Various groups in Northfield have been engaged in discussions on climate change and energy efficiency for decades but now, with City Council backing, it’s been given priority status. Questions abound on how Cities will remain resilient. Mayor Rhonda Pownell questioned, “how do we deal with all the flooding, how do we deal with emerald ash borer, are there better ways that we could be utilizing energy sources that would actually yield cost savings to the community?”. Bruce Anderson and Martha Larson both work in the field of energy efficiency and have long been engaged in initiatives
. As part of the Energy Working Group, they’ll now advise the City’s EQC. Over the last year they’ve looked at how other cities nationwide are developing Climate Action Plans. They also did some carbon calculations for the City as a whole and also the City operations as well as looking at community engagement. Anderson said renewable energy is now making economic sense. While assessments were done, it’s time for solutions. Larson added that the City itself has been focused on energy efficiency internally with LED lighting retrofits and heating, cooling and ventilation efficiency projects. The group now has a mandate to move forward. Larson would like to see all the different organizations knitted together to address the broader issues of climate change. Listen to their full interview on kymn.net at the Morning Show tab.
Finance Director finalist from Nerstrand
There may be a new Finance Director in town. Northfield Administrator Ben Martig will be bringing forward Brenda Engelstad to the City Council June 6th. She has 20 plus years in finance and accounting experience with small and large companies as well as non-profits. She’s excited for the possibilities. Engelstad lives in Nerstrand.
Klobuchar at St. Olaf
U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, the first woman elected to represent the State of Minnesota in the US Senate, will deliver the charge to the graduating class at St. Olaf College’s commencement ceremony. Commencement will be held Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock on the Campus Green between Mellby and Tomson Halls. The ceremony will be broadcast at various indoor locations on campus, and it will be streamed and archived online.
ALC and NHS graduations
The Northfield Area Learning Center will hold graduation on June 2nd, Northfield High School graduation is June 4th. Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann said he’s ordering excellent weather and requested the KYMN weather team work on that! Bob Matheson will do his best! Hillmann said this time of year “landing the plane” as so many concerts and award ceremonies are coming to a close as the seniors wrap up. KYMN will continue our tradition and will be broadcasting the high school graduation live on Sunday, June 4th. Tune in on AM 1080, FM 95.1 or use the TuneIn app at kymn.net for streaming.
Memorial Day ceremony information
Northfield American Legion Post 84 and VFW Post 4393 are presenting the Memorial Day Service on Monday at Veterans Memorial Park off Hwy 3. The ceremony begins at 9am. In case of inclement weather, it will be moved to Skoglund Auditorium at St. Olaf. KYMN will be broadcast the service live for those unable to attend in person. Listen on AM 1080, FM 95.1 or streaming at kymn.net. After the ceremony, the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon invites all veteran and military families to a Free Memorial Day Picnic at 10 o’clock. If the weather’s not cooperating it will be at the VFW. Picnic donations accepted
