As several major road construction projects loom around Rice County and the Northfield area in the coming years, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is holding what is being billed as a “Coffee and Conversation” forum in Northfield this afternoon to discuss transportation.
MnDOT hosts these events with its local partners to encourage sharing information and discussion on transportation issues in an informal setting. Mark Schoenfelder the MnDot District Engineer for the southeast portion of the state, Rice County Highway Engineer Dennis Luebbe, and Northfield Director of Public Works and City Engineer Dave Bennett will make a short presentation on area transportation projects, but much of the time will be left for residents to ask questions and learn about transportation efforts and challenges in Northfield, Rice County and the region.
Projects scheduled for Rice County include the construction of a six-legged roundabout at Highway 19 and Interstate 35, and several projects around Highway 3, including a reconstruction of the Highway 3/Highway 19/ 5th Street intersection.
A statement issued by Rice County said Schoenfelder has hosted similar events in the past in Freeborn and Dodge counties to discuss scheduled projects, but also to listen to community residents about what they think about the roads in their area.
“We like to briefly talk about what we have planned for road and bridge projects,” Schoenfelder said in the statement, “but we’re more interested in hearing the transportation ideas and concerns from the people who live in the communities.”
The forum will run from 1:30- 3:00 at the Perkins Restaurant in Northfield. Schoenfelder, Luebbe and Faribault Director of Engineering Mark DuChene will also host a forum this morning at the Perkins Restaurant in Faribault from 9:30-1100.
UN International Day of Peace organizers look to show how world peace can be achieved
More than 40 local organizations will come together in Central Park on Thursday to commemorate and celebrate the United Nations International Day of Peace.
Established in 1981, the day is marked by the UN General Assembly declaration that September 21st be a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.
While most likely the goal will fall short around the world, local organizers Dina Fesler and Betsy Lane-Getaz, said the day can be successful on smaller, local levels, which can build into larger accomplishments.
This year, the UN theme is focused on what they see as the 17 Sustainable Development Goals toward peace. While those goals include lofty visions like ending global poverty and world hunger, other goals like ensuring inclusive and quality education and achieving gender equality to empower every woman and girl around the world feel like the sort of thing that a personal commitment would affect positively. Fesler said it takes that kind of attitude to make the larger success possible in the face of overwhelming issues and odds.
“You know when people think about World Peace it’s almost like a joke. You think of Miss America ‘Okay, World Peace, whatever.’ And nobody knows really how it’s achievable because people get so overwhelmed by these huge world issues. People just want to go back to bed, because it’s just too depressing. But these sustainable development goals [make the ideas more manageable.] If everybody is doing their part, then we can go really, really far.”
Lane-Getaz said the participating organizations represent different facets of those goals. Northfield Rotary, Healthfinders, and the League of Women Voters will be on hand to promote the work they do, as will several faith communities focused on peace initiatives. However, she said, the organizers reached outside of the list of goals as well to bring in arts organizations, mental health professionals, and yoga studios. Representatives with the TORCH program and other education initiatives will be there as well.
A short program will begin at 5:45 with a Keynote Address given by Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer, an Associate Professor of Justice & Society Studies at the University of St. Thomas.
The Northfield observation of the International Day of Peace will be in Central Park on Thursday evening from 5-7pm.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Dina Fesler and Betsy Lane-Getaz can be heard here
Council will hear from Heritage and Preservation Commission tonight, set preliminary budget
And the Northfield City Council will meet tonight in the Council Chambers in City Hall.
Along with the consideration of resolutions approving a preliminary 2024 budget and a preliminary 2024 tax levy, the Heritage and Preservation Commission will make its annual report to the City Council, and there will be an update on the Highway 246 Corridor Study. The Council will also vote to issue slightly more than $18.2 million in general obligation revenue bonds for utility improvements.
As always, the city and the council are asking to hear opinions and comments from the public. Anyone who wishes to do so is invited to come to the meeting and address the council on any topic they see fit. Those wishing to voice their opinions without addressing the council should email their councilors directly or post a comment through the eComment button on the “Agendas” section of the City Council website.
Tonight’s meeting will begin at 6:00.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
