For years, safety concerns have plagued the intersection at Hwy 246 and Jefferson Pkwy in Northfield. In December SEH consultant, Tom Sohrweide, held a public meeting and recommended a single lane roundabout. Community members Betsey Buckheit and Will Schroeer attended that meeting and don’t believe his proposal about adequately addresses crossing safety particularly for kids and older adults. Schroeer said, “City Administrator Ben Martig as part of that open house invited everybody in
attendance to say if you have other ideas or questions, we really invite input and so big kudos to Ben for being so open to input and a lot of people took Ben up on that”. A letter was written and signed by 76 citizens. (pdf is below) It lays out a significant amount of data as to how many people the intersection affects. They’re asking the City to hold off implementing Sorweide’s recommendation until there’s further consideration. The letter is posted on kymn.net and also includes requested next steps. Northfield Administrator Ben Martig commented in December that research on a roundabout shows it, “would dramatically improve pedestrian safety as well as traffic flow”. This item is on the Northfield Council work session agenda tomorrow evening. Letter to City re 246-Jefferson, with signatures and appendix, as of 2 3 2017 (1)
NH&C Spethmann responds to Citizens concern over possible changes to their Skilled Nursing Facility
The Northfield Hospital is in the process of exploring options for their senior services and Long Term Care Center. Community Relations director Betsy Spethmann responded to a question about the possible closing their skilled nursing facility. She said they’re working on a detailed feasibility plan and are in the exploration phase, adding that no decision has been made. At their board meeting in January, Hospital COO, Jerry Ehn reviewed plans for new senior service facilities including an enhanced care unit, memory care beds, an independent living unit in conjunction with St. Olaf College, and more technology in the homes of seniors. Yanik Companies would be the developer. The Benediction Health System would operate the new facilities. The existing Skilled Nursing Facility (Dilley Unit) would be phased out and the space used to expand the Women’s Health Center. The Board approved a “Letter of Intent” from NH&C to Yanik Companies. The letter does not formally commit NH&C to the project, but will facilitate the next steps. Spethmann said in an email, this plan would involve construction of new senior care facilities to the west side of the hospital campus. If the project progresses, they could begin construction this year and may allow a transition to new facilities in 2018. While some residents are expressing concern there won’t be a place for the current residents of the Dilley Unit, Spethmann said It’s important to note that our local community has enough traditional skilled nursing beds to serve current and future needs. Our colleagues at the other nursing homes in Northfield have been part of this discussion. So has St. Olaf, which owns the land. She added that research shows our community doesn’t have enough of the options that people increasingly need and want. Assisted living, memory care, independent living, and enhanced care. We are actively exploring how best to address those needs in the future. This will be an ongoing discussion.
“The Top Secret Project” – decoding the teen’s domain presented in Farmington
An apple, a stuffed animal, a broken mirror could be signs your child may be indulging in risky behavior. Meadowview Elementary school in Farmington is hosting a parent-only seminar to educate parents on the possible signs your child might be doing drugs or self-harming. The event is Tuesday evening from 7 to 8:30 and will feature a typical teen’s bedroom for parents to walk through. Amid the clutter will be 150 items that can actually be signs that a young person is involved in risky behavior. The program is a traveling exhibit called “The Top Secret Project” and was created by the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. Following the walk-through will be a presentation explaining how those innocent items in the room could be signs of a bigger problem. The cost is $4 if you pre-register or $5 at the door. Call 651-460-3200
