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| Letters to the Editor (7/5) |
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Posted: Friday, July 4, 2008 4:53 pm
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Why do we need more town homes built?
To the editor:
Letter sent to the HRA and city council member Kris Vohs.
I am a Northfield resident and in fact live by the soccer fields. I have read the information about the new development coming our way and have a lot of questions.
Why is the city spending the time and money to do this when there are so many empty homes and townhomes already in town? Walk down Maple Street and see all the empty townhouses. Homes are not selling.
I am thankful that I am not in a position where I would have to sell my home. Prices have already dropped a lot and the more homes we add to the already large pool of available residences, the worse that will be.
It seems to me this is a disservice to the taxpayers in Northfield and not a good way to spend our dollars. How can this be justified?
Ruth Fonstad
Northfield
An open letter to the mayor, council
Editor’s note: This letter was allowed to exceed the 400-word limit as it is a copy of a letter sent to public officials.
His candidacy for a new position in Nebraska having been reported earlier, the resignation of City Administrator Al Roder has been anticipated. While he has worked hard here in Northfield, it is clear that he leaves with mixed feelings. I hope he will find working in his new post more consistently rewarding.
According to the Northfield News, Mr. Roder has recommended putting Joel Walinski in the position of interim administrator. I hope that you will not move quickly on that decision. I say this not in any way as a negative comment on Walinski’s service to the city. He is doing an excellent job as director of public services. In view of the various issues with which the city is dealing — principally, the negotiations with Greenvale Township, the Fifth Street and the Woodley Street projects — we would be better served with Mr. Walinski devoting all his efforts to these and the many other responsibilities of the director. At the June 23 council work session, Mr. Roder noted that the city is under-staffed, with the yet unfilled position of the economic development director as well as other positions. Under these circumstances, it is imprudent to reassign an internal staff member to the important interim position.
I urge you to seek the assistance of the League of Cities and other appropriate resources, to find someone who is willing to serve our city as interim administrator for at least eight months. We need a seasoned (perhaps retired), interim administrator who, among other tasks, will work with the council through the very difficult budget setting process this fall. As was clear from the council June 23 work session, establishing next year’s budget will be challenging. The work Kathleen McBride is doing to develop a long range financial plan will help, but you have serious discussions and decisions in prospect between now and December in order to establish the 2009 budget. The precarious financial condition of the state of Minnesota and the faltering economy generally, have implications for Northfield. Funding limitations created by the legislature, our flat local tax base, escalating fuel costs, necessary increases in wages and benefits of staff, all conspire to make setting the next budget during the next months difficult. For this reason alone, and because there are many other issues coming before you, an experienced staff member who can concentrate on advising the council, is needed to assist your work as dedicated volunteers.
The city must give itself the maximum time and resources to preparing for finding Mr. Roder’s replacement. As you well know, this is a huge decision. Given our governance system, this key member of the city staff is an essential actor in creating successful working relationships, not only within the staff, but also between the mayor, the council and the public. The experience of the past year demonstrates how important this is.
I urge you to defer the selection of Mr. Roder’s replacement until the new year. It is likely that there will be significant turnover on the council as a result of the November election. It is prudent for the group which will work with a new administrator to select that individual. A qualified interim person can assist the new council in the hiring process, while providing stable service until our new city administrator is on board.
By bringing in an interim administrator, you can concentrate on: preparing a balanced 2009 budget, successfully completing the annexation agreement, continuing to work on the Capital Improvement Plan, implementing the current infrastructure improvements, to name a few important accomplishments. You can take pride that you have put the city in good shape for a new council and administration.
We are an engaged, often fractious city. We have high standards for ourselves and for our civil servants. The past year has been hard on you as a council and on the reputation of the city you represent. We want to put our best foot forward in attracting a well-qualified city administrator who has the skills to work successfully in this environment and during challenging economic times. Between now and December, working with a capable interim administrator, you can help mend the torn reputation of our city. This is the most responsible way to prepare for the future.
Please give my ideas your serious consideration.
Jane B. McWilliams
Northfield
Conservatism is relevant
To the editor:
The conservative approach is relevant to today’s unique political and economic situations. For all political orientations, guidance for defining what should be done and who should do it is contained in our nation’s seminal documents -- the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
Historically, political controversy has been concerned with the break of responsibility between private and public, between the individual and the state. Now, we realize that we are not just individuals and governments, but also parts of families and “communities” which include neighborhoods, associations, organizations, businesses, and ad hoc gatherings like where we saw remarkable bravery in the plane on September 11, 2001 in Pennsylvania, on the bridge on August 1, 2007 in Minneapolis, and in the Boy Scout camp on June 11, 2008 in western Iowa. Courageous heroes! Individuals, families, and communities can do lots that the government can’t do. And when governments try to do them, they often fail and spend lots of your money in the process. Even when the government does things that it should, it frequently has trouble making things work. For example, look at the performance of the IRS, FDA, and FEMA.
The government should only do what the Constitution permits and what the private sector can’t; and particularly now because the country has such a financial problem, the government should only do what it can afford and live within its means. And those means are now significantly limited because we have had years in which we spent carelessly, taxed individuals and businesses excessively, dabbled in projects in which we do not belong, and wallowed in unfounded speculation.
We have the resources, the innovation, and the will in this country to live well and to take care of our responsibilities provided we act intelligently. Things will change because they must. There just simply isn’t the money for continuing the foolishness of the past.
My message to the public is to vote for limited, constitutional government that will live within its means, obey the rule of law, accomplish its proper responsibilities by managing and setting priorities, be intelligent and judicious about those areas where short-term pain may be required for long-term gain while maintaining consideration for real immediate consequences, make decisions based on effects on all segments of our society, and protect our civil rights.
We know that infrastructure and education are important always, and that elements of them need immediate attention. However, because we’re stressed enough financially, the government should not raise taxes, and should learn to manage, set priorities, and live within its means just as we do in our families.
Give the conservative approach a close examination: it is the way to keep more of your money and secure your employment and grow the economy, it protects your personal freedoms, it makes sense, it works, and, for all of us, it is the way to freedom, peace, and prosperity.
C. Michael Piper
Bridgewater Township
Hugo residents grateful
To the editor:
The May 31 edition of the editor’s column in the Northfield News featured a story about the efforts of Mrs. Healy’s third-grade class from Bridgewater Elementary School to collect money for the community of Hugo. Their visit to the middle school came so close to the end of the school year that I didn’t have the chance to formally recognize the efforts of young Cameron Gorr and his classmates. I would have been touched if they had collected $8 in coins, but their final tally exceeded $800 for the Hugo Relief Fund. I was caught by surprise with their visit. It was definitely a very heart-warming experience to observe how enthusiastic they were about helping families that they had never even met.
I would also like to express my appreciation to the students and staff of Northfield Middle School. That group contributed a significant amount of cash for the same cause and an SUV-load full of non-perishable food. All accomplished with very short notice and at the busiest time of the school year. Special thanks go to Marilynn Neuville for inspiring that effort!
The weather events of May 25 have certainly created an inconvenience for our family. However, it was also an opportunity to display the best characteristics of neighbors both in Hugo and Northfield. We are proud of how our Hugo neighborhood has responded to the challenge of a natural disaster. We are also impressed with the care extended by our new community in Northfield, the place that we are now able to call home.
Jeff Pesta
Northfield
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Re:C. Michael Piper's statement about the conservative approach, I agree, avoid the Republican and Democratic Party and try a Libertarian for President. Republicans had Washington for 6 years and their actions speak more loudly than anything I could write here. The Republican party's core ideals are good, it's the actual execution that seems to come up short.