Minutes of Menno Area Development Annual Meeting

October 16, 2007

The Menno Area Development Corporation held its regular meeting at the Open Door Café on October 16 with the following in attendance: Peg Thranum, Nancy Larsen, Brad Letcher, Bruce Anderson, David Bender, Larry Tolzin, Bill Headley, Harold Willemstyn, Dorothy Harnisch, Donna Zeeb, Calvin and Alice Hagge, Darlene Mehlhaf, Ken Stepanek, Glenn Kirschenman, Gary Herman, Ken Bertsch, Brenda Edelman, Dennis & Cindy Aisenbrey, Lee Friesen, Shannon Herrboldt, Brent Haberman, Connie Knodel, Marsha Schelske and Gary Schelske.

Board Member Dave Bender called the meeting to order at 12:20 p.m.

Larry Tolzin made a motion to approve the agenda as presented. Gary Herman seconded; motion carried.

Darlene Mehlhaf made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 18 meeting. Cindy Aisenbrey seconded; motion carried.

Marsha Schelske made a motion to approve the October finance report. Connie Knodel seconded; motion carried.

SEFP Report: Nancy Larsen presented a newly designed report. Anyone interested may view the report at the finance office. She met with a new client in Menno today.

Committee Reports: Grocery Store –Alvin Jensen is working with Rural Development to obtain funding to purchase the store. The grocery store committee submitted a proposal to the Aisenbreys, in the event Mr. Jensen’s funding isn’t obtained. The offices of Johnson and Thune have been contacted for help.

Ad Campaign – We had 10 entries for the $25 Menno Bucks drawing; Jim Woehl was the winner. The next full-page ad will be for the December 5 paper. The ads will need to be to Dave Bender by November 21.

Band Day – Tolzin felt Band Day was a success. Twelve bands participated: Centerville, Dakota Valley, Dell Rapids-St. Mary’s, Irene-Wakonda, Lennox, Lennox Middle School, Marion, Menno, Parkston, Tripp-Delmont, Viborg and Wessington Springs. Larry would like to do it again next year on the same date, the last Friday in September. It was suggested to have more bathroom facilities available. Brad Letcher stated several people had heard Band Day advertised on the radio and had asked him what it was about. Winners of the prizes were: Shirley Miller/Mower (purchased at Menno Lumber), Walt Schaeffer/Microwave (purchased at Smidt Appliance) and Darlene Schempp/Picnic Table (donated by Menno Lumber). Thanks to the $375 donation from the Community Club, we had a profit of $16.67; no matching funds will be received.

Clinic Fund Raiser – Discussion was had on raising funds to pay off the clinic debt, but no decisions were made. Dave Bender stated there is water leaking in the basement; Gene Bender was contacted to fix this.

Other New Business: Ken Bertsch mentioned Gail Swain has 4 lots for sale along Highway 18. Following discussion, Bertsch moved to make an offer to purchase the property for up to $5000. Gary Schelske seconded. Bill Headley made a motion to vote by paper ballot. Dorothy Harnisch seconded. A show of hands revealed the majority were not in favor of paper ballot. Motion lost. With no further discussion the vote was called for the previous motion. The ayes had more votes than nays; motion carried.

The next meeting of the group will be held Tuesday, November 20 at the Open Door Café beginning at 12:00 noon.

Larry Tolzin moved to adjourn at 12:55 p.m. Brent Haberman seconded; all present in favor.

Respectfully submitted,

Peggy Thranum, Secretary