[Winona Online Democracy] This is a response to the comments and questions made as to why should anyone who lives outside the city limits have a say in what goes on in the city.
I would like to site a few reasons I believe it is important to have "Community" input. A "City" does not stand without a "Community". What makes up the City of Winona is not just the people who have residency in the city of Winona. Many people who do not have residency in Winona own businesses within the city, but they cannot vote on things going on within the City, therefore, the only input these people would have is being on committees. These property owners pay taxes, yet I am hearing people say, if you are not a resident, you should not have a say. Some business buildings, cost far more than a house. Many of my neighbors who do not live in the City own large businesses in the city and pay taxes on them. Many people who do not live in the City, support the City financially through organizatins, causes and events. Shakespeare, the new Museum, the Historical Society, the library, and other organizations and institutions. Why should these people be excluded from City committees? A City is not just supported by taxes. Many decisions on growth that affect people who do not live in the City are currently made by the City with no input. The traffic, the environment, the ecosystem, the schools, many things affect the entire "Community", it is not just about who pays city taxes. It is about keeping a community intact and building on the people resourses, skills and knowledge that is available "outside the city limits" as well. The City misses a huge opportunity by not allowing professionals and citizens outside the limit to serve on committees. And lastly, the people of the "Winona Community" pay State and Federal taxes that suppor the city. Where do you think the nice Federal grants that the City recently got came from? From you who live in the City and me who lives outside the City. I pay taxes that goes to Winona County and Wilson Township, City people do not, yet they travel these roads that I am paying for and they are not. I pay sales tax that supports the city, I pay for the schools in the City even though my children go to private schools. I think it is a poor strategy for a City to exclude people in the Community in decision making. It alienates them, it causes frustration, anger and a breakdown of relationships. It becomes "City" vs everyone else, rather than Community. Janice Turek Quoting [EMAIL PROTECTED]: > [Winona Online Democracy] > > Mr. Dittman, > > I could spend hours and hours explaining my own interpretation of the > numerous aspects of the many deeds to parcels of land that Latsch donated. > Please respect the fact that I do not have those hours due to many other > priorities that are far more interesting and important to me than getting > into petty spitting matches with angry people who have nothing better to do > than just pick fights. It would be more educational and responsible for > others to take their own time (if they are really interested) to arrive at > their own conclusions concerning what Mr. Latsch's intentions were and who > might still have what legal interests in the parcels. > You referred to Wilson below; You don't seem to think any citizens from > Winona have had any impact on what has happened to the citizens in Wilson, > against their will, over the last two years? > I thought this was a moderated adult forum for civil discussion. Perhaps > I was mistaken. > Peace and Love to you Dave, > Mike Kirschmann > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "David" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "Winona Online Democracy" <[email protected]> > Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2005 3:17 PM > Subject: Re: [Winona] Re: Winona Digest, Vol 20, Issue 11 > > > [Winona Online Democracy] > > > On Aug 9, 2005, at 22:06, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > > > Mr. Woodford, > > > > Someone got up on the wrong side of the bed. What has happened to good > > manners in our society? Honey always works better than vinegar. > > > > Mike Kirschmann > > Mike, please explain exactly how you consider it polite to refer to > covenants in the land deeds that donated various swaths of land to the > city and then refuse to elaborate on that comment? > > I could probably find some time later in the week and copy the relevant > documents from the Recorder's office, spend a few hours reviewing them, > and then construct my own explanation as to the Latsch deeds. Since you > have already reviewed the documents or at least seem to know something > of them, judging by your previous comments, you can do us all a favor > and explain what in the Latsch deeds pertains to the discussion of the > land use. > > >> Mr. Kirschmann, > >> I also happen to live "outside the city limits" so why don't you just > >> share your pertinent information regarding his wishes? Please just state > > >> what you have to say, if you have personal issues with city boards and > >> committees you should take them up with them. What is it you have to > >> share( yes, please "spoonfeed us" or, stop loading our inboxes with > >> waste). > >> > >> Sincerely, > >> > >> C.E. Woodford > > Ditto. > > Mike Kirschmann wrote: > > >>> Mr. Carlson, > >>> That's a reasonable question to ask. However, since the city passed a > >>> new > >>> resolution last year to intentionally exclude non-city residents from > >>> participating on city boards and committees (except for a few select > >>> individuals), and I live 3 miles outside the city limits, I don't think > > >>> my > >>> input would be considered or valued. > > Devils advocate position: Explain why I as a citizen of Winona should > have any input on Goodview, Wilson, or Minneapolis committees? Frankly, > I should not have any say in any committee outside my own jurisdiction > unless I have expert information. I have a hard time seeing exactly > what is wrong with that city resolution. > > >>> I'm sure committee members are capable of doing there homework without > >>> being spoon fed information. > > ... and why should these committee members go on wild goose chases for > information that may or may not exist? > > >>> Perhaps city hall will post them on line? > > ... or perhaps you can summarize... > > >>> You can lead a horse to water.... > >>> > >>> Mike Kirschmann [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Apparently, a drought is starting to affect Mike's well, because the > water that he claims to be leading us to does not exist. Instead of > refusing to drink the water, as the horse reference may suggest, we > cannot drink the water because there is no water. > > >>>> I wonder if Mike Kirschmann could share with us what the interesting > >>>> covenants are on the Latsch parcels, for those of us not near the > >>>> county recorder's office. > >>>> > >>>> Phil Carlson, Mpls > >>> > >>> To the Bike Trail and Aghaming Park Advocates; > >>> > >>> Has anyone on the Bike Trail Committee or at city hall reviewed the > >>> deeds > >>> of the many parcels donated to the city by Latsch? You will find some > >>> interesting covenants/restrictions with regard to land use for what is > > >>> now > >>> Aghaming Park. I would highly recommend it. Copies are available at > >>> the > >>> county recorders office. > >>> We should respect the wishes and intentions of Mr. Latsch, especially > >>> considering his many generous donations to the city. > >>> > >>> Mike Kirschmann [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > /./ > David Dittmann > Winona > /./ > > _______________________________________________ > 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 > _______________________________________________ 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
