Commentary; Posted: 5/18/05
May 19 is a key date in Wyomingís future
By Cliff Buchan
In 1997 we had high hopes that some form of agreement would be worked out that would have brought the city of Wyoming and Wyoming Township together as one community. The comprehensive planning of the late 1990s did not prove fruitful, however, and the movement to unite faded.
Eight years later residents of the two communities find themselves in the same position of facing a key decision on merging or consolidating the city and township.
But the events of 2005 come with some new landscape. The successful hostile annexation of 5000 acres of township land by Chisago City has pushed the envelope on the new talks that are taking place this spring in the two Wyoming communities.
We strongly endorse the exploration of some form of preliminary agreement between the two entities. Once again it only makes sense to see if there is a positive way for the two communities to join.
Citizens and property owners interested in learning more about the process to date, what steps may come in the future and ask questions about merger or consolidation should plan to be at Wyoming Elementary School tonight (Thursday). At 7 p.m., the town board and city council will host a joint public meeting for citizens of both communities.
The goal of the May 19th public meeting is to outline the steps to take and seek authorization from residents to proceed with a $60,000 expenditure for legal work to formalize a city-township agreement. A straw ballot of sorts will be taken.
If citizens approve of the study and the $30,000 cost for each community, it is likely the agreement can be ready for a second public meeting by early August.
It is in August when citizens will learn the hard facts on important areas such as tax impact, police protection, fire protection, zoning and the form of government for the new combined community. It is this information that will be key in the final decision residents of the two communities must make.
Members of the Wyoming Town Board have acted wisely in agreeing to proceed with the dialogue now unfolding. Supervisors realize something must be done in Wyoming Township for the long haul or the town will continue to see large and small annexation bites by its neighbors from multiple directions.
The door to the talks opened in June of 2004 when then City Administrator Jill Teetzel, on behalf of the Wyoming City Council, wrote to the township extending the invitation to continue to explore ways for the two entities to partner. The current talks have continued with the support of the new Wyoming City Council.
We continue to applaud township officials for their openness and information sharing with the public at town board meetings. Weíve seen much less at the city council level, however, and hope from May 19th and on, should the citizens agree to proceed as we believe they will, that city officials will be more open in their decision-making process regarding this important topic.
Tonightís meeting is an important step in the process for all parties concerned ó property owners, business owners and public officials alike ó and it is important that the effort gets the attention it truly deserves.
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