It's true, Salmela's retiring

By TERRY SALMELA
Extension Director
Posted 7/3/03

YES, I AM RETIRING.

Yes, it's true, I will be retiring on Aug. 1 after 30 years with the University of Minnesota Extension Service. Twenty-three of those years have been in Kanabec County as an Extension Educator. This past year, I have had a joint County Extension Director appointment in both Kanabec and Mille Lacs counties. I also worked in Chippewa and East Ottertail counties earlier.

Due to budget cuts, the U of M Extension Service received permission to offer early retirement to 25 federal employees. I was one to receive the offer. I decided to accept.

It's been a great, fun and rewarding career. I feel like the luckiest person for having had this job and career. It has been like a co-worker once said, "this is both the best and worst job in the world." It has been the best job because people come to us because they want to and not because they have to. However, it has sometimes felt like the worst job, because the work is never done and there is only so much one can do.

The greatest satisfaction that I have received from this job has come from being able to help others to help themselves. It has been rewarding to be able to answer horticultural and agricultural questions and to plan and conduct quality educational programs on a variety of topics in an effort to connect community needs to University resources. However, probably the greatest satisfaction has come from seeing how 4-H members have grown through their 4-H projects and life skill building experiences.

In retirement, I look forward to working on my house and yard, some travel and looking for a part-time job.

Storm damage: insurance, repair information available from Info-U

Recovery, repair and insurance information is available from the University of Minnesota Extension Service INFO-U program for people who suffered from this week's storms. Information on many topics is available through INFO-U's 24- hour pre-recorded phone service and Extension's internet site.

In general, homeowners' insurance policies cover structural damage to homes, farm buildings and garages following a storm. Townhome and condo owners may have coverage through their associations. Personal property is sometimes covered, depending on your policy. This includes damage caused by fallen trees and hail or wind damage.

Few policies cover flood damage caused by streams or rain. Tree trimming or removal is often an out-of-pocket expense.

The interpretation of what's covered and what isn't may be a point of discussion between you and the insurance company. Most adjusters provide quick, easy settlements of claims. Yet, structural damage may include things that aren't immediately apparent.

Be patient and thorough in having damage assessed. Once you cash an insurance check labeled "full, final and complete settlement," you may have no recourse if you discover additional damage.

If you reach an impasse or feel you've been treated unfairly, contact one of the following agencies:

Minnesota Attorney General Consumer Information Line, (651) 296-3353

Minnesota Department of Commerce, (651) 296-2488, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays Better Business Bureau of Minnesota. (800) 646-6222

For more information, visit http://www.extension.umn.edu, or call INFO-U at (800) 525-8636 and enter one of the following codes for the topic you're interested in.

259 Emergency safety kits.

266 Cleaning flooded floors and woodwork.

264 Cleaning refrigerators.

262 Cleaning flood-soiled carpet and rugs.

268 Cleaning flood-soiled clothing.

260 Cleaning up after floods.

263 Drying flood-damaged books and papers.

267 Drying flood-damaged walls.

261 Priorities for clean-up and repair.

298 Water safety and testing after a flood.

528 What to do to repair flooded lawns.

502 What to do to about flooded trees.

550 What to do with storm damaged trees.

657 Insurance claims.

643 Preparing food without power.

656 Keeping food safe without power.

269 Testing for humidity.

646 Water safety in emergencies.