By Sara Strong
This year's economic downturn has almost doubled Rock County's job counseling caseload compared with last year's.

Brian Sietsema is helping people who can work find it.

Sietsema works only with people who are able to work in some capacity. He tries to help them identify or develop job skills and find suitable work.

As a job counselor for the Private Industry Council, Sietsema contracts with Family Services to work with clients receiving cash assistance.

That cash assistance has a lifetime limit of 60 months as set by the state Legislature in 1997. So those who were in the program at that time can expect to lose those benefits in June.

Sietsema said most of his clients receiving cash benefits move in and out of the program, but one family could hit the maximum next March.

"People used to be able to do a lot of job hopping, but in this economy, I tell them not to quit a job unless they have one lined up for sure," Sietsema said.

Keeping jobs is something Sietsema said some of his clients have difficulty doing in any economy. The responsibility, along with other barriers, like training or transportation, can prevent people from becoming fully independent.

His job is kept as efficient as possible by working in close proximity to financial workers and other Family Services workers. This keeps communication open on case files and ensures that clients are both kept in line and helped to the maximum ability of the agencies.

Sietsema has also started a local Job Club to serve some of the clients who used to have to go to Worthington.

He credits local employers for giving some of his clients valuable work experience. "We have really good business people here," Sietsema said.

The Private Industry Council pays for the position of some workers in order for them to get work experience and better job references.

Living in southwest Minnesota doesn't offer many opportunities for high paying jobs.

The Minnesota Department of Economic Security reported in January that more than 60 percent of job vacancies in the region required a high school diploma and pay a median wage of $8 an hour. Another 18 percent of job vacancies didn't require a diploma and paid $8 an hour.

That leaves vocational training, two-year degrees, bachelor's degrees and advanced degrees with the smaller portions of job openings, and even those pay a lower wage than in other parts of the state.

The message that study sends is that the majority of job openings don't keep the most educated workers and that workers who take the available jobs don't make enough to support families.

Sietsema points out that the state makes exceptions for people who can't work and that they will continue to receive cash assistance past the state limits.

Clients who lose cash help will continue to qualify for healthcare, food stamps and day care if they are employed.

Merle Cook presents an option for a suit to a customer in the men's department in 1978.

By Lori Ehde
Legends in the retail clothing industry will tell you adaptability is key to survival.

In the case of Cook's Clothing, Luverne, itÕs that plus a healthy dose of hard work that has kept them in business for 50 years.

Merle and Bob Cook are celebrating a landmark year this week, reflecting back on where it all started April 2, 1952.

Merle's start
For Merle, now retired, retail clothing is the only work he really knew.

He started in the industry at age 16 when one of his lawn mowing clients, a men's clothing store owner, offered him a job.

That summer of 1941 he embarked on what would be lifelong career. For $5 a week, he worked after school and Saturdays at Lawler and Huntting in downtown Fairmont.

"At the time, $5 a week was great," Merle said, "and it beat the heck out of mowing lawns."
He remembers selling suits for $20 apiece, shirts for $3 and ties for $1.

After high school, he enlisted in the Air Force and served a year as a tail gunner in Germany during WWII.

When he returned to the States, he worked five years for LaskerÕs Clothing and for a short time at Greene's Clothing in Worthington.

When Merle's tie salesman told him of an opening in Luverne, he interviewed with Dick Creeger and got the job.

He started at Creeger's on April 2, 1952, marking the beginning of a 50-year retail clothing career in Luverne.

Merle enjoyed 25 years with Creeger and learned to respect his management style. "I learned to pay attention to business," he said. "Dick was a good man."

Bob's start...
By 1976, Merle had become a partner in Creeger's, and Dick Creeger offered him the opportunity to buy the men's department.

"It wasn't a big decision for me because by that time I was more than ready to have my own place," Merle said. "I took the department right down to the bare walls and moved it across the street."

It wasn't long before he was looking to hire some help.

His son, Bob, at that time was teaching in Australia on a two-year contract. He had graduated from Augustana College with a math degree and a computer minor.

Australia had experienced a birth explosion and had to recruit trained teachers to keep up with students.

"I remember writing to him and asking if he needed any help with the store," Bob said.

His dad responded with a brief letter. "You can start Monday, May 1."

Though he was teaching advanced high school math at the time, Bob knew he could do the job for his dad.

"I've always been a salesman," he said. "I was selling math in those days."

He remembers delivering the Worthington Daily Globe as a boy, and during a six-month subscription promotion, he brought his route from 29 subscribers to 85.

Working for his dad, Bob learned to respect what business ownership was about. "This business is full of detail work," Bob said. "There are lots of little things to keep track of."

With his hard work and dedication, Bob quickly earned the respect of his father. "I wasn't surprised," Merle said. "I knew what he was capable of."

Bob said he made it easy for his father to ease into retirement.

"I was always there to take care of the business - not only the business but to take care of the customers," he said. "That type of customer service comes only from ownership."

Merle retired in 1989, but he keeps up daily contact with his son and with the store. "We still have a good working relationship," Bob said.

Merle's retirement was sealed by the introduction of computers that year. "I don't even know how to open the till now," he said.

The expansion years
Computers weren't the only new thing at Cook's once Bob took over.

In 1991, Cook's Ladies Wear opened after Luverne lost Creegers Ladies Wear and Bostwick's. "We figured the menÕs clothing business would suffer, too," Bob said.

"It was a matter of adapting. I wanted to be able to capture a bigger market because our profit margins were dwindling. We felt a need to do more business, and we felt this town needed women's clothing."

The addition brought Cook's from five to 14 employees, and between the two stores, the business occupied 10,000 square feet.

The two stores operated across the street from each other from 1991 to 1997.

Also during that time, Cook's opened a men's and women's store in the Marshall mall. From 1995 to 1997, the 10,000-square-foot store operated with 20 employees.

When that mall lost its anchor, JC Penney, Cook's in Marshall closed. "It wasn't a profitable venture," Bob said.

Challenges, rewards
Two things have happened in the clothing industry that have made the business increasingly challenging.

"The way people dress has changed," Bob said. "They're more relaxed about it. We looked at who we were for many years and what we're about. Now we're selling casual as well as dress up."

Gone were the days of selling suits and ties for a living, and these changing trends forced Cook's to diversify into shoes and other accessories.

"That's part of being in retail," Bob said. "People were spending less on better clothing and more on better shoes."

The other change Bob and Merle noted was in customers' buying habits.

"I don't think today that customers are as true as they used to be," Merle said. "It used to be if you did a guy a favor, they'd keep doing business with you the rest of their lives. I had third generations coming to me."

Now, he said, people shop wherever they can get the best deal - and that often means shopping outside of Luverne.

Bob said working hard to meet business demands didn't come without a personal cost.

"There were times I should have been at home being a better husband and father. It was nothing to put in 60 hours a week in that store," Bob said.

"Sometimes I'd like those little boys around again, and I'd like to go home and play with them, but there were only so many hours in a day."

Merle said the rewards have balanced those sacrifices. "Probably what I enjoyed the most was pleasing customers," he said. "There's a lot of satisfaction in that.

Bob agrees. "It's that personal satisfaction in helping someone look good."

Cook's is celebrating 50 years this week with special sales and free coffee and cookies every day.

By Sara Strong
For the first time, the state is giving all counties the option of taxing gravel extraction rather than granting it on the previous county-by-county basis.

Rock County has considered the tax before but brought it up at the joint meeting of township boards and Rock County Commissioners Tuesday.

The townships will continue to consider the issue with the county in a meeting that calls for one representative from each township to join the County Board for discussion.

State law calls for the county to receive 60 percent of the tax revenue, the townships to receive 30 percent and the remaining 10 percent to go into a fund for reclaiming gravel pits when they are abandoned.

The meeting between townships and the county will first explore whether there is township support for the tax and then determine how the 30-percent township portion should be allocated.

The state doesn't specify whether the township of the gravel's origin should get a higher portion of the revenue, whether it should be split equally among townships or whether it should have a different formula altogether.

The gravel tax was first discussed as a way to recoup costs of wear on roads used by heavy gravel equipment. It also considers that gravel is a resource that, once gone from the county, can't be replaced.

The gravel tax would be a production tax - the extractor pays quarterly based on the amount of gravel mined.
The law was modeled after the iron ore tax.

All gravel, no matter if its origin was outside the county, would be taxed at the same rate.

Within the next 15 years, the gravel supply is expected to be in high demand, according to County Engineer Mark Sehr.

Now in the state, 23 counties have a gravel tax, but this is the first year the Legislature opened it up to all counties.

Rural watchdogs
Signs of drug use or manufacturing may not be on the forefront of most township residents' minds, but Deputy Evan Verbrugge said they can be a big help to the local police department.

"The county is small, but yet it can be big, so if you suspect something's going on, let us know," Verbrugge said. "We might not be able to see what you do."

He spoke to township representatives on the signs of drug use and manufacturing, which is becoming more common in rural areas.

Verbrugge pointed out that tips could lead to an investigation that might take some time to garner a search warrant. He asked people to be patient in waiting for results from their tips, because they often aren't immediate.

Farmers with anhydrous ammonia are asked to keep their supplies out of reach of thieves and to report any suspected thefts or tampering.

Even if a methamphetamine manufacturer isn't caught with the drug product, just tampering with anhydrous ammonia is a felony that carries a five-year sentence.

Verbrugge went over the chemicals used to make the drug and supplies that often accompany the use and manufacture of meth, or speed.

Some of those materials are: ephedrine, iodine, lithium batteries, lye, anhydrous ammonia, match boxes, salts, household cleaners, alcohol, ether, bowls, blenders, hot plates, rubber gloves, gas cans, rubber tubing, coffee filters and paper towels.

Many other similar products, although common on their own, signal possible meth manufacturing.

The speed drug (sometimes called crank, ice, chalk or crystal) shows up in users as symptoms like sores on skin, body odor, poor hygiene, paranoia and lack of sleep.

Verbrugge reminded people that touching the product itself or anything related is hazardous and that law enforcement should be the first call.

Sheriff Ron McClure said the county calls in state experts to handle manufacturing sites because of the dangers. If there is a spill on a manufacturing site, McClure said, even the dirt has to be removed.

The best way to help law enforcement is to record suspicious activity. Jotting down a license plate, description and time of day helps officers because they often get a call and the vehicle or person is gone.

Township residents can sometimes be more aware of unusual traffic patterns on roads that used to see little activity. They might notice a presence at a formerly abandoned rural building.

Verbrugge and McClure urge people to call with information that may seem small because it could spur the department to do further investigations.

The talk with township officials Tuesday has already gotten the department feedback. Wednesday morning McClure reported that his office got a call from someone who attended the township meeting. That person reported a suspicious vehicle on a gravel road.

A deputy checked on the vehicle, which was sitting on the side of the road. The driver was listening to South Dakota law enforcement on a scanner and upon further investigation, was found to be wanted on three warrants.

A chase ended in South Dakota with an arrest that might not have happened without the tip.

By Sara Strong
While the concept of community policing may be in favor, the Rock County Board of Commissioners isn't sure if it wants to support it financially.

The board reviewed a proposal Tuesday from the Upper Midwest Community Policing Institute. It could assess, design, implement and evaluate the Rock County Sheriff's Department practices and procedures and help it on its way to a new type of law enforcement.

The department has said it's open to change, and the city and county have met in committees on the subject already.

The board didn't vote on the proposal Tuesday but will bring it back to the table at its April 16 meeting.

Board Chair Jane Wildung said, "I think we can learn from an assessment and take a step-by-step approach to see what we can do."

Community policing is a proactive approach to law enforcement that stresses community involvement and communication. It includes things like attending community functions in addition to following up with crime victims or communicating areas of concern with the public.

Wildung said she supports the idea of the outside firm analyzing the department, but the high price tag is why she suggested not purchasing the entire package at once.

An estimate for the assessment portion is $10,000 in wages and travel and lodging expenses.

The assessment would include analyzing the current and future expectations of the department. The Institute would interview local people to get a feel for the perception of police work. It would also study internal operations that the public doesnÕt necessarily see.

The assessment would come in the form of a report that would identify the current strengths, weaknesses and challenges of the organization and the gaps that exist between the current and desired performance levels.

The department and city and county would have this objective report to use when looking at areas to improve.

Commissioner Ron Boyenga said he wondered if a local committee could be formed to do the same thing at a much cheaper rate.

Wildung said she would prefer to see the assessment completed sooner than later.

Commissioner Wendell Erickson said he was torn on the issue mostly because of the high cost attached.

"We do need something to happen; maybe this is the right piece," he said.

Property sales
The first step in assessing the tax base for 2003 starts with tallying residential and agricultural sales in the county.

County Assessor Tom Houselog reported those numbers to the Rock County Board of Commissioners Tuesday. In summary he said the county isn't seeing an increase in sales so far. The county's tax base isn't experiencing a swell either, because property values aren't seeing a huge increase. Houselog said that can always change with new construction.

County-wide agricultural estimated market values had an overall increase of 3.9 percent, with a range of 1 percent less than or 20 percent more than the previous value.

The majority of sales were in the western third of the county.

In other business the board:
Learned that staff and a committee agreed on a new director for the Land Management Office. Eric Hartman, Okabena, will begin duties April 15 at a salary of (COMING).

Agreed to share costs with the city of Luverne and Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital for an Arbor Day tree planting. Sixty trees that are already eight to 10 feet tall will be planted at Schoneman Park.

The ceremony on April 26 includes family members of Hospice patients tying ribbons around the trees. The county's cost is $1,200.

Received an audit report from State Auditor Roger Albertson. He said the county's records were mostly clean but suggested minor areas of record keeping that could be improved.

The county saw a net equity gain of $176,000 and has about 11 months of operational costs in reserves. Fines paid from the Global Ventures hog operation and related bank crime convictions helped the county's balance somewhat this year.

Family Services has a healthier reserve compared to the last audit, largely due to decreased expenses.

By Sara Strong
Gold'n Plump filed a petition against the county in district tax court Friday.

The Rock County Board of Commissioners received copies of the petition at its Tuesday meeting.

Gold'n Plump said its property's assessed value is greater than its actual value, resulting in the company paying higher property taxes.

The firm handling Gold'n Plump's case has filed similar complaints on behalf of about 7 other properties in the state.

Rock County Assessor Tom Houselog said he's confident the county's assessment was accurate. In 2001 Gold'n Plump paid $24,166 in taxes, which was based on the same valuation as the previous year. It is scheduled to pay $20,376 due in 2002 and is appealing that number.

The papers filed by Gold'n Plump claim the assessor "has intentionally and systematically discriminated against petitioner's property in favor of other properties of the same class in the same taxing district ... by valuing said other properties at less than their actual market value, while petitioner’s property was valued by the assessor at 100 percent or more."

Gold'n Plump is asking that the property be reassessed and that it receive corrected tax statements. It is also asking for compensation for damages and legal fees, which a judge will determine when it's brought before the court.

By Lori Ehde
A 37-year-old Hardwick man appeared in Rock County District Court last week on charges that he stole from the American Legion gaming accounts.

Dan "Cue Ball" Kern, also known as "Cue Ball," faces two counts of theft after a winter investigation revealed a $7,000 shortage in the pull tab fund at his bar and restaurant, the Green Lantern in Hardwick.

According to the complaint filed March 14 in Rock County District Court, local law enforcement executed a search warrant of the Green Lantern with the Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement Division of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

The agents and local officers found on Dec. 3, 2001, gambling and bar proceeds co-mingled.

When questioned, Kern said the games had been played, but instead of depositing money into the Hardwick American Legion gambling account, he had used the money to repay personal debt.

Kern acknowledged involvement in personal gambling and reportedly said he used proceeds from pull tab games to pay down personal debt resulting from gambling.

He said this had been going on for a year or more.

During that search warrant execution, agents seized money, completed pull tab games and pull tab games in play.

According to court documents, they also seized football boards and other items used for illegal gambling.

Kern estimated he owed the Legion around $3,800, but an audit by the Gambling Control Board identified $7,189 of gambling proceeds he had illegally retained.

On Jan. 8, Kern heard his Miranda rights and agreed to answer questions.

According to the complaint, Kern said he "got caught up in gambling and had trouble making ends meet."

Instead of depositing pull tab proceeds into the American Legion gaming accounts, he put it into the barÕs business account or forwarded it to a bookie in order to satisfy personal gambling debts.

His felony theft charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine.

Kern has already been ordered in conciliation court to pay the Hardwick American Legion $6,222.60 in a Jan. 8 ruling.

By Lori Ehde
Luverne Community Hospital and Luverne Medical Center are in the infant stages of a study to determine whether or not a renovation is feasible.

Despite declining inpatient hospital stays, Luverne medical facilities have been providing increasing outpatient and specialty services.

"We've done a good business, and we want to make sure we have the right facilities to deliver those services," said Gerald Carl, hospital administrator.

He said Luverne is seeing increasing numbers of patients utilizing services such as physical therapy, outpatient infusion, chemotherapy, respiratory care, laboratory services and more.

"This change of service structure is being addressed in the physical assessment of the buildings," Carl said. "Our building just isn't well suited for these services."

He added that Luverne's inpatient rooms are outdated, lacking amenities such as personal showers that have become standards in most hospitals.

Luverne Community Hospital Advisory Board is working with Sioux Valley on an architectural study of the hospital and clinic campus.

"The architectural study is to determine if the present hospital and clinic buildings can be renovated," Carl said.

"If the study shows a renovation isn't feasible, alternatives will be reviewed."

Carl couldn't be specific about what those alternatives might be, but an area to the north of the hospital was recently rezoned from residential to residential-institutional to allow for an expansion or building project, if necessary.

Neither the hospital nor Sioux Valley has requested that rezoning. It's simply a decision the city made for the purpose of keeping options for growth open in that neighborhood.

Regardless, Carl said the hospital and clinic have a bright future in Luverne. "Luverne is really a shining star as far as the (Sioux Valley) system is concerned," he said.

Sioux Valley Regional Health Services, a division of Sioux Valley Hospitals and Health System, has retained interim architectural services of Spitznagel Inc.

The Sioux Falls firm has done previous work on the Luverne Hospital and on Sioux Valley Hospital.

Carl said the need for more and better space speaks well for LuverneÕs medical facilities.

"We have a good complement of doctors. The hospitalÕs been busy. Not all communities can say that," Carl said.

"We are adding a doctor this summer, and we have specialists that come this way from Sioux Falls. There are more who would like to come, but we just don't have the facilities here for that."

Carl said there was no specific timetable for the architectural study.

"We want to talk to all parties involved, and whatever we do, we need to make sure everyone's on the same page," he said. "It's very clear something needs to be done."

Loel Olson's fifth-grade class is the Luverne Elementary School featured class of the week. Pictured are (front row, from left) Sarah Schneekloth, Skyler Kruger, Alex Wiese, Matt Christensen, Austin Lee, Matthew Jacobsma, Jessica Dorhout, Maleeka Sandager, Caitlyn Deutsch, Amanda Ericksen, (second row) Erin Ernst, April Norman, Tanner Skattum, Dakota Steensma, Andrew Henderson, Melanie Baloun, Devin Nelson, (back row) Mr. Olson, Carrie Bauer, Brittany Liebhard, Ashley Hanson, Sam Dooyema, Micah Hewitt, Steven Walker and Wyatt Sprecher. Not pictured are Kaylee Smook and BriAnna Thode.

Photo by Lori Ehde

Luverne Community Hospital is studying the feasibility of renovating its campus to meet demand for more and varied services. Story inside.