By Teri Knight, News Director
The Riverwalk Market Fair is putting on a one day Festival this Saturday from 10am to 2pm on Bridge Square. Lisa Peterson, a Board member, shared, “we have over 50 vendors coming with 50% of those being brand new to the market”. Some of those new vendors include clothing, craft-made accessories, bottled food items and more. That’s in addition to fine art craftsmen, farmers, musicians and food vendors. Peterson commented on the early discussions regarding their
decision to not open the weekly event this year due to covid-19, “it was one of the hardest decisions we as a board have ever had to make. We had so many conversations, it wasn’t anything that we took lightly when we decided to cancel the market fair for the season”. The manager and board chair participated in webinars to glean information and felt they just didn’t have enough to move forward. Peterson added, “and so what we’re hoping is that this event on October 10th will help us gauge what a market fair next Spring/Summer could look like if we still have these guidelines and restrictions in place”. She confirmed they will have a market fair next year as they put a few plans together. With covid in mind, Peterson said Saturday’s event will be very safe event as they’ve had the Summer to listen, learn and see what others have done. The parking lot from the Liquor Store to the Post Office will be closed and used for vendors to spread out, similar to what was done for DJJD this year. Masks will be required even though it’s outside. riverwalkmarketfair.org
2021 street reclamation, new City Clerk, CARES funds allocation all on Nfld Council agenda
The Northfield Council will hold two public hearings tomorrow evening regarding the sale of property in Faribault owned by Northfield Hospital and Clinics and the 2021 street projects that include reclamation of the Mayflower Hill neighborhood, mill and overlay of frontage roads along Hwy 3 and a trail connection from Honeylocust Dr. to the E. Cannon River Trail. With the upcoming retirement of City Clerk Deb Little, also on the agenda is the consideration to appoint Lynette Peterson to the position. The City held two rounds of interviews completed by a staff panelist group and determined the finalist after discussion and rankings. Also on the agenda is a Resolution Authorizing CARES Act Expenditures. City Administrator Martig is also recommending to include authorization for some CARES Funds to be used for police patrol room improvements to help mitigate spread of COVID-19. The police department patrol work area was designed in an open concept with low dividers between officers desks and 4 shared computer workstations. A concept design: 2 – CARES Act Patrol Redesign (1) with an estimated cost of $115,000. You can comment on the city’s website at ci.northfield.mn.us through 4pm tomorrow on any item. Click on the eComment button from that link. Meetings begin at 6pm and are viewable on the city’s website.
Nfld District Youth Council has voice
The Northfield School District Youth Council gave their annual report to the School Board this week. Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann commented that the students take up several projects a year to improve conditions for students and serve on District committees. Hillmann added, “we’re just really appreciative how Northfield not only embraces but elevates students’ voice and when those kids talk at those committees, people listen. And they have some really great insight that help in the decision making process”. The District Youth Council was started several years ago by former Mayor Dana Graham as an offshoot of the Mayor’s Youth Council.
Candidate forums link on KYMN
Last Saturday a candidate forum was held for Northfield Mayor, Councilors and school board candidates. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Northfield and Cannon Falls, along with St. Olaf and Carleton colleges and the Northfield Area Chamber. You can view the full proceedings from these links. Northfield Mayor candidates
Northfield City Council candidates
Check out our Election Guide with candidates for State and local offices.
