Columns/Opinion

Spam from nearby Austin, survived war

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Thu, 11/08/2018 - 1:43pm

A much-maligned Spam didn't join the war casualties, according to the Rochester Post Bulletin.  Reprinted from the Wall Street Journal, this story by Thomas Knudson, staff reporter, explains why: 

When Joseph Bosch sits down to lunch, he sometimes breaks a vow he made 35 years ago.  He was a World War II army veteran from Missouri.  "I swore I'd never eat Spam again — we just had so much of it. But after a while, Spam isn't as bad as you once thought — I still eat it occasionally."

A plea to help your neighbors

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Thu, 11/08/2018 - 1:35pm

We are the paraprofessional staff of Kingsland Public Schools. We work with children in our community who have special needs — some of the most fragile amongst us. We are custodial staff who maintain our school and keep it clean. We are secretarial staff who help parents and students every day while assisting teachers and administrators to keep our school running smoothly.

There are some possible options to counter nasty campaigns in Minnesota

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Thu, 11/08/2018 - 1:34pm

The 2018 midterm election is over, in most cases at least, as ballots were cast between the time this newspaper was printed and the polls closed. By the time you read this, there may still be races too close to call, but generally the outcome should be known.

Stoking fear often leads to action

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 10/30/2018 - 2:59pm

Conversation turned to the disappearance of Jayme Closs, whose parents were brutally murdered in rural Wisconsin Oct. 15, when a group of acquaintances were waiting for service at a restaurant a couple weeks ago, soon after the incident. One member of the group worked for the same corporation as the parents, and he seemed to have some inside information to the mystery of where the 13-year-old ended up.

Mobil station lasted in Spring Valley until 1998

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 10/30/2018 - 2:49pm

Art Christopherson's Mobil Station, shown in the accompanying photo about 1956, was formerly a Husky station in a smaller building.  It is located on Highway 63 and East Main.  We have very little to share with you:

Note the '41 Chevy owned by Dean Fenstermacher near the bay door.  We can see the Mobil sign -- the flying red horse plus the Goodyear Tires, and maybe "Lubrication" on the door?

There are three or four gas/diesel fuel pumps -- like where were the storage tanks?  Underground?

26 years is enough

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Thu, 10/25/2018 - 8:29am

Greg Davids has been in office for 26 years. I believe that we as a community need to ask ourselves when enough is enough.

Last week, Gary Steuart (letter to editor in Bluff Country Newspaper Group newspapers) claimed Thomas Trehus was dishonest about Davids’ reinsurance bill, but he failed to tell us how he was dishonest. If $542 million wasn’t given as a handout to insurance companies, then where did it go? And then how could Greg take credit for lowering premiums (which, by the way, only helped 3 percent of Minnesotans)?

Former co-worker supports DeGeorge

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Thu, 10/25/2018 - 8:22am

I support Captain John DeGeorge for Fillmore County sheriff.

As a recently retired police chief of Fountain/Ostrander and a part-time Fillmore County deputy of 20 years, I worked closely with Captain DeGeorge. I have great respect and confidence supporting Captain DeGeorge for sheriff.

Operating two police departments many times I relied on Captain DeGeorge for advice and assistance. He has great knowledge, a wide range of expertise, professionalism, integrity, transparency and is willing to assist.

Dairy Queen lot history brings up many questions

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Thu, 10/25/2018 - 7:47am
As we continue our review of former service stations in Spring Valley, how about the Hi-Way Cafe and the Standard Oil Station on the lot where the Dairy Queen is today? The Hi-Way Cafe was owned at one time by Cliff and Julia Gunderson, according to the calendar that was produced in 2005 for the sesquicentennial by the historical society.  Other owners or renters included Bill and Alice Govier, Johnny and Yvonne Long, Katherine Horsman Bundy, Phoebe and "Besty" Besterfeldt.  Eddie Iverson operated the service station in the 1960s.  

Former Fillmore Co. sheriff supports John DeGeorge

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 10/23/2018 - 4:03pm

John DeGeorge and I worked closely during my time as your sheriff. There were many days we had long conversations about the future of the Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office. Whether it was strategic planning, staffing decisions, discussions about training or talking about cases, I learned to trust John and respected his input and opinion. Although I was in a good position to mentor John, I learned a great deal from him myself. I watched John grow and mature as a person and peace officer. His dedication and passion for law enforcement is unmatched.

Feehan understands farm economy

Published by lniemeyer@bluff... on Tue, 10/23/2018 - 3:58pm

Dan Feehan understands the importance of a strong and growing farm economy. Farmers grow food crops and raise livestock, which we all need to live. Food is not a bargaining chip to be used in trade wars with other countries!