PRSRT STD ECR U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #861
Chloe Stockinger: page 8
Ruff Start Rescue: page 3
New Look. Same Local Coverage since 1854. Vol. 163, No. 15
11 2nd Ave. N., Unit 103, Sauk Rapids, Benton County, MN 56379
Thursday, July 27, 2017
Council gives budget, parks
recommendations BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS — City of Sauk Rapids staff received some guidance July 24 after two meetings and one work session held by the city council. No ofÀcial actions were taken, but recommendations were given regarding the 2018 budget and the future of the half-cent sales tax revenue. According to the information provided by city Ànance director Jack Kahlhamer, three departments requested additional stafÀng in the upcoming year. The police department would like approval for one additional full-time position; the buildings department is requesting an assistant building ofÀcial and the community development department is hoping for additional stafÀng to help with code enforcement. Currently, some city code enforcement is handled by police ofÀcers, but property issues are being enforced by the community development department. In the past, these were enforced by a community service ofÀcer, a position which has been vacant for over ten years. Fire Chief and Building OfÀcial Jason Fleming is seeking additional help for rental inspections which have increased dramatically over the past two years. Kahlhamer married the position of assistant building ofÀcial and code enforcement in his presentation to reÁect two additional staff. If the council would approve both, he estimates the total levy increase to be $267,600 or a tax rate increase of 1.59 percent. One of the largest items Kahlhamer did not include in the budget presentation was the focus of the work session after the regular Monday meeting — the potential improvements to the Southside and Lions Parks. In March, a conceptual design featuring an event center, athletic facility and band shell was exhibited to the council. The facilities would be built with half-cent sales tax revenue. Sauk Rapids is expected to receive $18-23 million in funding over the next 20 years beginning 2018. After much discussion about the area, the council agreed they liked the preliminary design (with small modiÀcations) but would also like to additionally enhance Lions Park with a potential splash pad, increasing the age groups who would beneÀt from the improvements. They also said they were concerned with the amount of noise that would be generated in proximity to the residential area if a band shell is constructed. City administrator Ross Olson and Mayor Kurt Hunstiger both noted that the school district is not interested in collaborating with the city on a Àeld house project. Because the concept is in its preliminary stages, the inside of the multi-use facilities have not been designed, nor have operating costs been estimated. The work session was necessary for the city staff to move forward with the Department of Natural Resources to discuss permitting costs. The community can expect to have input on this project before any Àrm decisions are made through community meetings and a possible survey. Regarding the 2018 budget, the council recommended more work be done to determine the description of the inspection-enforcement position and to deÀne the number of hours this person would be working and how they would be split between the departments. An additional budget meeting will take place in August before the preliminary levy is set in September. In other council news: • Swore in Sauk Rapids Police OfÀcer Talitha Kopp. Kopp was most recently employed by the CentraCare Health St. Cloud Hospital as a security ofÀcer and has experience as a community service ofÀcer with the St. Cloud Police Department. Kopp brings the number of Sauk Rapid Police Department to 17 employees. • Approved and authorized an amusement permit for the St.
Sauk Rapids City Council: page 3
PHOTOS BY NATASHA BARBER
(Above) Chad PÁipsen and Denise Scapanski are two volunteers who help ready the Benton County Fairgrounds each year. (Below) Scapanski plans and coodinates all the gardens and planters on the grounds.
One year of planning for six day event Volunteers execute county fair BY NATASHA BARBER | STAFF WRITER
SAUK RAPIDS — Each August tens of thousands of people visit the Benton County Fair. But the six days of fun and festivities don’t come together overnight. The Benton County Agricultural Society, along with countless other volunteers, plan and prepare for the fair throughout the year. Chad PÁispen and Denise Scapanski are two of those people. “They basically start planning for the next year as soon as this year is over. They don’t wait,” said Scapanski, whose husband Joe sits on the Benton County Agricultural Society as well as the represents the sixth district on the Minnesota State Fair Board. “We meet every month,” added PÁipsen, a member of the Benton County Ag Society for 13 years. “We’re doing stuff year round. In the fall, we have an international convention we go to in Las Vegas.” That convention is where the Ag
Society secured displays such as Sandscapes and the Remembering Our Fallen Tribute Towers traveling memorial, both which will exhibit at this year’s fair. The members also attend other conventions and fairs across the state and nation to network and learn how they can improve upon their efforts. They borrow and trade ideas with others to keep their venue attractive and continually evolving. Some volunteers even attend schooling through the International Association of Fairs and Expositions. “These people are volunteers, so they don’t have the Àrst-hand knowledge per se that you might need to put on an event like this,” Scapanski said. “The institute helps give them vital information to help improve the fair because they are in the business of joy. They create joy for people.” Scapanski’s main volunteering duty at the fairgrounds is planning and maintaining the various gardens and potted Áowers and plants on the premises. She started her gardening endeavors at the fair in 2009 and has continued each year, beginning in April. Most days she can be found tending to her colorful creations.
Volunteers: page 3
Meet the ambassadors:
A Royal Rider Kobluk to show horse at Benton County Fair BY ANNA SALDANA STAFF WRITER
RICE – Relaxation comes in different forms for each person and can include laying on the beach or reading a book. For Sauk Rapids Ambassador Bethlehem Kobluk, relaxation comes when riding a horse. “Horses have been a part of my life forever. I started riding when I was seven and that’s also when I started showing animals,” Kobluk said. “I love riding horses because they are so therapeutic. When I’m having a bad day, I just go out and brush her or get on and go on a leisure ride and I feel so much better afterwards.” Kobluk’s parents – Cal and Gina Kobluk, of Rice – own K8 horse farm, which has fueled Kobluk’s passion for horses. “My parents were the ones who supported and spurred my interests in animals,” Kobluk said. “They have been riding horses for a long time as well.” Kobluk shows horses at fairs and 4-H shows and has experience showing rabbits and dogs. “I always enjoyed showing my dog Oogy,” Kobluk said. “Her terrier attitude sometimes got frustrating because she was always Ànding something new to chase or smell. But she is very intelligent and learned so fast. We have such a strong bond, which really helps. My favorite memory was at the state dog show when she received third place in her obedience class. It was so rewarding and made up for the times she ran out
of the ring.” This year, Kobluk has scaled down her 4-H and showing commitments. Instead, she’s picked up the responsibilities of a Sauk Rapids Community Ambassador. Kobluk was crowned, alongside Madeline Bell and Brooklyn Harren, June 22. “I’m so humbled for the experience as an ambassador, and I wouldn’t want to spend my summer any other way,” Kobluk said. “However, it is also very time consuming, so I am only showing my horse this year. Between two jobs, school and farm chores, life has been busy. But being an ambassador is a welcome addition.” Since starting her reign a month ago, Kobluk’s favorite memory is the Sauk Rapids Rapids River Days Parade. “We walked the route back to where our cars were parked and we were talking to people,” Kobluk said. “It was so fun to interact with the community. At that point, I realized how much a crown and sash voices what you say and do all the time. It’s an incredible feeling.” As Kobluk prepares for the Benton County Fair, she also reminisces on her favorite memories. “I’ve really enjoyed the horse fun day at the fair,” Kobluk said. “Every year, the 4-H participants provide a day full of games, both with and without the horses. We have gummy bear races on our horses and have water balloon Àghts. Later on, we play night games. It’s such an eventful day and it’s amazing to be part of such a wonderful family.” While Kobluk enjoys spending time with her horses in the show PHOTO BY ANNA SALDANA ring, she is really looking forward to Bethlehem Kobluk, one of the three Sauk Rapids ambassadors, has been actively involved in 4-H since she was 7. This year, she will be showing her Kobluk: page 3 horse again.