DawnMarie Vihrachoff was selected by the Hastings City Council to fill the Ward 1 council seat vacated by the resignation of Tina Folch.
Folch’s last meeting on the council was Monday night. Vihrachoff will be sworn into office on March 18.
The council had set interviews with three candidates who applied to be considered for the position at a special meeting Monday, Feb. 26. They were Vihrachoff, Jane Neumiller-Bustad and Aspen Brenna.
The term of office is through Dec. 31, 2024, and the seat will be on the ballot in the November election for the next four-year term.
Folch resigned because she plans to move out of the city.
Vihrachoff's family has lived in Hastings for 20 years and resides on the east side of Hastings, in the "Cowtown" neighborhood. She has more than 20 years of experience in non-profit leadership and fundraising roles and currently serves as vice president of fund development for Northfield Retirement Community.
Vihrachoff said her background working in a non-profit organization will equip her well for city council work.
“As a non-profit leader and fundraising professional with decades of experience, I love building relationships with people and communities. I’m skilled in managing people and way too many meetings, in communications work, event planning, budgeting and grant writing, strategic planning and working with various groups like donors, funders, stakeholders, boards of directors, business and community leaders and volunteers and students,” she wrote in her application for the position. “I’m a passionate problem-solver that believes that we all do better when we all do better. I’ve worked with the legislative process and as a community organizer, and I deeply understand the role that good government (and governance) can have in the lives of its citizens.”
She is currently a member of the Age-Friendly Northfield Steering Committee and has been active in the Northfield Chamber of Commerce through her work as Vice President of Fund Development for Northfield Retirement Community.
“My kiddo is a freshman at Hastings High School and has been a local swimmer since she was in first grade, so I’m a huge advocate for Hastings sports, especially those that involve a swimming pool and a diving board,” she said.
She’s currently vice chair of the Hastings Raiders Swim & Dive Booster Club and has been a local PTA member and chair of the MN Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice.
“I live Hastings Public Schools,” she said.
One issue she sees facing Hastings is its aging population.
“I worry about the far-reaching impact that our declining school enrollment has on our entire community,” she wrote. “With fewer younger families moving to Hastings, the age of the average citizen continues to climb, bringing with it a whole host of pressing ‘Silver Tsunami’ issues. Is our city ready to meet these needs of older adults in our community. Do we have enough workers and families to help care for these folks? When these seniors retire, do we have younger workers to replace them in their jobs.”
Vihrachoff is interested in getting involved in community economic development as well.
“It’s been wonderful to see the new housing development and apartment buildings being built in Hastings in recent years, as well as the revitalization and growth of downtown Hastings,” she said. “I’d love to know more about diversifying Hastings economic development planning. With new housing and downtown amenities including the gorgeous Confluence space, should the city work to target tech or white collar businesses to potentially move to Hastings?”
She’s also eager to get to work to help solve tough community problems.
“As a mom and a resident of Cowtown, I worry about drugs, addiction and mental health issues in our community and if Hastings has the resources to help those in need,” she wrote. “In addition, I share my backyard with the Vermillion River, so environmental and water issues are often discussed on my block with my neighbors.”
