Start saving your pennies in Montrose

From: Tim Hackenmiller, Montrose

I am not, by far, some “no taxes” zealot. As it turns out, services are paid for with taxes.

I also am aware our city has, like many cities, found a much-reduced Local Government Aid (LGA) check to look forward to.

However, when your revenues go down, you might want to think about reducing, rather than increasing, your outlays; or, it may also occur to you to re-think what you are already spending money on.

Isn’t there some pet project, some dubious improvement, some nice-but-not-necessary upcoming purchase that can be put off? Can’t the council find some creative ways to reduce regular spending?

With the reduction in LGA, and the possibility of more in the future, the answer is not, as it has been year after year in Montrose, to simply raise taxes.

I write this to express my concern over the Montrose City Council approving a proposed increase in the 2010 levy by over 18 percent. And with a proposed county increase of 7 percent, Montrose residents could look forward to their taxes going up over 25 percent next year. Yes, 25 percent. That’s several hundred dollars.

When they talked less than a year ago about keeping government small and serving the people, about keeping taxes low by using resources wisely, or keeping wages across the board frozen after large hikes, or cutting overtime, unnecessary meetings, and otherwise keeping staff focused to save taxpayers’ money, it makes me wonder why they would validate even a mere proposal of that magnitude.

I hope they will reconsider this jaw-dropping increase and try to come up with some creative ways to reduce it.

No increase, in this economy, would be best. Zero to none! Especially after the increases we’ve already endured.

I hate to say it but at least against 18 percent, anything under 10 percent would look like a bargain. Someone must be brave enough to help us live within our means during these trying times and find a way to give us some relief. This is what you were elected to do.

This town has been hit hard, and it is no time to sock it to residents even further. Don’t raise our property taxes even more.

Support candidate Spencer for council

From: Fred Lang, Independence

I have lived in Independence for almost two decades. In that time I have never seen council members who blatantly ignore the public’s wishes.

There are two council members that conveniently forget public meetings, formal votes, and resolutions.

I support Brad Spencer as a candidate for the Independence City Council. I know Brad, and have worked with him on a number of initiatives including the Lake Sarah Improvement Association. Brad does not forget the issues, and does not forget votes and resolutions.

Brad is constantly seeking the opinions of others, looking to get a different perspective. He is inclusive in his thought process and desire to improve our community. He won’t be overcome with analysis paralysis and will make considered and thoughtful decisions with the information at hand.

If more study, time, or information collection is required, Brad will speak up. In my opinion, Brad Spencer would be a welcome addition to our local government body and an excellent representative for our community.

Please vote for Brad Spencer Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Brad is involved in the community

From: Pat Olson, Independence

My husband and I first met Brad a few years ago at different Lake Sarah Association events.

We immediately recognized Brad’s ability to get things done. As soon as you meet him, you realize this guy has integrity, love for his community, and the determination to make a difference. That’s why he has been involved in so many aspects of the community.

The City of Independence and the land it encompasses is a way of life we have all come to enjoy. Brad’s determination to develop a long term, comprehensive plan for the city, allows Independence to develop into a community that will allow residents to enjoy their surroundings and experience future growth. A well-planned community that includes fiscal responsibility is a win for all of us.

I strongly urge residents to vote for Brad for Independence City Council Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Wright County violated

From: Don Mashak, Rural Monticello

Wright County has on two occasions now violated my constitutional rights through illegal searches and seizures.

It appears that the metal detectors either were intentionally designed or morphed into a means to perform illegal searches and seizures on citizens entering the Wright County Courthouse facility.

The stated purpose for said detectors and the related process was to prevent bombs and unauthorized weapons from being brought into the building.

Since everyone in this building has a propensity to lie, I invoke my constitutional right to be secure in my person.

I achieve this by carrying a voice recorder. What do you folks have to hide anyway that makes you afraid of a voice recorder?

Do you lie so often that they just scare the crap out of you? Try telling the truth once in a while; It is less stressful.

You would have no probable cause to ask me about the voice recorders. If I were not forced to put them in the basket because they set off the metal detectors, otherwise you would not even know I had them.

On two attempts to go county commission board meetings I have been told I cannot bring voice recorders into the building.

I have stood my ground and prevailed, but how many people have you cowed into surrendering their constitutional rights because they feared law enforcement?

My position is that if I am not carrying a gun, bomb, or other similar weapon, you have no right to ask me if a device is a voice recorder, let alone try to confiscate it. You have no right to ask me where I am going in the building or what my business in the building is.

I have mentioned this to the proper persons before and it goes uncorrected.

Be prepared to put me in jail the next time you try to take my voice recorder away from me.

Until notified otherwise, I will act with the belief that the constitution and bill of rights are still in full effect despite all of you having assumed an air of aristocracy and privilege.

Public servants are not royalty. Please consult “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine, “Federalist Papers,” and “Consent of the Governed.” Maybe even the constitution and bill of rights.

All you high school students out there, ask your teachers why they don’t teach you about stuff like this.

It is your civic duty to resist the trespasses of your government against your liberties. Otherwise, like frogs in a pot of water slowly brought to a boil, one day you will wake up and wonder when you lost all of your liberties.

Wright County has no right to violate my constitutional protections from unreasonable searches and seizures.

Endorsed candidates have bad ideals

From: Harry and Lola Pool, Independence

I am writing to try and inform the voting citizens of Independence in the upcoming city election Tuesday, Nov. 3.

A few people have been writing letters and the writers seem to be enamored with their candidates’ needs.

Well, I must disagree in the strongest language allowed in a newspaper – both of the candidates that have been the topic of their editorials have completely ignored a host of bad ideas that were being implemented at a horrible loss of landowners freedoms to our land without local government interference at an alarming rate.

For instance, placing greenway corridors throughout the city though private properties without any compensation, the present mayor told me at a council meeting, that they weren’t going to buy anyone’s land for trails. So may I ask how do you acquire private property without compensation?

The two people that the writers were endorsing for re-election and a planning commissioner that for these so-called lofty ideals were pushing hard to get their missions accomplished and these ideals in the cities comprehensive plan being written for the Met Council’s approval – if you like big foolish ideas, these people are your candidates, not mine.

A large group of others are thoroughly disgusted with the proposed land grab, I have all the documents to prove my case and the proposers do not have a greenway corridor or trail on their lands. Fair or unfair – you decide.

The taxes in Independence are insane. One property in the city has approximately 15 acres and a large home, one home on Nelson Road has 2.5 acres of a modular home and pays $5,000 taxes, the large home with 15 acres pays $6,000. Where is the fairness?

The two candidates that have been endorsed by your editorials can’t seem to spend enough money, as one has consistently voted to raise your taxes every year, except one year, a dismal record.

The editorials and letters being sent and to the voters have a common theme, Lance Gyllenblad councilman is out to destroy the police department, this is way off base of and a personal affront to him and his supporters.

He has worked diligently the past four years to try and correct some budgeting and overspending in some areas. My wife and I will be voting to try and preserve some semblance of fiscal responsibility in our city and try to hold the line on rampant tax increases and we are not alone.

We will be voting to re-elect and elect two good hard-working business people. Lance Gyllenblad and Chris Stephan. My wife and I have lived in Independence for almost eight decades and we are well informed of city politics.

Spencer and Betts for city council

From: Mike Peterson, Maple Plain

While I commend all the candidates for their willingness to serve, I’d encourage you to vote for Brad Spencer and Lynn Betts.

I believe Brad and Lynn will do a better job representing the long-term vitality, infrastructure, services, and reputation of Independence.

I believe they are both more willing to listen and put personal opinions aside, better informed about the issues, and more respected in the community.