How is Mayor Walsh Funding his Pet Projects?
Barbara Schmidt Barbara Schmidt

How is Mayor Walsh Funding his Pet Projects?

Our Orono taxes are proposed to rise again this year. The city council wants to approve a 12% increase in property taxes for next year and this is on top of increased utility fees. Our Sewer rates are the 2nd highest in the West Metro. Our Water rates are higher than needed.

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Where's the Budget? Another omission by Orono Mayor Walsh
Barbara Schmidt Barbara Schmidt

Where's the Budget? Another omission by Orono Mayor Walsh

Finally the Orono citizens get some info in the city newsletter about this radical idea to change the city’s fire service. Mayor Walsh claims that the fire contract ended, but in reality he decided to not extend it or work with Long Lake to negotiate a revised one. That's a big difference as far as intention goes.

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Mayor Walsh, Park Commission spend taxpayer funds to design Pickleball Courts at Bederwood Park
Barbara Schmidt Barbara Schmidt

Mayor Walsh, Park Commission spend taxpayer funds to design Pickleball Courts at Bederwood Park

Thousands of Orono Citizen Voices were Silenced April 24, 2023.

This is the moment that #MayorDennisWalsh pushes out consideration of a citywide citizen survey until December 11, 2023. Going along with this vote are Orono Council members #richardcrosbyII and #mattjohnson

A citywide survey would help to quell the unrest in Orono now and it’s exactly what would help a mediator end all the angst. The first step in successful negotiations is to listen to everyone at the table.

Mayor Walsh, are Orono Citizens even at the table?

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Thousands of Orono Voices were Silenced 4/24/23.
Barbara Schmidt Barbara Schmidt

Thousands of Orono Voices were Silenced 4/24/23.

Thousands of Orono Citizen Voices were Silenced April 24, 2023.

This is the moment that #MayorDennisWalsh pushes out consideration of a citywide citizen survey until December 11, 2023. Going along with this vote are Orono Council members #richardcrosbyII and #mattjohnson

A citywide survey would help to quell the unrest in Orono now and it’s exactly what would help a mediator end all the angst. The first step in successful negotiations is to listen to everyone at the table.

Mayor Walsh, are Orono Citizens even at the table?

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Is the City of Orono in Breach of Contract with the City of Long Lake?
Barbara Schmidt Barbara Schmidt

Is the City of Orono in Breach of Contract with the City of Long Lake?

Is Orono in Breach of Contract with the City of Long Lake? Read the letter that was just delivered to the City of Orono in last week. In it you will find 4 possible breaches of contract:

1) Hiring away Long Lake's Fire Chief

2) Purchasing the Ladder Truck that Long Lake was considering to purchase

3) Approaching the state Legislature to move the present Fireman’s Relief Association funding from the City of Long Lake to Orono.

4) Refusing to pay future Capital expenditures for the Long Lake Fire Department.

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The Story of Funny Money and Two Fire Chiefs
Barbara Schmidt Barbara Schmidt

The Story of Funny Money and Two Fire Chiefs

Why are Orono Citizens paying for two Fire Chiefs? Why does Mr. James Van Eyll have a command vehicle and he doesn’t have any fires to go to? Why was that written into his contract with the City of Orono?

Why are we paying over $100k in salary for at least two years and paying for his vehicle when he does not have a department to manage? Our fire service continues to be provided by Long Lake. Orono’s new fire chief just sits at a desk and figures out what a whole new department will need and cost. He does not fight any fires.

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