LINK Center approved for full funding
Taking all of about 7 minutes, the Northfield Council last night approved a new service contract with the LINK Center which included more dollars than they originally asked for. The LINK Center provides information on resources for mostly low income and Spanish speaking residents in the Northfield area. They provide direction to people for healthcare services, food, housing, education, transportation and more. The center expanded their hours this year to 31 a week. The ask was for $27,500 for 2017 with a 3.5{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} increase for the following 2 years. Administrator Ben Martig commented earlier, “they’ve
got partnerships with our colleges, the students and in the community as well so these paid hours are leveraged with private resources”. Councilor Zweifel made the motion for staff’s suggestion at $34,040 for 2017 saying that adding dollars here means other monies are preserved for further programming. While DeLong would’ve preferred their original request, the vote was unanimous. Martig said they will “clarify some of their reporting to get a better idea of who’s benefiting from these services but, I think overall, it’s pretty recognized as a quality program and we’re fortunate to have it”. Council also approved acceptance of the funding from The Minneapolis Foundation for 50{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} of the cost of a new Bookmobile. I’ll have more on that story tomorrow. NOTE: THE COUNCIL CANDIDATE FORUM VIDEOS ARE ON OUR WEBSITE.
Nfld. HRA assists 10 families with street assessments
Seventy-one Northfield properties were assessed for street improvements in 2017. The HRA received 11 applications for street assessment assistance. HRA Coordinator Janine Atchison commented that the only person she had to turn down was someone that really needed it but owed back taxes from 2014. The rules state that anyone owing back taxes will be denied regardless of whether they’re actively paying back what they owe. Atchison wants that rule reviewed next year. Member and Councilwoman Erica Zweifel suggested staff could add language specific to those who are on a payment plan and meeting those requirements to get a second look. Atchison will do further research and bring this back to the HRA for approval. Assistance was awarded to 10 families with the average amount of $2,402. HRA
Randolph FFA shines at National Convention
It’s national FFA week and Randolph FFA Advisor Ed Terry took 24 students to the National Convention in Indianapolis. The Randolph chapter has 6 American Degree recipients, the highest degree in the FFA. They are Maddie Taylor, Gabriella Sword, Kenda Emery, Thomas Duff, Erin (or Aaron) Mahmer and Mason Lindenfelz. PLEASE NOTE, I DO NOT HAVE THE CORRECT SPELLING OF THEIR NAMES. THE LIST WAS GARNERED FROM ED OVER THE PHONE. The Randolph FFA program produces one of the highest numbers of American Award recipients in the Nation. Terry said, “there’s a career fair all day tomorrow with 1100 schools, colleges and industries know that these are the best kids in the nation and they’re looking for them”. Terry says it’s a chance for the kids to learn more about all the varied opportunities in the ag industry.
Film premiere coming to Northfield!
Northfield Chamber of Commerce President Todd Bornhauser announced some breaking news this morning on KYMN, “it looks like we’re going to do a Premiere of the Hallmark movie, “Love Always, Santa”, that was filmed here, on Thursday, November 3rd at 7pm at the Northfield Middle School”. He cautioned that that’s tentative as he doesn’t have the DVD in his hand! If you have some long red carpet, contact the Chamber! There’s another movie filming here that is a sci-fi flick. Bornhauser said we’re on the filmmakers map now.
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