Letter – Power should be with the people

Talk about it

To the editor:

Like many others, I love Lake Miltona. I’ve enjoyed the lake my entire life, which is now over 60 years. We need to do a better job of protecting it ourselves, which leads me to reflect on the CLRSD situation.

It highlights two lessons about local government. We must stay tuned to decisions being made at all levels of government and we must evaluate the credentials of those who serve as our representatives.

Very few people paid attention to actions being taken by the CLRSD board until it was almost too late. Those who did thought that their voices were being ignored, and the will of the few board members would make the sewer system happen no matter what.

The CLRSD has tried to justify their position by saying that the cost of connecting to the sewer system is less than the cost of a new septic system. Their argument ignores the ongoing, increased property taxes and monthly usage fees. They moved forward on their own even when told by the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority that the project’s estimated costs are extremely high and recommended looking at alternative systems.

In the case of the CLRSD, there is tremendous power put into the hands of very few people because they are allowed to create their own rules for how the project progresses. They have the power to levy taxes in the district for payment of current costs, free from limits.

We want our leaders in this democratic society to be communicators, people who are willing to look at the facts, and listen to all sides of an issue.

The key is that we get involved – and stay involved. If we don’t, there is a chance that we’ll get what we don’t expect, and really don’t want.

John Schamber

Maple Grove, MN

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