Eken named Legislator of the Year by SWCDs
State Representative Kent Eken, District 2A, was named the Legislator of the Year by the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
Rep. Eken has a dedicated record of pursuing conservation initiatives that work to sustain Minnesota communities. In the 2009 Legislative Session, Rep. Eken was instrumental in securing state funding for the flood protection and recovery efforts in the Red River Valley ($53.8 million for flood mitigation grants and $17.6 million for flood disaster relief). Last year Rep. Eken authored and successfully passed a bill to fund ring dikes in the Red River Valley.
As a result, fifty-five farmstead ring dikes and 23 rural ring dikes are currently under construction. In 2007, Eken also successfully carried a bill to provide funding to construct 18 farmstead ring dikes. His successful efforts have saved millions of dollars by protecting farms and homes of the Red River Valley from floodwaters.
Along with investing in important flood projects, Rep. Eken also authored legislation to create the River Watch program in schools around the Red River Valley, a citizen monitoring program that helps build basin-wide leadership among our children on water issues.
"I'm honored to receive this award and I look forward to working with Soil and Water Conservation Districts along with others on future conservation issues,” said Rep. Eken.
This year Eken is authoring a bill to provide $41 million in funds for flood protection and prevention. This bill includes flood protection for the small cities of Perley, Hendrum, Shelly, Nielsville, and Felton. Eken recently presented his bill to a House committee. In his testimony he stated, “We need to go beyond simply protecting farm sites and cities from major floods. We need to also invest in flood prevention through water retention. This will actually save us money in the long run. For every $1 invested in flood prevention it is estimated that we save about $4 in flood response and cleanup. We can’t afford to wait any longer.”
Crookston Arby's awarded top honors
Submitted by Area Supervisor Gregg Guimond
The Crookston Arby's was recognized with top honors at the 2010 North Region annual meeting held in Minneapolis. The north region includes all of the corporate Arby's restaurants in Minnesota.
Top honors recieved were both the highest percent of positive feedback on guest surveys conducted and the Crookston restaurant was also awarded the Best Team of the Year for the second year in a row. Other honors included being in the top 5 for inspection scores, drive thru speed of service and also lowest team turnover percent.
The Crookston Arby's is managed by General managed Nell DeBoer, managers Matt Hesby, and Lynn Olson as well as shift managers Heather Tronnes and Erin Stegman.
American Federal Bank recognizes Royal
American Federal Bank announces 16 employees, including a Crookston Banker, have earned Sales Star recognition for 2009. Started in 1999, the Sales Star Program is American Federal’s premier recognition program, honoring top-performing sales and sales referral employees across the organization.
Earning Sales Star recognition in the Sales Manager division is Crookston Personal Banking Manager Carol Royal. Royal joined American Federal in 1999. Royal is a member of the American Federal Sales Star Hall of Fame and was the 2003 Top Retail Sales Star at the bank.
Knutson becomes law partner
Tracey L. Knutson (formerly Tracey L. Magsam) has become a shareholder in the Crookston law firm of Johannson, Rust, Stock & Rasmusson, P.A. Other shareholders are Daniel L. Rust, Charles A. Stock, and Anne M. Rasmusson. Kenneth F. Johannson recently retired from the firm after 47 years of service. As of Feb. 1, 2010, the firm name is Rust, Stock, Rasmusson & Knutson, P.A.
Knutson obtained her law degree from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 2003. She joined the firm as an associate in 2006 and is licensed to practice in Minnesota and North Dakota. Knutson focuses her practice on family law, criminal defense, and general litigation. Knutson grew up in Crookston, Minnesota, and graduated from Crookston High School in 1997. Knutson resides in Crookston with her husband, Justin, and children, Hunter and Carley.
The law firm of Rust, Stock, Rasmusson & Knutson was founded in 1932 by John Padden, a former President of the Minnesota State Bar Association. One of the oldest firms in Northwestern Minnesota, it serves a 24-county area in Northwestern Minnesota and Northeastern North Dakota. Firm attorneys practice in the areas of personal injury, product liability, insurance, and wrongful death litigation; real estate and commercial transactions; farm and general business planning and tax planning; estate planning, probate, and trusts; agricultural law; employment law; criminal law; and family law.
WSN adds landscape architect
Responding to its clients' needs, Widseth Smith Nolting has expanded its professional portfolio to include landscape architectural services with the addition of Joshua Johnson, ASLA. Working across a broad range of commercial, multi-family and single family projects, WSN offers creative, environmentally-responsive, and functional landscape design to public and private clients. From commercial site design and residential development to plant selection, WSN's design professionals strive to provide unique design solutions suited specifically to each client.
Johnson is a licensed landscape architect with more than 11 years of experience. He is responsible for planning, designing, and managing residential, commercial, and public projects, working with clients and government agencies to ensure plans meet zoning requirements as well as the client's specific needs. Additional responsibilities include landscape architecture, land development, and site design.
Keefe buys PrimeNet
Mark Keefe, president of PrimeNet Direct Marketing Solutions, LLC, has purchased PrimeNet. Keefe purchased PrimeNet, based in Clearwater, Florida with satellite locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin, from Journal Communications, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Keefe had joined PrimeNet in 1995 as President and will continue in that capacity.
Keefe is from Fairmont, MN and his wife Karen (Anderson) is from Crookston.
PrimeNet is a full-service, direct marketing company that offers expertise in data analytics, list management, variable data, printing, mail processing, online order-entry and program support.
Martodam is CEO of Twin Cities Catholic Charities
Rev. John C. Nienstedt, Archbishop of St. Paul and Minneapolis, appointed Paul Martodam of Phoenix, AZ, as the new CEO of Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Martodam is the son of Rose Martodam of Wadena and is married to the former Linda Pyle - a graduate of Crookston Central High School. He began his duties as CEO on Jan. 1, 2010.
