[Winona Online Democracy]
Recently, I heard Mayor Miller and Eric Sorenson talk on a radio talk show regarding the possible annexations in Wilson Township. I would just like to clarify a few misconceptions that I heard. 1. Mayor Miller stated that the Wilson Township Supervisors are doing a good job at the negotiations and that once a few other issues are settled the annexation will go through. He also claimed that the Wilson Township residents do not have a vote in this. He stated that the information only needs to be brought to a public hearing in Wilson Township. I agree with Mayor Miller that our Supervisors are doing an outstanding job in these "forced negotiations". I say forced, because if it was not through the continuous threat and history of Winona City forcing themselves on the Townships these negotiations would not be taking place. I do not agree with Mayor Miller in that there will only be a public hearing with NO vote. There Will BE a vote in Wilson Township, by the residents of Wilson Township as to whether or not we support the contract our Supervisors and the City have come up with. I do concede that the ultimate decision rests in the hands of the Supervisors and the residents vote is not binding. I have full faith that our Supervisors will do what is best for the residents in Wilson Township. 2. Mayor Miller stated that with the annexation to the Winona Country Club, the City was already half way to the Phillips property. I think this is an insult to the citizens of Winona. This is a direct misrepresentation and why it is difficult to trust what is coming out of the City's mouths. The annexation to the Country Club is .4 miles from the City. The rest of the length to Phillips property is 1.2 miles. I don't know about any of you but basic Math tells me this is a far cry from half way there. 3. Let's give Mr. Miller the benefit of the doubt and say he just doesn't know how to measure miles. If the low ball estimated costs of running pipes to the Phillips property is 3.5 million (and I have heard from other reliable developers, that this is VERY low ball), and the Country Club is half way there (haha), then that means that the pipes to the Country Club cost about let's say 1 million. The Country Club pays a hook up fee of $10,000. Let's say there are about a half a dozen others who decide to hook up along the way. The City makes $60,000. I don't claim to be a math wiz again, but it sure seems the citizens of Winona fall short on this deal. I hope the citizens of Winona, don't get fooled all the way to Phillips land! 4. Mayor Miller claimed that Phillips has 90 developable acres. In the last plan I saw from Phillips he had 80. Now 10 acres may not seem like much of a difference, but when you start adding up $17,000 per acre for hook up fees and now you're 10 acres shorter on the estimate the City is counting on, this money (or lack of) certainly starts adding up for the taxpayers footing the bill. I would also like to add that the Environmental surveys, sloping ordinances and wetland ordinances have not even been brought into play on this development. When that happens there could be significantly less developable land. The statement saying, the City may be accused of making too much money on the developments in Pleasant Valley appauls me. I hope that the tax payers of Winona are thinking wisely and not listening to the "PIPE dreams." 5. The questions regarding "leap frog" annexation and urban sprawl being a poor way for a City to develop were constantly skirted by Sorenson and Miller. Instead they continued to bad mouth the Townships as poor stewards of land and allowing a house to go up whereever any one wanted to build in the Township. Gee, the last time I looked this was called living in the Country and abiding by a different lifestyle. What is so bad about this? It is too bad the City feels they need to mud sling every chance they get. Did anyone pay attention to the article done in the Post last summer regarding the City's plans and how they ignored the threat of overtaxing our waste water systems? Has anyone seen the recent article regarding the pipes on Hwy 43 boughtby taxpayers money and left to waste away. Have you heard about the Sloping Ordinance the City has put in place and fails to reinforce. And no one could have missed the 64% underestimated projection on the Pelzer development. Trust me if the City wants to sling mud, there can be a mudslide regarding their follies. Oh yes and has anyone seen the many many articles in both papers regarding the lack of services and infra structure to the last annexed Township. When Miller claimed they will service this "island" just like they do any other area in Winona, I had to shudder. Also, I would like to clarify the definition of Leap Frog Annexation. Leapfrog annexation is the forcible taking of one governed land by another governing body. It is leaping over existing boundries to create an "island" development. It is forcibly taking land with no connection to the city. The City justifies their position by saying they will not "force" anyone to hook up to their pipes. Hook up is not the "forced" issue. It is forcing one government to give up their land, taxes that support their residents and their governing rights. The law for this type of annexation was put in place to support cities that needed to "leap" over a State or Federal Park because they needed land to grow. OUR city is abusing and misusing this guideline. It was not intended to be used the way the city is 'forcing' this. The developers also "leaped" over the Wilson Township officials right into the hands of the City officials. They played on the power of one governing body to force the hand of the existing governing body. It is corrupt. Lastly, In one sentence Mayor Miller stated he will not annex land for another ten years if this annexation goes through. A few minutes later he is talking about all the money the city will make on the 1200 acres available for annexation over the next ten years. How do you trust these guys? How can you believe what they are saying. Will they ever learn? Janice Turek _______________________________________________ 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. 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