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HEADLINES FOR JANUARY 15, 2010 |
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Every two years the Buffalo Fire Department conducts a fire chief election, and 2010 is starting out with a new fire chief. John Harnois was elected last month.
He succeeds Robin Barfknecht, who served a decade as fire chief from 2000 to 2010.
Harnois has been a Buffalo firefighter since 1992. At the time, he was working at a NAPA car parts store and often had contact with Fire Chief Jim Nelson, who owned and operated an auto repair business.
“Jim is the reason I joined the Fire Depart-ment,” Harnois said.
Originally from Vermil-lion, S.D., Harnois came to Buffalo in 1988, when his wife, Karmen, was hired by the local school system to work in speech therapy. She serves at Montrose Elementary School.
John had been a firefighter in Vermillion. Upon joining the Buffalo Fire Department, he became a training officer in 1997 and was the second assistant fire chief by 1998. He moved up to first assistant fire chief in 2000.
John and Karmen have two children, daughter Chantel, 16, and son Sean, 13. John works for Russell Security and provides camera security and card access system services. Some of his workplaces include the Buffalo Hanover Montrose School District, the St. Michael-Albertville School District and Wright County government buildings.
The current second assistant chief is Brian Nord, who grew up in Buffalo and was a member of the Buffalo High School Class of 1986. He is the operations manager for Allina Medical Transportation. Nord joined the Fire Department in 1993 and has served as a training officer and a captain.
The first assistant chief, Mike Brings, is originally from Buffalo and graduated from Buffalo High School in 1989. He has his own plumbing and heating business. After joining the Fire Department in 1991, he served as a lieutenant and a captain.
The Buffalo Fire Depart-ment’s history of fire chiefs goes back to 1889, according to a history of Buffalo written by Marcia Paulsen. The list of fire chiefs may not be complete, but the book indicates the first fire chiefs were J.H. Wendell in 1889, A. Fremd in 1895, Albert Boerner in 1910, and Fred Bjork in 1921. In more recent times, Jim Nelson was the fire chief for nearly 20 years, from 1973 to 1992. He was followed by Brian Loberg from 1992 to 1996, Byron Bonk from 1996 to 1998, Jay Loberg from 1998 to 2000, and Robin Barfknecht from 2000 to 2010.
When her mom was in trouble, girl knew what to do
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By Ed DuBois
Ten-year-old Sidney Gifford was prepared when her mom, Laura Gifford, suffered a seizure on Sept. 28. Her family had a plan in place.
Laura, who recovered and has been getting more active each day, said every family should have a medical emergency plan. Many families have a plan in case of a fire. Do you know what to do if a family member needs immediate medical help?
Sidney knew. She said her parents had talked to her about what a seizure is and what to do.
Her mom was not feeling well on Sept. 28, she recalled. Then, while Laura was getting some clothes from a closet, Sidney heard a thump. She found her mother shaking and helpless on the closet floor.
Laura had undergone successful surgery on a brain tumor in August. Seizures do not always result from this type of surgery, the family learned, but Laura has experienced more than one.
Allina Medical Transportation was so impressed by Sidney’s actions on Sept. 28, they conducted a recognition ceremony at her St. Michael home on her tenth birthday, Wednesday, Jan. 6. Sidney met the Allina dispatcher, Terri Hanson, who helped her on the phone. Hanson commented that Sidney handled the situation better than most adults and exhibited “grace under fire.”
Sidney was crying when she called, and Hanson helped her calm down with a series of questions and some suggestions on how to help her mom. Sidney followed Hanson’s directions well. She had her siblings look out the window for the arrival of the ambulance while staying with her mom. She told the other children, Alanna, 6, Marissa, 3, and Gavin, 2, the ambulance would have its lights and siren on.
Continuing to follow Hanson’s directions, Sidney knelt down by her mother and told her she would be okay and help was coming.
“Nothing bad is going to happen,” Sidney whispered.
Laura said Sidney was like a mother to her.
“She is such a caring girl,” Laura commented.
Sidney recalled Hanson had a very calm voice, which made her feel better.
“I knew that after Mom had the seizure she would be okay, but I was still scared,” Sidney said.
Laura, who was a personal trainer before her surgery, and her husband, Brian, a stock trader, are very happy they had a plan and that Sidney was able to follow it so well.
Sidney remembers being told, “If Mom and Dad ever cannot answer you, call 911.”
She received a medallion and a “Star Performer Award” certificate of recognition for her “grace under fire.”
Others involved with the 911 call besides Hanson and Allina EMS included the St. Michael Fire Department and Wright County Sheriff’s Office staff.
Several Twin Cities TV stations broadcast news reports about Sidney. Laura said there were cameras all over during the recognition ceremony.
Answers to census questions provided by Minnesota State Demographic Center
With the 2010 Census taking place this year, the Minnesota State Demographic Center has provided the following questions and answers to help provide information.
What is the 2010 Census?
The Census is a count of everyone in the United States, conducted every 10 years.
When is the 2010 Census?
The 2010 Census will take place on April 1, 2010.
Why do we have a Census?
The U.S. Constitution requires it. The Census determines representation in the U.S. Congress. Census numbers are also used to allocate federal and state funding and redraw state legislative boundaries. The public and private sectors use the numbers for numerous planning needs.
How does the Census determine Congressional representation?
Seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are reapportioned each decade to the 50 states in accordance with the population actually counted in the Census.
How does the Census Bureau count us?
The Census Bureau will mail questionnaires in mid-March 2010. After completing the form, recipients should mail it back to the Census Bureau by Census Day – April 1, 2010.
What questions does the 2010 Census ask?
The Census asks four general questions about the household, such as whether you own or rent your home, and six questions about each individual in the household, including name, sex, age, date of birth and race. The Census form is online here.
Who should complete the Census form?
The head of household should complete the form on behalf of every person living in the residence on April 1, 2010, including relatives and non-relatives.
Why does the Census want our names?
The Census requests names to help ensure people are not counted twice and to allow you, and only you, the right to obtain a record from the Census Bureau at a later time for proving age or citizenship.
How long will it take to fill out the form?
Approximately 10 minutes, depending on the number of individuals in the household.
Who decides what questions will be asked?
The United States Congress approves the form and all procedures for the Census.
The 2000 Census had a long form – what happened to that?
In the past, some households received the “long form,” while all others received a form that is similar to the one being used in 2010. The long form is no longer part of the Decennial Census. The questions that were asked on the long form are now asked in a sample survey, called the American Community Survey.
Do people have to take part in the 2010 Census?
Yes, participation in the 2010 Census is vital and required by law.
What if someone doesn’t respond?
Census Bureau employees will make every effort to get a response from every household.
How does the Census Bureau count people without a permanent residence?
Census Bureau workers undertake extensive operations to count people living in group quarters, such as college dormitories, military barracks, nursing homes and shelters, as well as those who have been displaced by natural disasters.
How can people get help with completing the form?
Language assistance guides are available in 59 languages. Questionnaire Assistance Centers (QAC) will also assist those unable to read or understand the form. A Teletext Device for the Deaf (TDD) program will help persons with hearing disabilities.
Why does the Census Bureau ask about race and Hispanic origin?
The Census Bureau collects race data in accordance with guidelines provided by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. Information on race is required for many federal programs and is used to assess health and environmental risks associated with specific race and ethnic groups.
Does the Census Bureau share information with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Internal Revenue Service, courts or police?
No. It is against the law for the Census Bureau to give personally identifiable information about an individual to any other individual or agency until 72 years after it is collected for the decennial Census.
Where Can I Get More Information?
Contact the Minnesota State Demographic Center at 651-201-2473 or the Census Bureau’s Kansas City Regional Office at 816/298-9675, www.census.gov/2010census/.
Green Acres facts being made available to public by county
By Ed DuBois
The Green Acres program was complicated before the changes of the past two years, and it might be even more complicated now. Speaking at the Wright County Board meeting last Tuesday, Jan. 12, County Assessor Greg Kramber talked about efforts to help the public understand the program.
He is sending out a letter to property owners with a “Notification for Property Enrolled in Green Acres.” The form explains the changes and the options available to property owners.
Kramber asks property owners to read the information carefully before contacting his office for answers to questions. He is hopeful that the information in the letter, as well as information posted on the county website home page (at www.co.wright.mn.us), can answer most questions. He plans to have fact sheets and other information documents available at the courthouse, as well.
A tremendous amount of time and energy went into answering questions last year. Kramber said 800 to 1,000 man hours were devoted last year by his staff to addressing questions about Green Acres. He was extremely concerned about the volume of questions, he told the County Board.
“We are willing to answer any questions from the public,” Kramber stated. But he asks everyone to seek answers from the information being made available before calling.
Kramber went over some background about the program and some changes that have been made. He has been involved with providing testimony for the Legislature, and he mentioned that the state association of assessors supports more simplicity in the tax system. Unfortunately, Green Acres may now be more complicated than ever.
Green Acres was established in 1967 to help equalize the property tax burden among farmers in various parts of the state, he said. Wright County became involved around 1971, and the program has worked well here, Kramber stated.
A law change in 2008 was aimed at eliminating land not being used for farming. Land that is productive is referred to as Class 2a land, and nonproductive acres are referred to as Class 2b land.
One of the changes in 2008 involved paying back deferred taxes for seven years instead of three years when Green Acres land is sold or transferred. Changes in 2009 repealed the seven-year payback and brought back the three-year payback. Many details about these and other changes are available in the information being made available by Kramber.
Other topics in the Green Acres information include: land enrolled in conservation programs, a new Rural Preserve Program and options for Class 2b rural vacant land. A Department of Revenue fact sheet about Green Acres is included, as well as a fact sheet about the new Rural Preserve Program.
Kramber mentioned another new program involving forest land. He plans to post a Class 2c Managed Forest Land fact sheet on the county website.
He also mentioned that he would have preferred to make the information about Green Acres available sooner, but it took a long time to work through the legislation so it could be explained to the public.
Commissioner Jack Russek commented that the changes in 2008 should not have been made. The program was not broken, so it should not have been fixed, he said. Now the program is way more complicated, he added.
In other business:
NEW 4-H PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Nick Neaton of Water-town, who became Wright County’s new 4-H coordinator last November, provided an update about the 4-H program. He said over 500 members are involved, and his goal is increase the membership five percent.
“The program continues to grow,” Neaton said.
He is a Wright County native from Woodland Township, which is not very far from where he lives now.
Neaton described up-coming activities, including Project Bowl events.
He said 4-H people are great, and he enjoys the way 4-H helps young people learn and get involved with positive activities. He said 4-H is an investment in the future.
JAIL MEDICAL SERVICES
Gary Torfin, jail administrator, received approval for a jail medical services contract with Allina.
The cost of the services is increasing about 18.5 percent, mainly due to increased costs in what is called EPPA (Emergency Physicians Professional Association) services. Torfin reported that EPPA had not had an increase in fees since the beginning of the contracted service. The overall increase also reflects nursing cost increases.
Commissioner Jack Russek asked if the county has other alternatives for jail medical services. Torfin said there have not been other vendors with a presence in the area, but he mentioned Sherburne County recently switched vendors.
Torfin added that a previous vendor for Wright County suddenly went out of business, and then the county approached Allina, even though jail medical services is beyond their usual scope of business. He said he has been very happy with the services Allina provides, mentioning that the nurses make themselves available on weekends and evenings even when they do not have to do so.
“They do a tremendous job for us,” Torfin said.
He also said, “We have been spoiled by their good service.”
Allina reportedly does not profit from the jail medical services contract, but the County Board appeared concerned about the sharp cost increase for 2010.
The Board approved the 2010 contract with Allina. Torfin said he will research the availability of other vendors who might be interested in seeking the contract for 2011.
SALES TAX
Brian Asleson, chief deputy county attorney, provided an update on an appeal regarding sales tax on aerial photos and communications center furniture in the Law Enforcement Center. The county is conducting an informal appeal with the Department of Revenue rather than going directly to tax court.
The amount being contested is roughly $34,000. The Board decided to pay uncontested sales tax and withhold payment of the $34,000. Commissioner Russek commented that it would be hard to get the $34,000 back if it was paid before the contested sales tax matter is resolved.
The county is paying about $170 a month on the money. Commissioner Pat Sawatzke pointed out that some interest is being earned by the money, as well.
REBATE FOR CITY
The Board approved a $664 rebate for the City of Buffalo. The rebate is given in recognition of the energy efficient lighting installed in the County Government Center lobby.
MISC.
In other actions, the Board:
* authorized payment of $195 to Dr. Stan Held for services as a hearing officer in a matter involving the seizure of three dogs near Annandale last month. (Held ruled the dogs should not be returned to their owner. The county could have sought payment to Held by the dogs’ owner, but the Board was told, “There was not much there to go after.”); and
* approved Transportation Committee of the Whole minutes, which included the County High-way Department’s Five-Year Plan and Ten-Year Work Plan.
Library closed for renovation Jan. 18-30
The Buffalo Public Library will be closed for renovation work Monday, Jan. 18 through Saturday, Jan. 30. It will reopen on Monday, Feb. 1.
During the closed period, Monday through Friday, patrons will be able to pick up their reserved items (holds) from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at the library’s east entrance. They will need to have their library card with them to check out. Patrons will be notified by phone or email if items are available. The library will not be accessible, and there will be no checkout available of other items, during this period.
The library’s book drop will remain available, so patrons may return items as necessary.
Buffalo library patrons are welcome to use their Great River Regional Library (GRRL) cards at other branch locations, such as Annandale and Monticello. A listing of all 32 GRRL branches and open hours is available at www.griver.org.
For more information, call the Buffalo Library at 763-682-2753.
Pfc. Jamie Colson deploying to Iraq
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A Maple Lake resident who works at the SuperAmerica store in Buffalo is deploying with her Army Reserve unit to Iraq soon.
Pfc. Jamie Colson, daughter of Debra Colson of Buffalo, is a member of the 367th Engineering Battalion, St. Cloud. She joined the Army Reserve in October 2008 and underwent basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. She also completed AIT (advanced individual training) and is a CBRN (chemical biological radiation nuclear) specialist in detection and decontamination.
Pfc. Colson has made arrangements for the care of her two-year-old son, Damien, who she will miss very much while she is away. Besides her mother, local family members include her brother and sister-in-law, Jesse and Stacey Colson.
Pfc. Colson said she has met several fine people as a member of the 367th.
Young Annandale man dies in crash
A 21-year-old man from Annandale died as a result of a collision involving a semi-trailer truck and car on Highway 55 in Greenfield last Tuesday, Jan. 12. The incident occurred just before 4 p.m., the State Patrol reports.
The two vehicles struck head-on at Highway 55 and North Shore Dr. The State Patrol said the westbound car crossed over the center-line into the eastbound lane. The driver of the car, Brandon Beckman, 21, of Annandale, did not survive. The driver of the semi, Thomas Nielsen, 49, of Elk River, had no apparent injuries.
Highway 55 was temporarily closed in both directions, KARE 11 News reported.
Buffalo Public Library’s renovation project addresses need for more space without making building bigger
By Ed DuBois
The views of Buffalo Lake are a beautiful advantage enjoyed by those who visit the Buffalo Public Library. Upon completion of a renovation project this winter, some of the design features inside the library will remind you of the natural beauty outside the library.
As you enter the library, you will see wavy soffits above you in an opened up central area. Thin plastic sail decorations and sail light fixtures in the library proper will continue the lake theme.
Some of the new spaces in the library will include a periodical room in the northwest corner, a new children’s area in the northeast corner and a teen space near a newly designed circulation desk.
Library staff and Friends of the Library worked with Gayle Mack of the Short Elliott Hendrickson (SEH), which provides engineering and architectural services for the city.
Usage keeps going up
The need for the library renovation has been discussed for a few years. Librarian Amy Wittmann said last week that every shelf is full and the circulation keeps going up. Besides books, many types of media, including books on CD, DVD movies and music CDs, are being checked out.
Over 250,000 items were checked out in 2009, and that’s the highest yearly total recorded.
Wittmann added that computer usage at the library is nonstop. She mentioned that many people use the computers to apply for jobs online or to sign up for unemployment. People have been completing resumes on the computers, and they have been signing up for classes.
She mentioned the library has Wi-Fi service available. That means you can come in with your laptop and access the Internet.
“Our branch was the first to have Wi-Fi,” Wittmann said.
The City of Buffalo has been a leader in making use of technology and providing Internet access to the community.
November to February
The city owns the library building, and all the materials inside are provided by the Great River Regional Library (GRRL) system. Buffalo is one of about 32 GRRL branches in Central Minnesota.
Work on the renovation project began around the end of November. The expected completion is around Feb. 1, but Wittmann said some lighting work might continue beyond that date. She is hoping to be ready for an open house in March or April.
Energy efficiency
The City of Buffalo has been emphasizing energy efficiency in recent years, and the new lights in the library will help in that area. City Administrator Merton Auger said a concept called “light harvesting” is being employed. The lights in the library will automatically dim on bright days to take advantage of natural light and save energy. He said the change from electric light toward natural light will be subtle. You may not even notice it.
The library building will have an energy efficient heating and air-conditioning system, as well. The system features remote monitoring and control through a company called McDowall, which is doing the same in other city buildings. The monitoring is conducted in St. Cloud.
Capital improvement
About two years ago, the Buffalo Library Board proposed the renovation project, and then the Buffalo City Council approved it. The estimated cost of the project is $480,000, which is being financed through the city’s capital improvement program fund.
Auger said a public hearing was conducted about a year ago. Around that time, the city was also considering a new fire station and community center project, but the recession has caused the city to put the fire station and community center on hold.
The library renovation did not present as much impact on the budget, and since the library is something many people in the community use the decision was made to go ahead with the renovation. Auger added that the city was able to get a very good price for the project. Wittmann mentioned that local contractors are doing much of the renovation work.
Besides addressing a need for more space in the library, the project is also solving some structural issues. For example, the restrooms will be improved.
Ten-day closed period
A period of ten business days, during which the library will be closed, is coming up soon. The dates are posed on the city’s website, www.ci.buffalo.mn.us. The GRRL says the dates will be Jan. 18 to the end of the month.
Wittmann said arrangements are being made to handle reserved item pickups at the door for two and a half hours each day during the closure. People will be able to come to the door with their library cards, ask for their reserved item, and then a staff member will get the item and bring it to the door.
Meeting rooms out
Another longer lasting inconvenience of the renovation project will be the loss of two large meeting rooms. One could hold about 62 people, and the other could hold close to 25 people.
When the project was approved, it was with the understanding that the library would not get bigger. The building footprint is remaining at about 10,000 square feet, but more space is being made available for library functions in the roughly 2,000 square feet formerly occupied by the two large meeting rooms.
“The meeting rooms were used often, but is that the mission of a library, or is our mission to offer more items and library services?” Wittmann rhetorically asked.
She mentioned that booking the meeting rooms had taken staff time away from library functions.
One small meeting room
Following the renovation, the library will have one small meeting room near the southeastern corner of the building. With a capacity of about eight people, the room will be available on a first come, first serve basis.
Wittmann said staff will offer suggestions on locations for larger meetings. Auger commented that the Arrival and Departure Building at the Buffalo Airport has become a popular meeting place, for example.
Children and teens
The former large meeting room in the library building’s northeast corner is now the children’s area, and it will feature a puppet theater that can be rolled out for a show and then rolled back against the wall after a show. Light fixtures that look like insects are being installed. These “bug lights” could create some atmosphere with the main lights turned off.
The former meeting room near the northwest corner of the library building will be the periodicals room, where people can go for quiet reading and research. A window in this room offers a look at Buffalo Lake.
The teen area was included in the renovation plan because the number of teens visiting the library after school has been increasing. One of the attractions is a set of books called Anime novels, which originated in Japan and could be described as comic book novels.
Wittmann mentioned that a teen group meets once a month to read the Anime novels. Sometimes they watch a DVD movie together. Several of the teens like to draw characters from the Anime novels.
Flexible rooms
A staff work room is being set up with work tables on wheels so the room can easily be converted into a mini-movie theater. This room is to be available for other activities and programs, as well.
Work tables on wheels are making staff rooms more flexible so they can serve more than one purpose. This change fits the plan to help the building serve more people without making it bigger.
One other feature of the renovation plan involves the addition of a second book drop next the existing book drop.
Beautiful setting
If you would rather walk into the building to return books and other items, you will be able to enjoy a more open central area and lake-theme design features, such as the wavy soffits, the sail decorations, a wavy pattern on the circulation desk and a curving pattern in the carpet.
All of this may remind you of the library’s lakeside location and the attractive views the site offers.