I was surprised at tonight’s Isanti City Council meeting. Mr. Brian Iverson lodged a complaint against my blog, www.georgewimmer.blogspot.com. He stated that he was upset that I had been critical of him in my online writings. I agree I have been critical of Mr. Iverson representing the City of Isanti on the EDA. Mr. Iverson is Isanti’s self-proclaimed highest tax payer and developer. Having someone with so much economic clout on a city board is a per se conflict of interest. The fact Council Member Ralph Johnson has been doing contract work for Mr. Iverson adds even greater concern. For further details on this specific issue, please refer to my blog. Tonight the City Council on a vote of 3-2 with Mayor Apitz, Sue Larson and Ralph Johnson, voted to have the city attorney investigate my blog.
This is an incredible act of censorship. Just because someone does not like my opinion does not give the City Council the right to censor me. I would find it amusing, if it were not so sad, that the Council feels it necessary to spend City money to investigate my blog. I use the blog to keep the Citizens of Isanti informed of my decision making process. Of course, I will fight any such "investigation" by the City Council. It’s not clear what power, if any, the City has to censor my personal blog. This again smacks of the “old boys network” protecting one of its own. If the members of the council feel this will silence me they are sadly mistaken. I will not allow this abuse of power to stand unchallenged.
Where do we draw the line? Will they next try to censor campaign material? Will they try to strike comments made in open council? At what point does this Council stop on the slippery slope? I understand that change may be difficult for some. But I was elected to protect the Citizens of Isanti - not to be a rubber stamp for developers. Freedom of Speech, especially Political Speech, is our most important right. I thank all those who continue to show me great support in my fight to reform City government. I would also like to thank my fellow Council Members for drawing greater attention to my blog, www.georgewimmer.blogspot.com.
About Me
- George
- I have served the City of Isanti as Mayor since 2007. We have accomplished great things together and I look forward to building on our success. United, we move forward to a better future. You may contact me at 763-442-8749 or e-mail me at george@georgewimmer.com.
4 comments:
Athough my comment may be that of a non city member, however of a member of the US Navy (almost 19 years now) I support and defend the right for anyone to make comment for or against any government. That is just one of the great reasons this is the best country in the world. Saddly, those that do not like the status quo disturbed, must try to block it, instaed of listening to the other side and do what is right for the people that elected them. Doing the right thing is not always the easy way of doing business, but anything that is truely right is worth the fight. Do not let them shut you down!
DEAR MR WIMMER. IT IS REFRESHING TO SEE SOMEONE WITH THE BACKBONE TO STAND UP TO THOSE LIKE IVERSON. YOU MIGHT RECALL THAT SOME OF THOSE IN THE WHISPER RIDGE DEVELOPMENT. HAD TO CONTACT OUR STATE ATTY. GENERAL. MIKE HATCH TO GET IVERSON AND ANOTHER DEVELOPER TO FIX OUR BACK YARDS FROM ERODING, AND OUR HOMES FROM BEING FLOODED OUT. (AS IS THE CASE TO THIS DAY, OF THE YOUNG MAN WHOSE HOME WAS FLOODED) BECAUSE OF NEGLECT TO DETAIL. AND THE LACK OF CONCERN, NOR THE DESIRE TO CORRECT THEIR MISTAKES.SO WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS AND WISH YOU THE BEST. CONTINUE ON IN YOUR PERSUIT OF INFORMING THE PUBLIC. AS FOR THE CENCORSHIP... THERE WOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM IF THOSE WHOM YOU SPOKE ABOUT DID'NT HAVE, SHELL WE SAY. THINGS TO HIDE? AS FOR YOUR REPRESENTATION OF OUR CITY? (THIS IS ALL JUST MY OPENION).BUT IVERSON SHOULD LOOK AT HIS OWN REPRESENTATION AS A BUSINESSMAN, AND HOW THOSE WHOM HAVE HAD BUSINESS DEALINGS WITH HIM, THINK HE REPRESENTS OUR CITY.
THANK YOU
JAMES C. SCHIRMER
Thank you for your support. I am simply trying to reform city government. I want Isanti to have a fair and transparent process. This is a fight I will wage until it is won. With the help of all concern citizens we can make a difference. I again thank you for your support.
"Authorities in China reportedly have blocked a pro-democracy blog. China's Communist government allows internet use for education and business, but it blocks material deemed subversive or pornographic." source; front page of the Star Tribune on November 5, 2005.
Is communism coming to Isanti or are we still allowed to speak our mind?
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