Posted: 8/10/04
County airport gets an endorsement
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
John Benton of La Crescent gave the Houston County board an airport pep talk at its August 3 meeting.
Benton, a member of the Red Baron Flyers, first presented some general airport information, with statistics on flying, safety, and economic impact.
He also praised the city of Rushfordís airport operators for doing innovative things like offering fuel for sale 24 hours a day and giving the city a percentage of the profits. A private business has also built a hangar at the Rushford airport, and another one could be coming soon, Benton said.
People donít see the spin-off benefits from aviation, he said. ìIt takes a while for people to find out about things.î
Getting 90 percent federal funding for improvements is important, he said, referring to the Houston County Airport in rural Caledonia.
ìItís 95 now,î third district commissioner Ann Thompson said.
ìOh wow, thatís incredible.î Benton responded.
Benton added: ìWith Houston [County] growing and developing, I think it will attract more aircraft activity and frankly more economic development. . . . I just hope that you can see the long-term benefits for southeast Minnesota for developing the airport.î
He said airport supporters will be visiting local civic groups to show a video on the airport and answer questions.
The county board is expecting to hear a proposal for airport planning and engineering work from the company of Mead and Hunt at its August 10 meeting.
August 17 is the deadline to apply for federal funds to pay for an Airport Layout Plan (ALP).
The ALP will tell what improvements need to be made at the airport. Itís part of the procedure necessary to get federal money to share in the cost of improvements that are needed.
Restraining order
Also at last weekís meeting, the board reviewed a letter from personnel director Tim Comstock explaining a harassment restraining order that he obtained against Rickey Edward George.
George, who is from Arkansas, is at odds with the human services department over the foster care placement of his children.
The order prohibits George from coming within 300 feet of the courthouse unless he has an appointment. When he does come to the courthouse, George must stay in that department and not wander the halls of the courthouse.
ìIn a situation like this, Houston County, as an employer, has the responsibility to provide its employees with a safe and respectful work environment,î Comstock wrote.
The board agreed, unanimously approving Comstockís request for reimbursement for the $245 filing fee for the restraining order. ìIíd say itís very warranted,î fourth district commissioner Dave Corcoran said. ìI had calls on this subject too.î
ìKind of a scary situation,î fifth district commissioner Kevin Kelleher said. ìIt is sad that it has to happen.î
Wieser subdivision
Joanne Wieser showed the board the plat of Weiserís Third Subdivision in section four of La Crescent Township. The board approved the final plat, which will contain four lots, each with one home.
Wildcat Park
Ann Thompson reported that Wildcat Parkís season has been extended to October 15, although the water could be shut off before then
The park, located on the Mississippi River just south of Brownsville, normally closes about October 1, but the manager, Jerry Hensley of Genoa, wants to see it extended, Dave Corcoran said after the meeting. The extension wonít cost the county any money because Hensley is a private contractor who pays the county 33 percent of the fees that are collected from the camp sites, shelters, and overnight parking. Those fees are set by the contractor and a county park committee.
Cost sharing money
Jim Nissen, District Manager for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, presented a check to Houston County for $11,167 from revenue sharing. This is for National Wildlife Refuge System land that is owned by the federal government along the river in Houston County. Because the government doesnít pay taxes, this compensation is for loss of revenue for that land.
Nissen told the board about work they had done in pool 8, which runs from Onalaska to Genoa. Nissen also outlined some of the projects that would be coming, including building islands on Raft Channel south of Brownsville in 2006.
A draw-down of the pool several years ago has worked well, Nissen said in answer to a question from Dave Corcoran.
ìThe plant folks are still monitoring, but the plants we were after are still there.î
A hailstorm in late July really hurt some water plants, but they will recover, Nissen said. Submersed plants like wild celery are looking good, he added.
Caledonia Argus
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