JUNE 11, 2003MINUTES OF THE REGULAR SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 2814, ROCK COUNTY, LUVERNE, MINNESOTA.A regular meeting of the Board of Education, ISD #2184, was held in the District Office on Wednesday, June 11, 2003, at 5:00 p.m.The following members were present: Don Bryan, Colleen Deutsch, Dan Kopp, Bill Stegemann, Steve Tofteland, and Becky Walgrave. Absent; Cary Radisewitz. Also present: Superintendent Vince Schaefer, Marlene Mann, Gary Fisher, Stacy Gillette, Jane Cote, Dave Breyfogle, and Lori Ehde, Rock County Star Herald.The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Dan Kopp. Mr. Schaefer gave announcements including there is an addendum to the agenda. Motion by Stegemann, second by Walgrave, to approve the agenda and addendum. Motion unanimously carried. Administrative reports were given. Marlene Mann, Business Manager, reviewed the General Revenue anticipation printout as of May 28, 2003. Under the new law, the Luverne District will receive $175,849.00 less funding during the 2003-04 fiscal year. Motion by Stegemann, second by Bryan, to approve the School Board minutes of May 22, 2003. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Walgrave, second by Tofteland, to accept the following resolution: Inasmuch as it is not necessary for certain employees to work during the summer, since their work is seasonal, BE IT RESOLVED, that seasonal lay-offs be granted to the following employee groups from June 4, 2003, to September 2, 2003, on which later date said employees are to return to work: Paraprofessionals, Bus Drivers, Cooks, ECFE/School Readiness Assistants, and Secretaries. Motion unanimously carried. Superintendent Schaefer reviewed the Lease Agreement with Dave Breyfogle. There are several factors affecting this agreement including working with the Farm Service Agency in regard to our CRP acres. No action was taken on this item. Mr. Breyfogle will meet with the Facilities Committee following this meeting. Marlene Mann reviewed the athletic equipment and supply requisitions. Member Deutsch expressed that we need to review what we are charging for activity fees. She would support an increase. Superintendent Schaefer indicated the administration would be reviewing the fees and would bring recommendations to the Board at a future meeting. Motion by Walgrave, second by Deutsch, to approve the requisitions as presented. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Tofteland, second by Deutsch, to approve the following resolution: The local Board of Education of Luverne Public Schools has authorized Vincent Schaefer, at a monthly meeting on June 11, 2003, to act as the LEA (Local Education Agency) Representative in filing an application for funds provided under Public Law 103-382 for the school year 2003-2004. The LEA Representative will ensure that the school district maintains compliance with the appropriate Federal statutes, regulations, and State procedures currently in effect and will act as the responsible authority in all matters relating to the administration of this application. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Bryan, second by Deutsch to approve the Memorandum of Understanding for the Luverne Child Guide Program as presented. It was noted this is a two year agreement. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Walgrave, second by Stegemann, to continue to offer student accident insurance through Student Assurance Services Inc. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Tofteland, second by Walgrave, to deny the cooperative sharing agreement request in boys hockey with Sioux Center, Iowa. Discussion was held. A roll call vote was taken as follows: those voting in favor of the motion to deny the request: Deutsch, Tofteland, and Kopp; those voting against the motion to deny the request: Bryan, Walgrave, and Stegemann, Motion failed due to lack of majority votes. Staff Development funding was reviewed by Superintendent Schaefer. We are currently setting aside 2% of the District’s budget for staff development. However, under the new law, this is open to the School Board to reevaluate and change the amount. It is the recommendation of the administration to lower this amount to 1% with 50% of that money to be used by the teaching staff individuals and 50% to be used for district-wide staff development. Motion by Bryan, second by Walgrave, to set the Staff Development amount at 1%. Motion unanimously carried. Superintendent Schaefer reviewed the Elementary primary grades playground area. The Facilities Committee has met regarding this issue. The work to improve the playground area would include moving the current fence to the west, doing additional dirt work, bringing in compost to help improve the soil, removing the tree located to the north of the old bus garage, placing additional fencing down below the hill near the new bus garage, and providing better handicapped accessibility. The approximate cost of the project would be $35,000. Motion by Walgrave, second by Tofteland, to accept quotes and begin work on the playground. Motion unanimously carried.Motion by Tofteland, second by Deutsch, to approve a Student Teacher Practicum Agreement with Minnesota State University – Mankato. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Walgrave, to approve hiring Kyle Eastman as Vocal Music instructor. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Tofteland, second by Deutsch, to approve hiring Jaime Creegan as Discovery Time Preschool teacher. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Deutsch, second by Bryan, to approve hiring Darrin Olson as Chemistry/Physics teacher. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Stegemann, second by Deutsch to approve hiring Lori Jacobs as Second Grade teacher and Head Volleyball coach. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Walgrave, second by Stegemann, to approve hiring Michelle Burkard as MS/HS Special Education teacher. Motion unanimously carried.Motion by Tofteland, second by Deutsch, to approve hiring Lynette Stensland as half-time Elementary Special Education teacher. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Walgrave, second by Deutsch, to approve Isaac Schmidt as volunteer baseball coach. Motion unanimously carried. Motion by Bryan, second by Walgrave, to adjourn the meeting. Motion unanimously carried. Dated: June 11, 2003William Stegemann, Clerk(7-10)

One of the Bible passages I like to use for wedding meditations is Ephesians 5 verses 1 and 2; it reads, "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Certainly marriage is about love and sacrifice. God, through Jesus, models for us the meaning of generous, self-giving love for the well-being of another. I don’t believe I have ever seen a marriage fail where that ideal of love was lived and practiced. The difficulty with marriage is that this principle is very difficult to live out. We are programmed to be self-centered and self-focused in our lives. [This is what is called original sin. We are by nature sinful.] It takes a lot of effort, and I would also say grace from God, to overcome our selfish tendencies. Sometimes I do reasonably well at it and other times I fail miserably. My intent for this article was to share some random insights from marriage renewal seminars that I’ve attended through the years. (The above was an unplanned introduction but from my heart and perhaps connected to the first insight.)1. No marriage is perfect. It is a daily creation, not a packaged product. It is like a child who needs to be picked up and hugged and given personal attention. It is a pledge of mutual fidelity and a partnership of mutual subordination.2. The secret of a good marriage is change. We need to be risk takers in marriage and in life. There needs to be adaptations to one’s life situations and experiences. One cannot be rigid and inflexible regarding relationships or approach to living if one is to have a good marriage. Learn how to adjust and adapt to each other.3. Differentness is another way of saying individuality. We were created as irreplaceable individuals, different from any who have gone before or who will appear later. This is a frightening thought to insecure people who have not realized that God considers each person to be an individual of unique worth. There are no superior or inferior people in the marriage relationship.4. Freshness in marriage comes by building and increasing intimacy. Intimacy involves a very personal, special emotional closeness. It involves understanding and being understood. Intimacy is composed of mutual caring, trust, responsibility, and open communication of feelings, emotions, facts and experiences in an undefended atmosphere. For most males this emphasis on speaking verbally our feelings, emotions, and needs takes an inordinate amount of effort. But it is effort that pays great dividends in creating an intimate marriage. H. Norman Wright, a noted Christian marriage counselor, calls ‘communication the key to marriage.’ Compliments, affirmation, appreciation, praises are needed by each spouse from the other spouse. "Basement people drag us down, balcony people pull us up." Marriages that are happy and fulfilling are composed of two balcony people.5. Christian marriage is a total commitment of two people to the person of Jesus Christ and to each other. It is a commitment in which there is no holding back of anything. A Christian marriage is similar to a solvent, a freeing up of the man and woman to be themselves and become all that God intends for them to be. Marriage is a refining process that God will use to have us become the man or woman God wants us to become.Marriage is meant to be beautiful and magnificent but it takes dedicated effort. May the love you have for your mate be wondrously alive, growing and mutual.

The loving husband and I embarked on our annual fishing trip to Ottertail County last week. Because we got rained on six times in one day, our camouflage rain suits were the center point of our daily wardrobe selections. Ninety percent of my fishing fashions remained unworn. I usually try to color coordinate my bait presentation with my fishing outfit. This year, with the camouflage situation, it got a little monotonous. So I tried an alternate color selection philosophy: If you think the bait is attractive, so will the fish. On one of my more successful days I tossed out a lime green plastic worm attached to a fuchsia pink whistler head. I could hear the fish saying, "It must be a lovely woman who would offer such a tasteful and exquisite bait presentation. Let’s bite it!!" Another day when I caught my biggest crappie, I tossed out a red, white & blue presentation (blue and white jighead with a red tail). Again I heard the giant crappies saying, "It must be that lovely woman … and proud American … who has assembled such a patriotic bait presentation. Grab it!!" If you have a day when you simply cannot match your outfit, just pick out the most attractive lure in the box and toss it out there. Don’t worry, you won’t always pick the same lure. One day you may find chartreuse attractive, another day it will be motor-oil or smoke. Upon returning from vacation, I was alerted to the fact that I am not allowed to catalog any new books. This is because we are in the process of changing circulation and cataloging systems. But I did get one new book on —"Say When" by Elizabeth Berg. You might want to call in and get your name on the list. Griffin is a happy man. Settled comfortably in a Chicago suburb, he adores his eight-year-old daughter, Zoe, and his wife, Ellen, — shy, bookish Ellen, who is as dependable as she is dependent on him for his stability and his talent for gently controlling the world they inhabit. But when he wakes one morning to hear of his wife's love affair with another man and her request for a divorce, Griffin's view of life is irrevocably altered. Overnight he goes from being Ellen's husband to being her roommate, from a lover to a man denied passion and companionship. Now he must either move on or fight for his marriage, forgive his wife or condemn her for her betrayal, deny or face up to his part in the sudden undoing of his seemingly perfect life. Alert: "Barnyard Capers" the fabulously entertaining puppet show will be at 11 a.m. this Friday, July 11. It’s open to all ages.

Banks of Luverne — First National BankThe following was printed in the Rose History in 1911:The First National Bank is the successor to the first banking concern established in Rock County. This was the private bank opened by P.J. Kniss and O.D. Brown, under the name of Bank of Luverne, in the fall of 1876. The partnership between the original proprietors existed until January 1881, when Mr. Brown withdrew his interests and a reorganization was effected. The officers under the new regime were P.J. Kniss, president; G.Q. Kniss vice president and E.D. Hadley, cashier, W.P. Hurlbut succeeded Mr. Hadley as cashier in November 1882 and the banking firm took the name P.J. Kniss & Co.The Bank of Luverne commenced business as a state bank Nov. 15, 1884, and was capitalized at $30,000, paid in by 17 stockholders. A year later a further reorganization was carried out, which resulted in the conversion of the institution into a national bank. The capital stock was increased to $50,000, and under its new charter the First National Bank opened its doors Jan. 7, 1886. The first officers and members of the board of directors were: P.J. Kniss, president; E.D. Hadley, vice president; W.P. Hurlbut, cashier; H.J. Miller, N. Nelson, W.H. Halbert and E.A. Brown. A number of important changes in the management of the institution occurred in 1887. On Jan. 27, W.H. Halbert succeeded W.P. Hurlbut as cashier, and in August the majority stock was purchased by S.W. Thompson of East Randolph, N.Y., who thereupon succeeded to the vice presidency, vice E.D. Hadley. Charles C. Thompson was installed as cashier on Nov. 8, 1888. In December 1890, P.J. Kniss withdrew from the bank, and as a result S.W. Thompson was elevated to the presidency and N. Nelson became vice president. The First National’s fourth cashier was C.E. Huntington, who succeeded Charles C. Thompson in January 1891. Later in the same year a most important change in the bank’s management was negotiated. President Thompson and Cashier Huntington both retired and the stock they controlled was transferred to William Jacobsen and A.D. LaDue, both formerly connected with the Rock County Bank. Mr. Jacobsen became president and Mr. LaDue cashier, and those officers served 13 years. E.A. Brown, the present vice president, succeeded N. Nelson in 1894. The final change in the personnel of the First National’s management was made by reason of the death of Pres. Jacobsen in 1905. Since then the officers have been: A.D. LaDue, president; E.A. Brown, first vice president; O.P. Huntington, second vice president; William Jacobsen, Jr., cashier; D.M. Main, assistant cashier. On the same occasion the board of directors, then consisting of A.D. LaDue, E.A. Brown, O.P. Huntington, G.C. Huntington and P.E. Brown, was increased to seven members, and William Jacobsen Jr., and J.A. Kennicott were chosen as the new directors. On Jan. 1, 1906, the capital stock was increased to $100,000, to which were accumulated a surplus and reserved profits of nearly $50,000. The brick block occupied by the First National Bank was erected in 1878.(This building stood where the City Hall is now.) Donations to the Rock County Historical Endowment Fund can be sent to the Rock County Historical Society, P.O. Box 741, Luverne, MN 56156.Mann welcomes correspondence sent to mannmade@lw.net.

New Yorkers aren’t laughing. In an apparent effort to enrage its residents and receive additional revenues at the same time, New York City is in the midst of what Reuters news service calls a "silly summons blitz." The so-called ticketing frenzy also serves to remind us that life can be funnier than fiction. Many of the tickets are being issued for obscure city ordinances and residents of The Big Apple must be shaking their heads in disbelief. One resident was fined $105 for sitting on a milk crate on a Bronx sidewalk, reports The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In what could be a new way to reduce excessive tourism, a visitor to the city from Israel received a $50 ticket for taking up two seats on a subway headed for Queens. A Greenwich Village merchant had to pay a $400 fine for having too many words on his store awning. According to the New York Daily News, one woman, six months pregnant, sat down on a subway stairwell in complete exhaustion and was fined $50. Big Apple residents are suddenly aware of little known offenses, such as carrying an open bottle of water onto a bus or being a man in a playground without a child. Last, but not least, a woman in Queens was ticketed $25 for talking loudly to her neighbor, who lives in a nearby apartment. The Daily News interviewed the woman and she explained, "I couldn’t leave the food on the stove, so I opened my door and my friend opened her door and we stood in front of our apartments talking." There was no mention of whether or not a pot of simmering soup was confiscated as possible courtroom evidence in the case. However, the woman’s excuse is clearly that of a hardened criminal. The world will definitely be a better place when crate sitters, over-wordy awning owners, loud talkers and tired, pregnant women are removed from our streets. It now appears that other cities in the world hope to follow the example set by New York City. A gardener in Berlin was ticketed last month for driving his lawnmower while intoxicated. The guilty party had just finished mowing a lawn for a client when he was breath-tested by the police and fined $460. Unfortunately, he had also just finished a bottle of wine. We can only guess what behavior tipped off the police in the first place. It couldn’t have been drunk driving on a public road or speeding. He was on private property and the mower in question has a maximum speed of four miles per hour. Perhaps he left a trail of scalped flower gardens, hedges and topiaries in his wake. He might have reduced a lovely set of lawn chairs and a matching sun umbrella table to a miserable pile of shredded, plastic confetti. It might even have been the way he brandished the bottle in the air as he steered the riding mower and shouted to everyone within earshot, "Bite my clippings!" On the other hand, it might have been nothing. It’s possible similar ticketing frenzies could come to all of our towns and cities during this long, hot summer. Be careful out there.

To protect and serve?I am writing this letter because of an incident that happened at my residence on the night of June 27. Shortly after midnight, my son called and informed me there was an officer walking around our house looking through the windows with his flashlight. I decided to park a couple of blocks away from my home and walk to see if there was anyone around my house. While walking down the alley, I noticed a figure standing in the dark behind my garage. As I got closer, I realized it was a police officer. As I approached, he asked if I was out for an evening walk. With no response, I questioned him on what he was doing. He then pointed toward my driveway and said, "I am waiting for one of those cars to leave." My response was "Are you going to pick him up?" He replied, "Yes." At that time I became very upset and told him to get off my property. He seemed somewhat surprised that I was the owner and refused to leave. I became even more enraged. I asked what his name was and went into my house to call the sheriff. I told the sheriff in so many I wanted them to get away from my house. After hanging up the phone I went back outside and the police officer was driving away. As I walked to the end of the driveway, I noticed a set of headlights came on about a half block away. It was another police officer sitting in the dark waiting for something to happen. As I stood at the end of my driveway, the patrol cars continued to drive by my home for the next hour. This is no longer police work; it has become a big game hunt for a few officers. On Saturday morning, I talked to the sheriff again and explained I was still upset and wanted to know what was going on. He told me an officer was driving by my house and had seen some kids standing in the driveway. As the officer approached, they put something in a car and ran away. If this did happen, why didn’t they leave when they couldn’t find the kids? The officer continued to walk around my home and hide in the dark until I caught him. I was told he looked into the car that was sitting on my property, there was no search warrant. I do not know the law, but this seems to be an invasion of privacy. I have not checked but I would bet this officer is No. 1 in giving DWI’s. Don’t get me wrong, if someone is driving out of control, I have no problem with them getting pulled over. On the other hand, when an officer simply sits outside of an establishment and waits for someone to leave and then starts following them around town hoping they make a mistake, this is not justice. It has turned into a game for a certain few; it’s like when it gets dark the hunt begins. I had one personal incident. As I left the Eagles Club, I noticed an officer parked on the street. As I turned out of the parking lot to leave, a set of headlights came on. I had no idea which officer it was, but they followed me down Highway 75, down Warren Street, and as I turned into my driveway on Donaldson the officer continued driving southbound on Donaldson. This is not law enforcement, it’s not serving the public, it’s simply a witch-hunt. My situation is not the only occurrence, there are many others which the public does not know about. Since 9-11 happened everyone talks about terrorism. We have a similar situation in Rock County with certain individuals on the force. It’s too bad that when it gets dark, you are afraid to go out and drive home. A sad factor is some of these same officers can go out drinking and think nothing of it. They drive home without a worry in the world, knowing no one is waiting for them. What makes them any different than the rest of us?Our local police force has been tarnished due to a few officers. I feel sorry for the other officers who serve Rock County the way it is intended. I hope I have not upset all the officers in Rock County with this letter, but I do feel something has to be done. I wouldn’t doubt that sometime down the road you will see my name appearing in the paper under District Court. I believe that what occurred at my residence on June 27 and me voicing my opinion with this letter, I now have an "X" on my forehead, and certain people will go out of their way to find me. Terry ReischLuverne

Lewis and Clark Rural Water System is going full speed ahead! We were relieved and excited to learn that not only would most of our Fiscal Year 2003 funding be restored that had been cut, but that the Administration agreed to commit a total of $36 million for Lewis and Clark and Perkins County RWS in its 2004 and 2005 budgets. Considering the Administration had earlier not included any funding for Lewis and Clark in 2004, this turnaround is incredible news.More than the money itself, this signals a strong commitment to the project on behalf of the Administration. This is confirmation once and for all that this vital water pipeline will be built. For that, we have our congressional delegation to thank. Sen. Dayton, Sen. Coleman and Congressman Gutknecht really stepped up to the plate and convinced the Administration of the importance of this vital water project. Our congressional delegations in South Dakota and Iowa also provided strong leadership during this critical time. Without the strong support from all of our elected leaders, none of this would have been possible.When you’re talking about the need for a quality, dependable supply of drinking water for the region, there are no party lines or state lines. It is refreshing to see everyone working together toward a common goal.Troy LarsonExecutive DirectorLewis and Clark Rural Water System

DISTRICT COURTFifth Judicial DistrictProbate Court DivisionORDER FOR HEARING PETITION FOR DESCENT OF PROPERTYSTATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF ROCKIn Re: Estate of George WassenaarThe Petition of Robert Wassenaar, dated the 20th day of June, 2003, having been filed in this Court representing that the above named decedent has been dead for more than three years leaving certain property therein described, and requesting that the descent of said property be determined and assigned by the Court to the persons entitled thereto.IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, That said Petition be heard on Monday, the 28th day of July, 2003, at 9:00 o’clock a.m. by the above named Court at Luverne, State of Minnesota. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED That the petitioner give notice of said hearing in the manner prescribed by M.S.A. 524.1-401 to all persons entitled to notice pursuant to M.S.A. 524.3-403 and to all persons who have filed a demand for notice pursuant to M.S.A. 524.3-204. Dated: June 30, 2003/s/ Timothy K. Connell, District Court Judge/s/Sandra L. Vrtacnik, Court AdministratorDOUGLAS E. EISMAAttorney for PetitionerEISMA AND EISMA130 East Main StreetP.O. Box 625Luverne, MN 56156(507) 283-4828(7-3, 7-10)

Effie Stroh, 98, Luverne, died Wednesday, July 2, 2003, at Tuff Memorial Home in Hills. Services were Monday, July 7, at Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne. The Rev. Dell B. Sanderson officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne. Effie Anderson was born to Anders and Oline (Iveland) Anderson on May 31, 1905, in Rock County. She attended country school at 4 West School in Rock County and graduated from Luverne High School in 1923. She also attended Normal School Training for two years. She taught country school in Rock County for 10 years. She was a homemaker.She married Jerry Stroh on July 2, 1935, at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Luverne. They lived northwest of Luverne and later moved south of Luverne to her parent’s farmstead. They moved to Luverne in 1973. Mr. Stroh died in 1974. Mrs. Stroh was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Luverne and taught Sunday School. She was involved with church circles and also served as president of Ladies Aid. She belonged to Extension Club, Neighborhood Club and enjoyed playing cards with her friends. She enjoyed baking, sewing and flowers. She also crocheted and made doilies with family’s names. She raised chickens and ducks. Survivors include three sons, David (Judy) Stroh, Harold (Carol) Stroh, all of Luverne, and Rodney Stroh, Beaver Creek; one daughter, Helen Biren, Owatonna; 12 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.Mrs. Stroh was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Jerry, one brother, Selmer Anderson, and five sisters, Sena Severtson, Louise Pierson, Anna Beatty, Helen Lunde and Gena Dibbern. Dingmann Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.