ORONO’S UNREST

City of Orono’s key issues: Attempted and ensuing hostile takeover of Long Lake Fire Department; Public fire lane/lake access sale to city official; public access right of way given to city council member; conflicts of interest; citizen suppression; lack of due process; communication and ethical standards; treatment of citizens, staff and peers…

Below is a list of some of the media coverage over the past years in chronological order. This is in no way a complete list of documentation, rather, some of the news sources and/or documents that have been released regarding Orono.

More Unbelievable Conversation with Orono City Officials

Listen to Mayor Walsh and Orono Planning Commissioner Dennis Libby deflect, distract and appear to blame and shame not only a Citizen at the meeting, but the City of Long Lake public officials as well.

Listen to Orono/Long Lake Firefighter apparently misquote Long Lake Mayor Miner, and then disparage the City of Long Lake.

Listen to Orono City Council member Maria Veach compare the process of fire service negotiations to her own experience of “dating in high school.” She is also taking credit for bringing the two “sides” together apparently against open meeting law.

The Citizen attending the meeting did point out that the Orono City Council does vote against Staff recommendations regularly, so if there is a plan from the two City Administrators/Fire Chiefs put forth, what will stop Walsh from block-voting against it? (Great point and this entire exercise may be a complete waste of time as the earlier Seals/Johnson negotiations were. And remember, Walsh cut the cord on communication just as there appeared to be an agreement.)

Contrasting Revelations//Some Highlights:

Fire Budget: #MayorDennisWalsh (DW) makes it sound as though there has not been a budget developed for Fire. However Orono Planning Commissioner #DennisLibby (DL) makes it sound as though Orono has been saving for 8 years to fund the duplicate fire service.

Fire Contract Negotiations: Firefighter #benveach says Long Lake Mayor Charlie Miner is waiting for the fall election to make a move on negotiation. (We don’t think he ever said that publicly because there isn’t any documentation that we can find.) However, #mariaveach (MV) appears to take the credit for bringing the two City Administrators and Fire Chiefs together to discuss solutions. She is also posting a rambling manifesto that appears to support the Orono takeover of LLFD?

Dennis Libby calls Orono Citizens “small guys” who “don’t know what they want.” He also explains that he’s been a public servant for the last 8 years so we wonder how many “small guys” he’s offended?

#mariaveach compares fire negotiations to dating in high school as we stated, but she also says she’s taking the emotion out of her comments.

Both #benveach and #mariaveach have ethical and financial conflicts of interest working on the Orono Fire Budget with fiscal outcomes. Yet both are openly commenting about litigation and taking it upon themselves to meet and discuss issues with both Orono and Long Lake.

#mariaveach says she’s taking over pulling together the Orono Fire Budget. After Orono has already spent millions? #conflictofinterest And don’t forget Dennis Libby says they’ve been saving for the budget for 8 years. So has Orono been shell gaming the budget and hiding it from the public? Why is the new kid on the block taking over the budget where she has been with the council 7 months (as we heard repeatedly).

#denniswalsh says he’s removing the Orono City Council from the negotiations (Maria Veach?) and then also says there are two no-go’s thereby limiting the mediation to his way or the highway.

#dennislibby blames Long Lake for Orono’s contempt of court judgements and refutes the judge’s opinion thereby focusing on the past and not the future for our communities.

#denniswalsh tries to blame and shame a Citizen into not speaking her opinion by mischaracterizing her tone, messaging and presence. Not only is this against First Amendment rights, it is also continuing rampant Citizen Suppression. During an election year?

#dennywalsh calls Hennepin County Judge Miller “the thought police'' and the lawsuit “a transition.” He says Orono Finance Director Ron Olson “retired” but we all know Mr. Olson took another job referring to the” stressful political climate” in Orono. DW calls Citizen "biased." DW says LL said in public that they weren’t negotiating in good faith. He also said that the Citizen “attacked everyone in Orono.” DW says she is “making up facts.” DW says she is crying “crocodile tears.” In general, #mayorwalsh was saying a lot of things he should apparently say to himself.

DL says the City of Long Lake needs to come into the 21st Century. He threatens Long Lake by saying Orono may not partner with them in the future. (does he have influence on that decision?) DL offers legal advice on contract law. DL says Citizen is precipitating derision. DL says “Long Lake precipitated most of this.” DL says the judicial arm of Hennepin County is listening to “voices” out there. DL says that Long Lake is suing Orono “like a little boy.” DL says Citizens are making Orono to be some kind of “bad guy”

We encourage all citizens to read the transcript and all the documentation for yourselves on fire here: https://www.longlakemn.gov/fire-servi...

We encourage all citizens to attend City Council meetings to make your voices heard!

https://youtu.be/L09UdgE6qGo?feature=shared