Slovenian sister city proposed for Chisholm

CHISHOLM—The City of Chisholm may soon have a sister city in Slovenia.

Mayor Adam Lantz, in an email to the Mesabi Tribune last week, said the possibility of a sister city agreement with Semic, Slovenia was among the topics covered at a working session on August 28 in the council chambers of Chisholm City Hall.

Lantz said the Slovenian National Home Association of Chisholm is exploring the concept.

“The SNHA would assist the communities in connection, promoting: trade, tourism, education (foreign exchange) and forming cultural relationships with one another,” Lantz said.

Slovenian National Home Association President Charlene Godec, earlier this week, said the Slovenian Home had discussed the possibility of a sister city connection for some time. Godec said the idea resurfaced after a group from the SNHA traveled to Slovenia in May.

Godec said two government entities are required to create a sister city, whether it be state to state or city to city.

“An association like ours, or any association for that matter, isn’t qualified to do that,” Godec explained.

Godec said Jim Brewer, a member of the SNHA happened to have relatives in Semic, and was able to make some connections there.

The council also discussed moving city-owned gym equipment from the old firehall on Lake Street to the former ambulance station on First Street Northwest.

Lantz said the consensus of councilors present that the former ambulance station would be a great location. He said representatives from various departments provided feedback on the matter, with “very compelling and valid points” in favor of the proposal.

In regard to complaints about holiday decorations, it was the consensus of councilors at the working session that complaints should be filed as a public nuisance. In recent weeks the mayor said he fielded a couple of complaints about holiday decorations, mainly Halloween decorations.

“Our city attorney, chief of police and building official would look into the complaint and work towards a resolution between the parties,” Lantz explained.

The council also discussed food truck permitting.

No action was taken as this was a working session.