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l SportS Guide Fal athlete introduction &
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FILLMORE COUNTY
JOURNAL “Where Fillmore County News Comes
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“Where Fillmore County News Comes First” Weekly Edition
Monday, August 31, 2015
Volume 30 Issue 49
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Fall Sports Preview Inside this edition
Rushford eyes Preston discusses school site plan 2016 budget
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Steam Engine Days page
Thin Blue Line Memorial vehicle
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Canton • Chatfield • Fountain • Harmony • Houston • Lanesboro • Mabel • Ostrander • Peterson • Preston • Rushford • Rushford Village • Spring Valley • Whalan • Wykoff
Twins show twins at state fair
Chatfield restructures pay grid By K aren R eisner karen@fillmorecountyjournal.com
City Clerk Joel Young explained at the city council’s August 24 meeting that Chatfield’s pay grid is low compared to other cities of the same size. During the 2013 Law Enforcement Labor Services union negotiations, the city agreed to do a pay study. The last pay study for the city had been completed in 2006. The city’s current pay grid reflects wages that are lower than average for similar size cities. Springsted Consulting, St. Paul, did the study and found
that all but one position was paid below average.The proposal from the Personnel/Budget Committee is to raise the pay grid 9%, which would make about half of the employees above market and about half below. All employees will be repositioned back two steps from their current position, allowing them to enjoy the benefits over time if they are willing to stay. This proposed adjustment will actually make a real pay increase of approximately 2% effective September 19. The budget impact for 2015 will be minimal, spreading the See Chatfield Page 6
County supports UCare appeal By K aren R eisner karen@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Tyler and Taryn Raaen of Preston, Minn. with the twin lambs they took to the 2015 Minnesota State Fair. Parents are Kurt and Tracy Raaen. Photo by Barb Jeffers
Twin siblings, Taryn and Tyler Raaen of Preston, Minn. had the audience seeing double as they were able to show their twin lambs at the Minnesota State Fair this year. The 14 year old brother and sister are the children of Kurt and Tracy Raaen, and have been active in the Carimona Cruisers 4-H Club since they were in kindergarten. From kindergarten through
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third grade they were in the Cloverbud program and needed mentors to help them show their animals at the Fillmore County Fair in Preston. Tyler and Taryn were lucky enough to have cousins that mentored them. Starting in third grade the duo began showing animals on their own. They have shown sheep and beef cattle for nine years at the county fair and this was their third year showing at the state fair. In February of this year, the Come Enjoy
By Barb Jeffers
family was surprised by the birth of twin lambs and took them to the Fillmore County Fair in July. Taryn says they choose their animals as the county fair gets close and then narrow them down and adds “we got lucky and these two went to state” she says of the twin ewes. Tyler’s lamb received first place, Taryn’s lamb took second, and Tyler’s lamb was also third overall. After the county fair, the preparation for the state fair See Twins Page 2
Social services manager Neva Beier, during the county board’s August 25 meeting, stated that the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) decision not to contract with UCare will affect 2,380 people in Fillmore County. The DHS decision made earlier this summer, if it stands, will force a change in coverage for Minnesota Care and Medical Assistance customers. UCare appealed the decision with DHS. On August 19, UCare filed a lawsuit to get an injunction to delay enrollment that is scheduled to begin in September. The company claims it was cut out of the bidding process and wants to
Summer muSic at riverSide on the root Sunday, auguSt 30th • Sweet RhubaRb 5pm-9pm wedneSday, SeptembeR 2nd • tuRkey CReek 5pm-9pm FRiday, SeptembeR 4th • hubba 8pm-11pm Sunday, SeptembeR 6nd • ChaRlie waRneR 5pm-9pm
negotiate a new contract with the state. Many counties wants to continue with UCare and are supporting the appeal. The Association of Minnesota Counties also supports the appeal. Commissioner Randy Dahl noted that the state defends their decision, claiming it will cut costs. He said UCare has been innovative, doing things that will get better outcomes and reduce costs in the long run. He said he is very supportive of the resolution supporting the appeal. Community Services Director Beth Wilms said DHS made this decision unilaterally. UCare is the primary provider for many counties and many recommend continuing with UCare. She See County Page 11
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