Jessica Foster
Staff WriterThey will fight against being annexed by Chisago City. That was the decision unanimously made by the Wyoming Town Board of Supervisors Tuesday, Dec. 9.
Larry Parker is chairman of the Wyoming Town Board of Supervisors.
ìWe are fighting this. Everybody I know wants to fight this,î he said.
About 50 residents braved the biggest December snowfall in years to attend the regular meeting of the Wyoming Town Board and let their voices be heard.
ìPublic sentiment, I think, is 99 percent on our side,î he said. ìBut when itís in front of a judge they can do whatever they want.î
At a Nov. 25 Chisago City Council meeting, the city voted to annex more than 11,000 acres of Wyoming Township, amounting to more than half of the townshipís land mass, about 75 percent of the townís households including the homes of every elected Wyoming Township supervisor.
The board hired attorney Michael Couri to aid in the annexation battle.
Couri also worked on behalf of Forest Lake Township in annexation proceedings.
Couri has sent a letter to the State of Minnesota, declaring Wyoming Townshipís stance against the proposition.
Regarding funding the border battle, the township is expecting to spend $125,000 to $175,000 to protect its land. The board approved spending up to $25,000 until the annual meeting. At the annual meeting, Tuesday, March 9, residents vote on the budget.
One of those line items will be a fund to pay for costs associated with the annexation fight.
ìAt the annual meeting weíll request some spending money to start fighting. This isnít going to be cheap,î Parker said.
Parker, who was elected to his position one year ago after being appointed to his job, said he holds no ill will toward the people of Chisago City.
ìI know itís not the people of Chisago City. Itís just a few certain people,î he said.
Top of Page
