What God cannot do"Our God is an awesome God … "so goes a favorite song of Christians. As we think about how awesome God is we may contemplate over God’s unlimited abilities. God is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving, all-present, all-wise and all-beyond our words to describe or our imagination. It is staggering to think how God could create out of nothing the whole vast cosmos and set each planet, star and moon in every galaxy in motion. To know God keeps tract of all the atoms spinning in the universe boggles our finite minds. If that is not enough, we struggle to comprehend God’s ability to know every human thought from before the foundations of all creation were laid out. How awesome it is of God to know each of us intimately in our most hidden secrets.Yet, with all these powers and abilities of God, is there anything God cannot do? If so, what would it be? Strange as it is, there are some things God cannot do. Let me offer two, namely, first, God cannot sin and, second, God cannot remember forgiven sins.God cannot sin. Our awesome God is so holy that He cannot tolerate sin, even in its smallest measures. When Jesus took upon himself our sins and the sins of all people from every time and place, his heavenly Father was so repulsed that He turned away from Jesus. It was a pain so great that Christ cried out "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Think how wonderful it is that God cannot sin. If our Creator were some kind of evil tyrant who enjoyed creating us humans to be toys for torture, how hopeless and despairing our lot would be. How good it is for us that our Creator cannot sin, but instead would take upon himself all our sins in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. With our sins he would die on a cross so our sins would be forgiven. God cannot remember our sins forgiven by Jesus’ death. The devil, the world, our sinful conscience may continue to haunt us for the past regrets and constantly accuse and remind us of those transgressions. How good it is that God forgives and forgets all our sins when they are blotted out by Jesus’ death on the cross. Our God is an awesome God, and what may be most awesome to us about this loving God of ours is not found in what God can do. It may be in what God cannot do.

Thinking about redecorating your living room? Then consider this. When it comes to home decor perhaps we shouldn’t limit ourselves to choices such as traditional, early American or modern contemporary. What we really need is the "sports stadium concession area look," where the focal points in our living rooms are television screens and personal vending machines. Maytag SkyBox vending machines, listed at $607, have been sold since early this spring. A spokesman for Home Depot, exclusive distributor for the machines, calls them "the ultimate new addition to your family’s home entertainment zone." "It doesn’t require dollar bills or taking eyes off the TV to get your favorite beverage," he added. What’s really exciting for sports fans — as well as people with no decorating sense — is that the machines may be customized on the front and side panels with sports logos from the NFL, NHL, MLB, NASCAR, college and other sports. As a result of the new machines, couch potatoes will no longer have to walk long distances to their kitchens during commercials to retrieve beverages and snack foods. But, why stop there? Perhaps we should move the family’s beds into the living room, where everyone can eat, sleep and drink, all within viewing distance of the TV screen. It’s only a matter of time before home vending machines will take over people’s lives. The following behaviors might help us readily recognize families with vending machine dependencies: You’re invited over to their house for dinner and the menu consists of pre-packaged servings of pretzels and potato chips, cellophane-wrapped chocolate chip cookies and all the cold sodas you can drink. The only nighttime illumination in the living room is provided by the TV and the family’s vending machines. Because of their self-imposed confinements and their general lack of exposure to weather elements and the outside world, all members of the family have skin that strongly resembles unbaked pizza dough. The only member of the family with any physical strength at all is the one delegated to refill the vending machines and to carry out the empty beverage containers on a daily basis. This is most likely the same person given the unpleasant tasks of unloading the dishwasher and cleaning the house from time to time, and she’s not happy about it. The purring and humming of the personal vending machines will replace the need for pets, which require too much time away from the TV screen. Enterprising families will quit their day jobs and install coin and dollar bill slots in their living room vending machines. They will readily open their doors to friends, relatives and strangers who might be passing through their neighborhoods. When personal vending machines are taken to such an extreme, most residential areas will have to be re-zoned as residential/commercial. Students unable to study math and watch TV at the same time will acquire valuable math skills by using the coin-operated vending machines. "If soda sells for 50¢ a can, and I have $2, how many cans can I buy?" Some problems will be easier, but every vending machine purchase will become an educational opportunity. When the popularity of coin-operated, home vending machines increases, the most common question heard in American living rooms, "Where’s the remote?" will be replaced by, "Who has change for a five?"

Similar to a computer virus that may cause a computer to malfunction, there appears to be a virus known as "City Politics" that exists in Luverne as well. It wasn’t too long ago that I asked Luverne’s EDA Director how he liked his new job. His reply: "City Politics." Unfortunately for the City of Luverne, he has since then left his job with Luverne and gone on to do better things. If the city and county "botch" the existing consolidation of the Luverne Police Department and the Sheriff’s Department, a new city-controlled police department would be formed and operated by the City of Luverne, or should I say, by "City Politics." One needs to ask, "Is the City of Luverne really interested in saving money for the taxpayers, or is the City of Luverne more interested in having control of a city police department?" It is my belief that the Sheriff’s Department is doing a first-rate job as is. As a city taxpayer, I’m willing to pay the so-called "premium" to keep the existing service in place. Scott Schneekloth,Luverne

In regard to the city/county spat and fairness issues, there are many items involved in total city/county government business. Here is one: The biggest line item in the county budget is the Family Service Agency, formerly known as the welfare department. Of the $867,104 Family Services budget, 81 percent is funded by Rock County taxpayers outside the city limits of Luverne, and 19 percent is funded by city taxpayers.More later …Ron Boyenga,Kanaranzi Township

MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE HILLS CITY COUNCILJULY 13, 2004Mayor Jim Jellema called the meeting to order at 6:03 P.M. with the following Council present: Jim Jellema, Linus Svoboda, Keith Elbers, and Dana Dahlquist. Employees present: Connie Wiertzema, City Clerk, and Joanne Goehle, City Treasurer. Arlen Leenderts resigned effective June 30, 2004, by written resignation hand delivered by Arlen Leenderts to the City Clerk/EDA & Condo Secretary following the meetings on June 8, 2004. Guests present: Rich Crawford, VanTek Communications. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Elbers to approve of the minutes of June 8th. Motion carried. Motion by Elbers, seconded by Dahlquist to approve payment of the June expenditures, and Treasurer’s report. General $8,793.48; Park $13,340.25; Fire $1,366.57; Street $3,315.52; Legion $400.27; Sewer $10,636.06; Garbage $3,220.29; Recycling $508.10; Water $4,477.43; Baseball $49.26. Motion carried. General Checking 63,388.26General Fund CD#18197, 2.5%, 12/4/04 237,314.41General Fund CD#17792 (prev. #15742) 2.5%, 5/29/03 – cashed in 6/3/03General Fund CD#17760 (prev. #17573) 2.5%, 3/15/05 20,735.68Sewer Fund CD#17877 (prev. #17433) 2.5%,10/18/03 – cashed in 10/03 – ($21,000 to general)Sewer Fund CD#18255, (prev. #18171) 1.5%, 7/19/04 –inter-fund loan to Southern Hills Apts. to pay-off apt. bond - $70,771.64Fire Truck Replacement Fund CD#18237, 1.5%, 1/11/05 23,228.20Hills EDA Security Deposit Account 2,412.85Hills EDA Checking – Acct. #1248 13,103.05Southern Hills Apt. Acct. #1255 6,763.22Southern Hills Condo Acct. #1263 108.39Southern Hills CD#17759 (prev. #17572) 2.5%, 3/15/05 5,183.92EDA CD#17850 (prev. #17384) 2.5%, 5.7/05 27,963.43EDA CD#18275 (prev. #17268) 1.25%, 7/26/04 – inter-fund loan to Southern Hills Apts. to pay-off apt. bond - $10,661.76EDA CD #18160, 1.5%, 10/17/04 20,000.00TOTAL $420,201.41The Council reviewed street improvement costs for Josephine Drive and Sixth Street, and requested a second proposal. United Enterprises will be contacted with regard to the cost of improvements for Sixth Street. Council also requested a proposal for blacktop or concrete in the alley north of Third Street between Blue Chip and Alliance’s shop.The softball and baseball field dugouts and concession stands will be repaired, repainted, and shingles replaced. The Council agreed to allow an individual 80 hours of community service toward the above-mentioned work.No further discussion regarding junk tires, no major concerns, and the local stations are gradually disposing of tires. Rich Crawford, VanTek Communications, appeared at the meeting to inquire whether the Council would allow VanTek permission to install a two-way radio repeater antenna on the water tower. VanTek would be responsible for the licensing, installation, and removal of the antenna when the water tower is painted or repaired. Also, to install a repeater in the City’s building at no responsibility to the City. In return, VanTek offered the City use of the two-way radio repeater system worth $400 per year; and a discount on two-way radios at $275 each, with a distance of 15-30 miles. The Council decided to move the base radio from Ward’s home to the City Office, rather than purchasing new mobile radios. Motion by Elbers, seconded by Dahlquist to allow VanTek permission to install an antenna on the water tower, with the option of a discount toward the purchase of radios in the future. Discussed the cost of labor and equipment rent for mosquito spraying for other communities. The cost was set at $85 per hour from the time the machine leaves Hills, until its return, plus the cost of chemical. The Council chose to spray only for the neighboring communities of Beaver Creek, Steen, and Ellsworth. It was suggested to inquire whether Ellsworth would be willing to work a trade in street sweeping for mosquito spraying. The worker’s compensation insurance policy will remain the same with the regular premium option, and will not include elected officials, separate administrative boards or volunteers.Mildred Kesterson’s tree removal issue still pending upon receipt of a second bid. Meyer Electric will install lights on a separate pole located east of the basketball court, rather than from the softball field pole, in order to create more even lighting. The Council was informed that the Luverne Optimist Club, which is licensed for pull-tabs at Kelly’s Roadhouse, donated $750 toward the City’s basketball court project. The Council expressed their appreciation and requested that a thank-you be published. Motion by Dahlquist, seconded by Elbers to appoint Bonnie Sundem, Karen Soehl, Lois Nelson and Colleen Martens as election judges for the primary and general elections. Motion by Dahlquist, seconded by Elbers to approve of the building permit applications for Mike Kerkhove and Amy Brandt for a new home with a basement and attached garage; and for Shaun Swenson for a deck. No action was taken on two other requests, pending further information. Motion carried. The Clerk was instructed to begin requests for sealed bids for propane. The Council discussed whether to replace the septic tank at Rez Park. City Maintenance will be instructed to follow-up on whether the tank can be inspected and repaired. The Council discussed a concern for the removal of petroleum tanks located on railroad property. Prior to discussion, Mayor Jim Jellema requested to be excused from the room during the discussion due to conflict of interest. Elbers volunteered to approach the owner of the tanks regarding the status of their removal. The Council continued discussion regarding abandoned vehicles within a storage area. The owner of the property informed the clerk that some vehicles had been removed within the month, but that it’s a slow process due to the small demand for junk vehicles and legal issues. Rock County Land Management contacted the City regarding recycling changes. Due to the reduction in state funding and budget cuts, Rock County will no longer accept glass bottles and jars as recycling materials. However, they will accept the following items as long as they are separated from other materials; magazines, phone books and catalogs. Discussed Rock County Rural Water’s charges to the City of Hills at 60 cents per newsletter, for quarterly newsletters to the residents of Hills, the Council will request that RCRW refrain from sending these mailings. Discussed problems regarding poor water quality over the past few months, according to Rock County Rural Water, this is due to overfeeding the system with phosphate which is meant for gradual clean-up of iron from pipes and connections. RCRW has regulated the usage of phosphate, and requested that the City of Hills submit to RCRW labor costs and water usage for flushing mains, in order to credit the City of Hills for this error. The City’s current ordinance regulating firearms does include paint ball guns. Therefore the use of these firearms are not allowed at Rez Park or anywhere within the city limits. Reviewed a letter of resignation from Arlen Leenderts, resigning as City Council member and EDA Vice President as of June 30, 2004. The Council requested that a notice be published for any qualified person interested in fulfilling this term through December 31, 2004 to contact the City Office. The Council instructed the Clerk to send correspondence to a resident with regard to the removal of abandoned vehicles and miscellaneous junk. Motion by Svoboda, seconded by Dahlquist to adjourn at 7:55 P.M.Connie J. WiertzemaCity Clerk(7-29)

MINUTES OF THE HILLS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITYJULY 13, 2004Dana Dahlquist, President of the Hills EDA called the meeting to order at 7:55 P.M. Board present: Dana Dahlquist, Jim Jellema, Linus Svoboda, and Keith Elbers. Employees present; Joanne Goehle, EDA Treasurer, and Connie Wiertzema, EDA Secretary. Arlen Leenderts resigned effective June 30, 2004, by written resignation hand delivered by Arlen Leenderts to the City Clerk/EDA & Condo Secretary following the meetings on June 8, 2004. Motion by Jellema, seconded by Svoboda to approve of the minutes of June 8th. Motion carried.Motion by Elbers, seconded by Svoboda to approve payment of the June expenditures, to include payment to Eisma & Eisma in the amount of $2,192.25 regarding the formation of the condo association. Motion carried.Payment in the amount of $10,904.39 was received from Mike Kerkhove and Amy Brandt from the sale of Lot 1, Block 1, Park View Third Addition. From those proceeds, a Southern Hills Apartment CD ($10,661.76) will be purchased to replace money borrowed to the EDA for the purchase of lots from United Enterprises in June of 2003. Motion by Jellema, seconded by Elbers to adjourn at 8:00 P.M./s/ Connie J. WiertzemaConnie J. WiertzemaSecretary(7-29)

Services for Myra (Nelson) Krieg will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 31, at Hartquist Funeral Home – Engebretson Chapel in Luverne. Burial will be in Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery in Hills. Myra Krieg, 91, Washoe Valley, Nev., died Friday, July 23, 2004, at her home. Myra Nelson was born to Jens and Regina Amelia (Sundem) Nelson on Oct. 15, 1912, in Pierre, S.D. She married Delmer Swenson on Feb. 25, 1939. Together they operated a road maintainer in Corson, S.D. They also ran a local gas station and a bar. Mr. Swenson died in 1965.She married Albert Krieg in March 1966, but their brief union ended in divorce. She moved to Ventura, Calif., in 1967 where she worked for many years, retiring as a maid from the Pierpont Inn in 1977. She moved to Reno, Nev., in 1984 and lived with her niece, Amelie. Survivors include many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and grand nephews, as well as many great-grand nieces and nephews. Mrs. Krieg was preceded in death by her 12 siblings. Hartquist Funeral Home – Engebretson Chapel, Luverne, is in charge of arrangements.

Ethel Olivia Arends, 98, Luverne, died Thursday, July 22, 2004, at Hospice Cottage of Luverne. Services were Saturday, July 24, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Luverne. The Rev. Paul Fries officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne. Ethel Carlson was born to John and Mary (Miller) Carlson on July 25, 1905. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She attended country school in Springwater Township. After losing her mother at a young age, she remained on the family farm helping her father raise her siblings. She married John William Arends on March 14, 1934, in Luverne. The couple lived on the Arends family farm near Steen for 3 years before moving to their own farm in Magnolia Township where they farmed for 55 years. They retired to Luverne. They spent several winters in Scottsdale Ariz., and traveled extensively. They were one of the first couples to move to The Oaks Apartments when it opened in 1997. Mrs. Arends was a member of an extension club, Mary-Martha Circle and Bethany Ladies Aid. She loved cooking, baking and serving others. She also enjoyed gardening. Survivors include two sons, David (Diane) Arends, and Thomas (Dixie) Arends, all of Luverne, a daughter-in-law, Janice Arends, Irvine, Calif.; five grandchildren, Michael (Gabrielle) Arends, John Arends, all of Irvine, Paul (Teresa) Arends, Brian (Kim) Arends, all of Luverne, and Beth (Kent) Senf, Fairmont; six great-grandchildren, Madeleine and Mark Rodney Arends, Peyton, Colton and Cooper Arends, and Bergen Senf; and one sister, Alta Jorgenson, Mesa, Ariz. Mrs. Arends was preceded in death by her husband, John, one son, Rodney, a brother, Bill Carlson, and a sister, Minnie Brandenburg.A tree will be planted in memory of Ethel Arends by Luverne Hospice.Hartquist Funeral Home – Engebretson Chapel, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Ethel Olivia Arends, 98, Luverne, died Thursday, July 22, 2004, at Hospice Cottage of Luverne. Services were Saturday, July 24, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Luverne. The Rev. Paul Fries officiated. Burial was in Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne. Ethel Carlson was born to John and Mary (Miller) Carlson on July 25, 1905. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. She attended country school in Springwater Township. After losing her mother at a young age, she remained on the family farm helping her father raise her siblings. She married John William Arends on March 14, 1934, in Luverne. The couple lived on the Arends family farm near Steen for 3 years before moving to their own farm in Magnolia Township where they farmed for 55 years. They retired to Luverne. They spent several winters in Scottsdale Ariz., and traveled extensively. They were one of the first couples to move to The Oaks Apartments when it opened in 1997. Mrs. Arends was a member of an extension club, Mary-Martha Circle and Bethany Ladies Aid. She loved cooking, baking and serving others. She also enjoyed gardening. Survivors include two sons, David (Diane) Arends, and Thomas (Dixie) Arends, all of Luverne, a daughter-in-law, Janice Arends, Irvine, Calif.; five grandchildren, Michael (Gabrielle) Arends, John Arends, all of Irvine, Paul (Teresa) Arends, Brian (Kim) Arends, all of Luverne, and Beth (Kent) Senf, Fairmont; six great-grandchildren, Madeleine and Mark Rodney Arends, Peyton, Colton and Cooper Arends, and Bergen Senf; and one sister, Alta Jorgenson, Mesa, Ariz. Mrs. Arends was preceded in death by her husband, John, one son, Rodney, a brother, Bill Carlson, and a sister, Minnie Brandenburg.A tree will be planted in memory of Ethel Arends by Luverne Hospice.Hartquist Funeral Home – Engebretson Chapel, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.