The first two weeks in May are set aside every year to honor America’s law enforcement community and thank the people who work every
day to keep all of us safe.
President John F. Kennedy first proclaimed in 1962 that May 15 be National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15 falls, as National Police Week. Then in 1984, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first week in May as National Correctional Officers and Employees Week in recognition of the important work performed by correctional employees.
Next week there will be ceremonies and proclamations honoring the men and women in law enforcement, and on Sunday the 15th a remembrance ceremony will be held at the Peace Officer Memorial in St. Paul to honor the 279 members of the Minnesota Law Enforcement community who have died in the line of duty.
Rice County Sheriff Jesse Thomas said the two-week period is one that is genuinely appreciated by his department, and he singled out the corrections officers for the work they do.
“If you know anybody in the corrections field, or if you’d like to send a card of support to the corrections office, go ahead and send it to us, and we’ll share it with our staff. They do a great job for us, and it’s not always the most glamorous job, but it’s a necessary part of what we do.”
Coincidentally, among those to be remembered on May 15th, will be Rice County Sheriff’s Deputy John Liebenstein.
On May 3, 1996, Liebenstein was killed when Timothy Chambers, then 17, slammed a stolen car into Liebenstein’s unmarked squad after a 90-minute high speed chase. Liebenstein had parked his car in front of an off ramp in order to block Chambers.
Thomas said he had just joined the Sheriff’s department as a corrections officer three weeks prior when Liebenstein was killed.
“I was coming back from Rochester after receiving some training for medication disbursements when they gave out the call,” he said.
The death of a fellow officer is a very difficult thing for anyone in law enforcement, no matter if a person has thirty years on the job, or three weeks.
“Being that young and new,” he said, “it sets you back.”
Chambers was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole and has been in prison ever since. However, due to changes in federal sentencing guidelines, he will be eligible for supervised release in 2026.
For more information on National Police Week and the state memorial service, visit the Minnesota Law Enforcement Memorial Association website at mnlema.org
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Rice County Sheriff Jesse Thomas can be heard here
Council establishes new Branding Committee
On Tuesday night, the Northfield City Council established a new advisory committee dedicated to city branding. The group will advise the
city as it endeavors to find a new way to present itself to the region, the state, and beyond.
Northfield City Administrator Ben Martig said while there have been marketing campaigns, the city has never been through a true branding process. A brand reflects a city’s people, culture, and values, and gives a good feel for the community itself. This is done through thorough research, analysis and planning.
The idea, Martig said, is to identify the essence of Northfield, and build around that. And that requires professionals.
“An outcome might be a thing like a logo, but it’s more than a logo. It’s more kind of helping to create who you are. Helping to communicate that could help us with economic development, it might be related to placemaking downtown to make placemaking improvements, and there might be other types of things as well. With the community, it can potentially help communicate things to residents of the city about who we are.”
While the brand would seek to find the essence of the city, the essence of the branding process will be in economic development. Michelle Mahowald, the Northfield Director of Communications and Human Resources, said the goal is to create a tool that will enhance the recruiting of young families, professionals, entrepreneurs, businesses, retirees and tourism.
“A fresh, inviting and modern brand,” said Mahowald, “will support Climate Action, Economic Vitality, Diversity Equity & Inclusion, Housing Availability, Quality Facilities and Service Excellence, all of which are Strategic Plan priorities.”
The Advisory committee will allow for stakeholder participation in working with city staff to prioritize the branding strategy and will interview qualified candidates for the Branding Consultant position.
The members of the committee will be appointed by the mayor, and evidently could be accepted by the City Council as soon as the next regular meeting on May 17th. The committee will then begin work to find the right consultant, with an eye to having someone in place by the end of 2022, in order to be ready for the 2023-24 budgeting process.
The resolution establishing the committee was considered with minimal discussion and passed unanimously.
Next two Saturdays are ‘Clean-Up Days’
The annual Northfield Clean Up Days are set for the next two Saturdays, both tomorrow and May 14th. From 7am-11am Northfielders will be able to bring garbage and unwanted item
s to the city’s Street Department maintenance building at 1710 Riverview Drive.
Items accepted without a a fee include household garbage, bulk items and some construction waste, including doors, lumber, shingles, sheetrock and scrap metal.
Appliances will be accepted for a $25 fee. Air conditioners, freezers, and mattresses & box springs will be accepted for $35 each. Computers, monitors and other electronics will be accepted at $40 each. Tires will be a $5 fee, tires with a rim will be $10, and tractor tires will be $40 each.
Items that cannot be accepted include Batteries, fertilizer, liquids, paint, pesticides, sludge, tar, thinners, yard waste and brush.
The city will be taking cash only and asks for exact amounts as no change will be available. Anyone dropping something off will need to prove residence, so the city asks that you bring your ID. All items must be unloaded by residents.
The City of Dundas has scheduled its Clean Up Day for one week from tomorrow on May 14th.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net.
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