Thursday, November 25, 2010

Volume 98; Number 24

www.bladepublishing.net

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

75¢
Icy roads don’t stop EV school board
holiday events postpones discussion
of district’s future
By Rin Porter
On November 2, a majority of voters in the Eagle Valley School
District said “no” for the third time in 12 months to ballot questions
attempting to raise money for the district.
Three times in 2009 and 2010, a majority of voters refused to
approve bond issues for new construction, for repair of the school
buildings in Eagle Bend and Clarissa, or for operating revenue.
Their “no” votes have left the district in dire financial condition, and
with few options. The school buildings are deteriorating, there is no
money to upgrade curriculum, and staff cannot be added.
The minority of voters who have voted “yes” are probably wonder-
ing what the “no” voters expect the schools to do – how the leaking
roofs will be repaired, how the teachers will manage to continue the
excellent academic ratings that the schools have received, whether
athletics and co-curricular activities can be maintained.
All these questions and more about the future of the school district
will be up for discussion when the three newly elected school board
members take their places on the board in January 2011. No action
will be taken until then, according to School Board Chair Joel
Godding and Superintendent Jim Madsen.
Godding said in an email interview, “The board has decided that
the new board should be making the next decision as to what to do
next. The three new board members, as any new people on a board,
will always bring fresh ideas. As to what effect they will have, that

Continued on page 16

Todd County hires

Icy roads did not stop a good crowd from attending the Annual Turkey Bingo at Christ the
King and the Lutefisk and Meatball Supper at Zion Lutheran on November 21st. Photos by
Economic Director
Aaron Quirt. By Tim King
The Board of Directors of the
Todd County Development
Corporation has announced that
Rick Utech began his work as
Executive Director of the Economic
Development Corporation the first
week of November. Prior to joining
the newly reorganized Todd
County Development Corporation
(TCDC) Utech spent the last ten
years as economic development
specialist with Itasca Economic
Development Corporation and as
Executive Director with Pine
Economic Development
Corporation. He has more than Rick Utech began his work
seventeen years experience work- as Executive Director of the
ing in economic development in Economic Development
Itasca, Pine and Carlton counties. Corporation during the first
“The Board of Directors inter- week of November.
viewed a number of very quali-
fied candidates for this critical to grow Todd County’s economy.”
position,“ Chad Becker, a Utech is charged with the
Browerville businessman and responsibility of helping Todd
TCDC Board Chairman, said. County businesses, in all sectors
“We were impressed with the of the county economy, retain
depth of Rick’s understanding of and add jobs to the area’s pay-
rural economic issues as well as rolls. To that extent he will visit
his character. We believe he is a with small and large business
good fit for Todd County and owners and operators, from
that he will help us in our goals farms to industrial parks to

Continued on page 16

WEEKLY WEATHER REPORT

Wed. Nov. 24 Thur. Nov. 25 Fri. Nov. 26 Sat, Nov. 27 Sun. Nov. 28 Mon. Nov. 29 Tue. Nov. 30 Wed. Dec. 1
Snow Snow/Wind Mostly Sunny Mostly Sunny Partly Cloudy Snow Shower Snow Shower Sunny
26°/10° 14°/-4° 11°/6° 26°/14° 31°/21° 29°/20° 25°/14° 23°/12°