On Monday night, Northfield City Administrator Ben Martig recommended to the City Council that Minnesota State Patrol District Commander Jeff Schroepfer become the next Northfield Chief of Police.
In April, Police Chief Mark Elliott announced his intention to retire at the end of September. The city began to conduct an extensive search for the next Chief, interviewing 8 candidates by phone, four in person, and bringing two finalists, Commander Schroepfer and St. Louis Park Police Lieutenant Mikael Granlund, to a public forum and meet & greet at the Grand Event Center in June.
Both candidates were very impressive, however Schroepfer’s ideology for police work and running a department likely put him ahead. During the public forum, Schroepfer discussed the fact that he had been born in a small town in Southwest Minnesota, and while he is proud of the work he has done with the State Patrol, he would like to get back to a department that is focused on the same type of community policing that is the foundation of the Northfield Police Department. Schroepfer is also a Lakeville resident who has volunteered with the Lakeville Fire Department for several years.
After hearing Martig’s recommendation, City Councilors Brad Ness and Kathleen Holmes, both of whom had served on the interviewing committee, also gave Schroepfer their endorsement. The Council then voted unanimously to offer Commander Schroepfer the job.
Martig said some details, including salary negotiation, still need to be worked out, but all indications are that Schroepfer is ready to accept the position. He addressed the council after the vote, thanking them, discussing how impressed he was with the interviewing process, and showing gratitude for the support he already feels from the Northfield Police Department.
While Elliott’s retirement date is September 27th, Schroepfer has indicated he would like to be in Northfield, even in an unofficial role, sooner than that, particularly for the Defeat of Jesse James Days.
SBA provides details for disaster relief loans
More details have been announced regarding the low-interest disaster relief loans that are being made available by the United States Small Business Administration (SBA.) Last month the SBA announced programs for both Minnesota businesses and residents in the wake of the severe storms and flooding that occurred in June and July.
An announcement issued last week by the SBA through Rice County said the SBA team will look to help Minnesota small businesses and residents impacted by this disaster in “every way possible.”
The disaster declaration made by President Biden last month covers twenty counties in the State of Minnesota, including Rice County, making them eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA.
The SBA announced it has opened Business Recovery Centers in Waterville and Jackson, to help businesses complete their disaster loan application, accept documents, and provide updates on an application’s status. Walk-ins are accepted, but in-person appointments at an SBA Business Recovery Center may also be scheduled in advance.
Last week the Federal Emergency Management Administration announced it would open a similar help center in Rice County in the coming weeks.
Applicants to the SBA programs may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20% of their physical damages for mitigation improvements. Those improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter, a sump pump, or a French drain or retaining wall to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.
Those unable to visit the recovery centers in Waterville or Jackson may also call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information.
The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is September 30th. The deadline to return economic injury applications is April 29th of next year.
Night to Unite events being held in Northfield tonight
Across the country this evening, and here in Northfield, communities will celebrate Night to Unite this evening, formerly known as National Night Out with neighborhood block parties throughout town.
A statement issued by the city said, all registered parties will receive a free party kit that includes activities for kids, compliments of the Northfield Police Department and the Northfield Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention.
Night to Unite is an annual event held on the first Tuesday of August, which is meant to build community and promote safety in Northfield. “When families know one another and communicate frequently,” the statement said, “it can have a positive effect on the whole community.” The event is also meant to build positive connections between residents and law enforcement.
Police Chief Mark Elliot has spoken about Night to Unite in the past and called it a good opportunity for people to get to know their neighbors. Studies have shown that connections among people who live in a common area will have a marked effect on the awareness of neighborhood activity and neighborhood safety.
The statement said registered parties for the evening will receive a visit from representatives of the Northfield police department, the fire department, emergency medical services, the mayor, or city staff. Elliott said it is just another way public safety responders try to connect with the community.
“We partner with ambulance folks and our fire folks to come out and make visits that night and try to make a visit to your neighborhood – visit with folks there a little bit, visit with the kids, the adults and answer any questions you have. It’s just another good night of community.”
For more information on Night to Unite call the Northfield Police Department at 507-645-4477.
KYMN Daily News 8/6/24
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
