Tom Loveall

After a recent controversy over a highway memorial in Pilot Grove Township, the Faribault County Board of Commissioners decided they need to develop a policy for future memorials.

Two commissioners, Tom Warmka and Bill Groskreutz, were appointed to a special sub-committee to study the problem, and come up with a policy.

The two were selected because they have not been involved in a recent flap over a memorial for Josh Johnson. That memorial was originally ordered to be removed after it was deemed by the highway department to be a hazard.

Now, that memorial may stay, and not be affected by a new policy.

Commissioner Tom Loveall told the board he wanted to clarify his position on the Johnson memorial.

“I did talk to Craig Johnson (Josh’s father) and told him I felt the memorial should be allowed to stay,” Loveall said. “But I also told him I am only one of five board members, and it is up to the whole board to decide.”

Loveall said Johnson has removed lights from the site, which were deemed a hazard to passing motorists.

“I told him I didn’t want it to get any bigger,” Loveall said. “But I don’t find it offensive and I will vote to allow it to stay.”

To read more of this story, see this week’s Register.