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City moving ahead on filling empty council seat |
By Charlie Warner
Argus News Editor
The Caledonia City Council will be looking to replace former
Councilman Paul Fisch this Wednesday, March 19 during a special council
meeting scheduled for 12:15 p.m. A committee made up of Mayor Mike
Morey and Councilman Gary Klug had been set up during the March 10
council meeting to review a list of persons who have expressed interest
in the council opening.
Originally, the committee was to report back to the full council at the
next regularly scheduled council meeting on March 24. But council
members felt it was important to have a full council in place before
the March 24 meeting, where proposed changes in city zoning ordinances
were to be reviewed at a public hearing.
Should the council advertise for persons to come forward to fill the
empty seat? That issue was discussed at the March 10 meeting. According
to City Administrator Bob Nelson, the city is not required to advertise
the opening.
“We need to move forward with this,” Morey said. “If we advertise for
the opening, it would delay this by at least three weeks. As long as we
are not required to advertise for the opening, I recommend we move
forward, and fill the position as soon as we can.”
Fisch, who has served as a councilman for the past nine years, resigned
as of Feb. 29, 2008. He had been re-elected to his third term on the
council in November, 2006.
Because Fisch’s term was less than half completed, the city can appoint
someone to fill out the rest of this year. A special election for the
remaining two years of the term will be held during the general
elections this November.
So far, four persons have expressed interest in the open seat. They are Bob Burns, Joe Rud, Norman Snodgrass, and Peggy Perry.
The four-year terms of Councilmen Bob Standish and Gary Klug, the
two-year term of Mayor Mike Morey, and a two-year term caused by
Fisch’s departure will all be on the ballot in November.
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Increase in state highway funds will help county ‘catch up’ on projects |
During the first week of the 2008 Session, the Minnesota State Legislature passed a bipartisan transportation package that directs $6.6 billion into Minnesota’s transportation system over the next 10 years.
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County moves forward with possible pairing of departments |
The Houston County Board took another step towards replacing County Auditor Pete Johnson, who will be retiring May 31 of this year. During the March 4 meeting, the county board approved a motion to amend language of a bill being proposed at the Minnesota Legislature which would allow Houston County offices to be appointed.
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Caledonia elementary students read s’more... |
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Students at the Caledonia Area Elementary school reacted with excitement as fellow students and teachers covered Superintendent Mike Moriarty, above left, and principal Connie Hesse with the ingredients needed to turn them into living s’mores. The event was a reward for a successful month of reading (in February) at the school. Photo by Daniel McGonigle
...and s’more, and s’more and s’more.
In February, the emphasis at the Caledonia Area Elementary schools was on reading.
As part of “I love to read month, 2008,” students at the elementary school tracked how much reading they did as a group and as individuals.
If they met certain reading goals, earning 150 and 300 s’mores respectively, then Elementary Principal Connie Hesse and Superintendent Mike Moriarty would become living s’mores right before the student’s eyes.
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School media center is looking for old Caledonia yearbooks |
They were simply called the “Class Book” prior to World War One. In the 1920, ‘30s and ‘40s, they were called the “Caledonian.” In the 1950’s they were called the “Cyclone.” During the 1960’s through 1993, they were known as the “Tomahawk,” a direct reference to the schools nickname, “Warriors.” In 1994, in an effort to be more politically correct, the name was changed to “Journeys,” which is still being used today.
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Caledonia Fire Chief Chuck Gavin, center, and fireman Matt Hoscheit thank Mike Werner of Bank of the West for the $2,000 donation the bank made towards the purchase of the John Deere Gator the fire department recently purchased and gave to the city of Caledonia. Through a recent donation drive, the fire department raised over $9,000, which went for the purchase of the off-road emergency rig. The local firemen hope to raise enough additional money to purchase a trailer to haul the Gator on, as well as brush-fire fighting and emergency rescue equipment for the Gator. Persons, organizations, and businesses donating to the fund included: Caledonia FD charitable gambling fund- $4,000, Bank of the West- $2,000, St. Mary Auto Body- $500, Caledonia Sno Gophers- $500, Caledonia Haulers- $400, Kerndt Brothers Insurance of Lansing, Iowa- $250, Merchants Bank of Caledonia- $250, Eitzen State Bank- $250, Caledonia Lumber- $250, King Construction- $250, Colsch Construction- $250, Caledonia Ready Mix- $200, TB Construction- $100, Caledonia Wheel and Alignment- $100, Matco Tools-Joe Hayes- $100, Pladsen Ford- $100, and Green Power Equipment- gave an undisclosed discount on the purchase of the Gator. Photo by Charlie Warner
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County to review Wildcat Park rules |
Houston County Board members took some homework with them from the March 4 board meeting. They were asked to review newly drafted park rules and regulations for Wildcat Park and bring any comments or suggested revisions of the draft to the March 11 board meeting.
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Scottish Heritage Fest slated for March 29 |
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Nationally known Gaelic recording artist Laura MacKenzie will be the showcase performer during Caledonia’s 14th Annual Scottish Heritage Dinner this year. The event will be held Saturday, March 29 at the Four Season’s Community Center.
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