Last week Northfield Mayor Rhonda Pownell, along with Governor Tim Walz and Jake Kluver, one of the owners of Dutch Creek Farm, was asked to give some remarks introducing President Joe Biden during the president’s visit.
The purpose of the event was to promote Biden’s agenda of investing in rural America, improving infrastructure, incentivizing climate-smart agricultural practices, and creating more competition to benefit farmers. Mayor Pownell said in her introduction that there was no better place to begin this series of events that will be held across the country than in Northfield. She expressed her appreciation to the president for his visit, and said Northfield not only needs help from the federal government but intends to take advantage of programs that are available.
The widely held belief is that the issues in a town of Northfield’s size are not big enough to be noticed by the Federal Government, and Pownell acknowledged that belief is often held by small town leaders across the country. However, there have always been programs at both the state and federal level to offer help, and a visit like Biden’s does a lot to educate people about what they are.
“One of the best ways for them to know and understand what’s happening on the ground in Small Town America is to be here and to be present and just ensuring that you’ve got solid working relationships with people at all levels of government. Then those of us who are here can learn, as a small town, what avenues and resources are available to help us accomplish the needs of our particular community.”
For example, Pownell pointed to the infrastructure provisions in Biden’s programs. Northfield needs more broadband cable to provide high speed internet. There are serious flooding issues on the western edge of the downtown area. Wastewater sewer pipes are aging and must be replaced. All of this costs money, and often it costs more money than a small town will have. Pownell said programs to help pay for some of those projects, and even to help provide money to hire staff that will be able to research and learn about these federal programs is very helpful.
The mayor also acknowledged that not every citizen of Northfield and Rice County was happy to see Biden visit the area. While she said she respects everyone’s right to form an opinion on the president, and every other political leader, she said the negative rhetoric that is so predominant in today’s political discourse is not helpful to the overall community.
“Now, does that mean that it resonates with everyone? No. But it’s really important for us all to work together to move our country forward. And the more acrimony there is or toxic sort of dialogue going on out there, that doesn’t benefit anyone because it just slows down our ability to be able to best serve those that we were put in office to serve.”
Mayor Pownell said the ability to host Biden was a “privilege,” and she believes both his visit and his agenda will have a positive long-term effect for the area.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Northfield Mayor Rhonda Pownell can be heard here
Red Kettle Campaign is Salvation Army’s only fundraiser
The Rice County Salvation Army will begin their annual Red Kettle Campaign at the end of this week, and coordinators of the program are seeking volunteers to help raise money for those in need.
According to Salvation Army statistics, the organization has helped 327 Rice County families in 2023, which translates to more than 900 kids, who tend to be a focus of what they do. The Rice County Salvation Army donated one-half of the 1200 backpacks given to school kids this year in the Faribault Backpack program, and 100 pairs of back-to-school shoes were purchased for kids in need this year.
The Salvation Army offers help to a wide variety of people. Jim Dale, who has run the Red Kettle Campaign in Rice County for many years, said the Faribault office is staffed by a social worker who directs them for help with emergency transportation, clothing, utility payments, food and more. He said the demand for help has increased in 2023, as Covid-19 Pandemic era government programs that offered help with such things as rent and heat have come to an end or have been curtailed. Because of that, he said, just as it was in 2022, their goal for the fundraiser this year is to raise $100,000.
Dale said this is the sole fundraiser the Salvation Army runs each year.
“The Red Kettle is the only money that we function on in Rice County and that’s the Salvation Army’s way of funding crisis needs. And so, it’s very, very important that we fill all the opportunities we have for the public to come out and ring with us.”
As is generally the case at the beginning of the campaign each year, there are plenty of spots available for people to stand with the kettles and ring the bell. They will be stationed in familiar spots around the County, including Family Fare and Cub grocery stores in Northfield, Fairway, Hy-Vee and Walmart in Faribault and Mackenthuns in Lonsdale. Each volunteer shift lasts just for two hours, and he suggested that groups from businesses and houses of worship could take responsibility for staffing a full day at the kettles.
“What I’m doing right now is talking to a number of churches and a number of businesses. You know, if you’ve got five people or 10 people that could give us a day, employees of yours or members in the congregation, please see if you can’t sign up. We’ll make sure you’ve got a day.”
For more information and to sign up as a bell ringing volunteer, call Jim Dale at 715-733-0575, or visit registertoring.com.
‘Living Treasure’ Award nominations due at 5pm on Friday
The Northfield Arts and Culture Commission is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Northfield Living Treasure.
This annual award honors an individual who has, over a period of time, made significant contributions to Northfield through the arts or a cultural endeavor. A statement issued by the city said “Culture” encompasses the whole of the community’s intellectual and social formation, including its work, thoughts, behaviors, and beliefs as manifested through the arts, food, oral languages, dress, homes, recreation, history, landscape, rituals, traditions, celebrations and festivals.
Nominees may be either a practitioner in one or more of the arts, or an arts or cultural leader, supporter, or advocate.
The deadline for nominations is 5pm this Friday. The recipient will be honored at the State of the City Address, which will be held at the Weitz Center next March.
Nomination forms can be picked up and dropped off at the Northfield Public Library and at FiftyNorth or completed online at northfieldmn.gov/LivingTreasure.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
