Re: [Winona] 363 Days

[Gerry Krage]

Dean and everyone,   The majority of the people in attendance were there for both public hearings, Riverbend's plat and Treetops.   Riverbend's plat discussion has little to do with Wal-Mart, for the road in question is necessary regardless of who goes there.  Even so, we listened to every speaker and most had great input.  Throughout the public hearing there was some Council discussion, but it was limited for there was very little to say about the plat.   Treetops' public hearing took well over an hour and involved a lively discussion from all parties including the Council.  The decision was unanimous to turn Treetops down which was exactly what all but two of the speakers wanted.  Dean failed to mention any of this.   Dean asked the question "who are these men (the council) representing?"  Well, I try my best to represent the people of Winona's 2nd Ward.  Regarding Wal-Mart I have received over one hundred comments, of which over 95% are strongly in favor of them coming to Winona.   Yes, the elections are one year away.  Dean, I urge you step away from the keyboard and into the process as a candidate.  You'll quickly find out that it is an extremely difficult job where every decision leaves some constituents happy and others upset.  It's a challenging job, but also extremely rewarding.  (Not monetarily).   I enjoy reading WOD.  However, I don't feel that it was created as a forum for one to constantly attack with partial facts and endless innuendo.  My responses are not in defense of my actions, but rather to inform and provide a fuller and more accurate picture.  I have invited Dean to meet with me to discuss issues, but was flatly and sarcastically turned down.   Thank you WOD for the construcive questions and professional debate.  In my opinion the less than professional attacks are at times entertaining, but accomplish little else.   Gerry Krage 452-4404     ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2003 3:13 PM Subject: [Winona] 363 Days Monday night I took the opportunity to watch the televised Winona City Council Meeting, paying particular attention to the "public hearing" on the Riverbend Retail Park plat plan. What I heard was about half a dozen intelligent, articulate citizens of Winona speaking their concerns about this plan and the council's seeming hurry to push it through. I head no speaker speak in favor of the plan. However, when the "public hearing" was over the council not only approved the plan, they did so unanimously and without A SINGLE WORD OF DISCUSSION on the motion. It seemed obviously clear that the council members had made up their minds to approve the plan before the meeting began and merely went through the formality of holding a "public hearing". The question needs to be asked; who are these men representing? The citizens who voted them into office or the interests of the Wal-Mart empire? Wal-Mart say they can have a store up in Winona in 18 months. Winnows however, need only wait 363 days until the next election. Dean Lanz