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“Where Fillmore County News Comes First” Weekly Edition
Tax Day is coming! Check out the Tax Prep Guide Page 6
Rezoning for former motel property page
Monday, January 20, 2014
Taxpayers deserve full disclosure
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Volume 29 Issue 18
County supports 80,000 lb. weight limit for trucks page
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Houston Schools approve technology plan 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
Peterson denies detachment request, councilor resigns By K irsten Zoellner kirsten@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Peterson resident Alan Lipowitz and his attorney Tom Murphy were on hand at the Wednesday, January 9 council meeting, to respond to any questions regarding he and his wife, Jan Smaby’s, request for detachment from the city. The duo is seeking annexation to the City of Rushford Village. They discussed their case for a petition for annexation with the Village council at the December 3 CRV meeting. “We presented our case to them by their i n v i t a t i o n ,” said Lipowitz. “They asked us to come to their meeting to discuss our case.” At the December meeting, the Village council discussed the matter at length, agreeing to wait upon Peterson’s actions before making more comment on the petition. The council also agreed that any decision would have to be agreed upon by both cities due to the cooperative nature of the communities. At that time, Rushford Village Councilor Gordy Johnson cautioned the city not to jump the gun. “We’ve been down this road before, on both sides. In order to maintain a relationship with Peterson, this would need to be done orderly. We rely on each other.” “Both cities would have to agree,” added Mayor Dale Schwanke in response to Johnson’s comment. “This would
need to be a concurrent agreement. We need to be cautious of not suggesting to Peterson that we’re trying to take something away from them.” The relationship between the cities has been an ongoing effort for years and has been contentious at times. Both Rushford Village City Clerk Kristina Mart and Mayor Dale Schwanke were reached for comment on Lipowitz’s claim of invitation by the Village, which would have oddly
thing you need? According to Murphy the only city service that the property receives is garbage pickup. Road dust prevention was offered, but the couple refused it. Currently, the property represents 1.8 percent of the Peterson tax base, but the 39.8 acres is a substantial piece of land for the small community. Smaby and Lipowitz have long argued that the property is the only agriculturally homesteaded land within the city, despite there being other agricultural land, and that it fits better with the Village’s zoning ordinances and new comprehensive plan. “Instead of one unique property and conjoined on sides by the Village, it seems a better fit,” said Lipowitz. “One concern we have is the potential of zoning. We bought it to retain agricultural character. 13 percent of it is tied up in Conservation Reserve Program for another 45 years. We want to maintain this as a rural piece of property. Do something for us; let us go,” he continued. “We can keep it the same,” responded Erickson. “We can’t afford to lose any more taxes. My other concern is that in another 20 years, we’re all gone. This is going to affect the future. In 45 years, when it’s done, Peterson could expand. I don’t
“It would be a loss of property, but we would also be losing two people,” added Councilor Gail Boyum. “We don’t want to do that.” come prior to the duo asking for detachment from Peterson. When asked whether this was accurate or whether Lipowitz misspoke, Schwanke said, “Yes, I’d have to say he misspoke. We have an open invitation to anyone who wants to speak to the council and anyone can come.” Clerk Mart noted, “They contacted the Village stating their reasons why they wanted to detach from Peterson and asked if they could come and share them with the Village Council.” Mart also noted via email that Lipowitz and Smaby were on the agenda for the January 7 meeting, but did not attend. “What is your need for leaving?” asked Councilor Barry Erickson. “What fear do you have? Can you give us a good feeling to this as to why you want to leave? Is there some-
See PETERSON Page 7
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Spring Valley City Council organizes for 2014 By Gary Peterson gpeterson@fillmorecountyjournal.com
The Spring Valley City Council met on January 13 and approved a long list of first of the year business. The minutes from the December 9 and December were approved. The January Preliminary Accounts Payables consisting of eight pages was approved along with the designation of the Spring Valley Tribune as the Official Newspaper. The Security State Bank, Home Federal Savings Bank, First State Bank and the First National Bank were all designated as the official depositories of city funds for calendar year 2014 with Home Federal Savings Bank being designation as the depository of the city’s primary checking, Payroll and HRA accounts. The corporate authorization resolution was approved in the names of Mayor Jim Struzyk and City Administrator Deb Zimmer. One of their duties is to endorse checks and orders for the
212 Fillmore St. W, Preston, MN Phone: 507.867.8007 • Fax: 507.867.8018
See SPRING VALLEY Page 2
Rushford/F&L arbitration details still under wraps city and the subsequent July 2011 abandonment of the comkirsten@fillmorecountyjournal.com munity center project all togeth A closed meeting was held Jan- er. A summons & complaint uary 13, just prior to the regular was filed in Fillmore County city council to meet with City December 10, 2013 regarding a Attorney Terry Chiglo and attor- lease agreement with Guardian ney Robert Aslop of Kennedy & Inn of Rushford, LLC. Damage Graven. Aslop represents F&L hearings are scheduled for early Management & Development February. Until then, both parand Guardian Inn of Rushford, ties are refraining from public LLC (Tom Serie). Demand for comment. arbitration was filed by Serie in The original agreement with November of 2011, following F&L Development for the motel four years of frustration for the See RUSHFORD Page 11 By K irsten Zoellner
Open House January 24th
payment of money or otherwise withdraw or transfer funds on deposit with this financial institution. The list of required license fees and permits stretched from a $35 annual Cigarette License Fee to a $1,500 sewer connection fee. There are 24 different permits or fees that make up the list. It would appear as though the dogs and cats are under scrutiny. First of all a dog or cat license costs $10. The late fee is $25.00, the dog or cat shelter fee is $25 and a dog or cat at large is $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second offense and $75 for the third offense and the fourth offense amounts to $150. Other permits cover On Sale Liquor, Excavator, parking, obstructions, permit application fee, preliminary plat fee, zooming permits and special assessments. One permit that apparently missed the list is that of licenses for chickens. A quick check with Deb Zimmer
11am-1pm
Lisa Stensrud, DPT
Stop in for a light lunch and help us celebrate 1 year at our new clinic!