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Letterwriter thanks city |
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To the editor:
We live in a Democracy and it certainly appears that the Commissioners
are attempting to change it into a tyrant or dictatorship Houston
County. I wonder if the citizens of Houston County feel that it would
be right for the county to insist upon being a tyrant or dictatorship.
A Democracy has check points to assure our rights are maintained. Our
forefathers made City government (especially the county seat) a check
points on the County government. It appears that they intend to divide
the citizens of Houston County by adversarial misleading information.
The county hired Atty. Scott T. Anderson has stated that “the County
has gone to the City” and “the County has been attempting to work with
the City”. How many citizens of Houston county seen notices or minutes
of these meetings? Where these illegal secret meeting? The Houston
County web site clearly states, “The Open Meeting Law requires that
public business be conducted in public. The public has a right to
attend the meeting and observe the transaction of public business. All
formal and informal county board meetings, as well as county committee
and subcommittee meetings fall under this law.” (Are our government
officials intentionally violating Minnesota’s Open Meeting Law?) It
also states that every citizen who wishes to receive a notice of the
date, time, place and purpose (agenda) of these special meetings need
only provide the county with a written request. Then the county is
required to mail the notice to the citizens and/or publish the notice
in the official newspaper at least three days prior to special
meetings. I think every voting citizen should send the county a written
request so that we, the people, know what is going on. I also think
that the minutes of these special meetings should be published in the
official newspaper. By the way, citizens of Houston County, “how much
did we citizens pay for Atty. Anderson editorial”? $10,000? More
Our current jail was never built on zoned land! In truth, there was no
zoning when the current jail was built. However, back then, the Sheriff
and his family used the jail as their residence. Sheriff’s and their
families no longer live in jails. The actual classification of the jail
would be Non Conforming R2 because it was grandfathered in when zoning
began. By the way, citizens of Houston County, we were previously told
that the design, etc. of the prior proposed CJC was the best and most
efficient. So why are the commissioners not using it? Are they saying
they can not modify it? Are they saying that they were mistaken?
Now for the truth about “Conditional Use Permits” (CUP): A Condition
Use Permit is primarily required so that the rights of the residents,
the citizens and the Cities are protected. The best way to show the
citizens of Houston County the protected rights they deserve, I am
quoting below a typical CUP from Wabasha County in late 2007: (Please
note, this is only the beginning of the CUP as all the conditions are
not needed. Also note that the County applied for the CUP. This is a
quote.)
RESOLUTION GRANTING A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT
TO WABASHA COUNTY
TO CONSTRUCT A JUSTICE CENTER
Resolution#2007-002
WHEREAS, Wabasha County is in need of a new jail and justice center and
has applied for a Conditional Use Permit to construct said facility, and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission with appropriate conditions imposed provides the following findings:
1. That the establishment, maintenance, or operation of the
conditional use will not be detrimental to or endanger the public
health, safety, morals, comfort, or general welfare;
2. That the conditional use will not be injurious to the use and
enjoyment of other property in the immediate vicinity for the purposes
already permitted, nor substantially diminish and impair property
values within the neighborhood;
3. That the establishment of the conditional use will
not impede the normal and orderly development of the surrounding
property for uses permitted in the district;
4. That adequate utilities, access road, drainage, and/or necessary facilities have been or are being provided;
5. That adequate measures have been or will be taken to
provide ingress and egress so designed as to minimize traffic
congestion in the public streets; and
6. That the conditional use shall, in all other respects, conform
to the applicable regulations of the district in which it is located.
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, the Planning Commission approves
the Conditional Use Permit for plans submitted on 7/18/07 (and updated
plans for 17thstreet- see note #2 below) with the following
conditions:……end of quote.
Wabasha County is about the same size as Houston County. In addition,
Wabasha County Commissioners also failed at having the County seat
moved.
What is wrong with the 23 acre lot for building the CJC? Why don’t they
submit a CUP to the City of Caledonia based on that site? Isn’t it true
that there is more than adequate land for both the CJC and the County
building(s)? When one considers the small amount of land they
previously proposed to build the CJC, this site is large enough for
more than 7 CJCs.
I thank the City Council of Caledonia for protecting its’ residence and
the citizens of Houston County. We should all pray and hope that they
realize the important role they have in us remaining a Democracy. In
the next election, my vote is for hope and this is what I see in the
City Council of Caledonia. There is no hope in adversaries. God bless
us all.
Sincerely,
Larry Salm, Caledonia
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Lawmakers 'voted their conscience' not their party |
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To the Editor:
Partisan politics were set aside this past week when six Minnesota
Republican legislators ‘voted their conscience’ and teamed up with the
DFL-controlled House and overrode Governor Pawlenty’s veto of the
transportation bill. Refreshing!
They deserve hero status for their vote. Why? Because, according
to the February 27, 2008 Minneapolis Star Tribune, they were stripped
of key committee leadership positions by their Republican colleagues
because of “breaking ranks” with their Republican colleagues.
As tough as economic times are today, their votes----and that of their
DFL colleagues---showed a mindset that the increase in the gasoline tax
for roads and bridges improvements (user fees) is a better alternative
to borrowing into the future (bonding) and forcing future generations
to repay the indebtedness. Our children and grandchildren will be
funding transportation improvements in their day, too, and should not
also have to incur 2008 legislative-induced bonding debt.
Finally, a small part of the big increases that we have been
experiencing in oil prices will help fund transportation improvements
in Minnesota and will not further swell the bottom line profits of oil
companies. Further, many construction jobs will result from the
transportation improvement projects, bolstering our economy.
Congratulations to the six legislators for standing their ground,
knowing that they might suffer retaliation from their colleagues for
their action. Finally, a small part of the big increases that we have
been experiencing in oil prices will help fund transportation
improvements in Minnesota and not further swell the bottom line profits
of oil companies.
The six legislators are Rep. Ron Erhardt, R-Edina; Rep. Rod Hamilton,
R-Mountain Lake; Rep. Kathy Tingelstad, R-Andover; Rep. Jim Abeler,
R-Anoka; Rep. Neil Peterson, R-Bloomington; Rep. Bud Heidgerken,
R-Freeport. Their action was refreshing.
What was refreshing was a vote taken that didn’t “go down
partisan lines.” What we witnessed on the transportation vote was
politics at its best------standing your ground, voting your conscience,
and the worst---retaliation by colleagues for doing so.
Lloyd Swalve,
Mabel, MN
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What is good for the goose is good for the gander |
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To the Editor:
It is my understanding that Houston County has been involved in land
use planning within Houston County for at least the past 40 years and
is currently revisiting and perhaps revamping land use policies for the
county.
I am not actually giving my support for or against the necessity of
such land use policies. However, I do believe it to be questionable and
perhaps hypocritical of the current county board to take the position
that it is perfectly alright for them to dictate to private landowners
what they may or may not do with their property, yet, when the city of
Caledonia’s land use policies restrict the county’s use of their land
in regards to the building of the CJC, rather than respect the city’s
rules, they have filed a lawsuit against the city to force the issue.
The county board should respect the city’s rules and work with the city to find a more suitable location for the CJC.
There is an old adage which I believe could easily apply to this situation, “what is good for the goose is good for the gander!”
Respectfully submitted by,
Bruce Bulman,
Caledonia, MN
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Become informed on this health issue |
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To the Editor:
“You absolutely need a hysterectomy. I cancelled another surgery, see
you first thing tomorrow morning.” Do not become a victim to the
surgeon’s knife because of lack of information. Hysterectomy (removal
of uterus)/castration (removal of ovaries) is a damaging surgery and
has lifelong consequences. No drugs or other treatments can replace
ovarian or uterine hormones that are essential to a woman’s health and
well-being throughout her life.
I have listened first hand to many horrifying stories of women 20-80
years of age. A young lady of only 21 has captured my heart. She is now
a victim of this lifelong devastating surgery and cannot believe what
is happening to her body.
I was fortunate to be with a young lady in her early 30s who had some
bleeding and polyps. She did find an alternative doctor who did just
what she wanted, a polypectomy. No D&C, no hysterectomy, no
castration. There is a doctor/clinic out there for you. Go to
www.hersfoundation.org; read the blog and sign the petition that states
‘say no until you know.’
Protect yourself, get informed. Don’t be a silent victim, speak up.
Women are agreeing to have this surgery based on the little information
their gynecologist tells them. Ask a lot of questions and demand
answers. Remember you are someone’s wife, mother, daughter,
granddaughter and grandmother. Kudos to Grace Gordon Wellendorf and the
Hers Foundation. The Hers Foundation is a life treasure to be shared.
Lynn Gordon Meiners
Caledonia, Minn.
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Congratulations to the Lady Warriors |
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To the Editor:
I am expressing my congratulations to the Caledonia girls basketball
team in their victory over Winona Cotter on Saturday night. It was a
solid victory.
My concern is over the unsportsman-like conduct of Cotter’s star
player, Jenny Gilbertson. Many of Caledonia’s fans saw her throw her
medal into the trash can after the awards ceremony. Too bad she
couldn’t have acted more ‘ladylike’.
Keep up the good work, girls.
Stuart R. Dibley
Caledonia, Minn.
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City has profound misunderstanding of county’s position on CJC issue |
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To the Editor:
In the February 20, 2008 article “City council wants to work out CJC
differences with county” city officials are quoted as saying “there’s
no question the county needs a new jail and we want to work with the
County Board to make it a reality in Caledonia, but it seems unless we
remove all zoning conditions from any potential site, and the city has
absolutely no say as to where the CJC is going to be located, or any of
the planning of it, the county will sue the city….” and further
“… it appears the county wants to move forward with the CJC without any
restrictions or conditions…”
The county has not asked for, or demanded that the county be exempt
from the city’s zoning requirements. The city of Caledonia already has
in place a comprehensive zoning ordinance and zoning map. The
city zoning ordinance designates certain areas as Residential-I,
Residential- II, Business -I, Business -II, Industrial and
Agricultural. Any individual wishing to construct a building in
the city would be required to site their building in the appropriate
zone and meet the already established requirements for that zoning
area. Interestingly, the city’s interpretation of their zoning
ordinance does not currently allow for a CJC (including a jail) in any
zoning district. This, in spite of the fact that the city zoning
map shows the current Houston County Courthouse and Jail (and the first
proposed CJC site on the courthouse campus) as being Residential- II.
The city official’s comments demonstrate a profound misunderstanding of
Houston County’s position. All that Houston County has asked is that
the city designate those zoning areas in which the CJC may be
constructed as a permitted use. A permitted use is a use that, if
in compliance with the general requirements for a particular zoning
district, is allowed without further special conditions. In order to
efficiently and economically plan for, design and construct a new CJC
(including jail) facility, the county needs to know where this facility
can be constructed and what the specific zoning requirements will be,
before the design process is begun.
However, to this point the city has refused to designate the zoning
districts in which the CJC may be built as a permitted
use. Further, and of greater concern to the county,
is the city’s insistence that any CJC not be a “permitted use” but
instead be designated a conditional use. Under Caledonia’s zoning
ordinance, when considering a conditional use application, the city may
order virtually any special terms or conditions which must then be met
in order for the conditional use permit to be granted.
Houston County continues to believe that it is in the best interests of
all Houston County citizens, that the CJC with jail, an essential
county government function, be allowed as a permitted use somewhere in
the city of Caledonia.
Houston County Board
of Commissioners
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