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“Where Fillmore County News Comes First” Weekly Edition
Mabel-Canton students vote! Page 8
Feifdoms and warlords page
Monday, November 12, 2012
Lanesboro hears library report
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Volume 28 Issue 8
Mountains too insurmountable page
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Music is a world of understanding page
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Canton l Chatfield l Fountain l Harmony l Lanesboro l Mabel l Ostrander l Peterson l Preston l Rushford l Rushford Village l Spring Valley l Whalan l Wykoff
County board discusses options for aging jail By K aren R eisner kreisner@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Cindy and Doug Ofstedal, owners of Asahi Loft in Harmony, Minn.
Photo by Barb Jeffers
A touch of Japan in Harmony By Barb Jeffers bjeffers@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Peace, tranquility, and relaxation. These are just three of the many words used to describe Asahi Loft by guests. Asahi Loft of Harmony, Minn. was opened in June of 2011 by Innkeepers Cindy and Doug Ofstedal. Once a guest arrives at Asahi Loft they are greeted by a place unlike any other in the area. Cindy and Doug were both school teachers in Harmony from 1976 to 1986 with Cindy teaching Home Economics and Doug teaching sixth grade as well as being an assistant football coach. The couple then
moved their family to Tokyo, Japan to teach in a far different culture. The Ofstedal’s taught in Tokyo for 25 years, and through their travels in Japan collected a wide array of Japanese items. While in Japan the Ofstedals never forgot Harmony and the surrounding area. Cindy even wrote a column from Japan for the Harmony newspaper at the time, The Harmony News, called “Jottings from Japan.” After returning to Harmony and building a home which was completed in 1999, Cindy stated that the area in the nearby building was just “empty space.”
The couple thought about using the space as a rental property or a Bed and Breakfast but decided upon something different than what was already in the area. With the atmosphere evoking a sense of the Japanese lifestyle from the shoji doors and screens to the hand carved ranma (transoms) the space of the Asahi Loft can surely give a guest a sense of Japanese living. While enjoying the ambiance of the Asahi Loft a guest will also have the conveniences of an air bath hot tub and a kitchen including coffee and a variety of teas to enjoy with the beautiful See ASAHI Page 2
Monday-Wednesday - Closed Thursday - 4-8pm Friday - 4-9pm Saturday - Noon-9pm Sunday - Noon-8pm 109 S. Parkway, Lanesboro, MN 55949 www.riversideontheroot.com
Dirty
Sheriff Daryl Jensen reviewed a Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) inspection report at the November 6 county board meeting. The county jail was inspected this past June. Jensen said overall they received a good rating, but the DOC wants the county to produce a long-term plan to address deteriorating infrastructure issues. The county jail was constructed in the late 1960s and is the second oldest jail in the state. Jails are considered to have a life expectancy of about 35 years. Findings of the inspection noted issues with plumbing and difficulty getting repair parts for the aging equipment. Emergency Manager/Jail Administrator Kevin Beck showed numerous slides displaying a number of physical problems with the jail. Some things are not up to state code, there is a non-functioning gate to a cell, problems with
showers, an antiquated HVAC system and so on. Jensen insisted they need to have a serious conversation to determine our short- and long-term goals, adding a “fatal error is to do nothing.” Options would include following Dodge County’s example and not maintain a jail. What would be the cost of no jail? There would be transportation costs, liability, and windshield time for staff. Jensen noted there are neighboring counties with empty beds including Wabasha and Houston. Other options include renovating the old jail or building a new structure. With the current building there is also a space issue. Could they build up or out for more space? Commissioner Chuck Amunrud added they have to consider the condition of plumbing under the building. Jensen said they use to be full to capacity which is 24, but recently have not been full since See COUNTY BOARD Page 8
Preston extends Small Cities Grant application By K aren R eisner kreisner@fillmorecountyjournal.com
City Administrator Joe Hoffman explained at the city council’s November 5 meeting that the Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) has suggested the city extend their preliminary application to include single family homes. Councilman David Collett was absent. Back in May 2012, the city
council approved a resolution to act as the legal sponsor for Bluff Country Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA/ SEMCAC) to seek small cities grant funds to assist with the acquisition and updating of the Vesterheim apartment complex in Preston. The preliminary proposal that was approved by the city council today will now extend the application to include a request for funding to renoSee PRESTON Page 11
5 Course Wine Dinner • November 17TH at 7pm
Reservations Required - $70 plus tax Canarditas, Bean & Greens Cassolet, Layered Shrimp Remoulaude, Lounge Cornish Game Hen, and White Chocolate Cappucino Mousse
Martini