Driving County Roads

One out of every four

2012-02-08T10:21:00.000-08:00

Lots of talk about non native born folks coming to live in our state. Some winter reading has uncovered some interesting facts. It seems that my Mom and Dad, while walking the streets of St. Peter or Kasota in the 1920's met a foreign born person - every fourth person. Of course these one out of every four people were white, but I am betting they did not speak English. end

Need to Know

2012-01-12T17:44:00.000-08:00

Recently I was at a program and heard a presentation by Keith Stover, the head man at South Central Technical. They are doing some very innovative things to help put people back to work. The unemployment rate is high in south central Minnesota, but not has high as it is nationwide.

We all want to see people have a good job and see the unemployment figures down in the 1 or 2 or 3% range. This will probably never happen unless there are huge changes. Why? Stover gave the answer. He said that the one bit of information that is never stated when the national unemployment data is given is the fact that a huge percentage of the unemployed (over 50%) of those people looking for jobs have not graduated from high school.

Until we correct this, we will have high unemployment and well as many other social problems. One thing I learned from 16 years in county government is that we can decrease case loads in law enforcement, probation, and social services by getting more young people to stay in school and graduate.end

Caucus Stuff

2012-01-04T07:33:00.000-08:00

While the caucuses in Iowa are somewhat different than we have in Minnesota, it was enlightening to watch some of the news coverage during the early evening yesterday. We saw the national media interview some of our Iowa neighbors who were planning on attending the caucus last night. The questions ranged from nuts to bolts, but one question stood out. "Mr. Smith, you are from a different state and you attended a previous caucus; why are you going back?" (Name and state withheld from this narrative.) His answer was enlightening. To paraphrase, he said, I like the fact that I can go and openly discuss my views about the candidates with my neighbors. We can have a debate about what we like or do not like about the candidates and about what we feel are their good qualities and why we feel they would be good representatives of our views and why they would be good leaders. We did not have that where I came from. We do not realize and value the openness we have in our process here in the Midwest. end

Job Killing Regulations?

2011-12-29T09:37:00.000-08:00

David Brooks, writing in the New York Times ( Dec. 5, 2011) discusses the issue. Presidential candidates would have us believe our economic mess is due to excessive regulations that are job killers. Brooks reminds us of the down side of painting any issue with a broad brush.

He states that the Bureau of Labor Statistics asked companies why they laid off workers. Only 13% said regulations were a major factor. And that number has not increased in the past two years. According to the bureau, roughly 0.18% of the mass lay offs in the first half of 2011 were attributable to regulations.

Brooks goes on to state that - in fact - some industries that are subject to new rules have been doing more hiring. Examples: energy and health care. end

Could It Be?

2011-12-21T10:33:00.000-08:00

Could it be that one of the factors in people who are 35 or under in age are found to be leaders in the anti meat, anti farm, anti livestock groups is that they have not been educated about where their food comes from? Most of these people have matriculated after 1980.

The kids television show Captain Kangaroo, was a staple of young people during the late 50's and continuing on into the early 80's. His show was educational and entertaining in a low key way. One of the regular characters on the show was Mr. Green Jeans the resident farmer. He instilled a sense of animal appreciation among viewers by bringing a stream of farmyard visitors to the show. This gave children a sense of - enjoying milk which comes from a cow, enjoying eggs which come from a chicken, and yes, enjoying hamburger which comes from a butchered steer. No one said it was not messy - but food coming from animals is reality and the other reality is that animals make the ultimate sacrifice.

Too bad there is not an "app" for the educational wonders which Captain Kangaroo gave us.end

Do As I Say, Not As I Do?

2011-12-08T10:06:00.001-08:00

Gosh it is difficult to take the Minnesota Republican Caucass leaders as being genuine when they talk about not spending more than is in the checkbook when their party does not live up to that principle. end

PIGS

2011-11-10T10:12:00.001-08:00

It was over 18 months ago I attended a meeting sponsored by Region 9. The main speaker at the meeting was state economist, Tom Stinson. He gave a word of warning:
PIGS. What did he mean by that? He meant Portugal, Italy, Greece, and Spain.

These countries were on shaky grounds then and are on worse grounds now. There was plenty of awareness early on - but very little guts to take action. The European leaders evidently are of similar ilk as the ones in our country. end

Minnesota's new elected leaders

2011-11-07T05:44:00.000-08:00

Senator Kathy Sheran recently sent a letter of explanation of the changes that the legislature made in the area of Market Value Homestead Credit. It is a complicated issue and I will not attempt to explain it. There are plenty of other smart people who have done that.

The information that Senator Sheran shares about how the action came about is what is making my hair rise on end! She explains the first proposal came from the GOP house in March 2011 and it followed the same month in the Senate. Evidently it never got hearings or came up for a vote on the floors because it was not a part of the final budget proposal.

As a result, Senator Sheran writes, "I never supported or voted for this proposal". What does that mean? It means that laws are being made without our elected representatives having an opportunity to vote yes or no. It means that our representation has been taken from us.

The new laws come about because of closed door sessions with no input from anyone except the leaders. decision. (This time it was done in order to get the state back working.) Perhaps the ends justify the means, but this is not the kind of government Minnesota is known for.

This is not democracy, this is oligarchy. end

Flat Tax in the News

2011-11-06T12:15:00.000-08:00

There is nothing new about the idea of a flat tax. This writer first investigated it in 1995 when Rep. Dick Armey of Texas was advocating changing to the flat tax.

At that time, I read a book entitled "The Flat Tax" written by Robert E. Hall and Alvin Rabuska. These authors base their system of a flat tax on a basic principle:

"Income should be taxed exactly once, as close as possible to its source."

These authors also explain that all income would be taxed at the same rate. Following this principle, if I made widgets and sell them and gain income, I would be taxed because the source of the income would be the manufacture of the widget. It would also follow that if there were various components to my widgets which were made by other entrepreneurs, the components maker's income would be taxed in a similar manner.

In 1995 the authors of this book were advocating for a rate of 19% and contended that using that rate, the same amount of revenue would be generated as was currently being generated with the old system.

There were some other benefits of their tax. The biggest one was simplification. They contended that the average tax payer could send in a return on the back of a post card. And that a farmer's return would have a total of 10 lines. That would be a vast improvement from what we now use. It is at least 15 pages - (I did not take the time to dig one out and count the pages - but I am in the general vicinity.)

The authors suggested ways to limit the burden on low income families by setting a threshold where low income earners would be free of a tax. Herein lies the rub. Once exceptions are made or special credits given, the PANDORA'S BOX is opened.

As with every proposal, the devil is in the details and the reform of the flat tax might end up being no reform at all if the special interests, and lobbyists have their way with our elected representatives. We should not give up on tax reform. It should be a very high priority. Time will tell. end.

McRib Is Back

2011-11-01T19:00:00.000-07:00

McDonalds has brought the elusive sandwich back at all McDonalds franchises for a limited time. Come and get all you want, but come before November 14. Its one of those "marketing" deals - not for us lay people to understand.

What's not to understand by the big wigs. When you have a sandwich that is tasty and popular, why not sell it all the time? They do in Germany. (I always thought Germans were smart.)

Evidently a few franchises have the McRib available all of the time and the sandwich has produced a cult following. There is even a McRib locator and some pork lovers have been known to take road trips just to get the sandwich. The company big wigs stated, "bringing it back every so often adds to the excitement!" Woo Woo! end

Eating Local

2011-10-24T16:09:00.000-07:00

Eating local food is a slogan we hear everyday. Most of us have been doing it for a long time.
Here is a story about eating local meat (pork to be specific).

1. Female hogs or gilts are raised and bred. (They have been fed locally produced corn.)

2. They give birth. (Local farmers or their employees care for them.)

3. Young pigs (feeders) are raised by local farmers. (They are fed locally produced corn and soybean meal and also dried distillers grain which is a by-product of local ethanol plants.)

4. The hogs are fed a ration of ground corn and other nutrients. (The feed ration is prepared by local co-ops or feed mils and this provides more jobs for local people.)

5. If the livestock needs attention of a veterinarian, a locally based one is called.

6. Some of the hogs are processed at local slaughtering plants. (This provides employment for local truckers and workers in the plants.)

7. The manure produced by the hogs is applied to the farmer's fields. (This provides jobs for local crop consultants and manure pumpers. The use of manure means that farmers are not using oil based synthetic fertilizer. This manure is placed in the ground in the fall of the year so the nutrients are ready for the farmer to plant corn the next spring.)

8. The spring planting is done using the seed purchased from a local seed salesman and following the recommendations of a locally based crop consultant and the cycle starts all over again.

The story tells us that raising hogs or other livestock produces a value-added product (grain is worth more when fed to livestock. Livestock convert it into a more valuable produce and they do it locally.) All of this is what keeps our local economy ticking.

Besides that, the outcome is a MIGHTY TASTY PRODUCT. end

Moving Forward

2011-10-14T12:47:00.000-07:00

One of my readers asked me how I would suggest that America move forward. The question came as a response to my comment about how "doing nothing" will not move our country forward.

I am like Will Rogers, "all I know is what I read". However, unlike Will Rogers, I get information from varied sources, not just the newspaper.

One of the actions I would suggest for moving our country forward is to place more emphasis on an educated workforce and do everything we can to see that our children enter school prepared to learn.

The next action I would suggest would be to invest in research and development. Testimony: the fact that the agriculture sector today is the one segment of our economy doing well is due in a large part to development of superior genetics in crops and livestock. This did not happen by our government doing nothing.

Caveat: these are long term fixes. I think we need quicker fixes so our grandchildren will be able to enjoy a standard of living at least as good as ours. (Probably not as good as our kids.)

The immediate action whose bandwagon I would jump on is not my idea. It comes from someone who knows a lot more about economics than I. Robert Reich has suggested the following. Even though our economy is under a lot of pressure and is in the tank, the United States is looked at by the world as being the safest place to put money and China, in particular wants to lend us money. (The fact that Europe is on the brink - who would not want to place their money with us for the time being.)

Reich suggests that the best thing Congress could do right now to help our faltering economy is to borrow money from China and use it to finance a huge infrastructure improvement program. He is talking roads, bridges, canals, airports, railroads, locks and dams, schools, etc. We all know how much these infrastructure improvements are needed. Reich contends that this will put more people back to work and thus spend more money and thus pay more taxes and businesses will need to hire more and this will help decrease the deficit. An additional benefit is businesses will be able to move goods and services more efficiently and less expensively.

Reich has said, "If Congress had half a brain, they would do this."

Admittedly, Reich is of the Democratic persuasion and the other side of table does not believe that this idea will work and stands by the reducing government as a way to put more people to work. This begs the question, government has been decreasing in size for a number of years and yet we are not seeing an increase in jobs. Also, big companies are sitting on lots of cash and have lots of earnings, yet they are not creating jobs. It would seem time to give the other idea a try.

Reich comes from a Democratic philosophy - but conservative people are of a similar view. David Frum said, "this is not the moment for government to be cutting back". He agrees that the situation is so dire that his normal policies need to take a back seat for the interim.

I do not like to see our country so deep in debt, but doing nothing will not get us out of debt and too many in Congress are - in Reich's words using "political ideology to substitute for thought". end.

Another Argument for Benefits of Zoning

2011-10-14T08:39:00.000-07:00

We keep hearing in the news about the terrible wild fires in California. And, we know that California like many states has budget issues. Evidently to pay the high price to fight these fires, the governor has a plan to place a fee on land to be paid by the land owners to cover the costs of fighting fires.

This is not so unusual as in most rural areas, rural landowners pay for the costs of fire control through our township levy. The truth of the matter is that when we live in the country, we need to accept the fact that if a fire happens, we will lose the building. Our levy only pays for the control of the fire so it does not take other buildings.

In California, the proposal is to put a charge on every acre - so ranchers etc who need larger tracts of land to care for livestock or to grow crops will pay more than the rural homeowner who has two or three acres. As one writer indicated, this is hardly fair as there are some tracts of land that actually benefit from an occasional burn. It would appear that the problem is with too many homes in rural areas and not a convenient vehicle to pay for their fire protection.

This is a good example of why development is more efficient and accomplishes the best use of all resources when it is only allowed within incorporated areas where there is access to good roads for fire engines to get there, adequate water supplies and pressure, access to power etc. Of course the other side of this is that incorporated areas are also the sources of safe sewers and drainage provisions. There are many other arguments for this, like fewer miles for school bus to travel, easier law enforcement etc. But the subject is fire protection here. Time will tell what the decision makers in California come up with. But allowing houses scattered here and there in all areas is inefficient, costly, and not the highest and best use of the land. end

We Learned A Lot

2011-10-14T08:28:00.000-07:00

We recently heard a presentation by a college professor who participated in an visit to colleges and universities on the West Bank. Some of our take aways were: when we hear the media talk about Arabs, Israelis, Palestinians, we need to remember not to take those terms and paint a broad brush as to who these people are.

For example, some Arabs are Israelis - they account for about 1/5 of the population of Israel. There are Arab Jews, Arab Christians and Arab Muslims. There are Israeli Christians as well as Israeli Jews and not sure if there are Israeli Muslims, but probably.

A Catholic University at Hebron had an enrollment of 30% students being Catholic and the rest Muslim. And contrary to what we might think, many of the Muslim students were women.

We learned a lot and obviously there is much more to learn. The media could never give a fair and accurate picture of this part of the world. end

Biggest Ever in History

2011-10-01T06:52:00.000-07:00

We hear a lot of headlines and news comments about stuff being the largest ever in our history.

We have the largest budget in history!
We are collecting more taxes than ever in our history!
We are spending the most money we have ever spent!
And many more.....

My question is unless we start a plague and wipe out half of our population, why should we not have the largest ever? After all we have -

More students to educate than ever in history
Higher standard of living than ever in history
Opportunity for better diets than ever in history
Opportunity for better health care than ever
And many more.....

Thank You Senator Sheran

2011-09-16T11:23:00.000-07:00

No wonder the state's roads are falling apart. Today's mail brought a brochure from Senator Kathy Sheran that divides a tax dollar into portions to indicate where state spending is going. Only one category (Agriculture and Veterans) at 0.2 cents is a smaller expenditure than Transportation.

We spend 0.4 cents of every tax dollar on roads. This is definitely not enough!

I am not happy that we spend more of our tax dollar on the environment (0.7 cents) than we do on roads and/or veterans and ag.

Some surprises include our spending only 0.5 cents on Economic Development. Some wise funding of economic development might bring us more jobs which is more needed than anything else. Big companies seem to be more interested in sitting on their capital or investing it in other countries than providing jobs here.

Looking at the division of how the dollar is being spent, I would spend more on transportation and veterans and less on the environment. This would mean taking money away from environment and possibly other portions of the budget.

A better solution is to bring in more money and designate it for roads. end

Good Roads

2011-09-16T09:12:00.001-07:00

The big guy and I just returned from a trip to the Golden State. The state is gold, but it, like Minnesota is lacking in gold (funds). We had not driven six blocks away from the airport when the first words out of my mouth were, "these roads are very good." I do not know how or where the state gets its money for roads (I imagine gas tax and other fees etc.), but they have many, many miles of roads and the over 1000 miles we drove on would rate immensely better than any random 1000 miles I drive in this state.

Qualifier: most of the state does not enjoy the temperature extremes we have in Minnesota and that makes a gigantic difference. Also much of the state is very dry which goes a long way in preservation of a road that is excellent to start with.

We all know that states enjoy federal funding to help them build and maintain their roads. I am just guessing here, but I think that this huge state (both in population and in geography) means they can access more federal dollars. They may also know "how to work the system better than other states, i.e. legislators and lobbyists."

Good roads are vital to every citizen in every state. We are not a stabile population, but a mobile population. We think nothing of driving many miles to our place of work. California must place good roads high on their priority lists. We all know that a lot of our produce comes from that state and it sure does not travel on rails.

We enjoyed the smooth ride on their roads and highways. We had not driven four blocks out of the park and fly before I noticed the bump, bump, bump of the bituminous road sections and the roughness of the ride. My comment to the Big Guy was, "I guess we are back in Minnesota." end

Gettin' no respect

2011-09-14T13:26:00.000-07:00

I feel sorry to Rick Perry and Mitt Romney. They are just getting beat up by Michele Bachmann in these debates. She is calling them on the carpet for various actions or programs they have supported in their states. (Perry in Texas - mandatory vaccines for young girls Romney for his health care program in Massachusetts.) Bachmann's main criticism follows the tea party line of government actions that stomp on personal liberties.

It seems like her opponents have to just stand there and take her barbs and then defend their actions. However they have no ammunition to come back at her. It is pretty hard to criticize or even disagree with a record of "nothing accomplished."

But maybe I am the clueless one here. It seems there are a lot of people who like her because she has done nothing. That is okay and that is their choice.

But how do we move our country forward by doing nothing? end

Playin' Nice

2011-09-03T05:41:00.000-07:00

Many young people are returning to school soon and "playin' nice" will be an attribute sought after in many a classroom. Too, bad our largest and most known classroom - U.S. Congress and Wash D.C. government - can't seem to learn to Play Nice.

Shame on the President and his advisers for purposefully scheduling his speech to a joint session of Congress on the same night as a major party debate. Notice of the speech aside, it was not a nice thing to do.

Shame on the Speaker for putting up a big fuss and insisting that the President change the date of the speech. Whether notice was properly given or not aside, it was not playing nice.

Evidently these people have not heard about the movement started by Starbuck's CEO, Howard Schultz. He has urged everyone including all of the CEO's of all the companies on the New York Stock Exchange to withhold donating to campaigns of all political folks who refuse to play nice. I hope these pols talk to their fund raising organizations soon. Hitting them in the pocketbook is the only language these people understand.

Schultz knows about hitting people in the pocketbook. His products are/were over priced and when his business lagged, he lowered his prices. All I know is that I like his idea of withholding donations until behavior is changed and meanwhile I will have a latte at Starbucks. end

4-H in Iraq

2011-09-01T17:32:00.000-07:00

We don't often read about the positive things that have happened because of our involvement in Iraq. Schools have been built, roads, other infrastructure. But some feel good actions do not make the top of the newspaper columns.

Mary Kerstetter is an employee of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) who spent two years in Iraq and started 42 4-H clubs with over 1,100 members. She was a typical district conservationist with the NRCS and she worked in New York State. She was one of those government employees who occasionally come under fire - because the government has too many of them. She volunteered to spend two years in Iraq and share her expertise.

When she got there, she found that help was needed in the area of sheep husbandry. Sheep are the most prevalent specie of livestock in Iraq. She found herself going back to many of the skills and training she had acquired while she was a 4-H club member. The thought occurred to her that she should try to start 4-H clubs in Iraq. She applied for a couple of grants and used the funds for translated versions of 4-H teaching materials, grain, shears, sheep and more. She got help from local people who wanted to see learning experiences for the Iraqi youth. In 2009 they started two sheep clubs with members being boys and girls ages 12 to 14. More than 60% of the children were orphans

She volunteered for one more year and saw the program expand so that by the time she returned to the United States, there were 1,100 4-H members, a national 4-H web site, trained local leaders, and a national 4-H organization.

It is obvious that this U.S. government employee has made a big difference to the young people of Iraq and they will benefit all of their lives from the 4-H teaching technique "learning by doing". end

Fair Time

2011-08-25T08:47:00.000-07:00

Some of the best entertainment this time of year is the local county fairs and - then the Minnesota State Fair. The cost is reasonable, the food is great and the people watching is unique.

Many of the exhibits are a testimony to the creative talents of people of our state. These people are busy creating wonderful, beautiful things and should be rewarded. They are "learning by doing" (The 4-H motto.) Also they are keeping busy which is good for mind and body. Congratulations to all fair participants for a job well done.

P.S. If you want to get a pulse of people's feelings or beliefs, a fair is the place to go. They are people of all races, all income levels, and all levels of intelligence. end

Another Day, Another Gaff

2011-08-18T11:35:00.000-07:00

Michele Bachman has a lot to be proud of. There are few people (men or women) who could rise from first bring elected to office in 2000 to being one of the top three (at this time) vying for the Republican endorsement for President.

As smart as she is and the strengths she has; are all brought to nought when she constantly says things that are not accurate. I have read that she has a campaign advisor who is top notch. But why does not this person or someone else screen her speeches so she gets her facts straight?

One of the pundits stated that she has been so successful because she "puts a face" and "gives a voice" to the anger people are feeling. Evidently there is a need for that "face and that voice".
While Bachman might be the face and the voice now, I want a Joe Friday candidate. "The facts, Maam, give me the facts."

My problem with her is the fact that she presents a woman candidate in a bad light. Women candidates are more highly scrutinized than men and she has been the subject of undue scrutiny. But it is a fact of life for women candidates today. That is why I am upset that she keeps making these gaffs or mistakes, or errors. The general audience will write her off an "just another ditsy" female. Being the subject of late night comedians never helped anyone, especially a woman, running for office. end

I Hope I'm Wrong

2011-08-12T17:58:00.000-07:00

The news has it that President Obama is visiting Minnesota and will hold a town hall meeting in Cannon Falls. I wish that he would use a different tactic.

The country needs to hear some positive news and there is positive news in Southern Minnesota and especially in the heart of agriculture and agri industry. Okay, maybe I am too over the top in my assessment of the economy of ag - but all you have to do is look at what farmland is selling for to know that the ag industry is a heck of a lot better off than the rest of the economy.

Why couldn't the president visit a farm or agribusiness where things are going well and give the rest of the United States a glimpse of something positive?

I have a feeling that the town hall meeting will mean people going there griping about how bad government is running things which just emphasizes the downer feelings we all have. Certainly those comments are justified - but these actions will do nothing to change or improve the attitudes of all parties regarding the future of our country.

People need to know that there are some good things happening in the farm belt. end

I'm Surprised

2011-08-03T06:24:00.000-07:00

Some of us like to live abiding by the motto that "bigger is not better". This has been hard to do when it comes to the agriculture industry. Mostly, the advances in our industry have come with "getting bigger". This is how we have managed to keep food relatively cheap in America.

I just heard about a study at the University of Wisconsin. They studied 14,000 dairys in that state. The size of the study herds were between 140 head and 800 head. (In other words all over the board.) The study found that the largest of these herds had the lowest somatic cell count. Evidently the larger herds are profitable enough so they can hire excellent management and that leads to success. end

Resolution

2011-08-02T11:51:00.000-07:00

The following is a resolution submitted to the local unit of the Nicollet County Farm Bureau. This is the first step for the formulation of state policy for the state Farm Bureau organization. It will be discussed, debated and voted either up or down at the Nicollet County Farm Bureau Annual meeting on September 10. If adopted, the resolution will go to the state resolutions committee and if adopted there, stands for adoption at the Annual Meeting of the Minnesota Farm Bureau.

Whereas Minnesota has always held education and a highly qualified work force in high regard and…..

Whereas in recent years, our elected leaders have borrowed funds from school districts in order to adopt a balanced budget and….

Whereas it is highly unlikely the school districts will ever be repaid and….

Whereas this practice has placed a heavier burden on property taxes now and in the future and….

Whereas in recent years our elected leaders have used accounting gimmicks and shifts instead of acceptable budgetary practices and…..

Whereas the Fitch Rating Service has lowered the state of Minnesota’s bond ratings from the highest grade of AAA to an AA+ rating and…..

Whereas the Commissioner for the office of Minnesota Management and Budget has stated the rating down-grade was caused by elected leaders in recent years relying on temporary solutions to budget problems and…..

Whereas in the past, when Minnesota’s rating was downgraded, it took 15 years to regain the highest rating……

Therefore be it resolved that the Nicollet County Farm Bureau urges our elected state leaders to adopt a state budget by using generally accepted accounting principles that will pass the scrutiny of the Government Accounting Standards Board.

What happened to the middle class?

2011-07-30T04:58:00.000-07:00

Heard last night on PBS News Hour.

The top 1% of income earners control more wealth than the bottom 90% of earners.

No wonder we have problems! We need a strong, vibrant middle class in order to have a strong, vibrant nation. end

A Futile Effort

2011-07-16T06:13:00.000-07:00

I just heard on the news that one of the Congressional leaders - Hatch, wants a Constitutional Amendment that would require Congress to balance the budget. While well intentioned, this would be a big waste of time and money.

We in Minnesota, know all about "requirements" to have a balanced budget. Minnesota needs to have a balanced budget in order to move into next biennium or budget cycle. The requirement - again is well intentioned - but what has happened is that the "balancing" act has been done with smoke and mirrors, gimmicks, and tricks. The latest effort - balancing the budget by borrowing - is just another example.

The state leaders have used every trick in the book to balance our budget for the last ten years and thusly our bond rating by Moody's has been lowered because "the state budgets have not used fiscally sound practices." I am sure if there was an effort be the feds, the budget balancing creativity would invade Washington D.C. as well.end

WHY DO WE CARE?

2011-07-14T09:42:00.000-07:00

We are average Joe Citizens of the state of Minnesota. The government shutdown has not meant lost wages or many problems for us. We really, "do not have a dog in this fight" so to speak. So why are we so concerned?

We are concerned because we care deeply for our state, our Minnesota. We are so proud of our state because our ancestors settled here and helped establish it. We honor their wisdom and their decisions made over 150 years ago - this is the place on earth that they wanted to establish their roots and work on their visions for the future. Some of my and my husband's ancestors were community and state leaders. So we, can be proud that what we have today is because of something they worked so hard for. This makes it double hard for us to watch what is happening. It seems that today's leaders are doing their best to tear apart and dismantle what our past leaders worked so hard to establish.

As former Vice President Mondale stated, "Minnesota has always been a special place - we have held ourselves more accountable than other states." We have been a state of clean government where we have cared about the less fortunate and we have always striven for doing a good job and doing it in an efficient manner. That is why we are losing sleep at night because each morning we see headlines declaring Minnesota as the "only state in the nation" that is shut down and for the longest period of time. Our bond rating has been lowered which is like telling businesses that might want to come here - we are not the state that works like we were.

Our former leaders like Orville Freeman, Hap LaVander, Luther Youngdahl, Elmer Anderson, Hubert Humphrey, Harold Stassen, Floyd B. Olson, John A. Johnson (and yes, some of our ancestors( would be apalled at what is going on. We owe it to these people's memories to do the right thing!

Representative Bob Gunther was quoted in the Mankato Free Press as saying, "you will not see me wearing a button that says not one penny more." Gunther and other moderate legislators are on the right track. They understand how to restore our state to a moving forward mode. We appeal to him and others of his ilk to get together and get a budget deal done. If such a coalition can be formed, it will be a strong basis to move forward on reforming Minnesota's tax system so that we will not be constantly facing these same issues every two years. end

Hello Darlin!

2011-07-10T14:43:00.000-07:00

Boy, it is really fun to watch the Twins now that Tom Kelly is doing color. I have learned so much about the technical part of the game.

And of course his ad libbing makes it fun. Like today when the final out was achieved when the batter hit into a double play. As soon as the ball entered the second baseman's mitt, Kelly's comment was an exuberant -"Hello Darlin!" Of course the play was completed when the second baseman tossed it to shortstop and he threw to first.

I never knew that a baseball would be called by that romantic name. But it was fun to watch! end

We Elected These People! Pox on us!

2011-07-01T09:32:00.000-07:00

Luther Youngdahl Had it Right! Luther Youngdahl was governor of Minnesota in the late 1940's -early 1950's. Today's leaders would do well to learn from our past.

Youngdahl defined politics as "the machinery by which society makes its moral decisions." He also said, "we get just as good government as we will work for and just as bad government as we will allow." He urged people to renounce their contempt for politics and government.

He advocated for more people to be active in politics thus making it less possible for a small clique to have the complete advantage.

Fast forward to today. It certainly appears that we have brought this decisiveness on by electing the people we did. Like Youngdahl we want our elected people to make moral decisions. Evidently there is no common definition of moral decisions. But, we voted for people optimistically feeling that leaders would lead and elected people would govern and look at what is best for the whole state.It certainly appears that a small group of leaders is more interested in personal issues and party policy than what is good for the whole state of Minnesota. These people are not leaders they are puppets of ideology.

I just hope they know how much pain they are inflicting on real people all over this state. end

RAIN MAKES GRAIN

2011-06-20T05:25:00.000-07:00

The high amount of rain we have been getting is bothersome. But, in typical reserved attitude of Minnesotans, we could have it worse. We have had corn that was planted and then cold wet soil conditions that - in the words of our crop consultant - "shocked the kernel" which resulted in it being unable to sprout. So replanting has been the MOA of many area farmers. We also replanted wet spots where plants had drowned. However, most of them have just been re-drowned and we are back at square one.

There are areas of the state, where corn is yet to be planted, even as the calendar reads June 20. Our son sells tires at Keltgens Inc. in Olivia. He has been inundated with phone calls from northern Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Canada, and even as far away as the state of Washington. The calls have come because the farmers are inundated with water. They want tires for duals, they want fat tires, they want tires that will get them through the soft soil. Keltgens can provide this service, but they are a smaller company and customers have to wait and they do not want to wait.

This is understandable because people in agriculture are very good at doing what they do and they are anxious to plant and care for their crops. They will do what it takes, day or night, week day, week end, whatever the conditions to get their job done. However, they get very frustrated when weather conditions halt their operations.

The larger farm operations that need a longer planting and harvesting window are suffering the most and I am sure there are some who are uttering, "I told you so". This year is proving to be a living example of the risks involved in this wonderful world of agriculture. end

This is Leadership

2011-05-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

Recently we had the pleasure of watching our youngest daughter receive her Master's Degree in Public Policy from the Humphrey Institute, University of Minnesota. Former Vice President Walter Mondale was the speaker and he departed from the usual format for commencement speeches. In addition to the pat messages on changing the world etc. he took this opportunity to make an apology to the 230 plus graduates. He apologized for his generation and the generation of most of the parents for not doing enough to make our world a better place.

His first apology was for the country's financial mess left to these young people.

His second apology was for not doing enough in the area of climate change.

While some graduates felt this was a 'downer' which is certainly was; I feel that Mondale showed real leadership. Instead of ignoring the issue or blaming unknown obstacles for these problems, he took responsibility for what might be called failures of today's leaders. end

They Aren't Candidates Anymore!

2011-05-28T08:04:00.000-07:00

In regard to the current stalemate in our state government, one statement keeps coming from the Republican majority. "We are doing what the people who elected us want us to do." This is the crux of the problem. The newly elected Republicans are still thinking like candidates and have not made the transition to being elected officials.

When you are a candidate, you are very concerned with pleasing the voters and doing what they want; because you want their vote. After you get elected, your charge is to do what is good for everyone. Allegiance to certain groups and special interests must be balanced with doing what is good for every citizen. Rich, poor, young, old, working, retired, unemployed, disadvantaged-all of these citizens deserve fair treatment in your actions. An elected person must make decisions that favor all citizens of the state, not just those who elected him/her. Once elected you are a STATE representative or a STATE senator and must consider the whole state, not just your district.

Once you are elected you must take off your candidate hat and put on your governing hat. Candidates are concerned about their districts, but when you govern, you must consider your district in conjunction with all citizens of the state. end

Steve Said It

2011-05-20T10:39:00.000-07:00

This morning former Speaker of the House Steve Swiggum and former Senate Majority Leader, Roger Moe discussed the Minnesota Legislative stalemate and what is happening in St. Paul.

In my mind Steve Swiggum hit the nail on the head. He talked about the freshman legislators and how they are committed to their campaign promises. He said (and I paraphrase), "these new legislators were elected and are serving in office. Unlike me who said one thing and then changed my mind, they remain committed to what they campaigned on."

There are a couple of ways this statement can be taken. On one hand, it is refreshing to hear about people who will actually carry through on promises. On the other hand, good government and good policy will never happen this way. Much of the impasse at the capital is because these new people do not know the process or want to change the process. There is a skill to governing and it has worked very well in this state. Many of the veteran legislators who know how to govern are gone. Changes probably need to be made, but productive changes will be slow, incremental changes.

The other points made were that the newly elected, including Governor Dayton, seem to feel they have been given a mandate by the voters. In fact many of these people are in office by slim margins. As a result, they need to look at those who did not vote for them as they make decisions and not assume that all people in their districts are of their party's mindset. end

Future funny story

2011-05-20T10:22:00.000-07:00

The Norwegian farmers who toil on the Hanson farm got finished planting corn early this morning. (Perhaps one of the later finish dates in the modern era. More on that another time.) To make a long story short, the bachelor farmer who lives in the second house on the farm got locked out of his house and it was 2:30 am.

Wise folks always have a plan in place to cover these kinds of situations. Our plan is two sets of keys for locks and (of course) the stand by set of keys is always kept in an off site location. When senior citizens are routed out of bed at 2:30 am. the old gray matter takes awhile to get in gear.

"Okay, what is the plan? Clear the cobwebs and recall the off site location! Get dressed, get the flashlights, search high and low. Bingo! Found the keys! Oh no, remember we did have to change the lock! Oh no, the key is for former lock! Go back, look again. Look in every possible place! Bingo! we find the key. All is well - except getting back to sleep."

Lying in bed, trying to get back to sleep at 3 am. I thank God in his infinite wisdom that he made women unable to have babies at my age. He really knew what he was doing!

Not a total loss. I got another chapter finished in Carl Sandberg's biography of Abraham Lincoln. P.S. Right now, there is some talk about what it takes to be President and who is qualified and who is not. There is no argument that Lincoln was one of our greatest presidents. His qualifications? He was an attorney and he served in Illinois legislature, and two years in U.S. House of Representative before being elected President. end

Are they Chickens?

2011-05-18T11:46:00.000-07:00

One regional newspaper accused the Republican majorities who are running the Minnesota House and Senate of being chicken. The supposedly cowardly act being discussed was the number of DECISIONS that the legislators will not, cannot, or are fearful of DECIDING on their own. So a nice alternative is to pass a law that will put the question in the form of an amendment to the state Constitution and the ultimate DECISION would be made by voters at the next general election. This action would be in lieu of discussing, taking testimony, debating on issues- the DECISION is being pushed on to those who vote at the next general election. (Nov. 2012). Then the people will make the DECISION and it will be forever in stone in the Constitution of the State of Minnesota.

Are they being chicken? I would suggest that they are misguided and not understanding how our country is supposed to run. We are a Republic, we are not a Democracy. In a republican form of government, we elect people to make decisions in our stead. A democracy would mean that all citizens vote on every decision. This would make for a very long ballot and elections every three months or so. It would be costly, inefficient, and certainly would not be the "getter done" American way.

When our elected representatives don't have the guts to do what we elected them to do, they usurp their duties and pass the tough decisions on to someone else. This is dereliction of duty and a very poor way to govern. If these issues ie. gay marriage, voter i.d., super majority to pass budget bills, etc. are of high importance; they certainly deserve the advantages of public discussion, testimony in hearings, votes up or down in both House and Senate and perusal by the Governor.

Putting the importance of the issues aside, of more importance is our Constitution which is the bases of how our state operates. It should not be amended willy nilly each time some thorny issue comes before our elected leaders. And I would hope that our elected people have a higher moral and ethical ground for these actions other than garnering their base to "get out and vote" at the next election. END

WHO IS TO BLAME?

2011-04-28T09:55:00.000-07:00

We are in the middle of a housing crisis. Home values have plummeted. It should be expected that some people in North Mankato were surprised to have their home values increase. According to the Mankato Free Press, the reason is because of a new software program being used by the county assessor's office. The new analysis of values takes into account higher value materials that might be used to construct homes. This unusual situation was mentioned briefly by North Mankato Mayor Dehen on KTOE radio the other day. He made the remark that this situation is not the result of any city action, but is entirely "on the county".

Yes it is on the county; but no--it really is not on the county. Property owners are upset and the human nature in all of us looks for a place to put the blame. How does this situation come to be?

BLAME THE COUNTY
County staff have to play with the cards they are dealt. The big dealer in this case is the Minnesota House of Representatives, Senate, Governor and state revenue officials. They are in charge.

BLAME THE STATE
The state decides the rules on how property shall be assessed for taxation purposes. They decide what properties should get tax breaks i.e. homes, churches etc. They also decide what properties do not get tax breaks. The rules mandate that local officials do their best (they must swear under oath) to equalize values of all properties in the county. Values are determined by sales histories.

BLAME THE BUYERS
Is it the county's or state's fault that sales of various properties increase of decrease? If not them---then who? Who buys properties and why? There are a myriad number of reasons for why properties are bought and even more reasons why purchase prices are what they are. Some reasons could be a good economy, a poor economy, low interest rates, high interest rates, lending institution policies, personal lifestyles choices, family transitions, demographics of citizenry, government incentives, government dis-incentives, and on and on and on.

BLAME US
So, who is to blame for increased or decreased property values? The answer is that we all are. Have we purchased property and paid more or less than the "true value"? Most of us are guilty because we are humans and as humans we allow our emotions to influence our decisions. Also, collectively, we have allowed our property tax system to be what it is and we have not instilled in our elected officials that we want it changed and HOW it should be changed for the betterment of all. end

Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!

2011-04-25T09:31:00.000-07:00

Our local legislators could be heard saying these words before our current legislative session.
Words have not moved into action as some of our local legislators have concentrated on stadium proposals, voter I.D., gun legislation, and racinos.

However before the session is over I am absolutely positive that there will be at least one job for people who are good a wordsmithing, or using the thesaurus. I think the leadership employ someone who can come up with alternate terminology - terminology that actually means raising revenue, but does not spell t - a - x.

We all remember that it was a fee instead of a tax. There must be many words like levy, charge, assessment, toll. You see what I mean. There are probably people who are right now, coming up with new terminology to get around the "no new taxes mantra".

I guess that is a new job for someone. end

We Should Live Within Our Means

2011-04-14T06:57:00.000-07:00

It is very good advice to try to "live within our means". This has been suggested, advised, and touted as the way we should run our state. This advice comes mainly from the newly elected Republican majority in the Minnesota House and Senate. It would appear that they are good at giving advice - led by their party chairman Tony Sutton. When it comes to put up or shut up, they fail miserably. The county of Nicollet has been waiting since December for payment associated with the governor recount. They have sent five invoices and received no response. Tony, put your money where your mouth is. Pay the taxpayers of Nicollet County (who are very good at living within their means) what is due. end

LEGACY SCHMEGACY!

2011-04-06T08:55:00.000-07:00

Again, my ad nosium comment - passing the amendment to increase our sales tax and dedicate it to clean water, parks, and culture was the dumbest thing we ever did. Its 'new money' and something weird happens to the people we elect when they spend time in St. Paul. They lose many of the qualities we admired in them when we voted for them. We should have known that this 'dedicated money' would be pilfered, stolen, misdirected. They did it with the tobacco endowment, they are doing it with the legacy dollars too. The amendment to our constitution reads the money should be used to "restore, protect and enhance". And when there is new money, the legislators become experts in word definition. The money is not meant to be used as a 'backfill' for department appropriations- it is. The money is not meant for specific groups of people or capital improvements - it is. ($600,000 for two veterans' rest camps.) Again, the money is not meant for capital improvements. (How does $972,000 to rehabilitate the Dodd Ford Bridge not fall under capital improvements?) Like I said, some of our local people i.e. Senator Rosen, Rep. Cornish, and even Rep. Paul Torkelson seem to take on different qualities once they get to St. Paul. Note: does the fact that these three legislators are in what some might call "safe districts" mean they can be different people once they get to St. Paul? end

This is not my job!

2011-03-23T06:57:00.000-07:00

Congress better assign and fund their own staff people to get the job done! What job you ask? Catching up with the people who do not report income each year which results in more than $300 billion of lost tax revenue.

Rather than holding IRS staff people accountable, Congress, in all their wisdom, placed a provision in the health care reform legislation which would require folks like you and I to report-- in the form of filing 1099s --for all payments we made to incorporated vendors and the requirement could be expanded to cover goods and services too.

What would that mean for a farm business like us? We would have to file 1099's for products we buy from folks like: veterinarians, lumber supplies, repair parts, feed suppliers etc. It is not my job to file a form to let the IRS know that one of my suppliers did not report some income they may have derived me. If the Congress is concerned about unreported income ---- they better well fund the IRS so they can hire staff to find the tax evaders. This is not my job! end

Planning and Orderliness

2011-03-17T05:08:00.000-07:00

The big guy and I just got back from a trip down south. We can't say that we are extensive travelers, but we have visited more than several states. While each state has its good qualities, the poor ones are very noticeable.

poor signage. Directional signs to attractions get you off the interstate; but then you are on your own. Street signs missing and when they are there, they are so small, they are almost impossible to read. Many states allow vegetation to be planted in the boulevards and trees and shrubs hide important traffic signs. (We don't let that happen in Minnesota.)
inconsistency in regard to sizes of roadways. A public road so narrow, cars must move to the side and stop to allow meeting one coming in the opposite direction.
zoning? It appears they do not have it. Nothing is less appealing than mixes of conflicting uses hodge podging in the cities. A convenience store on every corner in the middle of residential areas? What are they thinking? Mobile homes next to upscale houses? Industrial businesses mixed in with residential? Farm fields in the middle of cities?

People complain about not being allowed to do certain activities on their property. But in the end, everyone benefits from orderly planning and zoning. end

Niceitys Or Necessities?

2011-03-15T11:34:00.000-07:00

Rep. Mary Liz Holberg speaking on MPR talked about our budget situation and deciding between niceties or necessities. She said, "Minnesota offers programs that no other states offer. Maybe these are not necessities." Maybe Rep. Holberg is correct about some of those programs. I hope our elected officials do not use the broad brush approach.

I have visited many other states and made observations and asked many questions. So far, I have seen only one other state I would consider living in and that is Oregon. Let's not drop all of the programs we offer and lower our ability to make Minnesota the wonderful state it is. We need to encourage people to come here, not give them a reason to go someplace else. end

One person/One vote

2011-03-04T15:38:00.000-08:00

Rep. Duane Quam of Byron is leading an effort to allow people who own land in school districts or counties other than where they reside to vote on levy referendums in the other areas. Rep. Quam wants to put this on the ballot as a possible amendment to the constitution of the state of Minnesota.

This is nothing but bad policy. The constitution of the state should not be altered or amended willy nilly just to satisfy the whims of special interests. This document is the basis of our laws in this state. More and more, elected people are taking the "easy way out" and passing the decisions that they should be making on to the voters who happen to show up at the next election. Constitutional amendments should not be used to make law. That is what we elect representatives and senators to do.

Rep. Quam's proposal would go against the Supreme Court ruling of 1964 which guarantees one person/one vote. His proposal would give an unfair advantage to wealthy people who own land in many places. The Supreme Court ruled that each voter must be treated equally.

The farmers/businessmen who cannot vote on referendums in districts or counties where they do not live had a choice when they purchased the property. If they wanted land, then they need to live with their own decision. They should not be given any more privileges than other citizens.

This is a bad idea and bad public policy. end

Cooperative Spirit?

2011-03-01T07:08:00.000-08:00

In light of the new state budget forcast, Governor Dayton has indicated he may back away from his increased tax on the highest income Minnesotans. I am waiting for a cooperative movement from the Republican controlled House and Senate. Good legislation starts at the extremes and moves toward the center and usually the end result is that both sides do not get all they want.

There has been talk of working together. Now is the time for some action. end

Memo to Governor Walker

2011-02-23T15:58:00.000-08:00

The next time one of your fundraising friends call "just to chat"; you might be better served if you take his number and call him back. It is probably a good idea to "chat on your own dime." You will get into less trouble that way. end

Thank You Tubby

2011-02-23T09:29:00.000-08:00

The news today has it that Gopher Men's Basketball coach, Tubby Smith has sent an e-mail message to the Gopher student supporters asking them to tone down the chanting and refrain from vulgarity. Tubby, you are the MVP in my book. Keep up the good work and I hope others in positions like yours will also speak out against vulgarity in our society. end

St. Paul Antics

2011-02-11T06:56:00.000-08:00

So much for cooperation, working together and elimination of posturing. A few days after Governor Dayton calls for toning down the posturing etc., the new leaders of the Minnesota House and Senate (Republicans) send the Governor a bill which he told them he would veto. And that is exactly what he did.

Okay, each side needs to save face. The Republicans want to show those folks who elected them that they can cut spending. The Governor wants to show the folks that elected him that he will support needed programs. Did this passage and vetoing dance have to happen? I don't think so. If they really want to work together, could not the leaders of the House and Senate had a conversation with the new Governor about cuts he could accept and could not accept? They could have crafted a bill to make them look good and then the Governor could have line item vetoed parts that he did not like which would have made him look good.

And the state of the state message had its own posturing. The Governor's reference to the hearing in the House that dealt with a possible government shut down scenario. I was appalled that Senator Amy Koch vehemently denied the shut down issue. She said, "we never discussed shutting down". Well, maybe she, personally did not, but her party is in control of House committees. Issues that get hearings do not get them without the blessing of the leadership - which in this case was Republicans.

I hope they can erase these spats, quit acting like Junior High Schoolers, and get to work! end

A Good Kind of Pork

2011-02-07T12:48:00.000-08:00

Nicollet County ranks fourth in the state in the number of hogs marketed. We are behind Martin County (1), Blue Earth County (2), and Nobles County (3). Our hog farmers sold 667,000 market hogs in 2010.

The gross income generated in 2010 from the sale of Nicollet County hogs was $101.3 million dollars. This is the income received by farmers and - you know how farmers are - they spend money when they have it. It went for feed expense, hired labor, new equipment, seed, fertilizer, new pick ups and other farm equipment. Farmers also are quick to upgrade their farm buildings and to improve their land by adding adequate drainage. Any farm income goes right back into the community where it keeps turning and turning.

Nicollet County farmers also pay millions of dollars in property taxes which help keep our schools in the top notch category and help with county services such as safety, snow plowing, and ten ton farm to market roads.

Every dollar in gross farm income generates another $2.80 in economic activity.

Nicollet County hogs consumed 7 million bushels of corn in 2010 and were fed another 2.53 million bushels of soybeans.

A huge benefit of hogs and other livestock raised in our county is the nutrients derived from manure. Locally produced nutrients become win/win situations for everyone. They decrease hauling and resulting negatives generated and natural produced nutrients from manure mean less use of fossil fuels from the production and transportation of commercial fertilizers.

(Taken from information distributed by Nicollet County Pork Producers.)

What Is Osama Thinking?

2011-02-02T08:37:00.000-08:00

Hearing the reports of how the people of Egypt got to the "tipping point" regarding their putting up with an oppressive government- the people on the streets are crediting the ability brought to them by Facebook and other social media. Another motivational part of it is that they could sit in their homes and watch the people of Tunisia do the same thing. This gave them an impetus.

This demand for freedom and democracy flys in the face of Bin Laden and his henchmen who want to keep the people of the MidEast submissive and powerless. Since Osama Bin Laden hates everything western: our knowledge, our entrepreneurship, and our abilities, I can only imagine he is sitting in his cave and seething about how our western way of life and technologies have once again done him wrong in his attempts to keep the MidEast in the Dark ages.

It is also interesting to contemplate the billions of dollars the west has spent in aid, etc. to help these countries move forward toward democracy when much more was accomplished by the dreams of schemes of a college kid named Zuckerborg who lived in a country that encourages innovation and creativity. Individual abilities again out plays governmental attempts. end

TILTING WINDMILLS

2011-01-28T13:29:00.000-08:00

The wind energy conversion systems or wind turbines are becoming a common sight on the rural landscape. The benefits of these conversion systems are much debated. The plus is the additional revenue for the property owner. Naysayers talk about aesthetics of the rural landscape and problems with wild life etc.

A report out of Iowa indicates that they may be other benefits. During some research, which is not yet complete, the Ames Laboratory has found that the turbines produce measurable effects on the microclimate near the crops. "The slow-moving turbine blades channel air downwards in effect bathing the crops below via the increased airflow they create."

On cold nights, turbulence stirs the lower atmosphere and keeps nighttime temperatures around the crops warmer. This would offer an extreme benefit in the spring and fall because they would keep the crop a little warmer and help prevent frost. This technology would be beneficial here in the Midwest, but it would seem to be worth millions in the citrus areas of the south where frosts many times destroy crops. end.

Excerpts from Ledger Q and A

2011-01-24T16:45:00.000-08:00

1. What is your job/role as a commissioner?

The job description for a county commissioner is that he/she is one of five chief executive officers of a county. Another way to explain it is that a county commissioner wears three different hats at various times. Example.

Executive Hat - this hat is worn when the commissioners develop and set budgets, negotiate contracts, hire and fire employees, etc.
Legislative Hat - this hat is worn when the commissioners develop and administer county ordinances i.e. zoning ordinance, solid waste ordinance etc.
Judicial Hat - this hat is worn when the county commissioners set as the drainage authority and are called upon to administer the drainage statutes when landowners request maintenance, repairs, or improvements to their ditches.

2. What have you taken away or learned from your experience as a commissioner?

Counties were created to be partners with the state. Counties do the work of the state (St. Paul) - but they do it in 87 different parts of the state. Unlike cities, counties are more closely aligned with state government in that over 65% of the work of the counties is mandated by the state. A county does what the state tells it to do -- many times without much help (funds) from the state. Property taxes are the main funding source for this work.

There are no easy answers to governmental issues. it is extremely hard for a citizen to have a thorough understanding of why local governments do what they do. Issues that should be black and white - seldom are. The devil is always in the details and almost all of the time, misunderstandings of county actions occur because of a lack of understanding of the intricate nature of mandates, laws, and procedures under which counties operate.

3. Sum up your experience as a commissioner.

Local government is sometimes difficult to understand. During my time as commissioner, the idea of educating the public about what local governments do came up time and time again. I did some investigation and found that no one had developed a curriculum to teach about local units of government. Since I have a background in education, I decided to develop a curriculum that dealt with local government: townships, school districts, cities, and counties. In 2006 I completed the curriculum and offered the class through St. Peter Community Education. Unfortunately only two people were interested enough to sign up for the class.

I have enjoyed serving the citizens of Nicollet County. I have looked on my 16 years as "earning another college degree". I ran for office to give back to the county and I truly feel I have received more than I have given back. END

Priorities

2011-01-07T06:14:00.000-08:00

People are funny. People are unique. People are hard to figure out. Why do we occasionally hear that people have no qualms about spending money on animals, but balk at the idea of helping out fellow human beings? Today's Free Press article about the stray dog contains a quote, "if its an issue of taxes, I'll pay more taxes so they won't keep doing this." (referencing the furlough of city employees who deal with strays).

This is not meant to be a criticism of the person quoted. He probably contributes funds and helps people in need as do a majority of our citizens. However, when programs that help the poorest of the poor are cut or furloughed, we rarely hear citizens say, "if its an issue of taxes, I'll pay more taxes so they won't keep doing this." end

Reading the Constitution

2011-01-06T13:31:00.000-08:00

I have read the Constitution several times. This morning some members of the U.S. Congress House of Representatives opened the first session of 2011 by taking turns reading the Constitution; section by section. Good for them! I hope they had an interested audience. My schedule did not allow me to listen or watch, however early this afternoon I did catch a "correction". Evidently when one of the members took his/her turn to read, he/she turned two pages together and as a result skipped a part. I believe it was part of Article 4.

It is very puzzling to me that these elected officials would think highly of reading this important document during a session of the House and would not realize at the time that a page had been skipped. Were not other members listening and wondering why there was a lapse of continuity? Were not other members following along on hard copies? Couldn't someone have sent the reader a text message alerting them to the error?Or could not have the following reader been alert enough to point out that two pages had been turned instead of one?

The attempt to draw attention to the Constitution was laudable, however this blatant error kind of took the thunder out of this attempt. end

East Coast Weather

2010-12-29T13:13:00.000-08:00

It is with a low chuckle that we listen to the reporters and pundits as they quote our fellow Americans who are living in the East and are experiencing a good old Midwest Snow storm. There are those who are chastizing the city and other governmental types for not getting the streets cleared fast enough.

My question to some of these folks is, "do you know what it means to be the receiver of an Act of God?" I think they should all be thankful they still have electrical power. When you lose power - it is a real disaster! Maybe they should all relax and listen to a good old country song by Hank Williams Jr. entitled "A Country Boy Can Survive". And then they might just take heed of some of the ways that we country folks can survive and be ready for the next time. end

FAREWELL TO NICOLLET COUNTY

2010-12-14T13:13:00.000-08:00

I took this job and loved it.

This job is not a bore.

Nicollet County is the reason

No one could ask for more.

I know no one will stand in my way

When I"m walking out the door

I took this job and loved it.

Because it's the best for sure.

I've been working for this county

Exactly sixteen years.

I've seen some of the county's best

Perform above their peers.

I've seen county workers

Toil hard night and day.

They have made our county

A model in this state.

I took this job and loved it.

This job is not a bore.

Nicollet County is the reason

No one could ask for more.

I know no one will stand in my way

When I'm walking out the door,

I took this job and loved it.

Because it's the best for sure.

The citizens who live here

Know what's right and wrong

They're all good hard working folks

They'll keep this county strong.

We'll work together without rest

To keep this place the best,

You're here to serve them every day

For they deserve no less.

I took this job and loved it.

This job is not a bore.

Nicollet County is the reason

No one could ask for more.

I know no one will stand in my way

When I'm walking out the door,

I took this job and loved it.

Because it's the best for sure. end

WINTER TAKES ITS TOLL

2010-12-14T13:08:00.000-08:00

Nicollet County Highway Engineer, Seth Greenwood reported at today's board meeting that the county highway workers have not used 400 tons of our allotted 1100 tons of salt to help get our roads in a safe driving condition. Winter has not officially arrived, but salt use certainly has been necessary. The crews are trying to use it sparingly to help make it last through the season. Greenwood explained that salt is ordered early in the summer and they use their "best guess" as to the amount they will need. end

Year of Angry White Man

2010-11-28T12:25:00.000-08:00

Emily's List surveyed the Democratic women who voted two years previous but stayed home. "They were the wives of the angry white, men, and they just bailed out. They felt the Democratic Congress hadn't done anything. They think politicians get elected and come to Washington to play with the lobbyists and further their own careers, that Congress could do something to improve their lives and chooses not to. There is tremendous cynicism and anger. They're working two jobs. They can't get home to be with their kids, and they're scared about that. They're right on the edge of complete crisis. One respondent in a focus group said, 'If the car broke down, I don't have the money to fix it, and it's the only way I can get to work.'"

Sound familiar. Coincidentally, the survey took place in 1994, NOT 2010! The information comes from an article written in USA Today in 1994. Some things never change. end

COSTS OF TRIALS

2010-11-22T07:39:00.000-08:00

At a recent board of commissioners meeting a payment of $2500 or thereabouts was made to the Mayo Clinic. A question surfaced as to the reason Nicollet County was paying a bill of that amount to Mayo Clinic. The answer was simple, but tells volumes as to why our county expenditures keep increasing and thus property taxes keep increasing.

The payment funded the testimony of a Mayo Clinic doctor who was needed to testify concerning the injuries of an inmate in our jail. One inmate physically assaulted another and needed to be taken to the hospital for emergency room services. (Oh, yes, the county also picked up the tab for the hospital and doctor fees.) However, this bill was simply to pay for the doctor's expert testimony when the incident came to trial. According to our County Attorney, it is typical to charge up to $500 an hour for such testimony. This seems to be specific to the Mayo Clinic. Others are more civic minded and more reasonable in their fees.

Our attorney also shared that some medical witnesses have been subpoenaed and refused to show up because they were dissatisfied with the reimbursement they would be receiving. end

ELECTION INTEGRITY

2010-11-13T12:14:00.000-08:00

I was a member of the canvassing board for Nicollet County. We met a week ago to certify election results. The process is VERY prescriptive and our group (two from the Auditor/Treasurer's office, one representing Court Administration, one representing cities, and two county commissioners) were thorough in our judgments and completely satisfied that there were no fraudulent attempts to manipulate votes.

There have been questions concerning the accuracy of the machines that are used at each precinct. These machines read each ballot that is placed in them and then keep a tabulation of the ballots. The question posed is, "have the machines been tampered with so the count is weighted one way or another?" This scenario is highly unlikely. The machines are tested before the election. This is an open, transparent process with public invited to watch and question. Machines are kept under lock and key in county facilities. On election day when machines are at the precincts, they are again tested. Part of the process is to run a test tape before voting begins. The tape is checked to make sure all offices and questions that apply to that precinct are listed on the tape. Each voting possibility must register zero. This "zero test tape" is then turned in at the end of the day. The machines start out at zero and record only the votes from the ballots placed in the machine that day.

Do the machines read accurately? Part of the canvassing process is an audit of two randomly chosen precincts in the county. In 2010, the hand counted precincts chosen were North Mankato 5-A and Granby township. After hand counting all of the ballots for all of the positions and questions in these two precincts, NO ERROR was found. The numbers corresponded perfectly with the numbers shown on the tapes run at the end of voting on November 2. Observers of this process were representing: Democrats, Republicans, and Minnesota Citizens for Election Integrity. end

NO IDENTIFICATION NEEDED

2010-11-13T06:46:00.000-08:00

It was Veteran's Day and Fred and I felt the need to make the day special. We wanted to break the routine of "just another Thursday" in November and allow our bodies and minds to refresh and contemplate other ideas and other people. We decided to visit the Terry Redlin Art Gallery in Watertown, S.D. As we drove through the many small towns, we were able to observe the presentation of our glorious flag in many different venues.

At the Terry Redlin Gallery, veterans were being honored. They all received a complementary Redlin print. All they had to do was present their veteran's identification card to the clerk in the gift shop. As we visited the shop and observed the products that now make up the "Terry Redlin Industry" we heard folks coming in--asking for their gift. Leaving the area, we met a young man wearing shorts and walking with a bit of an altered gait. He was walking on two prosthetic legs. I am sure that no I.D. was required for this young man. His badge of honor, his veteran's I.D. will be known by everyone he meets for the rest of his life. end

Commissioner Kolar's Address To Citizens

2010-11-10T04:10:00.000-08:00

GUEST COLUMN - by Commissioner Jack Kolars, Chair of Nicollet County Board of Commissioners.

With permission of my fellow commissioners I would like to make a few statements about the November 2, 2010 elections held in Minnesota and across the nation.

First, allow me to thank all of the county residents who cast their ballots last week. i know each and every voter cast their ballots with faith that their votes were being tabulated correctly. Let me assure you that here in Nicollet County, and I believe in every county in Minnesota, those votes were counted correctly and accurately.

Those votes elected republicans and democrats alike...a real flavor of what Minnesota is...a melting pot of ideas where candidates who become elected representatives have the opportunity to become reasonable people who can work together to accomplish the common good for our townships, our cities, our counties, our state, and our people.

I speak from some experience having served the people of Nicollet County with great pride since 1998. This is a position that I am humbled to serve in and to try to do my utmost to represent the best interests of those people who cast their votes to elect us. I know in serving with all elected officials in Nicollet County that each of us feels great humility to be chosen to serve. To the people of Nicollet County, I thank you.

I want to congratulate Commissioner Bruce Beatty on his re-election and Commissioner-elect Marie Dranttel in her successful run to replace our fellow Commissioner Judy Hanson in January. Congratulations also to our elected county officials including Attorney Mike Riley, Sheriff Dave Lange, and Recorder Kathy Conlon. congratulations to all city officials who were supported by residents through their votes last week.

As I am sure my fellow Commissioners have done, I have visited with many of our County residents since last week's elections. As Minnesota faces a $6 billion budget deficit, voters have cast their ballots for a dramatic change in government with Republicans taking control of the Minnesota House and Senate, and with Democrat Mark Dayton holding a 9,000 vote lead to become Minnesota's next Governor. (Here in Nicollet County, Mark Dayton won by 43 to 40 percent, a close race, but a race that has been determined ...by the voters.)

Of course in a race that close, Minnesota law automatically requires a recount. It will happen in an orderly fashion. That is the law in Minnesota. You might remember a recount happened two years ago in the Senate race where Senator Al Franken defeated the incumbent Norm Coleman by less than 1,000 votes. Remember what happened two years ago? It took eight months to seat Mr. Franken. This, thanks to political attorneys for the losing side, who dragged their feet. Why? Could it have been to prevent a 60 vote majority in the U.S. Senate for democrats in 2009? Would come call that a delay of justice...a delay of voter wishes? Do we think this type of political behavior encourages people to vote?

And now we are dealing with another recount. One with a much larger 9,000 vote advantage. Mark Dayton, a democrat, was elected last Tuesday, along with a whole group of republicans. With that wider 9,000 vote margin, this second Minnesota recount in two years should be much quicker to allow for all new elected state officials to take office in January. But there is some reason to believe that may not happen.

Early on Wednesday, November 3, the Nicollet County Auditor's office, along with election offices in counties across the state, received a letter from the Republican Party of Minnesota which asked, on behalf of the Tom Emmer campaign, that each county begin to seal, secure, and guard all ballots relative to the governor's election. The letter requested that each county "maintain a constant visual guard over the ballots." Now this little nugget about "guarding ballots" was passed into state statute in 1959, ostensibly to protect the integrity of elections. While it stands in state law, being updated in 1961, and again in 1986, the statute known as 209.05, in no way mentions anything about having "armed guards" watching over the votes you made.

But that's what Republican party spokesman Tony Sutton was telling media outlets last week. He said "armed guards" should watch over your votes. Armed guards! The same thing they said two years ago. He also talked about "fraud and incompetence". This is not Bolivia, Mr. Sutton. No sir, this is America, and no sir, this is Minnesota, where we trust our election judges like Bernie Bastian and Bob Wegscheid in North Mankato and thousands of other election judges who spend long hours assisting their neighbors in their important civic duty...VOTING. This is Minnesota where we trust our election offices to count every vote fairly..without regard to politics..or in this case, dare I say, greed. And by the way to be fair, the comment by Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie who was quoted as saying "we in our office are going to try to have fun with this recount" was inappropriate.

The constituents I have been talking to, democrats, independents, and republicans, who have called to say having armed guards watching over their cast ballots, and hearing words like fraud and incompetence "is an insult to voters and to Minnesota's election officials." I agree. It is an insult. I am asking Mr. Sutton and Mr. Ritchie to lower the political rhetoric. I implore both political parties to bring this recount to an end by Christmas 2010 and give the new representatives, the new senators and the new governor time to begin the tough job of trying to answer Minnesota's huge $6 billion budget deficit. And to do so while serving the needs of the people who voted last Tuesday. And the needs of those people who didn't, couldn't, or wouldn't vote.

Minnesota deserves that much. Please recount quickly and give residents faith in their voting system. That is something the Minnesota voting system had earned and deserves. FAITH by voters. Not more politics. Thank you.
Jack Kolars
Nicollet County Commissioner.

BE SURE TO VOTE!

2010-11-02T08:18:00.000-07:00

Luther Youngdahl was one of Minnesota's most outstanding governors. He cleaned up government and made some positive changes. He encouraged citizens to get involved.

Youngdahl's definition of politics. "Politics is the machinery by which society makes its moral decisions." He said, "we get just as good government as we will work for and just as bad government as we will allow." He urged people to renounce their contempt for politics and government, an attitude that - more than anything else was encouraging corruption in government.

A good way to get involved is to GO AND VOTE! end

CAMPAIGN TACTICS

2010-10-28T13:56:00.000-07:00

"He recognized that anything he said would be scanned scrupulously for partisan purposes. The slightest departure from the printed record would be distorted by friends as well as enemies. Even his simple reiteration of a previous position might, in the midst of a campaign, give it new emphasis."

Are we talking about one of the candidates for governor of Minnesota or a candidate for Senate from some other state? No, we are talking about Candidate Abraham Lincoln in the campaign of 1860. (Taken from "Team of Rivals" - Doris Kearns Goodwin.) I think there is a song lyric about "everything old being new again". So true. end

Reply to Justin M

2010-10-21T16:54:00.000-07:00

I agree that people would observe meetings or watch if on the internet. However a large percentage of rural county citizens do not have access to high speed internet.

APATHETIC CITIZENRY

2010-10-20T13:01:00.000-07:00

Every two years we have the opportunity to voice our opinions as we vote for people to lead us at the local, state, and national levels. Often times we hear of candidates running on platforms of "increasing public participation" or "developing greater connections" between the citizens and the governmental leaders. These are noble goals.

Sixteen years ago, I was in the position of some of these candidates. I was running for public office for the first time. I, too, felt it was important to encourage more public input. I was interested in finding ways to help citizens get more involved in government and creating an easier access for citizens. There are many ways to do this and after I was elected, I tried to support some of them.

One of the first things I did was hold listening hours. My efforts were barely worth the time and mileage. After holding four or five sessions, I had met with only four or five people. Another effort found me writing explanations of various county activities and submitting them to the local newspapers. The newspapers were receptive and printed all of my submissions. Nicollet County does not have a library. I held meetings in Lafayette, Courtland, and Nicollet to solicit input from local citizens regarding library services for the rural areas. This effort garnered about five people who shared their interest. During my first year in office I put forth the idea of holding one of our county board meetings in the evening. This would be an attempt to allow working folks to attend meetings. This idea failed for lack of a second on my motion. A different suggestion did become reality. We changed our budget process to hold full board budget meetings, thus making them open meetings. This allows the public to attend. Even, so, in the past ten years we have seen fewer than ten citizens come to the meetings.

These real life experiences have led to a perception on my part that most citizens do not have strong feelings about how their local government is spending their tax dollars. Of, if they do have strong feelings, these traditional ways of setting up opportunities to get involved are not working. Our county board has discussed this issue almost every year during my time in office. It has been hashed over at workshops and retreats and at budget meetings. Everyone involved feels that we would be better at our jobs, if we could get more public input. We need to be held accountable for all of the actions we take. When the public is silent we are in a never, never land - somewhere between "doing everything right" and "doing nothing right".

In 2006, I decided that since so one else had done it, I would develop a curriculum for citizens on the hows and whys of local units of government. My curriculum covers townships, cities, school districts, and counties. I offered to teach this as a class for St. Peter Community education. The first time I offered it, no one enrolled. I changed the course outline and offered it again and I had three people enroll. I continued to offer the class with the same result. Typically, there would be one or two people show an interest.

Then there is the matter of surfacing candidates. I have heard business people say that they cannot afford to run for office because the decisions they may have to make will hurt their businesses or drive customers away. Many positions for city councils and school boards are filled by only one person running, or worse, depending on write in candidates. I ran unopposed for three of my four terms. Local government is not sexy and it is not glamorous, but it is very important. If more people would get involved and increase their knowledge of how government works, there would be a lot less fertile soil for the deliberately distorted and false campaign ads we see every election year.

We are enjoying a "back to local" movement - local food, local stores, local entertainment. We need to add to this movement and include more involvement in local government. end

A TEACHABLE MOMENT

2010-10-14T17:04:00.000-07:00

The recent flood event provides us with a "teachable moment" regarding the purpose of Nicollet County's land use ordinance. Perhaps this flood disaster can help explain and clarify some questions that have surfaced regarding conforming and non-conforming uses in Nicollet County.

Our hearts go out to the folks in other counties who suffered extreme damage. The fact that Nicollet County was almost spared from the flood, points to the value of good planning and zoning. Excluding the city of St. Peter, Nicollet County citizens, received very little flood damage. Why did this happen? It happened because the officials in Nicollet County long ago put plans in place that prevented development in the floodplain areas of the county. This action made previous conforming uses in the floodplain, non-conforming.

There was a time when many homes, farms, and businesses were located near the river, in the floodplain. And during that time, the river flooded and damaged those properties time and time again. In 1992 Nicollet County officials, listened to the citizens of the county who said, "it does not make sense to allow development in the floodplain." The decision was made to make new development in the floodplain a non-conforming use-thus prohibiting development.

At that time existing buildings or businesses in the flood plain were allowed to stay in place. They were grandfathered in until such time when their use was discontinued for a 12 month period of time, or the buildings became uninhabitable or were destroyed. (See Nicollet County Land Use Ordinance Section 401.4 Non-Conforming Uses and Structures-www.co.nicollet.mn.us) Once this happened, the buildings, businesses, billboards, or other property became a non-conforming use. During the past, after significant floods, some of these properties were "bought out" by mitigation programs using federal and state dollars. As a result, our county can experience a 1000 year flood and suffer little or no damages.

This is an excellent example of why land use ordinances allow only permitted uses in various areas. Thus, we are saving hundreds of thousands of dollars in the way of personal losses, insurance losses, and FEMA claims. end

Learning about Social Services

2010-10-09T11:31:00.000-07:00

County departments cover the gamut from road building to burial of indigent citizens. The Nicollet County Social Services Department under the direction of Joan Tesdahl is the largest county department. It employs the most people and its budget is the largest. Because the whole area is "overwhelming"- what is a good way to get the word out about the many programs and why these programs are important?

That was the challenge as the steering committee for Connecting Nicollet County, the local leadership program, designed a session to allow the 22 participants to learn about county social services. Under the tutelage of Katie Rasmussen, University of Minnesota Extension Educator, the information was presented to members of the class(who were divided into groups of three) and then the groups shared what they had learned with the full class. It is a brief form of the "teacher the teacher" technique. Ms Rasmussen shared that studies have shown that people remember more of what they have been presented when this method is used.

Ms. Tesdahl divided her supervisors and staff into seven groups which included: Children's Services, Adult Mental Health Services, Financial Services and Fraud Investigation, Child Support, Accounting, Office Support, Foster Care licensing, Child Care licensing, Adoption Services. Supervisors and staff from the various programs met with the individual groups of class members and explained the programs. The seven groups then returned and shared important "take home information" with the whole group.

The following is a listing of some "take homes" or "aha" learnings.

I did not realize there are so many children needing help.
The family is the focus. "Protect the child, while fixing the family."
I was impressed with the coordination that Nicollet County has with many other counties.
I did not know there were so many people with so many needs.
There is just tons and tons of paperwork to access the programs.
I was impressed by the accountability.
It is really very hard to qualify for some of these programs. You basically cannot have hardly any income in order to qualify.
The whole area sounds like it would be easy, but there are really a lot of things to think about.
During this election year, we hear a lot about cutting welfare. It is not that simple.
There is so much CARE and RESPECT.
They are using technology to save on drive time.
The client comes first and the goal is recovery and self-sufficiency.
Detox is very expensive and Nicollet County must provide the service, even if the violator is just driving through on the way to training camp.

The Nicollet County social Services staff are to be congratulated and praised for the outstanding job in presenting information and enlightening 22 leadership participants. This day presented value and new understandings of the fabric of Nicollet County. end

An Answer to the Campaign Ads

2010-10-09T11:28:00.000-07:00

I got a response from someone who knows about these things. "The web ads are targeted to the internet provider and ISP that I use. The web ad doesn't know who I am, but it knows the 'door' through which I entered the internet and where the door is located." end

Targeted Campaigning

2010-10-06T11:08:00.000-07:00

In the past two days I have logged on to two different web sites only to be treated to Minnesota election campaign ads. This is quite a sophisticated way to get the word out-- in my opinion. It is mind boggling to try to understand how the programmers can tell if I am from Minnesota when I log onto Live Science and a corresponding ad comes up for one of the three governor candidates. And how does Cooks.com know that I live in Terry Morrow's House district? I am also wondering how much this costs the candidates or their sponsoring groups.

Obviously the old door knocking method is out of date - in favor of popping up on thousands of computer screens right inside homes. It may reach a lot of people - but is hugely impersonal and does not allow for intelligent discussion.

I am glad I am not in the Bachman-Clark legislative district. I can imagine if I turned on my computer, it would explode with all of the ads and slogans coming at me through the stratosphere. end

Our State Fair is a Great State Fair

2010-10-02T19:52:00.000-07:00

That song was written about the Texas State Fair, but is is more applicable to our fair here in Minnesota. A week ago, we attended the State Fair in Texas. It is also known as the Dallas Fair. The fair rivals our own Minnesota State Fair for the biggest and best. I am biased, but the Dallas Fair is a shade lower on the totem pole than our Great Minnesota Get Together.

Okay, the Texas fair may boast a larger attendance figure. That is helped by the fact that the fair lasts for a month and the Cotton Bowl is located within the boundaries of the fair grounds. All attendees at the games that may be played during the month long run are also counted as fair attendees. Today, there was a sell out crowd at 96,009 fans who saw Texas get beat.

Football takes its place right along side of the livestock and the pie competition. Instead of butterheads of queens, the Texas Fair displays two football players molded out of butter. Each is trying to "spread" the other. The Texas Hall of State on the fair grounds has a nice commemorative display of Tom Landry and his history. Speaking of pies, the day we were there, 280 pies of all kinds were being judged. (Some of these came from commercial establishments.) In the same building, there must have been 200 quilts displayed.

Taking the cake however, at this great fair was the display of new cars and trucks. Several buildings as well as many outside displays of vehicles meant that fair goers could get up close and personal with just about any and every kind of car made. I got the closest I will ever get to a $48,000 (sticker price) Lexis convertible.

Of special interest was a concert by the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps band. It was a program that will not be forgotten. From the sublime to the ridiculous, we also got to see pig races. Funny thing is that the size of the audience for each event was about the same. Did you know that pigs race for Oreo cookies? Just one of the interesting bits of information brought home from the Texas State Fair.

Oh, the Texas Fried Frito Pie? Not the lease bit enticing. end

THIS HOUSEHOLD SUPPORTS HORNER

2010-09-13T16:23:00.000-07:00

Our family has monetarily supported political parties. This year, we have chosen not to fund a political party. For the first time, we contributed to an individual candidate for governor. I mailed a contribution to Tom Horner's campaign this morning.

Our household is 100% for Horner. We support Horner because he will be a statesman and not a politician. His efforts will be aimed at what is good for the state of Minnesota. The other two candidates will be beholden to the political parties that helped elect them. The result will be gridlock, inefficiency and more smoke and mirror solutions.

Some of the candidates talk about "taking back" our state. When they say these words, if they mean trying to go back to the way things were during the productive years, before globalization, and before the recession, they are misinformed. We will never be able to go back to those glory days. We must own up to the fact that our economy must be reset. An independent governor will be free to cooperate and collaborate with all stakeholders such as local units of government, businesses, colleges, schools and university. Working together they will have to "reset" and "redesign" government at all levels. It has been said that Minnesota is a state that "works". With Horner as governor, we can demonstrate this to be true and once again, be an example for our nation. end

YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!

2010-09-13T16:16:00.000-07:00

The corruption, mismanagement, fraudulent activity, cheating and stealing are legion in the way the United States government dealt with the native American in the late 1800's. (And probably ever after.) This was a disgrace then and still is. The following words were written in 1891 by Captain John Bourke who served with General George Crook during many campaigns in the west.

"In this matter of Indian agents, as in all that pertains to Indian affairs, the great trouble is that the American people have so little common sense. Let the salaries paid to the agents be raised to such a standard that the position will be an inducement for first-class men to consider, and there will not be so much trouble in getting an honest administration, if there should be coupled a good-conduct tenure, subject to the approval of some such organization as the Indian Rights Association. Civil Service Reform may well be introduced in the Indian service." Page 425, "On the Border With Crook" - by John Gregory Bourke.

To a large extent these words written over 100 years ago apply today. end

And The Winner(s) Are

2010-09-13T16:12:00.000-07:00

Winning the best tasting new food to be offered at the 2010 Texas State Fair is "Texas Fried Fritos Pie". The most creative entry was "Fried Beer". We will be attending the fair on September 26 and I will try the Fritos Pie. As for beer, I like mine cold and preferably from a glass bottle. Stay tuned for a critique when we return. end

Deep Fried in Big "D"

2010-08-30T13:40:00.000-07:00

Many of us are attending the big "Minnesota Get Together" also known as the Minnesota State Fair. While we are at the fair we are tempted to try the latest deep fried food to be offered. Meanwhile a few states straight south of us in Dallas, Texas, the Texas State Fair is gearing up for another year of deep fried concoctions. That fair will not start until the last week end of September.

Every year the Big Texas Fair holds a competition to allow a new deep fried food to be sold at the fair. This year they started out with 62 entries and narrowed the field down to eight. The two that make the final cut will be chosen over Labor Day week end. The eight finalists are: deep fried smores pop tart, deep fried margarita, Fernies fried club salad, fried beer T, fried chocolate, fried lemonade, fried Texas caviar, and Tex Frito Pie.

Stay tuned and I will let you know who the winners are. This writer and her fair-going maniac husband will be attending the Texas State Fair on September 26. I will write a report and critique when we get home. end

Governor's Race presents extremes

2010-08-27T09:03:00.000-07:00

I have tried to analyze the governor candidates with an open mind. I have done the best that any one person can do, because we all have our biases. We are being served up with two of the most extreme choices (Emmer and Dayton) and an Independent Candidate who falls somewhere in the middle.

Frankly, I was surprised that Emmer got the Republican nomination. It appeared that some of his own party were not happy eithter. Following the convention, a former Republican Minnesota House member stated, "it is hard for rural Minnesota to support Emmer when he is against local government aid, ethanol and jobz.

Recently he has dug himself into a deeper hole by downplaying the importance of high speed internet. For many years, anytime the subject of economic development for rural Minnesota has come up. the availability of reliable high speed internet for ALL of Minnesota has been the number one issue. I just wonder, "what is this guy thinking?" He seems to continuously give us reasons to not vote for him.

I have never been impressed with Mark Dayton. He has so much baggage that he is almost like Emmer in that I can find no good reason to support him. The fact that he has joined a number of wealthy candidates from all over the nation and spent their own money to buy the election is very bothersome. This is another example of how the middle class that has built this country is losing strength.

Tom Horner is increasingly looking like the best candidate. While, I did not vote for Jesse Ventura, I have voted for the Independent candidate a couple of times. Voting for the person who is best for the job, sometimes results in electing the person who is worst for the job. This is disturbing, but the decisions made in the voting booth are hard to explain. So far, Tom Horner is the only candidate that has explained what he will do to balance the budget and how he will do it. This is a plus for him and his campaign. He needs to ramp up his positive plans, explain them in more detail and cool down the negative slams at the other two candidates. He has the stuff that voters need to hear, now he must articulate it in a manner that will compel voters to listen and then act. END

THEY WILL HAVE LESS GOVERNMENT

2010-08-27T08:52:00.000-07:00

Yes, many good citizens have been calling for less government. According to a recent Charles Osgood piece, citizens in many cities will have exactly that as cities continue to downsize their police departments. One California city has advised their citizens that they are to dial 911 ONLY under defined conditions.

Example. If you arrive at your home and interrupt a burglary, you are advised to call 911 immediately for police response to this on-going crime. This is called an active case and there are police available to deal with it. However, if your home is burglarized or vandalized and when you come upon the premises, the intruders are not there and are long gone, it is your duty to survey the situation and then go on line and fill our your own police report. This is called an inactive or cold case.

What is wrong with this picture? It is discrimination. By placing this policy in place, the assumption is made that all people have internet connections and know how to use them. It is quite likely the people most subject to crimes do not fit this description. They are probably poor or elderly or both. The folks who are able to do their own report are expected to be thorough and accurate. This might open some doors also. The idea of self reporting is encouraging fraud and making false insurance claims. In my mind the biggest issue is that this practice continues to make the divide between the haves and the have nots in this country greater. END

Listen Up Governor!

2010-08-18T12:32:00.000-07:00

Since you are in the last inning of your game with the state of Minnesota and are soon to move on up to the "big show", it is time for you to learn the difference between a fee and a tax. According to Joseph Henchman, tax counsel and director of state projects for the Tax Federation, "taxes are charges to pay for general government services." "Fees defray the cost of a service provided to a particular individual." END

GOIN' BACKWARDS

2010-08-15T09:09:00.000-07:00

I read that North Dakota is one of the very few states that is not struggling with a budget deficit. Could one of the reasons be that it is not spending money on roads? A Wall Street Journal article tells about a Stutsman County North Dakota road project where instead of doing an overlay of new asphalt, the county is using a machine to grind the asphalt into bits as they turn the road back to gravel. Instead of progress, the county is going backward because there is no money to do maintenance and repairs on asphalt roads.

There is always another side of these stories and the other side is a question that only the citizens of that county can answer. How much traffic or how many vehicle trips does it take to make a road worthy of spending more to assure a safer and faster means of transportation? How many people live along the road and is it a main artery that carries goods and services to places of industry, rail heads, or even ports? No matter what the answer to the above question, it is good to note that a gravel road is not a "free road". Gravel roads mean more hours of maintenance and use of equipment and man hours to keep them smooth.

Nicollet County has an excellent system of 10-ton asphalt farm to market roads. We must be diligent, in spite of tight budgets, to keep these economic development tools in good repair. end

Cost of Dieing

2010-08-12T12:54:00.000-07:00

The Nicollet County Social Services department has budgeted around $20,000 to cover the costs of county paid funerals for the year 2010. So far we have spent around $18,000. This seems to be an increase over previous years. These dollars are spent to lay to rest indigent people who live in Nicollet County. end

We See It Now

2010-08-12T12:50:00.000-07:00

Citizens are starting to see the effects of decreased spending on the part of governmental units. Libraries are open fewer hours. In Nicollet County, our government center is open fewer hours. American City and County magazine reports that one Minnesota city public works director could choose just two jobs out of a list of twenty-five that needed to be done. I believe that translates to city streets in disrepair. Local officials are looking at many ways to cut spending. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has created a plan to cap property taxes to an annual 2.5 percent increase in order to force consolidation of the state's 566 municipalities. END.

GET READY "RESET"

2010-08-08T12:47:00.000-07:00

I recently heard Jay Kiedrowski, Senior Fellow, Humphrey Institute speak on the economy of Minnesota. He comes with high credentials, not the least of which is being a member of the Minnesota State Budget Trends Study Commission. This group reports to the legislature about the state of the state. His news is sober, his news is simple, our economy-hence our citizens are going to have to come to grips with a "reset". The reasons are many.

Many jobs have been lost forever and will never come back.
In addition to losing jobs, the state has experienced a drop in the total wages and salaries paid which means less income for the state to use to support state and local programs. (This is the first time this has happened since the 1930's.)
In the past, the state has grown by adding more bodies to the work force. In the future out growth will depend on the increase of productivity of each worker.
The volatility of the income tax will make long term planning difficult. Revenue growth will not keep up with demands. The tax system needs to be overhauled.
A high school education is not enough to support a family and too many of our youth have not completed high school.
Folks who are over 65 are making up the larger/soon largest portion of our population.
As the over 65 group increases in numbers there are fewer and fewer to take their place in the workforce. And fewer yet who are qualified and are trained.
There are fewer people working who must support the needs of people who are not working.
The work force will become dependent on immigrants.
The housing and foreclosure problems lead to a smaller tax capacity. Local units of government are challenged to deliver the services citizens demand depending on a diminishing property tax base.
The population is becoming older and more diverse.
The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.
The middle class (which built America) is suffering.
The state government will continue to struggle, even though the price of government has diminished. (The price of government today is 15.5 cents. That means that 15.5 cents of every dollar earned goes for government. In 1991 it was 18 cents out of every dollar.)
The United States is the second lowest nation in the world (Korea is lowest) when you look at the percent of gross domestic product used to support government. Denmark is the highest.

Following his presentation, audience members asked Kiedrowski for his suggestions. He indicated that the state must take a balanced approach to deal with this reset. The first thing would be to reverse the state income tax reductions made in 1998. I often recall the good advice shared by our late County Auditor, Bob Bruns. He always talked about the day the bubble will burst and that the county needs to be prepared with a rainy day fund. The county is doing the best we can, however, we all could use lots of sunny days. end

A Sign of the Times

2010-07-21T09:08:00.000-07:00

Observed while driving down Broad Street in New Ulm. A very young girl, maybe under ten years, riding her bicycle down the sidewalk and talking on her cell phone at the same time. They say children mimic parents and I think this is evidence of that. END

Connecting Nicollet County

2010-07-14T07:26:00.000-07:00

Nicollet County is looking for 20 inquisitive people. These people will make up the first class of a new leadership program called "Connecting Nicollet County". The class will begin on September 2 and will continue every month through May. If you are a person who wants to learn about leadership, learn about the assets and resources right here in Nicollet County, and can devote one day a month for nine months, we want you!

Each session will highlight one of the communities in Nicollet County: Courtland, Lafayette, North Mankato, Nicollet, St. Peter, Norseland area and St. George area. More than this, skill development sessions will be led by University of Minnesota Extension staff. You will learn about personal leadership, managing conflict, leading effective meetings, visionary leadership, communication skills and working with the media.

The deadline to apply is July 30. Applications are available at all city offices, the Nicollet County government center, or on line. Go to www.connectingnicolletcounty.org to down load an application and read more about it. end

A NEW KIND OF STIMULUS

2010-07-01T19:22:00.000-07:00

As awful as the oil spill is, it seems to me that this tragedy has some redeeming side effects. The news is reporting that BP is employing 25,000 workers who are working twenty four-seven. These people are being gainfully employed and the wages they receive is "new" money as opposed to tax payer money. This money is pouring into our economy -just like the oil is pouring into the Gulf. This is creating jobs and it seems like that word is being used a lot by both the President and the Congress. Jobs are a good thing.

This terrible accident is bringing a new kind of stimulus to our economy. Granted, this is not the chosen route, but we have to play the hand we are dealt. A recent newspaper account indicated the amount spent so far is $2.65 billion. Some of these dollars are in the form of payments to businesses who have suffered a loss of income from the disaster.

There has been some speculation that this clean up will bankrupt BP and then we will be left to finish the job. A Channel 4 piece visited with a Metro area attorney who was involved in the Exon Valdez incident. His feeling was that BP will never go bankrupt because they deal in oil - not just in the Gulf, but all over the world. And as long as we have this insatiable appetite for oil, BP will be there doing business and making big bucks.

It is discouraging that the President and our Congress folks do not use this event to advocate for alternative fuels. I do not think President Obama knows how to pronounce Ethanol. end

SHARING THE PAIN

2010-06-06T15:32:00.000-07:00

John Q. Citizen is finding his access to county services altered. On June 4, Nicollet County instituted a shortened work-week. The Government Center and all other county offices closed at 3 pm on Friday and will be closed every Friday at 3 until the end of September. This was done in an effort to save taxpayer dollars in light of budget reductions from the State of Minnesota. Employees working four hours less each pay period during this time will save approximately $140,000 for the taxpayers. Voluntary furloughs will be offered after this time period. The Board of Commissioners did not make this decision easily, but decided this was the best way to save lost dollars and to avoid having to lay off staff. The courts and their employees located at the government center have not changed their hours. They are state employees.

Other measures have been in place for almost 18 months. As employees have left Nicollet County, supervisors have had to go through a rigorous process to justify hiring a replacement. At the present time, the following positions are not being filled: engineering specialist, water quality program director, bailiff, and part time 911 dispatcher.

This is the beginning of reduction of services. Counties, cities, and schools will probably be implementing even more onerous budget cuts which will mean decreased services in the future. end

Families First

2010-05-20T11:36:00.000-07:00

Families should be the first line of offence in the war against childhood obesity.

My attention was peaked from the McNeil Lehr new report. Our First Lady, Michelle Obama, was speaking to reporters and other dignitaries. She was explaining her effort to help the nation's children fight obesity. Here, in Minnesota, we have programs that are also working for the same goal. State Health Improvement Program (SHIP).

Ms Obama explained that this was a huge problem, a very big problem that would not be easy to solve. She said, "It will take all of us working together to fight obesity in our children. It will take schools, it will take organizations, it will take businesses, it will take government......it will take families. All working together to fight obesity."

Ms. Obama, I mean no disrespect, but didn't you get your list reversed? Shouldn't the front line in the fight against childhood obesity be at the family dinner table? end

I'd Have Walked Seventy Miles!

2010-05-14T13:36:00.000-07:00

No, this is not the start of a song. The seventy miles is the number of miles that Kevin Stolt and the Nicollet County Sentence to Serve Crew covered cleaning up the road ditches of county and township roads. And along the way, they retrieved many aluminum cans. How many aluminum cans??? $202.35 worth of aluminum cans. These were sold and Kevin presented the county with the check. Great work! Thank you all for making this a worthwhile and appropriate program. end

Minnemishinona Falls

2010-05-14T13:19:00.000-07:00

The Nicollet County Board of Commissioners has taken some heat for obtaining and developing the Minnemishinona Falls and the property near it. Let's set the record straight on the costs to Nicollet County taxpayers for this natural scenic site.

The price of purchasing the actual falls site was $330,000. These dollars came from three different sources: Minnesota Department of Transportation District Seven ATP Federal enhancement funds-$264,000; Carl and Verna Schmidt Foundation grant-$50,000; and a DNR grant-$16,000. There were zero taxpayer dollars used.

Recently the county board approved going out for bids for the construction of the bike/pedestrian trail from County Road 71 into the falls area and connecting back into County State Aid Highway 41. This will also include a bridge over the falls gorge. This project will be financed using additional Minnesota Department of Transportation Federal enhancement funds. The District Seven ATP has delegated $398,400 for this trail and bridge. Future upgrades that may be needed to the falls area will occur as grants become available. Most grants will require a percentage match of some kind which would mean the possibility of some local levy dollars.

Concerning the use of grant dollars. There are two philosophies of looking at grants. Some believe that using grant dollars is poor policy because in the case of grants from governmental agencies, the money is still tax dollars. This is absolutely true. The other belief is that governmental agencies offer incentives through the use of grants. If grants are available and if they can be put to good use, it behooves us to take advantage of them. If we do not apply and put these dollars to good use, some other unit of government will. The other city or county will benefit to the detriment of our city or county. The grant program is an unbiased way of distributing funds.

Regarding the amount of water draining over the falls. We need rain to have a waterfall. Last summer we had a drought and there was no waterfall. The normal course of rainfall should mean a steady stream of water at the falls. As development in North Mankato moves further into the watershed, the amount of water flowing into the creek feeding the falls will be greater and greater. Rain or no rain, the falls are a very popular place with the public. Many people are enjoying the falls every day. end

Downsizing Government

2010-05-12T13:29:00.000-07:00

On Monday, May 10, I chaired the last meeting of the Brown/Nicollet/Cottonwood Water Quality Board. Due to lack of funding, this board, after existing for over 20 years is officially going into "inactive" status, as of June 1, 2010. This will mean that the board will pay any final bills, and will carry liability insurance coverage, but will terminate the present employees (two) and will not be able to take on any new water quality projects or programs.

This board consists of two county commissioners from each of the three counties: Cottonwood, Brown, and Nicollet. The decision to become inactive was not taken without a lot of research, thought, and study. In the past this board dealt with projects such as the St. Peter Wellhead protection program, the Little Cottonwood River project, township water testing in every township of the three counties; and has administered programs to encourage septic system upgrades. The agency has provided huge educational programs such as the Red Top Farms program. This program monitored tile lines in comparable fields using a variety of cropping and fertilizing systems. Every year, the agency was part of the Children's Water Festival that offered the opportunity for a day long event for all 4th graders in the three counties.

Recently the agency has been a part of a conservation drainage program located in Traverse township on Nicollet County ditch 29. During its lifetime, the agency has done extensive monitoring of the Seven Mile Creek watershed. Because this watershed is made up of large numbers of cropped acres and also is home to livestock operations as well as out-letting in a typical ravine terrain that means extensive bluff erosion, Seven Mile has become a showcase of the typical challenges and successes of many watersheds throughout the Minnesota River Valley.

The board made the decision to become inactive rather than to dissolve. There were several reasons for this decision. A significant reason is that this agency is one of the major players in the Middle Minnesota Watershed. There are efforts on the state level to demand all water quality programs to be handled by watershed organizations. If that mandate comes, Brown/Nicollet/Cottonwood Water Quality Board will be poised to become a strong active board. The cost of dissolving and the cost of becoming inactive was almost the same. Since this board is a joint powers board, there are significant costs to restarting a board that has been dissolved. By becoming inactive, the board will need to hold one meeting a year (by conference call). END

Taxed Enough Already

2010-05-05T08:54:00.000-07:00

These are the words of a growing number of citizens as they voice their concerns about the way our government is being run. Evidently some Minnesota legislators feel that a number of citizens (maybe ones that are not as newsworthy) would be willing to pay more taxes. Rep. Peggy Scott, Republican from Andover has sponsored the "I'm Not Taxed Enough Already Checkoff" bill (HF 3566). This bill would provide taxpayers the chance to make a voluntary contribution of at least $1 to the General Fund. There is a companion bill in the Senate (SF 3197) sponsored by Senator Amy Koch, Republican from Buffalo. The checkoff would be on the Minnesota state tax return. end

Absentee Ballot Board Established

2010-04-30T07:40:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, the Nicollet County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution establishing an Absentee Ballot Board. This action will allow for consistency in the acceptance or rejection of absentee ballots throughout the whole county. This board will be made up of trained staff appointed by Nicollet County Auditor/Treasurer Bridgette Kennedy.

This action will be an improvement of the system in place during past elections. In the past, each precinct made the decision about acceptance or rejection. While each precinct has trained election judges, because they are human, they could apply the standards in a number of different ways. This new board will assure greater consistency throughout each precinct.

There are Minnesota statutes that allow for the appointment of this board. A board like this has been used in the past by some counties. The recount following the last U.S. Senate election, has alerted officials to the benefits of using this method of handling absentee ballots. end

Worth Repeating

2010-04-09T13:35:00.000-07:00

Recently Free Press writer, Tim Krohn did an article about the retirement of Senator Dennis Fredrickson. Senator Fredrickson was my senator at one point in his 30 year career. He is one who receives and deserves much admiration. His background was that of being a farmer and also a former county commissioner. I believe that is why he has had such a stellar career and why he is one of a dieing breed. By that I mean he is one of the few statesmen left in St. Paul as opposed to many politicians. His vote on the gas tax is an example. He and Senator Dille were the only Republicans in the Senate to vote in favor.
Krohn's article shares much worth repeating. "Fredrickson's sense of public service was forged from the nearly lost concept that common good trumps self or party." The Senator is quoted as saying, "on the large issues like taxes and spending, it's certainly gotten more partisan and the lines more firmly drawn." Going on the article states, "The chief reason, he (Fredrickson) believes is the cacophony of media today. The instant communications we have and the non-stop discussion of politics in the media, on cable, the Internet---people hear these issues and take sides. Extreme opinions are expressed and people aren't always discerning about that they're hearing."
Again quoting the article, "the solution, he says---no matter how unlikely---is for a more informed public with people looking at in-depth stories in newspapers and magazines rather than listening to the rhetoric and sound bites on their TV or cell phones." Amen to that.
Thank You Senator Fredrickson for being a friend of agriculture, water quality, and small business. We need more like you in St. Paul. end

What About the Game?

2010-04-05T11:28:00.000-07:00

Now that we have the new Target Field Stadium for the Twins to play in, the pundits have hyped it to us - the baseball consumers. The way I hear it is that we are urged to come downtown early and visit restaurants, bars etc. before the game. Then we are urged to come to the wonderful new stadium and enjoy the delights of several food places. After the game it will take awhile to get all the fans away from the downtown stadium. We are then urged to visit more local nightspots for more food and drink.

My question is - What about the game? It seems like the actual reason for it all, the good old American passtime - watching baseball has been trumped by all of the food and beverage attractions. And then we wonder why we are all obese? end

NO ONE SAID VOTERS ARE SMART

2010-03-26T11:47:00.000-07:00

Passing the sales tax amendment in November 2008 was one of the stupidest things ever done by the Minnesota voters. We, the voters are responsible for this mistake, only because the legislators, after years of wrangling about the issue, said, "let the people decide". Then they put the amendment to the constitution process in place.

If clean water, parkland, trails, and culture are important to Minnesota citizens (which the positive vote in Nov. 2008 showed to be the case), then you senators and representatives should have provided funding EVEN IF it meant raising taxes. But no----you folks would not do it because it might look bad on your voting record and voters may turn to someone else the next time you were on the ticket.

So you crafted a constitutional amendment that would raise the rate of our state sales tax by 3/8ths of one percent and dedicate the money to wildlife, water, parks, and the arts. 56% of the voters said, "yes" and because they did, today there is a big fight for the money. You legislators should have known better. The amendment did not set up a specific structure to distribute the money and now we have organizations coming out of the woodwork in a royal battle over "getting our share of the money".

There is argument about the meaning of the language in the amendment. What part of "protect, enhance, and restore" is so difficult to understand? Wildlife groups want the money to be spent for ONLY "on the ground" projects and when some folks suggest spending on management --like of land the DNR already owns, they get all huffy. If the conservation groups demand on the ground projects they should be really upset about the $750,000 that went to the U of M Water Resource Center to create a comprehensive 25 year "Minnesota Water Sustainability Framework" plan. That seems like a lot of tax money needlessly spent when every county is required to do a water plan and update it every five years. How much work could it be to access 87 plans and consolidate them?

Most of the time, Minnesota excels in the way we do public policy. This was not one of those times. This amendment will cost us much more than any tax increase and the worst result is further polarization among groups who are working for the same results ---a good quality of life in our state. Taxpayers have a right to be very disappointed. end

SHOW DOWN IN D.C.

2010-03-19T14:41:00.000-07:00

It looks like the big gunfight on reforming health care will be coming this week-end. The whole health care issue is very complicated and many articles indicate that no one seems to know why. This household has tried to educate ourselves by reading many articles, letters to the editor, watching Bill Moyers, and the McNeil Lehrer report as well as special shows dedicated to the subject. Our take on this issue is as follows:

Like most other issues, Minnesota seems to do things better in the area of health care.
Doing it better has meant we are penalized.
Our state insurance regulators have made sure insurance companies that do business here offer basic coverages without penalizing subscribers.
Our system is bogged down in paperwork as compared to other countries - hence adding to the cost.
No matter what the vote is on Sunday night, the insurance companies will come out winners.

end.

Regulations are a good thing!

2010-03-13T08:46:00.000-08:00

Sometimes we get a little disgusted because it seems like we need to get permission just to do stuff that makes our lives worth living. Example: the Gopher One call. We need to make that call before we do any digging in road right of way - even if it is something as simple as planting a flower. If we want to build a new building, add on to a building, blacktop a driveway, add a new field approach, - all of these activities require "asking permission" of some entity and perhaps having to get a permit.

Usually we consider this "just another interference" from some unknown governmental agency. Sometimes our attitude is that "these folks are doing this to perpetuate their jobs." These are typical human responses.

The human response can change with changing conditions. For example, the human response changes very quickly when our neighbor wants to expand his or her livestock business; or put up a dog kennel; or start a home business; or lease land to a developer for commercial wind turbines. When conditions change and we walk in someone else's shoes, we are not so upset about having rules and regulations in place. My experience has been that - when conditions change; it is common for folks to desire even stricter regulations.

For many years, Nicollet County has been a model for other counties in regard to the way we do zoning. I received another reaffirmation of that in the form of an e-mail last week. A person from Illinois sent me a message and asked why Nicollet County had increased our setbacks from residences in our Wind Energy Conversion Ordinance. His message said, "I live in Adams County, Illinois where wind developers are just beginning to look at our area for development. Our County Board hurriedly put together an ordinance as we have no rural zoning in this county." Continuing, the message stated, "Also, do you have a public hearing process before a permit is approved?"

My response to him explained the need for more local control when developers come into our county; and at the same time maintaining the ability of landowners to do development on their own land thus keeping any benefits. Again, most of us would choose to have some rules in place to protect our property as well as guiding development, rather than having to live with the above scenario. end

HE GOT AN EARFUL!

2010-03-11T11:20:00.000-08:00

David Kruse is an agriculture analyst and trader who writes a column, "The Commstock Report" for the DTN network. He is an observer of public affairs and asked his Minnesota readers to comment on our Governor. Pawlenty is becoming more well known and has been tagged as a governor that does not raise taxes and as the guy who wants to defeat President Obama. Fred drew my attention to the fact that, "Commstock wants to know about Pawlenty!" I gave him an earful!

In my opinion Pawlenty is a politician in every sense of the word. He has a Teflon quality that serves him well. He appears to not be responsible for raising taxes, but the bottom line is that he does. My message to Kruse was, "I am a county commissioner and Pawlenty's politics (no new tax pledge) has dumped many problems on the backs of local units of government."

We are dependent on the gas tax to help fund our roads. The roads were falling apart, but (for years) we could not get a gas tax increase. So the Nicollet County Board of Commissioners bonded several million dollars to build 10 ton roads. The result is a tax increase.

Pawlenty is creative, he changed the words and implemented a tobacco fee to help balance the budget. This fee is a tax in disguise. This is a tax increase. He is holding back regular payments to schools, meaning some have to do short term borrowing. The result is a tax increase.

Eliminating the GAMC program meant increased cost for local hospitals and law enforcement. This is a tax increase.

Local units of government cut the fat (if there ever was any) years ago, they have cut the meat, and now there is only bone left. The result of Pawlenty's no new taxes is that local units of government have had to increase taxes in order to keep baseline level of services. Over 65% of our county budget is spent doing the work of the state at the county level. The state expects the work to be done (mandates) with fewer and fewer funds to contribute to the state/county partnership. (ps, Kruse used much of this information in a later column.)end

TAX SALE LAND - DNR gets first dibs!

2010-03-10T06:09:00.000-08:00

The people in the audience were having none of it! "It" was the explanation given by the DNR for purchasing land for the Swan Lake Wildlife Management area. The meeting was held in Nicollet in the mid 1980's. One of the most telling comments came from an area farmer. "The DNR can't manage the land they have---they have no business buying more!"

A recent report to the legislature indicates that things haven't changed much in the ensuing 25 years. The report indicates a lack of information about DNR easements. Lack of baseline conservation information, lack of clear legal boundaries, lack of monitoring i.e. lack of management. In short, no oversight. The only thing different from 25 years ago, is that the DNR controls more land than it did then. And with recent amendment sales tax money it looks like they will be trying to buy even more.

Nicollet County recently needed to put a process in place to sell tax-forfeited property. One of the first actions of the county board was to declare the property to be either conservation lands or non-conservation lands. Why? Because according to statute, when conservation lands come up for sale because of tax forfeiture, the DNR gets first dibs. end

Thank you - honest folks!

2010-02-23T09:27:00.000-08:00

Some taxpayers of Nicollet County point out errors when they see them - even when the error means they must pay more taxes. It is gratifying to see. One couple came to the auditor's office and asked about the "limited market value" of a certain parcel of property. It was discovered through this process that the value was incorrect and making the correction resulted in the couple having to pay an additional $1,344. This is a good example of people doing the right thing! Thank you. end