June 10, 2021 at 1:12 p.m.
Response to Council Member Kammueller
To the Editor,
Council Member Kammueller was concerned that I was not present at the city council meeting. I was filming a fishing show in Canada that week; hence the purpose of my letter to the editor. Council Member Kammueller stated that the Longville Mayor and council were not trying to get rid of the police force---I find this interesting since at the previous meeting, a motion was made to that effect.
Council Member Kammeuler, the mayor was standing next to the city administrator when I made my request for payroll amounts per employee. I informed her at that time that I did NOT want the W2's. He is correct that the city administrator did say it could take up to two weeks to get that information. Here we are six weeks out, and I still do not have that information.
Council Member Kammueller stated that I never checked with the Remer city clerk. Council member Kammueller, if you or anyone else would like to stop by my office, I have written documentation that I did communicate with the clerk prior to my letter being written. The Hackensack clerk was out ill, and I spoke with her sick-leave replacement. I still find it curious that the Longville administrator will not give me the requested payroll information. I have made written requests even through the city's attorney. The city administrator demanded via E-Mail $45.00 to gather the public information, that under Minnesota statutes, chapter 13, anyone is entitled to. I paid the requested $45.00, and I still have not received the payroll information that was requested. However, the city decided to start billing me now for city sewer. Ironically, I have never been connected to city sewer.
We do need "For the People" type folks to move into the city to become good contenders in future city elections. I also find it ironic that I was given the information from Backus, Hackensack, and Remer within minutes, and was not charged a dime, and over six weeks later, Longville has still not disclosed the payroll numbers.
Council Member Kammueller stated that Longville has eight departments, and eight full time employees and 15 part-time employees. This, in my opinion, is the definition of "Too Much Government" in a town of 156 people?
Council Member Kammueller, you defend Longville's need for a city administrator. Are you aware that Sherburne County did not hire a "county administrator" until they had 30,000 residents? When I searched the Internet for the qualifications to become a city administrator, I found this---"Bachelor's degree--B.A.-- in public administration." Does our city administrator have this qualification?
When I speak of management, I cannot help but think of our past Docksider manager, Brad Ford. When Brad took over the Docksider in 2001, there was as profit of less than $20,000.00 per year. In 2012, the gross profit was $155,837.46. WOW! The state web page shows the Longville Docksider was number 60 in gross sales, and 55 in profit, compared to over 200 other municipal liquor stores across the state. I ask you, "Was Brad Ford doing his job?" I sure think so. I checked the numbers that the city of Longville filed with the state, I found a large discrepancy in the city's reporting to the state. The Longville 2011 P and L stated $1,527,885.17 in total sales. The Longville report, which can be viewed on the state's web page, shows $1,410,217.00 in sales. Why are the numbers presented to the state so different? This is a question everyone should be asking.
I am so pleased that the effort put forth by so many has resulted in retaining the local police force. Having a police force is important for all of us, whether you are only enjoying Longville on the weekends, or if you are fortunate enough to reside here.[[In-content Ad]]
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