Business-friendly Northfield

IMG_4393 Northfield is often accused of not being business-friendly, but here’s proof that that’s not always the case.

Downtown building owner and resident Bart deMalignon says he has a city permit that allows him to park his new Hummer in yellow no-parking zones (click the thumbnail to enlarge) throughout downtown since it’s too big for regular parking spaces.

Although this type of permit is not listed on the City’s Permit web page, anyone can apply for it by contacting the City Services Department.

10 Comments

  1. David Henson said:

    My hats off to the NDDC for coordinating the Sturgis like Hummer Rally downtown on Father’s Day.

    May 11, 2008
  2. Thanks a lot, Griff. This was supposed to be a quite little agreement between the mayor and me. Now I’m getting calls and everyone wants a permit. I think Dave Hvistendahl plans to make “Permits for All” a part of his mayoral campaign platform. I think we should just take it to the next level and blacktop Bridge Square Park so downtown residents can have plenty of parking. And while we’re at it, let’s just get rid of the yellow no parking zones altogether. They’re so “anti-business.”

    May 11, 2008
  3. victor summa said:

    my understanding is the REAL owner of the vehicle is taking palm prints, and sending them to Goodhue County for investigation.

    Search warrants likely will be issued shortly.

    But those investigated should not worry …

    Northfield is now in an Attorney’s Fees Pool Arrangement. Anyone being “looked at” can get discount defense rates. Applications for The Downtown Legal Relief Fund are available under the extreme right corner of the third pew in the City Administrator’s office. No keys are required!

    NOTE: The new Downtown Legal Relief Fund replaces the sagging Downtown Revolving Loan Fund – an EDA DT property improvement fund.

    Having no EDA staff this move will lighten the load in that department.

    May 12, 2008
  4. BruceWMorlan said:

    Well, if Hv can promise “Permits for all” how long till his socialist competition calls for a “Hummers for the poor” equity program? Funded by another gas tax, one presumes.

    May 12, 2008
  5. kiffi summa said:

    If Bart had a Hummer … it would hum OMMMMMMMMMM …

    May 12, 2008
  6. John S. Thomas said:

    The Hummer is in two parking spots by being over the white line, as well as a in a yellow no parking zone… and noting the dog, could a fire hydrant be near by?

    May 12, 2008
  7. john george said:

    That doesn’t even appear to be a full size Hummer, either. I’ve always wanted to get a Bradley, but wasn’t sure where I could park the thing. My wife said NO WAY to the driveway. Maybe now my dreams can come true!

    May 12, 2008
  8. John S. Thomas said:

    I used to love to drive the military version Hummer, the true H1. That thing would go anywhere, and with that steel brushguard… Nothing stood a chance.

    The only thing better for getting through town was the military semi loaded down with 12 pallets of 155 mm howitzer rounds. 😎 Something about being Big and Green, in a convoy, with big orange “HIGH EXPLOSIVES” plackards on all sides that seem to make folks get out of the way.

    The only bad thing about the hummer, is we had to refuel them about every 4 hours when we would do a highway convoy with them. It was faster and cheaper to load them on semis, and haul them to training, then to drive them there.

    The H2 is a silly little rig for soccer moms… 😎 Most of them in town have probably never even seen a dirt driveway, little lone a dirt road, or been in 4 WD.

    WIth gas and diesel prices at record levels, they certainly make a strong statement.

    Nice “FN” Griff… 😎

    May 12, 2008

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