Oct. 7, 2015 Letter: Willmar belongs to the people, not Ron

“So this is how Willmar really works.” I’m saddened by recent statements and developments by City Council member Ron Christianson and his supporters during City Council meetings.
We’ve learned those who challenge Christianson do so at their peril, given recent events and words from Christianson and his supporters.
During the Aug. 3 City Council meeting Christianson identified several citizen-driven organizations that he doesn’t care for, flatly stated he doesn’t trust them, and that if you’ve been a part of these groups, your advice isn’t welcome.
He and his supporters (notably Sue Quist) now have the list of Ward 2 citizens who signed the petition, to be used for purposes unknown. (Though, ostensibly, Sue Quist “loves people.”) These aren’t the days of McCarthyism, Christianson: it’s a sad state of affairs if litmus tests are applied to citizens before you decide whether to listen. While you may not trust or value the advice of Willmar citizens (or 30 percent of your ward), as an elected official you need our trust, do you not?
We’ve learned it’s better to not start a citizen group or committee to better our community.
Christianson, Quist and others think that we need to be suspicious of our neighbors and their motives. They seem to think our only right is to vote; if it isn’t an election, we need to “sit down and shut up.”
In their mind, Willmar does not belong to the people, it belongs to the council. This isn’t the Red Scare, we should support citizen activism to improve our community.
Finally, we’ve learned it is better not to get involved.
Christianson and his supporters on the council will work tirelessly to make sure your application to a commission or committee doesn’t get the action it deserves. None. If they don’t like you, your “motives” or “dangerous agenda”, they will table your desire to serve indefinitely.
Elie Wiesel said: “‘There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.” We shouldn’t be afraid of our government or our protected speech.
David Molenaar
Willmar