BEWARE OF WILD PARSNIPS

Nicollet County weed inspector, Tom Kennedy has discovered wild parsnips in the road right of way along county road 15 west of St. Peter. Wild parsnip causes "phyto-photo-dermatitis". This happens when the sap of the plant, from broken stem or leaves touches the skin and is exposed to ultraviolet light. Within 24-48 hours, the affected area will redden and in most cases blister. These blisters can be painful for a couple of days.

In many cases the blisters will lead to brownish pigmentation that can last for years. Unlike Poison Ivy, the reaction caused by contact with this noxious weed is not an allergic reaction. Toxin in the sap is absorved by the skin and energized by ultraviolet light. NO ONE IS EXEMPT.

Identifying characteristics: A flower appears during the second year. The flower resembles garden dill. The stalk stands from 2-5 feet high and holds clusters of yellow flowers and later dozens of flat, oval seeds. Plants need to be sprayed and also cut down. end

MINNESOTANS WANT MORE GOVERNMENT

Just stay with me on this. At first blush, the reader’s thoughts might be “what planet is she living on?” The quick answer is, I live in Minnesota, a state where on election day last November, a good majority of the voters decided it was a good idea to increase the sales tax we pay by 3/8ths of 1%. This was the constitutional amendment we passed with proceeds going to preserve land, promote clean water, create more trails, and to promote culture and history.

What does this have to do with more government? The amendment put in place the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council, which is established to make recommendations to the legislature for funding of the natural resource projects. The other pots of money were to be distributed through already existing state agencies. But, we all know how these things evolve.

Now, the Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council needs a director and candidates for the position are being solicited. So there you have it. Because of the passage of this amendment, we are starting to create more government, more layers, and more bureaucracy. The Lessard Council is 12 people, and guess what? They don’t donate their time. Now they have to have a staff person. Soon the other three pots of money will require similar councils, staff people etc.

This could have all been avoided if, we the citizens, would have urged our elected representatives to do their job and fund these important programs through the agencies that are already in place i.e. Board of Water and Soil Resources, Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and others. The people we elected debated these funding issues for years and could never make a decision. So they threw up their hands and said, “let the people decide with a constitutional amendment.” This is poor policy. Constitutionally dedicated funding does not allow for debate or discussion and the ultimate scrutiny that is needed for good stewardship of our tax dollars. The passage of this amendment has sent Minnesota down a slippery slope. Already the idea is being bandied about to put the issue of medicinal marijuana on the ballot in the same manner. This action by our elected leaders is dereliction of duty.

However, the citizens have spoken and in the state where “no new taxes” seems to be the mantra of our leaders, the citizens have decided otherwise. end

TRIBUTE TO TINA

It is a sad day in Nicollet County because we are all grieving for our former Environmental Services Director, Tina Rosenstein. We lost her yesterday to ALS. We lost her to this world, but she lives on in our county, state, and our hearts. She left a huge part of herself with everyone she touched. Her understanding, perception, knowledge, mentoring, influence, and outlook on life is not lost, it will live on in everyone who knew her.

Tina was unique. She often talked about being a California Hippie and finding her niche in life dealing with manure, air quality, water protection, and other environmental concerns. When she came to Nicollet County she did not know much about agriculture. One of the examples she shared was that she asked a farmer what a “farrow” was. She learned quickly, Oh –did she learn quickly. She was extremely bright. She taught classes at MSU dealing with planning and zoning and was often called on to share with her peers policies and procedures that were working well for Nicollet County. This is no secret. The policies and procedures worked well because of Tina and her method of training staff to deal with citizens. She was extremely good at dealing with people. One of our county officials made the statement, “Tina has the ability to tell people, ‘to go to (you know where), and they will thank her for it’”. This is not meant to imply that she ever said such a thing. On the contrary, Tina was always mannerly and respectful in dealing with Nicollet County citizens. People loved her for that.

Anna Lee Garlitz, staff person in environment area for AMC said that this love affair when far beyond Nicollet County. “The legislators love her,” she said in 2007. In the 1990’s, Tina served on the committee set up to prepare a Generic Environmental Impact Statement on livestock agriculture for the state legislature. As a result of that exposure, she became a “go to person” in regard to zoning and livestock. Over the years, she was frequently asked to testify at various committees of the legislature and present at economic development and agriculture conferences and meetings. She knew her stuff.

In regard to permits and applications, absolute neutrality by staff is a necessity. The job of the county staff is only to administer the ordinances that have been adopted. They do their best to help the applicants accomplish what they want and stay within those ordinance rules. When I was a new commissioner, Tina explained the importance of neutrality. “Even if the applicant is Adolph Hitler, if the request meets the standards of our ordinance, it must be approved,” she said. She taught me lots of other things too –like the value of Merlot Wine and Dark Chocolate.

She cared about people and was a very giving person. The day my daughter took her first driver’s test and failed – she came back to the courthouse where I was waiting and broke down. Tina happened to pass by and we all talked. Tina shared with my daughter about taking the driver’s test in L.A. and quickly the tears disappeared. That is just the way she was. I am sure she is drying tears and making people feel better now in Heaven. But I wonder if God is making her go outside the buildings so she can roll her own and light up.end

ONUS IS ON GOVERNOR'S PROTECTED GROUPS

Pawlenty’s job cuts

The presss reported today that the Governor’s aides have indicated the Governor’s spending cuts and deferrals will mean the loss of 3,155 jobs. The onus is now on the protected groups who (in the words of Governor Pawelenty) “won’t be creating new jobs if we raise their taxes.” I am anxious to see these protected groups who are now enjoying “no new taxes” make new investments and expand their businesses and create at least 3,155 new jobs.

Out of Home Placements

These words are unwelcome by parents and by the community. County officials are charged with the duty of protecting children and making decisions regarding their best care. County Commissioners do not like to hear about out of home placements for many reasons. It is soul wrenching to come to the realization that many children and families are hurting so much that some kind of lawful intervention is warranted. Also, the cost of caring for children outside of their own homes is horrendous.

Recently, Nicollet County Social Service personnell updated the county board on these issues. There are many reasons as to why children are not getting the proper care and are required to be placed outside the home. These include: mental health issues, safety concerns, neglect of the child, physical abuse, parental alcohol or drug use, delinquency, abandonment, and others. These placements are not treated lightly. Every effort is made to place the child in a setting where he/she can thrive. Sometimes the setting is with foster parents, other times the setting is in a residential facility.

The update from Social Service staff gave us a snapshot of current out of home placements of children in Nicollet County on a chosen day this spring. The snapshot indicated a total of 31 placed. The 31 children were in the following categories: 10 placed because of mental health issues; seven placed in long term foster care; five placed because of juvenile delinquency issues; five were in the adoption process; and four were in child protective services. County staff must make face to face visits with these children at least once a month, whether they are placed in facilities near by or whether they are placed in facilities hundreds of miles away.

County staff shared that about 75% of these placements are due to chemical dependency issues on the part of the client and/or the parent. The costs for the county for out of home placements from Jan. 1, 2009 through April 30, 2009 was $379,650. This is all county tax levy dollars. end

THEY CALL THIS MANDATE RELIEF?

In this year's contentious legislative session, our elected state officials assured local units of government (LGU's) that they were aware of our plight in these hard economic times. We were requested to submit suggestions for ways to relieve local expenses stemming from state mandates. The biggest elephant in the room regarding mandates is the Truth In Taxation notices and hearing that are required to be held every year.

The idea behind this 20 plus year old mandate is valid and noble i.e. citizens should have the opportunity to provide input in the budgeting processes of local units of government. The birth of the idea then led to the death of common sense and meaningful process. The law demands that LGU's hold truth in taxation meetings during the first week of December. Since LGU's must set their levies before the end of the year, this time frame leaves little opportunity for meaningful citizen input (if provided) to be included in the budgets. Yes, small changes in the following year's budget can be made; but any idea of doing innovative, outside the box, macro economic changes that might provide significant reforms in budgeting or delivering programs are about as useless as last summer's day lilies.

Being frustrated with this mandate, but also being determined to make this lemon into lemonade, several years ago the Nicollet County Board of Commissioners adopted a process which meets the intent of the law and also reluctantly follows the mandate. (I say reluctantly, because sending the notices and holding the final meeting are costly - over $30,000. When only five or six people come to the meeting, it comes to about $5,000 each - good grief- Minnesota Legislators! What were you thinking?) At that time, we suggested to our legislative representatives that they modify the mandate and follow the process we use every year. WE WANT PUBLIC INPUT and we solicit it by holding open meetings to prepare our budget for the next year. At least five public meetings (this year many more) are held from June to December. We accomplish the same thing that is mandated by the Truth In Taxation law, but it costs the taxpayers NOTHING, ZILCH, NADA. Do we ever get any citizens to come and visit with us about budgets? Rarely. So the result is the same, but our method saves valuable taxpayer dollars.

This year, some changes to the Truth in Taxation law were made in the guise of "mandate relief".This relief includes waiving the requirement of holding a public hearing and noticing same in our official publication. However, the most costly part of the whole deal, the mailing of notices to every parcel owner is still required. These notices will indicate the time and place of the regularly scheduled meeting when the final levy will be set. And, the meeting must be held after 6 pm. How do YOU spell relief? Counties would certainly not spell it like this. end

COMMENTS ABOUT 2009 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Basic Premise: The budgetary problems are not state problems, they are not city problems, they are not county problems, or school district problems. The budgetary problems are OUR problems and that includes everyone and every governmental unit or agency in the state of Minnesota. If we – Minnesota citizens – deal with this on a global perspective ----we will prevail. We are a great state and we can solve big problems.

How should the problem be solved?
This question is why we are where we are today. We have different ideas on what is best for our citizens. Rep. Paul Thissen was quoted in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. He said the Governor’s idea and specifically (the Governor’s) veto of GAMC (General Assistance Medical Care) was wrong. Why?

“We are breaking a promise that we’ve had in Minnesota for generations, that we are going to take care of those least able to take care of themselves.
The other thing is, it’s a clear example of short-term thinking. It’s thinking we can solve problems by not paying for them, or just moving them off of government’s books. That is just not true.

What the governor did with GAMC in marquee style puts up the fundamental debate we’ve been having for the past decade. We’ve had this notion put before us that we can keep the Minnesota we have always known without paying for it. That’s tied to the notion that we’re all on our own, and should be able to take care of ourselves. The pendulum is swinging back to the idea that we do owe obligations to each other.”(End of quote)

It is particularly upsetting to me and many others that the people affected by this veto are folks who do not have a voice at the capitol. The poorest of the poor are the people for which the counties must provide safety nets.

Running government like a business.
Many statements from our leaders and citizens have implored us to run our governmental units like a business OR we have been asked to run our governmental units just like a family runs their family budgets. These statements make good “sound bytes” but these ideas are unworkable and will not solve our budgetary problems.

WHY? The analogy is somewhat like comparing apples and oranges. There are several examples why this idea is unworkable for governmental units. I will only mention one. Businesses – by their vary nature---- EXIST TO MAKE A PROFIT.

Governmental units exist to serve citizens. Governmental units have great incentives to be more efficient, (just like a business) BUT unlike a business that must have a profit to exist. The idea of a profit is foreign to governmental units.

IN REALITY, counties are the safety net for our citizens to fall back on when their businesses have problems or fail.

Another explanation comes from Rev. Bob Esbjornson’s book “A Christian in Politics”. The book was written in 1955. He states concerning the function of government or the state:

“The state is not a lord, but a SERVANT. It exists because the people need it. It serves to preserve order, to protect the clashing self-interests of society. By doing so, the state creates conditions which promote the welfare of the people.”


Reducing state aid does not raise property taxes
We often hear this statement from our state politicians. It is basically true. But there is more to this picture.Historically, the purpose of these state aids received by cities and counties is to offset the inabilities of local units of governments to provide basic services. The aids are meant to enable governmental units of all sizes to be able to provide basic services desired by all citizens. THIS IS THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE STATE AND COUNTIES that has existed for decades.
Counties do the work of the state------- on the local level. The agreement is that funds will come from the state to help us carry out the mandates at the local level. When these aids are reduced, we have two choices.

1.Make up the difference with local property tax revenue.
2.Reduce discretionary spending. (Most people would suggest we take this route.)

What would our county look like if we kept reducing spending and/or eliminated programs? We might have roads that would be closed during extensive wet spells or heavy snowfalls. We might have no snow plows running on week ends. We might not have a 4-H or Extension program. We might not be prepared for emergency situations like floods. We might not be able to help our veterans access services. We might have fewer public health programs. We might have fewer road deputies. We might have fewer employees at the government center and longer waits at the windows. We might have fewer “open” hours at the government center.
Is this what we really want – so we can pay less in taxes? Up until now, commissioners have made the decisions to maintain our quality of life in Nicollet County. Granted, no one relishes paying taxes. But have you ever thought what life would be like if we did not pay taxes. What would it be like if we lived in a country where no one paid taxes?

Here is an example. Thomas Friedman, writing in “The World is Flat” talked about the countries that have an abundance of oil.
“They can use oil money to monopolize all the instruments of power---army, police, and intelligence---and never have to introduce real transparency or power sharing. All they have to do is capture and hold the oil tap. They never have to tax their people, so the relationship between ruler and ruled is highly distorted. Without taxation, there is no representation.”

OUR PROBLEMS CAN BE SOLVED. We can do it by working together in a spirit of compromise; putting the needs of the citizens first and personal agendas last; and by being statesmen instead of politicians.
I believe these qualities were lacking the past few months in St. Paul. end

MAY IS NATIONAL MENTAL HEALTH MONTH

Month designation is a way to increase awareness of a particular issue. This month, it is mental health. The numbers are staggering. Mental illness will strike one of five adults and children in a given year regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion or economic status. If we just stop and think about it, we all personally know one or more people who are affected by this illness.
At a recent legislative conference, a presenter on mental illness said there are 211,000 people with serious mental health issues in the state of Minnesota. In the area of law enforcement and justice, over one half of the population have serious mental health problems. Senior citizens have a higher incidence than the rest of the population. Calls to suicide prevention hot lines have increased by 35%. These people are all thing of seriously injuring themselves. This is a REAL epidemic where as the H1N1 virus is “the flu”.
The World Health Association has declared mental illness our country’s number two disability. More police are dying from suicide than from the perpetrators. More veterans have died of “suicide” or an “accident” than in the conflicts we are currently engaged in-in Iraq and Afghanistan. These people actually “died in the war but waited until later to commit the act.”
The sad part of this is that many of the 30,000 Minnesotans impacted by Governor Pawlenty’s vetoe of the GAMC program are people who are seriously and persistently mentally ill. Many will not be able to afford treatment and/or medications. They will receive treatment – but not the positive kind. They will end up in jails and prisons which is a much more expensive way to deal with the illness. Treatment will be harsh and negative rather than positive with good outcomes for the person who is ill. However the expense will be borne by the local county government (property tax) rather than the state general revenue fund. And Governor Pawlenty can add another line to his “no taxes” pledge and win admiration from party loyalists. How can he do this? He can do it because the people he is hurting have no voices to speak for them. This is a shame and folly for our state. end

Minnesota Valley Action Council

will receive American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Funds.

John Woodwick, Executive Director of MVAC has shared the following. The agency has received an allocation of $554,232. These funds must be spent by September 20, 2010. The money becomes available June 15, 2009 and the plan was submitted on May 15, 2009.

The strong emphasis for the use of the funds is in JOB CREATION. The funds may not be used for capital improvements (bricks and mortar). This dollar amount represents 76% of the MVAC regular Community Services Block Grant amount ($726,342) @ 30 months. The ARRA must be expended in 50% of that time or 15 months.

The strategy for the funds is to create a “life” beyond the end of September 20, 2010. The strategies should last from six years to 35 years. There will be 18 jobs created; 50 training for employment opportunities; 37 additional people provided with vehicles; 15 people will be able to lease new cars; and 100 people will have emergency needs funded.

Some money will be used to establish another thrift store which will be located in New Ulm. They will use some of the money to purchase a truck and a trailer. This will allow the agency pick up cars donated to the Wheel Get There Program. This equipment will be used to move items coming and going to the thrift stores. The agency will be obtaining their own baler to bale up clothing not sold. Unusable baled clothing can be sold to the secondary market.

Woodwick said that the agency will be expected to spend $8 million by September 2110. To put it in perspective, the regular budget for the agency is $18 million. Woodwick said, “we have our work cut out for us”. The agency will be working with more dollars than they have ever had in the past and they will still get their regular funding.

My committee, the Community Services committee approved contracts totaling $1,931,000 for Workforce Investment Act programs. These are training programs for adults who have lost their jobs or do not have jobs.

The need to help people is large. There was an increase in phone contacts of 1,731 from April of 2009 over April of 2008. end