Locally Grown

Posted just before noon today, Northfield News reporter Suzy Rook filed this story: Mayor refuses to step down; Resolution censures mayor, loses office

#2

As I weigh my reactions to this latest development, I’d love to see a discussion about the specifics of a recall. Not having been through one before (and perhaps having been distracted by that gorgeous cheerleader in civics class), I’d like to ask:

1. How does a recall work and what is the process?
2. Who organizes it/calls for it? A petition by voters? The Council? The board of elections?
3. How much does a recall cost?
4. How long does a recall take?
5. What alternatives are there to a recall?
6. How much time is left in the Mayor’s current term?

#4

Skip: The specifics of a recall as outlined in Northfield’s charter (see PART I, Chapter 6) are somewhat confusing. However, the Northfield News had an article outlining the details in early November. As far as I, a non-lawyer-type can understand it, the News article appears to align with the charter’s requirements.

#6

The mayor is embarrassing himself and the city by not resigning when he has the council unanimously demanding it.

Even if thinks he did nothing wrong — even if a healthy chunk of citizens think he did nothing wrong — there is just too much animosity for him to do anything productive with the rest of his term.

As for the thoughts of this citizen, I was 90% hopeful he would resign until yesterday, when I was bumped to 100 by Jim Pokorney’s excellent letter to the editor.

#8

I listened to the meeting as I was wrapping presents tonight. The whole situation is sad….

I was actually shocked by the way Lee Lansing was treated along with others who wished to speak. Frankly, I had to turn it off toward the end after too many rambles from Noah Cashman. (I think Scott Davis needs to move to the other side of the table.) Arnie Nelson and Jim Pokorney’s comments mirror my own thoughts and Jon Dennison’s heart is in the right place.

It is sad to say that I have to agree with Sean’s #8 comments. To me, it is not because of the findings of the Everett report, but for the health of our city and Lee Lansing personally.

David Roberts commented that “It’s Christmastime.” I think we really need to remember the true meaning of that this year in Northfield, whether we are Christian’s or not. Our moral standards for how we treat others need some serious thought.

#10

Christine said: “Our moral standards for how we treat others need some serious thought”…..

I think that is maybe the simplest, most direct, applicable statement that has been made with reference to the “cannibalization” of one, by the other six of his “Tribe”.

If there is one of the other six, who says they are “clean”, let them come forward and be challenged… Sounds too Biblical ? Well, isn’t that what we’ve seen here? The holier-than-thou types will be all up in arms at me for this, but there are epic struggles in the Bible stories, and all those sanctimonius “accusers”, in the “temple” yesterday morning, should have thought of their own actions ( to say nothing of their own council votes)
before they picked up the stones.

#12

Griff - split up MP3s and all very impressive - really shows off the power of new media ! I felt like I had listened to a palace coup. The interpretation the 6 councilors offered up was really over the top. They complained that the Mayor was not reporting to them properly as though Northfield elected the mayor to be their servant. Then one councilman goes on about how he told the mayor what he should and should not talk about legally. I honestly think these councilmen have become convinced that Northfield elected 6 Mayors and 1 agent who was to act as their servant or reporter. I believe most of Northfield voted for the Mayor as the top executive and if they voted at all for councilmen, did so with the understanding that their role was subordinate. The fact is when the state auditor refused to look into the Lansing issue - undoubtedly because it had no legs - they hired a special investigator with $40,000 (Lee should never have agreed to this type of waste but one could see he was in a bind). At $653.77 per page we should expect Mark Twain quality writing (I was disappointed) but we should not expect the purveyor to be any more neutral than a hit-man.

The council members stated their decision was based on an overwhelming voter opinion against Lee. The reality, at the meeting was, excepting one councilman’s sister and two angry development partners (do they live in Northfield ?) with axes to grind, exactly “one” citizen named Peggy spoke against Lee. I did not count but around a dozen citizens spoke in his favor.

I wonder where Lee will set up his Mayor-Citizens meetings and how these resolutions will be handled by the city council ? The Cow ?

#14

Martha -

I agree, without a doubt, a very bright and articulate “sister” !

But , I have bought items from Lee, sold items to Lee, I think his development would be great for Northfield, I voted for him, I would vote for him again. And I think there are forces that would like the liquor store out by chains to insure the downtown implodes and that Lee is standing in valiantly and fighting to improve downtown Northfield and keeping the community from becoming just another suburb.

#16

David, I don’t believe your assessment of why the state auditor declined to look into Northfields’ situation in your post #14 isl correct.

You said:

” The fact is when the state auditor refused to look into the Lansing issue - undoubtedly because it had no legs - they hired a special investigator with $40,000″

The state auditor declined because the issues were not in its purview. It was the state auditor that suggested that the city would be better served if it hired a special investigator. I can’t find the test of the auditor’s letter to Northfield, but it is explained in this article from the News:

http://northfieldnews.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=20925&SectionID=21&SubSectionID=451&S=1

#18

I feel that taking someone’s desk and keys is ridiculous. I’ve heard of nuns doing that kind of thing, but not city officials? What the heck?

Sorry, I can’t go along with that. I think time would have helped to move him out, but taking keys and desks… that’s embarrassing. Sounds like junior high antics.

Also, the Porkorney letter. Does Porkorney have a degree in physchology? Or what? In his article, he seems to say there’s two Lansing personalities. I didn’t like the article, and I don’t like it when people make judgements and do a smear campaign based on uneducated guesses, unless Porkorney is a phychologist or pychiatrist, and in that case, I’m sorry for doubting his assessment.

I think this should be handled in the courts instead of on the streets.

#20

Holly I am 100% in favor that the mayor should resign and turn in his keys. According to the Star Stribune he still hasn’t turned the keys in. I personally believe that if he hasn’t turned the keys in by Monday AM , the city should have the the building rekeyed at the mayor’s expense. I do not trust or respect the mayor any longer and I’m not comfortable with him having the keys.

#22

Well David if the mayor-citizen meetings are going to be held at the Cow,
I’ll be on the other side of the pub disagreeing with the small fan gathering. I also believe David that you are being biased with your comments.

#24

Kiffi, surely the city council knew what they did and did not have the power to do. It seems plausible that they have control over who has access to city hall.

Lisa, I don’t entirely agree with your comment #22, in which you said, “I do not trust or respect the mayor any longer and I’m not comfortable with him having the keys” — I don’t exactly imagine him loading up computers and file cabinets in his truck and selling them on eBay. I do agree that the mayor should comply with the council’s order, though.

#26

In the spirit of public disclosure, I should acknowledge that David Henson is my ex-brother in-law.

Kiffi, enough with the paranoia and conspiracy theory stuff! There is NO “train” from Denison IA and, last I checked, all six council members are highly respected, long-time residents of Northfield. They did not arrive on any “train”. The council and the administrator have not “destroyed a man, a family, a community….” The mayor and his supporters should re-read the mayor’s memos then take a look in the mirror. Who is destroying whom?

The six council members are doing their job as publicly elected, participating members of a civil society. At least three of the members have had a friendship with the mayor for near fifty years. Yet, they voted according to the facts and what the laws of the land dictate. They were not coerced or bullied. They did the job we elected them to do — to uphold the laws of this town. It was an agonizing, difficult, unanimous vote.

Regarding the “Pharisee’s” (Random House Dictionary: “a sanctimonious, self righteous, or hypocritical person”) in the temple, I would again direct certain contributors on this thread to look in the mirror. Certain “high volume” bloggers have consistently posted rumors and innuendos that have hurt and damaged city employees (and their families); as well as six stalwart council members (their families and professional reputations). WHERE ARE YOUR FACTS??? What happened or did not happen in Denison IA is not relevant to what is happening in Northfield.

The “high volume” bloggers (HVB’s) have refused to let the facts speak for themselves. The HVB’s have chosen sides in spite of the mayor’s own words contained in his memos. IF there is further mischief in city hall or with the council it too will reveal itself. Once it is FACTUALLY substantiated, it is then appropriate to take action. Speculation and innuendo are not facts.

As I stated in my remarks on Saturday morning, “… God forbid any one who has the gall to disagree with the very vocal minority.” If you choose to disagree you are castigated and civil discourse is thrown to the wind.

I was cautioned (not by my brother) by another long time member of the council that they hoped that I knew what I was getting into if I choose to express my views about the mayor. I have been told by other friends and acquaintances that they would not publicly express their views on the subject of the mayor because they feared retribution.

Well folks, about two hours ago, I went to take my daughter to do some shopping. The trip was delayed because some fine citizen had strewn garbage all over my driveway and front lawn. It was not the ‘type’ of garbage blown in by the wind/weather. So much for another constitutionally protected freedom — freedom of speech. Shame, shame, shame on who-ever did this dirty deed!!!!

Finally, regarding retrieving the “Grand Master Keys” for city hall that are in mayor’s possession. Perhaps some of you have not been in the position of supervising individuals who have access to critical personnel information. I have supervised well over a thousand employees. When a person is suspected of malfeasance it is imperative that access to critical files is eliminated. It is good business practices and reduces the potential liability for one’s self as well as the institution that employs you.

It is okay to beg for forgiveness for the mayor’s indiscretion however; those who constantly stir-the-pot on every issue refuse to apply the same standard to others. Surprise, surprise — another double standard.

Well, I am going to go check my yard to see if any new garbage has been deposited. I am so disappointed in the behavior of some Northfield residents. Nothing I have done or said deserves this kind of behavior. It sure makes me feel great about living here….

#28

Martha,
Don’t let anyone get you down. Lots of people agree with you and you’ll start hearing from them as soon as they know what you’re posting. I get positive comments all the time. The idea that a majority supports the mayor is pure speculation. We all speak for ourselves, no one else.
I couldn’t be there Saturday morning, but I am proud the council took a stand on principle.
The people who don’t believe the report never will, no matter how many facts are presented.
For the record, I don’t have a stake in the outcome here. I moved here after the last mayoral election.
In 20 years of covering and following local government in three states, I can’t remember an investigator’s report being more clear and unequivocal.
According to some on this site over the last months, I don’t know what I’m talking about. Six councilors came to the same conclusion and they are wrong. The News came to the same conclusion, and the News doesn’t know what it’s talking about. The independent investigator provided 61 pages of the mayor’s own words damning him, and the investigator is wrong. Representatives from every major news organization in the state have read the report and they don’t know what they’re talking about.
So everyone is wrong and the mayor is right. And we could do six more investigations with six more independent investigators, and the mayor and a handful of supporters wouldn’t believe them and would maintain that others are more guilty. As I said earlier, the fact that the mayor and his friends don’t see that he’s done anything wrong is the scariest part of this whole situation. It means they will feel free to do this again…and again.
This is not a witch hunt; these were issues for which the mayor sought an investigation. He just doesn’t like what the investigation revealed. He asked the question and now he doesn’t like the answer.
The real witch hunt has happened over the last year, as a small group of people have slandered the council and administrator repeatedly, without presenting a shred of solid evidence. Even now there is no evidence. The investigator searched and found nothing. The big flap over mishandling the pay plan…nothing. They had a chance to convince convince the investigator and had nothing to offer. Mr. Roder was cleared on every matter covered in the report. (Other investigations are pending, but have not shown any wrongding to date.)
All these people were interviewed and showed no evidence to support their version of the story. There are just vague hints of ‘everyone sharing blame’ and some past evil in Iowa…
What we do have are facts about the here and now. The council has taken a stand. Now it’s time for the citizens to join the council in standing up for what’s right. Call the mayor, write to him, e-mail him and tell him respectfully that it’s time for him to do the right thing and leave.
And of course, he should turn in his keys.
The only question now is whether we have to start the recall process, or whether Mr. Lansing will come to his senses. This is not something we want, but another burden the mayor has put on the citizens because he puts his personal desire to be mayor above the good of the city.

#30

Lisa, rekeyed? At his expense? Wow.

C’mon. Let’s sit back and take a breath. I don’t want to read about any “take downs” where someone wrestles the keys from MAYOR Lansing, either.

Ridiculous.

Exerting undue pressure isn’t the same as stealing 3.8 gazillion dollars. What about all the missing money? That is what makes me think twice.

As far as Lansing having access to major files– hmm, he’s had that for a while, now. And he won’t be stealing product information or anything. What’s he going to take that he would benefit from?

And who spread garbage on Marsha’s drive? Now that is going too far.

Barnum is going to bring the bigtop, and we’re all going to run around in it. Faribault and Farmington folks can pay $8.00 to see us all perform.

#32

Martha- In the imortal words of Winston Churchill, “Never give up!” This is definitely the height of ridiculousness and the bottom of the barrel of local politics, all in one event. My heart goes out to you! If I knew where you lived, I would personally come over and clean up your yard, but don’t divulge that here. It appears that someone is throwing more than “stones” in this event.

And to your whole post #28, I say AMEN!

#34

I’ll echo Lisa’s comments in support of Martha. I’ve never met you, Martha, and don’t know you, but I’m appalled that such behavior might be perpetrated against anyone with the cajones to give voice to sentiment in a community as thoughtfully supportive of free speech as Northfield is.

Griff, et al., there’s a serious tragedy in this one, and I’d assert that it would certainly be well worth starting a separate thread on this to see if any such culprit will shed the cowardice and ignorance of the white hood and be willing to add their thought-leadership to the continuum. Hmm…Just childish. (Oops, better go check my lawn - that’s 811 St. Olaf Avenue, in case this yahoo has some extra cowardice to throw)!

Martha, someone stupid enough to do this is probably dumb enough to leave an old envelope with a complete mailing address in the mess. Might be worth a look! In fact, if they’re reading this, I expect their immediate response will be something akin to, “oh, ‘poop’…! Did I dump and run without sorting out the junk mail?”

Anyway, at the very least if enough people post in protest, the cowardly lion will eventually run out of stuff to throw and we can get on with the other discussions. Whaddya say, Griff-ol’-Wizard-ol’-pal? Care to help this person find some COURAGE?

#36

What has happened has happened. I do wish this community would return to civil discourse — POLITELY agree to disagree. No retribution unless the one’s actions threaten the integrity of the City and its’ residents. This is a very small fish bowl and I would like to live here IN PEACE, with many friends, for the remainder of my years.

I do not care who the culprit is — I want the insanity and divisiveness to end. I want the wonderful, magical community with a strong, vibrant downtown and arts community that my husnad and I chose together. I want the Northfield that mowed my lawn, prepared meals for me and my children — the Northfield that lovingly cared for me and my children although we were unknown quantities. I want that Northfield back.

I am moving on and do not intend to hunt down the culprit. They must live with their own shame. In the end, this will be worse than anything I, or any one else can do.

#38

Martha. Not Marsha. And I don’t think you fabricated anything, and I find it horrible.

Fishbowl– that reminds me:

Take a fish and put it in boiling water, and it will instantly die, but gradually increase the water’s temperature and you’ll have a fish swimming like mad when it boils.

Feels like it’s boiling here in Northfield.

#40

Martha, I am so sorry for your loss. There are so many new people chiming in here now and so many new people in town, it can be very hard to figure out what’s going on and where we fit. But there are great people here and it can be a wonderful place.
So, I have been mulling this over for weeks and it seems that it might be a good idea after all. I’m thinking it would be great to do a 12th Night party to celebrate the end of the Christmas season and the beginning of a new year and the reflective beauty of winter and new friendships and meeting people we only know online and the return of food without sprinkles or whipped cream and anything else that comes to mind.
The problem is that the 12th night is Jan. 6, a Sunday and I’m not competing with the events at the Cow. Also Saturday is a better night for a party. So in the interest of goodwill, civil conversation and just plain fun, I think it will be a 12th night’s eve party on the 11th night, Jan. 5.
More details later, but these parties are just plain fun.
In the meantime, Martha (and anyone else who wants to talk more or meet people) just e-mail me at editoranne@yahoo.com and we can start integrating some face time into this online community. I’m working on an informal newcomers network and it seems as though there are a lot of us.
Have a comforting, hopeful Christmas.

#42

Martha,
My sympathies regarding the mess on your lawn. I’d never imagined ‘discourse’ could sink to that level in this fine town.

Also, you are at least not completely alone in your conclusions regarding the Mayor’s activities. I’m fairly certain that six council members, a newspaper editorial board, an investigator, and a minimum of five or six other persons are deeply alarmed by Mayor Lansing’s actions. Locally Grown is a bit of an echo chamber, where a fairly small number of persons - maybe a dozen or two, including myself - post repeatedly on these subjects. What the rest of Northfield thinks is anyone’s guess.

I hope you can still have a wonderful holiday. Perhaps in the new year we’ll find a democratic way to sort this all out.

#44

David, I have not “hijacked this thread. I expressed my position as a citizen about the mayor breach of ethical behavior and I have suffered repercussions. I work to support my family, I pay taxes. My husband and I started our own foundation to address the needs of others. I resent that what began as request for the mayor to acknowledge his behavior and resign to help the community to heal has become a personal attack on me to hijack this thread.

Christine, I am no saint. I have many flaws that have been pointed out to me, these flaws I have either had to live with or work very hard to correct. Life’s adversities have made me a strong, focused individual. I have deftly dealt with issues that make the mayor’s problems look like chump change. Clearly, you do not believe me — so be it. I am not here to live up to your expectations. You do not know me — I do not know you. I do know the published record of the mayor’s actions.

Christine, just for the record, I worked for four years in a small hardware store; I worked for a canning company on the beans line with Mexican immigrants; I worked for a retail store for six years while I was at the university, I got up at 4 am to do food prep for the dorm meals; I was a resident advisor for two years counseling freshman students; I was a senior nursing assistant for four years working with quads/paras/burn patients and brain injury patients; I have suffered the loss of a brother and a husband; I have run major humanitarian organizations; I have run my own in-home eldercare business; and now, with what I hope is my last job, I am working to save the small communities of rural America. I am trying to give back to the farmers and ranchers who have supported me over the past twenty years.

I have tried my best to be honest, direct and express my views (as a citizen) on the current situation with the mayor. I’ve been slapped down enough. I do not know who did what to my property. I have lived through worse. I just think it is tragic that by exercising my rights under the First Amendment that I am accused by David Henson of hijacking this thread and by Christine Stanton of being unstable. Shame on each of you. These are innuendos — an attempt to discredit me.

UNCLE — I am convinced that I cannot and do not want to express any further contributions as an informed, educated citizen. I want no further speculations or retributions.

As Edward Murrow said: “Good Night and Good Luck”.

#46

Martha, I can’t entirely speak for David, but I think his frustration was just that your personal troubles with this vandal were consuming the much broader thread. I understood his “hijacking” comment to say that though your situation was unfortunate, this was not the place for people to express their sympathies at length.

Kiffi, it looks like the thought police got to your comment from 1:54 this morning. It seemed to be getting this conversation back on track, though, so I hope to see a cleaned up version in the morning.

02:38: My bad, the e-mail messages got out of order and I see Kiffi’s comment is up above a few others. So… Lee Lansing.

#48

I thought I’d take a moment to write down some things I’m thinking about Northfield as the year ends.

I’m glad I live in a town where the buildings downtown are both historic and cared-for.

I’m glad I live in a town where most businesses downtown are independent and busy.

I’m glad I live in a town where the downtown can close to celebrate Harry Potter Day.

I’m glad I live in the town that stopped the James-Younger Gang.

I’m glad I live in a town with two premiere colleges.

I’m glad I live in a small town that’s still surrounded by farms.

I’m glad I live in a town where it’s easy to purchase organic local produce, and where the terms fair-trade and locally-grown are taken seriously.

I’m glad I live in a town in which many people are highly educated and thoughtful.

I’m glad I live in a town where people pay attention to what’s going on at city hall.

I’m glad I live in a town in which people care enough to stand up for what they believe is right.

I hope I live in a town in which no one would respond to thoughtful discussion with anonymous retribution.

#50

Right now… the morning is beautiful, I am on my third cup of tea, and the three tenors are singing Silent Night on the radio.

My son is outside playing in the snow, good things are baking, my wife is finishing wrapping, and our guest are heading in from all over.

Peace to all. This will all be here on Wednesday.

Let us all reflect, and be with our loved ones. It is what is most important.

It is time for a Christmas truce.

I am happy to be blessed with a wonderful community. I love you all, even if I may or may not share your viewpoint. It is what makes America great. God bless you and yours this holiday season. May everyone find the peace and reconcilliation that this community needs.

And with that, I put away the keyboard, and power down the laptop. See you on Wednesday. I’m going to go play in the snow.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

#52

As of 3:30 pm, Mayor Lansing had not yet turned in his keys, according to City Administrator Al Roder who I spoke to by phone.

#54

Today’s Northfield News editorial: Residents must recall Mayor Lansing.

Although the process is long and difficult, a recall must be launched. To do anything else is to send a message to the rest of the state that Northfield is content to allow an unethical politician remain in office. Without a recall, the best we can expect is more of the same from this mayor.

#56

On this issue of the keys to the Mayor’s office : The Mayor IS the Mayor until he is removed by a citizen recall process. The council is free to censure him and has done so; that action has no legal effect to remove either the privileges or the responsibilities of his elected title/office.

I remembered reading something in the code or charter once about the responsibilities of the Mayor in an Emergency. It is found in the City Code Chapter 18. Read the entire Chapter; the definition section 18-27,, under the definition of “emergency” states that such can be “declared by the governor … or proclaimed by the Mayor” (my words: they are equated, as to responsibility in their gov’t unit).
Go on to 18-29 Duties of Emergency Management… part(i) “The Mayor shall have direct responsibility during the declared emergency” (further language regarding the mayor’s duties and the equation of them to a governor).
18-30 part(a) … “the Mayor may by proclamation promulgate regulation” etc., etc., and part(b) “every proclamation of emergency regulations shall be in writing and signed by the Mayor” …. “posted at such places as designated by the Mayor “… (further language on the Mayor’s role).

It should be noted that throughout this chapter of the city code the administrator’s role is defined as implementing the policy.

So, the City Code makes the Mayor responsible on many levels for functioning in an emergency of any nature, equates his role within this small gov’t unit to that of the governor of a state, and the ramifications of this responsibility go all the way from local, up to the Homeland Security Act.

The effect of what the council did in their resolution, is to censure the Mayor; that censure has no legal effect on the office he was elected to hold, and the responsibility of that office can only be removed by the outcome of a public recall election.

I would appreciate anyone responding to this, first reading the appropriate chapter of the city code, rather than just opining on the Mayor’s actions. Thank you.

#58

Curt in #59 asks….

Re the water charges for the 618 Division Street property.

My understanding is Lansing entered into a sales transaction on the building at 618 Div. St. with a group (evidently Mr. Lutz and Ms. Closner). Part of the sales transaction