The County Comprehensive Plan was passed today 0n a 4-1 vote. That was expected especially since the Citizens Advisory Committee that created the plan was appointed entirely by the Commissioners. That is as I said expected, unfortunate but expected that it passed in its flawed state.
The disappointing part was Commissioner Morris's disrespectful comments that the 3rd District Commissioner should in essence not comment on the Comprehensive Plan since he was newly elected and had not participated in all the previous comp plan meetings. Ms. Morris is the new Chair of the County EDA and she has missed County EDA meetings last year - should she be disqualified for that. Why does Ms. Morris feel the 9,100 (most populous district in the county by the way with nearly 25% of the population) people living in District 3 should have no voice in this decision. At what point does she think a Commissioner is suppose to participate. I assume she was active on the Board as soon as she was sworn in just two years ago herself. If Mr. Duff agreed with her position would she have still not wanted him to speak his mind?
I hope it was a momentary lapse and not a firmly held position because it opens a slippery slope of discussion. I would have liked to direct you to the audio of the discussion so you could make up your own minds on the interchange but unfortunately our County Board does not record their meetings.
We face real problems and we will at times disagree but we all deserve the right to have our voices heard. I respect Ms. Morris and all our County Board members and hope we will continue to be able to move forward. I disagreed with this vote but that is now in the past and we must work together to make this new county comp plan effective.
I believe it was President Reagan that said our 80% friend is not our 20% enemy.
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.
10 comments:
Wow, its like the City of Isanti City Council and Mayor previous to our run to make changes for the better.
I hope Mr. Duff can help make them see the light, however it looks like he is facing the same wall you did when you started George.
To the rest of the County commissioners, gee, thanks for taking into consideration the most populous city's opinion on what you call a plan.
Ms. Morris, really? That's how you think? Its not like he was voted in by the people in the district or anything.
Another uphill battle I guess.
It does sound a lot like how the good ole boys and girl attacked George a couple years ago. At least we now have a road map on how fix this thanks to George. Lets fix the county like the city was fixed.
If we wanted our taxes to keep getting jacked and a county that ignores us as they get fat of off our work we would not have sent Duff to fix it.
Why can't these people get it. George did not want to say who the commissioners represent but I will!! The big lnad owners and the themselves. Wake up people!!!
i know why they don't record their meetings.
the commissioners gave themselves a raise, built new ofices and buy each other laptops with our tax money all the whike unemployment doubled. something stinks at the county.
Thank You Commissioner Duff for pointing out some of the many problems of this Comp Plan. It is too bad that this Comp Plan was set up to take care of certain groups instead of the County. Now our townships will need to deal with the mess this creates and I'm sure our taxes will be going up to pay for the $65K joke of a plan that will hurt us all.
Braham, Cambridge and Isanti are cutting cost and the county board is buying themselves toys and giving themselves pay raises. The School district cut their pay and cities pay a couple thousand a year to their councils and mayors. County commissioners make $30k to $40k a year and they ned a raise while I just lost my job!!!
Thank you Commissioner Duff for looking out for the little guy. I am not in your district but hope we can replace ours next year to give you a little help.
It does not matter what we say as long as the same people keep getting elected. Duff will be a lone voice of reason.
I liked Morris' response in the paper telling Duff that "if you need to understand our reasons and rationale, she'd be happy to discuss them with him." Why didn't she just explain them to him in front of the public? I see Duff made five pretty strong reasons why he was against the Plan and no one challenged his comments. I'm tired of back-door politics.
its sad to think we face such tough times and the majority on the county board just keep helping the rich adn taxing the little guy
I would encourage voters of all districts to pay attention to the actions of the County Board. It is extremely clear to me that there is a disconnect between them and the tax paying citizen. Given the economy they have given themselves pay raises, voted to remodel the government center to the tune of nearly $1,000,000. (preliminary estimate) Can anyone tell me of a government project that has ever come in under budget? And possibly the largest budget buster of all the new comp plan as all of the ordinances have to be rewritten to accomodate the new plan. But really it is our fault for electing a former football coach, a former sheriff, a part-time car salesman and a stay at homer mom. All admirable pursuits but not who I would have controlling the county purse strings. Hang on to your wallets folks and remember these items come election time.
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