Monday, March 9, 2015

WELCOME MIKE BARONE AS CITY ADMINISTRATOR

The article here:
http://lakerpioneer.com/2015/01/24/minnetrista-selects-barone-as-city-administrator-discusses-future-projects/

You know what I like about Mike? Here is a direct quote from him LAST February 3rd 2014:

"I think we have an obligation to the people that live in the areas that have this terrible water and I don’t think its going to get any better by waiting 3 months or 6 months to study it. They would like clean water now and you heard from your staff members and public works that they’re getting almost daily complaints about it and this is winter wait until the summer starts. I think it will get even worse then. like I said I think we have an obligation to provide them with decent water. I think its bad for you as far as being city council members when you have people complaining about not having good drinking water and good bathing water and good and dishwashing water and clothes washing water and and they are asking you to do something about it and you are going to sit on it for 3-6 months.."

“We have an obligation to clean that water up now, sooner rather than later." 

Here is that video. Mike starts talking at 2:49 into the video.


Mike please use your power for good and help us city water user clean and consistent water!

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

HUNTERS CREST RESIDENTS FIZZY TAP WATER

This is entirely wrong! Given the recent decision by our new Mayor Lisa Whalen WHEN is this going to be fixed!? It's ridiculous that on a day to day basis the city water users can not count on the consistency of our water. It might be time for the residents to start looking into legal action.


HUNTERS CREST BLUE WATER

Is the city now over compensating with too much chlorine? Some residents water is coming out very blue and very very chlorine smelling. Too the point where its hard to be in the bathroom with a tub of water the smell is so strong.


STAR TRIBUNE ARTICLE DEC 5

http://www.startribune.com/local/west/284945261.html

This is entirely disheartening. Well water user concerned over losing their landscaping are heard louder than Minnetrista residents who are actually using the city water and are concerned about the safety and quality of the water they are exposing to their families.

Saturday, December 6, 2014

CITY COUNCIL MEETING DEC 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdyDgEgVJR8

Water treatment discussion starts at 1:18 into the video. 

Tuesday, November 4, 2014

Monday, November 3, 2014

TIRED OF THE NEGATIVE CAMPAIGN?

Mark Vanderlinde isn't afraid to run on his record 

Mark Vanderlinde and the current council reinstated persons to be heard and televised citizen comments. Even when our political opposition lied about the current council, Mark listened respectfully. Mark still believes that everyone has the right to be heard in local government. 

Mark Vanderlinde and Tyler Abens were the only candidates at the political forum that told residents with complaints to contact them. The other candidates told them to contact staff. Mark and Tyler believe they are advocates for residents. 

Mark Vanderlinde and the current council lowered your taxes. 
 Net Tax Levy in 2010 was $4,456,145 
 Net Tax Levy in 2014 is $3,777,265 
 Lowered your taxes by $678,880 or over 15.2% 
 In 2010 Minnetrista was ranked #9th highest out of 225 cities for net tax levy. In 2012, we are #19th highest of 227 
 In 2010 Minnetrista was ranked #16 out of 225 for total taxes In 2012, we are #42 of 227 (According to Minnesota State Auditor) 

While improving services... 
 Restructured the Public Works Dept. to focus on "boots on the ground" 
 St. Bonifacius has expressed their appreciation and satisfaction with our Public Safety department under the direction of Police Chief Paul Falls 

Mark Vanderlinde addressed our deteriorating roads. 
 Highland Road was paved in partnership with St. Bonifacius 
 Road Committee was formed 
 Paved roads were rated 
 Gravel roads were treated chemically as a two-year pilot program which proved so successful that it will be continued next year paid by the city. 
 When Mark Vanderlinde was elected, $13,000 was spent for rock for our gravel roads. It would have taken 18 years to put two inches of gravel on the roads. Today 5 times that amount is spent on keeping up our gravel roads. This saves you, the taxpayer, money in the long run. 
Paid for By Vanderlinde For Mayor 

Mark Vanderlinde and the current Council spent over a year studying water treatment options. 
Solicited input from multiple vendors and current water users. 
Evaluated the whole city infrastructure, not just the proposed plants. 
 The current water treatment plant project is estimated at $16 million. The council and the water users together saved the city over $2 million plus reduced future operating costs by doing their homework. 

Mark Vanderlinde understands City finances. 
 The city's credit rating was affirmed by Standard & Poor's as AA+ one month ago. The only negative comment was the debt load that Mark Vanderlinde and the current council inherited. 
 The city has healthy reserves at 60% of the budgeted general fund expenditures. 
 The Economic Development Authority Bonds were recently refinanced to General Obligation Bonds for a savings of $511,000 in interest costs. 

Mark Vanderlinde worked for you on new development. 
 Voted against the 2009 Comprehensive Plan that placed high densities in Red Oak. 
 Successfully lobbied the Met Council to reduce the density of Red Oak from 5 units per acre to 3-3.5 units per acre. 
 Made sure that noise ordinances were enforced in Woodland Cove when he received complaints from residents. 

Mark Vanderlinde is honest. The current council has never been under investigation and has never had a lawsuit filed against them. 

Mark Vanderlinde is running a typical campaign for mayor of a small town, Minnetrista. He has largely self-funded his campaign. The "Our Minnetrista" team of Whalen, Thoele, and Mortenson has spent over $17,000 and is attempting to buy the election. 

For additional information, please visit:  www.Minnetrista411facts.org  www.votevanderlinde.org