[Winona Online Democracy]
Dave and Dwayne have raised many thought provoking
ideas and questions. I can't help but wish Eric S.,
Mayor Miller and the City Council members would say
something here. Also the Wilson Township officers.
Eric - recently in your second note on this topic you
said "......truly talking about the respective issues
on WOD. My hope is that WOD becomes more than simply a
surrogate for newspaper opinions." I, for one, think
we all can benefit from a better understanding of your
vision for how this email discussion group can better
productively talk about the issues in a way you and
the elected officials in the city find useful.
Craig Brooks
--- Dave Derks <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> [Winona Online Democracy]
>
> > Dwayne underscores the true opportunity for Winona
> and the Winona Community regarding the Wilson
> Annexation discussion. The focus of these types of
> discussions is not simply a business transaction
> between two parties. Yes, there are complex legal,
> financial, and tax considerations that need to be
> addressed. That is why we have experts in law,
> finance, and taxes; all these areas are important.
> However, legal rights, financial return on
> investment, and tax revenue implications are only a
> very small subset of the items that need to be
> considered and discussed in an issue that impacts
> the broader Winona Community to such a high degree.
>
> The real opportunity here for civic and community
> leaders is to show that complex discussions such as
> these can also be used to build a sense of community
> and common vision within the Winona area. People
> value and are concerned about the process by which
> these issues are decided just as much as they are
> concerned about the eventual outcome.
>
> The Great River Shakespeare Festival is an excellent
> example of how Winona City Leaders showed great
> foresight in viewing this not simply as a
> "contractual/business" relationship between the GRSF
> Company and the City of Winona but also an
> opportunity to build community and create a vision
> for Winona. Winona's leaders are to be commended
> for seeing the GRSF as this type of opportunity and
> for involving so many members of the broader Winona
> area in the planning and decision aspects of the
> GRSF.
> The question at hand is whether Winona City Leaders
> can capitalize upon the success of the GRSF and show
> the same type of foresight and community involvement
> with issues that are acknowledged to be much more
> complex and contentious. The type of leadership
> exhibited by our political leaders during these
> types of discussions is what will make or break a
> sense of community.
>
> The legal question of whether the City of Winona has
> the right to annex land is a simple yes. If
> necessary the City Leaders can vote on this and
> close the issue tomorrow and are not required to
> discuss or consult on this issue with County
> Residents, County Leaders, or anyone else in the
> Winona Community. This type of approach, however,
> would obviously be foolish and would correctly be
> viewed as poor leadership, irregardless of one's
> position on the issue.
>
> Please take a minute to compare this issue to
> another one we are all familiar with and have deep
> feelings on. Whether Congress and the President
> have the right to take the country to War without
> the consultation of other global leaders? The quick
> answer is yes and that in times of great national
> crisis (Dec 8, 1941, April 13, 1861) the President
> and Congress can and have shown strong leadership by
> taking quick decisive action in this area.
>
> The question is whether Winona is in a community
> "growth crises" that requires quick and decisive
> annexation action by our political leaders? The
> clear answer is no. St. Charles is not going to
> swoop in and annex the land if Winona does not take
> quick action. Wenonah Canoe is not going to cancel
> their expansion plans if Winona does not take quick
> action. In this case the City of Winona has time to
> discuss this issue and to build a broad consensus
> and sense of community via discussions how the
> broader Winona Community will manage growth. These
> discussions should involve leaders and community
> members from the entire Winona area including
> Rollingstone, Wilson, Stockton, and Lewiston.
>
> The goal is not a public "vote" on the Wilson
> Annexation issue but a democratic forum on the
> issues surrounding long term planned growth in an
> area of natural scenic beauty.
>
> Several things can be assured with this type of
> approach:
>
> 1) The process will take time. This is acceptable
> since there is no "imminent growth threat" to
> Winona.
>
> 2) A lengthy discussion is probably unfair to Mr.
> Phillips who has been patient and has done nothing
> wrong in presenting a business proposal to the city.
> However, a consensus development decision will
> ultimately likely result in a better return on
> investment for Mr. Phillips by ensuring that future
> community development has a broad level of support.
>
> 3) Any community forum is sure to result those who
> see this as an opportunity to voice personal issues
> that are either uncalled for or simply not related
> to the issue at hand (war in Iraq, etc). There is a
> time and a place to voice all concerns but it will
> be up to community leaders to ensure that these type
> of comments are held in check so that a sense of
> community and civility can flourish.
>
> Dave Derks
>
> 7045 Woodland Blvd
>
> Minnesota City, MN 55959
>
> 507-453-0902
=====
<(���)>
Craig
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
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