Bruce Hartert, executive director, and Holly McDonough, planning and marketing director, were only "opening acts.

Thursday, November 09, 2000

Bruce Hartert, executive director, and Holly McDonough, planning and marketing director, were only "opening acts."

When the Semcac representatives appeared before the Mower County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, there also was a puppet show.

Hartert and McDonough came to the county board meeting to asked for financial support from Mower County for the RSVP Program.

A parade of Semcac/RSVP representatives told the commissioners about the many efforts made by volunteers at the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce, Burr Oak Manor Nursing Home and other sites in the county.

Donna Gilbertson, an RSVP advocate after retiring from more than three decades of teaching, made a request for financial support using puppets.

To illustrate one of the RSVP Programs, Gilbertson brought puppets into the discussion to the amusement of the commissioners.

The Beginning Alcohol and Addictions Basic Education Series, which Gilbertson demonstrated, is a program designed to teach children positive life skills through the use of puppets, storytelling and songs.When the presentation concluded, McDonough requested an immediate allocation of $2,000 and another $2,500 next year.

At the request of Len Miller, Fourth District county commissioner, the matter was referred to the finance committee for a recommendation.

In other action Tuesday, the county commissioners:

— Granted a conditional use permit to Dairyland Power Cooperative for a 250-foot communications tower’s construction to complete a south ring microwave system. The tower will be constructed in Section 7, Grand Meadow Township, and approval had been recommended by the Mower County Planning Commission.

— Denied a request from the Mower County chapter of the American Red Cross for a contribution to a Christmas in the City promotion.

"If we do for one we would have to do for all," Richard P. Cummings, Second District county commissioner, said of the "no-exceptions" rule of the county board for such requests.

— Formally transferred $4.5 million from the general fund reserves to the highway fund ($2.5 million) and human services fund ($2 million). The monies will be used to fund recommendations of the county’s long-range strategic planning committee approved by the county board.