March 1085, Pag4
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-LLt's Saturday in Franklin, and William Nielsen isn't about to
spend the day as mayor of the south-central Nebraska town of
1,170.
Saturdays are for rest and relaxation. They are days that allow
you to forget Forget about the sagging farm economy. Forget
about what the farm problems are doing to Franklin's businesses,
which line the four-block main street of the town. Some already
have closed, others could follow, as they have in many small
Nebraska towns.
Nielsen said that after some morning business, he'll drive to Red
Cloud for a gun show and then out to watch the sandhill cranes that
make a yearly pitstop in Minden.
"Today isn't going to be all screwed up with problems."
It's Saturday in Franklin and Greg Choquette has been feeding
livestock since 7:15 a.m. He and his father, Richard, have 1,780
acres of land and 400 to 500 head of cattle. Male south-central
Nebraska fanners are having problems paying debts and securing
loans, Choquette said, he and his father are a couple of the lucky
ones.
Despite his luck, Greg still might have to start teaching school
this fall and farm only part time, if he can find a job, to support his
wife and children.
Since graduating from UNL in 1983, Greg, who is in his mid-20s,
hss watched the value of land in the Franklin area drop from
$1,000 an acre to about $450. Farmers have been forced to sell
their land. Hie number of farm auctions has skyrocketed.
Cut Greg remains optimistic Things will get better, he says as he
savors his chewing tobacco. Government officials can't overlook
the farmer forever.
"I can't see them beating on us for too long," he said, "unless
they don't want to eat"
It's Saturday in Franklin and State Bank President William
Slocum is working on an income tax report at his brick bank
building on the northern edge of main street Slocum has a tough
job. Often, town residents despise the local banker he is the
bearer of tzi news.
local bankers must hand' the farmer or businessperson the
foreclosure pipers cr cut off loans. Slocum hs done it, and he says
it isn't fon.
But compared to other small-town bankers, Slocum said, his job
is easy.
He estimated that only 3 percent of the Franklin-area farmers
who were in operation last year will have to quit He also said 90 to
95 percent of those seeking loans will receive them.
The Franklin State Bank is solid financially, he said. "It's an
enviable position," he said.
The foreclosures have totaled about "half a dozen" in the past
two years, he said. Most times, the borrower knows the foreclosure
is coming.
But telling someone a loan has been denied is what makes the
job difficult. "Nothing is 100 percent," he said.
If people can hang on, Slocum said, things will get better.
It's Saturday in Franklin and Bob and Lue MuSIowney are
preparing for another day at the Lincoln Hotel.
Lue will do bookwork, while Bob makes repairs. At noon, Lue
will wait tables in the cafe, while Bob cashiers, later, Bob will cook
and tend bar.
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LL he Mollowneys moved to Franklin in 1981 and reopened
the 68-year-old hotel, which has 14 rooms, four apartments, a cafe
and a bar. So far, business has been OK, they said.
While the hotel isn't making money, the cafe and bar are. Hard
work will keep the hotel open, Bob said.
A walk through the hotel reminds visitors of Franklin's past
Antiques and worn carpet fill the hallways, and a 1947 Rock-Ola
jukebox sits along the back wall of the wooden bar. It still plays
78's for a nickel, Bob said, boasting. In the entryway, a black
antique stove greets visitors. Ann-Margret cooked on that stove,
claims Lue.
The hotel preserves part of Franklin's past - good times and
bad. Things will get better. Bob said People just have to work hard.
it's Saturday in Franklin and Deb Gooder already has delivered
two pieces of farm machinery for an auction in Gothenburg. He
hopes to sell a car in the afternoon.
Gooder owns Case International. He sells Case International
farm machinery and Por.tiac cars. Sales have been slow because
people don't hsve money to spend.
While new car and farm equipment sales are rare, Gooder says,
