By Teri Knight, News Director
Incoming Police Chief Mark Elliott was on the KYMN Morning Show earlier today. He discussed the transition, his experience and observations as he spent a couple of decades with the Bloomington Police Department and was also Chief of Police in Prior Lake. He commented on the importance of communities having their own Police Departments, “because they can do things that are individualized to what’s important to that community, enforce or address the issues that that community deals with. You can have another community just miles away that has very different issues”. He also discussed the new reform bill, “so some of those things that were passed in those bills are things that we’re already doing and have been doing for years here in Northfield. So the impact to us may be a little less than some
other agencies that weren’t doing that”. Northfield police officers, along with Rice County law enforcement have increased their training over the last several years regarding de-escalation, implicit bias and more. With that training, however, comes the practical issue of filling in for those that are at training. Outgoing Chief Nelson commented on the drain on staff time and cost. He did mention that the Northfield Council approved two more positions in the department. Elliott said within the changes are more training regarding mental health and autism, as mentioned by Sen. Draheim last Thursday. He added, “addiction is not a law enforcement problem, the behavior that comes out of it sometimes results in that but addiction is a medical and on the mental health side. Mental health problems are not police issues, they’re societal issues that nobody was really addressing “. A police officer role has expanded due to the increase in mental health issues, which often lead to addiction. Elliott believes, “the bigger issue there is that we need to see societal changes and we need to have other parts of our society, other parts of our community step up and address those issues because they’re better equipped to address them”. They can handle the emergency at the time but it’s after-care that’s necessary. Sheriff Dunn has been discussing this for some time as well. There’s much more to their interview HERE.
The City of Northfield is holding a socially distanced celebration as Northfield Police Chief Monte Nelson retires Friday after 24 years of service to the Northfield community. All are invited to Sechler Park from 2 to 4pm to bid him farewell.
Dundas ok’s Comp Plan, Kwik Trip set for Aug 10 Grand Opening
The Dundas City Council okayed the City’s updated Comprehensive Plan. There were no major changes, said Administrator Jenelle Teppen. The process started about a year and a half ago, she said, “with a survey of the community. Surveying residents, business owners, what they liked about Dundas, what drew them there, what’s important to them in their daily lives in their homes or their businesses in terms of city services, parks and trails, transportation, that kind of thing”. A Steering Committee made up of some Planning Commission members did the groundwork. Their contracted City Planner, Nate Sparks, will prepare the document for posting and will be available on the City’s website at some time. The number one question Teppen is asked is when they’re moving into the new City Hall. Not likely until the end of August as they wait for the furniture. As for the new Kwik Trip, they have a Grand Opening scheduled for August 10th as they finished up the widening of Schilling Drive.
Nfld School Board filing is open
There are four Northfield School Board member seats up this year. Those include seats held now by Rob Hardy, Amy Goerwitz, Noel Stratmoen and Ellen Iverson. There is no primary for School Board positions. Filing began yesterday and runs through 5pm August 11th. You can file in the district office at 1400 Division St. An affidavit of candidacy must be filed and there’s a $2 filing fee. Candidates should contact Anita Aase at 507-663-0629 to arrange an appointment to file, you may also file electronically or mail your affidavit with the fee to the District office. Stratmoen filed for re-election yesterday.
