THE MAZEPPA JOURNAL, Editor and Publisher: Barbara and Reider Tommeraas
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1956
Commissioners Approve Delay Until May 1 on Petition for Dissolving District 73 The granting of delay until May 1 on the petition for dissolution of District 73 by the county commissioner’s Tuesday afternoon culminated a hectic week of activity on behalf of saving the local high school. A caravan of at least 159 Mazeppa and area residents met with the commissioners in the Wabasha High school auditorium. Ernest Hoefs of Mazeppa explained clearly and concisely the excellent school to had here under consolidation, one offering all the required classes an special departments. He stressed the excellent financial condition of the village and school, the favorable tax rate in comparison to neighboring towns and the advantages of a smaller school. He asked only that the dissolution petition be delayed until the Mazeppa plat has been reconsidered by the state department of education. Mr. and Mrs. Max Cliff of District 73 also asked for tabling of the petition on the same grounds. Friday, a delegation of eight—E. R. Hoefs, Mrs. Max Cliff, Mrs. S.H. Prigge, Clarence Arendt, LaVern Windhorst, Mrs. R.J. Tommeraas, Warren Grossbach and Leslie Graves---conferred with Gov. Orville Freeman and state department representatives regarding rejection the second plat. Mr. Hoefs was spokesman for the group. The governor was generous in granting the delegation an hour’s time and listening to both view-points. Mr. Schweickhard later again promised careful reconsideration of the plat.
“Our Town” Mazeppa and in this editorial, by Mazeppa we mean both, the town and area residents has real reason for a profound sense of pride this week. She was threatened with the loss of a high school 60 years old---a school which has been the focal point for most of the activities which occur in a village and ruled by a board and superintendent who have leaned over backwards to provide its facilities for any worthy cause. Mazeppa didn’t want to lose its school and thanks to the community spirit expressed during the past month, to all indications will not. However, win or lose this drawing together of town and country residents in one common cause was thrilling to witness. Businessmen left their jobs to work for the school, women their housework, and farmers their always numerous chores to join a caravan—first to the state department of education in St. Paul and Tuesday to the county commissioners’ meeting in Wabasha. Many who could not go “baby-sat” or did chores so others could. It was an expression of unity not often witnessed in a small town, and thanks are due every person who cooperated in any way. Particular thanks, we feel, go to the board of education and Supt. Eimermann; to the American Legion auxiliary and its chairman, Mrs. S.H. Prigge, which sponsored the caravans; to John Roland and the county board; and Ernie Hoefs for his eloquent presentations of Mazeppa’s case. Yes, it was a thrilling fight—but a fight which ended with very little bitterness and with the door open for anyone wanting to join the Mazeppa school system. There are still many hurdles to jump, but with the spirit evidenced to date, it is hard to see how our town can fall.
Weddings Hoit-Samuelson Ferns, white candelabra and white mixed bouquets of gladioli and mums formed the background for the wedding of Evelyn Alice Samuelson of Minneapolis and Everett Edward Holt of St. Paul, at 3 p.m. at Knox Presbyterian church in St. Paul.
News And Views---Around The School FOURTH GRADE-Squeaky’s Valentine Roses love sunshine Violets love dew Squeaky is here And he loves you. Yes, Squeaky is here with us again. He has been busy helping us make valentines for our Mothers and Fathers. We have been using water colors to paint our valentines. We are going to have our room party on Friday. This year we are going to have one big valentine box.