Posted: 9/13/05
Two finalists chosen for sheriffís job
By David Heiller
Argus News Editor
County commissioners have narrowed down the choice of Houston County sheriff to two finalists, Ken Frank of Caledonia and Darryl Petersen of Rochester.
The announcement came at the end of the September 6 county board meeting.
Frank currently serves as the chief deputy in the sheriffís department. Frank has been with Houston County since 1981. He worked part-time as jailer/dispatcher and officer before becoming a full-time deputy in 1985. Frank became a lieutenant in 2001, then was appointed chief deputy in 2003 by sheriff Mike Lee.
Petersen, a former Caledonia resident, is a retired lieutenant in the Minnesota State Patrol He was posted in Houston County as a trooper for 11 years (1979 - 1990) and supervised the Houston County Station for the last three years of his career.
Personnel director Tim Comstock, who brought up the subject, said the criteria for choosing a sheriff should focus on ability, length of service in the field, and length of service at the supervisory
level.
Both men, who were chosen from five people who were initially interviewed, are well qualified in those areas, several commissioners said.
Commissioner Ann Thompson said they needed to make a decision by November 1. Present sheriff Mike Lee is resigning effective October 31. The new sheriff will be appointed for one year, then a new sheriff will be elected to a four-year term in November of 2006.
The board also agreed to hire a replacement for deputy Mike Ernster, who is resigning to take a police officerís job in the City of La Crescent.
Comstock said a candidate can be chosen from a group of people who applied for another deputy vacancy that is soon to be filled. Comstock said he will present two candidates for board approval soon.
Other personnel items
The board approved several hirings at the hour-long meeting in the basement of the courthouse.
ï In the department of public health, nurse Lynn Arends is resigning. The board passed a motion to replace her. Public health director Linda Grupa also requested a full-time home health aide, for which the board agreed to advertise. They approved adding Carolyn Harms as a roster nurse.
ï In human services, a new case aide will be hired, and Bethany Wilder was approved as a temporary social worker while another person is on leave.
Bear Creek approvals
The board also approved two agreements that will allow for the construction of retention dams on the Harold Stone and Oscar Rosendahl properties in Spring Grove Township. These projects are part of the Bear Creek Watershed.
Root River Solid and Water Conservation District director Ralph Tuck told commissioners that the projects were intended to be built next year, but the watershed has some extra money, so moving these projects up a year will free up money for next year. ì[It] Kind of gets us a little bit ahead of the game as far as the money goes,î Tuck said.
Land use plan
Environmental services director Rick Frank gave the board an update on hiring a consultant to help update the countyís land use plan and zoning ordinances.
Frank said he would rather hire someone on an hourly rate and materials basis rather than putting our a request for proposals. He and zoning administrator Bob Scanlan will talk to other counties to see who they have used for work like this.
Thompson wondered what the cost would be. Frank answered that it is hard to put a handle on the cost. ìItís fairly difficult [work] to do,îFrank answered. ìWeíll use him as needed.î
Other business
ï The board approved grant agreements with three snowmobile clubs, which allow the county to serve as fiscal agents between the clubs and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Gopherland Trails will receive $28,700, Viking Ridge/Spring Grove, Houston/Money Creek will receive $28,000, and La Crescent will receive $14,100.
ï Several criminal justice center meetings are set up on September 12 and 13 with the criminal justice planning committee, consultant Dave Prachar, and the engineering firm hired to do the first phase of the planning. Commissioners will get an update on September 13.
ï The meeting ended with commissioner Larry Graf saying that he wants the county to take a second look at any future bids from Road Contractors Inc. of Rochester and the engineering firm Yaggy Colby Associates, both of Rochester. Graf is unhappy with the work they are doing on the County Road 29-City of La Crescent road and utility project.
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