I am writing in response to Verna Kelly's letter published July 30 concerning Councilman Ron Christianson's involvement in both the discussion and voting on the housing issues. Christianson's vote at the council meeting held July 16 was not part of the final tally of votes. The city attorney apparently did not see fit to stop any discussion on Ron's part.
We have two council representatives in Ward 2, one being Ron Christianson. The other one is Steve Gardner. Christianson had nothing to gain from the discussion on the housing issue other than to represent us (his constituents) in the manner in which we had asked of him. As it turned out, he was our only representative at that meeting. Although calls had been made (and none returned) to Steve Gardner, he did not listen to his constituents. Instead, he quoted Bible verses to us at the council meeting, and did not pay attention to those he represents.
The future of the city of Willmar belongs to those of us who live here -- not to eight individual city council members. As citizens, we can go to city council meetings and talk until we are blue in the face, but if we cannot count on our council representative to speak for us and reflect our desires via their votes, what are we to do?
Millie Paulson
Willmar
