Growing up in the 1930’sBy Neil HaugarudMonday, September 4, 2000
By Neil Haugerud
Some folks say they can remember as far back as when they were one year old. For me life memories begin on Good Friday, April 19th, 1935, I was
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"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"
Online Edition
Sunday, May 19th, 2013
Volume ∞ Issue ∞
- 5:56:33, May 18th 2013 - modgudur - I guess the child is anti-gun control since Obama went to all that trouble ... [Read More]
- 9:27:41, May 16th 2013 - caal girl - Nice outfit on you. I loved some of the dresses but am holding my breath ... [Read More]
- 2:03:34, May 14th 2013 - - Thanks for sharing the trip with us! ... [Read More]
- 4:12:01, May 9th 2013 - Amanda Ziebell - Wow! Thanks to the Fillmore County Journal for this kind story. For a ... [Read More]
- 11:47:30, May 7th 2013 - EW - ramble.....ramble.....ramble..... ... [Read More]
- 10:25:25, May 7th 2013 - Thunder6 - Great article! I love to see the Youth of Fillmore County receiveing acco ... [Read More]
- 6:52:10, May 6th 2013 - Jason Sethre, Publisher of Fillmore County Journal & Olmsted County Journal - Maryh, ... [Read More]
- 7:29:56, May 5th 2013 - maryh - Where are OCJ's available for pickup...other than at the new office? ... [Read More]
- 2:41:47, May 3rd 2013 - Remark1976 - Mrs. Buckbee, I just looked up Senate File 796 and in it there are said p ... [Read More]
- 2:22:20, May 3rd 2013 - Remark1976 - Mrs. Buckbee, how do you come up with $1.1 billion that trout fishing bri ... [Read More]
To pay or not to pay
Comments
Monday, August 28, 2000
The county board seemed to wade through one administrative dilemma after another as it met last Tuesday in its role as Fillmore County government’s top managers. Still haunting the board in the execution of its duties is the ever-persistent mystery of how much money to pay county employees.
Salary issues topped the agenda as the board wrestled with a request from county auditor Angela Burrs to increase the salary of an account technician in the auditor’s office. The request was generated because Burrs just hired two new account technicians for her office, but at a pay step higher than the other account technician’s step. The higher rate for the new employees was based on their experience, a justifiable action under the county’s new Bjorklund pay plan, but the other account technicians in the auditor’s office have equal, if not greater, experience.
Fearing a domino-like effect from other employees, the board was reluctant to grant the increase, worrying that all account technicians in the county system would require a similar step increase.
Turning to county attorney Matt Opat for a solution proved to be even more discouraging. While Opat advised that the county could terminate the employment of the new hires in their probationary period, then re-hire them at a lower step, he also seemed to advise against that action as it could bring a lawsuit.
"I don’t see how we can change an offer to an employee after acceptance," argued commissioner Robert Underbakke. "We shouldn’t terminate during probation because it is our mistake."
Realizing that the discussion was holding up other agenda items, chairman Gary Peterson said that they would return to the matter later in the meeting.
Libraries
During committee reports, commissioner Helen Bicknese reported that the joint library board had met to discuss the 2001 funding request for the seven libraries in the county. With full funding for the libraries being at $148,638, and the county’s budgeted amount at $130,000, the joint board is requesting a compromise amount of $137,000.
As commissioner Bicknese explained that the libraries are now using a median cost of circulation for all seven libraries in their budget considerations, commissioner Underbakke seemed unimpressed and even somewhat bothered by the funding request.
"They spend and spend and expect us to pick it up," exclaimed Underbakke as he made it known th .....
[Read the Rest]
The county board seemed to wade through one administrative dilemma after another as it met last Tuesday in its role as Fillmore County government’s top managers. Still haunting the board in the execution of its duties is the ever-persistent mystery of how much money to pay county employees.
Salary issues topped the agenda as the board wrestled with a request from county auditor Angela Burrs to increase the salary of an account technician in the auditor’s office. The request was generated because Burrs just hired two new account technicians for her office, but at a pay step higher than the other account technician’s step. The higher rate for the new employees was based on their experience, a justifiable action under the county’s new Bjorklund pay plan, but the other account technicians in the auditor’s office have equal, if not greater, experience.
Fearing a domino-like effect from other employees, the board was reluctant to grant the increase, worrying that all account technicians in the county system would require a similar step increase.
Turning to county attorney Matt Opat for a solution proved to be even more discouraging. While Opat advised that the county could terminate the employment of the new hires in their probationary period, then re-hire them at a lower step, he also seemed to advise against that action as it could bring a lawsuit.
"I don’t see how we can change an offer to an employee after acceptance," argued commissioner Robert Underbakke. "We shouldn’t terminate during probation because it is our mistake."
Realizing that the discussion was holding up other agenda items, chairman Gary Peterson said that they would return to the matter later in the meeting.
Libraries
During committee reports, commissioner Helen Bicknese reported that the joint library board had met to discuss the 2001 funding request for the seven libraries in the county. With full funding for the libraries being at $148,638, and the county’s budgeted amount at $130,000, the joint board is requesting a compromise amount of $137,000.
As commissioner Bicknese explained that the libraries are now using a median cost of circulation for all seven libraries in their budget considerations, commissioner Underbakke seemed unimpressed and even somewhat bothered by the funding request.
"They spend and spend and expect us to pick it up," exclaimed Underbakke as he made it known th .....
[Read the Rest]
Weeds, wonderful weeds
Monday, September 4, 2000
I’ve heard it again. ‘Oh, I’d love for you to see my garden, Virginia, but I’m so embarrassed because of all the weeds.’ Well who is missing out here, you or me? I’d love to see your garden, weeds and all. I love weed .....
[Read the Rest]
I’ve heard it again. ‘Oh, I’d love for you to see my garden, Virginia, but I’m so embarrassed because of all the weeds.’ Well who is missing out here, you or me? I’d love to see your garden, weeds and all. I love weed .....
[Read the Rest]
This work is not for the birds
Monday, September 4, 2000
I stand on the roof of our workshop holding the end of a rope. My husband has tied the opposite end around his waist so he doesn't slip as he hammers nails into our new metal roofing. Although I am alert to the danger .....
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I stand on the roof of our workshop holding the end of a rope. My husband has tied the opposite end around his waist so he doesn't slip as he hammers nails into our new metal roofing. Although I am alert to the danger .....
[Read the Rest]
"Please Don’t Touch the Rattlesnakes!"By John LevellMonday, August 21, 2000
Rattlesnake! The single word most likely to elicit a response from those who live or play along the Root River State Trail, especially during these more temperate, ple .....
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Rattlesnake! The single word most likely to elicit a response from those who live or play along the Root River State Trail, especially during these more temperate, ple .....
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An afternoon in La Crosse
Monday, September 4, 2000
We were wandering around downtown historic La Crosse last weekend, which, I couldn’t help but notice, in places, looks a bit like downtown historic Lanesboro. The secret is out, if you want your town to be economicall .....
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We were wandering around downtown historic La Crosse last weekend, which, I couldn’t help but notice, in places, looks a bit like downtown historic Lanesboro. The secret is out, if you want your town to be economicall .....
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Lord of the Dance
Monday, August 28, 2000
My wife told me that I had won first prize and was chosen to be her escort for her all-school reunion last weekend. I actually looked forward to the event, especially when it was her reunion and not mine. It was unlikel .....
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My wife told me that I had won first prize and was chosen to be her escort for her all-school reunion last weekend. I actually looked forward to the event, especially when it was her reunion and not mine. It was unlikel .....
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Survivors
Monday, August 28, 2000
This is a story about survivors.
No, it is not about the gameshow/psychodrama that was recently portrayed on CBS, where neurosis is a developmental skill highly valued by artificially created tribal groups.
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This is a story about survivors.
No, it is not about the gameshow/psychodrama that was recently portrayed on CBS, where neurosis is a developmental skill highly valued by artificially created tribal groups.
[Read the Rest]
The dark at the bottom of the stairway
My wife drove into town to look for some material for a chair that she is going to re-upholster and would be gone for an hour or two and as she was leaving, suggested that I find something useful to do. I sat at my desk and gave the matter some thoug
.....
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