[Winona Online Democracy] Roy Nasstrom wondered about consolidation of governments in Minnesota. There are actually numerous examples around the state of such consolidation - mostly it's city/county partnerships - and there are more contemplated all the time. I know Ramsey County has done a lot, as well as some of the counties in the Brainerd Lakes area. There are also the numerous school districts that have consolidated over the years, making one large district from two or more smaller districts.
There is also the merger of cities, or the merger of a city and adjacent township or townships. It's called "merger" when it's friendly, "annexation" when it's not. The merger of St. Cloud and St. Cloud Township is one of the larger recent examples (1997?). And more is on the way in the St. Cloud area as it grows. When our planning firm was assisting the City of St. Cloud with its comprehensive plan in 1992 we held community planning meetings and invited lots of folks from business, area institutions, etc., including the adjacent townships. We had an all-day Saturday gathering to discuss a common vision for St. Cloud region. Several people said it was the first time that city council members and town board members had sat in the same room together in their memory. The plan recommended St. Cloud grow in an orderly, compact way into the adjacent township. There was considerable anger, suspicion, and acrimony at that suggestion. Five years later they merged amicably, forming the boundaries of St. Cloud today. Phil Carlson, Mpls _______________________________________________ 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
