Mower County’s December County Employee of the Month award-winner could, arguably, be called the people’s choice.

Friday, December 03, 1999

Mower County’s December County Employee of the Month award-winner could, arguably, be called the people’s choice.

Richard P. Cummings, 1st District and chairman of the board, presented this month’s award to Sandy Anderson Thursday afternoon.

Anderson is the Open Door Clinic (formerly, the teen health clinic) coordinator and also conducts prenatal classes. In addition, she is school nurse for the Grand Meadow Independent School District.

"This is a real pleasure to honor an employee such as you," Cummings said.

More praise came from Margene Gunderson, public health/community health services director for Mower County.

Gunderson said Anderson is "dedicated to quality service" and as the driving force behind the establishment of the health clinic for teenagers has demonstrated that she is "very caring and trustworthy person" to clients. In addition, Gunderson said Anderson is one of the most well-liked county employees among her peers.

Anderson expressed her appreciation for the honor and said Gunderson and her co-workers make the public health/community health services department a "place where you want to do your very best."

She also praised the county commissioners for their foresight in approving formation of the health clinic for teenagers.

Anderson said the clinic "makes a different in so many lives in Mower County."

In two weeks, Anderson will end a career in nursing that spans four decades, beginning as nurse manager in the birthing unit at then-St. Olaf Hospital and now-Austin Medical Center-Mayo Health System. For the last nine years, she has worked for Mower County.

"It’s the best job I’ve ever had," Anderson said.

Also Thursday, the commissioners heard a lengthy presentation on progress of the completion of the geological atlas for Mower County.

A team of experts from the Minnesota Geological Survey, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and other agencies made the presentation.

The county’s water planning committee heard the progress report previously and Bill Buckley, county environmental health services director, also participated.

The commissioners received the first portion of the atlas a year ago and the final report is not expected until sometime in year 2000.

On one point, Buckley had good news for the commissioners.

The study of the county’s geology is yielding information that demonstrates how locating separate aquifers offers the potential to well-owners not to have to drill as deep as previously thought when locating a well.

Buckley said, "We’re already saving property owners in Mower County several thousands of dollars in well-drilling costs by doing this."