High School creates positive sports events
Northfield Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matt Hillmann said spectator behavior at events has become
worse across the country since the pandemic. Perhaps people aren’t used to attending big events anymore, but now toxic and raucous behavior is trickling into high school athletics through spectators at games.
Hillmann pointed out this is having a serious effect on kids. He said because of negative experiences with spectators, fewer adults are willing to coach. He also said he’s not being dramatic when he describes “a mass exodus” of referees across athletic disciplines. High school level sports competitions have had to be rescheduled because there simply aren’t enough referees.
However, the new Northfield High School Director of Student Activities Bubba Sullivan is on top of the issue. Sullivan is implementing a new program to make athletic events more positive.
Sullivan has established the Bleacher Captain Program. Hillmann said Bleacher Captains are student leaders who pledge to lead a student section of spectators that only cheers positively for Northfield teams. They’ll avoid cheers that single out individuals or that are negative or disrespectful to the opposing teams. They also won’t focus on referees.
Hillmann added, he’s asking Northfield parents and adults to be role models when they attend school events. He said, “We have to know that kids are watching us.”
Hillmann wants Northfield to be a role model too.
“We’re a proud community. We want to make sure other communities feel welcome while they’re here. And we want to set the standard for what it is like to be passionate fans while doing so in a positive way.”
Hillmann said it’s important to prevent negative behavior when possible. Once it starts, it’s the one upmanship that leads to things getting out of control.
That’s why Hillmann believes the Northfield High School needs to be proactive and is debuting its Bleacher Captain Program this year.
Viking Terrace Board addresses public for first time
On Friday, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and members of the Viking Terrace Resident Association Board co-hosted an event to give updates on the situation at Viking Terrace. More than 80 people attended, including many local community and political leaders.
The residents of Viking Terrace formed a Resident Association in July in response to concerns about Lakeshore Management, who bought the park in April. More than 51% of homeowners signed the petition to form the association, fulfilling state requirements, and 7 board members were elected on July 6th.
Friday was the first time board members spoke to the public together. Board President Jorge Zuccolotto, Vice President Dawn Delacruz, and members Danielle Gates and Nathaly Sanchez addressed the crowd and answered questions.
Zuccolotto brought home the stress that residents have been living with since Lakeshore took over because they are terrified they’ll lose their homes.
Zuccolotto also emphasized his gratitude for those outside Viking Terrace who have supported the residents. He said it’s clear how important it is to have the greater community behind Viking Terrace.
“It was a good night for Viking Terrace. We’re just thankful for living in a place like Northfield that gives us so much help. And what we need is the attention and the AG’s office got the attention right away.”
Board member Danielle Gates shared she was motivated to serve on the board after requesting multiple times to no avail that Lakeshore translate its documents into Spanish for her Spanish-speaking neighbors.
Board member Nathaly Sanchez, a mother of five, said powerfully in Spanish that living in a manufactured home doesn’t take away your rights. She’s received violations from Lakeshore for having her children’s toys in her yard. “We are free, we are free to organize, and we will continue to move forward in this fight,” she said.
Despite community support, Lakeshore could still price residents out by raising lot rent $50-$60 twice a year, as they’ve done at other parks. Zuccolotto said, “what they want from us is easy money and that’s it.”
Vice President Dawn Delacruz agreed this is bigger than Viking Terrace. She’s willing to visit other parks and let residents know they have rights.
“So many people, unfortunately, have been taken advantage of. We cannot sit by and keep our mouths shut and allow this to go on. It’s not okay.”
The board will continue to meet regularly and respond to the needs of residents and they encouraged the public to be ready for whatever happens next.
Interim Fire Chief Tom Nelson steps up code enforcement
Northfield Area Fire and Rescue Service Interim Fire Chief Tom Nelson is working to prevent both fires and false alarms with proactive code enforcement and community education. 
Nelson and his Captain Andrew Tussing have both achieved the National Fire Protection Association Fire Inspector I certification.
Nelson said the department has historically been “reactive” but he wants to be “proactive.”
One of Nelson’s reforms is that NAFRS sends one truck to investigate all false alarms and find out why they occurred. NAFRS now tracks the reasons behind false alarms like training, lack of maintenance, or detector placement.
NAFRS is building a database to see the most common reasons for false alarms in order to adjust code enforcement and community education accordingly.
Though Nelson argues it’s important to investigate every false alarm, it’s better not to have to waste resources on false alarms in the first place.
“Let’s prevent the calls that we don’t need to go to. Don’t bring people, don’t page people out, bring them from home, bring them from their work, make their employers frustrated. Limit the calls that aren’t really needed and then focus on the calls where you’re making a difference.”
Another danger of frequent false alarms, Nelson said, is complacency. If false alarms go off a lot people may decide not to leave the building every time, which can be really dangerous.
Nelson has recently worked with St. Olaf College and a local healthcare facility to decrease their false alarms by removing smoke detectors from kitchens that weren’t necessary according to the fire code and installing steam vents.
This style of fire prevention can be a “lot of work” Nelson said, but proactive code enforcement will remain a priority for his department.
Jeff Johnson’s full interview with NAFRS Interim Fire Chief Tom Nelson can be heard here.
Cait Kelley is the KYMN News Editor. Contact her at cait@kymnradio.net.
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