Mayor Dan Toland

I hope this message finds each of you well as we step into another holiday season. This time of year tends to stir up a mix of excitement, stress, joy, and sometimes a little frustration, depending on where life has you standing. For some, the holidays are a chance to gather, celebrate, and reset. For others – especially those working long shifts in retail – it can feel like a marathon. I want to take a moment to acknowledge those workers who help make the season brighter for everyone else. You’re often face-to-face with people who are tired, rushed, or spending more than they planned, and yet you keep showing up with patience and professionalism. To the rest of us, let’s return the favor. A breath, a bit of patience, a smile, and a simple “thank you” can make all the difference.

Parents, I know many of you are bracing for the upcoming school closures. Joni and I have been there ourselves, year after year. Somehow, you get through it – maybe not gracefully every time, but you survive. My honest advice is to embrace the chaos, make what memories you can, and know you’re doing better than you think.

This time of year also gives us a chance to reflect on how we treat one another. River Falls has always been a generous, big-hearted community. But it never hurts to remember that kindness is just as important in February as it is in December. Let’s try a little harder to be giving, forgiving, and friendly – not only to the people we know, but also to the strangers we meet in line or pass on the sidewalk. Whether it’s dropping a few extra dollars in a charity bucket, shoveling a neighbor’s driveway, or simply offering a warm greeting, every act of kindness helps strengthen the community we all share.

Now, I want to shift to something that’s been on my mind more than the holidays, and that’s local development. There’s a small but vocal group suggesting that the city has somehow forgotten how to do things right. The truth is just the opposite. Our City staff, planners, and partners are more committed than ever to thoughtful, responsible growth – growth that supports our residents today and builds a brighter tomorrow.

Development isn’t something that happens to a community; it’s something we shape together. When new projects come to town, they bring construction jobs and long-term employment. They strengthen our local economy, create opportunities for families, and generate tax revenue that supports our schools, maintains our roads, and funds the public safety services we all rely on. These benefits ripple outward, touching every corner of our community.

Good development also focuses on quality of life. It means creating places where people can live comfortably, work locally, and enjoy time with neighbors and family. It means updating infrastructure so that roads are safer, utilities are reliable, and technology keeps pace with modern needs. It means building parks, trails, and shared spaces that help people connect with nature and with one another.

When a community grows, something else grows with it: pride. When people see progress – new homes, renewed streets, thriving businesses – they feel more connected and more hopeful about the future. They show up to events, volunteer, and invest in the wellbeing of the place they call home. Development is about buildings, yes, but at its heart, it is about people.

The development we pursue today must be responsible. We’re committed to sustainability, smart planning, and environmental stewardship. From energy-conscious buildings to walkable neighborhoods and protected green spaces, thoughtful growth ensures that the River Falls we pass on to future generations is one we can all be proud of.

As we move into the holidays and toward a new year, I want to thank each of you for being part of this community – one that listens, cares, works hard, and continually strives to be better. River Falls is strong because its people are strong. And when we work together, support one another, and plan for the long term, there is no limit to what we can build.

Wishing you peace, joy, and a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.