Posted: 8/2/06
Final Draft - by Cliff Buchan
Questions about water towers, political candidate debates
Questions, questions. Every now and again there are questions that are worthy of some additional answers.
Like many of our readers, I have questions, too. Here are some thoughts on two topics of interest: water towers and candidate debates.
When it comes to Forest Lakeís historic downtown water tower, Iím like many who would like to see it stand.
There is no practical reason for it, but it is a piece of history that will be lost when it comes down. Call me sentimental.
While sentiment does run strong, I now concede that it probably should come down. The 100,000 gallon tank and its water treatment plant have not been used since 1996.
Because of its size and elevation, it is no longer practical to consider using it without intense system upgrades.
As Forest Lake has grown in geographic size and population, the old tower did become a relic that would not last for long.
Once the city constructs its new above-ground 500,000-gallon water tower in Bixby Park, there will be even less need for the old silver tower.
It is ironic, however, that the city has been reluctant to spend the $60,000 or so to refurbish the tower when at the same time the city has poured out nearly $300,000 in attorney fees and countless hours of staff time to fight Columbus Township over the TH-97 Commercial Corridor.
Sure, the tower could have been maintained a number of times over with the sum that went to the attorneys, but such is the decision-making system.
There has been some discussion that when the new tower goes up, the green-colored tower near the fire hall and city maintenance building may be retired.
Thatís not a done deal, but if that decision is made, will there be any desire to save it? Probably not.
When it comes to candidate debates, it was nice to hear that the local Chamber and VFW would sponsor a debate for the Sixth Congressional District candidates next Tuesday.
But the planning and coordination for the event leaves much to be desired.
As it is reported from the Chamber, the Aug. 8 date was selected after the Chamber coordinated its schedule, the availability of the VFW hall and the schedules of Republican Michele Bachmann and Independence Party candidate John Binkowski.
Only then did the Chamber contact the campaign for DFL candidate Patty Wetterling, inviting Wetterling to take part.
As it turns out Wetterling is committed to a two-day campaign planning session that will not allow her to attend the Forest Lake event.
While the Chamber and VFW should be commended for the effort to provide a candidate forum, the process begs for a more even-handed formation.
Picking a date, a site and contacting two of the three candidates is wrong, no matter which of the three candidates are contacted.
In all fairness to each participant, communication should have taken place to establish a date when all three candidates could be in the same place at the same time.
Considering the fact that the election is some three months removed from Aug. 8, there was no real need to push this forum to a head without a better attempt at getting all three candidates in Forest Lake at the same time.
Giving one candidate a take-it-or-leave-it date for a debate sends a message that smacks of politics and taints the sponsoring organizations with an odor that isnít sweet.
Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
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