Rock County’s voter turnout of 95 percent is something we should all consider a source of pride. Someone once said that Americans will cross an ocean to fight for democracy, but won’t cross the street to vote.That’s certainly not the attitude of our local voters. Part of our high turnout could be because we have an older population, and those 18 to 24 are the least likely to vote. But whatever the reason, our 95 percent is incredible.Depending on how you wanted the votes to go, here are some other thoughts on democracy:o"The great thing about democracy is that it gives every voter a chance to do something stupid." — Art Spander o"The best argument against democracy is a five minute conversation with the average voter." — Sir Winston Churchillo"People vote their resentment, not their appreciation. The average man does not vote for anything, but against something." — William Bennet Munroo"Democracy is being allowed to vote for the candidate you dislike least." —Robert ByrneAfter acknowledging the high voter turnout, we need to turn focus on the newly elected, especially the Luverne mayor and City Council-elect.They will make the city’s governing body heavily weighed by rookies. People have been commenting all over town about whether it was a surprise that no incumbents won, or whether it was wise to focus on law enforcement so much during the campaigns.To me, the most important trait in our mayor and council members is thoughtfulness, and that will come out in a short time, no matter what issue is at the table. They should keep in mind that their ‘ayes’ and ‘nays’ affect employees and their citizens’ daily lives as well as tax collection figures. They should remember that they are the employers of city administrators and staff and don’t have to bend to their every recommendation.Last year, for example, we had an interim city administrator. He said cutting staff and programs was the way to save money. The council laid off employees and cancelled some services, such as the tree dump.The same council, with a new city administrator, rehired employees, brought back services and instead wants to slash contract costs to save money.Both actions, from totally different perspectives, were taken by the same council. It seems like they were lead by staff, when it should be the other way around.Maybe both administrators are right in their approach to saving money, that’s not what this is about. But the council should take a stronger lead on whatever issue it faces. Some contradictory things take place in every council — like wanting to cut employee overtime but assigning new work. Or cutting back on capital improvements that will end up costing more in the long run.To disagree with a vote is one thing, but I always respect an elected person who gives the issue clear thought and consideration and places it in the big picture.That’s just my theory. People have been talking about their own theories all week, and we even have letters to the editor based on the election results. We (or at least 95 percent of registered voters) did our part by turning out in such incredible numbers at the polls. Now, it’s up to the newly-elected people to do theirs.

"Education is too important to be left solely to the educators." —Frances KeppelAs soon as I heard the Luverne School Referendum did not pass, I thought of this quote. Luverne, as a community, prides itself on having a good school system and educating its students to the highest degree. I feel this pride was lost when the referendum did not pass, and pride alone cannot educate the students. Luverne has a staff that is second to none, but they cannot educate the students without financial support. I feel the reason Luverne has such a good staff is because the community supports the public school system so well. Now I fear the quality of educators in Luverne could be lowered simply because taxpayers could not open up their pocket books. Numerous teachers have told me that a property owner with $100,000 in property would pay 40 cents a day. I feel that that is an extremely small price to pay for quality education. A good education is priceless and should never be taken away. With many things being cut in this last school year, I am afraid to think what is going to get cut in the years to come. Being a junior, I know that I will not feel the major consequences of this decision by the taxpayers, but I feel for the younger students who will. I know, however, that I will feel some of the effects in my last year of high school. I have had a wonderful high school experience with all the activities and class offerings at LHS and do not want anyone to be sold short of that. Many students live, so to speak, for extracurricular at LHS. If these activities were taken away, I am afraid many students would lose their enthusiasm for school. Extracurricular activities are what keep students excited about school; lack of excitement from students may lead to poor performance by students. Taxpayers, please think about the decision you made at the polls. Think about the experience students are being denied when you voted no. I feel the staff, superintendent, and school board are doing an awesome job to keep the quality of education alive in Luverne, but they cannot do it without your support. Please help support them the next time the referendum is on the ballot. After all, you are supporting the future of Luverne by supporting the school and its students. Alissa JohnsonLuverneLuverne High School Junior

It was more than interesting to hear the response one interviewer received when he questioned a group of people as to why they voted as they did. The greatest response was the issue of moral values. One can say this was pleasing to our God who rules this great nation, America.This brings to mind the promise found in II Chronicles 7:14: "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land."This thought from "Prayer Point" by Franklin Graham said it well, "As we approach this Thanksgiving season, Christians especially should not forget that it is God who has protected, prospered and preserved us as a nation. Thank Him for our material blessings, for freedom of worship without fear of reprisal. Above all for God’s matchless grace and precious gift of eternal salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ."Elmer HovlandLuverne

I am sure that there will be many letters about the referendum failing in Luverne's school district last night. I am going to write another one. Words cannot begin to describe the disappointment I felt when hearing the news that it failed. I don't understand why we wouldn't support education.Walking through the halls of Luverne High School today was depressing. I wish there was a way to describe what I saw and felt. Teachers I had never seen angry, upset, or hurt were down. Students who I never saw care had a look of defeat in their eyes. Students walked around with their heads down, and everybody was wondered what was going to happen now. Although it was a beautiful day outside, the minds of the teachers and students were full of gloom. Sitting in classes, teachers didn't really seem into it — but neither did the students. Our school is divided politically, but the one issue we stood together on was the referendum. We all looked around at each other and wondered how the community could vote something so essential down. I just don't get it — and I don't know who does.I think it is extremely selfish of the people in Rock County to vote down education. Critical cuts are going to be made, and then the administration and school board are going to be blamed for not giving students the opportunities they deserve. I challenge the people that voted this referendum down. I challenge you to look me, my classmates, and my teachers in the eye and tell me that you made Rock County better. I challenge you to say that you improved society and made the world a better place.Sadie DietrichLuverne

By Mark HaugenHills-Beaver Creek-Ellsworth’s two-time all-stater Tyler Bush added a third notch to his all-state belt Saturday at the Minnesota Cross Country Championships at St. Olaf College in Northfield.The senior finished 21st overall in Class A, touring the 5,000-meter course in 17 minutes, 7.4 seconds."He ran a very good race, basically as good as he has all year," coach Tom Goehle said. "Getting all-state for the third consecutive year is a great accomplishment. There aren’t many who have done that."Bush was also 21st last year and finished 15th his sophomore year, which was ironically his slowest time of the three years."It just depends on how fast the race is, how fast they go out and if it’s congested. This time was extremely congested," Goehle said. "This was a physical race on a narrow course. Other than at the initial start, you had 168 runners trying to get into a 10-foot- wide path. You spend a lot of time jockeying for position. It was a little more bumping and grinding than previous years." Goehle said it’s impressive for a runner of Bush’s caliber to stay healthy for three years and then to perform so well in three straight state meets."It’s amazing what he does as far as cross country goes. He’s a gifted athlete who spends his summer playing basketball and fastpitch softball. He virtually doesn’t run in the summers, but he works extremely hard when the season comes. He’s able to get the most out of his body in that amount of time," Goehle said."He knows he can only get so good in two and a half months, yet it’s great what he can get done."The Luverne girls’ team finished sixth in Class A, while the Luverne boys were eighth. Both were improvements over last year."This was our best finish ever," Cardinals coach Bruce Gluf said. It was the third consecutive state meet appearance for the girls and they improved on last year’s 13th-place showing.Ninth-grader Lexi Jo Heitkamp led the Cards with an 11th-place finish, completing the 4,000 meters in 15 minutes, 9 seconds. The top 25 runners earned all-state status. Heitkamp also finished 11th last year."She ran a good smart race," Gluf said. "I can’t say enough about the kind of season she had."Her teammates turned in impressive performances as well to lead the Cardinal charge up the team standings. Kayla Raddle was 34th in 15:49; Amanda Saum 35th in 15:51; Kelsey Dooyema 94th in 16:35.1; Amanda Kannas 116th in 17:09; Kristi Heikes 121st in 17:27.3; and Christy Van Dyke 154th in 20:17."Kayla and Amanda have been our second and third girls all year," Gluf said. "They had good races, as all our kids did. They all ran well."We were a little disappointed last year, getting 13th, so they were a little hungry. Our goal was to be in the top five, and we were right off that. We can’t be disappointed with sixth. They beat a lot of teams who had been ranked ahead of us all year or who didn’t qualify for the meet."The Luverne boys made their second trip in a row to state and finished eighth, a huge improvement over last year’s 15th-place finish in the 16-team field.Junior Tom Ward paced the Cardinals and finished 15th on the 5,000-meter course in 17:00.2. "He’s been battling allergies and coughs the last three weeks but without a doubt ran his best race," Gluf said. "He said he was going to get all-state and break 17 minutes. He ran like he was possessed and ran his best race ever."Gluf praised the rest of the team for their consistency and good runs.Thomas Pinkal finished 72nd in 17:44; Nick Otten 81st in 17:53; Steve Schneiderman 87th in 18:05; Travis Halfmann 103rd in 18:20; Dusty Antoine 116th in 18:32; and David Nelson 142nd in 19:31."It was a tremendous end to the season," Gluf said. "The kids wanted to do well really bad. They didn’t want to come home and say they placed 12th or 13th as a team. They worked hard all year and put in more miles, faster times and more intervals. They always responded."Both eighth-grade Adrian girls ran well, as Morgan Lynn finished ninth in 15:04 and Leslie Stover 54th in 16:05.Lynn finished 38th at state as a seventh-grader. "She had specific goals she wanted to accomplish," Adrian coach Doug Petersen said. "The last few weeks she was ranked ninth in state and was hoping to at least get that. She was happy with how she finished and ran as well as she could."This was Stover’s first year out for cross country. "This was a completely new experience for her," Petersen said. "She handled the pressure well. She was hoping to get a little higher, but I don’t think she quite knew the intensity level of state. She’s hungry to get back there. You just have to pay your dues first. She’s still trying to realize how good she can be."Luverne girls: Lexi Jo Heitkamp, 11th, 15:09; Kayla Raddle, 34th, 15:49.2; Amanda Saum, 35th, 15:51.2; Kelsey Dooyema, 94th, 16:35.1; Amanda Kannas, 116th 17:09.7; Kristi Heikes, 121st, 17:27.3; Christy Van Dyke, 154th, 20:17.4.Luverne boys: Tom Ward, 15th, 17:00.2; Thomas Pinkal, 72nd, 17:44.1; Nick Otten, 81st, 17:53.6; Steve Schneiderman, 87th, 18:05.1; Travis Halfmann, 103rd, 18:20.7; Dusty Antoine, 116th, 18:32.7; David Nelson, 142nd, 19:31.4.H-BC-E-E boys: Tyler Bush, 21st, 17:07.4.Adrian girls: Morgan Lynn, 9th, 15:04.3; Leslie Stover, 54th, 16:05.5.

By Mark HaugenThe Hills-Beaver Creek basketball teams are raring to go and will see their first action with the conference jamborees. The girls play Nov. 13 at Okabena, and the boys Nov. 20 at Worthington Community College.The H-BC girls open their regular season at home on Nov. 19 against Lake Benton, and the boys host Pipestone on Nov. 27.Hockey fans won’t have to wait long to see the Luverne high school teams in action.The girls, coming off a stellar 17-3-1 campaign last year, open their season Friday by hosting Austin at 7 p.m. at the Blue Mound Ice Arena. They will follow with two more home appearances, Nov. 18 against Sioux Falls Blue and Nov. 20 against New Ulm, before their first road trip Nov. 27 at Waseca.The boys’ team opens its season Nov. 19 at home against Mankato East at 7 p.m. and then retains the home-ice advantage the next afternoon against Holy Family Catholic.The Cardinal girls’ basketball squad hits the court Nov. 19 on the road at MCC, the first of five away games before their home opener Dec. 9 against Marshall.The Luverne boys’ basketball team opens its season at home on Nov. 27 against Fulda and then is on the road for three straight contests.Luverne’s gymnasts don’t open the season until Dec. 2, hosting West Central, the first of four home performances.The wrestling Cardinals will debut at home on Dec. 2 as well against West Central.The Adrian girls’ basketball team also opens with a jamboree Nov. 13 at Minnesota West before an away game Nov. 30 against Southwest Christian. Their home opener is Dec. 2 against Edgerton.The Adrian boys’ basketball squad has its jamboree Nov. 20 at Minnesota West, a scrimmage at Windom on Nov. 27, and then opens at home against Luverne on Nov. 30.Adrian’s wrestlers hit the mat Dec. 4 in a tournament at Slayton and then are home on Dec. 7 against Emmetsburg.In Ellsworth the Panthers girls’ basketball team starts play on Nov. 16 at SWSC, plays at Hills-Beaver Creek on Nov. 22 and then opens at home Nov. 23 against Southwest Christian.The boys’ team hits the home hardcourt right away, hosting Canby on Dec. 2.All the local teams will be featured in the Star-Herald’s Winter Sports Preview Dec. 2.

America has many problems, and I would argue that most are the result of a breakdown in community connections.I spent the past eight years in Fort Worth, Texas, a Midwest girl in the big city. Although there was plenty of southern charm, most Fort Worthians do not make community a high priority. My husband, David, and I decided we would pack up our cats, hermit crab and toy collections and move, in search of a community we could be proud to call our own. Good fortune and luck helped us find a nice home with plenty of gardening space in Hills. Our U-Haul arrived in September and we have loved every minute of our new lives since then. The community spirit we were hoping to find is alive and well here, and it feels wonderful to be a part of it. Hills citizens have been so genuine to us. They have extended themselves to us in so many ways. Within days of our arrival, the town felt like home and we were settling in for a long adventure. I was given a great opportunity when I discovered the opening for a reporter at the Hills Crescent. Reporting for the Crescent gives me a chance to make a contribution to the community I am growing to love. Finally, I want to thank the community members who have gone out of their way to welcome us. Your kindness has touched our hearts and will always be remembered.

Betty Faber, 63, Michigan, died Oct. 30, 2004, at her home after a six-month illness. Funeral services were Wednesday, Nov. 3. in Michigan. Survivors include two sons, Joel (Lynn) Faber, Spring Lake, and Phillip (Stacey) Faber, Florida; two daughters, Karla (Greg), and Elizabeth, both of Grand Rapids, Mich.; her mother, Sophie Berghorst, Grand Rapids, one brother, James (Beverly) Berghorst, Grand Rapids, and two sisters, Mary (Robert) Hooyer, Wheaten, Ill., and Shirley (Alvin) Hoogeveen, Hills. Mrs. Faber was preceded in death by her husband, Ted, one son, Marc Allen, and her father, Frank Berghorst.

Josephine Dawn Dilly, 7, Luverne, died Saturday near Hills as a result of a farm accident.Services were Wednesday, Nov. 10, at Luverne Christian Reformed Church in Luverne. Committal services were prior to the funeral services at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.Josie Dilly was born to Stacy and Nicole (Pap) Dilly on Nov. 28, 1996, in Luverne. She lived with her family in Luverne. She was a baptized member of Luverne Christian Reformed Church where she was active in Sunday School. She was a second grader at Edgerton Christian Elementary School in Edgerton.Josie loved to play volleyball and loved to go to the lake. She also enjoyed swimming, camping and singing. She always looked forward to going on trips to Iowa to see her cousins. She would count the days prior to each trip. She was thought of by her family as being the organizer and always seemed to have a smile on her face. She loved to spend time outdoors on the farm and help with farming activities.Survivors include her parents, Stacy and Nicole Dilly, one brother, Hunter, one sister, Jayda, all of Luverne; her maternal grandmother, Evie Pap, Luverne, her maternal grandfather, Will Pap, rural Luverne; her paternal grandmother, Joanne (Max) Princehouse, Toledo, Iowa; her paternal grandfather, Harry Dilly, Crooksville, Mo.; her great-grandmothers, Johanna Vis and Johanna Pap, both of Luverne; 11 uncles and aunts, Jared (Tara) Pap and their children, Haley and Hannah, rural Luverne; Jonathan (Darci) Pap and their children, Daynica and Whitney, Luverne; Jamie (Brigette) Pap and their daughter, Morgan, rural Luverne, Brian (Jill) Dilly and their children Stephanie and Sidney, Gladbrook, Iowa, Mike (Brenda) Dilly, Montour, Iowa, and Patty Dilly, Toledo, Iowa, and her best friend, Tianna Top, Luverne. Josie was preceded in death by her great-grandfather, Henry Vis, and her great-grandparents, Gerrit and Josephine Pap, William and Marie Fransen, and Theodore and Evelyn Dilly.Hartquist Funeral Home, Engebretson Chapel, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.