Marigold Days

August 31, 2018

The 53^rd Annual Marigold Days is this weekend. There is a web page (MarigoldDays.com ) devoted to the weekend where detailed information can be found on all the events during the weekend as well as location that each event will be held. The weekend starts Thursday September 7^th with the Field of Flags memorial presentation. Each year there is a celebration of Service where flags are sponsored by community members to either honor a veteran still with us or to remember a veteran no longer with us. This year as you drive by our presentation I want everyone to remember that there is an individual veteran's name on each flag.

During the weekend on Friday and Saturday there are several dances and other live music events. There is a teen dance on Friday night, followed by a street dance later that evening. There is a Fire Hall dance, that I have been told will be open to everyone this year. Other returning events include the Spaghetti supper feed, car show, quilt show, Melodrama and of course the famous Fire Department Pancake Breakfast.

All weekend there will be events just for our younger citizens.The very popular annual fishing contest will once again return to goat island. This is a great kids event where all the food and supplies are donated and volunteers run the entire event. The organizers have been very generous with their time and donations to make this event a great success for our weekend. Other kids events include the Lions Rubber Duck Brigade and the Root Beer Floats. Students and parents alike both always enjoy the Fire Fighter water fight, come cheer on our Mantorville Fire Department.

The Mantorville Theater Company will present a melodrama again this year. Ticket information and show times can be found at Mantorvillain.Com. This years production is titled “Is There Anyone in the House? Or Giving Up the Ghost” and is written by Ben Peters. This production was this years winner of the Local Melodrama contest. The Melodramas are always great fun because the audience is encouraged to participate with boos to villains and cheers to heroes.

Saturday wraps up with the crowning of our Mantorville Royalty following the presenting this years GEM of Mantorville. Who will it be this year? Come out Saturday night to see and stay for the fireworks. The weekend wraps up on Sunday with the Car Show and the Grand Parade. I always enjoy the car show because all age groups enjoy this event and it gives those of us that have been involved with the hobby for several years an opportunity to give inspiration and insight to those just starting or even those dreaming about when they too can work on their own project.

I have only mentioned a few of the events that will be held at this years event. The weekend starts early on Thursday at 1:00pm at the Restoration House and finishes up on Sunday from 3:00pm to 4:00pm with Live Music, the Rubber Duck Brigade and Fire Department Water Fight. I will once again be in period attire and encourage anyone that would enjoy sporting their finest Victorian attire to join us around town. There will also be a opportunity to participate in our Mantorville Costume Contest. Pleases come down to join us this year, take in a show, enter a contest or just look around for that new treasure to add to your home. I look forward to seeing you again this year.

Yours in Service

Chuck Bradford
Mayor, City of Mantorville
MayorBradford.BlogSpot.Com

Branding Efforts Continue

The City and the EDA is continuing to work on branding efforts. Look for new signage, merchandise and other public facing updates to happen later this year. The old signs have been serving the community well for several years, but need to be updated with the City's new Brand Identity.

Current City Welcome signs

Street Survey

The City Engineer worked with the City Streets department a few years back to develop a comprehensive Street Condition survey. Each year the City revisits the survey and updates the conditions and things change. I have had several questions regarding streets and I wanted to share the Survey Image so that everyone can determine where in the priority list their street fits and also to help communicate the big picture for the town in general. Below is the survey the City is currently working against.

Street Condition Survey

Preliminary Budget

The council set the preliminary budget at 7% last night at our City Council Retreat. This is the same preliminary number we used last year. After a preliminary budget is finally approved and set, the council can choose to go with a lower figure as we have for the last 6 years or keep it at the same rate; however, the council can not exceed the preliminary rate with the final budget levy rate.

Ninth Street Stop Signs

The stop signs along Ninth Street ate being phased out and a couple of new ones added to side streets. According to MNDOT surveys this should actually reduce speeds along ninth and help traffic flow. Ninth street is a collector street and the City and County have coordinated on this effort.  The City will continue to monitor the traffic situation along ninth and make needed adjustments going forward.

Pet Licenses Updated

The City of Mantorville now is offering Lifetime Pet Licenses which are also branded with the new City logo. Fill out applications at City Hall.

New Development Lots Available

There are now several new lots available in Mantorville, some of which are build to suit and others a new builds that will be available next year. I have been asked by several new perspective residents about build site opportunities within Mantorville and it is exciting now to have the ability to inform our visitors about these new opportunities. If you know of friends that are looking for housing options in the Kasson / Mantorville area tell them there are lots available now and have them contact City Hall for more info.

Fifth Street Update

The City is planning on phase two completion of Fifth Street later this fall. The City Engineer had a preliminary walk through with MNDOT for phase three, which is slated for 2022 and will coincide with highway 57 rebuild within Mantorville. The City is looking for opportunities to improve the aesthetics downtown with all this construction including architectural lighting and burying of power lines.The Minnesota Department of Transportation is allowing the City engineering staff to take the lead on this project but the State will provide a great deal of input as well. Some of the features will include Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant sidewalks access.