Tofte’s “go-to guy,” John Nelson, pictured here at the Tofte 4th of July parade when he was named Tofte Citizen of the Year for 2009, passed away unexpectedly last month. The news hit the township hard, and Tofte supervisors, along with John’s survivors, are trying to determine the best way to honor his memory.
The January 14, 2016 Tofte town meeting was filled with sadness as supervisors and people in attendance recounted all that John Nelson had meant to the township. Nelson passed away on December 26.
Nelson was in charge of keeping up the town park and cemetery, and helped out at Birch Grove Community Center and everywhere else he was needed in Tofte, usually with little or nor prompting.
“We need to do something to honor John,” said Paul James, who chairs the town board. “He did so much for this township. He was a supervisor; he performed a lot of maintenance and generally helped out wherever he could. Maybe we could do a memorial for him at the Fourth of July celebration. We need to do something.”
“My dad was never in it for the recognition,” said Rich Nelson, who was on hand to give the Tofte fire chief ’s report.
“He wouldn’t want it to be a big deal. You all knew John. Maybe naming the meeting room after him would be something you could do. That might be appropriate.”
“Yes, that might be the thing to do. John drew up the plans for this room,” James said. “We could also consider naming the park after him,” he added.
“I think it’s important to think this through and consider what the family wants,” said Supervisor Jim King. “We’re all awfully close to this tragedy. Maybe Richie should go home and talk this through with his mother and they can decide. We want to get this right.”
James and Supervisor Jeanne Larson agreed with King, and Rich Nelson will report back to the board at its next meeting.
Quiet month for emergency services
“Knock on wood, it’s been quiet,” said Fire Chief Rich Nelson. “I have been getting a lot of calls from people inquiring about insurance, asking me how we are rated. Far more than usual—maybe 7-8-9 calls. I’m not sure why, but there must be a change going on with people’s insurance for their homes.”
Nelson asked for and got permission to purchase a rescue truck from Lutsen for $20,000. He will advertise Tofte’s rescue truck for sale in Cook and Lake Counties. The suburban currently in use is 24 years old and has a value of $2,700 and Nelson has the right to refuse offers.
Some bylaws were changed in the Tofte Fire Relief Association, with the major one raising the retirement benefit from $1,000 per year to $1,500 per year. “This won’t take any money out of the town’s pocket,” Nelson said. There are currently 13 members on the squad with a limit of 15 members.
Nelson said that by the next meeting that water would be hooked up to the meeting room. “Good, then we can finally make coffee and have it ready for everybody,” said James.
Kim Jahnke gave a brief Search and Rescue report for the previous month. “We had four calls, one of them major, the shooting at Bluefin. That was difficult,” she said.
Changes at Birch Grove Community Center
The board once again approved the preschool lease and King gave an update on maintenance of the Birch Grove Community Center.
“Luckily Sam Crowley has been available. He has taken care of the ice rink and he’s taking care of problems inside as they come up, we’re lucky to have him.”
Crowley, who was in attendance, raised his hand and King called on him. “I just got a new job and I start next Monday. I can continue to pick up as much of the work as I can, but I don’t know about my work schedule yet, so I’m not sure what I will be able to do.”
“Congratulations Sam,” said a dejected King.
“The Birch Grove Foundation will now officially be called WeConnect,” King said, ending what had become a fairly lengthy official name change.
“Bob Pranis will come next week to install the hardware for video conferencing to take place at the center,” said King. “Different groups will be able to use this. It should be a great plus for the West End.”
Cost to install the hardware will not fall on the township, said King.
In other matters, the board agreed to write a letter supporting the reappointment of Jim King to the Governor’s Lake Superior Coastal Program board to serve another term alongside Kek Melby and Mark Sandbo to represent Cook County.
The Governor’s Council makes recommendations to the commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources on grant priorities, projects to receive grant funding, and the program’s annual administrative budget. A total of 15 members serve on the council and represent Carlton, Cook, Lake, and St. Louis counties, as well as several individuals from throughout the state.
The township board agreed to allow the Sugar Bush Association to apply for a federal grant through the township so it can purchase (if the grant is awarded) up to $70,000 in trail grooming equipment.
James advised the association to look at sharing equipment with other clubs and reminded them that there would be a lot of maintenance involved with keeping up and storing equipment. “You will use the equipment maybe 30 days of the year. For the record, there is room to work with other clubs. We are all doing the same thing,” James said.
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