Published April 16, 2008

Mayor vetoes rejection of funding for controversial housing plan department of employment and economic development chat

By By David Little, West Central Tribune

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Mary J.
St. Paul/Woodbury, MN     04/16/2008 1:58 PM

Britany, just how do you propose that the CITY enforce the cleanliness & maintenance of this development? Or how the CITY should go about removing someone who doesn't take care of the property? A City has very little power in that area. It makes much more sense to help these low-income people get into existing housing, even if it means helping with some repairs that might be needed, & helping those people integrate throughout the community rather than having just a few small areas specified for them.

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Britany L.
St. Paul/Woodbury, MN     04/16/2008 1:57 PM

You're missing the point Beth. I would agree that Willmar does need MORE low-income housing. They need BETTER. Perhaps a solution/compromise to propose would be that if in fact this project gets the go-ahead, it would also mean the demise or complete over-haul cleanup of some of the current housing areas?! I know this may be far-fetched, but there IS a need for housing. I completely agree with the concerns of many and I feel like we should be offereing solutions on how to better the proposal instead of completely shooting it down. Call me an optimist, I guess.

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Beth H.
Willmar, MN     04/16/2008 1:45 PM

I agree Andrew!! This project has nothing to do with race. The people for this project want to try and twist the story and make it about race. SWMHP has hidden to much information from the public. Thanks to Christianson for exposing who SWMHP really is!!

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Beth H.
Willmar, MN     04/16/2008 1:42 PM

Check you Facts Kelly P. You are just speculating!! This is a BAD project! Willmar does not need more low income housing.

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Andrew P.
Willmar, MN     04/16/2008 1:41 PM

Christianson has built homes EVERYWHERE in the immediate surrounding area...not an issue. I think he might be outspoken about it because he honestly believes it is a bad idea, period. I'm in agreement with Casey. The issues are getting twisted here. It's not as though we don't want low income people to live anywhere in Willmar, or even "not in our back yard". We're saying there are alternatives to building a cluster of brand new homes for subsidized living, when there are homes currently available on the market. It is a waste of money, land, resources, etc. Let a low income family move next door to me...that's fine. Hopefully they want to keep up their property like I do, I'll even show them how. Not only that, it's a proven fact that confined low income=problems. The numbers don't lie. Intergrate everyone into the community, within reason. Oh wait, that wouldn't make this Slayton company as much money and wouldn't offer Hormel the incentives for their future employees, or any possible kickbacks that we all know happen under the table.

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Kelly P.
Willmar, MN     04/16/2008 1:30 PM

Good point. He sure does do a good job of making it SEEM that way.

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Carly S.
Willmar, MN     04/16/2008 1:26 PM

Kelly P ~ I'm sure Christianson Bros. Construction is well able to purchase land elsewhere in Willmar to build their homes. I seriously doubt the land is Ron's main issue with this project. They have been known to build homes in other locations in Willmar too. I'm sure he is intelligent enough to know his main concern is for the citizens of his ward and their property values and rights.

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Kelly P.
Willmar, MN     04/16/2008 1:15 PM

To Dan J. and Orville R. - Dennis Anderson has a conflict of interest?! Are you serious?! Who's built many of the homes in the proposed location? Who showed my husband and I a lot right next to the proposed location when we were thinking about building? And who's "DREAM" was it to buy the land that was purchased by SWMHP? RON CHRISTIANSON THAT'S WHO!!! He has been more than willing to share that information and I can't believe that it has gone on ignored this long. He has been THE MOST outspoken person about this issue, and he has everything to gain by trying to stop this project in hopes of sending SWMHP packing. As for all of you wondering if any of the council members previously mentioned would be willing to have this project built in their backyard, Council Member Reese stated at the Jan. 22nd meeting (at 1 hour 31 minutes if you want to watch it on the internet) that it was "NAP"...NOT A PROBLEM. One more thing...all of you keep saying that this project is "not good for the City of Willmar"...are you really that well educated on the economics and poverty issues that exist in the City of Willmar that you would be so confident to try to back that up with facts that show that Willmar DOESN'T need a project like this?

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Jay C.
Willmar, MN     04/16/2008 1:12 PM

Casey D. so you're saying race has nothing whatsoever to do with this?

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Britany L.
St. Paul/Woodbury, MN     04/16/2008 1:08 PM

Mary T & Carly S.- While I've since moved, I resided in Willmar for 4 years. I know exactly what we're dealing with and it doesn't alter my opinion in the least. As for John T.- You are correct, I do know Les personally, but that still doesn't give me license to comment FOR him. I don't know the council members in the least, so I'm ill-equipped to answer for them as well. If you are asking my OPINION how they would react if this was built in their areas I would say that they would likely on edge, just as some of you are. That being said, this just means it will be that much more important that the area be regularily policed and kept at a cleanliness standard agreeable to the neighborhood. If this isn't the case, then the occupants in question should be removed. I'd hate to see all low-income individuals be punished for the crime and filth of a few. Realistically, the apartment complexes that have been mentioned in various posts are almost always half, if not more, occupied by students attending Ridgewater, at least from August to June.

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