By Sara QuamThe new Law Enforcement Study Committee met for the first time Monday to organize and set an agenda. The committee isn’t getting county government participation for now.Steve Perkins was elected chairman and Ed Elbers was elected vice-chair.Luverne City Administrator Greg LaFond attended part of the meeting. "It’s your committee to run and to come to the city with a recommendation on what we should do," LaFond said. "I do not want my biases to interfere. We are looking for a mechanism to provide fair funding of law enforcement with accountability."Former Luverne Police Chief Keith Aanenson approached the city about forming the committee.Aaneson said, "My main reason for bringing it up was to try to help the public entities who hadn’t been able to settle so far."Marlene DeSplinter said, "We need to work as a team and it won’t be difficult, I think."Without support from both the city and county, the committee said it would suspend "further deliberations."Getting from here to thereThe Luverne City Council and staff started questioning all its contract fees and joint agreements in order to save money.Law enforcement is a big expense for Luverne and the county — each expected to contribute $669,000.That includes dispatching costs, even though the city cancelled that agreement effective Dec. 31, 2004.The county rolled dispatching costs into law enforcement for 2005 in order to try to recoup money from the city’s cancelled dispatching agreement. The county said dispatching and record keeping are vital parts of providing law enforcement services and can’t be separated.The back-and-forth funding disputes have lasted more than a year. The city has been comparing its fees to other cities who contract for law enforcement or who provide their own service.City taxpayers contribute 18 percent of the county’s taxes. Rock County said the city can’t claim to have ownership over another taxing entity’s collection because all contract cities in the county pay both county and city taxes.Beyond that, the county says Luverne residents get more than half the services, so the charges are fair. The city is compiling what "services" entails. Ambulance runs between hospital and nursing home or funeral escorts, for example, are disputable. It says some services don’t generate reports in other parts of the county, but in Luverne they do, so the numbers are skewed.Also, the city wants to know what time of day or night and what days of the week are busiest for the department in the city. Those kinds of "accountability" issues are all on the table.Perkins said, "Certainly it’s a significant cause with some urgency."The city had set a goal for the committee to have some sort of recommendation on law enforcement by the end of February. Perkins said he thought it was important for the county to "buy in" to the concept of the committee. Otherwise, he said, their work won’t be worthwhile."Our own power is in our credibility, so it’s important that this group have credibility," Perkins said.The committee concurred and voted to invite the county to appoint members to the committee. As it stands, three of the 12 members live outside city limits.Committee member Mike Jarchow said, "We are all county residents, whether we live in the city of Luverne or not. Luverne is not an island."County reactionRock County Commissioners received the request from the law committee before their Tuesday morning meeting.Commissioners tabled action on endorsing the committee because they are waiting for payment on the existing law enforcement contract.According to the contract, the city has until Jan. 15 (Jan. 18 this year, because of a holiday and weekend) to pay its 2005 contract bill.The city has so far said it will send the county a partial payment.Commissioner Jane Wildung said, "We can negotiate for 2006 and beyond, but we are still under contract for 2005. … We haven’t been able to communicate so we’ve never had a starting point."Commissioners will wait to see if the new Luverne City Council (with three newly elected members) does anything different with law enforcement payment at its Jan. 11 meeting.Commissioner Chairman Ken Hoime said, "We have a contract and I think we need to stand firm by that."Wildung said that a committee discussing funding can’t simply look at numbers. "They are going to have to get into the services we provide. The service provider sets a price it costs him to do the service. That can’t negotiate what it actually costs us to do it."Commissioner Bob Jarchow said, "I think there’s a difference between joint powers and a contract."Joint powers means equal "ownership," while a contract is just a fee for service.Law Enforcement Study Committee member Mike Cox said county participation was important not only to verify numbers or budgets, but to provide history of combined law enforcement.Ed Elbers, committee member, said "Like any business contract, I think it’s good to review it periodically."Former Sheriff Ron McClure said, "Law enforcement is functioning well, but it’s a matter of getting the governments together at this point."

By Sara QuamLuverne has the bragging rights that it had more new housing last year than Pipestone and Worthington combined, 17 units. Luverne Economic Development Director Jill Wolf said, "It really helps the housing cycle progress. It frees up existing housing that’s more affordable to people in low to moderate incomes so they can become homeowners." She said empty-nesters and people from out of the area have inquired about city lot prices more recently, too. "It could mean that more people are moving here or will be moving here," Wolf said. Much of Luverne’s new construction was local people upgrading from their current homes. Luverne’s Chad McClure, co-owner of McClure Construction Inc., had a busy year with new construction. He worked on four projects in 2004 and said his clients see real estate as a solid investment. "Compared to other things, real estate has appreciated more," he said. "With the low interest rates, people who were thinking about building new six or 10 years from now are deciding to just do it." Matt Larson, owner of Real Estate Retrievers, said Luverne’s real estate market has been busier than in other cities, not just for new homes."I think the hospital project helps," Larson said. "The overall attitude toward the city of Luverne is that it’s proactive in getting new businesses and expanding existing businesses and people get a feeling of confidence that if they build a new home or invest money in a home, that they’ll be able to get that out again."Activity on city-owned lots The city of Luverne sold many of the lots which had new construction in 2004. Here is the breakdown:Veterans Addition — Two (Two are still for sale)Evergreen Addition — One (21 are still for sale)Evergreen II — Eight (21 are still for sale)Sybesma Addition — 10 (22 are still for sale)

Palace has ‘Happy Holidays’Luverne’s Palace Theatre had a very good Christmas.Over the holiday weekends the Palace Theatre hosted several elementary school classes from the area as well as area patrons to show almost 1800 people the movie "Polar Express."The following weekend 440 area residents came out to see "National Treasure" starring Nicolas Cage."National Treasure" was number one at the box office for three consecutive weeks prior to showing at the Palace.Because of the recent increase in attendance, more movies are going to be shown at the Palace in the near future.Instead of showing movies only the first weekend of the month, the theatre group is trying to book "Meet the Fockers" for the weekend of Jan. 14-16 and "Oceans 12" for January 21-23."Oceans 12" has been booked, but "Meet the Fockers" has been so popular that the other theatres are trying to hold on to their copies as long as they can. Bringing the movie to the Palace is still up in the air.The next few months will also be busy for the Palace.On Feb. 4-6, the Catholic Youth Group will sponsor "The Incredibles" as a fund-raiser, and on April 2 the Talismen will hold a teaser concert to let you know about the six concerts the 60’s group will be giving at the Palace this summer.Green Earth Players have also scheduled their performance of "Arsenic and Old Lace" in April.A concert by the South Dakota Symphony had been scheduled for April in the Palace, but that performance has been moved to the Luverne High School Little Theater because of better access to risers, the band shell and other items.The appearance by the Symphony is being organized as a joint fund-raiser for both the Blue Mound Area Theatre, operators of the Palace, and the Luverne Music Boosters.KPCO acquires broadcast rights to Minnesota high school tournamentsSioux Falls based Central Plains Media, Channel 9 on Mediacom, recently announced they have acquired exclusive distribution rights for the Minnesota high school hockey and basketball tournaments in the Sioux Falls, Fargo and Rapid City areas.The agreement covers a four-year period.According to Chuck Poppen, Central Plains Media Chief, the organization will likely exercise an option to extend the rights beyond the first four years.The Sioux Falls region includes Rock, Nobles, Pipestone, Murray and Lincoln counties in Minnesota.In Luverne KCPO is broadcast on Channel 9 with Mediacom.The four tournaments scheduled are:
State Girls Hockey Tournament, Feb. 17 – 19.
State Boys Hockey Tournament, March 2 – 5.
State Girls Basketball Tournament, March 9 – 12.
State Boys Basketball Tournament, March 16 – 19.Coverage of the four tournaments will total 44 games.Other high school tournaments the station will be covering include the Minnesota high school football playoffs in November.Winter Carnival set for Jan. 22Roughly 150 local families are preparing to host the 25th annual Luverne Music Boosters Winter Carnival.With a wide variety of games and activities, the Carnival Committee promotes the event each year as the cure for cabin fever.This year the Winter Carnival will be held Saturday, Jan. 22, in the Luverne High School gym. The raffles, cake walks and carnival games will run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.Publisher Roger Tollefson can be reached by e-mail at tolly@star-herald.com

All-Hazard Mitigation Planning to help create safe, sustainable communitiesFloods, earthquakes, and tornados are all functions of the natural environment and only become hazardous when they threaten our "built" environment with destruction. Each year federal, state, and local governments, in addition to individuals, response to and recovery from natural disasters with billions of dollars in damage. Lives are lost or devastated, property is demolished or devalued, and the economic viability of communities is impacted for years to come. There are many techniques that, over time, have proven effective in reducing or eliminating the long-term effects of natural disaster. Such "mitigation" techniques, when undertaken before the next flood, earthquake, or tornado hits might lessen the likelihood that a natural hazard could become a disaster. It is important that community planning incorporates hazard mitigation in order to make a community a safer place to live and work. Community planning creates a more viable and sustainable environment for future generations. As a result of the disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, FEMA now requires that in order to be eligible for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds, a local unit of government (County, city, or township) needs to have a multi-hazard plan in place. FEMA has provided part of the funding necessary to complete the plans.Starting in the fall of 2004, Rock County with the assistance of the Southwest Regional Development Commission (SRDC), will be completing an all-hazard mitigation plan that meets the requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. All cities and townships are eligible to participate in the County plan instead of completing one on their own. The process to write, review, and submit the plan should take one year to complete.It is the goal of the County to involve a variety of people to ensure that key interests and issues are not forgotten and increase the chance for permanent solutions. A task force has been assembled that represents all participating entities (County, city, and townships) and to guide the planning process. Approximately two public meetings will be held to solicit information, ideas, planning process. Approximately two public meetings will be held to solicit information, ideas, and comments from the general public. Press releases will provide periodic updates. The first public meeting for the All-Hazard Mitigation Plan will take place on January 18th at 8:30 a.m. at the Rock County Family Services Agency located at 2 Roundwind Road. The main task of the meeting is to identify all past and potential hazards. Input from the public is extremely important and encouraged. If you cannot attend this meeting, but would like to be involved, or if you have any questions, please contact Kym Christiansen at the SRDC, at 507-836-8547, ext. 107 or kym@swrdc.org.(1-6-2005, 1-13)

ORDINANCE NO. 271, THIRD SERIESAN ORDINANCE RELATING TO ACCUMULATIONS OF MACHINERY, VEHICLES, HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES, ETC. AMENDING CITY CODE SEC. 10.56, SUBD. 4, P IN ITS ENTIRETY, ADDING A NEW SEC. 10.59 RELATING TO NOTICE OF VIOLATION, AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE CITY CODE CHAPTER 10 AND SECTION 10.99 WHICH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, CONTAIN PENALTY PROVISIONSTHE CITY OF LUVERNE DOES HEREBY ORDAIN:SECTION 1. That City Code, Sec. 10.56, Subd. 4, Paragraph P, be hereby repealed and recreated to read as follows: P. The outdoor storage of abandoned, junked, discarded or unlicensed vehicles, whether self propelled or towed, upon private property within the City of Luverne is hereby declared to be detrimental to the health, safety and general welfare of the community, aesthetically unattractive and detracting from the enjoyment of the environment by said residents, tending to depreciate neighborhood property values, and is an infringement on their properties and homes. The same also constitutes a potential nuisance to the community and may imperil safety. The control of the outdoor storage of abandoned, junked or discarded vehicles, seldom or never used recreational vehicles or trailers is therefore regulated for the preservation of the health, safety and general welfare of the City of Luverne. In addition, the accumulation or storage of discarded, worn out, inoperable materials or items which are no longer used for the purposes for which they were manufactured or made is hereby declared to be detrimental to the public health, safety and general welfare of the community, aesthetically unattractive and detracting from the enjoyment of the environment by said residents, tending to depreciate neighborhood property values, and is an infringement on their properties and homes. The same also constitutes a potential nuisance to the community and may imperil safety. The control of the accumulation and storage of such items and materials is therefore regulated for the preservation of the health, safety and general welfare of the City of Luverne.1. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons, firm company, partnership or corporation, either as a private property owner, vehicle owner, occupant, lessee, agent, tenant or otherwise, to openly store or deposit or cause or permit to be openly stored or deposited an abandoned, junked, discarded or unlicensed vehicle or vehicles, whether self propelled or towed, or parts or pieces thereof, on any private property within the City of Luverne, except as permitted in junkyards as described in other sections of this Code, unless such vehicle or part or piece thereof is stored or deposited in a completely enclosed building. The covering of said vehicles with a tarpaulin or car cover of any type will not be permitted and will be deemed a violation of this Code. 2. It shall be unlawful for any person or persons, firm, company, partnership or corporation, whether by principal or agent, to park, store or permit to be parked or stored any abandoned vehicle or vehicles, whether self propelled or towed, on the public streets or alleys of the City of Luverne. 3. The parking of any type vehicle or vehicles including automobiles, trailers, campers, camper shells, utility vehicles, snowmobiles and boats, whether self propelled or towed, shall be limited to three (3) per residential unit and shall be parked in garage, carport, parking pad or driveway of said residential unit. All such vehicles shall be in operable condition and must be currently registered or licensed. 4. No vehicles, whether self propelled or towed, shall be parked or kept in the front or side yard area of a residence. Properly licensed and operable vehicles may be stored in the rear yard of a residential unit; however, such storage is limited to a maximum of three (3) vehicles. Parking areas, other than the principal driveway, must maintain a minimum 3-foot setback from lot lines and 10 feet from the principal structure. For this section definitions as described in Minnesota Statutes § 168B.011 shall apply.5. At all times that a vehicle which is being repaired or restored is not being worked on, said vehicle shall be covered by a vehicle cover capable of resisting wind, rain and other weather-related circumstances. The area where the vehicle is being repaired or restored shall be free of debris, litter, discarded parts or equipment. The vehicle cover must cover the entire vehicle and be securely fastened to the vehicle. The use of bricks, stones, blocks or other material as a fastener shall not be permitted. Any such vehicle repairs or restoration shall be limited to a period not longer than 30 calendar days or the area wherein the vehicle is being repaired or restored shall be in an enclosed structure. 6. No vehicle, whether self propelled or towed, shall be stored or parked on any portion of the required front yard setback area, and in the case of a corner lot both setback areas adjacent to the streets. 7. No person operating a business within the City of Luverne shall display or permit to be displayed any vehicle, whether self propelled or towed, for sale, unless he/she has obtained a license from the State of Minnesota to operate as a car dealer and operates under the regulations specified in that license. 8. No vehicle, whether self propelled or towed, shall be parked or stored or offered for sale on any vacant property in the City of Luverne unless the property is zoned appropriately and a designated parking area for vehicle display has been established. The display or storage of vehicles on such sites shall be in compliance with other provisions of this Code in regard to time limits for parking. 9. No person shall store or accumulate any worn out or discarded materials or items which are no longer used for the purposes for which they were manufactured or made, including, but not limited to, motor vehicle parts, motor vehicle waste, household appliances or parts thereof, tools, building materials, tin cans, glass, furniture, mattresses, box springs, crates, cardboard or other debris, brush or materials. This section does not apply to persons and sites licensed as solid waste or recycling operations. 10. Tires, for sale at an appropriate business location, shall be stored in a totally enclosed structure or securely covered to prevent the collection of stagnant rain water. Any tires not stored in such a manner shall be considered waste material and must be disposed of in a proper and lawful manner to prevent the collection of stagnant rain water in said tires. 11. Cans, buckets, pots, tires, pools, and other similar containers that may hold standing/stagnant water are considered potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes and are thus considered a public nuisance and must be removed. SEC. 2. That City Code, Section 10.59, be hereby established to read as follows:SEC. 10.59. VIOLATIONS. Subd. 1. Violations.A. Violations of this Section of the Luverne Municipal Code shall be subject to the enforcement provisions and procedures established in Chapter 13 of the Luverne Municipal Code. SEC. 3. This ordinance takes full force and effect seven (7) days after its publication.(1-6)

ORDINANCE NO. 270, THIRD SERIESAN ORDINANCE RELATING TO PLUMBER BOND AND LICENSING, AMENDING CITY CODE SEC. 4.013, AND ADOPTING BY REFERENCE CITY CODE CHAPTER 4 AND SECTION 4.99 WHICH, AMONG OTHER THINGS, CONTAIN PENALTY PROVISIONSTHE CITY OF LUVERNE DOES HEREBY ORDAIN:SECTION 1. Section 4.013, is hereby amended to read in its entirety as follows: SEC. 4.013. PLUMBER BOND AND LICENSING. No person, firm, or corporation shall engage in or work at the business of a master plumber or journeyman plumber unless licensed to do so by the State Commissioner of Health. A copy of the license and bond shall be submitted to the Department of Building Safety by December 31 of each year, commencing on December 31, 2007.SEC. 2. This ordinance shall take full force and effect seven (7) days after its publication. (1-6)

NOTICE OF MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALETHE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION.NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that default has occurred in the conditions of the following described mortgage:DATE OF MORTGAGE: 10/17/1997MORTGAGOR(S): Karen K. Stroeh, a single person.MORTGAGEE: Commercial Credit Consumer Services, Inc., by amendment to Articles of Incorporation n/k/a CitiFinancial Services, Inc. DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING: Recorded October 22, 1997, Rock County Recorder, Document No. 141883. LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY: The North half (N.1/2) of Lot Ten (10) and all of Lots Eleven (11) and Twelve (12), except the East Fifty (E.50) feet of the North One Hundred Twenty-five (N.125) feet of Lots Ten (10), Eleven (11), and Twelve (12) in Block 22 in the First Addition to the City of Beaver Creek, Rock County, Minnesota.COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS LOCATED: RockORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF MORTGAGE: $36,106.24 AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID BY MORTGAGEE: $31,408.40That prior to the commencement of this mortgage foreclosure proceeding Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee complied with all notice requirements as required by statute; that no action or proceeding has been instituted at law or otherwise to recover the debt secured by said mortgage, or any part thereof;PURSUANT to the power of sale contained in said mortgage, the above described property will be sold by the Sheriff of said county as follows:DATE AND TIME OF SALE: Thursday, March 03, 2005, 10:00 a.m.PLACE OF SALE: Front Steps of Rock County Law Enforcement Center, City of Luverneto pay the debt then secured by said Mortgage, and taxes, if any, on said premises, and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys’ fees allowed by law subject to redemption within 6 months from the date of said sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal representatives or assigns.MORTGAGOR(S) RELEASED FROM FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE: NONETHE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.Dated: December 27, 2004CitiFinancial Services Inc.MortgageePeterson, Fram & Bergman, P.A.By: Steven H. BrunsAttorneys for:CitiFinancial Services Inc. Mortgagee50 E. 5th St., Suite 300St. Paul, MN 55101(651) 291-8955THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR.(1-6-05, 1-13, 1-20, 1-27, 2-3, 2-10)

By Mark HaugenThe Luverne girls hockey team rolled through the Sertoma Shootout with a 3-0 record and wrapped it up with a 9-2 victory over Dodge County on Wednesday.Sadie Dietrich and Natalie Domagala each put up a hat trick in the first period to stake the Cardinals to a 6-0 lead. In the second, Natalie Morgan and Steph Steensma netted goals. Assists were tallied by Steensma, Ramona Taubert, Heather Kruse and Liz Solma.The third period saw Domagala add an unassisted goal for good measure."The girls really came out fired up in the first and played well throughout," Coach Dave Siebenahler said.Sarah Schneekloth, who also won the Shootout’s goaltender contest, had 24 saves in goal, while Luverne got off 31 shots of its own.Luverne, 9-5 overall, had three finalists in the shootout contest: Domagala, Morgan and Dietrich.

By Shane PalmquistThe Cardinal matmen took to the road over the holiday break and headed to Montevideo for their annual Holiday Tournament. Although none of the varsity wrestlers placed, a few of the junior varsity competitors did notably well. Andrew Fodness took first in the 119-pound class, Rustyn Crosby took third place in the 135-pound class. Both Eric Kor (103 pounds) and Kyle Moerke (215 pounds) took fourth place honors. Josh Fick (171 pounds) finished fifth place.A couple of shoulder injuries to key varsity wrestlers Jose Sarvia and Greg Brandt hurt the Cardinals, according to Coach Tim Homan."We continue to struggle on the varsity level but the wrestlers continue to work hard and improve," Homan said. The Luverne wrestlers are back on the mat this Saturday at the Southwest Conference individual tournament.