| Business owners, city officials mix it up at Chamber forum |
By: JIM HAMMERAND, Staff Writer
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Posted: Wednesday, October 21, 2009 12:36 pm
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NORTHFIELD — Business owners and others let loose on city policies at a Northfield Chamber of Commerce forum with public officials Wednesday morning.
Chamber members filled a conference room at the Community Resource Bank to question a proposed streetlight utility fee, the likely contracting of metro-area lawyers to represent the city, the possible construction of new police and fire facilities and increased property taxes for commercial and industrial property owners.
“It was our feeling that lots of things are happening at the city, and Chamber members are not always consulted; they are informed,” said forum moderator David Ludescher.
City staff and elected officials were allowed to briefly respond to the remarks, but informal votes showed most of the audience were against city policies that would increase local taxes, like the proposed charged on property owners to recoup the cost of lighting streets used by residents, employees and customers in Northfield.
“I don’t believe the Minnesota Miracle is going to come back any time soon,” Mayor Mary Rossing said after she was asked whether the streetlight fee would open the door for snowplowing and park mowing fees.
— Jim Hammerand covers the city. He can be reached at jhammerand@northfieldnews.com or 645-1114. |
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The real Minnesota Miracle is when elected officials realize that taxpayer dollars are limited. Now that will be a miracle!
Since when does city staff and elected officials have to consult with the Chamber. If anything her honor the mayor needs to be careful since she is a business owner. Conflict of interest cost the city dearly with the last mayor, let's not have that happen again.
Outof you are right they can stay in their tiny little shell and not talk to business owners and residents and then see what happens......
More businesses leave town, loss of support, no business climate in town..... get the picture.
Sure the city can do whatever they want but then they will have to reap what they sow.