The people in Mabel have been working on raising enough money to build a new Community Center. Plans have been drawn up and a location picked out. The building that was on the creamery lot was torn down to make room. Several fundraisers have been or
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"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"
Online Edition
Monday, May 20th, 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]
Ostrander progress story
Fri, Jan 22nd, 2010
Posted in Progress Edition
Posted in Progress Edition
Comments
For the last eight years Linda Schwenn has been the mayor of Ostrander, and we found her in city hall on Martin Luther King's birthday, working with City Clerk Rhonda Klapperich. It's common to find her in the office from 8am to noon most days.
Ostrander is typical of many small communities across Minnesota where it's tough to manage finances in troubled times. "I guess we are fortunate," said Schwenn, "that we are under 1,000 population and last year there were no cuts in LGA because of that."
Ostrander has finished up a major sewage treatment plant rebuild, costing roughly 1.5 million dollars. Like many communities, they were able to get a grant from the USDA for $400,000.00 to build the plant. The city discovered that the first cost estimate was not enough to meet the capacity required so they had to adjust the project. Now, the plant is up and running and is performing well.
There is a concern from Mayor Schwenn that over half of the residents of Ostrander are senior citizens and it becomes difficult to do required projects without raising taxes. "Putting money aside is difficult," said Schwenn, "when ongoing costs require action immediately."
She looks back and says that the streets are being evaluated. For the next three years the sewage lines will be inspected. It is also reported that the city streets are in reasonably good condition for a town the size of Ostrander.
"We were able to purchase a used fire truck from Spring Valley, and we hope to make the community center more useable," said Mayor Schwenn. The roster of firemen shows 10 volunteers and the numbers are dwindling because of retirements, but they are still active and reliable, along with the first responders.
On her wish list is a plan to install bathrooms in the city park to be available next to the shelter and ball fields. She also talked about the need for a convenience store that would pump gas... something they don't have now.
Mayor Schwenn said that the two bar/grills on the main street are very busy and appear to be holding up well during these tough times. "I just wish we could get a restaurant that would serve a noon lunch," said Schwenn.
As for cooperating with other cities, she replied, "We do that with Fountain. Our chief of police, Tom Mosher, is also the officer for Fountain, so we share those costs."
On a drive through the main street of town, you can't help but notice the impressive array of g .....
[Read the Rest]
Ostrander is typical of many small communities across Minnesota where it's tough to manage finances in troubled times. "I guess we are fortunate," said Schwenn, "that we are under 1,000 population and last year there were no cuts in LGA because of that."
Ostrander has finished up a major sewage treatment plant rebuild, costing roughly 1.5 million dollars. Like many communities, they were able to get a grant from the USDA for $400,000.00 to build the plant. The city discovered that the first cost estimate was not enough to meet the capacity required so they had to adjust the project. Now, the plant is up and running and is performing well.
There is a concern from Mayor Schwenn that over half of the residents of Ostrander are senior citizens and it becomes difficult to do required projects without raising taxes. "Putting money aside is difficult," said Schwenn, "when ongoing costs require action immediately."
She looks back and says that the streets are being evaluated. For the next three years the sewage lines will be inspected. It is also reported that the city streets are in reasonably good condition for a town the size of Ostrander.
"We were able to purchase a used fire truck from Spring Valley, and we hope to make the community center more useable," said Mayor Schwenn. The roster of firemen shows 10 volunteers and the numbers are dwindling because of retirements, but they are still active and reliable, along with the first responders.
On her wish list is a plan to install bathrooms in the city park to be available next to the shelter and ball fields. She also talked about the need for a convenience store that would pump gas... something they don't have now.
Mayor Schwenn said that the two bar/grills on the main street are very busy and appear to be holding up well during these tough times. "I just wish we could get a restaurant that would serve a noon lunch," said Schwenn.
As for cooperating with other cities, she replied, "We do that with Fountain. Our chief of police, Tom Mosher, is also the officer for Fountain, so we share those costs."
On a drive through the main street of town, you can't help but notice the impressive array of g .....
[Read the Rest]
Lanesboro flourishes as niche community
Fri, Jan 22nd, 2010
Posted in Progress Edition
Posted in Progress Edition
When economic gloom and doom seemed to dominate the nation's landscape in 2009, the city of Lanesboro's report card was far more positive last year. Not only was lodging up some nine percent, according to Lanesboro's Mayor Steve Rahn, but the town's
.....
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Harmony strives to add value
Fri, Jan 22nd, 2010
Posted in Progress Edition
Posted in Progress Edition
This past year was a busy one for the city of Harmony as they were involved in several projects aimed at improving the city. There are also some new businesses in town, as well as some projects planned for 2010 that are much needed.
Over the .....
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Over the .....
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Fountain's plant, a big investment in the future - holding the line in tough times
Fri, Jan 22nd, 2010
Posted in Progress Edition
Posted in Progress Edition
Fountain is the western gateway to the Root River State Trail, displaying a bicycle on its water tower and an antique bicycle over its town sign. Its other claim to fame is as the "sinkhole capital" of the United States. Fountain is also the home of
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[Read the Rest]
[Read the Rest]
Fountain's plant, a big investment in the future - holding the line in tough times
Fri, Jan 22nd, 2010
Posted in Progress Edition
Posted in Progress Edition
Fountain is the western gateway to the Root River State Trail, displaying a bicycle on its water tower and an antique bicycle over its town sign. Its other claim to fame is as the "sinkhole capital" of the United States. Fountain is also the home of
.....
[Read the Rest]
[Read the Rest]
Despite budget constraints, officials see a bright future for Chatfield
Fri, Jan 22nd, 2010
Posted in Progress Edition
Posted in Progress Edition
New Development and Renewal of the Old
Chatfield has enjoyed a productive 2009 with the completion and opening of the new elementary school. The collaboration of the city, Fillmore County and the Chatfield school board made possible the loca .....
[Read the Rest]
Chatfield has enjoyed a productive 2009 with the completion and opening of the new elementary school. The collaboration of the city, Fillmore County and the Chatfield school board made possible the loca .....
[Read the Rest]
Fri, Jan 22nd, 2010
Posted in Progress Edition
Posted in Progress Edition
Canton is not the smallest city in Fillmore County (Whalen holds that title), but at a population of 346, it's pretty close. Lolly Melander has been the city administrator since 2004. She also works for Whalan and Peterson.
This past year Ca .....
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This past year Ca .....
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Wykoff strives to maintain role as "The Gateway to Forestville"
Fri, Jan 22nd, 2010
Posted in Progress Edition
Posted in Progress Edition
Wykoff is a small community nestled between Spring Valley and Fountain and just a short drive on County Road 5 to Forestville State Park. The main street is dotted with merchants who have chosen to invest in the community and its' future.
M .....
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M .....
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