Public invited to Betty Mann's appreciation day at History Center
To the Editor:
After 27 years Betty Mann is stepping down as president of the Rock County Historical Society, and you are invited to an open house to honor Betty at the History Center from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 1, Betty’s 92nd birthday!
There are so many reasons to celebrate with Betty. She has recently been awarded the Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding work in promoting Rock County history (see last week’s front page story). We also thank and honor Betty for her dedication, leadership and accomplishments as president of the Rock County Historical Society for the past 27 years. And we get to wish her a Happy 92nd Birthday on the very day, May 1! Besides greeting Betty, enjoy a self-guided tour of the History Center and a birthday treat while you’re at the History Center!
If you wish to give a card/special donation to the ongoing work and future projects of the Rock County Historical Society in honor and appreciation of Betty, checks may be written to Rock County Historical Society or to LACF Rock County Historical Society (tax-deductible). A “birthday basket” will be available for cards and gifts.
Under Betty’s leadership for 27 years, the Historical Society has achieved some remarkable growth. Back in November 1994 the Historical Society housed all artifacts in the Hinkly House, the only building that was owned by the group at that time. The first project of the Historical Society under Betty’s leadership was to purchase the Masonic Temple in 1996 for $1 as headquarters for a work center as well as a display area. The Hinkly House was then renovated and restored to its original beauty.
Going forward, several historic buildings were acquired for the Rock County fairgrounds, including a country schoolhouse, a summer kitchen, the Fitzer barn and the Ordung barn.
But the most challenging project was the acquisition of the former Herman Motor Company building in 2014, now known as the History Center. Under Betty’s leadership, a fundraising project was undertaken to raise $1.1 million for a major renovation of the building, and the generous people of Rock County and others with Rock County ties stepped up and gave generously. The beautiful History Center has become a reality!
Betty gives countless hours of time and energy to the work of the Historical Society and plans to continue serving on the board and volunteering her time. She is always willing to lead tours or meet with those who are looking for records of information.
The Christmas Haus was opened at the History Center under Betty’s leadership as a way to raise additional funds for the general operation of the Historical Society, and of course her donation of the nutcracker collection, last count over 4,600, has been a tremendous tourist attraction to the center.
We hope you are able to celebrate with Betty Sunday, May 1, but if you aren’t able to come, you may send cards and gifts to the Rock County Historical Society at 312 East Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156. Or donations may be sent to LACF Rock County Historical Society at 102 E. Main Street, Luverne, MN 56156.
Mayors propose common sense workforce development
To the Editor:
As mayors of southwest Minnesota cities, we frequently hear from employers about the shortage of employees, and help wanted signs are everywhere. Sign-on bonuses are increasing, as are starting wages.
For jobs that require a two-year accreditation or four-year degree, many businesses are paying all or part of workers’ education in exchange for a commitment to work. New or struggling businesses may not readily have the financial resources to hire these employees.
The pandemic exacerbated a problem that existed for years: The exodus of young people from greater Minnesota and a worker shortage that is threatening a rural way of life.
Greater Minnesota provides manufacturing and an agricultural economy that is second to none in this nation, and greater Minnesota provides the outdoors and recreational areas that are the envy of the nation. We can’t afford to let greater Minnesota communities struggle.
The states of Iowa and South Dakota that border southwest Minnesota have for several years lured our youngest and brightest students, providing free two-year degrees in exchange for a three-year work commitment in those states.
The chances of getting these employees back to Minnesota are slim to none. If companies in our region cannot find quality trained employees, they will be forced to close or relocate.
In November of 2021 the unemployment rate in our region reached a record low of 1.7 percent. This unheard-of unemployment rate illustrates the severe workforce shortage in our region and likely many other regions of the state.
A few months ago, many of the mayors in southwest Minnesota introduced language and a bill in the Senate and House (SF4153 & HF4512) to address workforce development.
These bills are laser focused on the current employment needs of our businesses and the ability of our higher education institutions to provide these associate degrees.
This five-year pilot program would pay for a two-year associate degree in carpentry, electrical, mechatronics, plumbing, diesel mechanics, automotive and autobody.
The free education in these fields would come with a commitment to work in southwest Minnesota. Each of our communities and private businesses would also invest in this program as partners with the state with local dollars. The bill would provide funds from the state to our Southwest Initiative Foundation to be administered.
As we all know, workforce needs in our communities can and will change from year to year. During the five-year pilot program the SW MN Private Industry Council will evaluate the education degrees that are needed by our businesses and can adjust education specialties as needed (maybe animal vaccine technicians, medical lab technicians, dental hygienists or electrical linemen). The point is, we focus our precious tax dollars on education that will enhance economic development and grow our communities.
The House DFL leadership has proposed a $30-plus million program to pay for all community college costs for our residents. It’s a noble idea, but as we understand it, it would need to be funded on a yearly basis, it’s extremely expensive, it doesn’t target businesses’ employment needs and it doesn’t require a commitment to work in our state and benefit our local communities.
We need to provide education that benefits our young people and our local economies with a more targeted approach that spends only $3.5 million over five years in southwest Minnesota where it’s needed most.
Even if this tuition initiative is rolled out to all six regions in the state that are most likely in need of qualified trained employees as we are, the cost to the taxpayer would still be minimal.
Mike Kuhle, mayor of Worthington
Pat Baustian, mayor of Luverne
Esther Frakes
Luverne
You must log in to continue reading. Log in or subscribe today.