Comment by Willmar, Minn., mayor causes an awkward moment
November 28, 2012 at 6:00 pm in West Central Tribune
WILLMAR The Finance Committee met this week and recommended the mayor’s proposed 2013 budget to the full City Council, but the meeting was far from routine.
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Speaking from a small-business perspective, please cut all non-essential services and expenses and let’s re-evaluate down the road. We are being taxed to death and the number one priority is creating products, services and JOBS for our local residents.
It is programs like this that add to the heavy burden that businesses have to carry and the reason why so many are closing up shop. In order for our economy to have a chance to again thrive, let’s get down to the essentials. Once we find what we cannot do without, we can easily bring those back…but we may find that we were spending excessively for far too long.
A business has to to very responsible with every dollar…so should the government, large and small.
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I think it’s always important to see the “big picture” or in other words look for long term gain. If this program, or any other program, is something that will make the community a better place to live and a place that will attract new residents and more regional shoppers, then it’s worthwhile whether or not you personally see a short term direct benefit to you, your family or your business. I’ve moved many many times and don’t think the locals are always aware of how their attitudes and actions appear to others and therefore affect decisions on where to live or to spend money. I don’t live in Willmar but it is a regional center for my town. I don’t have an overall positive view of Willmar because of the things I’ve read and seen over the past couple decades. Those impressions do affect where I shop…. Reading about people sniping at each other in public meetings or micromanaging, or disrespecting a certain group of residents or the city employees or whatever else, does not give a good impression of a community and does not make me want to spend more time or money in Willmar. There are many more positive ways the previous poster could’ve responded without endorsing this expense or any others. The “slash & burn” idea of assuming everything is an example of “attitudes” that affect my own perceptions and decisions. Maybe it isn’t a worthwhile program or maybe it needs to be improved or merged with something else to meet the original goals at a reduced cost or maybe it is producing results and the program can be shown as an example of how Willmar is succeedng in meeting the real needs of it’s residents….spending more wisely doesn’t necessarily mean cut, cut, cut. If spending $1 gets you $3 then it’s worth the time and energy to figure out where to come up with the extra $1……be part of the solution, not part of the problem.
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I humbly agree and disagree. First, you are correct, the big picture is the most important. But we must remember where that picture is coming from and that is mostly one source. Yup…you are reading it. That’s not to say that the council functions flawlessly and doesn’t have their problems. They do. In fact, the comment made at the meeting may have been just a little “brash”. But point well made, that the overall good of the community is what is at stake.
The part that I disagree with, is the fact that we don’t have time to mess around with budgets. When (not if) the National deficit breaks, the effects are going to roll downhill, snowball and land on our backs as businesses and citizens. So much damage has been done already within our economy, we do not have the luxury of “picking and choosing” this program and that program, as though we still have money to work with. It’s the equivalent of dabbling in the stock market, when you have credit card debt…it is foolish.
Now is the time to get down to brass tacks and cut our costs on everything that is non-essential. We can bring back what needs to be brought back. That is something that can be repaired, unlike the opposite…overspending and taxing your base to death. It will kill a community and they will leave.
I don’t blame you for your view of Willmar 1 bit, due to its leadership in the past decades. Do you see any fresh blood? No. Councilmen have been there for decades and the same ideas have been employed throughout. Why should that change when voters vote for more of the same and leadership want to keep allocating money to the same wasteful programs year-in, year-out. This is the tip of the iceberg of money that doesn’t NEED to be spent, but we’ve had it in the past to spend, so we’ve spent it. Same old story.
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Setting budget priorities and discussing government expenditures are certainly a valid funciton of the city council. However, the comments by Mayor Yanish are disturbing on two levels. First, he seems to want to assume dictatorial powers like Mohammed Morsi in Egypt. Secondly, the dispute is over a cut to the budget of the integration group which far exceeds the cuts to any other entity. It seems that Mayor Yanish is sending a clear message to recent immigrants. Perhaps the City of Willmar should return the Star City designation it was given. That award was largely based on Willmar’s efforts to welcome and integrate people, which apparently is contrary to the wishes of Mohammed Yanish.
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very often when you ‘get rid of things’ they never come back … more often then not they never come back. many organizations provide payroll to the community, they pay payroll taxes, these employees probably live and shop in their community …. to believe that these organizations are non-essential is just wrong. should you also shut down the Kandiyohi Historical Society? are they non-essential?? I would dare say, being a history buff, that they are very essential to the community. If all you want to fund is police, hospital, and the like, then you have, as leggs mentions above, a community that no one wants to visit, to shop in, or to move in … just how does that help the economy? Willmar as a regional area greatly depends on those of us from outside of the community to shop there … if we don’t, that hurts your economy!
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It appears we need a discussion on the true meaning of the word “essential”.
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What a petty goofball. How embarrassing.
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Combining county and city services seems a reasonable thought if that is what was discussed? Every dept city and county should draw up a proposal and different ways they believe they can better utilize services. The one thing we don’t want is more taxes, this will not serve to improve the economy or to get the economy moving. The one important quality about Frank is his business ability and he manages his business so he does have something to bring to the table. I don’t believe raising property taxes, or taxes on much else is going to make things any better but combining services just might help without looking at layoffs, or cut backs in essential services. Outsourcing some work to local businesses is another way to help costs and keep people working. I have faith the mayor knows what he is doing, but more imput from departments and department heads will not hurt because imput can be a useful tool.
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here’s my nickels worth … only because it isn’t worth a quarter …. I have come to understand that just because your a businessman or woman, does not make you the best elected official … government does not and will not ever be ran like a business … you are better off having an ‘average joe’ elected to office … they are typically your best elected officials and are willing to think outside of the box … ok, now many of you probably think my opinion is worth about a plug nickel
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The frustrations that come about during fiscal hearings or meetings happen all the time, people need to be a little more thicked skin. Now what was said that caused the mayor to make his comment, the coin has two sides? The Mayor is simply looking out for the best interests of the people of willmar, and in the end it will work itself out. Now ask yourself why would someone want to run for office and try and take on the responsiblities that come with this if he wasn’t passionate about the city and the people? Lets just move on and fix the issues at hand!
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I have no idea why people would run for elected office … thankfully there are those who do … I prefer to be involved in other aspects of my community where I can help to get things done but not take the flack that elected officials take …
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Like jr and jessie mentioned which seems to be a reasonable explanation is why would someone would jump into the political circle unless they feel they can make a difference? Let me say this, I wouldn’t have the patience especially when dealing with hardliners or those not open to suggestions or change. I don’t know Frank, never met him, but I know he runs a business and if he is looking to do something noble for his community and believes he can make a difference more power to the guy. Do some people come across a bit harsh when they are frustrated, you bet! So what is the otherside of this story we are not hearing? Certainly something else had to have been said to spark the mayors frustration. Some people might view this not very professional, but it also means the Mayor cares and feels the need to speak what is on his mind, and that to me shows a sense of style…..Yea maybe we need some thick skinned people who are a bit passionate and not terroritorial?
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