City looking for ways to help Viking Terrace residents
In a rare move by the City Council at Tuesday’s meeting, City Administrator Ben Martig directly addressed Viking Terrace residents after the
public comment period to outline how the City of Northfield is working to support everyone in Viking Terrace during this difficult period.
Martig said staff officials are very concerned about what they’re hearing from the community.
He also said, “The city is committed to healthy, safe and affordable housing for all in our community. We are also committed to do whatever we can to ensure the management treats people respectfully, fairly, and has reasonable standards and rules.”
Martig explained that the Minnesota Department of Health is the authority that regulates most aspects of mobile home parks in Minnesota including licensing, so the city is limited in what it can do. However, they are working with both community organizations like the CAC, HCI, and Neighbors United and with partners at the state level like the Minnesota Attorney General’s office to determine how best to support residents of Viking Terrace.
Martig also complemented the work of community advocates and the Housing Justice Center and recommended the Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services organization, which can provide free civil legal aid to low-income families and individuals.
One concern of many residents is the claim by Lakeshore Management that tree maintenance is a homeowner responsibility, even though all trees in the park are on Lakeshore-owned land and residents were never responsible for the trees before. Many trees in Viking Terrace are old and damaged and people worry some could fall on homes at any time. Martig said the trees are completely the responsibility of Lakeshore Management and the city has been working with them to take down several of the most dangerous trees.
The City Council is also working to use American Rescue Plan money to fund a key position that would support mobile home residents.
“The City Council is looking at federal ARPA dollars to potentially help fund the Mobile Home Park Rehab Coordinator that the Healthy Community Initiative has hired to help deal with repairs. And we’re going to be exploring other areas where the city might be able to get involved. As I mentioned [Tuesday] night, from the mayor and other council members too, the elected people are very engaged and concerned in what they’re hearing and so staff’s taking that as a directive.”
Half a dozen city staff members have been assigned to find ways to address the concerns of Viking Terrace residents, including the City Attorney Chris Hood who has been in direct contact with the Deputy Minnesota Attorney General.
Fossum taking several cases to trial
Over the last few months, Rice County has seen an unusual spike in violent crimes, some resulting in death, and County Attorney John
Fossum said, in no less than five of those cases his office will see them through to trial.
Last week, Fossum and his office convened a grand jury asking that Cody Vernon Kolstad be indicted for first-degree murder. Kolstad, of Morristown, allegedly took the life of his housemate, Brian Daniel Stoeckel on the night of May 31st, when he shot Stoeckel twice with a shotgun as he was sleeping. Fossum said he asked for the indictment because the alleged act was premeditated. The grand jury agreed. If found guilty, Kolstad is now facing a life sentence.
Fossum said yet another high-profile case, the road-rage incident that resulted in the death of 79-year-old Larry Myers of Faribault at the hands of 52-year-old Leslie Shawn Sanders, is one that he “takes personally,” and will also look to see it through to a trial. On June 27th, the two men were driving on Cannon City Road, when Sanders’ vehicle struck Myers’ vehicle as he was attempting to pass Myers. At an intersection, Sanders left his vehicle, and punched Myers repeatedly through an open window. The results of Myers’ injuries included an inability for him to breath on his own. Myers was removed from life support and passed away on July 6th.
Sanders has been charged with second degree murder while committing a felony. Fossum said due to the Sanders’ conduct, which Fossum characterized as “inexcusable” and “beyond the pale,” his office will be seeking an enhanced sentence if the jury returns a guilty verdict.
“When we go to trial, we will be seeking an upward departure on that case. I think the guideline sentence would not be adequate to contain Mr. Sanders given his clear rage issues.”
Fossum mentioned other cases that his office intends to prosecute, and not offer plea agreements, including the William Schulenberg case. Schulenberg, a former student at St. Olaf College has been charged with premeditated-attempted murder and three counts of assault with a deadly weapon stemming from a May 1st incident when Schulenberg allegedly attacked a woman with whom he had been ordered to not have contact, and three other students who intervened to protect her.
Fossum said he is looking forward to seeing all of these cases, and more, through to trial.
“Getting justice for these victims and their families is something that really drives me to get up,” he said, “and get to work in the morning.”
Rich Larson’s full conversation with Rice County Attorney John Fossum can be heard here
National Suicide Hotline overhaul happens tomorrow
Rice County and the City of Northfield are reminding residents that starting Saturday, people who need mental-health crisis support can
reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by simply dialing 988.
The new, easy to remember number will be available 24/7 throughout the US and its territories by phone or text, connecting those experiencing mental health-related distress to a trained crisis counselor who can provide free, confidential support.
People can also use the number if they are worried about someone they know who may need crisis support. Use 911 if a drug overdose or immediate medical help is needed.
Along with the new number, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline will get a new name, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, to better reflect the services provided.
The current 10-digit number, 1-800-273-8255, will continue to work even after the 988 rollout.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost 46,000 people in the United States died by suicide in 2020, and 758 people died by suicide in Minnesota.
Between 2005 and 2020, the lifeline received nearly 20.5 million calls from people in distress.
The network is made up of over 200 locally operated and funded crisis centers. Minnesota has four Lifeline Centers designated to answer calls, chats, and texts from a Minnesota-based area code. Live services are provided in English and Spanish. Translation services in 250 languages are also available.
The Lifeline currently serves TTY users either through their preferred relay service or by dialing 711 then 1-800-273-8255. Lifeline is in the process of expanding to video phone service to better serve deaf or hard of hearing individuals seeking help through the 988 Lifeline.
The Lifeline does not provide in-person services. Anyone requiring mobile crisis services in Rice County should call 877-399-3040 and in Dakota County call 1-952-891-7171.
To learn more about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website at www.samhsa.gov.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
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