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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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Brian M.
04/16/2008 12:28 PM

Casey D - the Planning & Zoning Board initially approved the project. It was after the appeal and change of representation on the board (2 new members) that they denied it.

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Carly S.
Willmar, MN     04/16/2008 12:27 PM

Amy N ~ That was my suggestion - to use these funds to clean up and fix other areas/homes...if you'd read further down you'd have seen that. And guess what...my mortgage does take most of my income...and I am affected by the recent mortgage crisis...my husband and I work 4 jobs just to BARELY make ends meet! Now, imagine my market values dropping because of a new development like this. Explain to me the fairness in that. Consider this...ever wanted something really bad as a child? Ever had your parent(s) tell you that you had to earn the money and buy it yourself because the last time they paid for it, you didn’t take care of it and now it’s ruined? They told you you’d take better care of it if you worked hard to get it yourself. Same principal here!!! Now, would be fair for your parent(s) to buy your sister/brother the same thing you wanted or help them pay for it, but made you work hard and pay for it yourself? Again…same principal!!! Would it be fair to witness your brother/sister disregard this item and leave it to ruin, while you are expected to take care of it? Talk about in-equality!!!

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Amy N.
04/16/2008 12:16 PM

Carly S. I am not saying forget about those who have worked hard to get where they are and be able to afford a house, all I am saying is look at both sides. what if you were to lose your house because of the mortigage issues and the housing market problems, wouldn't you like a decent place to live that isn't going to cost you most of your income per month? I understand that house values may go down but shouldnt others be giving the opportunity to have a place to live, save up some money to eventually get their own home? As I stated a few entries ago, break ins happen all over the city, drug sales happen in all areas of the city, so to say that those things are only happening in the low income areas is just false. I am just trying to get both sides viewed, if you dont like this housing option then help the city come up with a better one, help find grants to clean up the area that need it.

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Amy N.
04/16/2008 12:11 PM

Andrew P, if designating one area is a bad idea are you suggesting they put up several of these type of facilities through out the city? Cause honestly if you want income based housing you have to start somewhere and from what I can see of willmar they are all mostly located in one area, Collegeville, willow run, dana drive. This seems to be the best area to put a new facility as there isnt room by the exisiting ones. And again, how do you know that citizens who have lived in willmar wouldnt occupy this housing facility? Just cause they are low income doesnt mean they dont pay taxes, so your argument strong. Again there so many exisiting resident who dont have decent housing choices that could benefit but those opposed to this are only seening it as housing for "outsiders" and "illegals". Reality check please.

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Carly S.
Willmar, MN     04/16/2008 12:06 PM

Amy N ~ I could be considered "straddling the line between low-income and median-income". I do not get special help or treatment. I've lived in some of these now "ghetto" areas myself...and just like Andrew Y...had my vehicle broken into, etc. I've worked hard to attain a mortgage on my own and now live in a rather nice/safe neighborhood. And...speaking for those who have also worked hard and long for a similar residence...I would be dismayed to have this type of development pop up in my neighborhood. Because...fact is...market values will drop. Guaranteed!!! And, yes...that is the basis of all this. What about these poor people in this neighborhood who've worked very hard for what they have...now they have to suffer because we need to offer more affordable housing. No one really seems concerned them!! And to Jon T who wants a definition of a "perfect Willmar"...be reasonable...there is no such place!

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Andrew P.
04/16/2008 12:02 PM

NOw I'm torqued. First off, acting as "Christians" and the Robin Hood concept, cannot coincide. Who's best interests is the Mayor looking out for? It's obviously a show of Democratic-Politically-Correct complacencey. Everyone's either too scared or too empathetic to say it, but I will. This is straight-up the most blatent form of re-distrabution of wealth, that a small town can have. "Let's level the playing field". No one ever said these people should go without homes or places to live or assistance. We are simply saying that designating one area for one income segment of outr community, is a bad idea and NOT in the best interst of the citizens who currently live here and have been paying taxes for years and also, ignorantly electing the officials we currently have in place. And everyone just rolls with it...

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Amy N.
04/16/2008 11:59 AM

Andrew, Ok I will agree that there are some and I mean only a few select apartment complexs in Willmar that do have problems but I wouldnt call them Ghettos. I lived in Willow Run, I lived in Eagles Landing, I had friend that lived up by the college and yes, there are some issues with break ins and valdalism but my former neighbors who live in the middle of the sw side of town had their cars broken into, my sisters car was in my mothers driveway in the middle of Willmar and got broken into, that is going to happen anywere its not just cause the area was a "bad" area. Yes Dana drive was a bad area but I drive past there everyday and have friend there and its been cleaned up. And if there is a problem with these places why doesnt the city and its community memeber put up a fight to clean them up? You all dont want this project to go through but you arent pushing for a better solution or to help fix up the "bad" areas either.

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Lila S.
04/16/2008 11:51 AM

Jay, I think you're reading too much into my "word choice" for some reason. What type of people??? People who cannot afford homes!! It's really pretty simple. What happened to the days of sacrificing to save money for a 20% down payment? It used to be THOSE people who purchased homes. Now just about everyone belives they have a right to home ownership. Sad but true -- its just one symptom of many associated with the entitlement mentality.

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Andrew P.
04/16/2008 11:48 AM

I can't believe I just logged on. Absolutely a bad decision on the Mayor's part. Look at the previous rulings and obvious feedback on this subject. It's pretty clear where most people stand. I cannot even begin to speculate the Mayor's REAL reason for doing this. If only his position payed a little better, someone else would have run by now. I feel for the entire surrounding neighborhood...that payed good money for new homes in a quiet part of the community.

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Mary J.
04/16/2008 11:44 AM

Unlike Britany, I did live in Willmar - for over 55 years. I can speak to the now run-down appearance of low-income housing developments including Willow Run & the apartments along the west side of CR 5 (just north of Hwy 12). Go inside those buildings & take a look. Also, take a look at a realty website for residential listings of homes/condos/townhomes for sale in the price range under $125,000. I used EdinaRealty.com, but there probably are others. I found 51 units for sale ranging from $70,000 to $124,900, & from the photos, they all appeared to be in pretty good condition or better. Jon T, you asked what John T would like Willmar to look like. I can't speak for him, but will say it would be great to return for a visit & see Willmar as having a variety of types of housing providing homes to an ethnically diverse people whose neighborhoods are integrated rather than any one ethnicity being segregated in one or two limited areas. There will always be diversity as to incomes & a need for some financial assistance for those who are not able to totally support themselves, due to temporary circumstance or long-term disability. Those who need help should be treated with the same respect you'd give someone who is able to earn $200,000 or more in a year.

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