All Drivers Practices Policies Claims Dismissed

 by Ruby White  All claims against the County in the DPPA (Drivers Privacy Practices Act) suit that had been filed by Commissioner Deb Roschen a year ago have now been dismissed, according to County Administrator Michael Plante.Plante said during his Administrator’s Update at last Tuesday’s County Board meeting that he had received an e-mail just before the meeting saying that all claims against the County and all other defendants related to that case were dismissed on October 24, 2014. It was also indicated that the Plaintiffs in the matter have until November 24, 2014 to file an appeal. Commissioner Dave Harms, who was also involved in the suit against the county, said that he had been notified two months ago that the claims against the County had been dismissed. There was no further discussion about this matter.Roschen was absent from this meeting. Administrator Plante and Senior Assistant County Attorney Karrie Kelly were present.The action was the second dismissal of claims filed by Roschen against the county or a county employee in two weeks, following dismissal of ethics charges filed against Plante.Remembering Gerard RingPlante also noted the recent death of Judge Gerard Ring. He pointed out that Judge Ring had made “substantial contributions” to the County, noting particularly the Substance Abuse Drug Court, and other endeavors that greatly benefited the community.Aitken recognizedBefore the board discussed the Action Items on the Agenda, Kellogg American Legion Commander Ken Pavelka made a presentation to Recorder Jeff Aitken in recognition of his work with County Day each spring and his efforts to introduce high school students to the government of the County.  The American Legion sponsors County Day each year.  Pavelka noted Aitken’s cooperation with the Legion for County Day as he read the award aloud for the audience.Aitken expressed his thanks to the Legion, saying that he had stepped in to handle County Day when Dave Meyer retired in 1996, and he has been doing each year since. The first County Day was held about 55 years ago and Aitken pointed out, “It was a great deal of work to get it going.”The Legion expressed their thanks to the County Board, and Board Chair Don Springer, who had attended County Day as a student, thanked the Legion for providing the noon lunch for students and County Board members on County Day.Emergency ManagementThe board also heard a presentation by Director of the Wabasha County Emergency Management Brenda Wodele. Wodele had prepared several handouts, one of which was an outline of the various aspects of EM and what is done there. “We’re not just sitting around waiting for something tragic to happen,” she said.The  State  requires  EM  certification,