train glides through, it pauses at the Staples Amtrak station, connecting distant horizons. Here, life’s tempo slows, inviting you to wander its 12.12 square kilometers (4.68 square miles) of enchantment. Born from the heartbeat of a sawmill, Staples’ roots dig deep into the soil. Two lumberman, King Staples and Howard C. Mealy arrived with a vision and saw the potential in the area. Two years after they laid foot in the town, a mill was set up. Over the years, the town prospered, transitioning from its original moniker, “Staples Mill,” into a strategic railroad point for Northern Pacific. The small saw mill town enabled the railroad giant to shorten their preexisting route and thus turned the town into a ‘Railroad Division Point’. Growth continued over the ensuing decades evolving into the dynamic municipality it is today. Staples now boasts noteworthy leadership that extends across crucial sectors, such as healthcare and education. A strong Council and Tourism Board work tirelessly to create a welcoming and irresistible environment. Ron Murray, the Mayor of Staples, concurs, stating, “It is one factor that attracted me to this area.” LAKEWOOD SERVES UP HEALTHY CHOICES As Staples’s primary employer, Lakewood Health System (LHS) boasts a 1,000-strong workforce, with the majority living within a 30-mile radius. The organization encourages employees to settle within the hospital’s boundaries. In the realm of rural healthcare leadership, roles often extend beyond internal affairs towards civic outreach. Understanding that people need more than health treatment, Lisa Bjerga, President and CEO, Lakewood Health System, says,“We realized over the past decade the bulk of a patient’s healthcare does not happen inside four walls, it happens outside of the healthcare system.” “After the school district failed referendums, we pooled our funds. Instead of basic code upgrades at the high school, we enhanced the outcome by combining our resources,” explains Bjerga. “The end product is Lakewood Nest.” 63 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 5, ISSUE 03 STAPLES, MN
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