National Guard exercise conducted in Buffalo

By Ed DuBois

      A National Guard training exercise took place at the former St. Francis Xavier School property in Buffalo last Tuesday, Aug. 24.  Soldiers in bright colored plastic suits entered the building during a simulated operation involving a search for possible biological or radiological weapons or devices.

      The training exercise was conducted by the Minnesota National Guard 55th CST (Civil Support Team).  Sgt. Vincent Sharp, a spokesman for the National Guard, said the site in Buffalo was used after it was suggested by a member of the 55th CST, Major Jeremy Berndt, who is from Buffalo.

      “A site outside Minneapolis was needed, and I knew the former St. Francis school building was currently unoccupied,” Berndt said.

      The City of Buffalo would like to establish a new community center and fire hall at the site someday.  Arrangements were made with the city to use the site for the exercise.

      Berndt was interviewed once before by the Journal-Press a few years ago when he was involved with delivering soccer balls from the Buffalo area to children in Iraq.  He has been with the 55th CST about a year and a half and serves as a medical operations officer.

      The 55th CST has 22 members altogether.  The unit is one of 57 similar units throughout the country.  At least one unit is located in each state.

      Sgt. Sharp said the CST units work with local authorities, including police departments and fire departments, when needed.  They are the initial response when the military is called in during an incident.

      The commander of the 55th CST, Lt. Col. Jody Gunlock, said the unit has been involved with around 100 incidents in Minnesota since being certified in 2000.  An example of an incident is the discovery of a suspect white powder.  The 55th CST is equipped to locate, investigate and analyze the substance in a mobile lab.

      Gunlock said the largest operation the 55th CST was involved with was the Republican National Convention in St. Paul two years ago.  Elements of five teams were on hand in case their skills were needed.

      The scenario for the exercise in Buffalo involved a former school being converted into a community center.  A contractor is upset at not being selected for the project and decides that, if not him, no one will get the job.  The CST is called in after a report that devices have been planted in the building with the intent to harm city leaders.

      “A lot of times you don’t know exactly what you are getting into,” said Gunlock about his unit’s work.

      We followed two soldiers in protective suits as they entered the former St. Francis school building and conducted reconnaissance activities.  As one pair of soldiers completed a search through part of the building, another pair was sent in to resume to search.

      Asked what would happen if a device were found, Gunlock said attempts would be made to obtain samples of the suspect agent and analyze it in the mobile lab.  At that point, the unit would be coordinating with the FBI.

      The purpose of the exercise in Buffalo was to train unit members and evaluate them.  Evaluators followed the soldiers as they enter the building.

      Sgt. Sharp commented that local officials are glad the National Guard has CST units trained and ready, but they hope they are never needed in a real life incident.

 

 

 

School district continues to strive for adequate yearly progress

By Ed DuBois

      Frustration with the adequate yearly progress (AYP) requirements of the No Child Left Behind legislation was evident when it was introduced about six years ago at Buffalo Hanover Montrose School Board meetings.  The frustration continued at the board meeting last Monday, Aug. 23.

      Pam Miller, curriculum director, was presenting her report on 2010 MCA-II results and AYP.  She pointed out that out of 90 cells of students, 69 made adequate yearly progress, and only 21 did not.

      The frustration involves who the cells represent.  For example, a cell or subgroup consisting of students in special education can put their school on the “needs improvement” list when they do not make AYP.  Subgroups not making AYP have kept the entire BHM School District on the needs improvement list for six years, going on seven.

      Miller, who said the situation is “driving us nuts,” said everyone continues to “do the best we can.”

      She pointed out some highlights in the data.  For example, she said “it is important to note that the district met the AYP requirements in all subgroups in the area of reading for 2010.”  It’s a different story in math.

      Supt. Scott Thielman added some positive news.  Studying the data, he noticed that when a group of students in the same grade move up to the next grade they show progress from one grade to the next.

      “In almost every case I looked at, progress was made as they move up a grade,” he said.

      Nuggets of good news about student performance are keeping the school officials’ spirits high as they continue to live according to the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) rules.

      Miller spoke about a NCLB goal of a 100 percent proficiency rate for all students by 2014.  She displayed charts showing the increasing challenge of achieving the goal.  The chart for all students indicates an increase of 5.4 percent is needed in the number of students reaching proficiency in reading.  In math, an increase of 7.7 percent is needed.

      The needed increases are more pronounced for some of the AYP subgroups.  A chart for students in special education indicates the increase called for in reading is 12.6 percent, and the increase needed in math is 12.8 percent.

      The message was clear.  Try as they will, teachers are not likely to bring about that much improvement.

      Meanwhile, they will continue to develop an improvement plan, as required by NCLB.

      Board members talked about the likelihood that NCLB might be adjusted by the federal government.  They concluded that adjustments are not likely in the near future.  The federal government has many other problems to address first.

      Parents of students at Montrose Elementary School will soon receive letters required by NCLB.  The free and reduced lunch subgroup has put the school on the needs improvement list two years in a row.  The letter will include information regarding a choice that can be made by parents.  If they desire, they can choose to transfer their students to a school that is not on the needs improvement list.  In the BHM District, Parkside Elementary School in Buffalo is the lone alternative.

      Miller reported encouraging news regarding the MCA-II results.  Data on BHM students in all grades shows improvement.  The percentage of students who were proficient in reading increased from 74.2 in 2009 to 78.5 in 2010.  The state average was 72.3 in 2010.  The BHM percentage in math increased from 67.7 in 2009 to 69.2 in 2010.  The state average in 2010 was 65.9.

      Miller said a subgroup that needs attention is English learners.

      Miller then showed how BHM’s proficiency compares to similar school districts.  BHM ranks third out of eight districts in reading and fifth out of eight in math.  The comparison districts include: St. Francis, Centennial, Hastings, Farmington, Hutchinson, Monticello, and St. Michael-Albertville.

      Comparisons with the large, wealthy suburban districts, such as Minnetonka, Edina and Wayzata, were also presented.  BHM is above the state average but far below the proficiency levels of the large suburban districts.

      In other business:

 

DISTRICT GOAL

      The Board approved two district goals, one involving proficiency and the other involving academic growth.

      The district’s students, as a whole, have been showing improvement in proficiency each year.  The proficiency goal is to demonstrate a 7.7-percent increase in math and 5.4 percent in reading.  The ultimate goal is to reach 100 percent in both math and reading by 2014.

      In regard to academic growth, the goal is to score at the 90th percentile or better in the percentile rankings established by the NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association) for reading and math.  Miller said three grade levels are already at or above the 90th percentile in math, and five grade levels are already at the 90th percentile in reading.

      Board member Doug Olson said this information should be shared with the public.  Miller commented that after the information is discussed with the teachers it will likely be reported in the school district newsletter, the Insider.  Olson suggested sharing it with the PTO’s.  Supt. Thielman said Olson’s suggestion is well taken.

 

LEVY AND TAXES

      Gary Kawlewski, finance and operations director, reported on levy processing and timelines.

      “The levy process for the 2010 Payable 2011 levy cycle remains largely the same as it was for 2009 Payable 2010,” reported.  “We will be required to adopt the proposed levy by Sept. 30, 2010 and will do so at the Sept. 27 board meeting. We will also need to notify the county auditors of both the amount of the levy and the date for our truth in taxation hearing by Sept. 30.”

      As was the case last year, the truth in taxation process is a little different than it has been in the past. Currently, BHM is scheduled to host a truth in taxation meeting on Dec. 13, 2010, and the School Board will be asked to approve the final levy at that same board meeting.  Previous to last year, the truth in taxation meeting needed to be held at a separate meeting from the adoption of the levy, and a continuation hearing could have also been required.

      “We have submitted all of the required levy data information as of the deadlines set by the Minnesota Department of Education,” Kawlewski reported.  “MDE will perform their preliminary calculations and will make the initial proposed levy available to us somewhere around Sept. 8.  Since there are a vast number of variables in the calculations that can be subject to change, we will be asking you (the School Board) to approve the “maximum” levy in September, as has been the past practice.  This allows the final levy corrections to be made that may not be done in time to approve the levy on Sept. 27.  We hope that those changes will be minimal if any at all.”

 

TRANSPORTATION

      The Board approved recommendations from the Transportation Committee regarding school bus pickups for students with disabilities.  Pickups using only four-way amber lights will be allowed on Arlanda Ave. in Buffalo.  The use of eight-way stop signals will not be required because Arlanda is not a busy roadway and there is enough room to allow adequate passage of traffic.  State law allows this action by the Board.

      Eight-way stop signals will be required on Pulaski Rd., where the roadway is busier and there is not enough room to allow adequate passage of traffic.  A request was made for using only four-way amber lights at a site along Pulaski Rd., but the committee visited Pulaski Rd. and determined that eight-way stop signals should be used for the sake of safety.

 

MISC.

      In other actions, the Board:

      * greeted new student representative Carmen Huhn, who reported Homecoming Week at Buffalo High School takes place Sept. 20-25, and the theme is “Global Journey;”

      * approved the middle school handbook;

      * affirmed substitute pay rates approved last March;

      * reviewed proposed policy updates; and

      * received news that Mounds View has joined the Northwest Suburban Integration School District (NWSISD), through which the Arts Magnet Program at Buffalo High School was started.

 

MEETINGS

      Upcoming meetings and events include:

      * New Teacher Lunch-eon, 11:45 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 26, Northwinds Elementary School;

      * District Welcome Back Program, 9 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 1, BHS;

      * Board Workshop, 4:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 13, Board Room; and

      * Board Meeting, 7 p.m., Monday, Sept. 27, Board Room.

 

DONATIONS

      Donations accepted by the Board include:

      $158.40 from Wells Fargo Support Campaign to HES;

      $24 from General Mills to NES;

      $133.30 from Dean Foods-Land O’ Lakes Milk Tops program to NES; and

      $89.55 from Kwik Trip Milk Moola to NES.

 

 

 

Mayor and council candidates file in area cities

      Candidates have filed for mayor and city council positions in Wright County’s cities.  The election is taking place on Nov. 2. The candidates whose names will be on the ballots are as follows:

 

ALBERTVILLE

      Mayor: Ron Klecker (incumbent) and Mark Meehan.

      City Council (two seats): Mark Barthel, Tom Fay (incumbent), Jill Schommer, and Dan Wagner (incumbent).

 

ANNANDALE

      Mayor: Brennan McAlpin (incumbent) and Marlene Young.

      City Council (two seats): John Driste (incumbent), Dwight “Dewey” Gunnar-son, Shelly Jonas, Scott Larson.  (Incumbent Char-les Schacht did not file.)

 

BUFFALO

      Mayor: Del Haag, Brad Nauman.  (Incumbent Fred Naaktgeboren did not file.)

      City Council (two seats): Steve Downer (incumbent), Scott Enter and Bob Mobley (incumbent).

 

CLEARWATER

      Mayor: Lee Monk (incumbent) and Gary Phelps.

      City Council: Kris Crandall (incumbent).

      City Council: Kelly Jarmuzek-Ashton (incumbent).

      City Council (two-year term): Mike Ranum, Vern Scott (incumbent).

 

COKATO

      Mayor: Gordon Erickson.  (incumbent Bruce Johnson did not file.)

      City Council (two seats):

Ken Bakke, Jesse Bunker.  (Incumbent Gordon Erick-son is running for mayor, and incumbent Wayne Murphy did not file.)

      Referendum question one:  Shall the city levy $1.4 million for a new public safety building?

      Referendum question two:  Shall the sale of liquor on Sunday be allowed?

 

DAYTON

      Mayor: Douglas Anderson (incumbent), Hilmer Hartman, James Jadwin.

      City Council (two seats): Kevin Anderson (incumbent), Tim McNeil (incumbent), Rick Schermer.

 

DELANO

      Mayor: Larry Bartels, Dale Graunke, Harlan Lewis.  (Incumbent Joe McDonald is running for state representative).

      City Council (two seats): Jacqui Blasiak, Dan Gustaf-son, Marc Plese, Derek Schansberg, John Suther-land, Jason Thompson, Dan Vick.  (Incumbent Larry Bartels is running for major, and incumbent Brad Hotchkiss did not file.)

 

HANOVER

      City Council (two seats): Chris Kauffman, Stan Kolasa (incumbent), Wendy Pinor (incumbent).

 

HOWARD LAKE

      Mayor: Richard Lammers (incumbent).

      City Council (three seats):

Michael Mitchell (incumbent), Allan Munson, Peter Zimmerman.

 

MAPLE LAKE

      Mayor: Mike O’Loughlin (incumbent).

      City Council (two seats):

Shar Dircks (incumbent), Deb Geyen (incumbent).

 

MONTICELLO

      Mayor: Clint Herbst (incumbent), Lee Martie.

      City Council (two seats):

Lloyd Hilgart, Wayne Mayer, Brian Stumpf (incumbent).  (Incumbent Susie Wojchouski did not file.)

 

MONTROSE

      City Council (two seats):

Ryan Andreae (incumbent), Scott Czanstkowski, Roy Henry, Sharon Knodel (incumbent), Charlie Nel-son, John Varner.

 

OTSEGO

      City Council (two seats):

Tom Darkenwald (incumbent), Vern Heidner (incumbent), Jerry Struthers.

      City Council (two-year term): Doug Schroeder.

 

ROCKFORD

      City Council (two seats):  Jeannette Graner (incumbent), Todd Wenz, Michael Werman.  (Incumbent Troy Nichols did not file.)

 

ST. MICHAEL

      Mayor: Jerry Zachman (incumbent).

      City Council (two seats): Derek Falde, Steven Gapin-ski, Cody Gulick, Robert Hays, Senell Jaster, Kevin Kasel (incumbent), Allen Lund, Nadine Schoen, Chris Schumm, and Greg Zahler.  (Incumbent Joe Hagerty did not file because he is running for sheriff.)

 

SOUTH HAVEN

      (No election this year.  South Haven’s next city election takes place during the 2012 general election.)

 

WAVERLY

      Mayor (two-year term): Connie Holmes.  (Incum-bent Ken Antil is running for a city council position.)

      City Council (two seats):

Ken Antil, Ben Duske, Keith Harris (incumbent), Lee Hall.  (Incumbent John Konrath did not file.)

 

 

 

Plane crash claims two lives near Clearwater

Jeffrey Colbenson

      Two men died in a plane crash just north of Sugar Lake in Clearwater Town-ship last Sunday, Aug. 22, reports the Wright County Sheriff’s Office.

      A report about the crash was received by the Sheriff’s Office at 12:40 p.m.  The site of the crash is in a wooded area near the 13500 block of CSAH 7.  An initial investigation indicated the aircraft, a 1988 Christen Eagle II Bi-Plane, was being piloted by Brett Johnson, 32, of Becker.  Witnesses on the ground reported the plane was performing aerial acrobatics when it lost power and crashed into the ground.  Both the pilot and a passenger, Jeffrey Colbenson, 34, of Maple Lake, were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.

      The Clearwater Fire Department assisted the Sheriff’s Office at the scene. The incident remains under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration, Wright County Coroner’s Office and the Wright County Sheriff’s Office.

      Sadly, Colbenson was planning to get married this Saturday.  His fiancée is a member of the Maple Lake Fire Department.  Fire Chief Todd Borell, who was Colbenson’s neighbor, described Colbenson as “easy going and always smiling.”  He never became upset.

      “He was a good friend, and he was always there to help,” Borell commented.

      Colbenson did concrete work for a living.  Previously, he was in carpentry and road construction.

      A Monticello High School graduate, he grew up near Lake Maria State Park.  He enjoyed spending free time with family and friends, and he loved snowmobiling, Borell said.

      Colbenson and the pilot of the airplane that crashed last Sunday, Brett Johnson, were friends in high school.

      The two men took off from a grass airstrip in Clear Lake, according to media reports.

      Funeral services for Colbenson are taking place at 11 a.m. this Friday, Aug. 27 at Faith Lutheran Church, Monticello, with Rev. Jim Tetlie officiating.  Burial will follow at Lakeside Cemetery.  Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Thursday at the Dingmann Funeral Care Chapel, Maple Lake and Friday one hour prior to services at the church.

      He is survived by: his fiancée Beth Blizil and their son, Carter Matthew Colbenson of Maple Lake; parents, Greg and Gloria Colbenson of Monticello; brothers, Joseph (Nicole) and their daughter, Anna of Monticello, and Jason of Clarissa; and grandmother, Eleanor Jean Colbenson of Annandale.

      Services for Brett Johnson are taking place this Thursday, Aug. 26, 11 a.m., at Faith Lutheran Church, Monticello.  Visitation was held from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 25 at Peterson-Grimsmo Chapel, Monticello.  Further visitation takes place Thursday one hour prior to the funeral at the church.

 

 

 

Patina General opens soon

      Patina is a sheen produced by age or use.  Patina General is a new occasional sales business offering a variety of vintage items, including home furnishings.  Opening soon at Division and 1st in downtown Buffalo, the store is owned by Lora Bloomquist (left) and Cheryl Jarl (right).  They were college friends who stayed in touch and operated from home and in rented spaces before starting their own shop.  Enjoy treats and prizes during a Sept. 10-11 grand opening.

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