Minutes of Menno Area
Development Meeting
The Menno Area Development
Corporation held its regular meeting at the Open Door Café on April 17 with the
following in attendance: Peg Thranum, Dorothy Harnisch, Bill Headley, David
Bender, Morna Anderson, Darlene Mehlhaf, Larry Tolzin, Bruce Anderson, Harold
Willemstyn, Gary Herman, Marsha Schelske, Shannon Herrboldt, Brad Letcher, Ken
Stepanek, Jerome Hoff, Cindy Nelsen, Donna Zeeb,
David Bender called the meeting to order at
Marsha Schelske made a motion to approve the agenda with the addition of the Fourth of July Parade. Shannon Herrboldt seconded, all present in favor; motion carried.
Larry Tolzin made a motion to approve the minutes and the finance report. Gary Herman seconded, all present in favor; motion carried.
SEFP Report: The SEFP report was handed out. Larsen had 13 new client inquiries in
February and March.
Committee Reports: Grocery Store – Thranum was notified that the individual interested in purchasing the grocery store is still working to obtain financing. She was informed by Cindy Aisenbrey that they will start selling out the inventory after the first of the year and then will lock the doors. Aisenbrey stated the city will loose $10,000 (or more) in sales tax revenue if the store closes.
Discussion was had on how to proceed to do a survey concerning community interest in the grocery store and in housing development. People don’t seem to respond to ads in the newspaper or surveys they receive in the mail and are reluctant to share their views when called on the phone because they know the caller and don’t want their personal views shared! Someone suggested asking students to conduct a survey, but others felt people would be reluctant to speak to teenagers. No decision was made.
Ad Campaign – Our next ad will come out in June. Members will be notified two weeks prior to submit their ads if they wish to participate. We will include something to emphasis what the sales tax revenue provided by shopping at home pays for within our community.
Housing Development – There was nothing new to report.
Band Day – Band Day is set for Friday, September 28. Mollet Music in Yankton will furnish the trophies for the event. Tolzin reported the Community Club will donate $375 of their proceeds from Pancake Day toward judges for Band Day. Area bands will be contacted and if interest is good, Tolzin will order buttons.
Poker Run/Car Show
– The Poker Run is set for Saturday, May 5. Registration is scheduled to
begin at the
New Business: Thrivent Financial for Lutherans asked if we would “Join Hands” with them to pick up recyclables on May 12 or 19. Join Hands Day is a national volunteer effort that brings youth and adults together to improve communities and have fun while helping others. Morna Anderson and Gary Herman volunteered to help.
The parade theme for the Fourth of July is “Proud to be
an American”.
The next meeting of the group will be Tuesday, May 15 at
the Open Door Café beginning at
Teresa Anderson moved to adjourn at
Respectfully submitted, Peggy
Thranum, Secretary