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New Richland City Council
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
It was an eventful meeting for the New Richland City Council Monday, Oct. 28.
Most of those events occurred behind closed doors.
After meeting for a long time in closed session, the council suspended assistant ambulance director Monica Schutrop for 30 days, also stripping her of her title.
It was, according to mayor Mike Shurson, “For not complying with a previous order and violation of the city’s harassment policy.”
When asked to elaborate, Shurson declined.
Schutrop, who had the option of attending, said she wasn’t there because she was led to believe through an e-mail that the meeting was Nov. 18, not Oct. 28.
City clerk Wayne Billing, who sent the e-mail, said a typographical error was made stating the meeting was on 10-18, but that he verbally told Schutrop it would be on Monday. He also said the council’s action would stand regardless if Schutrop was there. The vote was 3-0, with ambulance crew members Chad Neitzel and Sarah Sundve abstaining.
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Ellendale City Council
By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
As promised, Marie Jorissen was back to see the Ellendale City Council.
She still wants to know if the city will forgive taxes she paid for two years on a property she did not own — an issue the council thought it had settled years ago.
“We had a public meeting at that time,” said council member Steph Kibler. “The city council took a vote and determined the assessment would stand. I really think it should stand.”
Jorissen disagrees.
“It’s because a city employee messed up, right?” said Jorissen. “One thing that struck me is, I was told, ‘If we do that for one, we have to do that for everyone.’ If you screw up, you should have to pay.”
In the end, the council decided to turn the matter over to the city attorney — though council members noted it will be taxpayers who foot the bill.
The discussion came at the beginning of the Oct. 24 council meeting. All council members were there, as was city clerk Tiffany Krueger, while mayor Russ Goette was absent. Jorrisen and Donovan Eaker, owner of Steve’s Meat Market, were the visitors.
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By JIM LUTGENS
Publisher
According to New Richland City Clerk Wayne Billing, there is no conspiracy.
There are no plans to shut down the local ambulance service, replace it, or hire a new director.
At least that’s the version of the story coming out of city hall.
It became an issue after the Oct. 14 meeting of the New Richland City Council, when ambulance director Chris Schlaak asked the council why she keeps hearing rumors about her department being shut down or replaced. She also wanted to know why $12,000 is budgeted in 2020 for an ambulance director since she makes only $4,000 per year.
“The $12,000 is the same as it has been since 2014,” said Billing. “That’s the amount budgeted.”
If it’s not spent, said Billing, it goes into the city’s general fund.
The only reason the local ambulance service would be replaced was if it were to fold for any reason, according to Billing.
How could that happen?
“The only thing I would see that would take it down is if they don’t have enough people to cover it,” said Billing. “That’s the critical part. Do we have enough people?”
Billing said the current ambulance operates with 12 to 15 people, which he called “just barely minimum.”
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NRHEG High School FFA
SECOND PLACE — The NRHEG General Livstock team, from left, Ralph Roesler, Grace Borchert, Ethan Strenge, Sydney Koziolek, and Ashton Raimann. (Submitted photo)
The day was cold, windy, and the occasional snowflake could be spotted flying through the air.
But, this did not stop the NRHEG FFA General Livestock team from putting forth a second-place finish at the regional competition on Friday, Oct. 11.
General Livestock is a synthesis of a number of segments of the livestock industry, including beef, sheep, swine, and goat production. In this contest, the students are the judges as they place classes of four animals from top to bottom based on confirmation of the animals. Additionally, the students take a team test to judge their skills using genetics to select animals potential worth for breeding. They also have to do a questions class which tests their ability to remember a class of animals and pick out specific traits after the animals have left the ring. Finally, they have to present a set of Oral Reasons, which is basically a speech to a judge that explains why they placed a class of animals as they did.
The contest was held in conjunction with the Dairy Cattle and Horse Judging contest at the Sibley County Fairgrounds.
The NRHEG squad was led by eighth-grader, Grace Borchert, who in her first FFA contest took seventh place individually in the region. She was joined by Ralph Roesler, who finished 10th, Ethan Strenge and Sydney Koziolek who each finished in the top 20 and Ashton Raimann.
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As Veterans Day approaches, we pause to give thanks to those who have sacrificed their time and sometimes their lives to keep us all free.
While our country has certainly had its dark times, we still remain the world’s beacon for freedom and opportunity. This is demonstrated by the fact that it is the one place most of today’s oppressed people come. We must never forget those who have given their time and their life to protect what we have here in this country.
In an effort to honor and recognize the sacrifices given by serving in the United States of America’s military, the Ellendale United Methodist Church invites all military to a free lunch at the church (200 6th St., Ellendale) on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Family and friends are also invited as service to God and country is recognized.