Thursday, January 9, 2014

Volume 98; Number 28

www.bladepublishing.net staff@bladepublishing.net

A community newspaper serving Browerville, MN and surrounding areas. USPS 067-560

75

Deputy Don Asmus appointed Todd County Interim Sheriff, Gaida is Interim Auditor/Treasurer

Todd Board holds last HHS meeting of 2013; bids farewell to Director, Cheryl Schneider
By Rin Porter On Dec. 27, Todd County held its final Health and Human Services (HHS) board meeting of 2013, mainly devoted to approving several contracts for services to be provided to county residents in 2014 and hearing reports and updates on various projects. It was HHS Director Cheryl Schneiders last meeting before her Dec. 30 retirement. Several commissioners thanked Schneider for her many years of service. Schneider made a brief statement during which she thanked the board for their support, and acknowledged the difficult decisions that the board had to make during her tenure. She tactfully pointed the need for continual maintenance of county buildings and applauded their courage in proceeding with several remodeling projects in recent years. She told commissioners, It takes staff to provide all these services and staff have their limits and can only do so much. The board heard reports from Bill Briggs, Director of Camphill Village in Sauk Centre that provides services for people with mental and physical disabilities; and from Architect Stephanie Howe and Project Manager Earl Fuechtmann on the progress of the remodeling of Annex I and Annex II. Although the remodeling project was originally expected to be completed in November, various issues slowed the schedule of work, and Fuechtmann said they are now looking at a date in midFebruary for completion. Fuechtmann said, Were now in the home stretch, putting finishing touches on roofing and flashing, doing electrical rough-ins, and waiting for the elevator to be delivered.

Todd County Sheriffs Deputy Don Asmus and Denise Gaida are sworn into office. Asmus will assume the remainder of the term of Todd County Sheriff. Gaida will complete the term of County Auditor/Treasurer. By Rin Porter At the last meeting of 2013, Todd County Commissioners appointed Deputy Don Asmus to serve as Interim County Sheriff until December 31, 2014. Asmus will complete the unexpired term of Sheriff Pete Mikkelson, who resigned Dec. 30. The office of sheriff will be up for election in November 2014 for a four-year term. According to Commissioner Dave Kircher, Asmus does not plan to run for the four-year term, and will retire from the Sheriff s Department at the end of 2014 when his interim appointment expires. The appointment was not unanimous. Commissioners voted three to two to appoint Asmus. The two commissioners voting no supported another candidate for the job. Nine people submitted letters of interest in the interim appointment. Commissioner Rod Erickson, who nominated Asmus for the position, cited Asmus seniority as a deputy as the major reason for supporting Asmus. Asmus has been a deputy for 36 years. Commissioners appointed Christopher Odden to serve as Interim County Assessor until the conclusion of the term of this appointed position. Board Chair Randy Neumann thanked Commissioner Mark Blessing for his years of service and presented him with a plaque in recognition of his many years of contributions to Todd County. After the business of the meeting was concluded, Neumann thanked staff for their service, wished retirees well, and marked the end of his term as chair of the county board. In other business, the board: --designated the countys 2014 official newspaper as the Staples World, which arranges for all four county newspapers to carry official and legal notices placed by the county. The Long Prairie Leader was designated as the extra publication for official county legal publications. --approved a 2.3 Malt Liquor License for Don and Daves Store for 2014. --appointed Dr. Quinn Strobl as the countys medical examiner for 2014. --set commissioners salaries and per diem payments at the same level as 2013: Salary of $19,097, and per diem of $50. --approved the recruitment and hiring of a Deputy Auditor/Treasurer. --set elected officials salaries at their 2013 rates plus a 1% increase, and approved step increases as appropriate depending on anniversary dates and other considerations. The new salaries will be: County Auditor/ Treasurer: $63,715; County Attorney: $91,215; County Recorder: $66,745; County Sheriff: $61,824.

Students attend Snowmobile Safety Training

This was one of the first years that there has been plenty of snow on the ground for Snowmobile Safety Training that took place on Saturday, January 4th at the Browerville Public School. Additional photos on page 12.

WEEKLY WEATHER REPORT

Tue. Jan. 7 Partly Cloudy 0/-19 Wed. Jan. 8 Partly Cloudy -1/-13 Thur. Jan. 9 Partly Cloudy 17/13 Fri. Jan. 10 Mostly Cloudy 31/16 Sat. Jan. 11 Cloudy 28/21 Sun. Jan. 12 Cloudy 29/14