By MaryHelen Swanson

Fifth District Commissioner Mike Robinson took the helm at the county board meeting this week for the year 2006. It was not without controversy, however.

There was a discussion about ìtaking turnsî meaning a rotating process for leadership of the board.

There was, on the table, a scathing letter from Commissioner Bob Gustafson enumerating his reasons why Commissioner Rick Olseen should not be elected board chairman.

There was a commissioner who was surprised by the letter and one who believed it contained libelous statements.

Robinson was put in the chairís seat on a vote of 3-2 with Commissioners Montzka and Olseen opposed.

Montzka said he believed it was a sad day for the county.

Commissioner Lynn Schultz, entering the second year of her term, was elected, also on a 3-2 vote, vice-chairman.

Discussion might have continued on the selection of a vice-chair, but chairman Robinson called the question.

In his opening remarks as chairman, Robinson said the county has many problems, including the jail and taxes, but the biggest one, he said, is at the table with the ìhatred and bitterness that comes here every week.î

He also had an issue with newspaper accounts of the meetings, saying that by the time what happens in the board room gets out to the public, itís twisted and inaccurate.

As the organizational meeting moved along, the board adopted Robertís Rules of Order for the year with the exception, as noted by Commissioner Gustafson, that the chairman can recess a meeting at will.

The board also moved to leave the meeting schedule as is with the board meetings on the first and third Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and fourth Wednesday at 9 a.m. Public comment is accepted at the evening meetings.

The beaver bounty remains the same as 2005 at $30 per animal, meal reimbursements the same and mileage was approved at the federal rate which is currently at 44.5 cents per mile.

Meal reimbursements are: $8 for breakfast, $9 for lunch and $16 for dinner for out-of-county, but in-state meals. Individuals traveling out of state are eligible for up to $40 each day for meals. Employees and elected officials are expected to submit expense claims to which receipts are attached. The maximum allowable reimbursement will not be paid to the claimants in lieu of a receipt.

Board assignments were approved. Due to time constraints for this weekís publication, a list will be published next week.

In other business, the following were approved:

ï Curt Flug (incumbent) Dist. 3 to Board of Adjustment;
ï Roger Eklund (incumbent) Dist. 5 to Board of Adjustment;
ï Curt Flug (incumbent) Dist. 3 to planning commission;
ï Craig Mold (incumbent) Dist. 5 to planning commission;
ï Henry Kapell to the open seat on the Water Plan Policy Team.

Also available at the Jan. 3 meeting was a letter to Commissioner Montzka from Sheriff Todd Rivard responding to the action take Dec. 28 on wage increases for elected officials.

And county ditch levies for 2006 were approved.

The Post Review was designated as official newspaper where official notices, tax and other legal information are published. The Post Review also publishes the legals online at www.ecmpostreview.com.

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