Orono Struggles with Communication to Citizens Again
On Thursday 1/18/24, the City of Orono sent out a notice for this Monday’s City Council meeting. There was an attached two-page agenda. What wasn’t included was a link to the 200+ page packet on information that appeared separately on the City website.
Why isn’t Orono trying to help its citizens learn about city matters?
Is this another example of citizen suppression of information?
Why doesn't Maria Veach Recuse herself from all Fire Related Matters?
What is a conflict of interest?
A conflict of interest is a situation in which a person or organization has two or more competing interests. When a conflict of interest occurs, the person or team can't perform their duties appropriately because it could mean betraying their interests to one of the parties within the situation. When such a situation arises, it's often a legal requirement for the primary party to remove themselves.
Where is the Revised Hackberry Park Plan? Why isn't it part of the Grant Packet for 9/25/23?
Once again we are discussing lack of process with the #OronoCityCouncil and #mayorwalsh
Apparently Mayor Walsh has been communicating with only one resident to revise the last publicly shared Hackberry Park Plan. Where is the new revised plan for Hackberry Park? This plan is part of a grant application that is up for approval tomorrow Monday, September 25 at the Orono City Council meeting.
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.
Orono Council member Richard Crosby in his own words
Orono Council member #RichardCrosby (RC): How does he come up with these statements?
RC: “I believe that the two people that are in the negotiating positions, which are Matt (Johnson) and Maria (Veach), should be the people attending this meeting. Without a doubt.”
Really Mr. Crosby? Well we have a lot more than doubt about this whole arrangement because Maria Veach’s husband is a fire firefighter and she has a clear Conflict of Interest on any fire related committee or meeting.
Alert for Orono Homeowners - Your Lk Mtka Views are Diminishing
Orono lakeshore homeowners pay attention to what the city council is discussing. They are considering loosening or removing the Average Lakeshore Setback rules. This could allow your neighbor to develop additional structures or build a new house in front of your home, possibly blocking some of your side views to the Lake.
Who is directing Orono City Staff behind the scenes?
Did #MayorWalsh just do it again?
Is he directing staff behind the scenes against Orono City Ordinance? It appears someone told City Staff to engage Oertel Architects without City Council direction to bid on remodeling the old Public Works Building for a Temporary Fire Station?
This also appears to be without Citizen Input and little City Council discussion if any. Now these actions are up for budget approval?
When is the Hemorrhaging of Orono Taxpayer Funds Going to Stop?
Do the Citizens of Orono think spending all those millions and millions of taxpayer dollars is smart? After all, what #mayorwalsh is proposing is building a second fire department a mile away from the existing one.
The Orono 7: Civil and Federal Lawsuits Pending
The Orono 7. Is the City of Orono gambling away our future? There are seven active lawsuits right now against the City of Orono, et al, and four of them made it over the hurdle of dismissal already.
Isn't Council member Veach FOR the Duplicate Fire Department?
Is #mariaveach for the “Pop-up, Duplicate Fire Department”? Let’s go point by point in our latest blog post.
Orono Council Meets After Closed Meeting Without the Public Present
Orono’s newly appointed council member #MariaVeach gets schooled by Orono Council member Matt Johnson to not share information. Whether she knows it or not, she is already being controlled and silenced by her fellow council allies.
Is this happening at Orono City Hall?
During the last City Council meeting, a Citizen called out a communication style that they felt the Orono City Council and specifically the Mayor was using with residents. This isn’t the first time a resident has brought up gaslighting as an Orono City Council communication style. Considering some of the major issues that are pending, we wondered if any of these points appeared to be exemplified?
Apparently Council member Johnson is not Walking His Talk
Often, Orono Council member #MattJohnson engages in crosstalk during the mayor/council report. He uses this time to tear down fellow council members rather than giving his own report.
Why does he do that? Why does he feel obligated to bully people and defend the mayor? Does it have to do with the fact that Mayor Walsh paid for Matt Johnson's entire city council campaign?
Orange Boundary Marks the Duplicate “Pop Up” Fire Service
If you live within the area marked within the orange boundary on the map you may be in for a big surprise. #MayorWalsh is going to try to serve this area with a startup and very much unproven Duplicate Orono Fire Department.
New Orono City Council member Does Not Recuse Herself
It appears that new Orono council member Ms. Veach is not afraid to create a possible conflict of interest with her husband being a Long Lake firefighter. She did not recuse herself prior to a closed legal session discussing the lawsuit between Long Lake and Orono which directly impacts the fire department that her family is involved with.
Tell Mayor Walsh to stop promoting the Fictitious Duplicate Fire Service
Is the Orono Fire Department for real?
Not according to the State Fire MarshalNot according to the Minnesota State Legislature
Not according to sister cities around us
Not according to the pension funding
Not according to the Long Lake Fire Fighters
Not according to 722 citizens that signed the petition https://www.change.org/p/figure-out-fire-keep-long-lake-firefighters-serving-together
Stop Mayor Walsh's Runaway Spending: Ask for Fiscal Conservancy Now
Ask Mayor Walsh where the funds are coming to buy $1million of fire equipment for the duplicate fire service.
Funny how there is no mention of where this money will be coming from and what it will affect the taxpayer?
Ask #MayorWalsh to Listen to the Majority of Citizens
Do you think it's ok to Silence the Majority of voters?
Well ,that's exactly what #mayorwalsh did in the 6/12/23 City Council meeting. Watch the moment here at about minute 30 https://youtu.be/GOWZIc2PfeA
Orono Citizens' Voices Need to be Heard
'The survival of democracy depends upon the trust of the people and that necessitates a government with integrity and competence, one that is truly "of the people, by the people and for the people."'
- Former Governor Arne Carlson Star Tribune June 19, 2023
The next Preselected Orono City Council member announced
Where is our new City Council woman #mariaveach ? Who is she? Was the June 12th City Council meeting any way to introduce our next City Council member?
Welcome to #dennysworld - where public assets are given away to city officials, where millions of dollars are spent without the public’s vote, where city officials lose their licenses and have numerous criminal complaints and lawsuits both civil and federal pending.