The person who is elected as our next president will most likely have some affect on all of us and the future of our country for good or for ill. I am amazed and troubled by the apparent support Donald Trump has been able to amass. In my opinion, Trump is totally unfit to serve as our President and Commander in Chief. The fact that there will be a cabinet, a seemingly … [Read more...]
Fillmore County declares State of Emergency
The county board at their October 4 meeting declared a State of Emergency due to heavy rains and flooding events which began on September 21. Kevin Beck, Emergency Management, said the declaration was needed to get into the loop for disaster reimbursement funds. The heavy rains and flooding washed out and damaged roads, culverts, and public parks. Clean-up is required to … [Read more...]
Preston approves sale of industrial lots
At the October 3 meeting of the Preston City Council, the sale of the two remaining lots in the North Industrial Park was approved. Councilman Dave Harrison was absent. The Economic Development Authority recommended the sale of lots 2 and 3 at the discounted price of $36,000 for both lots. The land is valued at $70,000. This discounted price had been offered recently to … [Read more...]
Emergency cardiac arrest research presented to county
unty Board meeting, Dr. Jacob Jentzer, M.D., Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Mayo Clinic, described PEARL, a national research study to learn when best to perform coronary angiogram (heart catheterization) after cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest is when the heart stops suddenly. Mayo Clinic will participate in the study and expect patients will be involved from surrounding … [Read more...]
County sets preliminary 2017 budget and levy
At the September 27 county board meeting, commissioners set the preliminary 2017 budget and levy. Early 2017 budget proposals projected an increase of $1.4 million, or about 15%. County Coordinator Bobbie Vickerman, working with department heads, identified reductions and/or additional revenues to reduce early budget proposals significantly. The latest number for the … [Read more...]
Planning Commission looks at event venue requests
At the September 22 meeting of the Fillmore County Planning Commission, two conditional use permit (CUP) applications for event venues were considered. Event venues fall under the recently adopted Agricultural Tourism Businesses section of the county zoning ordinances. The CUP request submitted by Chuck and Joan O’Connor, Section 18 Bristol Township, is for a remodeled barn … [Read more...]
Chatfield faced with upcoming 2017 expenses
At the September 26 meeting of the Chatfield City Council, the preliminary budget and levy for 2017 was set reflecting a $132,468 increase, or 9.31% over the last levy. Councilor Ken Jacobson was absent. City Clerk Joel Young, who was absent, had detailed a preliminary budget with a $122,468 increase, or 8.61%. In his notes he had explained that the city’s “storm water needs … [Read more...]
Preston sets preliminary budget and levy
City Administrator Joe Hoffman summarized the proposed adjustments to the 2017 budget at the city council’s September 20 meeting. As discussed at the September 6 meeting, there is a $129,282 Twenty-14 Project surplus. Using just a portion of the surplus each year to reduce the amount levied for the bond payment for a period of years will help keep the payments level. The … [Read more...]
Implementation of Root River 1W1P just months away
After over two years of cooperative efforts of six southeastern Minnesota counties, the process to create and implement the One Watershed One Plan (1W1P), which encompasses the entire Root River watershed of about 1.3 million acres, is nearing completion. In June 2014, the Root River watershed became one of the five large watersheds in the state to serve as a pilot program … [Read more...]
Mill Creek Habitat project to begin
At the Chatfield City Council’s September 12 meeting ,soil scientist Luke Lunde said the 1,200 linear foot project, which will include a fishing pier, will begin next week from the bridge on Division St. south. It is expected to be completed by mid October. Councilor Paul Novotny was absent. The bid from Barth Construction came in at $69,276.56 or about 4% over the … [Read more...]