No Hollywood endings to Rock County’s changes, but the show goes on Apparently Californians think change is a good thing. They’ve recalled their governor like a faulty appliance and hired an action hero to do the job.Gray Davis is out and Arnold Schwarzenegger is in, making Davis only the second governor in U.S. history to be recalled. (I note that because my home state of North Dakota recalled Lynn Frazier in 1921.)I don’t really care who the governor of California is, although the story was interesting. But the current spectacle of change in California makes me think of all the changes Rock County has gone through recently:oOur last election brought a new sheriff and county auditor/treasurer, which broke many years of the same people in office.oWe have two new deputies and a new investigator on staff at the sheriff’s department, arguably the most important government office we have.oWe have a fairly new city council in Luverne, with the most experienced just having a couple years on the job.oLuverne’s new city administrator has pretty much just unpacked his bags.oLongtime city of Luverne leadership in two department heads is gone, not to mention pool management.oLuverne is in the process of getting a new hospital and clinic facility, which could include a whole entire list of other changes that accompany that.oThe city of Luverne is working toward new economic development strategies through the Job Opportunity Building Zones application it just sent to the state.oThe Chamber of Commerce is moving to the Brandenburg Gallery and a brand new specialty business might take the Chamber’s spot.oLuverne is getting a new Ace Hardware store, and Loudon’s is changing hands and name to Grape Vines.oThe city is trying to work with the developer of the half-started Dollar Store project, to encourage its completion.oThe Palace Theatre has started to pick up its activity, turning from a vacant theater to a busy destination for live events and monthly films.oLuverne is going through the process of a "master plan" for the city in its Comprehensive Plan.oPlans for a new, longer runway for Luverne’s airport are underway.oCounty department locations were shifted around (Extension and Heartland Express) and the city of Luverne is in the process of reviewing its service and staff structure in a big way.I’m sure there’s more I didn’t mention, but it’s a lot for our small county. We won’t see the melodrama of California’s recall, nor will 135 people ever file for office around here, but I think it’s safe to say that Rock County isn’t a place to be stagnant. If we didn’t always, maybe now we think change is a good thing, too.
