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Published April 01, 2008

Council OKs street plans, but Westwind contention continues ron christianson steve gardner planny commission gary peterson chat

By By David Little, West Central Tribune

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Ben C.
04/01/2008 2:54 PM

Gary it is very hard to not believe that Christianson, Dokken, Fagerlie and Swenson did not obviously talk to each other about what they were going to do. It was quite obvious that this was an organzied plan, and the fact that you here now publicly state that you knew of it should give us all cause for great concern.

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Gary P.
Willmar, MN     04/01/2008 2:27 PM

Here’s the answer to the question of whether the open meeting law was violated. Ron Christianson and I discussed the quorum-buster option the day after the last Council meeting. Then Ron left on vacation for a week. During that time I called each of the other three council members individually to share the idea. When it came up at yesterday’s meeting, each one acted of their own volition.

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Jerry M.
04/01/2008 1:08 PM

Shelley--Rentals are irrelavent. They always had the right to do that. The people opposed are betting SWMHP doesn't have the funding for rentals. Otherwise, why would they be pushing so hard for the lease to own? The 4 Council members who walked out did so because they had no other choice. Mr. Gardner forced their hand when he and the other 4 members of the Council didn't let the amendment stand. There is just as good a case that they broke the open meeting law and that there was colusion on those council members who voted for it.

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Michelle H.
04/01/2008 12:35 PM

Yep, everyone who didn't want the project and commends the council members who staged a "walk-out" (much like the kids who got busted with booze on FaceBook) can now rest assured that a rental "district" will be built in the opposed-of area. Doesn't it feel good to get your way? Bet no one told you it was an either/or, not all or nothing.

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Ben C.
04/01/2008 12:29 PM

Rachel do you get what that means? The area can without permit now house a rental facility. All the examples of negative impact given by Christianson were examples of rental housing! This can and will be built there, as that fits the criteria.

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Ben C.
04/01/2008 12:25 PM

I truly can not understand how people can condone what these four did yesterday! I would like to know what can be done to find if they actually violated the open meeting law, and how we can hold them accountable for doing so! Is this the kind of government you want? The kind that says unless the whole agrees then there is no decision? That is NOT democracy! These four by their actions are saying that the process is meaningless, and keep in mind that it was Christianson who said that he did not see a need for Roberts Rules. The process that exists is that in the event of a tie the Mayor breaks the tie, it is legal and it is the right and fair way to do it. What these four did was to say that they are in control and unless you do it their way they will simply walk out and leave you without power to govern. Those who feel that the Mayor and the other four call the shots can eat crow today! There were five people at that meeting when the four left, and NO city business could be taken care of!

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John T.
04/01/2008 11:48 AM

Nice work Christianson, Dokken, Swenson, & Fagerlie. Keep up the good work. You have our support.

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Amy T.
04/01/2008 11:37 AM

Jay C. For not following this issue very closely, you sure do have alot to say!!!

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Gary P.
Willmar, MN     04/01/2008 11:24 AM

My hat’s off to Mayor Heitke for his mayoral professionalism at yesterday’s Council meeting. He conducted a controversial meeting with order and without bias.

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Gary P.
Willmar, MN     04/01/2008 11:00 AM

A good point was brought up at the appeal about the rental units. Rental units may actually be better. Then you’ve got a landlord who owns the property and will properly maintain it. If you’ve got homeowners who were basically given the property and don’t know how to maintain it, it could be very bad and there's not much anyone could do about it.

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