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2009: The Year in Review - Part III
By By Jill Meier
Challenger editor
Challenger editor
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EmailJanuary 04. 2010 6:00AM
July
Six candidates were interviewed for an opening in Brandon’s city administration. The six finalists were selected from a pool of 80 applicants. The opening in the city’s administrative staff was created by the resignation of assistant city administrator, Nick Lanning, and the future planned retirement city administrator Dennis Olson.
Mark Schlekeway, Brandon Valley boy’s tennis coach, was selected as the 2009 South Dakota Boys Tennis Coach of the Year.
The McHardy Park Arts and Crafts Festival, a 32-year event, was combined with the town’s new celebration weekend, Hometown Days. Several factors contributed to combining the two events, such as declining vendor numbers and the economy.
The Brandon Valley Board of Education approved an $18.1 million general fund budget for the 2009-2010 school year. The approved and balanced budget increased by $200,000 from the proposed budget of $17.9 million, which was presented to the board in mid-May.
Vern and Deb Wirtjes of Brandon purchased The Neighbors coffee shop, with plans to reopen the business under a new name, “The Perfect Cup.”
Construction of Ridgeview Place Apartments, a 39-unit complex, was underway at 705 Eighth Ave. The complex will have one- and two-bedroom units that feature a second room designed for use as a den or office and underground parking. Owners Tye and Erin Doll will manage the apartments.
August
A growing need to put food on the tables of Brandon area families caused the Brandon Area Food Pantry some growing pains of its own. BAFP board of directors asked the city council for financial help to purchase a larger space for the BAFP.
In August, the council agreed to purchase a 1,900 square-foot building, located at 406 Main Ave., for $42,500. Many renovations were required before the Food Pantry could take occupancy.
The BVACC’s began planning a new community event, the Brandon Expo. The event, scheduled for Nov. 15, was designed to showcase Brandon area chamber member businesses.
The BVACC unveiled its new mascot, Sunny, during this year’s Hometown Days celebration.
A woman and her 14-year-old son were taken to a Sioux Falls shelter after they lived for five days out of a Brandon storage unit. The woman had nowhere to go after leaving a residence where she was staying in Madison, so she slept in the storage unit she rented while she and her son looked for a place to live. After five days in the unit, the woman called a social services agency for help.
Enrollment at Brandon Valley schools increased by 139 students, according to figures released by Superintendent Dave Pappone. The increase was about 50 more than anticipated by administrators. A total of 3,256 students reported for classes at Brandon Valley schools this year.
Federal stimulus funds were secured by the village of Corson to replace water lines and hook up to Brandon’s water system. The Corson Village Sanitary District received a State Revolving Loan for $552,800, with 90 percent forgiveness. That means the district will have to pay back $52,800.
Brandon council members initiated discussion on expanding or building a new city pool this month. Alderwoman Mindy Hansen said that now is the time to begin discussing the issue.
“If we get started now, hopefully within five years we can get something started,” Hansen said.
Over the summer months, city councilors were told by constituents the current pool isn’t adequate for a community of 8,000-plus.
Area home sales thus far in 2009 were better than expected. With a boost from the $8,000 federal tax credit program, local Realtors were seeing higher attendance at open houses and more people ready to buy.
September
Wayne Womble of Sioux Falls took over the Brandon Body Shop from long-time owner Howard Stoel on Sept. 1.
Parents who live in the Pine Lake Hills and Mystic Meadows additions on Six Mile Road voiced their concerns about their children walking to the new Fred Assam Elementary school. School officials joined forces with a number of agencies to resolve the issue, which was resolved by lowering the speed limit on Six Mile Road, installing flashing lights and deciding that a sidewalk will be erected next spring.
The Brandon Tennis Association was recognized as the National Community Tennis Association of the Year at the U.S. Open in New York City. Representing the BTA as guests of the U.S. Open were Becky Blue, Tracie Rohlf, Mark Schlekeway and their spouses.
Brandon city councilors approved an architectural study of the PACE Manufacturing building located on Aspen Boulevard. The study will determine how the building could accommodate City Hall offices, council chambers, the police department, additional space for the maintenance department and possibly a community center. The building has an available 55,000 square feet.
The Brandon Valley Board of Education are saving taxpayers $1.5 million by paying off a portion of their 2008 debt 18 years earlier than scheduled. The early payoff stems from $1.5 million in leftover funds from the district’s $23 million bond project that was passed by voters in December 2007.
Six candidates were interviewed for an opening in Brandon’s city administration. The six finalists were selected from a pool of 80 applicants. The opening in the city’s administrative staff was created by the resignation of assistant city administrator, Nick Lanning, and the future planned retirement city administrator Dennis Olson.
Mark Schlekeway, Brandon Valley boy’s tennis coach, was selected as the 2009 South Dakota Boys Tennis Coach of the Year.
The McHardy Park Arts and Crafts Festival, a 32-year event, was combined with the town’s new celebration weekend, Hometown Days. Several factors contributed to combining the two events, such as declining vendor numbers and the economy.
The Brandon Valley Board of Education approved an $18.1 million general fund budget for the 2009-2010 school year. The approved and balanced budget increased by $200,000 from the proposed budget of $17.9 million, which was presented to the board in mid-May.
Vern and Deb Wirtjes of Brandon purchased The Neighbors coffee shop, with plans to reopen the business under a new name, “The Perfect Cup.”
Construction of Ridgeview Place Apartments, a 39-unit complex, was underway at 705 Eighth Ave. The complex will have one- and two-bedroom units that feature a second room designed for use as a den or office and underground parking. Owners Tye and Erin Doll will manage the apartments.
August
A growing need to put food on the tables of Brandon area families caused the Brandon Area Food Pantry some growing pains of its own. BAFP board of directors asked the city council for financial help to purchase a larger space for the BAFP.
In August, the council agreed to purchase a 1,900 square-foot building, located at 406 Main Ave., for $42,500. Many renovations were required before the Food Pantry could take occupancy.
The BVACC’s began planning a new community event, the Brandon Expo. The event, scheduled for Nov. 15, was designed to showcase Brandon area chamber member businesses.
The BVACC unveiled its new mascot, Sunny, during this year’s Hometown Days celebration.
A woman and her 14-year-old son were taken to a Sioux Falls shelter after they lived for five days out of a Brandon storage unit. The woman had nowhere to go after leaving a residence where she was staying in Madison, so she slept in the storage unit she rented while she and her son looked for a place to live. After five days in the unit, the woman called a social services agency for help.
Enrollment at Brandon Valley schools increased by 139 students, according to figures released by Superintendent Dave Pappone. The increase was about 50 more than anticipated by administrators. A total of 3,256 students reported for classes at Brandon Valley schools this year.
Federal stimulus funds were secured by the village of Corson to replace water lines and hook up to Brandon’s water system. The Corson Village Sanitary District received a State Revolving Loan for $552,800, with 90 percent forgiveness. That means the district will have to pay back $52,800.
Brandon council members initiated discussion on expanding or building a new city pool this month. Alderwoman Mindy Hansen said that now is the time to begin discussing the issue.
“If we get started now, hopefully within five years we can get something started,” Hansen said.
Over the summer months, city councilors were told by constituents the current pool isn’t adequate for a community of 8,000-plus.
Area home sales thus far in 2009 were better than expected. With a boost from the $8,000 federal tax credit program, local Realtors were seeing higher attendance at open houses and more people ready to buy.
September
Wayne Womble of Sioux Falls took over the Brandon Body Shop from long-time owner Howard Stoel on Sept. 1.
Parents who live in the Pine Lake Hills and Mystic Meadows additions on Six Mile Road voiced their concerns about their children walking to the new Fred Assam Elementary school. School officials joined forces with a number of agencies to resolve the issue, which was resolved by lowering the speed limit on Six Mile Road, installing flashing lights and deciding that a sidewalk will be erected next spring.
The Brandon Tennis Association was recognized as the National Community Tennis Association of the Year at the U.S. Open in New York City. Representing the BTA as guests of the U.S. Open were Becky Blue, Tracie Rohlf, Mark Schlekeway and their spouses.
Brandon city councilors approved an architectural study of the PACE Manufacturing building located on Aspen Boulevard. The study will determine how the building could accommodate City Hall offices, council chambers, the police department, additional space for the maintenance department and possibly a community center. The building has an available 55,000 square feet.
The Brandon Valley Board of Education are saving taxpayers $1.5 million by paying off a portion of their 2008 debt 18 years earlier than scheduled. The early payoff stems from $1.5 million in leftover funds from the district’s $23 million bond project that was passed by voters in December 2007.
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Submitted photo Steve and Tracie Rohlf, Julia and Mark Schlekeway and Becky and Dan Blue, all of Brandon, pose in the president’s box at the US Open in New York City while Vania King (foreground) and Daniela Hantuchova (background) compete. The Brandon group represented the Brandon Tennis Association at the event, where the BTA was recognized as National Community Tennis Association of the Year. Challenger file photo |  |
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