Police officer escorts Alexandria counci member out of meeting
February 14, 2011 at 5:39 pm in Alexandria Echo Press
A heated discussion at an Alexandria City Council meeting Monday night spun so out of control that Mayor Dan Ness ordered a police officer to escort Ward 1 council member Virgil Batesole out of the building. Continue Reading

Who really knows what went on, but at least it sounds like someone is willing to go to bat for the public that elected him, rather than just wanting to go home. Why is it you always hear that there’s PLENTY of time to do things later? I realize you cant do everything in one night, but it makes you wonder how much effort really gets put in on some decisions. With the state of some of the roads in town, mainly Broadway and the 6 inch potholes, cutting paving funds sounds pretty idiotic to me. I have said it before, if you want to start cutting things, tell some city employees to start using their own vehicles to do their running around.
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Shane brings up a valid and legitimate point; certain city workers of certain departments use city vehicles for every morning break, lunch break and afternoon break.
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Finally a voice for the people. Thank you Virgil. The good old boys have had their way far too long. You have my support
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Who really knows what went on?
The people who were there.
Talk to one of them and find out what went on.
It’s all well and good that someone has the gumption to buck the system. But that needs to be done in a reasonable, sane fashion.
There are legitimate ways to approach things, then there are the off the wall, grandstanding ways.
If Virgil REALLY wants to change Alexandria government, I feel he needs to be less combative and simply prove that he has a better, workable solution.
Instances like this do not bolster my confidence in his leadership.
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Maybe a little uprising is what is needed. People get a little to comfortable in their settings and decision making and dont put in the effort that is needed. Its like getting reprimanded at work. You show up for work every day and dont do any more than you have to until someone lets you know you could be doing more. Thats how you get more results out of people. I think some people in this town are a little to comfortable. Right or wrong about the way things went, leaders are suppossed to hear what people have to say, its called input, not call it a night.
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Fact is, Robert’s Rules doesn’t allow any one person, even a mayor, to limit the time for speeches. Robert’s Rules requires a two-thirds vote to limit debate. The mayor should follow the rules if he wants them followed.
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C. Alan Jennings PRP
http://www.alanjennings.com/rrfd
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This is wonderful! Thank you Batesole for calling a spade a spade! About time the folks in office just to collect a little spending money were called out on the table. Mr. Batesole is a sweetie!
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While I’m not sure what he accomplished with this demonstration, this mayor and council need a little shaking up. These are the same mayor and council who refused to vote on the issues that could have saved many jobs when Bug-A-Boo had a buyer. I would not have an issue had they voted it up or down….but NO VOTE is an abducation of their duty.
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Quick question – are city council meetings broadcast on cable TV in Alexandria?
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http://www.ci.alexandria.mn.us/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7B7F3B40C2-D5BE-486F-8F43-43E4C01B4168%7D
Televised at 7 PM tonight (Thursday) Channel 7 (Comcast)
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Make that 7 PM channel 7 CHARTER (not Comcast)
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WTG Virgil. Thats why I voted for you!! Some of these Officials are full of crap. Some are only in it for the money and the status, well, this little situation that happened goes to show the public exactly whats been happening all along!!!! The mayors true colors are coming out showing that he is a control freak, demanding things HIS WAY or get thrown out, and no one in that room besides Virg, made a stand. Sounds more like a kindergarten class than a group of ELECTED officials running a city……….into the ground!!
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At least someone is speaking up. I wasn’t there, so I don’t know exactly how it all went down, but its seems to me, that someone does need to step up and get things goin. What I’ve heard Virgil say in the past, has been really good. I think this makes the mayor look bad— not Virgil.
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Good goin Virgil. If you were in my ward I would have voted for you. We need more people that’s not afraid to step up to the plate. Dan Ness doesn’t like to debate which doesn’t show good leadership.
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Finally saw the video on channel 7 and I gotta say Virgil wanted to get something done, but the Mayor wanted to get home, just like Virgil said. Makes you wonder how the same people keep getting elected. To many people in their comfort zone and things need to change.
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