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Jason Mehring has a nice little work of fiction in the Post Bulletin.  Lets check out his accuracy:

Mehring:

The other sad part of the story is us small business people and nonprofits who have to pay for such a lavish waste of money.

The truth:  Businesses are only paying for the replacement of the roadway and sidewalks.  This is required as the current stretch is in need of replacement.  There is nothing lavish about that.
Mehring:

We have been struggling to break even from year to year, and now after an 8.5 percent tax increase on each property, they are assessing our properties another $81,000 to pay for this unnecessary beautification project. This will take years upon years for us to even think about paying off.

The truth:  The assessment is at the same rates as every other business and we are offering payment over 10 years.  Not one penny of the $81,000 is going to unnecessary beautification.

Mehring:

We believe that there is a plan to take our property at below market rates because we will not be able to keep up with all of these extra expenses and we will be forced out by the bank.

The truth:  There is no such conspiracy.

Mehring:

Not only is this a huge financial burden on us, this project also calls for taking part of our lawn, shrubs, our very mature trees, taking out our street parking and cutting down our main access to our property.

The truth:  Not one square inch of this property is being take for this project and the property still has access.  The business raised the concern about the future access, so I tried the access in a Prius in a snowstorm and had absolutely no issue.

Mehring:

When asked for revisions during the many meetings leading up to the decision to go forth, our Council Member Michael Wojcik told us if we do not like it, we can move.

The truth:  Completely fictitious statement that was never said.  This statement is insulting and contradicts the public thanks received from several businesses through the process.

Mehring:

Why then are we the ones to take all the hardship on absurd projects like this one, especially in a poor economic market that we still find ourselves in.

The truth:  The market for rental housing near downtown is on fire, many new projects are getting started.  Rochester is one of the fastest growing areas in the nation.  Maintaining a roadway is not absurd.

One of the key issues that I raised and ran on in my 2008 campaign for city council was the need for an independent ethics commission.  The pressure that citizens put on for this led to the implementation shortly after my election.  I am grateful that we have this organization, and it is filled with people that are NOT appointed by city hall.

Complaint 1 – pertaining to the handling of a conflict of interest – Dismissed 4-1 with Ray Schmitz dissenting based on the timing of some events (I think).

Complaint 2 – pertaining to more serious unethical behavior – Dismissed 5-0, and pretty emphatically at that. Read the rest of this entry »

“I hope that my concerns prove unfounded and [Legends Bar] will be a successful well run business.  I want everyone to understand that the city council just approved a liquor license to an individual related to pending felony assault charges and a history of criminal convictions including DWI, leaving the scene of an accident, and driving without insurance.  The approval came despite not satisfying police requests for information.  The police have raised additional questions about contradictory information submitted by the applicant.  I remained concerned by this.”

-Michael Wojcik Read the rest of this entry »

https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/

Tell Sen. Franken and Sen Klobuchar to stop supporting this awful attack on free speech.

Update: Per Tim Walz’s facebook page.  Rep. Walz will oppose SOPA / PIPA.  Great Job!

I asked Transit Manager (and incredibly nice guy) Tony Knauer for a timeline of our contract negotiates where the city was held hostage and forced into a bad contract.  I voted against the contract with Mark Bilderback but I do not fault the 4 that voted in favor because the felt they had to.

While RCL claims that they have never made a profit, that is hidden by generous salaries, sharing allocated overhead, and above market rate rental fees.

Here is the timeline. Read the rest of this entry »

As always I believe in transparency, so here are my 2011 expense reimbursements Year-to-date.

Expenses 1

Expenses 2

Expenses 3

Expenses 4

Twice in the last month I have pursued tax records when I suspected that the city was providing services or empowering individuals that were negligent in their responsibilities to the city.  Both times I was proven correct.  Apparently I touched a nerve because because staff is actually suggesting that I not have the power to do this kind of investigation.  Is this right?  Maybe you should contact your elected officials…

Read the rest of this entry »

There has been a lot of interest in this topic so I wanted to provide some additional thoughts on this topic.  Here is a note that I received.  As is always the case I respond to every policy related question or comment sent to me.  Here is most of the note: Read the rest of this entry »

For 2011 I will be serving as chair of ROCOG (Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments).  This working group includes representation from Rochester, Olmsted County, Smaller Communities in Olmsted County, Townships, the School District, and often has individuals from MNDOT and other organizations present. Read the rest of this entry »

The City lost a Supreme Court Decision.  Here is the note I received from City Attorney, Terry Adkins… Read the rest of this entry »