The residents of Viking Terrace are expressing strong concerns with the new ownership and management of the manufactured home park. Those who live there say Lakeshore Management has created an adversarial atmosphere of mistrust and fear.
Lakeshore Management took possession of Viking Terrace on April 6th, after purchasing it from the Haan Family for $5 million. Among its first actions was to raise the rent on each lot by $65 to $485 a month. While many do not find the amount out of line, they are complaining that they were not given the proper 60-day notice, something required by Minnesota law, before the increase was enacted. There is also concern that the increase is the first of many to come.
Another concern is the new lease that Lakeshore is requiring every resident to sign, even though there are already lease agreements in place. Attorney Margaret Kaplan, the President of the Housing Justice Center of Minnesota, said that the leases signed by the residents are month-to-month and can only be broken over very specific criteria, and that criteria does not include an ownership change.
The residents received a letter dated May 23rd, asking them to sign the new lease and return it to the park manager, adding that if they did not sign and return the document, they would still be bound by the new lease terms and rules and regulations after 60 days. Kaplan said the management is conflating the lease with a list of rule changes, many of which are potentially illegal in Minnesota.
“You don’t necessarily have to sign those new rules, if indeed what they’re trying to do is a rule change. But they also cannot be a substantial modification of the lease agreement. Something that takes a material right away, or that adds significant expense.”
Those changes to the rules and regulations are another source of residential concern. They range from a ban on things residents are allowed to have on their lawns, including in some cases sheds and swing sets, to the number of cars residents can have parked on their lot, to a must-register guest policy, to a 10:00 curfew throughout the park, and even the types of dogs residents are allowed to own as pets.
And there is a language barrier concern as well. Many of the Viking Terrace residents do not speak English. The management has been asked for a Spanish translation of the new lease, to which the response, at least initially, was reportedly dismissive.
Northfield City Councilor George Zuccolotto, who has lived in Viking Terrace for 14 years, said the demands and the changes are making the residents very nervous.
“I think people are really uncertain about their future, and people are scared. It’s about our dignity and all of these rules that we think are an overreach into our privacy. It’s about effort and communication, of which they did none.”
Viking Terrace management was contacted for this story. They declined to comment.
State elections director says State, County elections are sound
The elections director for the Minnesota Secretary of State, told the Rice County Board of Commissioners last week that Minnesota’s
elections and election results are sound, and can be trusted.
David Maeda, who ran elections in Minnetonka, Washington County and Hennepin County before taking the position as the director of elections for the state, said all voting equipment used in Minnesota must meet both state and federal standards. All equipment also goes through a rigorous testing process, which lasts about a month, before it goes into service. Voting equipment must also go through a public test before each election. Any piece of equipment that isn’t 100% accurate cannot be used, he said.
Furthermore, in a statement released by Rice County, Maeda praised Denise Anderson, the Rice County Property Tax and Elections director, for her expertise in running an election.
“Denise did a stellar job in 2020,” he said. “I look at her as a leader in this field. The way she ran this election is to be commended.”
Despite every official in the state, and indeed the country, giving assurance that the 2020 election was valid, and despite a profound lack of evidence, rumors persist that the 2020 election was rampant with voter fraud. Maeda addressed the County Board in order to reassure everyone in Rice County that they can trust their elections.
Rice County will hold a public accuracy test for the Aug. 9 primary and 1st Congressional District special election at 8:30m, Friday, July 29 in the Board of Commissioners meeting room.
Night to Unite set for August 2
And party registration for Northfield’s Night to Unite is officially open. 
Northfielders will celebrate the Night to Unite on August 2 this year, with neighborhood parties throughout the town.
A statement issued by the city said, “All registered hosts will receive a free party kit that includes activities for kids, compliments of the Northfield Police Department and the Northfield Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention.”
Night to Unite is an annual event held on the first Tuesday of August, which is meant to build community and promote safety in Northfield. The city said, “When families know one another and communicate frequently, it can have a positive effect on the whole community.” The event is also meant to build positive connections between residents and law enforcement.
Police Chief Mark Elliot spoke about Night to Unite in 2021 and said, “It’s really a good opportunity to get to know your neighbors. That way you can make connections with the people who live around you and really look out for each other. That’s how we make our neighborhoods safer.”
Parties can receive a visit from representatives from the Northfield police department, the fire department, emergency medical services, the mayor, or city staff.
Registration forms can be found online on the Night to Unite page of the Northfield city website. They are also available at the Northfield Police Department
The deadline to register is July 22. For more information, call the Northfield Police Department at 507-645-4477.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
[recent_post_carousel slides_to_show=”1″ limit=”5″ slides_to_scroll=”1″ category=”10″ media_size=”medium” dots=”false” show_read_more=”false”]
