I am a resident of Ward 3 and writing this letter in support of my new Alderman Gary Scheeler. I actually voted for someone else but I believe he is doing a good job. I do not think that any citizen should be able to oust their elected officials over a personal grudge. I was relieved that our city council did not permit that Tuesday night. If we start allowing that our city council meetings will turn into chaos. I am optimistic that our new city council will work together and promote the positive things our city can offer to businesses and citizens who choose to live and work here.
I am happy that there are several new members on city council. The ones I spoke to listened and genuinely seemed to care about moving Brainerd forward. Most of them have business, marketing and interpersonal skills that will greatly benefit our city. That is exactly what we need right now and not negativity. We should be able to agree to disagree and still remain civil.
Alderman Scheeler did not start the “Safe Routes to Schools” sidewalk grant. He held a public hearing at Garfield School. Several council members have met with hostility about this issue. How do we find quality people to run for public office if personal attacks are what they have to deal with? The decision to apply for the grant was approved when Alderman Scheeler was away getting an award for his own business success.
At the Jan. 22 council meeting vocal critics of the sidewalks for NE spoke up loudly. I walked the proposed route and found a majority of people on the route supportive of the sidewalk grant. Remember - everyone needs to be heard, even those who cannot show up for city council meetings.
Marcia Ferris
Ward 3 resident
Brainerd
Comments (18)
Add commentRight...
...eighty some people from the neighborhood show up to a meeting to oppose it and a couple who don't live in the neighborhood show up to support it, and we're supposed to believe that that isn't representative of the neighborhood at large. Sorry, Marcia, but I won't believe you walked the entire neighborhood to get to the bottom of this until I hear from a number of people from the neighborhood who support your claim. I understand an actual resident from the neighborhood took a petition door to door to show opposition to the plan. Maybe she'd like to provide a copy of that petition to the BDD to get a better idea of who is telling the truth in this matter as to the general feelings of the neighborhood on this project.
Correction
"I walked the proposed route and found a majority of people on the route supportive of the sidewalk grant."
Doesn't say "entire neighborhood."
The petition should be at City Hall, btw.
Are you certain the 80 who showed up actually lived on the proposed route or even in the Garfield school boundaries area? Show us a roster of the attendees.
And the petition against sidewalks should be on file at city hall with addresses, too. What proportion reside in the Garfield area?
Stop the Presses!
Correct me if I am wrong but...didn't I read earlier that Marcia and Ed together went door to door ?
If true...Yes, then the story has changed... and there is a odor and it is not coming from the paper mill.
Too funny!
Looks like another one of his family members or employees wrote another letter. looks and sounds like it was proof read and edited before it was sent. lol.
But, but, but, He must be innocent,
even snowda's pal loves him.
Didn't Marcia Ferris have some job with the DFL?
If so, it's no surprise that she'd support more spending and taxes. Or as she puts it, "moving Brainerd forward." Unfortunately it's forward towards bankruptcy!
"Ripped from the minutes of city council"
" I actually voted for someone else but I believe he is doing a good job...." quoted the writer.
A few "secondeds" at the January 7, 2013 meeting and The Chair adjourned the meeting at 10:21 P.M. (Less than a 3 hour meeting.)
Some roll-call voting and a few motions at the January 22, 2013 meeting and The Chair adjourned the meeting at 11:45 P.M. ( OOOH a long one, 4 hours and 15 minutes.)
"Upon roll call, the following members were noted present: Pritschet, Bevans, Parks,
Borkenhagen, Koep and Cumberland. Mayor Wallin was also noted as present. Council Member Scheeler was noted as absent." February 4, 2013 Meeting.
February 11, 2013 Strategic Planning Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m. and adjourned at 8:30 p.m. A mere 2.5 hours of Mission Statement rhetoric leading to City Vision Statement.
February 19, 2013 minutes are yet to be posted.
My point. LESS than 10 hours of City Council meeting time for Gary, and I really wouldn't be able to tell what kind of job Scheeler or any of the other members are doing. I wish them all well, but perhaps the writer doesn't care for Mr. Green.
Marcia, Marcia, Marcia.....
Marcia, a few things first. I was at the Jan. 22nd council meeting. Mr. Shaw and you both spoke st the meeting. You stated that both of you walked around a petition in favor of the sidewalks. You collected 22 signatures (correct me if I'm wrong)
Second you speak of the promoting the "positive" things. Please provide a list of what you believe are the positive things. Finally I highly doubt you did vote for someone else. There is now way to know for sure. Your word is the only evidence. I would need more than that.
Uncle Fester...
Can you do that light bulb trick again? ...."I got a feeling..." that this issue is more than a "individual" grudge and as time passes the odor gets stronger.
myeye...
http://youtu.be/XRK6LTgg-Gc
Semantics...
Marcia could have walked with 200 people, and her statement that she walked around the area with a petition would still be accurate.
It takes fortitude to be an active participant in life and politics instead of an anonymous poster.
BTW, check out the DFL web site...Marcia's name doesn't seem to be on the list as a current officer.
Didn't you run for city council, Dan? How did that work out for you?
Columbo, Columbo, Columbo,
How many of the guests at the council meeting live in the Garfield area?
Isn't the sidewalk grant application process preliminary to a vote on accepting it? If it isn't granted, it is a moot point. Many cities turn down grants, since the city is expected to pay additional expenses for projects.
southie11
It is everyones concern citing the fact a grant is involved. Its everyones money being spent. Second, I agree the people directly impacted should have more say. They did and the council still rammed this through.
Uncle Fester...Lights on...Nobody home
Maybe you can make some extra income by lending you skills to the council or to the mayor. When a good idea comes up...white light. Bad idea...black light, a lie...red light and confused...flashing amber and no clue at all...well you get the idea.
Southie & Myeye
Southie, thanks for remembering... I wasn't able to garner enough votes to make the big show...
Myeye, how does this work for you;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEPxCejXYxk&feature=share&list=PLuPEnxxSW...
That would be...
open discussion on the need to ask the teachers at Garifield to park on a side street to help free up congestion in front of the school on 10th ave.
biggamehunter
I think you're right.