Comments on: Council Meeting – Monday, January 5, 2009, 7:00 p.m.

By: Jessica Peterson White

Jessica Peterson White — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 06:01:20 +0000

We’ve closed this comment thread. LWV Northfield-Cannon Falls wishes to keep dialogue on our site useful and educational for voters, as well as open-ended and respectful. There are several other sites available in the community that are focused on opinion and offer better opportunities for one-on-one debate. – Jessica Peterson White, LWV President

By: Should Councilor Denison have abstained from voting on the Rental Board appointments? : Locally Grown

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:42:48 +0000

[...] Monday’s Council meeting, even though he abstained on a similar vote last September. According to Jane McWilliams LWV Observer report: Councilor Jon Denison had requested that the second reading amending the Rental Housing ordinance [...]

By: kiffisumma

kiffisumma — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 10:55:01 +0000

Ms. Bretts: If you have spoken with Councilor Denison, and he said he had asked the City Attorney about this vote, then I would find his negative vote on Andrew Berglund’s re-appointment to the Rental (Code) Board of Appeals all the more questionable because of C. Denison’s court date on this matter this week.
You are correct, my statement is my opinion, but I base that opinion on the knowledge of the unresolved conflict and monies due between the two parties , and on the city code (Sect2-127-b) which says: …”tend to impair his/her independence of judgement or action in the performance of official duties, shall disclose the nature of such activity or interest, and shall disqualify himself/herself from discussion and voting, …”.
The private financial problems of a cpuncilor ARE relevant when he is voting on the appointment of a person with whom he is in an active legal conflict.

By: Anne Bretts

Anne Bretts — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 20:48:59 +0000

I believe Mr. Denison spoke with the city attorney, who said there was no conflict of interest. The private financial problems of Mr. Denison are no more relevant than the former mayor’s many legal and financial problems were.
Mrs. Summa seems to be speaking as an individual in her assessment of inappropriate action, since those in authority clearly disagree.

By: kiffisumma

kiffisumma — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:47:49 +0000

I find it incomprehensible that Councilor Denison did not recuse himself from voting on the appointment of Andrew Berglund to the Rental Board.
Mr Denison has been in conflict for some years with Mr. Berglund, stemming from the time when Mr. Denison was a tenant of Mr. Berglund.
This case was in mediation last summer, and I believe is now going to court. The relevant papers may have been those served to Mr. Denison , at City hall, just prior to the December 15th Council meeting. This serving of papers has not been reported in the newspaper, but people in attendance at the reception prior to the meeting were well aware of the situation.
However, that explanation is just background to facilitate understanding of my amazement at Mr. Denison’s action with regard to his voting on Berglund’s appointment.

Who is responsible for monitoring this kind of inappropriate ‘legislative’ action ?