Joe Drennan
Staff Writer

As the annexation/incorporation hearing approaches, Columbus Township and the City of Forest Lake are tight lipped about their plan of action like two poker players in a high stakes Texas hold íem game.

The whole ordeal started when Jerry Schmeig presented a petition for annexation to the Forest Lake City Council at their Aug. 8, 2005 meeting that 58 percent of the property owners on the east side of I-35 in Columbus had signed, or so people think.

Some time last March Forest Lake Mayor Terry Smith meet with several property owners from the freeway district (both east and west sides) to discuss what Forest Lake could offer them in terms of sewer and water. In their talks Smith hinted that he had already had discussions about the idea of annexation with others before the meeting.

The property owners petition was not accepted by Forest Lake. Forest Lake later filed its own petition for annexation though.

The petition Schmeig presented to the City of Forest Lake had 58 percent of the property owners on there is considered flawed by many, even some who signed it.

Many of the property owner now know the original numbers they were told when they signed the petition were a lie, leaving some wishing they had never signed the petition. Some feel that the east side of the freeway has been ignored by the township and thatís what drove them to sign the petition, along with a certain amount of pressure from the petition organizers.

Jeff Petersmeyer of Recreational Supply is one property owner who feels he was sold on lies.

ìThe person who came to us wasnít telling the truth,î Petersmeyer said. ìHe had some forged signatures on it too from the industrial district.î

Property owner Ron Notch is another that felt he was lied too, but still wantís to become part of Forest Lake.

Notch said he signed the petition because he was displeased with the way he was being assessed for the sewer when he canít even hook up to it. The numbers Notch was told for sewer from Forest Lake were much small than the numbers heíd been told by Columbus.

ìI realize now that Forest Lake was talking out of their butt,î Notch said. ìAt the time we were happy with what they were saying though.î

Despite the misinformation, Notch still supports the petition for annexation for the simple fact that his taxes are going up because of the forced sewer main that he can not hook up to (until property owners in the area petition to do so).

ìIt does me no good to be a part of Columbus,î Notch said.

ìAll I hear is that my land is worth so much, but it isnít because nobody is looking at my land.î

The battle over annexation and Columbusís bid for incorporation starts Monday at the Columbus Town Hall where Administrative Law Judge Beverly Heydinger will hear from both Columbus and Forest Lake as they present their sides for and against Columbusís petition for incorporation and Forest Lakeís petition to annex 655 acres of Columbus.

Monday and Tuesday will feature arguments from Columbus in favor of their incorporation, and against annexation from Forest Lake. Citizens will have a chance to speak out Tuesday evening between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.

ìItís an unfortunate situation that we have to go to court to settle this,î Columbus Chairman Mel Mettler said.

ìWe have our arguments prepared and we think that in light of playing fairness, Forest Lake has no need, business or right to the east side of the freeway. That portion of land has been part of Columbus for ever and we canít understand why they should be awarded it.î

Wednesday and Thursday will feature forest Lakeís arguments against Columbusís incorporation and for their annexing 655 acres of Columbus.

ìWe look forward to the hearings, and weíre willing to see where the decision is,î Smith said.

Top of Page

Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605