and killing or maiming 7,500 American soldiers, or more. We are no longer allowed to know the true numbers. We are now being governed by this appointed president and have the most secretive government this country has ever seen, and taking away veterans benefits.Terrorists could be contained by tighter controls on our borders. The Mexican and Canadian borders are wide open, and this administration is trying to make it easier to enter. Only one percent of our imports are inspected, and we are now living a life of fear, because we know our borders are open and nothing is being done.Ed Peltz,Kingman, AZ

ORDINANCE NO. 259, THIRD SERIESAN ORDINANCE RELATING TO ADDING CREMATORIES AS A CONDITIONAL USE IN THE RESIDENTIAL/INSTITUTIONAL (R-1) DISTRICT, AMENDING CITY CODE SECTION 11.14, SUBD. 3, BY ADDING A NEW PARAGRAPH "F", AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE CITY CODE CHAPTER 11 AND SECTION 11.99 WHICH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, CONTAIN PENALTY PROVISIONSWHEREAS, a potential buyer for the Luverne Medical Center to be used as a funeral home and crematorium is pending contingent upon the acquisition of the Luverne Medical Center to be owned and operated as a funeral home and potentially a crematory. WHEREAS, current City Code does not allow a crematory in a Residential/Institutional (R-1) District.NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Luverne, Minnesota, does hereby ordain: SECTION 1. That Section 11.14, Subd 3, be amended and a new provision, Paragraph F., be added to as follows: F. Crematory.SEC. 2. This ordinance shall take full force and effect seven (7) days after its publication. (1-22)

ORDINANCE NO. 258, THIRD SERIESAN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE FLOODPLAIN ORDINANCE TO ADD REFERENCE TO THE ROCK COUNTY FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP, AMENDING CITY CODE SECTION 11.40, SUBD. 3, PARAGRAPH "B", AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE CITY CODE CHAPTER 11 AND SECTION11.99 WHICH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, CONTAIN PENALTY PROVISIONSWHEREAS, due to recent annexations of the City, the floodplain management ordinance needs to add reference to the Rock County Flood Insurance Rate Map. NOW THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Luverne, Minnesota, does hereby ordain:SECTION 1. That Section 11.40, Subd. 3, Paragraph "B", be amended in its entirety to read as follows: B. Establishment of Official Zoning Map together with all materials thereof, and attached thereto, is hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this Section. The explanatory material shall include the Flood Insurance Study for the City of Luverne prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency dated November 17, 1981, and the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map and Flood Insurance Rate Map for the City of Luverne dated May 17, 1982, and panels #15 and 19 of the Flood Insurance Rate Map for Rock County dated July 1, 1988. The official Zoning Map shall be on file in the office of the City Administrator. Sec. 2. This ordinance shall take full force and effect seven (7) days after its publication. (1-22)

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 Standard Time, on Tuesday, February 3, 2004, to rule and make a recommendation to the Luverne City Council on a requested conditional use permit application submitted by Dan Dingmann dba Dingmann Funeral Home, to allow the property at 300 E. Brown Street, Luverne, MN, to be operated as a funeral home and crematorium. 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 20th day of January, 2004.Marianne PerkinsCity Clerk(1-22)

10 years ago (1994)"After more than an hour of spinning their wheels, members of the Joint Law Study Commission decided to table some sensitive issues until a later date.The committee was assigned earlier this year to study the feasibility of combining the county sheriff’s department and city police department.The city and county are considering the combination for a number of reasons. They hope to save money by eliminating duplication of administrative services and training. Also, they feel combining the departments would allow more flexibility in scheduling and a specialization of skills.The two departments already function under the same roof and share dispatch services."25 years ago (1979)""The Crescent has been designated a "National Blue Ribbon Newspaper" for 1979-1980.The honor was announced by the National Newspaper Foundation, sponsor of the National Blue Ribbon Evaluation Program since 1969." 50 years ago (1954)"Per capita income in Rock County during 1952 was higher than that in any county in the state, other than Hennepin and Ramsey where the Twin Cities are located. This was revealed in a report published Tuesday by the Minnesota Department of Business Development.Based on the 1950 population, Rock County’s income was the equivalent of $1,768 for every man, woman and child during the year 1952. Hennepin County’s per capita income was $1,807; Ramsey’s $1,774."75 years ago (1928)"Jas. R. Crawford, of Beaver Creek, was elected president of the Minnesota State Association of the Farmers’ Mutual Insurance companies at the 33rd annual meeting held Friday at the Ryan hotel at St. Paul. Mr. Crawford was vice president of the organization during the past year.The Beaver Creek township farmer attended the annual meeting as the representative of the Beaver Creek Mutual Fire Insurance company of this county, and delivered one of his characteristic eloquent addresses at the Friday afternoon session."100 years ago (1903)"Four cars of cattle and hogs were shipped from this station over the Omaha Monday. John Sanders sent out a car of hogs and a car of cattle, Mr. Fitzer a car of hogs and August Hamann a car of cattle. In Mr. Sanders’ car of cattle was a bull that is said to be the finest animal ever marketed here."

Trooper Kathy: What is the biggest factor contributing to weather related crashes?Now that our winter driving season is upon us I would like to comment about a few things. Many of you have taken defensive driving courses from me and may remember when I told you to quit blaming the roads for your crashes. It is the driver’s responsibility to have their vehicle under control at all times. If it is icy, 40 miles an hour might be too fast. The first thing I would like you to do when the weather or roads are bad is to decide if this trip is really necessary? You must take into consideration your age, driving ability (although everyone I’ve ever met is a "good" driver), road and weather conditions, and mostly how far are you willing to walk if you have trouble?Many people have an undeserved sense of security when they carry cell phones. A cell phone cannot dig you out of a ditch or provide warmth. All it can do is let someone else know where you are. If the roads weren’t safe for you, they aren’t going to be safe for them either.If you do decide to drive in less than perfect driving conditions remember:SLOW DOWN WHEN YOU SEE RED LIGHTSSLOW DOWN WHEN THE ROADS ARE SLICK SLOW DOWN WHEN YOU ARE TOO CLOSE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOUSLOW DOWN JUST FOR THE SAKE OF TAKING INVENTORY OF THE CONDITIONS WHICH SURROUND YOUYOU CAN MAKE MORE APPROPRIATE DECISIONS ABOUT YOUR SPEED if you SLOW DOWN!If you have any questions regarding traffic safety or traffic law, write to Sgt. Kathryn Pederson at Minnesota State Patrol, PO Box 344B, Marshall, MN 56258. Sgt. Pederson will not offer advise on specific situations or real events, which involve law enforcement.

Saturday night Rachel DeBoer and Jeremy Van Beek were supper guests in the home of her parents, Chuck and Rheta DeBoer. Mary Carter returned to Hills last week Tuesday after spending since Dec. 27 in the home of her daughter, Jean and Dennis Smith at Lititz, Pa., where she met her grandchildren and also a new great-grandchild. Last Monday Joanne Goehle traveled to Pipestone to watch her grandson, Andrew Carmany of Tyler, play basketball. Neal and Kathy Hoyme, Pierre, S.D., and Holly Willmar and two boys, Kevin and Kyle, Cheyenne, Wyo., have returned to their homes. They had come to see their mother, Lois Hoyme, who is hospitalized at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls, S.D. Most folks are relaxing after the holidays and instead of entertaining or going places are staying home these chilly days obviously watching the football games. Last Monday and Tuesday, Jeff DeBoer, Garner, Iowa, was a visitor overnight in the home of his parents, Chuck and Rheta DeBoer, while attending meetings in the area.Joanne Goehle and Tom went to Yankton, S.D., Saturday for a graduation of relatives. Present were Joanne’s sister, Marilyn and Leon Kathol, her brother, Ed Jons and Cheryl, Bonesteel, S.D., a sister, Coreen and Bob Hausmann, Don and Kathryn Young, Herrick, S.D., and Carole and Marvin Gies, Gregory, S.D.

Villagers were introduced to the new member of the Haak household. Myrna and Todd have a new baby girl. Myrna brought her to the Village so we could ooh and ah over her. She is less than four weeks old and has been named Kassandra Marie. We thought her beautiful. Myrna is one of our caregivers. We were also introduced to a new tenant Vivian Tatge. Vivian comes from Beaver Creek. Her son, Rick, runs the Beaver Creek Lumber Yard. The next few weeks we’ll be getting acquainted. Then a new young face will be helping Mary with her duties one day a week. Her name is Lisa Philiph and is an LPN from Rock Rapids. She’s a busy girl for she’ll help at Tuff Home, is on call at Lyon Manor and has three children, ages 12 to 23, to care for. Einar "Shorty" Thorin moved but we only have to go across the street to visit. Many changes at the Village this week.This has been "clean off your desk month." Around the Village it’s a daily affair. Carolyn comes to breakfast saying, "I’ve got to get my table cleaned off today." Seems it never gets done. There is too much to do here at the Village so the table cleaning waits another day.The Village shopping trip was to Sioux Falls this week. Two cars of tenants took off for Kmart. A goodwill trip was scheduled, too, but it was so cold and windy that trip was postponed. We also went to the movies. "Cheaper By The Dozen" was the film seen. The Bushes are a big family and my granddaughter asked her Aunt Coleen if that was how it was in her household. Coleen replied, "Well, we didn’t throw food."Earl was reading the Saturday Evening Post and he found some Wit a Wisdom of Ben Franklin. He thought I might share some with you. "Laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon overtakes him." "If you would keep your secret from an enemy tell it to a friend." "Hear no ill of a friend, nor speak any of an enemy." "Fear God and your enemies will fear you."We had waffles one morning. Always a special treat with various toppings. Everyone sang on Wednesday with Glenda to accompany us. Exercises and taking out a library card were duties we had to perform. We are glad to be inside these cold days. Tenants are talking income tax. Ione went to Avoca, Iowa, a city north of Council Bluffs, Neb., to the funeral of her brother, Norval Kraetsch. We were greeted by seven inches of snow.I’ll keep you posted.