by Rich Larson
Last month, Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn announced that he will retire on November 12. As the day approaches, he said he is
feeling the emotions one would expect when leaving a thirty-three-year career.
Dunn’s first assignment in law enforcement came as a temporary deputy doing seasonal work in Crow Wing County. From there he took a job as a police officer with the Kenyon Police Department, before joining the Rice County Sheriff’s Department as a corrections officer. He was promoted to patrol deputy in 1991 and rose through the ranks to become Sheriff Richard Cook’s Chief Deputy, and then ran for Sheriff when Cook retired in 2010.
After three decades, he said, saying goodbye to so many people with whom he has worked is “a little tough.”
He also marveled at the amount of time that he has spent as a public servant, not just acting in a law enforcement capacity, but as a community outreach ambassador as well. Working through programs like D.A.R.E in the same area for more than three decades has produced some inevitable results.
“This girl comes up [with her children] and said, ‘Hey kids, this was my D.A.R.E. officer.’ And these kids are like 12, 13 years old. And I said ‘Lonsdale-New Market-Veseli?’ And she said ‘Yes.’ [groans] And she said, ‘You still look the same.’ And I said, ‘Shoe polish in the hair goes a long way.’”
Sheriff Dunn is retiring, he said, because this is the right time to do so. He said throughout his career his wife and family have made many sacrifices to support him. Now, with his wife in a job that has taken her out-of-state, he said it’s time to support her.
He leaves with one year left on his third term. The Rice County Board of Commissioners has appointed Chief Deputy Jesse Thomas to the role of Interim Sheriff.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Sheriff Troy Dunn can be heard here.
Library asking for public feedback and opinion
The staff of the Northfield Public Library is currently working on the library’s next strategic plan, and they are asking the public for input and opinions.
Director of Library Services Natalie Draper said three years is about the right length of time for a strategic plan. It will give the library the necessary foundation and direction it needs to meet its goals, but Draper pointed out, as we have learned from the pandemic, things happen that cannot be foreseen, so a three-year plan is not so far reaching that it is unable to adapt to the unexpected.
As the staff works on the plan, a survey is now available to the public, and Draper hopes every member of the community will take the time to fill it out, whether they are a library goer or not.
The survey asks questions about how people use the library, how it is perceived, and what can be done to improve it. It also goes on to ask about where people receive their information, what skills they would like to learn, and what they see as the biggest challenges to the community. Draper said the information will be collected and analyzed by a Carleton statistics class. The data will be used to further develop the strategic plan.
Draper said the library has some interesting upcoming programs including a Halloween themed story time event for elementary students and older, on October 29th. The event will run from 6-6:30, and attendees are encouraged to wear a Halloween costume.
The library has also begun to offer home delivery as one of its services. Draper said to call the library for details.
To take the survey and for all information, visit the library’s website at mynpl.org
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Director of Library Services Natalie Draper can be heard here
Council to discuss Bridge Square, budget, grants
And the Northfield City Council will meet tonight at 6pm for a work session in the Council Chambers at City Hall. 
The first item on the agenda is a discussion about improvements to Bridge Square in context of the Riverfront Enhancement Action Plan. Last year a task force was put together to look for ways to enhance the use of the land around the Cannon River. Bridge Square was identified as the first step in the plan, as improvement concept designs were prepared for the area in 2014. The council will discuss the improvement concepts and the best ways to move forward.
The other item on the agenda will be a discussion of the 2022-23 budget and tax levy, which will include a discussion of potential grants in accordance with the City Council Grants Policy. The preliminary tax levy for the next budget cycle has been set at 15%, and the council has collectively made it a priority to make that number smaller before the final levy is set. The council will look at the Capital Improvement Plan and the Capital Equipment plan, among other items.
As this is a work session, there will be no public comments during the meeting, but the council and city staff are always looking to hear from the community. The best way to voice an opinion is to email your city councilor directly or make a comment through the eCommoent button in the Agendas section of the Northfield City Website.
Rich Larson is the KYMN Nwes Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
