TWICE I’VE ATTENDED City Council Chats in Faribault, a recently-implemented way of connecting local residents with the people they’ve elected and with city employees. And I’ve gotta say, I’m impressed.
All too often, there’s a disconnect, a feeling that elected officials aren’t listening and don’t care what constituents think. But I’ve found, at these informal sessions, that I am heard. I have a voice. Council members and staff members are, indeed, willing to listen. They care, because Faribault is their home, too, and they want this to be the best place it can be.
So how exactly do these Council Chats work? Once a month, the council sets a time and place to address a specific topic. Locations and times vary. You just show up. There may be a brief presentation. Or not. But there’s always time to mingle and ask questions of council members, city staff and others.
FOCUS ON TWO FARIBAULT DAMS
Wednesday evening, for example, the Chat had an open house format to gather public feedback on options for improving the Woolen Mill Dam and the adjacent north dam on the Cannon River. A 2024 flood damaged the northern wall of the Mill Dam so repairs or improvements are needed. And now, the city decided, is an ideal time to consider alternatives beyond repairs.
You may wonder why I care about these two dams. Well, last summer I saw a rock arch rapids replacement of a traditional dam in Pine River in north central Minnesota. I loved what I saw. Smaller rip-rap rocks, larger rocks and boulders were placed in sloping rows across the Pine River, replacing the 200-foot long by 13-foot high 1910 concrete dam. Water spills over the rocks in a visually-pleasing way that looks almost natural. This area along the Pine River draws outdoor enthusiasts to fish, swim and more. That got me thinking about the dams in Faribault. Could we have the same thing—rock arch rapids that improve water quality, fishing and recreation while also functioning as a dam?
When I learned about the Council Chat addressing the two dams, I wanted to see if rock arch rapids were being considered. They are. An engineering firm presented multiple options, all laid out in architectural drawings spread across several tables. I could actually see choices. I had plenty of opportunity to study the designs, ask questions, get answers and offer my input. Attendees could even vote on project priorities, like fishing, canoeing, cost, funding and more. Just place a colored dot sticker next to your top three priorities.
LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD
Like the previous Council Chat I attended, questions and conversations were encouraged in this informal, relaxed setting. I felt a comfortable level of accessibility, something not found at a regular city council meeting with an agenda and limited time for the public to speak. Certainly, those formal meetings are necessary to discuss, debate and make official decisions. But these Council Chats add a new, approachable dimension to city government that I appreciate. They directly involve the public.
Elected officials at all levels should embrace this way of listening to voters rather than keeping their distance. And, yes, I’m referencing the town halls many federal politicians are currently avoiding. Our government representatives need to hear our thoughts, our ideas, our concerns. And we, as voters, as Americans, need to continue expressing ourselves, educating ourselves, letting our voices be heard.
TELL ME: What, if anything, do your elected officials do to encourage constituent engagement so your voice is heard?
FYI: The next City Council Chat will give an airport overview and will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, at the Faribault Municipal Airport. Past Chats have covered the budget, construction projects, nuisance/blighted properties, tree removal and affordable housing.
© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Shining kindness, beginning in Minnesota July 29, 2025
Tags: acts of kindness, commentary, Damsite Supper Club, Faribault, kindness, kindness rocks, Kindness Rocks Inspiration Garden, Make America KIND button, Minnesota, Pine River
WHEN MY FRIEND SUE rummaged in her purse for something she wanted to give me, she pulled out a button with the message “Make America KIND.” Perfect. I am all for kindness. Sue’s simple act of gifting me with that button, which I pinned to the faded 1970s vintage denim jacket I was wearing, was an act of kindness in itself.
That got me thinking about kindness, not only because of the button, but because Sue and I, along with our husbands, had just finished lunch at the Damsite Supper Club in Pine River. Every Wednesday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., veterans eat for free. So Sue’s spouse, Charley, enjoyed a complimentary meal as did other vets. The restaurant honors the veterans for their service with the kindness of a meal and then by inviting them to sign a dining room wall.
Right across the road, my friend reminded me, sits the Kindness Rocks Inspiration Garden. The memorial garden honors Bryce Mink, 11, who died in 2023 of undiagnosed lymphoma. Painted stones decorated with inspiring words and art fill the rock garden. The garden is a visual of kindness.
Before we went on our way, Sue had another gift for me. A bag of books. Fiction, nonfiction and poetry books she felt a “Prairie Lady” would appreciate. She’s downsizing and set aside Visibility: Ten Miles—A Prairie Memoir in Photography and Poetry, Light on the Prairie, Pioneer Girl—The Annotated Autobiography of Laura Ingalls Wilder and several other books. Sue knows me well and I’m grateful for her kindness.
KINDNESS DEFINED
What does it really mean to be kind? By my definition, the word means “being nice.” In actions and/or in words. Being generous, caring, compassionate. Being thoughtful. Giving without expecting anything in return. Doing what is right and good. Listening. Encouraging. Supporting. Many words define kindness.
My sister-in-law Rosie showed kindness to Randy and me when she surprised us with a homemade caramel roll upon our recent arrival at her lake cabin. She knows how much we love these rolls from Valeri Ann’s Family Foods, an eatery just down the highway in Merrifield. What a thoughtful gesture given these sweet treats sell out quickly. Rosie got the last two, saving one for us.
KINDNESS IN A HUG
Then there’s the kindness Randy and I recently extended to a stranger via a vintage desk we carried to the curb. When a passerby stopped a while later, I stepped outside to greet her. She wanted the free desk. I also invited her into my living room to look at a table we no longer need. Because the woman spoke limited English, we struggled to communicate, finally resorting to pen and paper until her friend arrived to interpret.
Eventually, the woman decided she wanted the desk only. So Randy helped load it into her friend’s car. And then I spontaneously hugged this Somali immigrant who graciously and gratefully thanked me. It felt like the right thing to do. We held each other for a moment, our embrace warm, genuine.
Kindness came full circle. It didn’t take much effort for me, Randy, Sue, Rosie and the Damsite Supper Club to “Make America KIND” in our own unique ways. Just imagine if every single person extended kindness to family, friends and strangers. This would be a much gentler, compassionate and caring country.
TELL ME: I’d like to hear about a recent act of kindness you either gave or received.
© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling