Thefts and burglaries on the rise
In the last the last three weeks, the Northfield Police Department has received numerous reports of thefts from motor vehicle, tampering with vehicles and burglaries. Northfield Police Chief Monte Nelson says there’ve been approximately seven burglaries and six thefts from vehicles reported. The incidents have occurred all over the city at various times of the day and night.
Nelson says these thefts are largely preventable by locking your doors. That means your vehicles, all garage doors, windows and, of course, your home. The full press release, along with all of Chief Nelson’s suggestions is on kymn.net. He urges folks to talk with their neighbors as well. Report crimes or suspicious persons to Northfield Police immediately at 507-645- 4475. The Chief will be in studio Friday morning to talk more about the thefts, the upcoming holiday weekend and Rice County’s new partnership with Dakota County. Click HERE for full release.
Is it a subsidy for the wealthy or a subsidy for the future of Northfield?
Government subsidies for City projects are not uncommon, however, one councilor takes issue with recent decisions by the majority of the Northfield Council to help with the Hotel project on The Crossings site. Developer Brett Reese and others, who’ve formed Big Ten LLC, are planning a Marriott Fairfield Inn and have received assistance in the form of Tax Increment Financing from that district. Mayor Graham said, “whenever we collect TIF money, which is money from, basically, undeveloped land, tax money and then the tax money that we expect to receive from developed land, that increment we capture and we hold it for incentive potentially down the road. Money that we can use for further development”. Mayor Graham added that they’ve also received a $250,000 loan from the EDA and the sale of 2 city-owned lots of land in the area for a dollar. The latest step was approving the transfer of Lot 3, which is bank-owned land. Part of the agreement between the City and the bank, when the area went into foreclosure, was that each entity would have to approve any lot sale. Big Ten’s plan is to develop those 3 lots in conjunction with the hotel project although it’s not fleshed out. Ludescher questions their intentions and says it’s subsidizing the wealthy and they don’t need it. Graham answered, “To me, we’re subsidizing part of the future of Northfield. We’re subsidizing something that’s going to help us, that’s going to bring us further tax money, that’s going to give us employment and also takes care of an area that needs development”. Ludescher said in an email to Administrator Ben Martig, obtained by KYMN through the hosts Beyond the Open Mic, that he intends on filing a civil suit. Charter allows for a civil complaint to be filed within 180 days of the approval of the subsidies.
Three Links CEO announces Retirement
Three Links Care Center CEO, Pat Vincent announced her retirement. She joined the organization in 1986 as the Director of Nursing, later becoming Administrator and eventually CEO. During Vincent’s tenure the campus of Three Links changed dramatically as old, original buildings were razed and new, modern buildings constructed. Programs and services were expanded and several innovative care options were added including Memory Care Cottages, Reflections for end of life care and Vital Link Adult Day Services. Vincent’s vision was instrumental in the development of Millstream Commons in downtown Northfield. Vincent said her career passion has been working with older adults and now she’s looking forward to spending more time with her husband and exploring some of her personal interests. Her last day is February 28th. 2017.
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