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Name: Helen D. Gunderson
Category: Former Rolfe student
Year: 1963
Contact: gunderson@globalccs.net
Remote Name: 207.199.197.31
Date: February 06, 2006
Time: 08:33 PM
Corrected by Helen Gunderson on February 18, 2006, with
corrections written in a red font.
Sorry for the delay in reporting, but I just returned from a three-day weekend in the Rolfe area.
On Saturday afternoon (February 4), the Rolfe city council met to discuss the fate of the Rolfe school property east of the railroad tracks. Mayor Al Kuchenreuther (RHS 1974) presided with deputy city clerk Janice Lanus Young (RHS 1958) recording the meeting. All members of the council were present: Gloria Pauluk Gunderson (a Minnesota native who came to Rolfe in 1971 as an elementary school teacher), Richard Higgins (a Gilmore City native), Rick Johnson (RHS 1974), Bruce Maley (another Minnesota transplant), and Randy Thoren (RHS 1975). The attorney for Rolfe, a man from Spencer, also sat at the council table. There were about 20 visitors.
The first major item of business lasted 95 minutes and was opened with a concerned citizen presenting a petition with 100 signatures, asking for the investigation of discrepancies in such things as the town's utility billings and pressing for the dismissal of the city administrator/clerk.
The council took a break, then reconvened to discuss the fate of the school property. That discussion lasted for a little over an hour. Apparently, a year ago, the board of directors of the Pocahontas Area Community School District offered the property east of the tracks to the town of Rolfe, but the city council turned down the offer.
(Note: in reviewing the tape recording of the council meeting on February 4, 2006, it is interesting to note that Mayor Al Kuchenreuther said that the council did not take official action on the school board's offer a year ago. He had not been able to be part of that discussion a year ago, and someone else moderated the meeting. But Al believes that the city council took no action at that time, except maybe to table the discussion.)
Recently, the PAC school announced that it had received an offer of $500 from Shane Braby to buy the property and that there would be a hearing on February 13 to receive public input on the offer. I have been told that Shane grew up in the Gilmore City area, owns Braby Trucking, lives in Rolfe, and recently was a Rolfe council member, filling a vacancy when another council member resigned. That term expired in December. Shane was at Saturday's city council meeting in Rolfe. At the meeting, many people spoke about the need to have more time to discover the most viable uses for the property that would fit the needs of the Rolfe community and for Rolfe to have the final authority regarding the fate of the property. Some sentiment was also expressed to the contrary. However, the council adopted a resolution to be presented to the PAC school board, asking that the board give the property east of the tracks to the City of Rolfe. (The vote was four in favor with only Randy Thoren voting against the measure.)
Apparently, the school board has already decided to give the sports complex (baseball diamond, football field and running track) west of the railroad right-of-way to the City of Rolfe. The council authorized Mayor Kuchenreuther to represent the city council at the school board hearing on February 13 and, if needed, for Bill Winkleblack (RHS 1972) of Rolfe Betterment Incorporated to speak in support of the mayor. Bill was at the council meeting. So was Dan Duitscher (RHS 1984), who is a member of the PAC school board.
The attorney for the city prepared the resolution and faxed it to the city hall on Monday. Here are the essential portions of the document. (Note: the use of the word "Property" refers to the land and buildings that the school district owns within the town of Rolfe.)
[Beginning of excerpts from the petition.] WHEREAS, the future use or possible demolition of buildings on the Property may have a significant impact on the City of Rolfe and its citizens; and, WHEREAS, the Property is subject to the zoning and land use regulations of the City; and, WHEREAS, upon consideration of the comments of the citizens of the community, possible future uses of the Property, and the best interests of the City, the Rolfe City Council has determined that the Property should be owned and controlled by a public entity. NOW, THEREFORE. BE IT RESOLVED by the Rolfe City Council as follows: Section 1. If the Pocahontas Community School District desires to divest itself of school property in the City of Rolfe, the Rolfe City Council requests that the Property be transferred to the City of Rolfe, which agrees to accept ownership and responsibility for the property. Section 2. If the Property is transferred to the City of Rolfe, the City agrees to reimburse the Pocahontas Community School District for legal fees and transfer expenses incurred by the District up to the amount of Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00) [End of excerpts from the petition.]
It is important to note that even if the school board gives the property to the City of Rolfe, the city council could eventually decide to raze the gym and other facilities in the east wing if the projected costs of maintaining them outweigh the potential revenue or if the costs far exceed the value to the townspeople. The city council could also decide to raze the buildings if it felt that the only viable use of the buildings would be for purposes inconsistent with the residential zoning of the area or if the council felt the facilities would end up abandoned and become a hazard and/or an eyesore. But whether the buildings are used or razed, the council wants the decision about the fate of the east wing to be made by the City of Rolfe and not the school board.
At least one council member feels that the City of Rolfe will eventually will have to bear the cost of any demolition whether the buildings are sold to a private person, who may eventually default, or if the city takes control of the property directly from the school board.
It is always easy to second guess decisions, especially with the benefit of hindsight. And in some respects, it appears as though the Rolfe council shot itself in the foot a year ago by not communicating well to the entire Rolfe community about the school board's offer of the property east of the tracks to the town. And it appears as though the council also shot itself in the foot by not accepting the property at that time. However, politics are complicated, citizens can be fickle, and getting at the facts of what happened is a lot harder than getting swept up in hearsay.
After the council meeting on Saturday, Al Kuchenreuther was the one left to lock the doors. He also helped me carry my camera gear across the street to my car, where we stood and talked awhile. He said that a year ago, when the council was faced with the decision of whether or not to accept the property east of the tracks, there were plenty of people who told him that under no circumstances, whatsoever, should the town assume the ownership and responsibility for the property. That's a part of the story I had not previously heard. It does seem like a little grace is in order.
Personally, I hope the school board gives the property to the town of Rolfe. It's not a perfect community. But the council appears to be a responsible one, and I cannot think of a better person to be mayor than Al. In my eyes, he is a salt-of-the earth person who doesn't put on airs. Indeed, he is a Charlie Brown type of fair, hard-working person. I also have great faith in Bill Winkleblack's leadership and the role of RBI in the community. Of course, there are several other important players in this drama who probably also deserve my kudos for their leadership. It's not easy to put in many years and long hours of commitment to bettering one's own community. So thanks to those people who are working for the betterment of Rolfe.
And for now, enough said. Good night.