As a member of the community, I wanted to air my thoughts and knowledge regarding the Magnus Johnson and Linden Street project and assessment meeting. I attended the recent assessment meeting, held on Oct. 23, and I would like to share a few things with everyone that were discussed at this meeting and prior events. First off, I’m not sure how many people in this community have attended city meetings, but from the mouths of the individuals who had attended, very few attended weekly meetings, and if they had, they felt unwelcome, as I feel we all did on this particular night. The meeting started with the council and mayor voting on parts of the project and we were addressed by SEH engineer Jim Shultz as to how the assessments were figured. Immediately after DuWayne Orbeck made a motion that the assessed amount be 25 percent across the board, as stated in a previous meeting. And the motion was granted. As I will explain reason behind this now: In the first meeting held, the mayor and council had stated that we (Magnus Johnson and Linden residents) would be charged with 25 percent of the total project amount and example assessment cost sheets were handed out; with that information, many people figured their assessment amounts. Later, we had been sent an assessment amount which had almost doubled the previous amounts. This raised many concerns for people as to why such an increase. At the Oct. 23 meeting, we were informed as to how this had changed. We were being charged 25 percent only for the street, 100 percent for water service and 100 percent for sewer service; also more than 25 percent for sanitary sewer mains and water main. As then did DuWayne announce his motion. Now I ask, as a member of this community, why are we told one thing and given another? Why were we not properly informed of why it would change from 25 percent to other percentages and why would the mayor and council say things they couldn’t honor? I know that NOW they changed it to 25 percent “across the board,” but the point of the matter is that the wool was being pulled over our eyes and it took some very strong and intelligent individuals to stand up and show fellow residents the truth. I could tell by their actions that the mayor and council members felt attacked, but what needs to be said is that they are the representatives for this community and some of that community felt attacked by their actions (now I want to state that there may be members of the council who are for the people, but the council and mayor need to be held accountable as a whole). When residents are lied to by the individuals running this city, they (residents) have the right to stand up and say something. At this particular meeting, people were very upset and everyone made their comments (many were made) and it was unfair how some were dismissed as their problems were not valid, compared to others. I found this offensive. I would also like to ask: Is there always an officer of the law present at city meetings? I know for myself, as many others not only affected in this road project, but for potential projects to start, that we can not afford this and more grants should have been looked into and not ONE was even applied for. I wonder how it would feel for any of them to possibly lose their homes. Especially for a street? I know I could have waited probably another five years, if necessary. Now I would like to ask the community to go to the city hall and get the minutes from this meeting (Oct. 23) and see for yourselves how this particular meeting unfolded, as I will acquire them myself to see how it was documented. I wanted to write to everyone to let them know what has happened to this group of individuals (Magnus Johnson and Linden residents) and that it could happen to anyone in this community. We are not the last street to be repaired, so just be forewarned to take action ahead of time; know your rights and learn from these mistakes. I thank you listening and your time. Anna Albrecht, Kimball
