• Shawn Lambertz is the new electric lineman for the City of Groton and he began is duties this past Monday. He is a Brookings High School graduate and then went to Watertown Vo Tec for welding technology. "I worked at a welding shop for about three years after school," he said. "But I didn't like being inside all of the time. I wanted an outside career."
• There were some electrical contractors working in the Brookings area and he went to work with them for five years. The company went out of business and Lambertz found himself back in the welding shop at a Bobcat plant in Gwinner, N.D. He welded there for three years.
• Miller had an opening for a lineman so he went to work for the municipal.

"They let me work a storm job for a rural electric in Miller and afterwards," Lambertz said. "The rural electric offered me the job and I took it."
• Lambertz and his girlfriend, Heather Nelson, and son, Parker Lambertz, age 2, live in an apartment in Groton. Heather is originally from Britton. "That's why we moved here," Shawn said, "so she could be closer to her family." Heather said she has a sister living in Groton, too--Angela Glover. Heather is a stay-at-home mom.
• Shawn likes to fish. In fact, he used to do a lot of fishing and hunting, but said that got cut back with the arrival of Parker. He likes to play cards. Shawn is a confirmed Catholic.
• "Groton seems like a great little town," Shawn said. "I like the outdoor work and the electrical part is challenging."

• - Paul Kosel