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“Where Fillmore County News Comes First” Weekly Edition
Special Veterans Day Section Inside
Munchkins
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4
Monday, November 9, 2015
Bowling
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Houston School Board plan
8
page
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Volume 31 Issue 7
Commisioners re-evaluate page
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Canton • Chatfield • Fountain • Harmony • Houston • Lanesboro • Mabel • Ostrander • Peterson • Preston • Rushford • Rushford Village • Spring Valley • Whalan • Wykoff
Repurposing potential of old Dairy and Farm buildings
The Preston City Council is considering the possibility of repurposing this building to house the Tourism Center, the National Trout Center, and the Historical Society. Photo by Karen Reisner
Members of the Preston City Council at their November 2 meeting had a lengthy discussion about the repurposing potential of the old Preston Dairy and Farm buildings. Councilman Robert Maust said discussions with the Historical Society, Tourism Board, and the National Trout Center have yielded ideas of how the city might repurpose these buildings. Director of tourism Sarah Wangen said having all three organizations under one roof could maximize staff time, adding that the NTC may be looking for a new home. This centralized location is ideal as it is near the trail head, across the street from the Historic Elevator, and close to the river.
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Wangen suggested the front has 11 foot ceilings. portion of the main building Dairy and Farm will have to could be used for the Tourist pay up to $10,000 for any necCenter and the back part could essary environmental clean-up. be split into two parts, one for Any additional cost to address the NTC and one for the His- environmental issues is expecttorical Society. The Tourist Cen- ed to be covered by a chemical ter could be open year round, clean-up fund available for that including during the winter for purpose. Clean-up would have winter related activities. Maust be completed prior to leasing said the facility could be staffed the facility to the city. with one person from April 1 Dairy and Farm wants $100,000 for the property. They through November 1. The buildings are in good presently have a $100,000 loan shape (50x90 and 50x80). Both with Public Utilities. Maust buildings have cement floors. said they are agreeable to an all It has yet to be confirmed, but inclusive lease for seven years summer music aT a payment of $10,000 is expected that they are a foot with per year, which to below the 100 year flood level. riverside onwould The go rooT Maust said a second floor could Public Utilities to pay down th sepTember loan. There would then6be a be installed above the flood thesunday, charliebuyout Warner after5pm-9pm the seven plain, allowing for new plumb- $30,000 year period. The city would be ing connections to be placed in the sand fill space between the See REPURPOSING Page 8 two floors. The building now Come Enjoy
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Rushford council will see new faces By K irsten Zoellner kirsten@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Changes to the Rushford City Council are on the horizon. While not yet canvassed and accepted by the city, results from November 3 voting indicate Incumbent Roger Colbenson has lost his council seat following a write-in campaign that appointed two new councilors to four-year terms. Earlier this year, councilor Robert Dahl decided not to seek reelection. That alone indicated one of the two council seats would be filled by a write-in candidate. However, an enthusiastic local effort looked to not only fill Dahl’s seat, but to replace Colbenson as well. City Clerk Kathy Zacher released voting results last night and they indicated Terri Benson and Jim O’Donnell had
Sunday, November 22
costs of the garden. Theresa Coleman reported hannah@fillmorecountyjournal.com that the Public Utilities Commission is in the process of The Lanesboro City Council adopting a policy regarding met on November 2 at 5:30 alternative energy systems such p.m. for their regular meeting. as wind, solar, and geothermal. The agenda was approved with The policy will give credit to resseveral changes as well as the idents who choose to use alterminutes from the October meet- native energy for their power. ing. The policy will be reviewed by Mayor Robin Krom read the the Planning and Zoning Comreport from the Lanesboro Pub- mittee and then a public hearlic Library. The library’s cir-November ing will 1st be Sunday held immediately 11:30culation numbers continue to preceding the December city Tuesday meet or exceed its goals. Story8p Monday, council meeting to Wednesanswer any day Closed. Thursday 4p-8p hour has been averaging 16 chil- questions from the public. dren at each class. The libraryFriday Council member Jason 4p-9p Saturday andResseis continuing to work with theSunday man 12p-8p noted that the Historic Lanesboro Public School to cre- Preservation Commission or ate a reading garden and to secure a grant to help cover the See LANESBORO Page 3 By H annah Wingert
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swept the election with 199 and 166 votes respectively. Colbenson received just 58 votes and another 45 were cast for various other write-in candidates. Both Benson and O’Donnell have a long history of public service to the Rushford community. Benson grew up in Rushford has worked for the Rushford Chamber of Commerce, served on the Rushford Peterson Valley Brand Council, is an active member of the First Presbyterian and Trinity Fellowship Church, chairs the annual ExpoCulinaria, and volunteers her help for many other civic and charitable events. “Her no nonsense, get it done attitude, combined with a good dose of civic pride and fiscal responsibility will make her a council member we can count on to consider what is best for the citizens
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