Using marijuana in public could become illegal in McLeod County if a draft ordinance receives County Board approval.
The county has been working on an ordinance to restrict public cannabis use for several weeks, prompted by action during the Minnesota Legislature’s session earlier this year.
The new state law allows cannabis consumption — including cannabis flowers and other products, along with low-potency items such as hemp — on private property. However, the law prohibits smoking marijuana anywhere tobacco is banned, such as businesses, apartments and college campuses. It also bans all forms of cannabis use while driving, in public schools, state prisons and on federal property.
But the law leaves regulation of public use to local governments, according to McLeod County Attorney Ryan Hansch.
“The law didn’t regulate it except for in very limited circumstances, if it were to be inhaled by children or things like that,” Hansch said. “It’s not so much that the statute’s right or wrong in that respect, it just deferred this to the local municipality. So if it’s going to be regulated at all, it’s going to be at the local level, because the state law expressly just didn’t go there.”
He said the primary motivation behind the county ordinance is rooted in the county’s authority to address concerns related to public health and safety.
Hutchinson and Glencoe already have cannabis ordinances, but a countywide ordinance would take precedence over municipal regulation.
“In those instances, the cities have the option to still be more restrictive, but not less,” Hansch said. “I think what the county’s looking at is what’s viewed as potential risks to public health and safety. So if they choose to address those perceived risks, when that’s done, it’s done in a way that has effect countywide.”
The County Board hosted two workshops this year to discuss a countywide cannabis ordinance.
“I would say that the general public hasn’t expressed concern or interest (at the workshops),” County Administrator Sheila Murphy said. “The majority of people attending have been other cities’ (representatives) … they have shared that they’re looking for some continuity, some simplicity that the county, if an ordinance is in place, that they would like it to cover whatever they need covered in their communities. Also, just that they’re kind of holding off to make sure that they see which direction our county board is headed.”
The draft does not extend to cover tobacco regulation, but that could change.
“There’s a strong feeling among the cities that the cannabis products should not be smoked in public places,” County Board Chairman Paul Wright said. “So, controlling things like the gummies and when it shows up in beverages, it’s going to be extremely difficult because we have to figure out how to enforce whatever we pass, as well.”
People 21 and older can possess up to two ounces of cannabis flower, eight grams of concentrate, 800 milligrams of edible products and two pounds of flower in a private residence, according to the state law.
The county must conduct a public hearing before acting on an ordinance. The hearings provide county officials a platform for residents, community members and stakeholders to express their opinions and concerns regarding the proposed ordinance.
In addition to public hearings, individuals can offer input during a public comment section at regular County Board, according to Murphy.
“We really need to hear from the public what kind of (restrictions), if they want absolutely no smoking of any cannabis type of products in public places, or is it acceptable in some, or how are we going to handle that?” Wright said.
After an absence of three years, the 1910-era Main Street clock in front of Hager Jewelry has returned. It was re-installed Thursday with the assistance of Mechanical Watch Supply, Hutchinson Utilities, Kunkel Electric and Jim Fahey, founder of Historic Hutchinson, the local preservation group, which spearheaded the effort to restore and preserve the downtown landmark. To learn more about Historic Hutchinson, visit www.facebook.com/HistoricHutchinson.
Kevin Mathews
Kevin Mathews had only been in his role as emergency management director for McLeod County for two months in 1998 when a severe tornado outbreak swept across southern Minnesota. Fourteen tornados touched down causing more than $235 million in damages and killing two people.
“It was like a mile wide,” Mathews said. “It was huge and devastating, it did a lot of damage.”
Fortunately for Mathews, the tornados missed McLeod County, but an F3 tornado struck Nicollet County, wreaking havoc in St. Peter.
This eye-opening experience prompted Mathews to realize he had a significant amount of learning ahead.
“We ended up getting through that situation and learned valuable lessons from it,” Mathews said. “That’s what we do in emergency management, look at lessons and learn. We look at previous disasters and ask how we can learn from them and move forward in the future.”
Last month Mathews received two awards from the Association of Minnesota Emergency Managers for outstanding performance in emergency management and commendable meritorious service.
Deputy Craig Rossow nominated Mathews for the awards due to the contributions he has made to the field of emergency management.
According to Rossow, Mathews’ leadership has set a high standard for the profession, and Mathews has earned the admiration and respect of other emergency managers who look up to him for his dedication and expertise.
“Kevin has taken part in different committees, subcommittees and even testified at the State Capitol to help further educate the Legislature on the emergency management profession,” Rossow said.
Across Minnesota there is a significant amount of outstanding work in emergency management, according to Mathews. These awards are handed out after an emergency happens to a county such as a devastating storm, a flood or large-scale volunteer search operations.
“It was kind of a shock,” he said. “It was a great honor to be recognized by my peers and receive these awards. It’s unusual for one person to get two awards at the same time.”
Mathews joined the McLeod County Sheriff’s Department in 1995 as a patrol deputy. A couple of years into his service he was approached by Sheriff Wayne Vinkemeier about an open position in emergency management.
Initially, Mathews decided he did not want to pursue a career change at that time. However, Vinkemeier persuaded him to try it for a year, and if Mathews did not like the job, he could go back to being a patrol deputy.
“Twenty-five years later and I’m still here,” he said. “It’s been nice to be able to help out the community.”
Emergency management is a predominately behind-the-scenes agency focused on preparing for and responding to disasters and emergencies. Its core responsibility includes extensive preparation to ensure communities are ready for the worst-case scenario. During actual crises, the agency’s role is not to dictate specific actions to first responders like law enforcement or the fire department but to coordinate and support their efforts.
“We’re just kind of the coordinators that respond to things,” Mathews said. “We make sure we can get resources as needed, some are life-critical type construction equipment, backhoes, ambulances but also finances too.
A lot has changed during of Mathews’ career.
When he started, there were limited educational programs dedicated to emergency management. Now, individuals can pursue degrees in emergency management.
“When I first started, there wasn’t really a whole lot of college training or college courses in emergency management,” he said. “It was just kind of, you get hired by emergency management, you can attend some training at the state homeland security and emergency management ... So that was kind of a big change.”
Technology has also changed over the last 25 years. According to Mathews, communication methods and how the public can receive emergency alerts and notifications through their mobile devices have improved. He emphasized the role of emergency management in coordinating responses to various disasters and incidents, including pandemics, hazardous material spills and severe weather events.
“Every day is a challenge,” Rossow said. “Kevin coordinates training with other departments within the county and with other counties in the area. Kevin receives updates from the state of Minnesota and is constantly improving the county’s emergency plans and resources.”
Emergency management encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, Mathews said. Its scope extends beyond natural disasters. While addressing the immediate needs during storms or other crises remains a critical component, the profession has adapted to handle emerging challenges.
“There’s so much that we do,” Mathews said. “The pandemic-influenza was something that we’ve been planning for. Something different we’re dealing with now is smoke and air quality. We keep in tune to the world’s problems and share information with each other.”
Addressing the community, Mathews emphasized the importance of preparedness. He urged residents to have a disaster supplies kit, including flashlights, radios, extra batteries, and a communication plan for family members.
“Things can change in a heartbeat. Just be prepared,” he advised. “Have designated spots to meet if you can’t communicate and always hope for the best but plan for the worst.”
Fifth-grader Elise Rattray helped clean the solar farm of weeds and unwanted tree sprouts.
Seventh-grader Stefan Olson and eighth-grader Christopher Barka were two of many students helping to put mulch around trees at Veterans Memorial Field and Tartan Park.
Taking responsibility for the world around them was a lesson New Discoveries Montessori wanted to teach its students.
New Discoveries is testing its new social-emotional learning curriculum, CharacterStrong, after spending almost a year planning it. The curriculum teaches social skills, executive functioning skills and emotional regulation. The programs use character education as a frame for teaching all of these skills.
An $8,900 grant from PrairieCare Fund in May was used to implement a research-based social-emotional learning curriculum.
Special education teacher Bess Bauman said the staff implemented the social-emotional learning curiculum based on research.
“The research showed that students who received intentional social-emotional lessons in school showed an 11% increase in not only their academic outcomes, but similar increases in measurements of student conduct, discipline, prosocial behavior and emotional health,” Bauman said.
The curriculum started Aug. 21 with “kindness” being the first character trait discussed with “respect” following it in September. October is all about “responsibility” – taking action and understanding the impact of choices.
“Our curriculum talks about being responsible not just in your school or your home, but also in your community,” said special education teacher Jennie Asher. “And so we thought, wouldn’t it be cool if we did a whole schoolwide thing? And so I called up Sarah Witte at the city parks office and asked her if they would have anything that we could do.”
With the city assisting, the plan was for the students to go out Oct. 16 and help clean up around the community.
Each unit of students received an age-appropriate task. Preschool and kindergarten students remained at the school picking up sticks and pulling weeds. First-, second- and third-graders helped clean up the Luce Line Trail and surrounding parks. The students in fourth grade and older were tasked with marking storm drains, pulling weeds around the solar panel farm at 1400 Adams St. SE and mulching parks and flower beds.
Bauman said the students learned to take action by picking up trash and sticks. The purpose was to teach students that they have a responsibility to keep our community clean.
Actor Bela Lugosi set the standard for Bram Stoker’s character, Dracula. See the iconic horror film 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, at the McLeod County History Museum, 380 School Road NW, Hutchinson.
