Rushford, MN (8:15 a.m. March 11, 2013)— Tri-County Electric Cooperative (TEC) is experiencing power outages due to the heavy snow that started last night and continues this morning. Currently 900 members are without power. The majority of the pow
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"Where Fillmore County News Comes First"
Online Edition
Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013
Volume ∞ Issue ∞
- 11:44:26, May 21st 2013 - airmaxs52274 - Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your a ... [Read More]
- 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]
Rushford reverses decision due to grievance
Fri, Mar 15th, 2013
Posted in Rushford Government
Posted in Rushford Government
Comments
The on-going debate over staffing needs within Rushford’s Public Works department is on again. Public Works had long lobbied for staff member Curt Courrier’s 36-hour per week position to be transitioned to full-time, based on increasing workload within the department and that the position was budgeted to be full-time in 2013. Public Works director Jeff Copley, supported by Mayor Chris Hallum, noted the city could afford to keep Courrier on staff particularly in lieu of upcoming projects, but some members of the council denied the need. Councilor Vern Bunke has long stated that the department has shown no accountability of time or proof of need.
Last December, the council had agreed to continue the part-time position through the end of March 2013. At the February 25 council meeting, Bunke led a motion to terminate the part-time employment of Courrier, effective March 29. The motion passed, in a 3 to 2 vote, by Bunke and Councilors Robert Dahl and Roger Colbenson.
On March 6, Local 1944 filed two grievances with the city based on this decision. The union cited two applicable violations; the first in relation to seniority and the second to discipline and discharge. Both violations called for an adjustment of reinstatement of Courrier and to “make Employee whole.” Essentially, this means employees are generally treated as though they never left their position. The grievances also requested that the city rescind “improper lay-off” and remove all references of termination from Courrier’s personnel file.
According to City Clerk Kathy Zacher, the paperwork first went to Public Works Director Jeff Copley, who was required to sign off on the document stating there was no action he could take. The paperwork then went to City Administrator Steve Sarvi to take to council for direction. These grievance procedures are intended to allow the resolution of complaints, timely and cost-effectively, before they may result in litigation.
The council discussed the matter in closed session Monday, March 11, following the end of regular business during the council meeting. It was closed under attorney/client privilege to discuss arbitration litigation strategy. Following the closed session, the regular meeting was reopened and City Attorney Terry Chiglo provided a recap of the general discussion before asking the council to take action on the issue.
After discussion, a motion was made to remove te .....
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Last December, the council had agreed to continue the part-time position through the end of March 2013. At the February 25 council meeting, Bunke led a motion to terminate the part-time employment of Courrier, effective March 29. The motion passed, in a 3 to 2 vote, by Bunke and Councilors Robert Dahl and Roger Colbenson.
On March 6, Local 1944 filed two grievances with the city based on this decision. The union cited two applicable violations; the first in relation to seniority and the second to discipline and discharge. Both violations called for an adjustment of reinstatement of Courrier and to “make Employee whole.” Essentially, this means employees are generally treated as though they never left their position. The grievances also requested that the city rescind “improper lay-off” and remove all references of termination from Courrier’s personnel file.
According to City Clerk Kathy Zacher, the paperwork first went to Public Works Director Jeff Copley, who was required to sign off on the document stating there was no action he could take. The paperwork then went to City Administrator Steve Sarvi to take to council for direction. These grievance procedures are intended to allow the resolution of complaints, timely and cost-effectively, before they may result in litigation.
The council discussed the matter in closed session Monday, March 11, following the end of regular business during the council meeting. It was closed under attorney/client privilege to discuss arbitration litigation strategy. Following the closed session, the regular meeting was reopened and City Attorney Terry Chiglo provided a recap of the general discussion before asking the council to take action on the issue.
After discussion, a motion was made to remove te .....
[Read the Rest]
RCF approves four grants totaling $5,180 for projects
Fri, Mar 8th, 2013
Posted in Rushford Arts & Culture
Posted in Rushford Arts & Culture
Four grants totaling up to $5,180 were approved for a variety of community projects at the Rushford Community Foundation (RCF) Board of Directors meeting on February 8. A $1,480 grant will go to the Rushford Area Chamber of Commerce’s Community Li
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Letter about Greg Davids survey
Fri, Mar 8th, 2013
Posted in Rushford Letter to the Editor
Posted in Rushford Letter to the Editor
To the Editor,
One of the questions that Greg Davids brought up in his questionnaire was to put a 3.5 percent tax on our insurance premiums. I don’t know about anyone else, but my insurance premiums are a huge chunk out of our check already. He
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In the Service - Pvt. Shawn Hovermale
Fri, Mar 1st, 2013
Posted in Rushford Social Scenes
Posted in Rushford Social Scenes
Army National Guard Pvt. Shawn Hovermale has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and re
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R-P continues with analysis
Fri, Mar 1st, 2013
Posted in Rushford Education
Posted in Rushford Education
The R-P School Board has approved a Comprehensive Educational Analysis and Facility Engineering Analysis. Provided by architectural firm ATS&R and ICS Consulting, the analysis will provide a thorough picture of the district’s needs.
“In my opi
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Rushford puts halt to contract mowing for 2013
Fri, Mar 1st, 2013
Posted in Rushford Government
Posted in Rushford Government
After a lengthy process to determine potential cost savings of contracted versus public works mowing of the city’s 135 acres of land, the city will sit on the idea of contract mowing for this season. The idea, led by Councilor Roger Colbenson, cou
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Arthur (Sonny) Harris Boyum
Mon, Feb 25th, 2013
Posted in Rushford Obituaries
Posted in Rushford Obituaries
Arthur (Sonny) Harris Boyum Jr. 76, went to be with the Lord very peacefully February 25, 2013 with his family by his side. He was born November 16, 1936 in Rushford, Mn. to Arthur Sr. and Helen (Johnson) Boyum. He is survived by his three children J
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Nina Helen Miller
Mon, Feb 25th, 2013
Posted in Rushford Obituaries
Posted in Rushford Obituaries
Nina Helen Miller, 85, of Rushford, died Friday, February 22, 2013 at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse.
The ninth child of eleven siblings, Nina was born November 6, 1927 in La Crosse to Simon and Inga (Almus) Christianson. She attende
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