Northfield

Scott Neal, July 10, 2012 | Posted in Scott Neal

I am taking a few hours off this afternoon from the hustle and bustle of Edina to visit my old stomping grounds of Northfield.  I worked in Northfield as their city administrator from 1996 -2002.  The City recently recevied a Minesota Legacy grant to produce a comprehensive oral and written history of the Northfield Public Library.  Since I played a (small) role in that history, they asked me to come down and interview with the historian that has been contracted to do the work.

I often reflect back on my time in Northfield.  In many ways, my career in Northfield was good preparation for my job here in Edina.  There is a strong, deep interest in the citizenry of both cities for the past, and how the future should reflect the past.  The City Councils in both cities strongly emphasized the importance of citizen advisory boards in the overall governance of the city.  Both cities – elected officials and residents – highly value public amenities and realize the publicly shared financial burden that accompanies public amenities.

I have a fondness in my heart for Northfield.  My wife and I raised our three boys there.  It was a great place, like Edina, to raise a family.  The colleges (St. Olaf and Carleton) were great.  The downtown is great.  Being close to the Twin Cities was great.  Like I said, it was a great place to live.

I am looking forward to sharing my memories about the about Northfield Public Library today.