The Presidential election process will begin in earnest next week for Minnesotans when the major parties hold their annual party caucuses on Tuesday, February 27th. That will be followed the week after with the State’s first Presidential primary on March 5th.
Party Caucuses are the grass roots beginnings of all political elections. Members of one party gather together to hear from candidates for office, elect delegates to the party’s county convention, and discuss the issues they feel are most important and should be a part of that party’s platform.
Kathy Dobbs of the Rice County Republicans said a person need not be a card-carrying member of a political party. In fact, a caucus is an excellent place for those who are curious to learn about that party.
“People who’ve never been involved in any kind of political activity before are welcome to come and ask questions and learn what issues we feel are very important. They can learn how the proposed candidates feel on these issues. So yes, it is real grassroots. Way to start.”
The people elected as delegates out of the precinct caucuses will then attend the party County Conventions in April. From there delegates will be elected to the Congressional District Conventions. Another group will then be selected to attend the parties’ State Nominating Conventions, and finally delegates will be selected to attend the National Conventions.
In the past, during Presidential election years, a straw poll has been conducted to determine the state’s nominee for President of the United States. However, last year the State turned to a primary election system. Now, voters will go to their voting precinct on March 5th, select a ballot for one party only, and cast their vote for the person they would like the state party to nominate. This primary is only for the Presidential nominee. A second primary to determine candidates for all other national and statewide offices will be held on August 13th.
As many Americans have become frustrated with the state of politics today, they have stopped participating in the process, which Dobbs said is bad for Rice County, the State of Minnesota, and the United States of America. Close to 11% of eligible Rice County voters did not vote in the 2022 election, and she said she hopes that trend can be reversed, reiterating the opportunities and importance of the party caucuses.
“If you’re sitting down at the cafe having a cup of coffee, you probably hear people talking about different issues that they’re upset about. Well, this is an opportunity for people to discuss those issues, talk to candidates, and hear how they feel.”
The Republican party caucus in Northfield will be Tuesday night at the Northfield high School. The majority of the DFL caucuses will be at the Northfield Middle School, except for Ward 1, Precinct 1, which will meet at the Larson Meeting Room (Room 236) in the Carleton College Weitz Center, and Ward 4, Precinct 2 which will be in the Viking Theater of the Kelsey Theater Building on the St. Olaf College Campus.
Caucuses will begin at 7pm, but early arrival for registration is recommended.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Kathy Dobbs of the Rice County Republicans can be heard here
2022 Annual Report shows drop in arrests, increase in police calls
The Northfield Police Department has published its Annual Report for the year 2022. Northfield Chief of Police Mark Elliott said the report goes through the details of his department and the work they do, from calls for service and the types of crime most common in Northfield to Community Outreach programs to the police department’s budget, all in one well organized publication.
According to the report, the NPD responded to 32,121 calls for service in 2022, which was an increase of 7% over 2021, and an increase of 27% over 2019. The top reason for those calls was 1,291 “911 Hang Ups.” That was followed by 1,239 Medical calls, 722 calls for Suspicious Activity and 590 alarms that went off.
Northfield police made a total of 263 felony arrests in 2022, and 275 misdemeanor arrests. There were 7% fewer arrests in 2022 than in 2021, and despite an increase in 2020, the overall arrests were on a downward trend between 2018 and 2022. Of the felonies, 131 were for drugs, 65 were for assaults, 21 were for theft or larceny, and 13 were for weapons offenses. They also made the first arrest for a homicide in at least five years. Of the misdemeanors, by far the majority of arrests was for DWI at 131. Other specific reasons included 37 disorderly conduct arrests, 19 for liquor law violations, 8 for trespassing, 4 for family offenses, and 2 for curfew violations. There were 72 other arrests listed for “All Other Violations.”
Elliott said the reason the 2022 report has been published in early 2024 is because of the department’s desire to compare crimes and crime rates to comparable peer cities, and they have to wait for those statistics.
“Some of the information we put in there are comparisons to our peer communities in the area and we have to wait until the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has their official crime book out, which has stats for all different communities based on our FBI reporting of crimes, but that’s not available until So, it took a little longer to get this out. But it’s out now, and it’s available on the Police Department page on the city website.”
Indeed, comparisons are made in every category with at least 8 other cities approximately the same size as Northfield. In most of those comparisons, Northfield finds itself near the bottom, with fewer calls, arrests and a lower overall crime rate.
The Northfield Police Department Annual Report for 2022 can be found on the Police Department page of the City of Northfield website. There are also printed copies of the report available at the Northfield Police Department and at City Hall.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Northfield Chief of Police Mark Elliott can be heard here
411 Concert series pivots to Grimm & Cruz
The Northfield Arts Guild has announced a change to the schedule of its 411 Concert Series.
Julius Collins and Tommy Barbarella had been scheduled to play this month, however that show has been canceled.
Coming to the Northfield Arts Guild Theater instead are Jennifer Grimm and Joe Cruz, an acoustic husband and wife duo, each well known for their extraordinary talent.
Grimm is a nationally acclaimed vocalist who has performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall, and sung in commercials for Target, Caribou Coffee, Office Max, HealthPartners, and True Value.
Cruz is regarded as one of the most versatile and energetic multi-stringed instrumentalists in the Twin Cities music scene.
Pauline Jennings, who books and curates the 411 series said she is especially excited to bring Gimm to Northfield.
“She is absolutely a class act. The way she sings is kind of like R&B. She jazzes things up, but she also sings pop and blues just as well. I’m telling you, folks, I guarantee you will love it. She’s a consummate performer. She also is very funny. So, this will be a full night of just joy and laughter.”
Grimm and Cruz will play at the Northfield Arts Guild Theater on March 17th. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased online at northfieldartsguild.org.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
