[Winona Online Democracy] I like your dogs and ponies. They invite comments. Speaking of which...Copyright 1975, University of Minnesota, a soft-cover named "Winona", done by the School of Architecture and Landscape Design...and on its second page, this quotation: "This is a civilization which is going down, not because it hasn't got the knowledge which would save it, but because nobody will use the knowledge." Said by Idries Shah in Psychology Today.
Moving on 20 years, to June of 1995, we adoped a Comprehensive Plan. On page 34 "Strategic Opportunities" are listed. Makes for a good "read", as does the "Land Use Plan" which begins on page 7, ends on page 29. Then, in 1998, we have the "Blufflands Design Manual", which summarizes many of the issues and concerns discussed in the Common Visions Project regarding growth and development in the blufflands landscape. Also in that year, the Goodview Winona Consolidation Study Commission where we discussed both Planning and Land Use and Environment and Ecology (among other concerns). We HAVE the knowledge. Let's review all of it. Then, let's have a parade of dogs and ponies, and ideas and concepts, and ideals and concerns. Thanks for nudging our thoughts. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob Sebo" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Winona On-Line Democracy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2004 6:11 PM Subject: [Winona] Here I go again > [Winona Online Democracy] > > The long-time subscribers to this group have seen this dog and pony show > before. So for those of you for which this a repeat, my apologies. But it > is a great story...and it bears repeating. > > I'm not saying it's a holy grail, but I have been exhorting members of this > group for years to get a copy of the 1960 City of Winona comp plan and just > read the preface. It says everything that needs to be said. > > Winona is a crescent from Minnesota City to Homer, and it needs I-90 access > on the south. > To me, that means the gradual absorption of Wilson township by the city (the > fingers are there already)...and I believe the local governments in Homer, > MN City, and Goodview, as well. > > We are a single community...I think it's dumb to have all these artificial > divisions. I don't understand why folks on the borders of the city don't > want a voice on council. Until then their voices will go unheard at city > hall. > > And yes, I think the city would better manage "suburban" development than > would the townships and other LGU's...just my opinion. > > Finally, we need utilities in newly developed areas. Sewer and water...it's > a no brainer. > > Paul Double, whom I respect for many reasons and like for even more, is a > false god, however, when it comes to these annexation issues. He is clearly > biased in terms of the loosest governance structure possible. He will > defend townships to the death. > > As he did on the municipal board. However, his argument did not > prevail...because of a series of extenuating circumstances that I couldn't > begin to relay without going to my notes...but the city won. > > These turf battles are counter-productive and cost us money. They also > speak volumes about the effectiveness of volunteer government. Wilson > township says they need documents from the city to proceed with an > annexation request, but then not does not bother to ask the city for the > documents. An important discussion of that same annexation with a quorum of > the county board occurred without anyone bothering to inform the public or > the media. Maybe it's a good thing to have professionals running things. > > There's my rant for the evening. > > Bob Sebo > Winona > > ps...see you at GE04 June 30! > > _______________________________________________ > This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy > All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. > No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. > To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit > http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona > Any problems or suggestions can be directed to > mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at > http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org > _______________________________________________ This message was posted to Winona Online Democracy All messages must be signed by the senders actual name. No commercial solicitations are allowed on this list. To manage your subscription or view the message archives, please visit http://mapnp.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/winona Any problems or suggestions can be directed to mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] If you want help on how to contact elected officials, go to the Contact page at http://www.winonaonlinedemocracy.org
