Erica Zweifel talks fire, PSC and streets
In KYMN’s continuing series of candidate interviews, current Ward 3 councilor Erica Zweifel was in studio. Zweifel moved here with her husband in 1991 after he got a job at Carleton. She was with St. Olaf for 17 years and has recently taken a position at Carleton. She says she’s enjoyed being a city councilor and working in her Ward. The new Public Safety Center has been a focal point during her term. She’s on the Fire Service study group looking into more regional services. The financing of the public safety center has been polarizing. Zweifel says she believes that the council is elected to make those decisions on essential services. Northfield’s roads were also a high priority for this council which Zweifel is very proud of their achievements. Due to redistricting, the 3rd ward has moved back to St. Olaf Avenue where it was previously. If you have questions about what ward you’re in, check the city’s website at ci.northfield.mn.us. Zweifel’s opponent, Jon Dennison will be in studio on Wednesday. All the candidate interviews are archived online at kymnradio.net. Check our home page and scroll down to see them all.
CAC survey searches for Northfield homeless
The definition of homeless has changed to include couch hopping. The Community Action Center will be conducting a survey of homeless people in Northfield on Thursday, October 25th. St. Olaf student and CAC intern AnnMarie Eliason says they want to use this survey to find out what the needs are. There will be a small cash gift for those participating and they are invited to stop by the Thursday Table for a hot meal. The survey will also help them receive more funding. You can call the CAC Housing Center coordinator Sue Warring at 507-664-3562. This is part of the Wilder Homeless study. The Amherst H. Wilder Foundation is a nonprofit health and human service organization serving children and families. For more information checker wilder.org. The CAC wants to make sure as many people fill out this survey as possible; the more that are counted, the more funding the state receives for housing.
Rice County TZD receives $24,000 grant
Rice County got a funding boost from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Now in it’s 7th year, the Toward Zero Deaths Safe Roads Coalition received a $24,000 grant. This is the first year the DPS has granted the money to Rice County. Rice County has been on the DPS’ list of the top 13 deadliest counties. TZD Coalition director Kathy Cooper told the Faribault Daily News, that in 2000, the year she started, they were 20 fatalities, 11 of which were alcohol-related. In 2012, 2 people have been killed on Rice County roads, the same number as 2011 and none of them were alcohol-related. The coalition will use the grant to promote safe driving practices, increase the use of seat belts and reduce occurrences of impaired driving. This summer, they implemented a sober cab program in Northfield that has, according to Cooper, been very successful. Plans are to expand the program to Faribault by the holidays.
Candidate forum focus on business
The NDDC along with the Northfield Area Chamber of Commerce is presenting a Candidate forum featuring the candidates for the Northfield City Council and Mayor.
The forum will be held tomorrow morning from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m., Grand Event Center. The focus will be on local business. The public is invited to attend. For more information, contact executive director Ross Currier at (507) 663-0319.
Ban lifted
The burning ban for Rice County has been lifted. Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn cautions residents to remain careful when burning.
Dale Finger recognized for “Making a Difference”
A Northfield businessman who’s provided job experience for hundreds of local teenagers has received the Northfield Healthy Community Initiative’s (HCI) “Making a Difference” Award for September. The award celebrates those groups and individuals in the community who have a positive influence on Northfield youth. Dale Finger has hired and trained an estimated 300 youth in the 23 years he’s owned the Quarterback Club family restaurant. Many employees have continued working for him part-time through high school and college, and some former employees have even been known to come in to work at times like Homecoming and Prom, when the high school employees are unavailable. Finger says, “They’re good kids to begin with, and we’ve been pretty fortunate to retain them over the years.” “We’re trying to teach them they’re not just here to punch in and make a paycheck; they’re here to produce a product and provide good service.”
Finger said he’s owned the restaurant long enough that he’s now hired the children of former employees who once worked for him as teenagers.
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