Fall is definitely in the air. I don’t ever remember a fall harvest when farmers could work day-to-day, week-to-week, without any weather delays. Yields seem to be good, and moisture levels low. Now if the prices would only be higher. Please continue to be careful on the roads as the final harvest is completed.
As Chair of the Highway 23 Coalition and your Stearns County Commissioner, I was recently a part of the four-lane Highway 23 ribbon-cutting celebration. We had a good turnout for the event, including U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar and U.S. Senator Tina Smith, along with other elected officials. The four lanes from south of Willmar to north of Foley are now open. I still can’t believe we accomplished this huge transportation need for this area, running the length of District 3. It took a long time and a lot of people to make this happen, and it’s an honor to have been a part of this effort. Now the work continues to extend the four lanes south of Willmar and north of Foley.
Speaking of road projects, Stearns County Road 12 between St. Martin and Richmond has been paved and should be open by the time you read this. It was a major reconstruct, and many residents were waiting for the completion of the project. The final overlay will occur next spring. Several other projects around the County are being wrapped up before winter. Sorry to remind you what’s coming.
Several times throughout the year, we have Association of Minnesota Counties meetings where we discuss mutual issues across the State, and try to come up with ideas to address them. I try to attend as many as I can because it’s a good time to collaborate with neighboring and other Counties, and to develop relationships with other Commissioners and staff that will help Stearns County. Several weeks ago, I attended a District 5 AMC meeting, and the statewide annual meeting is coming up in December.
The County has enacted a moratorium on any Cannabis (pot) activity in our County, which we are forced to end by the end of the year. I call it pot because that’s what it is. I am very concerned about this activity and the many unknowns it brings with it. By State law, we need to allow a minimum of 13 dispensaries within the County. I continue to advocate for no more than 13, at least until the State can get their act together. They aren’t prepared for allowing this use, so how can Counties and other local units of government react to it. I encourage local units of government to follow our lead so we all are consistent with a strict approach to this use. We will have a public hearing on our draft ordinance at 9 a.m. Tuesday,
Nov. 19.
I represented Stearns County in receiving additional funding from the State Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) for additional funding in our efforts to provide broadband across the County. Part of this grant will expand coverage in Wakefield, Luxemburg, and Paynesville Townships. I’m also working on getting broadband to areas where direct funding has not been provided, by encouraging the providers to fill in some of the gaps. To have most of the County covered, especially because of our size, is truly amazing. Please share with me if you currently do not have this service provided.
I shouldn’t have to remind you that an election is coming up on Nov. 5. A lot of important national, state, and local decisions will be made, including the sales tax authorization by the County for a new jail, sheriff’s office, and maybe some other uses, depending what amount the bids come in at. I attended all of the Community meetings in District 3 to directly hear what residents were saying. I agree the sales tax is the way to fund this project. The next challenge will be to hold the line on how much we build. The sales tax is still a tax and, even though it’s better than a property tax, it’s still a tax. Please be informed on everything on the ballot and, no matter what, VOTE. Many people have shared with me they already have. My family prefers to vote in-person. I will be one of two Board members who will certify the election results on the Friday after the election.
I may not have a column before Thanksgiving, so please allow me to share Thanksgiving blessings from Marlene, Jacob, Mitchell, and myself! Despite all the doom and gloom we hear about every day, we still have much to be thankful for. Take some time to think about your blessings and thank God for them. By the grace of Him, we were born in an area that provides a good life, free from war and destruction. Personally, I will also thank Him for being able to have the honor of serving you as your Stearns County Commissioner. Continue to feel free to contact me on your thoughts or any issue you may have. You can reach me at Jeff.Bertram@stearnscountymn.gov, call me on my cell at (320) 250-6999, or stop me when Marlene and I are at one of the many community events we attend. Enjoy the rest of this great Fall, and be safe.