Hereís a question: How would you feel if you were an elected official and a group of people went to your home to ask you about an issue?
That was the subject of a letter to the editor last week, and it got me thinking.
The group of nine people wanted to discuss zoning issues. They went to the homes of three current county commissioners, and one future one.
Suffice it to say the group received a mixed reception at the ìmeetings.î They described one as respectful, and two as not so respectful. According to the letter, the citizens felt disdain at one encounter, and were met with four letter words at the other.
To be cussed at really seemed to cause them some righteous indignation. It was mentioned in the letter, although we had to to disguise the word from what they had hinted at. It still wouldnít take a genius to figure it out.
I also received a telephone call telling me not to sugar-coat the swear word. And I got a visit at my office from three people concerned about the issues. They questioned my decision to change their press release to a letter to the editor, and to limit it to the 500 word maximum. Their point to me, which they made very respectfully, was that they were not being listened to at public meetings, and therefore they felt compelled to meet with commissioners at their homes or businesses, and also to describe the situation in a news release.
I didnít mind meeting with the citizens in my office. Like I said, they were polite. I think they understood my point about what is news release and what is a letter to the editor. Thereís a lot of gray area in that debate.
But a visit to my home by a group of citizens? I would not have been happy about that. It is a form of intimidation, even though that might not even be the groupís conscious intention. I donít know that I would have sworn at them, but it would have been my right to do so.
People can meet freely to discuss issues like this. Freedom of assembly is a great part of our country. We have public meetings where people can ask to be put on the agenda, and can voice their opinions. If those opinions are not heeded, we have other options. We can rally support from other community members, get other politicians involved, seek legal advice. Ultimately we can vote the rascals out.
What I see happening now is the debate over zoning issues straying from its Houston County roots. Weíve had letters from groups in Arkansas, Illinois, Missouri, New York, Minneapolis, and International Falls (three from there) in the past six weeks.
Sure, they have a right to their opinions, but this debate ultimately should be local, and it should be handled in a Houston County way. What the heck is that? Iím not sure, but to me it does not include a mass visit to the homes of county commissioners. That ainít Minnesota Nice. It crosses a line, and it defeats the original purpose.
The irony is that there is a county committee working on a land use plan right now. The issues that people are objecting to are under discussion. The committee has met eight times already in the past year. The meetings are posted in local newspapers. Those papers have also written about this process. They arenít secret. Thatís how real grass roots politics works.

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Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475

E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com