by Rich Larson
The Northfield Police Department has just completed an application period in order to hire two police officers to fill spots that have been
vacated in the last year. Northfield Chief of Police Mark Elliott said the department received applications from several good candidates, however the overall number of people applying for the positions was down from times past, which is something Chief Elliott finds troubling.
Police departments across the country have been in the public eye since video was first shown of George Floyd dying at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer. Elliott said law enforcement agencies have seen a decline in the general desire to join the industry, and there is an obvious correlation.
“Some of that has to do with the scrutiny of the police profession. Some of it well deserved, and we’re certainly making police reform changes. But some of it is through what I would characterize as false narratives and villainizing all police officers. And we know that’s not true.”
Elliott’s feelings echo those of law enforcement officials across the country, including retiring Rice County Sheriff Troy Dunn who has warned that blaming all police officers for bad operators in the profession will have negative effects down the line.
Locally, Chief Elliott said, he sees a different attitude toward his department and law enforcement in general. He said the recent open house and picnic to thank first responders in Ames Park shows the community’s appreciation for his department, but, like Sheriff Dunn, he believes that the current national attitudes are going to be detrimental.
The Northfield Community College Collaborative recently partnered with Riverland Community College to offer a three-year law enforcement program, and the Northfield Police Department was instrumental in helping to get the program off the ground. Elliott said creating a pipeline to possibly bring more local people to the NPD was an incentive to help. He is optimistic about the prospects and hopes that can mitigate some of the long-term effects that concern him.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Northfield Chief of Police Mark Elliott can be heard here
Friends of the Northfield Public Library bring Trivia Bee back to the Grand
After a one-year break thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Friends and Foundation of the Northfield Library are holding their “almost annual” trivia bee this Friday night at 7pm at the Grand Event Center.
Bill North, of the Friends of the Library said they are very excited to be back and at the Grand, which he called their home. The event has been happening for more than a decade. North said the event began as a spelling bee, but after a couple years the organizers thought there might be more interest in doing a trivia bee. Jessica Peterson White, well known for many years in Northfield for running a trivia night in various Northfield locales, will return to administer the quiz again this year.
The Friends and Foundation of the Northfield Public Library will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2022. North said the group was originally organized to help with the library’s first expansion, and then helped with things like the purchase of Bookmobiles and the recent major remodel of the building. The Friends and Foundation of the Northfield Public Library, he said, really just exists to help the library out wherever possible.
“Our mission really is to support the library’s mission in whatever way that develops. So, we work very closely with the library to understand their needs and to try and do fundraising or other kinds of events that support them.”
The Trivia Bee is set for Friday night at 7pm at the Grand. Those wishing to compete can put together a team of up-to-four people. The registration fee is $100 before Friday, and $120 for same-day registration. Those who simply with to attend are welcome to do so at no charge. There is a suggested $5 donation.
Coudret announces new Springsteen show for Healthfinders, Paradise
On Saturday, November 13, the Paradise Center for the Arts will host a concert benefitting both the theater itself
and Healthfinders Collaborative featuring the music of Bruce Springsteen.
The show has been created by local musician Ray Coudret. Coudret is well known throughout the community as a math teacher and the director of the very popular Rock & Roll Revival program at Northfield High School, and as a member of the local group Fred the Bear who can be found playing quite frequently at many of Northfield’s local establishments. Two years ago, he coordinated a similar type of show benefitting the Paradise and Rice County Habitat for Human, which raised $8000.
Fed the Bear will perform at the show as will Mark Ross and the 319 and Tower Sudan, featuring Carleton College professor of musicology, Andy Flory.
Student artists from Northfield High School will also participate in the event by creating a painting or a drawing to match each of the songs that will be performed. The paintings will be auctioned at the show, proceeds of which will also be donated to the Paradise and Healthfinders. Coudret said the level of talent the student artists possess is remarkable.
“The Northfield High School art program is very, very strong. We have phenomenal teachers there with Chris Holmquist, Karna Houck, and Katherine Norrie. And these are some of the kids who, right now, are at the top of their game. And they are well trained, and they are very creative.”
Coudret selected Springsteen for the show because of themes of common struggle that run through his songs, and the inspiration that has been known to rise from Springsteen’s music.
“Bruce is the working man’s poet. As a band, we feel we have the pieces to bring his music to life. And as a writer, Bruce speaks to dreams we all share and things we all feel deeply. His music is a perfect light to shine on Healthfinders and the work they do to connect marginalized members of our community to much-needed health care.”
Tickets for the show are $25 ($20 for Paradise Center of the Arts members) and are available through the Paradise Center for the Arts website at paradisecenterforthearts.org.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Ray Coudret can be heard here
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Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kynradio.net
