Thursday, March 20, 2003
Rice Lake Public Library

The meeting was called to order by Jim Herrey, Chairman, with 18 present. 16 members including 1 new member, Ruth Young, and 2 visitors.

Secretary's report was read and approved.

Treasures report was read, with a balance of $207.83 on hand. Motion to approve was made by Tom Richie and 2nd by Jason Rae.

Jason Rae, reported that the website is up and running, and has had 70 visitors during it’s existence.

Jason read a press release he wrote and the decision to send it out to area news media was reached.

Clarice Fall reported that Senator Feingold would be speaking March 30th at 5 o’clock on the UW Barron campus.

Governor Doyle Visit to the Rice Lake City Hall, at 5 o’clock on Friday the 21st was also discussed

Delivery of our January and February food shelf items were reported by Jim Vogel and a thank you note from the Prairie Farm food shelf was presented A request was made for soap and toothbrushes in addition to food items.

Betty Vogel stated she had applied for and received a license for the raffle at fairtime.

The leadership course at Devils Lake was again mentioned, please inform our chairman if you know of anyone who would be interested.

Correspondence on visiting the Executive residence during the summer months was presented to the group by our chairman.

A suggestion was made by Jim Vogel to present the Rice Lake library with a check for $15,in appreciation of the use of their facility for meetings. A vote was taken and motion made by Jim Vogel was passed there was a 2nd by Harold Kringle

A discussion of up coming conventions was opened. Summaries of the conventions were read by Jim Herrey, and a paper was passed to elicit names of those interested in attending, those who responded were:

Steve and Mary Matthys
Sandra Packenham
Marvin and Edith Olson
Cecil Kippenhan
Marlene Raether
Terry Sperling
Jason Rae

Jim Herrey and Mary Hubler by virtue of their positions

Jim Vogel moved we accept these delegates Tom Richie 2nd.

13 delegates would be possible, based on our membership.

Angie Holmstrom an attorney from Rice Lake, and assistant District attorney was introduced by Barron County Sheriff Tom Richie, she passed a petition to ask for support in her bid for District Attorney. The Sheriff reported much support from prominent Barron County Democrats.

The group was asked to get out the vote for Judge Bruner to the Supreme Court

Tom Richie responded to questions concerning Meth labs in this area. He states this area has a high incidence of these labs due to our closeness to the Minneapolis St. Paul area and our rural setting. He states theft is rampant in our area because of people paying for their habits.

Users of the drug display violence, paranoia and aggression. When perpetrators are arrested they leave behind hazardous waste that can cost up to 20,000 dollars to clean up.

Betty Vogel thanked the group for flowers sent after the loss of her Mother.

Cecil Kippenhan moved for adjournment 2nd by Angie Holmstrom.

Submitted,
Sandra Packenham
Secretary