Isn't the New Public Works Building just Too Big?
What is too big for a city of around 8000 people? Why did Mayor Walsh build a Public Works Building with an extra 25,000 square feet when our small down has been losing population for the last three years?
Why weren't we informed that he bonded this project at $13 million; bid it at $16 million and now has cost overruns somewhere around $22 million or more? The sad fact is he refuses to give Citizens a detailed budget in full and keeps piecemealing the details so he can keep going.
Is Mayor Walsh's Orono now the metro's Wild West?
What has happened since Mayor Walsh has taken office? Has Orono become the Wild West?
Public Land Sold and/or Given away without Citizen Input
Public Access Property on Lake Minnetonka has been sold and given away to city officials and/or friends of the Mayor or special residents chosen by the Mayor.
Large Expenditures without Citizen Input….
A Grand Opening without a Public Hearing Ever Held?
The Orono Duplicate Fire Department has been a huge debacle. First Walsh blames Long Lake whose Fire Chief was Van Eyll and then hires the same Fire Chief for the Orono Fire Department. Has anyone mentioned it’s the same guy? Or that maybe the same issues will travel with him? Or that this move along split the department?
Then Walsh says he’s running “the budget on his intuition” presumably because he doesn’t want the Citizens to know it’s going to cost tens of millions for what will be unproven and possibly unsafe service.
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's Apparent Conflicts of Interest
Let us count some of many ways it appears there are conflicts of interest in Orono:
1) #MayorDennisWalsh will not survey the Orono citizens, nor will he listen to repeated requests for budget information regarding two of Orono’s largest projects ie: “The Taj Mahal Maintenance Shed” and the Duplicate Fire Department. Clearly, he appears to have his own agenda, and isn’t this in direct conflict with his duties as Orono Mayor to act on behalf of the citizens?
An Invitation to our Firefighters and surrounding Communities
Fire Fighters! Are you willing to risk going to a 40-year-old+ model that is proven to be antiquated and unsustainable? (National statistics show Fire Districts are far more cost effective and possibly safer).