Thursday, June 14, 2012

Volume 96; Number 51

www.bladepublishing.net

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

75

County Board-Open Community will bid farewell to Meeting, Illegal meeting? Pastor Nate Loer and family Probably not
Todd County Board accused of violating the Open Meeting Law, but the law could be on their side By Jason C. Brown, Publisher/Editor Long Prairie Leader The Todd County Board of Commissioners has had a tough time of it lately. The board is awaiting the results of an audit to see if the county administrator misused county funds, attempts to fudge statutory procedures and some commissioners have even gone so far to say that the board itself held an illegal meeting due to a lack of notification. These claims have been made in public and through newspapers in the county, in particular the Browerville Blade and the Staples World. In an article, written by Tim King and published in the Blade and World, it states The Todd County Commissioners did fudge on the law requiring three days public notice for special County Board meetings. The claims of impropriety stem back to a forfeited land sale. The Todd County Board of Commissioners approved action for a land sale during its Feb. 7 meeting, however, according to Todd County Auditor Treasurer Karen Busch, the board failed to pass a resolution that set the terms of the sale. It was reported that Todd County Administrator Nathan Burkett asked Busch to fudge it (the requirement to pass the resolution since the board neglected to adopt it at the Feb. 7 meeting). Busch is reported as saying that she would not fudge it and would pull the sale if the resolution wasnt passed on the 14th, the day of the now infamous special meeting. The statutory requirement for advertising the sale called for three weeks notice, which made passing the resolution imperative to the sale moving forward. Burkett went on record saying his intent was to ask Busch if it has to be done this way. Burkett said Busch said yes and the resolution was scheduled accordingly. To move things along, Burkett told the Leader that Commissioner and Board Chair Gerry Ruda called the meeting, with it taking place on Feb. 14. Burkett further explained that the meeting was called on Friday, Feb. 10, just four days, before the scheduled meeting. The statute in question, The Open Meeting Continued on page 16.

Pastor Nate has been a big part of the Vacation Bible School program for pre-school through sixth grade. Above: Pastor Nate with the 2012 VBS children. Inset picture: Pastor Nate and Audrey Loer when they first arrived in the Browerville community in 2003. Pastor Nate Loer and his family have been a huge part of the Zion Lutheran Church here in Browerville over the past nine years. Since they moved here in 2003, they have touched many peoples lives and openly shared their faith with everyone from young children to adults. Pastor Nate grew up in East Grand Forks, Minnesota, where he was always involved in the church. Both of his parents were Sunday school teachers and his family attended church regularly. He was also a spiritual leader at summer camps. At this time, becoming a pastor had never even crossed his mind. The first seed was planted by my own pastor during a tenth grade confirmation faith meeting. He had asked me if I had ever thought about being a pastor, explained Pastor Nate, I had laughed at the idea, it was something I never really thought about. As a junior in high school, people questioned him about what he wanted to go to college for and what he wanted to be when he was older. He would tell them he wanted to be an engineer or an attorney, or maybe even a pastor. They would always tell him he would make a great pastor. I begrudgingly embraced that affirmation, said Pastor Nate. After graduating from high school in 1994, he attended college at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. Although he had a slight idea that he wanted to be a pastor at this time, he went to college to major in engineering. He soon realized this was not the best degree for him and switched to a communication major. He graduated with a communication major in 1997, and began working as a youth director at his local church. Nate and Audrey were married that spring. In the fall, they moved out to Seattle to attend a Lutheran Bible Study program. By this time Nate knew he wanted to be a pastor. Audrey also went to school during this time . In 1999, Nate went to seminary, which is sort of a pastor training program. He spent four years at the Lutheran Seminary in St. Paul. During his third year, 2001-2002, he interned in Marinette, Wisconsin, which was a wonderful year for him, he recalls. His first call right from seminary was to the Zion Lutheran Church in Browerville. In July of 2003, Pastor Nate and his wife Audrey were welcomed into the Browerville community. He came into a long line of pastors at Zion, but never felt like he was interfering. From the beginning, Browerville was very welcoming, says Pastor Nate, We felt at home from the very first day. He had also taken a liking to the close-knit community and valued the pride and history the town has. Through his time here he has seen many changes in himself and the community. When he first arrived in Browerville, he had troubles with the interruptions that the job included. For example, he would have his schedule all planned out, but a phone call from the hospital could change his entire day. He said he had always been meticulous, well-prepared, and organized, but through his job he has learned to embrace the chaos and interContinued on page 16.

Baseball advances to State

The Tiger Baseball Team clinched the Section Championship and earned a trip to State on Friday, June 8th. The boys will face Kenyon-Wanamingo on June 14th in Chaska.

WEEKLY WEATHER REPORT

Tue. June 12 Sunny 68/49 Wed. June 13 Isolated T-Storms 71/59 Thurs. June 14 Scattered T-Storms 77/66 Fri. June 15 Scattered T-Storms 83/67 Sat. June 16 Scattered T-Storms 85/67 Sun. June 17 Scattered T-Storms 86/64