Post Review Year in Review

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Year in Review

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January 2011 Jan. 5:

Lora Walker

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Minnesota’s 2011 Legislative Session officially began January 4 with Bob Barrett (R-Shafer) and 133 other state Saying she was “very honored to have representatives being sworn into office during a ceremony been elected” and that she accepts the at the State Capitol. responsibility of the position, Dist. 1 County Commissioner Lora Walker A big moving truck was parked backward on Main took on the responsibility of county Street on Jan. 7 and its contents were unloaded at the new board chairwoman for the 2011 year. Main Street Center office of Congressman Chip Cravaack. The action was taken as the county Cravaack is the newly elected representative for U.S. Dist. board organizational meeting got un- 8. At the time, the North Branch office (6448 Main Street, derway Tuesday, Jan. 4. Suite 6) was the only office in the district. Jan. 19:

On Monday, Jan. 3, 2011, 10th Judicial District Judge Robert Rancourt swore in newly elected sheriff Rick Duncan.

One of the first items that the Harris City Council tackled Jan. 10, was the restructuring of the debt against the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and the Waste Water Treatment Facility (WWTF). Under the restructuring plan, the rate will drop to 1.535 percent. The maturity of the debt has been pushed ahead to 2036.

Seventh and eighth grade students in Mr. Eric Telander’s science classes at Rush City Area High School are about to become the pioneers of a not-so-traditional garden project that’s catching on in the community. The plan involves constructing a high schoolbased rain garden, which was constructed in the fall to teach students how they can keep our waters clean from storm water runoff.

The Stacy City Council met for the first time under the leadership of Mark Utecht, who was sworn in as mayor last Tuesday, Jan. 11. Also sworn in was re-elected Councilor Michael Carlson. Councilor Chuck Lucia was sworn in previously.

New people seated at the table at the NB school board meeting included Randy Westby and Jay Falk, both elected last November. Kirby Ekstrom Judge Rancourt and was re-elected in sheriff Rick Duncan. that same fall election. One seat (Vicki was Randy Westby McDougall’s) Jan. 12: vacant as the organiRon Lindquist began serving his first zational meeting got underway. term on the North Branch City CounJay Falk Jan. 26: cil, having been elected the past fall. The evaluation report on the 2010 Hay Days event is The Rush City Council didn’t waste completed and in the half-inch document Environmental any time welcoming new Councilor Al Services Director Mary Darragh Schmitz points to the Hoffman on Jan. 10, the first meeting compliance report that lists 35 items that were not met by of the new year where he was sworn in the conditional use permit (CUP) holder, the Sno Barons. with incumbents Mayor Nancy Schro- The permit conditions, as many will attest to and have in Ron Lindquist eder and Councilor Bob Oscarson. letters and comments since the event, were not met in the following areas: attendance, traffic, parking and access to site.

February 2011 Feb. 2:

American Legion Riders, a family-oriented motorcycle group associated with the American Legion. The intent is to promote the American Legion’s goals of service to veterans and service to community.

Area lawmakers hope to change the Green Acres property tax program, a program that reportedly has some farmers clear cutting trees in order to fit parcels into certain program categories. North Branch City Council Member Ronald Lindquist, whose family has two farms, testified in favor of changing current Green Acres law before the A moment of silence was House agriculture committee on Feb. 1. observed in memory of Councilman Larry ErickFeb. 9: son as the Feb. 14 North North Branch Area Public Schools (NBAPS) superin- Branch City Council meettendent Dr. Deb Henton is one of 10 superintendents that ing got underway Monday will be recognized nationally for embracing and encourag- night. Councilman Ericking the use of technology in education. Henton received son passed away last Tuesthe Tech Savvy Superintendent award from eSchool News day from a liver disease. at a banquet on Feb. 17 in Denver, Colo. On Feb. 8, Stacy resident Results from the 2010 Minnesota Student Survey show Jim Ness was selected to fill chewing tobacco among boys is a concern and attitudes the council seat left vacant about school safety and post secondary education are a when Mark Utecht was few of the many brights spots at Rush City Area High elected mayor in the NoSchool. Principal Stuart Fuhs gave credit to improvements vember election. in school, like a boosted presence of teachers in the hallFeb. 23: ways, and the health curriculum for the mainly positive report. He did point out that name calling, pushing and On Monday, Feb. 14, the shoving and student interaction are areas of concern that Harris City Council apwill be addressed by the school. pointed Don Cardinal to fill a temporary position. Feb. 16:

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The 2011 Snow Days king and queen were crowned Ron Rollins, of North Branch, a motorcycle enthusiast, at North Branch Area High School. They are Brittany is ring-leading the organization of the NB Chapter of the Moore and Ben Besch.

Award honor at the Lions’ Governor’s Night dinner on The Rush City Council on Feb. 16 authorized engineer- Tuesday, March 8. Ekstrom is the ninth recipient of the ing firm SEH to prepare the utility reconstruction plans prestigious award. and specifications as part of the big turnback project. The The North Branch Lions held their annual Governor’s city is responsible for the utility (water and sewer) part of Night last Tuesday, March 8. Lion Chris Thoma was sethe plan, and the $125,000 cost will mainly compensate lected as Lion of the Year and, for his many years of serfor staff time. Construction is expected to last over two vice to the community,. seasons; completion is set for fall of 2012. March 23: March 9: With the student enrollment hike holding steady at Rush North Branch police is about to add search warrant City schools, the district is taking care of some staff and writing and certain sex crime investigations to its list of non-staff spending needs. Funding is tied with enrollment, job duties, due to a restructuring plan at the sheriff’s office. so the addition of about 30 students means the school sysChisago County Sheriff Rick Duncan came before the tem can finally replace some old textbooks, update techcounty commissioners last week for approval of his reor- nology and pursue a few facilities projects that have been ganization project. The benefits to the county, he pointed postponed.

out, are to provide more efficient services, reduce overMarch 30: time costs, decrease county liability by providing a more Chisago County Criminal Investigaefficient supervisory structure on each shift, and overall tor Cliff Sheppeck was chosen from providing better law enforcement coverage in the whole a dozen candidates to fill the vacant county. North Branch council seat left open The county still contracts with Rush City, Harris, Stacy upon the death of Larry Erickson. and Taylors Falls and has a K-9 unit. The Rush City Council on March 28 Chisago County administrator John Moosey submitted approved an on-sale liquor license rehis resignation and is heading to the Borough of Mata- quested by the owners of what will be nuska Susitna, Alaska to work as its manager. Moosey has called TTTriple T’z Pub and Grub at Cliff Sheppeck been Chisago County Administrator for eight years, prior 180 W. 5th St. to that he was the North Branch City Administrator. Ken Opatz has been selected as the 2010 recipient of the March 16: Rush City Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award and a dinner in his honor will be held May 21 at The Lions motto is “We Chucker’s Bowl and Lounge. Serve,” and though she’s not a Lion that passion to serve others fits Irma Ekstrom to a T. Some would say it’s written into her DNA. Ekstrom, who has lived her entire 79 years on two farms a short way south of North Branch, accepted the 2011 Community Service

Old man winter dumped another mass of snow in East Central Minnesota last Tuesday night and into Wednesday (March 22-23) causing school closings and treacherous road travel. School was closed Wednesday in Rush City where at least 9 inches was reported that morning to the National Weather Service. In North Branch, approximately 7 inches was reported just after 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Irma Ekstrom

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March 2011 March 2:

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Many brave souls took the “Polar Plunge” at Fish Lake as the NB Winter Fest got underway. The Chamber is already looking for those who want to take that frigid jump again in 2012.

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