By Teri Knight, News Director
The Northfield School District is in a preparation mode, not a panic mode when it comes to the coronavirus. Superintendent Hillmann explained yesterday that School officials have a weekly call with the MN Dept. of Health and receive updates. The District has a COVID-19 Preparation Team made up of heads of departments. Their Crisis Plan has been in place for some time and includes numerous issues from a train derailment to a pandemic and offers a very clear chain of command in the event that Hillmann would become ill. He explained the plan, “much of our plan that we’re using right now was developed a decade ago, really written mostly by Dr. Gary Lewis, our former Director of Special Services, around H1N1 if you remember that, that part that really never materialized as much as
they thought it would”. As for supplies, they’ve already ordered additional hand soap, sanitizer for dispensers and other cleaning supplies. They also have a spray sanitizer, he said, “just by steaming the room, they can disinfect it. It has a very high kill rate for a number of different organisms. It is a very safe thing to use”. They’ve ordered two more of those machines. Should they need to close the schools, Hillmann said they would execute their e-learning plan. Childcare would not be available. If you feel like you’re ill, call your medical provider before going in. They can triage you and, if they think you should be tested for coronavirus, they have protocols in place and will instruct you from there. Bottom line, wash your hands properly, and often, cough into your sleeve, don’t touch your eyes, nose or mouth and stay home if you’re sick. You’ll find much more information on our website. Type in COVID-19 in the Search bar above and all the stories mentioning it will pop up. There is also an FAQ on the School District website, northfieldschools.org including information for grandparents and caregivers. Additional information from NH&C released at 11:15 this morning: NH&C explains WHEN to Call your healthcare provider 3-11-20
Nfld Council split on language of Dakota Land resolution
With three members short and a light agenda, the Northfield City Council meeting was a short one. The only item on the Regular Agenda was a Resolution recognizing the local land as Native American. After studying the history of Faribault and Northfield, Carleton and St. Olaf students, in January of last year, invited the Northfield Human Rights Commission to join them in drafting a Land Acknowledgement Proclamation recognizing both the early and ongoing contributions of the Dakota Nation. The first part of the resolution acknowledges that Northfield is on Dakota Land and honors those who have “stewarded the land through the generations”. That would have passed but HRC members Valdecantos and Dietz asked to go a step further with a statement that read, in part, “We acknowledge the ongoing injustices that we have committed against the Dakota Nation”. Zweifel moved the longer version of the statement calling it a step toward healing. Ness supported the first part of the Resolution which was
sent to them originally by the HRC and supported by that Commission. City Engineer Dave Bennett said this morning on KYMN that Zweifel wanted it added. Ness questioned why it didn’t come through the HRC. This morning he said, “I wasn’t quite comfortable with it because I wanted to go with what they (HRC) had approved and not just off the fly approve something that may, I’m not so sure it’s controversial, but it was just not discussed at their meetings”. With a 2-2 vote, Zweifel moved to send it back to the HRC and added that simply acknowledging that we are on their land isn’t enough, she wants the resolution to speak to the “injustices”. DeLong suggested they look further into the education piece of it. He said, “Apparently Professors are talking about this, the college is talking about this, however the town is not talking about this. Do you want to bring along the town or do you want to impose on the town?”. He urged the HRC and Councilors to bring the City along and not make it an “intellectual exercise”. This LINK will take you to the City’s website with the original resolution and more. HRC approved and expanded version
Bridgewater Township approves increase in Supervisors
Yesterday was Township Tuesday. Reports locally include Greenvale Township who had 353 votes cast. Clerk Linus Langer was challenged by Becky Van Dyke. He won the seat by 3 votes, 177 to 174. As for Supervisor, Incumbent Darcy White was unseated by Charles Anderson by 12 votes. In Northfield Township, Clerk Diane Lyman will remain and Foster Transberg was voted in as Supervisor after Mike Groth stepped away after 24 years. In Bridgewater Township, with a total of 63 votes, they approved a five-member Board of Supervisors instead of three with 57 votes and Kathleen Kopseng won the Supervisor seat with 58 votes. Clerk Frances Boehning said in an email they will hold a special election on May 12th for the new Supervisor positions. The new Supervisors elected at that time will serve until the following Annual Election on March 9th, 2021, at which time they will run again for a three year term.
