With the primary elections now past, the State of Minnesota will now begin to focus on the general election this November. Due to
redistricting, every member of the State Senate and the State House of Representatives is up for re-election this year, as is the Governor. Two of the three seats up for re-election on the Northfield City Council are being contested this year, as are three seats on the Northfield School Board.
In Dundas Mayor Glenn Switzer is up for re-election, and there are two seats available on the Dundas City Council. Councilors Larry Fowler and Grant Modory have yet to file for re-election, and do not appear intent on doing so. One person, Ashley Gallagher, has filed to run.
Switzer has filed for re-election and as of right now does not have an opponent.
Dundas City Administrator Jenelle Teppen said there is still time for those interested in running to file.
“Filing is open right now for anyone interested in running for City Council or Mayor. Filing closes next Tuesday, the 16th, at 5pm. And you have until Thursday, the 18th at 5 pm to withdraw if you should so choose.”
The Dundas City Council meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at the Council Chambers in Dundas City Hall at 7:00. Those interested should contact Teppen with any questions at jteppen@dundas.us, or call (507) 645-2852.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Dundas City Administrator Jenelle Teppen can be heard here
Dakota County Fair features travelling 9/11 exhibit
The Dakota County fair began on Monday and will run through the end of the weekend. The grounds are open featuring all the events people
have come to expect from a county fair, along with some things that are unique to Dakota County, and a special traveling event.
The organizers of the fair, which is one of the largest in the state, work all year long putting the event together, and take great pride in presenting something that families return to year-after-year, knowing what to expect and looking forward to something that is consistently meaningful.
After two years of a pandemic, causing the cancellation of the fair in 2020 and diminished attendance last year, the decision was made to remove the admission from the fair this year. Organizer Mark Langer said, people should still expect to pay for parking, but that’s all.
“It’s a free fair. It’s $10 a car to park, but the fair is free. So, you can walk in or drive in. With a carload, it’s ten bucks.”
Langer said among the exhibits this year is the 9/11 Never Forget Mobile Exhibit. The display provides interactive an education including artifacts such as steel beams from the World Trade Center towers, documentary videos, and recordings of first responder radio transmissions. Interactive guided tours are carried out by FDNY firefighters who provide firsthand accounts of the day
Beginning this evening the Grandstand will offer three consecutive nights of demolition derby, and the Johnny Holm Band will make their traditional Thursday night appearance as well.
The various 4H shows and judging events that are the foundation of the fair, will be happening throughout the next four days, as will more live music every night in the Beer Gardens.
The Dakota County Fair will run through Sunday. Admission to the fair is free, although Grandstand events do require a ticket, and those interested in the demolition derby are urged to buy their tickets early. Parking on the grounds is $10, and the City of Farmington is allowing visitors to park on the city streets this year and walk to the fairgrounds. The fair is open each day at 7am until 10 pm, except for Sunday when the fair will close at 7pm.
For more information visit dakotacountyfair.org or download the Dakota County Fair app.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Dakota County Fair organizer Mark Langer can be heard here
Reilly settling in as Community Development Director
Jake Reilly is in his second month as the new Community Development Director of the City of Northfield, and he has inherited both the challenges and the opportunities of housing availability and affordability in the city.
Reilly, originally from Hartford, Connecticut, attended St. Olaf College and subsequently built a career in governmental city development and planning in Minnesota. He worked for the City of St. Paul for ten years on historic districts and most recently was with the Metropolitan Council where he worked on development and planning within rural Washington and Ramsey Counties.
As the head of the city’s Community Development Department, Reilly oversees planning and zoning, housing and redevelopment, economic development, and building inspections for the city.
He has also become the point person for the city when it comes to supporting the residents of Viking Terrace. He attended a meeting on August 2nd convened by the Viking Terrace Residents’ Association Board and Rice County Neighbors United to meet with top Lakeshore Management executives. The board presented stories and concerns, including affordability of lot rent, and asked Lakeshore to come up with specific plans to address those concerns. Reilly said he felt the meeting was productive and the city is hopeful for a positive outcome.
Housing affordability and availability in general is at the top of Reilly’s mind. He sees a lack of housing – and affordable housing – as a national issue affecting every city.
“I think that the goal, there’s a lot of talk in the metro about just more units are important but I think that to some extent there needs to be some careful attention paid to that affordability and figuring out creative ways to use our resources wisely to generate as many housing units that are as affordable to as many different kinds of people as possible: both ownership and rental.”
Following in the footsteps of former Community Development Director Mitzi Baker, Reilly has inherited several building projects that will offer affordable units, including Kraewood, Spring Creek 2, and Hillcrest Village.
He said, “Northfield is one of the most exciting places that I have ever worked. Something is always going in the ground.”
Reilly emphasized he and Housing Coordinator Melissa Hanson are looking forward to working with Rice County, Habitat for Humanity, and other groups to find creative housing solutions for the city.
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”]
