----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2005 7:59
PM
Subject: Re: [Winona] Consolidation of
Government
[Winona Online Democracy]
Just a quick note while following the discussion
about shared government. In 1995-96 the citizens of Rollingstone came up
with the idea to have a shared facility with the school district. We
knew the old Rollingstone School would be condemned and/or closed, so we went
to the legislature to obtain special legislation to build what is now the
Rollingstone Community School.
While some may think
this was an "underhanded" way to build a school, we in the community thought
otherwise. A fund drive was started and $100,000 was raised as
a show of support of the concept of a school/ city building.
In hearings before legislative committees then, several legislators questioned
whether or not this would be setting a dangerous precedent. Amber
Reischott-Young countered then by convincing the panel it would be a good
precedent and that if any other community that could come up and "put
their money where their mouth is" should be supported.
Basically what the legislation
provided was the opportunity for the City of Rollingstone to issue revenue
bonds to construct the new building and lease most of it to the school
district to pay off the bonds. We have our City office in the building
and share other public areas, The City of Rollingstone pays rent and a
proportion of the utilities. We will celebrate our 8th anniversary with a
community breakfast next Friday Jan 14th at 7AM at the Community
School.
It became a win-win for both our
City and the school district. To this day, we share much of the building
and our City Clerk serves on our site based team and works with the building
secretary and other staff when needed. This is just an example of
how governments can work together. I also believe that at one time the
school district, county and cities explored joint purchasing agreements and
had auctions of out dated used equipment together. In 1995 we found
the legislature open to new ideas of consolidation and efficiency.
Perhaps that is the place to start again. Dick
Gaffron
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Friday, January 07, 2005 5:43
PM
Subject: Re: [Winona] Consolidation of
Government
[Winona Online Democracy]
Kathy et al
The Winona-Goodview experiment I refered to was
an 18 month (correct me Arlene) task force effort to examine the possibility
of merging Winona and Goodview. They even produced a promotional video
(if anyone has a copy I would love one), and recommended 'consolidation,' I
think the word was...but Goodview council voted no...that's my
recollection. Does anyone better remember how events unfolded?
It was funded by Blandin or someone, wasn't it?
As for the tax issue, Kathy, I was simply
refering to a distrust of big government. A fear of mandates coming
down the pike. Again, this is all speculation and philosophizing and I
have friends on all eighteen sides of these issues :-)
Bob Sebo
Winona
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