City critics seek to change Cottage Grove’s form of government
September 14, 2011 at 2:49 am in South Washington County Bulletin
A group of Cottage Grove residents, rebuffed in their efforts to force a citywide vote on financing for the city’s new municipal complex, now has set its sights on abandoning the city’s current form of government. Continue Reading
This group can not be taken serious when comparing Nazi Germany to anything that the Mayor and Council members have done recently.
I checked out the website and it’s funny that there are many claims but with no information backing up these claims.
The group states that the city will be assessing taxes or fees to pay for the city hall project. They can’t fathom how the city could take out bonding and not have it effect the taxpayers. Where is the data? Has any information been asked of the Mayor or concilmembers on this? In order to be taken serious there should be data or evidence that something is going to happen…
While this group may be frusterated, changing the structure of the cities goverment is not the answer. Vote the bums out if they feel its an issue. Changing the governemnt will NOT stop what has already taken place.
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Well this ought to be fun to watch. I can’t wait for the debates and experts to start coming out of the woodwork.
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Although I think they appear by descriptions in this story to be taking the extreme route with their efforts, most definitely, let them run the process to the finish line. And I don’t really trust the slanted coverage here to accept that they are necessarily being extreme.
The finish line of this effort runs through the ballot box where the citizens can weigh it and pass or deny it. No harm in letting us all take a look at the system and decide which we believe better serves our community.
But, here is the problem. Discrediting a group and every word uttered because you disagree with their position on city hall, etc. It’s constant “campaign mode” by the “bitter to have lost the last election” crowd mostly I keep hearing. Closed minds don’t make our town better. And there is total covering ears and going Lalalalalala when certain groups have an idea that they put forward in a good faith effort for us. Their ideas are not to just be a pain in the other guy’s backside.
So work to discredit the other side by pointing at style instead of legitimately looking at the substance of their idea if that makes you feel better. But that’s shallow and serves none of us well.
In my opinion, these people are among many of us who see there are a lot of things broken in our system that could be (and should be) fixed. Their idea might not be the solution, but I applaud them continuing to look for solutions.
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I’m certainly not against new ideas and giving the citizens of CG a voice. By all means, the people should have a voice in their government.
The problem that I have with this group is that it smacks of irrationality. If you read their website over and over again you hear bitterness and hatred towards those in power because they went forward with a plan that this small faction did not like (or believe that what they were told by our officials is truthful)
Instead of engaging the Mayor and City Council in rational discussion their response is to change the way that CG does government? That does not seem on the surface like it is needed. Instead of looking to be disruptive they should respectfully ask questions and work to understand the thinking of those who WE elected as our officials.
I truly believe that our elected officials do have the best interest of the city in their mind. They would be happy to discuss their thoughts on issues if done respectfully.
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Interesting comments. I would agree with Drew. We should be able to talk to our officials and they should listen while having a open mind. I don’t think that is the case for many subjects in this city. The list is long, so I won’t go into that. The city minds were made up by city officials long before the talking started. The projects started over there and little comments by many prove that. I do think the group of people that are not comfortable with a new city hall is larger then many from the city let on. We will see when the elections come around and if the folks remember
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Another perfect example on why these people just need to be ignored. Nazi Germany? That’s sounds like a direct quote from that Kathy women that always spouts nonsense at the meetings. This is why they have to keep it to 2 minutes at the open mic? These people are constantly trying to change the city rules to benefit themselves and it’s embarrassing to watch. They spout misinformation “Like at the park and ride saying that it was going to close, even though it’s state run”… 20+ million dollar facility (wrong again). Derrick Lehrke and his family are doing their best to garner some control over this city and it’s only for their own benefit. They try to hold the council meetings hostage with misinformation instead of working together with the city to do something positive. People, I’ll give you a hint, his criminal record is available and it’s public record. I wonder what is says?… We need to really know who these people are before we can take them seriously.
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Gasp!!! What ever are you talking about “Tired”? I can’t believe that “Mr. Do everything by the book” could possibly have a criminal background. Oh, the irony!
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