Important property tax notice announced

An important property tax no-tice will affect the amount of property tax paid in 2013, and may affect eligibility for a proper-ty-tax refund.

Property owners in Stearns County who need a homestead classification have until Dec. 17 to file the application. Contact the county assessor at 320-656-3680 or stop in their office to file a homestead application if one of the following applies:

• A property was purchased in the past year and the owner, or a qualifying relative, occupy the property for homestead purposes on Dec. 1; or

• The property owner or a qual-ifying relative occupies a property for homestead purposes on Dec. 1 and the property was previously classified as non-homestead.

The Stearns County assessor must also be contacted by Dec. 17 by the property owner or a qualifying relative of the property owner if the use of the property has changed during the past year.

If the property owner should sell, move or for any reason no longer qualify for the homestead classification, they are required to notify the county assessor within 30 days of the change in home-stead status. Failure to notify the county assessor within this 30-day period is punishable by recalcula-tion of tax as non-homestead, in addition to a penalty equal to 100 percent of the homestead benefits.

GNTC to hold auditionsfor ‘Something’s Afoot’

The Great Northern Theater Company will hold auditions for its dinner-theater produc-tion called “Something’s Afoot,” which is a reprisal of the first GNTC dinner-theater production at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, Dec. 4 and 6 in the choir room at Rocori High School, Cold Spring. Callbacks will be Thursday Dec. 13. Rehearsals will be Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings and the production will be pre-sented Feb. 14-17 and 22-24 at the Great Blue Heron, Cold Spring.

“Something’s Afoot,” featuring 10 actors, is a campy murder-mys-tery musical with odd occurrences happening to all the cast members throughout. There are roles for six men and four women, ranging in ages from late teens to 60+. A cockney accent would be a plus.

For more information, visit the GNTC website at www.gntc1.com.

St. JosephReaching EVERYbody!

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Small Business Salute

Kennedy teachers honored for leadershipby TaLeiza Callowaynews@thenewsleaders.com

Three teachers at Kennedy Community School received awards for doing what they love – teaching students. The honor, which came from Re-source Training and Solutions of St. Cloud, recognizes those who excel in academic leader-ship.

Teachers Pat Forte and Cher-yl Novacinski received Leader-ship in Educational Excellence Awards last month. Parapro-fessional Judy Theisen was named Support Staff of the Year. All said they are humbled by the acknowledgment.

Novacinski has taught first grade for 26 years. The St. Joseph resident even had her

photos by TaLeiza Calloway

Above left: Cheryl Novacinski, a first-grade teacher at Kennedy Community School, explains an assignment Nov. 15. Above right: Pat Forte, a sixth-grade teacher at Kennedy Community School explains an assignment Nov. 15 to Logan Bakken (standing), Rachel Zimmer and Cole Thoma. Novacinski and Forte received Leadership in Educational Excellence Awards from Resource Training and Solutions. Teachers • page 5

‘Healthcare directives - a gift to your family’by Cori Hilsgennews@thenewsleaders.com

Registered nurse Karen Klein-schmidt recently spoke about health-care directives and pal-liative care. Kleinschmidt has many years of nursing experi-ence – some at the St. Cloud Hospital.

Sponsored by the Health and Wellness Committee of the St. Joseph Catholic Church, Klein-schmidt titled her talk, “Health-care directives – a gift to your family.”

Often, health-care directives can make decisions easier for families and help families not to disagree at a difficult time.

Kleinschmidt said health-care directives have replaced what used to be called a living will.

This change was made in 1998. The old living wills are grandfathered in but differ

somewhat.St. Cloud Hospital is switch-

ing to a new form of health-care directive called “Honoring Choices.”

People can change their health-care directives at any time as long as they are able to make their own decisions. They are responsible for know-ing who they have given copies of their directive to so it can be replaced if they do make changes.

Kleinschmidt said a health-care directive is like an insur-ance policy. Most people never need to use it, she said, but it’s available if needed.

Health-care directives are for people who are unable to make their own health-care decisions. By completing a health-care di-rective, an agent is named to make substituted judgment for people if they are unable to do so for themselves.

It’s important to keep a copy and give each designated agent a copy. Agents should also be asked if they want to be named in someone’s health-care direc-tive.

Decisions that directives help families and loved ones decide are things such as whether to sustain a person’s health by use of a feeding tube, a ventila-tor, whether to resuscitate, to use IV fluids, to hospitalize, to turn a pacemaker off and other choices. It can also state wheth-er or not the person wants to donate their organs or tissues. Funeral plans can also be stated in a directive.

Kleinschmidt said if a person has a “Do Not Resuscitate” re-quest, it’s important they get a doctor’s order through a Do Not Resuscitate form. Otherwise, if 911 is called, emergency per-

photo by Cori Hilsgen

Karen Kleinschmidt (left) and Marjorie Henkemeyer present information on healthcare di-rectives and palliative care. Both are registered nurses. Henkemeyer is the Health and Wellness Minister for the St. Joseph Catholic Church in St. Joseph.Directive • page 2

City considers utility-fee increasesby TaLeiza Callowaynews@thenewsleaders.com

Residents could see a hike in water and sewer rates in 2013 if proposed increases are approved next month. Elected officials evaluated proposed utility fee increases Nov. 15. The city is expected to hold a public hearing about the pro-posed fees Dec. 6.

Finance Director Lori Bartlett

said the increase will help off-set the debt in the city’s water-and-sewer funds. The debts are general-obligation debts. That means they are backed by tax-payers. The effect of the pro-posed rate increase on an aver-age single-family unit is $6.85, about a 10-percent increase on a monthly bill.

“We’re getting into the situa-tion where we need to increase fees and/or levy some of that

money back to pay for those debts,” Bartlett said. “We don’t really have reserves sitting in other funds to help offset it at this point.”

Specifically, water-line charges could go from $12.50 per unit per bi-month to $18. The charge for water usage could see an increase of $.20, bringing it to $3.20 per 1,000 gallons. Sewer-utility rates could go from $2.65 to $2.80 Fees • page 3

per 1,000 gallons. Even with the proposed rate increase, the city still falls in the middle of the pack for utility bill charges in the area, Bartlett said.

St. Joseph is not the only city considering rate increases for the coming year. Sartell is considering a 5-percent in-crease in water rates and an increase of about 9 percent in sewer rates, according to city

Friday, Nov. 23, 2012St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com2

Published each Friday by Von Meyer Publishing Inc.

P.O. Box 324 • 32 1st Ave. N.W. • St. Joseph, Minn. 56374Phone (320) 363-7741 • Fax (320) 363-4195 • E-mail address: news@thenewsleaders.comPOSTMASTER: Send address changes to ST. JOSEPH NEWSLEADER, P.O. Box 324, St. Joseph, MN 56374.

BP Gas StationCasey’s General StoreHoliday Gas StationKay’s Kitchen

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Contributing WritersTaLeiza Calloway

Cori HilsgenAmber Roerick

AdvertisingSales AssistantKathryn Bjorke

Publisher/OwnerJanelle Von Pinnon

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Gateway ChurchWorship: 10 a.m. Sunday,

7 p.m. Wednesday, 6 p.m. Saturday

106 2nd Ave. NW St. Joseph (next to the Post Office)

320-282-2262 G Gateway Church St. Joseph

Resurrection Lutheran, ELCASunday Worship 8:30 & 11 a.m.

WoW! (Worship on Wednesday) 6:30 p.m.

610 N. CR 2 St. Joseph320-363-4232 www.rlcstjo.org

St. Joseph Catholic ChurchMasses: Tuesday-Friday 8 a.m.Masses: Tuesday-Friday 8 a.m.

Saturday 5 p.m.Sunday 8 and 10 a.m.

320-363-7505 St. Josephwww.churchstjoseph.org

Metro Plumbing & Heating545 8th Ave. NE

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Von Meyer Publishing32 1st Ave. NW

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Russell Eyecare & Associates15 E. Minnesota St., Ste. 107St. Joseph 320-433-4326

Dr. Jerry Wetterling103 N. College Ave.

St. Joseph 320-363-4573

Michael F. Contardo D.D.S.26 2nd Ave. NW

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DENTISTRYBEAUTY

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The St. Joseph Planning Commis-sion shall conduct a public hear-ing on Monday, Dec. 3, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the St. Joseph City Council Chambers. The purpose of the public hearing is to consider a variance application to relive the property owner from constructing a structure with perimeter frost footings, allowing for the con-struction of a cold storage build-ing. The property is located at 8646 Ridgewood Road, legally described as: Lot 002 Block 1 SKN.

St. Joseph Code of Ordinance 52.33 9(c): states all construc-tion of new facilities shall consist

of pre-cast tip up concrete walls, concrete block (painted or decora-tive), post frame/steel frame with a concrete block or poured con-crete perimeter foundation with frost footings extending a mini-mum of eight (8) inches above the final grade, and stick built con-struction.

The request for variance has been submitted by Borgert Products, Inc., 8646 Ridgewood Road; PO Box 39, St. Joseph, Minn. 56374.

Judy WeyrensAdministrator

Publish: Nov. 23, 2012

CITY OF ST. JOSEPHPUBLIC HEARING

LEGAL NOTICE

sonnel sometimes will still treat the patient without the form.

A directive should be nota-rized or witnessed by two peo-ple who will not inherit from your estate if you die. Also, your agent cannot be your pri-mary health-care provider.

If a physician disagrees with

Directivefrom front page

your health-care electives, they are required by law to find another doctor who can pro-vide the care that will honor your directives. Often an Ethics Committee can help with these decisions.

Those 18 and older should be given a chance to do a health-care directive. It’s im-portant to name an agent and alternate agent to represent the person if she/he can’t make decisions. Sometimes a spouse

is not the best choice – for ex-ample, if the person and his/her spouse were both injured in an auto accident.

“Young people should be making choices and having dis-cussions,” Kleinschmidt said.

Volunteers at Whitney Se-nior Center in St. Cloud will help people with free health-care directives. This service is available from 11 a.m. to noon on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

Kleinschmidt also talked about palliative care. She said good palliative care and hos-pice care can decrease the cost of medical expenses and can of-ten help keep a person in their home longer.

Palliative care focuses on the physical, emotional and spiri-tual needs of people who are seriously ill. It helps to reduce suffering, protect dignity and to improve the quality of life for patients and their families.

Kleinschmidt said families are defined by how the patient defines it, not by how others define it.

Palliative care can take place at any time and at the same time as other treatments.

The palliative-care team in-

Directive • page 5

Friday, Nov. 23, 2012 St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com 3

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documents. St. Augusta is con-sidering a 5-percent increase in both sewer and water rates. No city council has approved the proposed rate increases, includ-ing St. Joseph, Bartlett told of-ficials Nov. 15.

Other fees that could be in-creased include those associ-

ated with noise and parking violations. Parking violations could go from a $50 fine to a $100 fine, and noise viola-tions could go from a $100 to a $200 fine. Police Chief Pete Jan-sky said the proposed increase stems from the amount of time staff spends in these areas, as well as improving compliance with the ordinance. Officials also discussed fees for a com-munity garden. If the project moves forward, it could cost residents $25 to reserve one

of the 16 available plots. City Administrator Judy Weyrens said the city will pursue grant money to assist with the cost of the garden. If grant funding is not secured, it might not be a viable option, Weyrens told officials.

The city council meets at 7 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month at St. Joseph City Hall. Elected of-ficials are expected to vote on the proposed rate increase at their first meeting in December.

Feesfrom front page

New music store opens in St. Josephby TaLeiza Callowaynews@thenewsleaders.com

Anyone who walks into Riff City Guitar and Music Co. will never see a sign that reads, “Please ask for assistance.” Owner Joe Leach encouraged

those visiting during a recent grand-opening event to pick up an instrument and play – even if it was their first time.

“We want to bring the music community a place to hang out and collaborate,” Leach said. “Our mantra is ‘please play the

guitars.’”The music store that carries

everything from electric and bass guitars to ukuleles, strings and picks, opened Nov. 5 at 708 Elm St. E in St. Joseph. It’s located in the Northland Plaza

Music • page 4

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behind Movies Etc. It’s the first location in Minnesota and the first music store in St. Joseph. The store is run by a staff of four that includes Leach, his daughter Ellen Leach, Al Stumpf and Bill Lydeen.

Leach, a bass guitarist with 25 years of experience, has always been a lover of music. The 44-year-old was once in a band with Al Stumpf, who also works in the store, but he said he just plays for fun now. He wants others to find fun in playing as well. One of the ways to help introduce music to others is through the offering of ukulele and guitar lessons that will begin in the coming weeks.

He has two other business-

es in St. Joseph. They are Bliss Direct Media and a corpora-tion called Overstock Manage-ment Group. Overstock Man-agement Group has three web-sites on which the company sells items online. Music is one of the three online niches. In the music-instrument market, it’s necessary to have a retail store so people can come in and try things out, Leach said.

The store carries about eight guitar brands that in-clude Fender, Gretsch and Mu-sic Man. In addition to the retail store, the music com-pany has an e-commerce site, www.riffcityguitaroutlet.com, for those who wish to pur-chase items solely online. The advantage of having a retail and online store is some items require testing them out before purchasing while other items do not. A guitar is something many might want to hold in

their hands before buying.Guitars are a lot like some

clothing, where it may be the exact same model but there’s slight variations between them.

Riff City Guitar and Music Co. will offer ukulele and gui-tar lessons on Monday nights. Slots are open between 3 and 7 p.m. Nov. 26 and Dec. 3. There are five spots open for people to come in and try the ukulele on these days. During the half-hour sessions that begin at 6 p.m., participants will learn a few chords and a simple song, he said. The instrument is provided. The first lesson is free, but if participants want to continue lessons they can sign up with the instructor for paid lessons.

Why the ukulele? When researching the most sought-after musical instruments for the company, the ukulele was

the most searched item.“The ukulele is the most

popular musical instrument on the planet right now,” Leach said. “It’s really made a come-back.”

Stumpf and Lydeen said traffic was steady throughout the grand opening. In the few days the store was open, the response was positive and they predict the support will continue. Leach agreed.

“Feedback has been phe-nomenal, particularly from the musicians who have been in the area for a long time,” Leach said. “Anyone in St. Jo-seph is astounded we have a music store in St. Joseph. We love hearing that feedback.”

Leach and his wife, Barb, have three children. They live just north of St. Joseph in Avon.

Musicfrom page 3

photo by TaLeiza Calloway

Joe Leach, owner of Riff City Guitar and Music Co., looks over a guitar. The new store opened earlier this month in St. Joseph.

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cludes a doctor or advanced practice nurse, practice nurs-es, social workers and chap-lains. The team can offer support in making difficult health care choices and help families cope with a loved one’s illness. They can help manage pain and symptoms such as nausea, throwing up, shortness of breath, anxiety, trouble sleeping, diarrhea and spiritual distress.

Hospice differs from pallia-tive care because it provides quality and compassionate care for people who are dy-ing. It’s for people who are not expected to live longer than six months.

Currently, the St. Cloud Hospital only offers palliative care to inpatients.

Directivefrom page 2

own children in class at one point. She’s never strayed from first grade because it’s here she sees so much of a child’s development, she said. Seeing a student walk into her classroom and start at a beginner’s reading level and walk out reading a chapter book is what makes her job worthwhile.

“It’s just wonderful to see the growth,” Novacinski said. “It’s a lot of work but I’m doing what I love.”

She also works hard to stay connected to her students after they advance. For several years, she has tracked down students once they graduate from high school to send them a grad card with their first-grade picture enclosed. She wants them to know she still cares after they’re gone. While she doesn’t seek recognition, she is appreciative

Teachersfrom front page

of the award.Forte, a math and science

teacher, has been a teacher for 24 years. Nine of those years were at Kennedy where he teaches sixth grade. In that time, he has zeroed in on Min-nesota Comprehensive Assess-ment scores and tutors students to help them improve, said Ken-nedy Principal Diane Moeller.

“I was surprised,” Forte said of the award. “We have such a talented staff here it could go to anyone. I’m very humbled by it.”

Forte said teaching is re-ally a team sport, and so he’s grateful for the team of teach-ers he works with. They call themselves Team 6 since they teach sixth grade. The team is a familiar concept for Forte since the Sartell resident is an assis-tant hockey coach at St. John’s University.

Moeller said she couldn’t be prouder of her staff. A commit-tee made up of previous award

recipients selects new recipi-ents for the year. A total of 17 awards have gone to Kennedy, Moeller said.

“Both of them really strive to individualize the work they do with the kids to make sure they’re successful,” Moeller said. “They are very deserv-ing.”

Moeller explained the award highlights staff who are leaders not only in the building but in the district. They essentially go that extra mile, she said.

Paraprofessional Judy Theisen was named Support Staff of the Year by Resource Training and Solutions. Her su-pervisor, Laurel Schoborg, was not at all surprised by the rec-ognition.

“She is well deserving,” Schoborg said. “She’s phenom-enal.”

Theisen is grateful for the support she gets from staff at Kennedy. This is what makes her job easier. She has worked

in the St. Cloud School Dis-trict for 17 years with 14 of those being at Kennedy. She has worked in special education for six years and likes being able to help with whatever needs to be done from day to day.

“I love kids,” Theisen said. “I’m there for support. This was such an honor.”

Name: Riff City Guitar and Music Co.

Address: 708 Elm St. E., St. Joseph

Hours: 11 a.m. -7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and closed on Sundays.

Website: www.riffcityguitar.com

E-commerce site: www.riffcityguitaroutlet.com

Phone: 320-271-3120

Friday, Nov. 23, 2012St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com6

A gaggle of teenagers who live at the end of the block sometimes struts down the street puffing away like crazy. I feel like saying, “Kids, don’t smoke.” But they wouldn’t listen. They’d scoff like I did once upon a time.

I quit smoking four years ago. It’s the smartest thing I ever did. The dumbest thing I ever did? That’s easy – starting smoking when I was a teen-ager.

I quit, cold turkey, for almost six months back in 1987. Like a fool, I started again. All it took is one lousy cigarette, and I was back once again in my chain-smoking mode, sending out toxic smoke signals.

Not a week went by since then that I didn’t vow to quit smoking – maybe tomorrow, perhaps next week and cer-tainly by the time the New Year rolls around. Empty vows. Then, one after-noon, I was sitting at the kitchen table talking to the neighbor lady, Marty. I put out my cigarette, crushed the empty pack of Basic menthols and tossed it into the trash.

“That’s it,” I said. “No more smok-ing!”

“I’ve heard that one before,” said Marty, laughing.

“Well, this time I’m serious,” I said. “Wanna bet? Ten bucks!”

We shook on the bet.In the coming days, Marty later

admitted she would sometimes peek in my kitchen window to see if I was “sneak-smoking.” She would enter my house, her nostrils quivering, sniffing the air for lingering smoke traces.

A week later she paid up, slapping down a $10 bill on the table.

The first four days were cold-turkey hell. I was light-headed, shaky, loud. I paced and kicked furniture. At one point, guests fled the house, fearing I was about to murder them. I kept hav-ing a ridiculous urge to go to the mail-boxes at the south end of the mobile-home park. I kept thinking, “I’ve GOT to get to the mailbox! To deliver those letters! Now!” It was only later I real-ized the mailbox-torment was nothing but the inner nicotine demon prodding me. The mailboxes are next to the gro-cery store where I bought cigarettes. The demon knew if I got as far as the mailbox, I’d think, “Oh, what the heck, I’ll get a pack of cigs and then quit to-

morrow. Or maybe next week.”That’s my advice: Don’t listen to the

devious trickster. He will give you in-finite excuses to destroy your resolve. Tell the demon to shut up. After four days of his sly torments, he will leave you alone – except for a rare return visit.

I quit cold turkey because I knew if I used patches or gum, I would foolishly think, “Oh well, I can smoke just one or two and then quit again. Maybe next week.” I wanted my quitting to be a tor-ment so when I was over it, I wouldn’t want to go through that misery again. But whatever works for you (gum, patches, whatever), do try it. If you fail, try again.

I recommend writing a list of the dozens of reasons why smoking is not good: smelly house, too expensive, fire dangers, offensive to other people and to pets, and last but not least – bad for your health. When the demon tempts you, re-read that list and then tell the demon to bug off.

A few times, I admit, I was so tempt-ed to smoke a cigarette – “just one.” But that was the demon again, back for a quick visit. I told him where to go.

My advice to kids is this: “Please, kids, don’t start and you won’t have to stop.”

The anticipation leading up to Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiv-ing, grows weeks before the holiday even arrives. We are bombarded with advertising and enticed by coupons to bring us into stores and spend money.

To some, it’s a day where busi-nesses show just how greedy they are for business. In fact, this one day can produce just enough money to keep many businesses afloat for almost the entire year. To others, it’s about the rush of getting that 25- or 50-percent discount. I admit I like the rush of saving money but also see it as an op-portunity to see how far people will go for the perfect gift – or at least the perfect sale.

The biggest thing about shopping on this sometimes crazy day is prepa-ration. Shoppers must plan a route or struggle to find parking and then deal with monstrous checkout lines. The truth is lines are always long on this day. If shoppers get up before the sun comes up and claim their spot in line at least they’ll be holding the item they came for as they wait.

When I was in high school, a no-table clothing and fragrance store was offering a free tote bag with a purchase of $25 or more. This was a BIG deal to me at the time and I already wanted the perfume they carried. There were

several catches. The first one was I didn’t know how to drive. The second catch was the deal was just for Black Friday. I had to think about how to ask my mother to wake up at 5 a.m. so we could be one of the first 100 people to enter the store to get that bag. She reluctantly agreed. I got my bag and beamed all the way home.

As an adult I have also fallen under the Black Friday spell. I camped out with one of my friends who needed a computer monitor. We stood in a line at Best Buy at 4:30 a.m. to make sure she got one. As many shoppers know, the deals are great but stores usually only have 20 in stock. This is especially the case when it comes to electronics. Why do they torture us like that? It’s just not right.

As a lover of newspapers, I like looking through the holiday ads. It doesn’t matter where one lives, the Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day paper is packed not only with good stories but ads galore. Online shop-ping kills this tangibility of holding

the paper in my hands but being able to print out coupons is nice. Some-times stores will allow customers to use more than one coupon. Bonus!

The interesting thing about Black Friday is it evolves every year. Whether it’s stores announcing earlier openings and closings or news reports of an increase or decrease in shoppers due to the economy, there is always something new.

I read an article in USA Today that said smart phones will play a key role in the shopping experience this year. Some stores have equipped staff with mobile devices where shopping lists can be downloaded before custom-ers arrive and items await you at the register. This offers a solution to the line problem but limits the customer-service interaction. I’m personally too much of a people person for this to attract me, but it is a nice tool.

More than anything, Black Friday shows the dedication friends and fam-ily members have to their pockets and those they might want to surprise for the holidays. Those lines might be long but shoppers bond in them and share their victories in getting the last item out of 20 they came for. I think it’s just a fun day to observe. That’s just me. Happy shopping!

Opinion

Fairness and ethicsNewsleader staff members have the respon-

sibility to report news fairly and accurately and are accountable to the public. Readers who feel we’ve fallen short of these standards are urged to call the Newsleader office at 363-7741.

If matters cannot be resolved locally, readers are encouraged to take complaints to the Min-nesota News Council, an independent agency designed to improve relationships between the public and the media and resolve conflicts. The council office may be reached at 612-341-9357.

Our View

Send your opinions to:The Newsleaders • P.O. Box 324 • St. Joseph, MN 56374

or email us at news@thenewsleaders.com

TaLeizaCalloway

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Black Friday shows true dedication to saving money

A city’s website is a means of communi-cation with its residents and potential visi-tors. It’s a glimpse into the personality of a city and its operations. It helps make a first impression. Well, St. Joseph’s just got better.

The city’s new website is a big improve-ment in communication and accessibility. Speed and efficiency are just two of the areas residents will see a change. More is planned.

City council members voted earlier this year to contract with CivicPlus to revamp the city’s site. The company also designed the City of St. Cloud’s website. St. Joseph paid $17,000 for three years of service and software support through 2014.

While the city recently unveiled the new website, it will continue to evolve. Some of the features to be added include a bill-pay option, a room-reservation tool, live stream-ing of city council meetings and an area for local advertisements, according to staff.

There were also core features of the website that have been updated. Some of the updated features of the site include an online document library for access to city documents, including old and current council meeting agendas, minutes and city ordinanc-es and plat maps. Residents may also sign up for notifications via email about upcoming events and city meetings via the new site.

As cities continue to struggle to maintain fiscal responsibility, officials work to keep a watchful eye on spending. Many cities are in budget mode with final budget and levy numbers to be determined in December. With pressure to find areas to reduce or projects to postpone, one could question the decision to spend $17,000 on a new website.

The decision to revamp the city’s website was a good investment, an investment that will lead to better engagement of the com-munity and will help keep residents better in-formed. Documents that once took more than 20 minutes to load appear faster, and maps that might not have loaded at all are now vis-ible with just a click of a mouse. While the site is still a work in progress, it cannot be denied it provides not only a fresher look but an enhanced experience.

With the introduction of the new website, the next step is to see if the city delivers on the proposed added features. For those who haven’t visited the site yet, it is worth it and will reflect a dramatic change from the previ-ous site. Check it out at www.cityofstjoseph.com.

New website is big improvement for city

Dennis Dalman

Editor

Tell the nicotine demon to bug off

Friday, Nov. 23, 2012 St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com 7

Friday, Nov. 30St. Joseph Farmers’ Market,

3-6 p.m., Resurrection Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall, 610 North County Road 2, St. Joseph. www.stjosephfarmersmarket.com

Calendar LEGAL NOTICESCASE TYPE: MORTGAGE

FORECLOSURE BY ACTION

STATE OF MINNESOTACOUNTY OF STEARNS

DISTRICT COURTSEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

COURT FILE NO. 73-CV-122949

NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S SALEUNDER JUDGMENT AND DECREE

State Farm Bank, FSB, Plaintiff, vs, Unknown heirs of Ida A. Hawkins, deceased; Pamela C. Washington, Bertram P. Hawkins, Lynn M. Hawkins, also all other persons unknown claiming any right, title, estate, interest or lien in the real estate described in the complaint herein, Defendant.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that under and by virtue of a Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order for Judgment enetered in the above entitled action on Oct. 22, 2012, a certified copy of which has been delivered to me directing the sale of the premises hereinafter described to satisfy the amount found and adjudged due to said Palintiff in the above entitled action from Defendant, as prescribed int eh Order, the undersigned Sheriff of Stearns County, will sell at public auction to the highest bidder for cash, on Dec. 19, 2012, at 10 a.m., at the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, Law Enforcement Center, 807 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, Minn. 56301, said county and state, the premises and real estate, lying and being in the County Stearns, State of Minnesota, described in said of Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order for Judgment, to-wit:

REAL PROPERTY IN STEARNS COUNTY, MINN., DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: THAT PART OF LOT TWENTY-TWO OF COE’S AUGUSTA SHORES, A SUBDIVISION IN SECTION ELEVEN TOWNSHIP ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-ONE NORTH, RANGE TWENTY-EIGHT WEST, STEARNS COUNTY, MINN., DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE NORTH

LINE OF SAID TWENTY-TWO, SAID POINT BEING SOUTH 67 DEGREES 16 MINUTES EAST THIRTY-TWO AND FIVE TENTHS FEET FROM THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SAID LOT; THENCE SOUTH 04 DEGREES 30 MINUTES WEST TWO HUNDRED ELEVEN AND EIGHT TENTHS FEET TO A POINT ON THE SHORELINE OF LAKE AUGUSTA; THENCE, ALONG SHORELINE SOUTH 78 DEGREES 37 MINUTES EAST FIFTY FEET; THENCE NORTH 00 DEGREES 39 MINUTES WEST TWO HUNDRED NINE AND TWO TENTHS FEET TO A POINT ON THE NORTH LINES OF SAID LOT TWENTY-TWO; THENCE, ALONG SAID NORTH LINE, NORTH 67 DEGREES 16 MINUTES WEST THIRTY-TWO AND FIVE TENTHS FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, LYING EASTERLY OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED LINE; BEGINNING AT A POINT ON THE NORTH LINE OF SAID LOT WW, SAID POINT BEING SOUTH 67 DEGREES 16 MINUTES EAST THIRTY-TWO AND FIVE TENTHS (32.5) FEET FROM THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF SAID LOT; THENCE SOUTH FOUR DEGREES 39 MINUTES 10 FEET WEST TO THE SHORT OF LAKE AUGUSTA AND SAID LINE THERE TERMINATING. (“Property”)

The time allowed by law for redemption by the mortgagor or mortgagor’s personal representatives or assigns is six (6) months after the date of sale.

THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY

USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIONS, AND ARE ABANDONED.

IF PART OF THE PROPERTY TO BE SOLD CONTAINS YOUR HOUSE, YOU MAY DESIGNATE AN AREA AS A HOMESTEAD TO BE SOLD AND REDEEMED SEPARATELY.

YOU MAY DESIGNATE THE HOUSE YOU OCCUPY AND ANY AMOUNT OF THE PROPERTY AS A HOMESTEAD. THE DESIGNATED HOMESTEAD PROPERTY MUST CONFORM TO THE LOCAL ZONING ORDINANCES AND BE COMPACT SO THAT IT DOES NOT UNREASONABLY REDUCE THE VALUE OF THE REMAINING PROPERTY.

YOU MUST PROVIDE THE PERSON FORESLOSING ON THE PROPERTY, THE SHERIFF, AND THE COUNTY RECORDER WITH A COPY OF THE LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF THE HOMESTEAD YOU HAVE DESIGNATED BY TEN BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE THE DATE THE PROPERTY IS TO BE SOLD.

Property Address: 2575 Arrowwood Road, South Haven, Minn. 55382.

Dated: Oct. 25, 2012

John SannerSheriff of Stearns County, Minn.

By Scott RomstadDeputy Sheriff

REEP LAW OFFICE, PLLCJohn D. Reep, AttorneyAttorney Registration #0197385Attorney for Plaintiff919 W. St. Germain St., Suite 2000St. Cloud, Minn. 56301(320) 255-8845

THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.

Published: Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 and Dec. 7

CITY OF ST. JOSEPHPUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given the City Council will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012 in the City Hall Council Chambers to con-sider, and possibly adopt, the pro-posed 2013 Fee Schedule.

The proposed 2013 Fee Schedule is on file for public inspection at the City Offices, 25 College Ave. N. and on the city website: mn-stjoseph.civicplus.com.

All persons wishing to speak will be heard and oral testimony will be limited to five minutes. Written testimony should be mailed to the city administrator, P.O. Box 668, St. Joseph, MN 56374.

Judy WeyrensAdministrator

Publish: Nov. 23, 2012

CERTIFICATE OF ASSUMED NAME

STATE OF MINNESOTAThe filing of an assumed name does not provide a user with exclu-sive rights to that name. The filing is required for consumer protec-tion in order to enable consum-ers to be able to identify the true owner of a business.

1. State the exact assumed name under which the business is or will be conducted: St. Joe Tax Service.

2. State the address of the principal place of business. 516 Schneider Drive, St. Joseph, MN 56374.

3. List the name and complete street addresses of all persons con-ducting business under the above Assumed Name, or if the business is a corporation, provide the legal corporate name and registered of-

fice address of the corporation. At-tach additional sheets if necessary: Robert Ulik, 516 Schneider Drive, St. Joseph, MN 56374.

4. I certify that I am authorized to sign this certificate and I further certify I understand by signing this certificate, I am subject to the penalties of perjury as set forth in Minnesota Statutes section 609.48 as if I had signed this certificate under oath.

Dated: July 30, 2012

Filed: Sept. 25, 2012

/s/ Robert UlikOwner

Publish: Nov. 23 and 30, 2012

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Friday, Nov. 23, 2012St. Joseph Newsleader • www.thenewsleaders.com8

320-363-414413 W. Minnesota St.

St. Joseph, MN 56374

• A • L • U • T • E to Small Businesses!

Superior carpet and upholstery cleaning!

of St. Cloud320-252-9799

Locally owned & operated by Jeff and Tracy

19 W. Minnesota St. • St. Joseph320-363-1011

www.thelocalblend.net

Coffee drinks ~ Italian SodaWine & Beer ~ Appetizers

Lunches ~ Ice Cream and MaltsBakery ~ Desserts

Open every day ~ Wi-fi always onLIVE music at 8 p.m. every weekend!

Hours: M-F 10 a.m.-8 p.m.Sat. 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Sun. noon-5 p.m.

We buy and sell new and gently-used children’s clothing and items!

110 2nd St. S., #101Waite Park

320-253-7193In Marketplace of Waite Park

Russell Eyecare & Associates15 E. Minnesota St., Suite 107

St. Joseph (320) 433-4326 www.russelleyecare.com

Christie Russell-Villnow, O.D.

“Like” us on Facebook for exclusive deals and updates!

Sunglasses and Contacts!

Work in St. Joe?

20% OFF Receiveyour frame and lenses

EVERYDAY!

10% OFF Also receive

We offer a local business discount.

Al Asmus Band Instruments1600 W. St. Germain • St. Cloud, MN 56301

320-252-8159 • www.alasmus.com

We Buy, Sell, Rent & Repair quality band instruments.

The name to know for over

30 years!

Reliable RolloffNow accepting small loads

of construction or clean-up debris at our building in Industrial Park East.

8232 Delta CircleSt. Joseph

Call 363-1194 for pricing & directions.

See the Holiday Sparkle!

320-363-0306 • 320-253-3229307 N. College Ave. • St. Joseph

www.daisyadayfloral.com

20% OFFHoliday Decor

Expires 12-15-12

320-253-04001-800-777-0422

305 4th Ave. S., Ste. 3 • Sartell www.utopiatours.com

Motorcoach Tours - One Day Trips

Travel Agency

Home Town Title, LLCServing YOU since 1998

Offices in St. Joseph, Sauk Centre & Alexandria

320-352-5925 Email: hometown@mainstreetcom.com Website: www.httitle.com

Drewski Law OfficeWORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Ronald Drewski, Workers’ Compensation Attorney

Over 35 years experience!1669 – 4th Ave. N., Suite 200

Sauk Rapids, MN 56379320-281-5161 • 1-866-446-3883

www.drewskilaw.com

We specialize in all aspects of solid wood flooring.

320-363-7926www.floorguy.net

There are approximately 30 million small businesses in the United States. These small businesses represent 99.7 percent of all employers, have generated 75 percent of net new jobs during the past 15 years and produce more than $6 trillion in Gross Domestic Product each year.

More than 53 percent of all small businesses are home-based businesses.

Money spent at local and small businesses goes right back into the communities. According to the 3/50 project, for every $100 spent at local, independent stores $68 is returned to the community. The same amount spent at national chains results in only $43 staying within the community.

When you buy/support local businesses you are paying the wages of local employees, which is likely to be spent at local businesses creating a chain reaction.

Local small businesses are invested in building relationships with community members who will support their business.

NOW HIRING

St. Joseph McDonald's

www.mcstate.com/35317

or

456 Great Oak Dr, Waite Park

Electrolysis & Laser HairRemoval by Robyn, Clinic

320.252.5224www.stcloudhairremoval.com

Affordable Laser Hair Removal20 Years ExperienceFree Consultations

50% OFF

your first appointmentNew Patients Only. Expires 1-15-2013

www.kayskitchen.us

We cater!

NOW HIRINGSt. Joseph McDonald’s

at: www.mcstate.com/35317

456 Great Oak Drive, Waite Park