Counties Transition to New Pot Laws

By Robert Lawson Publisher info@nicolletcountyledger.com

As counties prepare to transition to the legalization of recreational cannabis use, there remains some unanswered questions for law enforcement and county leaders as the state tries to come up with an economic development plan for the weed business. This story is part of an investigation dubbed “Minnesota

Home Grown: From Prohibition to Recreation” and interviews with local leaders and others will be aired on New Ulm Cable Access Television (NUCAT). The Ledger has also applied for additional funding from a PBS grant called the Local Journalism Initiative. In the run up to the November 2024 election, nearly half of all U.S. states have legalized cannabis in some way. We are focused on the new legislation and its impact on Nicollet County and nearby Brown County.

So far, the Ledger has interviewed two sources at the county level. Those interviews included Brown County Attorney Chuck Hanson and Nicollet County Attorney Michelle Zender-Fischer. Both interviews were supposed to include each county’s respective elected sheriff to get a law enforcement perspective. Those interviews had to be rescheduled due to personal matters of both Brown County Sheriff Jason Seidl and Nicollet County Sheriff David Lange.

Lafayette Memorial Park Dedication

On August 28, The Lafayette Legion Post #300, City of Lafayette and Lafayette Band invited the public and their families to share in a special dedication ceremony of the Lafayette Memorial Park. The dedication was sponsored by the Lafayette

Legion #300. The ceremony took place on Sunday, September 17, 2023 at 4:00PM in the park located at 720 Main Avenue, Lafayette, MN 56054. The ceremony featured Lafayette Band performances, Lafayette Legion Color Guard, a handful of guest speakers, the presentation of the pavers, and a display of past military uniforms in the community center. Following the ceremony, there was a complementary at will donation meal served to guests at the event. the co-president of the Saint Peter Good Neighbor Diversity Council. Several other members of the group were present at the meeting. Nelson introduced the group and its goal to the council:

“Our mission is to provide crosscultural communication, leadership and advice to enable Saint Peter to be a caring, supportive and welcoming community for people of all racial, religious and other diverse backgrounds,” Nelson explained.

Their Council Coordinating

Group membership, according to Nelson, is comprised of about 30 citizens, many of whom were at the council meeting, who are of varying ethnic, religious and age groups that include Somalis and other Africans, Caucasians, Indigenous, Asians, Hispanics, African Americans, Christians, Jews, Muslims and other religious groups. They’ve sponsored cultural events and offered community education programs.

“We come before the city council

Continued on page 5

Peter City Council Discusses Job Description, Safety Contract, Fun Run Help and Some Business License Applications

By

Mayor Fred Froehlich called the Special Meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. on September 27, 2023 in the Council Chambers. In addition to Mayor Froehlich, Council Members Mary Wels, Matt Anthony, and Kevin Ostermann were present at the meeting. Councilmember Phil Radel was absent. Nicollet city staff present at the meeting included Vanessa Drill.

The purpose of the special meeting was to set the preliminary levy, preliminary budget for 2024, and set the Truth in Taxation Hearing date for December 2023.

Resolution #09-27-23–Adopting the Proposed 2024 Levy of $610,524.00 was approved on a motion made by Anthony and seconded by Ostermann. It was approved unanimously by the city council. Resolution #09-27-23A –Adopting the Proposed 2024 Budget was approved on a motion by Wels and seconded by Anthony. It was approved

Lafayette Ledger

100 Years Ago – Feb. 14, 1920

Miss Anna Ebert is employed as domestic at the Reuben Lund home.

Robert Isenberg, H. E. Hedren and Henry Johnson attended the Oldsmobile dealers’ convention at the Radisson hotel at Minneapolis last week.

John Satterman will erect his saw mill at the John Lund farm two miles northeast from Lafayette. Those who desire to have lumber sawed may haul the logs over there now at any time.

Buttermaker Sjostrom of Klossner transacted business here Monday.

Aug. A. Johnson has bought the former J. P. Sjogren residence on Church Street and will reside there after March 1st.

1929 — Lafayette Ledger

obituAries

Charles “Charlie” A. Vogel

Charles “Charlie” A. Vogel, age 77, of St. Peter, MN passed away on Saturday, February 25, 2023.

A Celebration of his life will be held at The Red Men Club in St. Peter, on April 2, 2023, from 1 - 4 p.m., with a short Red Men Service at 2 p.m.

He was born in Mankato, MN on April 9, 1945 to Ernest and Lucille Vogel, the fifth of eight children. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in St. Peter. After St. Mary’s closed he became a member of the St. Peter Catholic Church.

Charlie attended St. Peter High School, where he was a member of FFA. He graduated in 1963.

After graduation

Charlie continued to work with his father on the family farm until 1974 when he purchased it from his parents. He farmed this land until his retirement in 2014.

He married his wife, Kathy on April 24, 1976 at South Blue Earth Church in Bricelyn, MN. Together they raised their three children, Cindy, Bryan, and Ann.