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A second term for Gyllenblad is a must
From: Keith Triplett, Maple Plain
I have been a resident of Independence for 30 years. I’m writing to support Lance Gyllenblad for two reasons.
The first reason has to do with the city budget. Gyllenblad was the first council person in quite some time to say “no” to the open checkbook policies of some of the budgets within the city of Independence. I, for one, really appreciate his drive for fiscal responsibility.
I’m not saying that I support switching to Hennepin County for police service; but certainly, questioning how much money is needed to run our current police staff is, and should be, one of the priorities of the city council.
I only mention the police department because it is one of our biggest consumers of our city’s budget. These are tough financial times right now, and I believe that Gyllenblad will make the right decisions for us as a community.
The second reason I am supporting Gyllenblad is that he is an avid supporter of landowner rights. He was one that spoke up against the parks and trails group that was trying to adopt greenway corridors into our 2030 comp plan. When I told Gyllenblad that, under this greenway corridor concept plan, my woods was mapped to be a future walk-in camping site, he became very concerned.
Gyllenblad will listen to your concerns, and he will fight for your rights. He has done a really good job in his first term, and I believe he deserves a second term.
Spencer, Betts are true public servants
From: Sam Stern, Independence
Independence will fill two open council positions Tuesday, Nov. 3, choosing from four candidates.
Brad Spencer and Lynn Betts have proven themselves to be dedicated public servants. They were willing to appear at a candidates’ forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters and submit their positions to public scrutiny.
By contrast, the other two candidates did not appear, resulting in the forum’s cancellation.
Lance Gyllenblad has proven himself unworthy to hold representative office, as evidenced by his outbursts in city council meetings, fueled by conspiracy theories and captured on video for all to see on the city’s web site.
Chris Stephans has a history of pushing the boundaries of city ordinances and resorting to litigation against the city when held to account. The example he has “set” has cost Independence taxpayers thousands of dollars in enforcement costs.His candidacy is a mockery of representative government, save for anarchists.
Voters should remember that the election of local officials has more impact on their day-to-day lives than any other choice at the polls. I urge everyone to vote Tuesday, Nov. 3, and to support candidates with demonstrated experience in promoting the public good, who are not afraid to be judged on the merits.
Vote for Spencer and Betts.
Plan for a safe Halloween
From: Lieut. Dan Anselment, Wright Co. Sheriff’s Office
Halloween has become one of the biggest party nights of the year.
During Minnesota Halloween party weekends 2006-2008, seven of the 15 traffic deaths were alcohol-related. Another 40 people were seriously injured in crashes, with 15 of those being alcohol-related. During this period, 1,487 motorists were arrested for DWI.
This year the holiday is a serious concern as Halloween falls on a Saturday – which will likely cause in influx of revelers.
The Wright County Sheriff’s Office, along with safe communities of Wright County is urging Halloween partiers to have a plan for a safe and sober ride to keep Wright County roads safe. Make plans before going out to designate a sober driver, know your limit, or stay the night at the location of the celebration.
In addition, pedestrian safety is extremely important on Halloween. Motorists should reduce speeds and remain alert at all times. Trick-or-treaters and parents should review basic pedestrian rules – only cross at intersections or marked crosswalks, use flashlights and reflective wear, and never dart in front of traffic.
Stay safe and have a happy Halloween.
Anselment is a board member of Safe Communities of Wright County.
Betts and Spencer for city council
From: Dick Schieffer, Maple Plain
Independence voters will have a chance to bring some rhyme and reason to a somewhat disfunctional city council on Nov. 3, 2009, by re-electing Lynn Betts and giving long-time planning commissioner Brad Spencer a spot on the city council.
In spite of the fact that city budgets have been either flat or reduced over the past few years, three council members persist in attempting to abolish the police department in favor of a contract with the county sheriff at a slight reduction in cost with a huge reduction in service.
While Lynn vigorously opposes scrapping one of the finest law enforcement agencies in the county, her efforts recognize the need to reduce the cost of government – and she knows the difference between reducing costs and cutting the budget.
Betts knows the folly of “cutting the budget” by taking a hatchet to the biggest line item. Her needle work on budget details is largely responsible for reducing costs without giving up services.
Betts’ plan for a multi-year budget cycle for the police department (derailed by another hatchet job) would have brought much-needed long range planning on the issue.
I have sat as city attorney for more than 40 years in 15 or 20 cities in the area (including Independence) and have seen the remarkable effect of leadership on good government.
Brad Spencer has those leadership qualities; he is intelligent, analytical and energetic, while tactfully persuasive in group discussion and a fearless advocate in debate. He is a tireless listener, a sound decision maker, and then he gets it done.
Brad carried Lynn’s multi-year police budget proposal and lobbied it through the Independence/Maple Plain Police Commission and through the Maple Plain City Council only to have it defeated by a “re-vote” in Independence.
This is a critical election for Independence. Lower property values, unemployment and shrinking state aid to cities threaten core city services such as roads, bridges, public safety, water quality.
Every voter in the city needs to step up, get registered, get informed, get to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3. Let’s get out to vote.
Gyllenblad been one of few voices
From: John Zeglin, Delano
As a long time property owner, resident, and active participant in the local politics of Independence, I’d like to express my continued confidence and support of Lance Gyllenblad.
Councilmember Gyllenblad has been one of the few voices in the history of Independence to tackle the difficult issues of the community, and most importantly, has made the effort to be fiscally responsible and call attention to the need for our city to be economically aware, and to help reduce our tax burden.
Although this path is long and is always controversial, it is absolutely necessary and imperative that we consider all opportunities to reduce our taxes, increase fiscal responsibility and hold our city employees, consultants, and policymakers accountable to the people of Independence.
Independence is a wonderful place for people to live, but it has become difficult to afford this piece of heaven. Do the people of Independence realize that we are the highest tax burdened community in the Twin Cities metropolitan area? Or, that Independence has less than half of the tax capacity than our neighboring community to the east, despite a similar population?
All of this cost, with little access to any service or jobs.
It is my hope that the people of Independence will continue to support the position of Gyllenblad, and that he will continue to ask the difficult questions and start providing for more tax base for the community.
Voting will significantly effect livability
From: Dolores Ullstrom, Independence
I love living in the city of Independence. It is beautiful, peaceful, and well run. I would like to keep it that way.
My vote and your vote in the Tuesday, Nov. 3 election can have a significant effect on the livability of our fair city.
There is much to say about Brad Spencer’s sterling qualification for the Independence City Council seat he seeks. He is smart, knowledgeable, and experienced.
I found this out when I served with him for over 10 years on various civic endeavors. I came to know him and respect him very much. He has what it takes to do any tasks to which he commits himself.
I think you should also know what he is not. He is not angry and self-serving. He has a positive attitude and a respectful good humor.
I live next door to the City of Greenfield. In the Star Tribune I have read stories about city council meetings where they shout at each other and spend meeting time discussing the merits of carrying guns to council meetings.
That is the talk of angry people, my friends, people who appear not to have the best interest of their city at heart. It is a situation I shutter to think could happen to our city or any city when angry people are elected to office.
Please, help keep Independence livable and a place in which we can take pride. Vote for Brad Spencer Tuesday, Nov. 3, and return Lynn Betts to office. You will be happy you did.
Mis-information recently written
From: Linda (Lynn) Betts, Independence
I must respond to the misinformation written in an editorial recently printed in the Delano Herald Journal.
I am opposed to the use of eminent domain and support property owner’s rights. I was an observer of an inventory of natural resources and amenities done by the DNR of the city of Independence.
I attended approximately two or three open houses held for the public and was not involved in any way other than observing those open houses.
The inventory showed natural animal paths, stands of trees, plants, wetlands, etc. The labeling of paths left much to be desired in accuracy of the intent. It was informational and has gone nowhere from that point. There is no “land grab.”
Historically, trails have been done by developers in lieu of park dedication fees, or by the county when their roads are upgraded. The park board recommends such things to the council for approval.
I have been diligent in conservative budgeting – I live and pay taxes in Independence and have the same issues with high taxes any other citizen has.
Property taxes are assessed Jan. 2 of each year, payable the following year. Most will see a decrease this year reflecting that. Green Acres is controlled by the county, not the city.
I am respectful to our citizens and to the other council members. Check the videos of coun
From: Ed Pluth, In
From: Ed Pluth, Independence
It is necessary to respond to the Pools’ letter to the editor because it contains false claims and mis-information that need to be corrected so those who vote Tuesday, Nov. 3 in the city of Independence are not further misled.
The letter focuses on two items: the alleged taking of private land, and city taxes. I will address each of these in turn.
The Pools continue to argue and now claim to have documents to prove their (false) contention, that the conceptual greenway proposal was a government land grab with the city taking control of private property for greenway corridors. This is totally false, and the Pools know it, because they and others have repeatedly been informed of the error of their thinking.
I was on the Open Spaces Committee and Open Spaces Task Force from the start, and never, at any time, was there mention or discussion by committee members of the city taking private property.
From the beginning of the discussion of open spaces it was made clear there was no desire, intent, or hidden agenda to take anyone’s property as part of any open spaces or conceptual greenway proposal.
The Open Spaces Committee Report, the Open Spaces Task Force Report, and the Comprehensive Plan never suggest, advocate, or imply any government taking of private land.
Yet, Pool and others, to further their own interests, continue to promote this false claim. There is no land grab, and the Pools and others are doing a disservice to the people of Independence by continually making this false claim. Moreover, in the letter, they unfairly taint two city council candidates by falsely claiming that those candidates support the taking of private land.
The Pools call city taxes “insane” and unfair and then identify two properties and the taxes each pays (one of 2.5 acres and one of 15 acres) to try to prove their point. But their numbers and data are misleading for several reasons.
Property taxes are based on tax levies from three jurisdictions: Hennepin County, the school district, and the City of Independence. The city’s tax levy isn’t the major problem here. Indeed, the city’s portion of the total property tax is only about 25 percent.
More importantly, tax levies are based on the assessed valuation of the property and various factors influence that valuation. And, it is the county, not the city, that does the property assessment. The Pools are again misleading their readers.
Also, the tax figures used in the Pools’ example are rounded out in a misleading way. The tax payable in 2009 on the 2.5-acre parcel on Nelson Road. was $4,671, a significant amount less than $5,000. The 2009 tax on one 15 acre parcel with a large home (also on Nelson Road) was $6,827, considerably above the cited $6,000. Thus, the actual difference in taxes paid was over $2,000, not the $1,000 claimed in the Pools’ figures.
And finally, I have no doubt that the future of West Hennepin Public Safety is at stake in this election. Lance Gyllenblad’s statements and actions leave little reason to think otherwise.
Just a reminder to residents of Independence: WHPS was organized in 1979 when the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Department would no longer provide services south of Highway 55.
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