Limited Hours at City Hall

 Due to a new hire resignation and some PTO at the office, City Hall Will have limited hours for the next week

Happy Thanksgiving

Giving Thanks to those that gave

This week we gather family together and celebrate one of our nations' oldest traditions, "Thanksgiving Day". We all know the story we were told in school about the help the initial settlers received and how Gov. William Bradford (yes distant relative) struggled even with the Native Americans help. While the help the Native Americans gave the settlers was crucial, the story we know stops short and misses some key details. Important take-aways from the missing details include:

1. Forty members on the Mayflower first escaped to Holland to avoid religious persecution.
2. The Mayflower had some Dutch sponsors who required all economic output go to a central bank.
3. The central bank held all property and financial resources.
4. William Bradford was charged with enforcing the "Mayflower Compact".
5. Gov. Bradford declared their "collectivism a dismal failure after more than half died that first year.
6. Gov. Bradford rewrote the rules of the commune and gave each person a share of land to "own".
7. The new rules allowed for free enterprise and capitalism.
8. After the new rules' success made it back to Europe, many peoples of faith choose to come to the new world to make their fortune and prosper in this free society.
9. Overall message here: America experimented with socialism day one and it was a total failure, lethal actually, only free enterprise and capitalism saved the colonies, and America, from disaster.

Rush does a better job of telling the story than I ever could and here is a link to his detailed story of Thanksgiving. Rush's Pilgrim Story

This Thanksgiving, lets remember the sacrifices made day one for our nation, the ongoing sacrifices made every day by our military personnel and those that keep us safe on a daily basis including our fire-fighters and law enforcement personnel.

Thank you all for those that have served our country in any capacity to keep our nation safe, free and righteous. Bless you all!

Winter Wounderland

With Summer (and the election) finally behind us, the best season of the year has finally returned to Mantorville. Last night we were embraced by the wonderfully beautiful embrace of a frosty glaze to the dull colors of fall. The fresh crisp white blanket added to our landscape has come just in time for our holiday celebrations, and with it my customary "Ode to Winter" so here we go......

The season has brought us smoked turkey, rack of lamb, honey glazed ham, apple spice, pumpkins, pecan pie, skiing, snow boarding, ice skating, ice fishing, building snowmen and snowmobiling. Rejoice for finally the hum-drum days of summer have finally been put to rest. The time of year has come once again for us to all join in with the Dr. Seuss classic “The Grinch” and celebrate winter as the Who's did with a rendition of dah who dor-aze! And remember to “Welcome Christmas while we stand, Heart to Heart and Hand in Hand”.  Lets get out there and enjoy the season, embrace the snow and once again remind ourselves of the beautiful environment in which we have chosen to live. dah who dor aze everyone,dah who dor aze!

Band Shell and More in the News

 KIMT's Emma Esteb did a fantastic job or presenting Mantorville and our new band shell. Emma spoke with both Jeff and myself about the smooth peaceful transition of power as well and the addition of the new band shell in Mantorville. Here is the link to Emma's story.KIMT's Mantorville Story

 

Time to turn over the reigns

 

City of Mantorville Press Release

August 13, 2024

Mantorville's Mayor, Chuck Bradford, stepping down

For immediate release

The City of Mantorville
21 5th Street East
Mantorville, MN 55955

Re: Mayor Bradford

After serving in the capacity of Mayor for the City of Mantorville since 2012, Chuck Bradford has chosen to not seek reelection this year. Mayor Bradford was on the City Council from 2008 to 2012 and had worked with the EDA, Planning and Zoning and the Dodge County Trails Board prior to 2008. The Mayor told staff that “This was a difficult decision for me, but I feel I need to focus my energies on my family for the near future”. The Mayor also indicated he would still be involved with the city and take an active role in our city celebrations.

When asked to reflect on his tenure as Mayor, Chuck said that he was most proud of the infrastructure projects like 9th street, 5th street the new sidewalk on 5th street and highway 57. He also spoke about the city's focus on reducing tax burden from 100% of the allowed levy to 50% and the successful grant of over a million dollars for the waste water treatment plant. Mayor Bradford also spoke about the beautification of the city with new lighting for highway 57 and a complete new branding effort.

Mayor Bradford has worked with Jeff Ingalls for several years now and he has served as the current Mayor's “Deputy Mayor” for the last four years. Mayor Bradford said that he has full confidence in Mr Ingalls ability and he has his full support and endorsement.

Mayor Bradford and Mr Ingalls will work closely to ensure a smooth and seamless transition of power to ensure the citizens of Mantorville continue to receive top quality leadership. Mayor Bradford said “I'm excited about this new leadership and I am very much looking forward to see Mantorville continue to grow.”

Contact Chuck Bradford for more details
MantorvilleMayor@Gmail.Com
507 381 - 7774

Fall Festival a success

 Another successful year for the Fall Festival. There was a fun pet costume contest, hay rides and a few vendors selling goods and produce. The weather was perfect for the last fun fall outdoor activity for Mantorville.

Band Shell nearing completion

 Our new band shell is taking form and looks to be nearing completion. I am very happy that we as a community have this new great resource to use for our residents and neighbors and will add one more fantastic resource to the many reason to vising Mantorville.

The week after Marigold Days the Foundation forms were set.

The next week the foundation and floor were poured and allowed to set up with the new textured an d colored cement.

After given plenty of time to full cure, the structure has been started and the new banshell can finally been seen in a near complete formation.

The band shell will be a resource for the whole community and may be reserved like any other park resource though City Hall.

Dennison Park Donation

 The City of Mantorville was once again in the news today as a grant was awarded to the city to help with the cities investment in our park system. The new article can be viewed online at

kaaltv.com Dennison article

The grant of $10,000 from Minnesota Energy Resources will be utilized to help add ADA access to the playground that was newly added to the Dennison park softball field.

The City is extremely grateful to have partners like Minnesota Energy Resources that are willing to invest in out communities.

Bridge Mantaince work

 MNDOT was in town making sure our bridge is still in good condition after the major road reconstruction of Hwy 57

Footings Poured and floor has been installed

 The forms have been removed after the footing have set and the floor has been poured.

Footings for Bandshell are in

 The massive footing for our band-shell went in as soon as Marigold Days was over. The forms will be used to pour a deep foundation for the band-shell to rest on.

 

Vicious Terrorist Attacks remembered

 In 2001 terrorist flew two planes into the world trade tower. A third jet was crashed into the pentagon. Onboard a fourth jet everyday heros took matters into their own hands and stopped that jet from hitting it's target possibly the White House. Because of those action we live in a different world today, but they have not taken our freedoms away. We must always remember the men, women and children that lost their lives on that day. We must also honor those brave men and women that have keep us safe from similar acts ever since. We can honor all of these people by committing ourselves to never forgetting the acts of Sept 11, 2001. If you know a police officer, a TSA worker and member of our armed services or anyone involved in our intelligence community make sure to let them know how much we all appropriate their hard work, dedication and perseverance. On behave of the City of Mantorville, thank you one and all! 

 

Current GEM Will Lambert

 Will Lambert was selected by the EDA as the current GEM for 2024. Will has been a long time volunteer, served on the council and true "got to" go for getting things done. Congratulations Will!

59th Marigold Days a Huge Success

 

The car show for the 59th Marigold Days celebration was a HUGE success! We saw a record number of cars register for this event and we even had to utilize the center of the street for the extra vehicles. 

Thank you for everyone that waxed and polished their vehicles for us this weekend.

This Weekends Events

MARIGOLD DAYS EVENTS 2024 

Wednesday
1:30 - Hwy 57 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, Hwy 57 Mantorville
2:00 - Hanson Foundation Check presentation

Thursday
Vendor setup and move in

Friday
4pm-7pm Vendor Reception Welcome Center on Main Street
4pm–9pm Flower Show Registration Greek Revival House
5pm-7pm  BBQ & Mexican Supper StoneBridge Church 515 Walnut St
5pm-8pm Beer Tent Greek Revival House

8:30pm–12:30pm Street Dance Mantorville Saloon

Saturday
6am-10:30am Pancake Breakfast Fire Hall
     Free will donation.  Gluten free option available.
8am-5pm   Flea Market Riverside Park
8:00am Registration Kids’ Fishing Contest Goat Island
8:30am–10:30am Kid’s Fishing Contest Goat Island
9:00am-11am Antique Appraisals Opera House
9:00am–5:00pm Flower Show Greek Revival House
10:00am–6:00pm Big Iron Classic Truck Show Kasson Fairgrounds
11:00am Bean Bag Tournament  Sign-Up 10am Mantorville Saloon
11:00am-2:00pm Family Bingo Behind Greek Revival House  Clay St
11:00am-3:00pm  Rookie the Clown  Greek Revival House Lawn
11:00am-5:00pm  Pie & Ice Cream Social Senior Center 601 Clay St
12n-8:00pm  Beer Garden Fire Hall 5th Street East
12n-4:00pm Restoration & Log House Tours North Main Street
1:00pm Field of Flags Dedication 7th St & Highway 57 Near Gold Star Family Memorial
3:00pm Big Iron Truck Parade From North Hwy 57 to Kasson
4:00pm-7:00pm Designer Purse Bingo Behind the Greek Revival House
6:00pm Big Iron Truck Pull Kasson Fairgrounds
6:45 - 7:00pm - GEM of Mantorville recognition, Music Stage
7:00pm Miss Mantorville Crowning & Awards Music Stage
8:30pm Fireworks Goat Island (Rain date: Sunday)
8:00pm–12:30am  Fire & Rescue Dept Dance   Fire Hall
​
Sunday
8:00am-4:00pm Flea Market Riverside Park
8:00-9:30am Car Show Registration
9:30am-12n Jack Ruport Memorial Car Show 5th & Clay Streets
9:00am StoneBridge Church Worship Service  Music Stage
10:00am-4:00pm Flower Show Greek Revival House
             Your floral entries can be picked up at 4pm.
11:00am-3:00pm  Rookie the Clown  Greek Revival House & Parade
11:00am-4:00pm Pie & Ice Cream Social  Senior Center
12n-4:00pm Restoration & Log House Tours North Main Street
12n  Catch the Viking's Opening Game Mantorville Saloon
1 :30pm Grande Parade
3:00ish - Firemen's Water Fight 5th & Main Street  After the Parade
7:00pm Duck Raffle  Riverside Park near the dam

Visit the events web site at : https://www.marigolddays.com/events-information
or on Facebook at : https://www.facebook.com/MarigoldDaysMantorville/