[Winona Online Democracy]
Terri, Janice, and Linda,
I appreciate the healthy exchange of ideas regarding "community".
Their are some recent local examples of what I think we might all agree
are good examples of the greater community working together and "outsiders"
being invited in, regardless of turf wars;
While our county government has no authority in the decision making
processes that take place within the municipalities (or their
committees/boards) located within Winona County, our county commissioners
recently invited all city governments within the county to participate in
the county wide EDA, even though most of the municipalities have their own
EDA's. Judy Bodway, Winona's Economic Development Director and head of the
Port Authority (Winona's EDA) was given a seat on the board as an advisor.
This is an example of "community".
If news reports (and my memory) are correct, some members of the GRSF
participate on a city board/committee, even though they are not
resident/registered voters. There is also at least one other city board
that has a non-city resident on it even though it is against the city's own
ordinance. These types of contradictions create distrust, division, and
suspicion.
A little closer to home for me, at a very recent Wilson Township Variance
Hearing, the First Lady of Winona was guest in attendance. A township
resident/registered voter was requesting a variance from the township zoning
ordinance, as is their right. Mrs. Miller, while not a resident/registered
voter of the township, is a neighboring property owner of the variance
requestor, and was invited to and did attend the hearing. During the Public
Hearing portion of the meeting Mrs. Miller was given the floor and spoke of
her concerns regarding the variance request. The Variance Board listened
closely and tried to address and answer her questions. They had merit but
were not conclusive enough to deny the variance. However, because of her
concerns, the board recommended that the petitioner withdraw their request
until certain of her concerns were addressed and the petitioner graciously
agreed to do so.
Considering recent Wilson/Winona history it would have been easy for the
board to place the township residents' interests ahead of Mrs. Miller's and
go ahead and grant the variance. The board did not.
I was proud and pleased in how that board responded. I thought it was a
moment when we all recognized what was best for the greater community.
Inclusion creates community, trust, and harmony. Exclusion creates
division, suspicion, and strife.
Mike Kirschmann
----- Original Message -----
From: "terri hyle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2005 9:58 PM
Subject: RE: [Winona] community/city
[Winona Online Democracy]
It is absolutely true that what happens in the city of Winona has an
effect on the greater Winona community, and beyond. I am glad to see that
Janice T. and Linda F. both acknowledge this to be true.
I would like to point out that what happens in the outlying townships, and
rural areas also has an effect on the city and citizens of Winona. As I
seem to recall, neither Ms. Tureck or Ms Fort is enthusiastic about the
city exerting any influence over their rural areas or us cityfolk meddling
in township affairs. Rightly, so, I think, just as I think that if you
want to have a voice in city policy, you need to actually be a resident of
the city.
I would also like to point out that the residents of the city of Winona
also pay state, , and federal taxes, as well as property taxes to support
the city, the local school district and the city port authority. Tax
dollars generated in the city of Winona and paid for by citizens of the
city also go to support roads and services in rural areas, townships, the
state and the nation.
What happens in one area has an effect on neighboring areas. This is a
two way street: Each of us has an obligation to see things from our own
perspective and best interests , and also to keep in mind how our
decisions affect not only ourselves, but our neighbors, no matter how far
flung they may be. The trick is in balancing the interests of the various
communities, and trying to serve them all, while harming none, and while
keeping in mind what one person might consider a benefit would be a
detriment to another, particularly if it is inflicted upon them. We are
all in this together.
Terri Hyle
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