Showing posts with label rural Minnesota. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rural Minnesota. Show all posts

Friday, March 18, 2011

This is exciting - Hoffman (and Barrett) both gain in population under the 2010 census figures

The figures have just been released. Hoffman grew from 672 (2000) to 681 (2010). The city of Hoffman has overcome substantial economic obstacles during the past decade to post this gain.

Barrett grew from 355 (2000) to 415 (2010).

Herman did not fare badly either, though the city did lose population. The 2010 census figure for Herman is 437. In 2000, it was 457.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Exhibitors are sought for the 2011 Pope County Community Expo

The first annual Pope County Community Expo is coming on Saturday, April 2. The event, sponsored by the Glenwood Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held at the Minnewaska Area High School from 8:30am to 5:00pm.

The Expo will include business, health, and family-oriented groups that will showcase their products and services to the public. It will have interactive demonstrations, entertainment, and educational opportunities to assist individuals at all stages of life with everyday, real-life situations such as healthy living, environmental/agricultural issues, sports/recreation, leisure, volunteer efforts, home improvement, gardening, nature, and historical topics.

Exhibitors are actively being sought for the big event, which will be advertised on Alexandria and Glenwood radio stations, as well as the Pope County Tribune, Starbuck Times, Classy Canary, Senior Perspectives, and the Herman-Hoffman Tribune.

Reduced registration fees will be given to home and part-time businesses, artists, crafters, independent sales consultants, churches, educational facilities, city/county/state offices and services, as well as non-profit, fraternal, and service organizations.

The deadline for exhibitors to register is March 4, 2011. Registration forms can be found online at www.GlenwoodLakesArea.org. They can be mailed out as well by calling the Chamber office at (320) 634-3636 or by e-mail at .

Friday, January 21, 2011

MDA Commissioner applauds EPA ruling on increased ethanol use

E-15 approved for all cars manufactured since 2001

Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Dave Frederickson says he’s pleased with today’s Environmental Protection Agency approval of the use of E15 in all cars made in the past decade. The federal agency confirmed 15 percent ethanol in gasoline is safe for cars manufactured between 2001 and 2006. In October, EPA approved 15 percent ethanol for all cars manufactured since 2007.

“Today’s EPA action reinforces research findings in Minnesota that blends of up to 20 percent ethanol are compatible with vehicles on the road today,” said Commissioner Frederickson. “This is an encouraging development for Minnesota’s ethanol industry which has been a model for reducing the nation’s dependence on foreign oil.”

Minnesota was the first state to implement an E10 requirement and has laid the groundwork to be the first state to require statewide use of E20 by 2013. Today, there are 21 ethanol plants in Minnesota with an annual production capacity of more than 1 billion gallons.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Thoughts by the editor this morning

Waking up with a bitter, 30mph cold wind blowing against the house, I am thankful for a roof over my family's head, food packed in the refrigerator and pantry, and a low monthly heating bill. We say a prayer for the homeless in Minnesota, who are being thrown to the wolves with the Republicans setting the agenda for our troubled state.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Retail Staple Food Prices Edge Higher in Fourth Quarter

Minnesota is below the national average

Retail food prices at the supermarket increased slightly during the fourth quarter of 2010, according to the latest American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Marketbasket Survey.

The informal survey shows the total cost of 16 food items that can be used to prepare one or more meals was $46.97 (Minn. - $46.86), up 80 cents or about 2 percent compared to the third quarter of 2010. Of the 16 items surveyed, nine increased, six decreased and one remained the same in average price compared to the prior quarter. The total average price for the 16 items was up $4.07 (about 10 percent) compared to one year ago.

Bacon, eggs, whole milk, sliced deli ham and bread increased the most in dollar value compared to the third quarter.

Bacon increased 68 cents to $4.32 per pound (Minn. - $4.26); eggs and whole milk increased 19 cents to $1.60 per dozen (Minn. - $1.60) and $3.35 per gallon (Minn. - $3.64), respectively; sliced deli ham increased 18 cents to $4.84 per pound (Minn. - $4.41); and bread increased 14 cents to $1.75 for a 20-ounce loaf (Minn. - $1.54).

“Hearty breakfast lovers felt the pinch in the fourth quarter of 2010,” said AFBF Economist John Anderson. “Increased consumer demand for meats and dairy products that began in 2009 continued through the fourth quarter of 2010. Wholesale meat supplies remained tight in the fourth quarter of the year, due to smaller livestock herds and poultry flocks, which also contributed to the retail price increases our volunteer shoppers reported.”

Other items that increased in price since the third quarter were sirloin tip roast, up 9 cents to $3.95 per pound (Minn. - $4.20); shredded cheddar cheese, up 7 cents to $4.16 per pound (Minn. - $4.33); toasted oat cereal and vegetable oil, up 4 cents each to $2.88 for a 9-ounce box (Minn. - $2.92) and 32-ounce bottle (Minn. - $2.49), respectively.

Most items showing an increase in retail price from quarter-to-quarter also showed year-to-year increases. Compared to one year ago, bacon was up 44 percent, eggs were up 4 percent, whole milk was up 10 percent and sliced deli ham was up 11 percent.

“Increasing our nation’s livestock herd to meet the growing demand for meat and dairy products takes time, so we are likely to see retail prices continue to increase for some foods throughout 2011,” said Anderson.

Six foods decreased slightly in price compared to the prior quarter: boneless chicken breasts, down 34 cents to $3.10 per pound (Minn. - $3.73); flour, down 16 cents to $1.99 for a 5-pound bag (Minn. - $2.01); Russet potatoes, down 13 cents to $2.50 for a 5-pound bag (Minn. - $2.21); ground chuck, down 10 cents to $2.83 per pound (Minn. - $2.85); and bagged salad, down 6 cents to $2.69 per pound (Minn. - $2.12).

Orange juice remained the same in price at $2.97 for a half-gallon (Minn. - $3.19).

The year-to-year direction of the marketbasket survey tracks with the federal government’s Consumer Price Index (www.bls.gov/cpi) report for food at home. As retail grocery prices have increased gradually over time, the share of the average food dollar that America’s farm and ranch families receive has dropped.

“In the mid-1970s, farmers received about one-third of consumer retail food expenditures for food eaten at home and away from home, on average. Since then, that
figure has decreased steadily and is now just over 20 percent, according to Agriculture Department statistics,” said Anderson.

Using the “food at home and away from home” percentage across-the-board, the farmer’s share of this quarter’s $46.97 market basket would be $9.39.

AFBF, the nation’s largest general farm organization, has been conducting the informal quarterly marketbasket survey of retail food price trends since 1989. The mix of foods in the marketbasket was updated during the first quarter of 2008.

According to USDA, Americans spend just under 10 percent of their disposable annual income on food, the lowest average of any country in the world. A total of 92 shoppers in 29 states participated in the latest survey, conducted in late October/early November.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

What an awesome appointment for the Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner, a good friend of mine, Dave Frederickson

I am quite honored to personally know our next Ag Commissioner in Minnesota! Here's Dave Frederickson at work, during a Farm Bill Forum in Morris on August 16, 2010. Dave is the brother-in-law of Rich Kennedy of Herman.











After serving in the Minnesota Senate until 1993, Dave Frederickson was elected President of the Minnesota Farmers Union, who he served from 1993 to 2002. In March of 2002, Frederickson won a tough battle for the President of the National Farmers Union, beating out a very well-funded “commodity-group” backed President of the Oklahoma Farmers Union in what was an incredibly close race. I was actually a part of that process in March 2002, down in Texas, with a group of upper-midwestern farmers self-dubbed "the freedom fighters." It was an experience I'll never forget!

Frederickson served NFU from 2002 until 2007, when he went to work for Senator Amy Klobuchar.

Below, a Herman-Hoffman Tribune exclusive interview with Dave Frederickson on August 16 in Morris.


I'm very excited for rural Minnesota and our agriculture community. Commissioner Frederickson will do an outstanding job representing us and promoting policies that benefit small towns and the farm families who support Greater Minnesota.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Hoffman council holds 2011 Truth in Taxation hearing

Below is the proposed 2011 Hoffman city budget, which was under discussion tonight at the regular meeting of the city council. Click to enlarge.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

It's wicked out there! November Blizzard rages across most parts of Minnesota

Downtown Hoffman on Tuesday morning.

Though western Minnesota did not receive much for snowfall on Monday, November 29 or overnight last night, most schools in the area are two hours late today.



I noticed that Alexandria schools are closed.

I'll get some snow/blizzard pictures up later today!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Mark your calendars for our upcoming local Santa Days!

Mark your calendars!

Hoffman Santa Day is on Sat. December 11. Kensington and Herman will host Santa Day activities on Sat. December 18.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Minnesota Farmers Union state convention is a big success

Click below for an update from the Minnesota Farmers Union 69th annual state convention in Minneapolis, written by rural blogger and journalist Sally Jo Sorenson of Hutchinson. (She's also the McLeod County MFU president)

http://www.bluestemprairie.com/bluestemprairie/2010/11/mfu-can-do-ag-group-passes-policy-and-special-orders-at-2010-state-convention.html

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

At 10:56pm, the WCA levy vote trails 192-170

I'll be updating my blog into the night.

Let's hope and PRAY for good things to happen with the results.

  • In statewide and local races as of 11pm...

In House District 11A, with 20.8% of the precincts reporting, the tallies are: Torrey Westrom 3,371 - Bennett Smith 1,327 - Dave Holman 254. Westrom leads 68% to 26% to 5%.

In Senate District 11, with 22% of the precincts reporting, the tallies are: Bill Ingebrigtsen 5,369 - Jim Thoreen 2,450.

******Update at midnight...great news! At least for now...the WCA levy vote is now in the lead 464 to 439. Oh boy, it is going to be a roller coaster of a night. Pray for good things!

At midnight, with 50.39% of the precincts reporting statewide, the governor race tallies are: Mark Dayton 608,715 (44.9%), Tom Emmer 564,991 (41.72%), Tom Horner 164,809 (12.1%).

Just a few minutes after midnight...YIKES! the WCA levy vote is in the lead 604 to 569. That is a razor thin margin.

At 12:30am, in the Grant County Recorder race, Diann Giese holds a huge lead with 30.4% of the precincts reporting. The tally sits at 541 for Giese with 277 for Tonia Dittberner.

In the 7th Congressional District race, Collin Peterson has been declared the winner over Lee Byberg by the Associated Press.

12:48am... the WCA levy vote sits at 609 yes to 572 no.

In the race for mayor of Kensington, Jim Schecker defeated Ralph Gunderson by a 74 to 47 vote margin.

Stay tuned!















Rural Minnesota school district levy vote totals:

* Willmar * 4,627 no to 4,411 yes.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

House District 11A forum being held tonight (Thursday) in Morris

There is a forum on Thursday night, October 14, in Morris featuring the candidates for Senate District 11 and House District 11A beginning at 7pm at the Morris American Legion. (It's west of the train tracks on Highway 28 by Casey's gas station.)

Also, Congressional District 7 candidate Lee Byberg will be at Detoys Restaurant in Morris on Oct 22nd from 10-11 am.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Passing the word on two local political events

First, for those of you living in Pope County, a debate between District 13 candidates Joe Gimse and Larry Rice will be held at 2:30pm tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct 12) at 2:30pm at the Minnewaska Lutheran Home in Starbuck.

Beginning at 10am on Saturday (meeting at Lakeside Ballroom) a door knock on behalf of Larry Rice and Mark Dayton will be held in Glenwood. Also participating is Paul Thissen, one of the candidates who ran for the DFL endorsement last winter/spring.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Republican-leaning Minnesota Forward airs a blatantly false TV ad on Mark Dayton's tax proposals

First of all, I do not agree with Dayton's tax proposal, I feel it goes too far in raising income taxes and his budget ideas do not include enough spending cuts. That, along with Dayton's idea to build a state-sponsored casino at the Mall of America have led me to lean to Tom Horner for the governor race.

With that said, the group Minnesota Forward lies blatantly in a new TV ad. Follow this link to see what Minnesota Public Radio's Poligraph says in a truth test.

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/polinaut/archive/2010/10/poligraph_mn_fo.shtml

A word to the Republicans - try using the truth when you're campaigning, it would be nice to see you turn over a new leaf. If you used the truth, you'd still have plenty of ammunition to battle Mark Dayton in the governor race.


I won't hold my breath, the Republican Party is full of liars who would rather fall over dead than tell the truth in a political debate.

Here's what I dug up regarding what George Cassell is talking about in the letter to the editor posted below

Here's what happened in 2009:

Despite a $6.4B deficit, the final K-12 budget bill that became law protects K-12 education from any budget cuts while providing stable funding for education.

In addition it protected property tax payers by passing a budget solution without any net increase in school property taxes.

Here's what happened in this year's session:

Despite a $3B deficit (just over $2B were the result of the Governor's unallotments being ruled illegal), K-12 education was protected from any revenue cuts to the classroom.

This was accomplished in large part due to the $1.4B aid payment shift as well as the $576M property tax recognition shift.

The bill also protected property tax payers by passing a budget solution without any net increase in school property taxes.

Finally, since the DFL took control of the House in 2007:

The 2007 omnibus K-12 education bill, provided a 2% increase on the formula in FY08 adn a 1% increase in FY09. This amounted to a $100 per student increase in FY08 adn $50 in FY09.

The 2007 K-12 bill also provided $330M in FY08-09 for special education (a 25.5% increase).

A one-time increase of $51 per pupil in FY09 (2008 supplemental budget bill)

In 2003, the GOP controlled House passed a $622M reduction in education funds over the next two years. Westrom voted for the bill. (excluding the shifts, the real education reduction was $185M)

In 2009, Westrom and the majority of Republican members voted for a $300M cut to school districts.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Tom Emmer will be in Morris and Alexandria for campaign stops tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 29

Republican governor candidate Tom Emmer will visit the heart of west central Minnesota on Wednesday, September 29th, 2010. Emmer will spend the day getting to know the voters and discussing the issues of this economical diverse region of Minnesota.

10-11 am, Willmar GOP Rally, Willmar BPOU Office, 1704 South First South, Willmar MN.

1-2 pm, Morris GOP Rally, Eastside Park, 202 East Seventh Street, Morris MN.

3:30-4:30 pm, Alexandria GOP Rally, Douglas County MnGOP Victory Office, 304 Irving Street, Alexandria MN.

There's a chance I'll see his stop in Willmar in the morning, but I plan for sure to be in Alexandria at 3:30.