Sheriff Mike Gormley (far left) and Chief Deputy Scott Adams attended last Tuesday’s County Commission meeting.
“It’s bittersweet, but it’s time to start a new chapter in my life.” With these words, Faribault County Sheriff Mike Gormley announced at the Oct. 1 County Commission meeting that he plans to step down from his post in January of next year. was officially announced.
“My last day will be January 29th,” Gormley said.
Mr. Gormley has served as Faribault County Sheriff for the past 18 years.
Commissioner Greg Young told Gormley: “I vote for this with great reluctance.”
The Secretary’s resolution recognizing Mr. Gormley’s retirement in January commended him for leading the Sheriff’s Office with dedication and integrity and for demonstrating a strong commitment to the safety and well-being of the community.
“I would like to once again thank everyone for their hard work,” said Board Chairman Bill Grosskreutz. “I also appreciate your advance notice to us and your leadership of the department.”
Commissioner Tom Raoul added, “The county has been steadfast in its cooperation with your leadership.”
County Attorney Cameron Davis also praised Gormley.
“I appreciate the way you run your department,” Davis said. “Your leadership has been exemplary and deserves praise.”
Next, the commissioners passed a resolution appointing Chief Scott Adams as Faribault County Interim Sheriff, effective January 29, 2025, to fill future vacancies until a new sheriff is elected or appointed. He held this position until. according to the law.
The resolution also states that Adams will be paid the same salary as the current sheriff at the end of his term in 2025.
There were only three other major items on the board’s agenda.
Tim Penny, president and CEO of SMIF (Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation), came to the meeting to provide the board with an update on the organization’s activities in Faribault County over the past year.
One of the items Penny highlighted was the $15,000 Mitchell Perrizzo Jr. Leaders Are Leaders Grant, which is being used by the United South Central, Maple River and Blue Earth Area school districts.
“It’s important to get these young children ready for school,” Penny said. “For example, at USC, the funds went toward phonics books for K-12 classrooms. English and Spanish books were also purchased for Winnebago’s Muir Library.”
Penny also spoke about the many ways SMIF has supported the county in the area of child care.
“We provided free training to childcare workers,” Penny commented. “We have also been working to address the childcare worker shortage we are experiencing in the county, particularly in the Wells area.”
Penny also mentioned the Small Town Grant, which is available to several cities in the county.
“The City of Elmore used the Paint the Town grant to paint a mural on the outside of the library,” Penny said. “SMIF also provided $13,512 in matching funds and services to Blue Earth Community Foundation and Our Town Community Foundation, which serve Wells and other towns in the eastern part of the county.”
Penney provided data showing that for every $1 donated by Faribault County, $11 is invested in the Faribault County community.
SMIF representatives will be at Blue Earth on October 9th.
“We’ll be at Rolling Cones around 2 p.m. before moving on to Giant Park,” Penny said. “We will conclude our visit with a stop at Lost Saint Brewery around 3:20 p.m.”
Tami Reuter, MRCI’s Chief Business and Marketing Officer, also attended the conference and spoke about the organization and some of the services MRCI provides in the region and beyond.
“We are the seventh largest civic nonprofit organization in the state,” Reuter said. “Eighty-nine cents of every dollar we receive goes toward serving our customers. We provide innovative and real opportunities for people with disabilities and disadvantages at home, at work, and in our communities. I will.”
Reuters highlighted the story of Blue Earth’s AJ Wolff.
“AJ’s journey with MRCI was a remarkable story of perseverance, resilience and the joy of finding your place in the world,” said Reuter. “After graduating from high school in 1991, AJ began working for MRCI and continues to work for the organization today.”
The last item on the agenda was Public Works Director April Wellman.
“I can report that the bridges near Keister and Pilot Grove are completed and paved,” Wellman said.
Work on the two bridges on County Road 17 south of Frost is scheduled to begin Oct. 7, Wellman said.
“We know this is harvest time and it’s not the most convenient time for farmers,” she acknowledged. “Fortunately, the bridge is fairly close and the detour is relatively short. The bridge still needs to be completed this year ahead of a resurfacing project scheduled for next year on CR 17 from Frost to the state line. Once the new culvert is installed, the bridge will be temporarily paved this fall.
Mr. Wellman also shared that a full-depth fill will begin on CR 35 east of Wells later this week.
“There are six miles of road that will be reclaimed,” she explained. “It will be paved at the beginning of the next construction season.”
