Jerry Anderson has stepped down from his position as Administrator of the Rural Fire District and as Ex-officio member of the NAFRS Joint Powers Board. NAFRS Chair Glen Castore said that Kevin Estrem will be taking his place on the Board. Kevin is a member of the Rural Fire Board as well. Castore said he also responds to fire calls in Nerstrand. He’s handled the finances of the Rural fire Board for years, they’ll make a decision in March over a permanent Administrator. Anderson has served the Rural area for decades. Ray Ozmun is also retiring from the Rural Fire Board. He’s been involved with the Fire Department in one way or another for nearly 40 years.
Commissioners give 6.5{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} increase to elected officials, 2.5{b5761be34e80a16b6d0e4dabc1869c131a263f96a745c82bebdd3b8a4330bfa9} to themselves… except for Miller
Rice County Commissioners unanimously gave raises to the elected officials including the Sheriff, the County Prosecutor and the Recorder during their December meeting. It took less than a minute. All three got a 6.5 percent increase for 2018. The Recorder will be bumped up to $87,118 per year, the Sheriff $132,448 and the Attorney $136,442. The Commissioners also gave themselves a 2.5 percent raise. All but one. County Administrator Sara Folsted said the raise goes into effect unless they receive a letter from a Commissioner. Dave Miller requested no increase to his salary. He will stay at $34,755, the 2016 level he came in at, while the remaining commissioners will receive $36,514.
Nfld Shares surveying community
Northfield Shares was created when 5th Bridge, a volunteer organization, and Northfield Area Foundation, a community endowment fund that administers funds and extends grants to local nonprofits, melded in 2014. Executive Director Mike Krance explained the organization’s mission like a 3 legged stool, “to encourage philanthropy, volunteerism and collaborative leadership”. They are surveying the community to see how they would feel about an online volunteer platform to match interests with needs between volunteers and non-profits. Go to northfieldshares.org to take the survey. You’ll see a large orange banner, click on that and it will take you through some simple questions.
Snowmobile safety training
Snowmobile safety classes for ages 12 to 18 are being offered through Northfield School District’s Community Services. Minnesota law requires a valid snowmobile safety certificate to operate a snowmobile on public property. You can receive a discount code through Community Services, then, after receiving your code, go online to the DNR and take the online course. The training session takes place January 8th with a trail riding session on January 13th. I’ll have all the details on kymn.net at noon today. Get certified to fly through the powder in five steps! Click to REGISTER or contact Community Services at 507-664-3649.
- Register and make payment through Community Services
- Retrieve your online course discount code. You will receive an email from Community Services within two business days after registering, containing the code needed to bypass DNR online course payment after taking their online test. Do not take the online course until you’ve received your code.
- Go to www.dnr.state.mn.us and take the DNR online course prior to the classroom training session (click education & safety, click recreational vehicle safety class, click snowmobile safety training, choose the snowmobilecourse.com link, choose youth youth course and launch (enter discount code after passing test to bypass payment). Proof of passing the online course must be brought to class on Jan. 8.
- Attend the three hour classroom training session on Mon. Jan. 8
- Attend the trail ride training session on Sat. Jan. 13 (weather permitting). Further details on behind the handlebar course activity will be provided at a later date.
Note: You must have taken the DNR online training prior to the classroom session and be present at the classroom and trail riding session in order to receive the certification.
