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MnDOT seeks public comment regarding mowing/haying on state right of way
The Minnesota Department of Transportation is seeking public comment regarding mowing and haying in ditches and other rights of way along state roadways.
The agency Monday announced it will conduct a series of listening sessions across the state to hear from Minnesotans about their concerns and wishes regarding mowing and haying. A listening session will take place in Marshall from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the Marshall Middle School -- 401 S. Saratoga St.
Detailed information on the listening sessions is available at the project website. Additionally, concerned individuals who cannot attend a listening session, are invited to submit a public comment via MnDOT's website.
"This is a challenging issue," said MnDOT Assistant Commissioner Nancy Daubenberger, who is heading the outreach and proposal development work. "The right of way serves many purposes, all of them valid. We want to ensure that we address all the needs, including the safety of roadway users, as best we can. We need the public's help to identify the best route to follow."
In late 2016, MnDOT sent out a news release reminding the public that permits were required to mow and hay in state right of way and that a new permit form was available, and announced the deadlines for permit applications. Due to public concern, during the 2017 state legislative session, the Legislature imposed a moratorium on permitting for mowing and haying on state rights of way. Legislators directed MnDOT to conduct public outreach and develop a legislative proposal regarding mowing and haying in state right of way. The legislation regarding this issue can be found at www.mndot.gov.
Pipestone National Monument honors veterans with fee free weekend
To honor America's service men and women, all areas managed by the Department of the Interior, including Pipestone National Monument, will offer free entry on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 11 and 12.
The National Park Service is honored to offer the fee free weekend to thank our nation's service men and women for the sacrifices and achievements of the brave men and women of our armed forces can never be understated. We invite all visitors to enjoy the free days and take time out on their national Veteran's Day holiday weekend to remember our service men and women.
The Monument Visitor Center will be open daily, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. These hours will be in effect throughout the winter months. The Pipestone Indian Shrine Association, (gift shop) located in the Visitor Center will be open the same hours.
The fall and winter seasons offer many photographic opportunities of the prairie and wildlife. During this quiet time of the year, visiting the Monument and walking the Circle Trail can be particularly enjoyable and peaceful. Visitors are advised to dress warmly to walk the Circle Trail, to view the pipestone quarries and to see the Winnewissa Falls.
To learn more about visiting the Pipestone National Monument, visit the park's website at www.nps.gov/pipe or to learn more about the fee-free weekends in national parks around the country, go to http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm Contact the Park Ranger at 507-825-5464 ext. 214 or email at PIPE_interpretation@nps.gov.
Governor says Minnesota will offer modest bid to Amazon
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Minnesota is preparing only a modest bid for online retailer Amazon's second headquarters, Gov. Mark Dayton said Tuesday.
The governor told reporters Minnesota's pitch, which will be submitted this week, focuses on the quality of the state's workforce, educational opportunities and transportation systems. No direct subsidies are involved, he said but the pitch outlines the state's existing major incentive programs, which have a $3 million spending cap. He said the offer proposes "a number of sites," but he declined to say how many or where they are because Amazon has demanded confidentiality.
"It's one I'm told that conforms to the kind of proposal that they like to receive, a businesslike proposal without the gimmicks and gadgetry and sensational PR stuff that we're told is not going to be persuasive," he said.
Other states are preparing incentive packages worth $1 billion and more to lure Amazon's second headquarters, which could eventually employ 50,000 people. The biggest package so far comes from Newark, New Jersey, where state and local officials are offering $7 billion in tax breaks.
Timothy Bartik, an economist at the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, told the Star Tribune of Minneapolis that Seattle-based Amazon launched its unusual public bidding process to try to maximize the offers it gets for incentive packages, but there are factors besides incentives that also drive location decisions.
"Given how aggressively Amazon has been with their distributions and other locations, I bet their final location will be a location that offers $1 billion or so," Nathan Jensen, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin who researches economic development, told the newspaper. "I think most cities will be putting a huge amount of money on the table, even if they know they are going to lose. It's a great way to minimize the blame if they lose or take the credit for economic development if they win."