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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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Beth H.
04/16/2008 9:24 AM

Ben, You better look at the facts. Christianson NEVER has metioned race in this issue. Gardner has been the one bringing up race. If representing the citizens of Willmar means walking out of meetings, MORE POWER TO THEM!!! Just watch the meetings and you can see that everything the Mayor and Gardner say and do is planned.

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Brian M.
04/16/2008 9:21 AM

Well said Ben C! Someone earlier indicated that the council & mayor are not voting by what the citizens of Willmar want. To me it looks like they are since it is always coming to a 4 - 4 tie with the mayor breaking the tie.

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Britany L.
04/16/2008 9:20 AM

OH wow. You people make me laugh. "What's in it for him?!" NOTHING. I think it was smart for him to realize that the full council should be involved in a decision of this magnitude. It's also comical to me that the same Willmar residents that elected him into office are the people complaining about his every move and urging him to be removed from office. There are some that will never be happy. I imagine if the decision he made was on the opposite end of the spectrum you'd have a thing or two to say about that. I know Les personally and I think he is an extremely intelligent man. He has a good heart and takes pride in his work-- you can't say that about many in public office these days....

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Michelle H.
04/16/2008 9:19 AM

John T- how do you know 80% of Willmar doesn't want the project to move forward? Have the citizens been polled? I think most people are speaking with their emotions and not finding out the facts and true impacts of the project. There's also the socio-economic differences to consider. I prefer Willmar to, say, Alexandria because of its diversity and willingness to help people of lesser means.

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Ben C.
04/16/2008 9:19 AM

I can't understand how people continue to be so blind to the actions of Christianson, Dokken, and Swenson. I will leave Fagerlie out of this because he has at least demonstrated at times that he will not follow suit with these three. You all know that Christianson moved that motion because he knew he had the votes to turn down the money, and when you talk minions, what in the world to you call Swenson? She takes all her cues from Christianson. Those critical of the Mayor and other council people please show the facts of how they have misused, and not followed proper procedure according to our city charter? They have followed according to the rules, and I would also have to say that even the others have done so, though I disagree with walking out of council meetings. What can not be ignored is that Christianson has publically acknowledged that he should not be voting on this matter, he abstained back this summer. He "suggested" the racial/religious bias in his comments back in February, which he would not allow anyone to ask questions of. He is just as guilty as the mayor of loosing his cool during a council meeting or two. Those who wish to recall the mayor had better well recall Mr. Christianson as well based on the same grounds.

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Brian M.
04/16/2008 9:16 AM

Marie, did you have a chance to do the research on the project that you were going to do last weekend? Maybe know you can explain what lies you indicated that SWMHP had been telling the council. If the council already approved the Small Cities money in January why take that decision back in March? By doing so WILL affect future money that Willmar maybe eligible for in the future to fix those homes on the SE side, downtown, etc.

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Beth H.
04/16/2008 9:11 AM

Couldn't agree with you more Dan J. and John T!! This project should have never gotten this far. I think that the council needs to make an ordinance that would keep these type of offits from coming in to Willmar and ruining our city in the future. The council did make an ordinance awhile back making it hard for a strip joint to come into Willmar. Just something to consider since this project is dividing our town and council.

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Marie H.
04/16/2008 9:08 AM

Dan H & fellow opponents of the Westwind project and Mayor Heitke's dictatorship, please go to the City of Willmar's Charter for the procedures of recalling a mayor and members of the city council. I'd love to chat but I'm running late. Visit with you all later.

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Werner N.
04/16/2008 9:03 AM

All of these people that are opposed to the housing project in southwest Willmar. I have yet to hear what would happen when this goes to court and a judge overturns yours and the people you are praising on the council. What is your response going to be then? Could someone please tell me? I suppose it would go something like this. That judge has no idea. I am here to tell you right now. A judge does not look at where something is going, like all these council members have. Should be interesting! THANKS

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Monica T.
04/16/2008 9:00 AM

"Jon T", this has nothing to do with what you call "petty egos", and has everything to do with the fact that this project didn't meet the criteria in which was laid out and Christianson, Swenson, Dokken, & Fagerlie are listening to the people of Willmar. The only people that Gardner and the puppets are listening to is Les Heitke. WHAT A SHAME!!!!!!!!

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