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We the people, the citizens of the greater Longville Community have been given an opportunity which will never present itself again. We need to seize that opportunity!

As we all know the Longville School has closed. It was a loss to the community and has caused a lot of hard feelings, but it is time to look ahead. The closing of the school has presented us, the community, with the opportunity to transform the property into a facility that serves all of the community, young and old alike.

For many years people have thought the school grounds were actually a City Park. In fact the school district has allowed us to use the school grounds as a park and the school building as a community center at no cost to the community. For that we are grateful and thank the school district. Now we have the opportunity to make what was the school and school grounds into what we have used it as for so many years, a Community Park and Community Center. This is our ultimate goal.

To reach our ultimate goal we need to reach some lesser goals, the first of which is to acquire the property from the School District and transfer control of the property to the local Longville Community. The Longville Community is the best group to operate the facility, not one individual, the school district, Cass County, or St. Paul. The closer the government is to the people the more responsive the government is to the needs of the people. At the same time, it is not just the City of Longville's issue.[[In-content Ad]]What we have proposed is the formation of a Joint Powers Agreement made up of the City of Longville and as many surrounding townships as want to enter into an agreement. This Joint Powers Agreement should be in place by mid-March. Once the Joint Powers is created we will ask the School Board to transfer ownership to the Joint Powers for $1. We have asked the District and they have agreed to wait until May 1, 2011 before taking any other action on the property.

After that they may put the school building and property up for bid and sell it to the highest bidder. Should that happen the Community of Longville will not only have lost its school but also its park, tennis courts, pavilion, playground, basketball courts, ball field, and any reasonable chance at a Community Center. All of the things that happen and have happened at that facility will be memories. Years of Family Reunions in the pavilion, Memorial Day Programs in the gym, Turtle Town Art Fairs, kids sliding down the hill, T-ball on the ball field, tennis every day from April thru October, and kids climbing, laughing and playing on the playground will all just be memories.

After two well attended Public Meetings and speaking at the Chamber's Fall Dinner, which ended in applause and people saying "go for it", we believe we have broad community support. We are moving forward. We are currently drafting a Joint Powers Agreement. The City of Longville and Kego Township are planning to become members to that agreement. We would love other townships to join with us.

We will publish a Fact Sheet and Plan shortly. We are willing to meet with any individual, group or township to discuss this issue. However time is of the essence we need to act quickly before this opportunity passes and we are left with memories and regrets. You can help too.

Talk to your local elected officials, talk to your friends, and talk to your school board members. Tell them how you feel about this issue, one way or the other. If you need more information ask them to find out more, or talk to us.

We can and will do this as a Community if, and only if, we all work together as a Community.

Jocko Kline

Mayor, City of Longville



Fred T. Smith II

Chairman,

Kego Town Board

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