Northfield gets “Safe Cab”
Rice County has one of the highest traffic death rates in the state and Rice County attorney, Paul Beaumaster wants to change that. Beaumaster says that Isanti county, which is the mirror image of Rice, adopted a sober cab program and saw a dramatic drop in accidents and deaths. Surveys were sent out to local restaurants, bars and liquor stores. The interest was high enough that Northfield was selected as the first community to test out the program. One obstacle to these programs is parking and the possibility of being towed. Public Safety Director, Mark Taylor has a plan for a parking pass that would allow those taking the “safe cab” to leave their cars without fear of being towed or ticketed. While they’re still working out the finer details, they’ve garnered a lot of support from local businesses. Part of the program would include an opportunity for people to call the cab company and pay $5 up front to get service from their home to the bar and back again. Beaumaster is hopeful that people will plan and head when they know this option is available to them. They’re hoping to have the Safe Cab up and running by July 1st.
Dakota County adopts social host ordinance
The Dakota County Board of Commissioners Tuesday unanimously approved a social host ordinance, making it illegal to host a drinking party in the county’s 13 townships and its six southern most cities, including Randolph. The law was enacted in Northfield last year. It will go into effect June 1st. Anyone convicted of violating the ordinance faces a maximum of 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.
Nakasian says Bridge Square PO still on the block
Senators Al Frankin and Amy Klobchar worked provisions into a Senate bill that would put off the closing of rural post offices across the country. On Tuesday, the nearly bankrupt USPS backed off a plan to close thousands of rural post offices after May 15th and proposed keeping them open, but with shorter operating hours saving $500 million a year. The Senate-passed bill would give the Postal Service an $11 billion cash infusion but also impose a one-year freeze on shuttering rural post offices. I spoke with Councilor Suzie Nakasian, who’s been beating the drum all the way to Washington DC, to save the Bridge Square post office. She says this bill, unfortunately will have no effect on the sale of the historic post office. Nakasian remains in talks with officials.
Stamp out Hunger with the Northfield PO
The Post office wants to stamp out hunger. The annual food drive for the Northfield food shelf is tomorrow. Postal carrier Tony Katola asks that you leave food or a check on your doorstep by 9am. Items to be collected must be non-perishable and they ask that you do NOT leave any glass containers out. Last year the local post office collected 3 tons of food, they hope to increase that this year.
Blood Drive today at Culvers
The Red Cross is sponsoring a blood drive today from now until 3 o’clock at Culver’s on Hwy 3 in Northfield.
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