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Opinions
—By Amy Sharpe
Friends Foundation Board
Letter Box
Good friends, good books
Unrest at CRMC
Emily ordinances
Dear Editor:
There is trouble brewing
at our iconic Cuyuna
Regional Medical Center. It is
widespread, and won’t go
away until there are genuine
solutions that involve all
interested parties as equals.
From long experience in both
government and the private
sector, I know that these concerns can have long-term
negative consequences if they
are not solved in a timely
manner.
It is suggested that the
governing board and CEO
John Solheim set up open
forums to identify the problems and let everyone interested have their say. This
includes financial transparency. I realize that it takes
humility, honesty, and perseverance to come to mutual
solutions. The “Ranger
Spirit” is to hit problems
“head-on”. Let’s do it!
Dear Editor:
This letter is in response to
minutes of the Emily City
Council published in the Jan. 28
edition of the Courier. The article states that “the council was
displeased that Leckband had
used the city logo with no prior
knowledge or approval by the
city. Council added that any
bills received in which
Leckband had made charges to
the city for discussions with the
attorney or similar vendors, she
would be billed”. These assertions are false. A little history is
in order:
In August 2013, a public
forum was held during council
to discuss a petition to repeal a
Nuisance Ordinance adopted by
council in July. The ordinance
was actually an ordinance template obtained by the city attorney from the League of
Minnesota Cities Web site,
meant to be adapted to meet specific needs. However, the committee presented it unchanged,
with broad wording giving the
city a scary amount of power,
with draconian penalties such as
$1,000 fines and imprisonment.
After much discussion the council finally agreed to repeal it. At
that meeting, I stated there were
better forms of this type of ordinance based on the International
Property Maintenance Code, in
use by nearby cities. The council
agreed to form a new committee, open to anyone.
After many hours, a
Property
Maintenance
Ordinance was created that was
reasonable and appropriate for a
small, rural city. We also adapted
an Administrative Citation
Ordinance, intended to promote
compliance rather than court
fees. At the April 14, 2014 council workshop the city clerk was
asked to produce the forms necessary to administer the ordinances. After a couple months, I
was asked by the former mayor
to create these templates instead.
Basing them on standard forms
in use in other cities, I put the
city logo at the top of the form.
Before doing so, I called the city
clerk, and asked if she had a jpeg
I could use for this purpose. She
said she did not, and suggested
the Web site, from which I
copied it. At no time did I appropriate city property. Both clerk
and mayor were aware of what I
was doing and why, as documented in the May city council
meeting minutes. In July 2014 I
submitted these template forms
to the city by e-mail.
At the December council
meeting, a resident requested
additional items for enforcement, despite these being
already contained in the template forms . I then read a notice
in this paper that a “Notice and
Order to Abate Nuisance” form
was proposed for adoption as an
amendment to the PM
Ordinance. I obtained a copy
from the city clerk, who stated it
was in the city attorney’s office
Chuck Hagberg
Crosby
What’s going
on at CRMC?
Dear Editor:
It saddened me greatly to
read about and later hear
about the deplorable conditions at CRMC. During the
dozen years I was privileged
to serve on the Board of
Trustees, we as a governing
board took great pride in the
level of care that was provided to the patients in the Care
Center. Both my mother and
my father lived out their final
days there. I had frequent
occasions to visit the facility
and speak with both staff and
patients. I knew well that the
job was not an easy one. I frequently voiced the reality that
we couldn't pay those folks
what they deserved, but I
admired the dedication that I
observed. I'm so disappointed
that there has been such a
change. I hope many more
voice the question I asked,
"What's
going
on
at
CRMC!!!???" I applaud the
people who turned out for
that meeting this week. I say
to you, “Keep up the pressure! Do all you can to expose
the situation. Please don't just
quit as some have threatened.
The patients need you. They
need and deserve the level of
care that once was provided. I
support you with prayer." I
urge family members to join
the effort. Were my parents
enduring what is reported to
be going on, I'd be climbing
all over administration. I urge
those currently on the board
to step up to the plate. After
all, this is a tax supported
entity. You owe it to the people who elected you. I loved
the time I spent on the board,
and I felt honored to represent
the people of the entire district.
During my years on the
board, we freely acknowledged the Care Center was
not a profit maker, but its
importance to the mission of
our organization was what
mattered. The residents of our
entire district deserved to
have a place close at hand
when loved ones could no
longer be cared for at home.
What changed that philosophy?
I am equally disturbed to
hear what has occurred with
the ambulance service, another part of the mission in
which we took great pride. I
could expound as much on
that, but I have taken up too
much time and space already.
Get after it, people! Get the
media involved up on behalf
of the residents. Don't let this
deplorable situation continue.
Get your elected representatives involved! Loud voices
have knocked down walls
before!
William Stimac
Garrison
Deerwood…
Friends Corner
CROSBY-IRONTON COURIER
Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015
Clippings…
Over the past 100 years
Newspaper on the Cuyuna Range…
for review, I was dismayed to see
the notice had many significant
errors, including referencing the
wrong state statute. As I could
not be present, I documented the
issues in an e-mail to council and
included the template forms,
which I copied to the city attorney. At NO TIME have I spoken
to the city attorney regarding this,
nor have I “made charges to the
city”. All the work I did was on a
volunteer basis, and no charges
been incurred by the city at my
request.
It is disappointing and hurtful
that the city council has decided
to vilify and exclude me, but
what I know is this: the ordinances created are fair and
appropriate, and all necessary
tools for enforcement have been
complete since July 2014. I hope
the council will finally do what is
in the best interest of the residents and enforce the ordinance.
ALL of us have a vested interest
in a more beautiful Emily.
Sincerely,
Laura A. C. Leckband
Certified Building
Inspector, Ltd, State of
Minnesota
Emily
Brainerd Blue
Ribbon Schools
Dear Editor:
In regard to the writer in
the Brainerd Dispatch wondering why Josh Heintzeman
was at the Blue Ribbon
Celebration for ISD 181, he is
our House Representative for
10A. It was our teachers and
administrators that are to be
praised for their hard work to
earn this Blue Ribbon title.
Any representative, past or
present, did not accomplish
this title of "Blue Ribbon"—it
was District 181's teachers
and administrators. Please
give credit to those who are
due. We appreciate the teachers and administrators for
their extreme hard work.
Our previous House
Representative did help give
us the "Bullying Bill", which
does not protect all children
in the our public schools, but
he did not "Blue Ribbon" our
schools. I personally know
how extremely honored Josh
Heintzeman was to be there
and to see your Blue Ribbon
accomplishments.
Doug Kern
Brainerd
Mobile library
winter schedule
The mobile library schedule Through May 19 will be
as follows:
—The second and fourth
Saturdays of every month:
Garrison from 10 to 11:30
a.m. in the VFW parking lot
and Bay Lake from 12:15 to
1:15 p.m. at ‘the garage’ at
Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge.
218-534-5357
www.deertech.com
Jan. 9, 1985
The purpose of the
JFHML Friends Foundation
(a 501(c)3) entity) is to promote, enhance and support
the work of the Jessie F.
Hallett Memorial Library.
Mark Twain wrote, “Good
friends, good books, and a
sleepy conscience: this is the
ideal life.”
The Jessie F. Hallett
Memorial Library Friends
Foundation, the fund-raising
arm of your library, sponsors
and supports library programs, projects and events
throughout the year for all
ages and interests. Maybe
you've joined us for an author
talk or the annual Hot Reads
for Cold Nights. Perhaps your
children or grandchildren
have enjoyed our Summer
Reading Program, preschool
story hour, American Girl
Doll Tea or a family movie
day. Have you picked up a
copy of Book Page, shopped
at Jessie's Boutique or the
Mega Book Sale, or learned
how to use your new iPad
with help at the library?
Have you noticed the
library's updated Curbside
area for teens or Cattale
Corner, the newly-refurbished children's area? How
about that new electronic sign
along the highway?
All these and more were
made possible with help from
the Friends Foundation.
February marks the
Friends annual membership
drive and we're looking for
more good Friends…like
you! (Remember that bit
about a “sleepy conscience”?)
The foundation is looking for
more Friends to join us in
supporting and enhancing the
work of our library. You can
choose from a number of
membership options: Senior
Friend, $5; Individual, $10;
Family, $15; Business, $30;
Silver Friend, $25 or Gold
Friend, $50…which one best
fits you?
It's easy to become a
Friend. Stop by the library, fill
out a membership form and
select your membership level.
You can also join online at
www.hallettlibrary.org. Just
click on the Friends mouse
and download a membership
or renewal form. Make your
check out to the JFHML
Friends Foundation and drop
it off or mail it to the the
library at 101 First Street SE,
Crosby, MN 56441.
Ready to get involved and
meet your new Friends? Mark
your calendars for Tuesday,
Feb. 10 and join us at 5 p.m.
for the Friends business meeting, followed at 6 p.m. by an
informal “Meet & Greet” with
community members to learn
more about the Friends. Hors
d’oeuvres will be served.
We're
excited
about
upcoming projects and invite
you to find a way to be
involved. Would you be willing to serve on the board or
help with fund-raising? Help
out during a special event?
Offer computer support or
marketing expertise? We're
always looking for volunteers
to keep Backstreet Books
stocked and open, and crafters
are encouraged to contribute
their book-related crafts. And
if you have a special skill to
share, let us know!
You're also invited to
attend our Friends meetings at
the library on the second
Tuesday of each month at 5
p.m. We pride ourselves on
keeping our meetings under
an hour!
We look forward to welcoming you to our circle of
Friends!
Community Calendar
Feb. 5—Antiques Roadshow at the Jessie F. Hallett Memorial
Library in Crosby. 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. with Den of Antiquity
owner Kay Johnson. Bring one item for a free appraisal.
Feb. 6-8— Cuyuna Lakes Whiteout. For more information visit
www.cuyunalakeswiteout.com.
Feb. 7—Ice Fishing Contest on Serpent Lake with Scorpion
Homecoming from noon to 3 p.m. Tickets available at
chamber office. Call 546-8131 for more details.
Feb. 7—Scorpion Homecoming on Serpent Lake from noon to
3 p.m. coinciding with the chamber’s Ice Fishing Contest
on Serpent Lake.
Feb. 7-8—Second Annual Bar Stool Races in Ironton. Entry fee
is Entry fee is $50. New this year...beer garden and bathrooms. Admission is $1 for spectators which will be donated to Sno-Serpents Snowmobile Club. Call 546-5997 for
more details.
Feb. 10—Unlimited Learning presents Stories Battlefields Tell,
1:30 p.m., Heartwood Senior Living Community, Crosby.
Feb. 10—Cuyuna Lakes Chamber of Commerce Business After
Hours at the Deerstand in Deerwood, 5 to 7 p.m.
Feb. 12—Bee Nay She Bird Club’s Ken Perry speaking on local
birding hotspots at the Jessie F. Hallett Memorial Library from 7
to 9 p.m.
Feb. 14—Woodtick’s Annual Ice Fishing Contest on Rabbit Lake.
Call 772-0252 for more details.
Feb. 14—Pie Social at Cascade United Methodist Church, 1 to 3
p.m.
Feb. 14—Mid-Minnesota 150. 8-dog pro class races 60 miles from
Remer to Outing and back beginning at 7:30 a.m., fee $75 and
6-dog recreational class running 30 miles from Outing to Remer
beginning at 11 a.m. $35 entry fee.
Feb. 16—Unlimited Learning presents Putin Pushback Against
European Expansionism, 11 a.m., Heartwood Senior Living
Community, Crosby.
Feb. 19—Author Talk featuring Beth Hautala and her young adult
novel, Waiting for Unicorns, at the Jessie F. Hallett Memorial
Library from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 21—Bridge Tavern’s Annual Fishing Contest, noon to 3 p.m.
$10 entry fee includes a meal after contest. Over $2,000 in cash
and prizes awarded. Call 546-5219 for details.
Feb. 28—F Games Snowmobile Race, 10 a.m., at the Wolfhound at
the Highway 6 and County Road 36 in Fairfield Township. More
than 10 races, including powder puff, vintage, kids, 2-man race
and more. Call Phil at 866-0343 or 763-9653 for more details.
March 21—Cuyuna Range Whitetails Banquet at Hallett Center of
Crosby, $50 for tickets. For more information, contact Greg at
838-4156.
March 28-29—2015 Deerwood Civic 17th Annual Gun Show at the
Deerwood Auditorium. Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and
Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Buy-Sell-Trade. The public is
welcome.Admision is $3 per day. Call Mark at 534-3095 for
more information.
Apr. 15—St. Joseph’s Church, Deerwood salad luncheon, noon.
April 17-18—Living Local Expo at the Hallett Center of Crosby, 3 to
7 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Admission
is free. For more information call Jill at 851-2998 or Nannette at
820-0729 or visit www.livinglocalevents.com.
June 11—Music in the Park in Crosby Memorial Park on Serpent
Lake, 6 p.m.
June 25—Music in the Park in Crosby Memorial Park on Serpent
Lake, 6 p.m.
July 9—Music in the Park in Crosby Memorial Park on Serpent
Lake, 6 p.m.
July 23— Music in the Park in Crosby Memorial Park on Serpent
Lake, 6 p.m.
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—from page 1
service area, it would be the
closest truck which responds
to an emergency. First
Responders and the fire
department responded to 17
calls over the past month.
City Clerk Jeff Turk
requested that the city pay off
the fire truck loan out of the
equipment fund, which has a
balance of around $40,000.
The council voted to use a
donation of $5,000 from the
Fire Relief Association toward
the balance on the loan of
$32,667 and to pay the
remaining balance out of the
funds in the equipment fund.
This will leave approximately
$13,000 in the fund and an
additional $16,500 will be
added this year.
Police
Chief
Harry
Gottsch reported there were
52 initial call reports over the
past month compared to 123
at the same time last year.
The change in calls is because
the department is short staffed
and Gottsch has been busy
with the hiring process.
Traffic stops were the area
that was most reduced. The
council voted to hire two parttime officers based on recommendations from the interview process and add two to
the eligibility list. After they
pass the POST requirements
the police department will
announce the names of the
new officers.
The council discussed a
blighted house that is in violation of the nuisance ordinance. This particular house
has excess vehicles and boats
in the yard, various junk
around the house and the
house is unsightly. One of the
neighbors has made a number
of complaints to the city and
does not feel the city is taking
any action. The police have
been to the house numerous
times, a number of letters have
been sent and a citation has
been issued. The council
voted to take the next step
identified in the ordinance and
notify the homeowner they
may attend a council meeting
to discuss this matter.
Gottsch asked the council
to review the ordinance as
many areas are vague and
need definition. He also
thought the policy needed
more enforcement options.
Member Mark Severson commented he thought all the city
ordinances needed to be
reviewed and placed where
they are more accessible to all
residents. Member Jeremy
Millsop made a motion, which
was approved, to hold a ordinance workshop to review the
various ordinances. Some of
the ordinances date back to
1916.
A request from a resident
to have a permanent easement
to Butternut Lane was referred
back to the resident to provide
the city with a proposal. The
council also asked that he be
told it will not incur any
expenses, including attorney
fees, for this request. The city
will retain ownership and
have utility easement as there
is a sewer line that runs along
Butternut Lane.
A request from Turk to
purchase office furniture was
approved in the amount of
$2,647.
A public hearing for the
Comprehensive Plan was set
for March 2 at 6 p.m. The city
staff will get the plan put on
the Web site for public review.
Clerk Turk reported the
auditors were there for four
days and two findings were
identified. One is a failure to
budget 105 percent for loan
payments as the city only budgeted 100 percent. Another
was the segregation of duties,
which is common in most
small cities and businesses as
there are not enough staff to
have true segregation.
A charitable gambling permit was approved for the
Deerwood
Civic
and
Commerce League to conduct
a raffle during the gun show.
A request to use the auditorium and waive the deposit and
fees on March 27-29 was also
approved for the Civic and
Commerce League.
A resolution to accept a
donation of $200 from
Charles L. Johnson was
approved. This funds are for
the Splash Pad. A donation of
$2,000 from the city of
Crosby for the Splash Pad was
also approved.
THOMAS M. SWENSEN and LORI J. LaBORDE, Co-Publishers
LINDA PEEPLES, News Editor • KRISTA WYNN, Advertising
RUTH ANN EXSTED, Bookkeeping • BARBARA LINN, Proofreading
BILL SWENSEN, Contributing Sports
LISA HAMILTON, DARLA SWANSON AND DOUG PEEPLES, Contributing
BRENDA BOOTH, ELLY MAILHOT, AND MARIAN SEGERSTEN,
Contributing Photography
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