Seven drivers chose not to get behind the wheel sober during enforcement campaign

Local law enforcement officers arrested seven drunk drivers during a nationwide end-of-summer DWI enforcement effort, August 17th–September 3rd. Around 400 law enforcement agencies across Minnesota participated in the state’s effort conducted by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) Office of Traffic Safety.

Participating agencies in Dodge County were: Dodge County Sheriff’s Department, which made five arrests, and the Kasson Police Department, which made two arrests.

Each year in Minnesota, nearly 30,000 motorists are arrested for DWI — there were 104 arrests in Dodge County in 2011. During the last three years in the state, 2009–2011, 344 people were killed in drunk driving crashes — nearly one-third of 1,200 total deaths. In Dodge County during this period, drunk driving resulted in four serious injuries and one death.

“We can make progress and advance the fight against drunk driving by taking simple, preventable steps, and step one is to always plan ahead for a sober ride,” says Kasson Officer Josh Hanson.

A DWI offense can result in loss of license for up to a year, thousands in costs and possible jail time.
Certain DWI offenders are also eligible to use ignition interlock. Repeat DWI offenders, as well as first-time offenders arrested at 0.16 and above alcohol-concentration level, must use interlock in order to regain legal driving privileges, or face at least one year without a driver’s license. Offenders with three or more offenses are required to install interlock and use for three to six years, or they will never regain driving privileges.

In Dodge County, 12 drivers use ignition interlock.  Users must provide a breath sample into the interlock with an alcohol concentration below 0.02 in order for the vehicle to start.

Window clings were posted around the community by the Dodge County Toward Zero Death (TZD) Coalition to support the DWI enforcement campaign.  The “Don’t be what you drink” window clings, with messages like “Beer mugged” and “Screwed driver,” were created by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.  Bar coasters with these messages were distributed to area pubs, saloons, and bars in Dodge County as well.

The Dodge County Toward Zero Deaths Coalition encourages people to utilize these safe driving behaviors:

• Plan for a safe ride — designate a sober driver, use a cab/public transportation, or stay at the location of the celebration. Families should let each other know that they will be available to offer a safe ride home.

• Buckle up and wear protective motorcycle gear — the best defenses against an impaired driver.

• Report impaired driving — call 911 when witnessing impaired driving behavior. Witnesses must be prepared to provide location, license plate and observed dangerous behavior.

A look back... Kasson Mayo opens January 10, 1977

The new Kasson Mayo Health Facility started operation in Kasson January 10, 1977 with a staff of five.

The 7,300 square foot building contained facilities to provide both acute and preventive medical care. The facility also served as a training center for Mayo's family medicine education programs. Dr. John Collins was the first physician at the new Kasson Mayo building and he retired seven years ago.

The clinic was financed by a $375,000 bond issue passed by the citizens of Kasson. The building was leased to the Mayo Clinic, which provided the staff and equipment. The community overwhelmingly voted in favor of the bond issue by a 686 to eight margin, more than a 98% approval.

The staff was headed by Dr. John B. Collins, a consultant in Mayo's Division of Family Medicine. Paramedical staff included receptionist Ramona Smith, laboratory technician Vicki Tiedemann, nurse JoAnne Palmer and x-ray technician Joyce Beaver.

The facility was designed to accommodate up to four full-time physicians and serve as the home base for up to 12 residents from the family medicine program of the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine, as well as for students studying family medicine at the Mayo Medical School.

In 1977 the facility had 2,111 patients who accounted for 6,883 office visits. The number increased to 2,571 patients and 9,195 visits in 1979. By 1981 Kasson Mayo had 14,900 office visits.
At the time, the new facility was the latest addition to Mayo's "outreach" programs, which also include satellite clinics in Zumbrota and Plainview.

What triggered the Kasson project was a bill signed by then Governor Rudy Perpich granting the Mayo Clinic $48,000 to begin a graduate residency program. The Kasson Clinic was considered home base for the residency program.

Seven men on the Kasson Medical Services Committee worked for almost two years to convince Mayo Kasson had a need for a medical facility. Longtime Kasson physician Dr. D.E. Affeldt supported the project and the two other physicians in the county signed a letter in support of the project. Committee members were Dr. L.B. Severance, Folmer Carlsen, Bim Juhnke, Garry Purvis, Leonard Prescher, Kenneth Kellar and Al Hodge. All seven had ties as members of the Kasson Masonic Lodge.

Since construction of the Kasson Health Facility growth has been continual and in fact exceeded growth expectations. A 1981 DCI article stated that expansion would take place as needed to meet patient needs.

Update from Mantorville

I hope everyone enjoyed another Marigold Days.  The timing of this message is such that Marigold Days has just wrapped up another awesome year.   Please remember the success of this event requires the hard work of many people each year.   Groups like the MRA and Chamber of Commerce, the pageant judges and fishing contest volunteers each do their part to make this weekend enjoyable for everyone.  These people deserve great praise for all of their ongoing efforts.  Too often this effort is not fully appreciated.  

In general, Mantorville continues to be high on peoples list of places to visit.   Our parks and camp grounds have enjoyed a record number of reservations.  Our downtown commercial district is busy each day.  The construction and building permits are climbing.  Our home owners show great pride in living in Mantorville and we continue to host special events throughout the calendar year. 

I am happy to report the economics of the City of Mantorville are solid and we are in position to continue with more projects to better our town.  Through the last couple of years, we have taken steps to ensure we can continue to be financially stable and in control of our future.  This has not been easy or without some sacrifice but we are now able to enjoy the benefits of sticking with the plan.  With our preliminary budget to be set at our first council meeting in September, we continue to examine our options for both our short term and a long term infrastructure development.

Specifically, with continued work to finalize the plans of how to proceed with our sewage treatment plant, these details will be available to everyone in an attempt to be clear to all what to expect and why this plan was selected.

The confidence you citizens have in this council is amazing.  Through this trust and working relationship, great things are being done.  I am humbled by this and pledge to do my very best each and every day.

As always….please contact me if you have any questions.  I can be reached at any time, day or night. 

Respectfully,
Luke Nash, Mayor of Mantorville  

Mayor’s Memo

As I write this the start of school is just a few days away.  Another summer has gone by swiftly!
As you may have noticed the 16th Street and Bridge project is well underway.  From what we are being told construction is about a week ahead of schedule.  The landscape has definitely changed significantly out there. 

The pool project should be getting underway soon.  The items not needed for the new aquatic center have been salvaged by a local pool supply company.  The majority of the bids were approved and demolition should hopefully begin soon.  A couple of the items for the center will be re-bid, however those items should not impact the timeline for completion. 

At our last Council meeting in August a quick update on the 2013 budget was provided.  City Staff have been working quite hard on this given the tax increase approved by referendum for the pool.  In percentages, we’re looking at about a 12% increase for the pool and less than 4% for the 16th Street and Bridge project. 

As far as the operating or General Government levy side of the budget we are targeting a 0% increase at this point.  The preliminary levy will be set at our next meeting on September 12.  Once we set the preliminary levy the final levy can only be the same or less.  So essentially we are putting a cap on 2013 budget at that point. 

As school begins, please keep in mind the safety of our children as you drive around town and make sure to stop for pedestrians in the cross walks and watch for those who do not always use the crosswalk areas.  Please keep in mind as well that as part of an ongoing review process some stop/yield signs have been removed.  We’re all busy and rushed at times -- but make sure to slow down through town and keep your eyes open for those heading back and forth to school. 

In your service,
Mayor Tim Tjosaas
mayor@cityofkasson.com