May 2020

The meeting was called to order at 5:33 p.m. by Chair Brian Samuelson.  Members present:  Jim Berens, Bill McGeary, Mary KW Langan, Eric Peterson, Brian Samuelson, Paul Carruth, and Gary Williams.  Members absent:  None.
Approved Teleconference Meetings.
No Additions to the Agenda.
Agenda approved.
Citizens Comments:  Chair B. Samuelson read an email from Kerry Wilcox. Kerry thanked the school board for their efforts in making the new activity center a reality. The gymnastics program is excited for this opportunity to train in a new building.  Your work as school board members often goes unnoticed and is often criticized, but after witnessing firsthand the amount of work and dedication you put forth for our district’s students, I hope you know that there are people like myself who do appreciate you.  This board has now become a part of BKMS gymnastics history.
Consent Agenda approved.
Progress Reports presented by the administrators.

By Reed Anfinson
Publisher
Swift County Monitor-News

“It’s just the flu.” That is what some who believe Minnesota Democratic Gov. Tim Walz has overreacted to COVID-19 disease think.

“If I get corona, I get corona,” a young woman on a Florida beach told the press. “At the end of the day, I’m not going to let it stop me from partying.” This is another attitude among many who are not in the vulnerable age group hit hard by the coronavirus.

And, there are a few who maintain that COVID-19 is a hoax, overblown by the media.

It’s not a hoax. It’s not the flu. And, those who say “let’s party” have little thought or worry about the impact of the disease on their parents, or grandparents, or those with underlying conditions that make them susceptible to the virus.

By Reed Anfinson
Publisher
Swift County Monitor-News

For the kids of the community there are hardly two more popular things for them to do each summer than heading to the swimming pool and the annual Kid Day celebration. Now both are in danger of being eliminated.

Benson’s City Council is waiting for guidance from Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz Wednesday how the city will handle the opening of the Benson Family Aquatic Center and if the 90th annual Benson Kid Day celebration will happen.

At Monday night’s council meeting, Kid Day Chair Roger Ebnet called in saying he had been conducting email conversations with committee members on how they should proceed with the July event.

The coronavirus and the deadly disease it causes, COVID-19, have reshaped plans for community celebrations throughout the nation. Many of those events have been postponed until next year.

Donald Clifford Arneson, long-time resident of Prior Lake passed away suddenly April 18, 2020 at the age of 87.

Don was born  June 11, 1932 in Benson, Minnesota to Clifford and Lucille Arneson. He had Master degrees in Spanish and English. Don started teaching in Forest Lake and moved into other educational fields and sales. He was in a partnership of a travel agency in Burnsville for seven years.

Don had a great love of books and reading.  He has written and published multiple plays and books. He was voted best director for innumerable family plays.  He had an unstoppable love for his family.  He enjoyed walking, happy hour at the lake and many, many travels.

Don, along with his wife Joyce, were involved in Peace Reformed Church in Eagan for many years. They served as board members in the Prior Lake Players. They also served in the Peace Corps in 1989 in Jamaica.