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“Where Fillmore County News Comes First” Weekly Edition
Ward Saddles 26th Place in National Competition Page 22
Minnesota author releases book page
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Monday, August 5, 2013
One Moment, Please...Silver Lining page
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Volume 28 Issue 44
Fillmore County Fair ends with a Bang page
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A Bird? A Plane? A...Magnet 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
Rushford-Peterson forms future facilities committee By K irsten Zoellner kirsten@fillmorecountyjournal.com
Brad Boice entertained the Eagles Special Olympics Team of Fillmore County in Harmony, Minn. at their annual fundraiser. Photo by Mitchell Walbridge
Special Oympics Eagles Team enjoy ‘Elvis’ at fundraiser or water served by the Harmony Lion’s Club. mitchell@fillmorecountyjournal.com As to not disappoint those A night filled with food, music, who have a sweet tooth the dancing and fun is just what the fundraiser had dessert covered Eagles Special Olympics team too. Ice cream sundaes sporting of Fillmore County experienced. a variety of toppings were availOn Friday, July 26 the Eagles able, or some people chose to go held their annual fundraiser at with a classic root beer float. the Harmony, Minn. Commu- The showcase part of the night nity Center, and a large crowd was a concert by Elvis tribute of people came to show their artist Brad Boice. Unlike many support. of the traditional Brad Boice A silent auction with many shows, Eagle team members gift certificates and baskets took were just as much stars of the place that helped raise funds for show as Boice himself. Boice the team’s activities throughout and his wife, JulAnn, are regulars the year. Eagles fan shirts were at the fundraiser, making annual even on sale at the event. If you appearances. “We tell everyone were hungry, you couldn’t go every year that this show is our wrong by getting a BBQ, brat or favorite,” said JulAnn Boice durhot dog along with chips, pop ing the show’s intermission. By Mitchell Walbridge
The money collected at Friday’s event helps fund the Eagles’ activities that they do throughout the year. Some of them include bowling, basketball and track events. “We use the money to send athletes to competitions and pay for hotel stays for our athletes, staff, parents, and caregivers,” explained Gina OmmenFlaby, the Special Olympics head of delegation. “Our coaches and our volunteers are what make things go.” Roughly half of the Eagles team was able to attend the night’s event, and there’s no doubt that they had a great time and appreciated the support of the crowd.
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While admittedly not surprised with the results of a proposed $15 million new facility referendum last December, Superintendent Chuck Ehler gleaned a clearer vision for what the community wants. Now, the district is looking to setup a community task force for the future of the facilities. “The committee would have the same task, although with a different flavor to it, as our Facilities Task Force did. Now, with information from the fiscal impact study and the demographic study, we can come up with viable plans for how to address the future needs of the district,” he noted at the July 29 school board meeting. “It’ll be more of an effort to update facilities. With more information available, we’ll be able to get more solid numbers. It’s a more concentrated effort to get a solid foundation to work off of.” The committee already has
36 interested persons, but it is unclear how many will serve. In addition, ATS&R has been hired to facilitate the work of the committee and lead them through a series of four meetings. Upon their review, the committee is expected to develop a recommendation for board consideration for the upgrade of district facilities. The outcomes of the interactive meetings will be published on the district website and made available to local media. In the end, ATS&R would coordinate the information from the committee in hopes of leading to a successful bond levy. “I think it would help to get the information out there, which is what the public asked for,” noted board member Julie Koop. “More direction from the community is something that I seek,” echoed board chair Angela Colbenson. The four meetings are scheduled for August 14 and 27 and September 11 and 25. The district hopes to have the work of See R-P SCHOOLS Page 11
David Todd takes over as City Administrator in Lanesboro By Jade Sexton jade@fillmorecountyjournal.com
David Todd came to Minnesota all the way from Maryville, Mo. to start a new life and a new job. In June, he took over the position of the city administrator of Lanesboro, Minn. Todd is now living in Rochester, Minn. with his wife, Hilarie and their son Riley, and he is enjoying his new adventure. “There’s a lot more to do here,” he said. “There are tons
Summer Music!
Wed., Aug. 7TH • 5-9pm • Dave Williams Fri., Aug. 9TH • 8-11:30pm • Michelle Lynn Sun., Aug. 11TH • 5-9pm • Honest Accoustics
of things to do in Rochester and in this Lanesboro area.” Todd attended graduate school at the University of Nebraska and graduated in 1998. Since then, he has been working in public safety as a sergeant in a police department. He enjoyed that line of work for the most part, but especially the administrative aspects. See DAVID TODD Page 13
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