Letter to the editor: Nelson

Letter To the Editor:

For several months now, the Dodge County Independent has published an editorial column from two fictional characters named Flo and Jo.  The amazing thing about the column is the DCI has never published the actual author’s name and they don’t really let the reader know this is an editorial piece.  The column has been used to attack the Kasson City Council on several occasions.  Typically, when a newspaper publishes something like this, they will include the author’s name.  Last week, at least, the column appeared on the editorial page.  It might be more fitting if the DCI had a “fiction” page and it appeared there.  Which leads me to the other amazing thing about the column, rarely does it contain factual data. 

Last week’s column from Flo/Jo was a prime example of how KARE tries to distort the facts or just not even bother with facts.  Yes, several years ago the City of Kasson had to take down the old limestone fireplace in North Park. It had not aged well and was becoming quite dangerous.  The City brought in a professional stone layer to look at it.  The cost to repair was extremely high.  And, it is true that someone from KARE offered the services of a stone layer friend of hers.  However, it was quickly determined this stone layer was not licensed, was not certified, and was not insured.  Unfortunately, upon learning this, the City could not legally use his services.  Regarding the old limestone wall, though, what Flo/Jo wrote is completely false.  The City has never talked about taking down this wall.  I also found it interesting at the recent Dodge County Expo KARE had a picture of the stone wall with the word “Endangered” written across it.  Where does this come from?  Why are they spreading this type of disinformation?

Two weeks ago Kenton Spading wrote a letter to the editor that implied our current City Council does not have good people serving on it.  I was literally shocked and a little hurt by that.  And then, I had to wonder on what does he base his opinion? He hasn’t lived in Kasson since the late 1970’s.  He has been to one Council meeting in the last 8 or 9 years.  Why does he, and his group called KARE, want to spread vitriol and anger in an apparent attempt to divide Kasson?  After reading Kenton’s letter and the last two Flo/Jo columns, I think I now know who the author of Flo/Jo is. 
KARE has asked the City of Kasson for numerous requests over the last few years and the City has been pretty agreeable.  I would now like to ask KARE for something.  Starting immediately, KARE should print the actual author’s name with the Flo/Jo column.  They also need to spell out in their column where the information they are printing comes from.  I have never seen a group given the ability to publish disinformation, innuendo, and fiction in an editorial and then not even be required to include their name.  It baffles me.

The Mayor of Kasson and the City Council has been very respectful and accommodating during the ongoing saga of the Old School building.  It is unfortunate KARE has not always returned that favor.

Sincerely,
Matt Nelson

 

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Thousands of dollars in copper stolen from former Kasson school

City administrator Randy Lenth opened up the former Kasson school Wednesday morning so representatives from Sherman Associates, including a construction manager, could take another look at the building. What he found is individuals had entered the locked building through a side door and stolen thousands of dollars worth of copper piping from the building.  Lenth notified the Kasson police and they took several photos.

Copper piping from the basement to the top floor was removed from the building over a period of time that was believed to be more than one day.

They had an elaborate system for removing the pipe. From the basement to the main level  ramps were set up to cart the pipe up the stairs. The larger copper pipe was in the basement. At the top of the stairs on the main level a  long bench was built so  they could cut the pipe. In the former lunch room a large black tarp covered a window so nobody could look in.

Police Chief Ken Schuck said they determined the theft took place over a period of several hours and days some time between December and last week when the break-in was discovered.
The police chief and city administrator said it was unusual that no one called. Typically if anything suspicious is going on a neighbor will call police or city hall.

They believe the thieves entered the building through a northwest door which enters a hallway at the north end of the building. It is evident the lock was broke and there was forced entry. Looking at all of the pipe wrap strewn from room to room it's obvious the thieves knew what they were doing.
Counselor Realtor Kathy O'Malley had the building opened so staff from Sherman Associates Inc. of Minneapolis cold go through the building. Sherman Associates signed a purchase agreement in February to buy the building. They were given 270 days to secure Housing and Urban Development (HUD) financing. Kathy 'O'Malley said she was "sick" when she saw the mess the thieves made when they stole the pipe.

Police Chief Schuck said, in cooperation with the Dodge County Sheriff's Department, they are working with a network that can track locations  where the copper might have been sold. Other than that they are asking for assistance from public. Anyone who might have seen a vehicle or someone around the building or on the playground between December and now should contact the Kasson police at 634-3881.

Letter to the editor: Spading

Letter to the Editor:

I read with interest the Letters to the Editor in the March 7 DCI regarding the City of Kasson’s questionable reorganization of the Kasson Fire Department.  Thank you to former Kasson Mayor Jeff Stevenson and Georgiann Musolf for writing those letters which outlined the city’s adventurous actions.  Approximately one year ago similar letters to the editor appeared.  Thank you also to those letter writers.  It is not easy to stand up and be counted by expressing your opinions publicly.

Three (3) city council positions are up for election in November 2012 to include the Mayor.  The filing deadline to run for any of those three positions is July 31, 2012.  Yes, that is correct, you have to file your intent to run and be on the ballot three months prior to the election.  Filing forms can be obtained from City Hall by calling 507-634-7071 or by emailing: CityHall@CityOfKasson.com

The only thing standing between the status quo and change within City Hall is good citizens refusing to take action.  Who is going to stand up and be counted?  If you don't have the courage of your convictions, you'll never reach your goals.

Best Regards,
Kenton Spading, KM Class of 1973

What's Happening around town: Flo and Joe

What's happening around Town?
By Joe and Flo

Flo: Hey Joe, The Zumbro Valley Golf Course is looking very good given all the nice weather.  Thank you for inviting me here for lunch.  I am having the turkey club.  How about you?

Joe: I am going with the BLT.  I played golf here yesterday in March no less!

Flo:  When was the golf course founded?

Joe: I recently read Paul Leuthold’s history of golf courses in the Kasson area.  In 1920 Kasson had an organization called the Triangle Club.  Triangle members made arrangements with Henry Blanch to use a part of his pasture across from the Dodge County Fair Grounds as a golf course.  The term golf course might be stretching it as there were only three or four holes.  The founding pioneers included Sam Lord, Howard Tollefson, Carlos Leuthold, Ole Stenstad, Dr. C. L. Nelson, Lloyd Leuthold, Dr. S. A. Helebrandt and Paul.

 Flo: Wow! That is an interesting group of names.  It is impossible to read about Kasson’s history without running into the Tollefson and Leuthold names.

Joe: Yes. Someday there will be a list of names of the citizens who worked to save Kasson’s historic 1918 Public School.  But back to golf.  They soon needed more room.  This time they located a pasture belonging to Harry Houston that was one mile south of the present golf course.  This course was much better looking and it was used for about three years.  One of the biggest challenges was sharing the property with Harry’s cows and pigs!  When Harry raised the rent to $750 in 1924 the club decided to move on.

Flo: These guys sure loved golf!  Imagine the work it took to develop these little tracts.

Joe: Yes, it involved work but it also involved community pride and dedication to a cause.   Does that sound familiar today in regards to the 1918 School?   This time the golfers rented land at the Bowman farm from Chris Dennesen.  The rent was $200 for the first year.  Developing this third golf course was a tremendous undertaking but the possibility of a truly beautiful course was evident so the group decided to buy the land which is where the present day Zumbro Valley Golf Course is located.

Flo: How much did the land cost?

Joe: A final deal was inked on July 9, 1926 for $3,445.85.  A stockholders group was formed and incorporated as the Zumbro Valley Recreation Club.  This corporation leased the grounds to the Kasson Golf Club until 1933 when it became evident that two organizations were not necessary.  A vote was held which resulted in the running of the club being taken over by the Recreation Club.

Flo:  That is a very interesting story.   Speaking of organizations and votes which Kasson Council members are up for election this year?

Joe: Good question.  The upcoming 2012 election is going to be huge nationally given the presidential election.  It will also garner a lot of attention in Kasson.  Kasson City Council members Mike Marti, Matt Nelson and Mayor Tim Tjosaas will be on the 2012 ballot.

Flo: My brother wants to run.  He has some time now that he is no longer a member of the Kasson Fire Department.   What does he have to do to get on the ballot?

Joe: The filing deadline to be on the November ballot is July 31, 2012.   All he has to do is contact city hall at 507-634-7071 to request the filing form or stop by City Hall.

Flo: Ok, I will tell him.  I am looking forward to meeting you next week.  I have many more questions for you.

“What’s happening around town”
By Joe and Flo is sponsored by KARE
(Kasson Alliance for Restoration).
   For more information call 634-7435 and:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCLwrHbZhLs
Visit Kasson State Bank and learn how you can contribute to “Saving and Reusing the 1918 Historic School.”
The information contained in
“What’s happening around town?” 
does not reflect the views of the
Dodge County Independent Newspaper.