Commentary; Posted: 7/12/06
Let ALJ ruling put Columbus issue to rest
By Cliff Buchan
In legal disputes it is often difficult to correctly predict which way a particular issue may be resolved. Itís that way in jury trials and when a judge must rule on an issue.
We fully agree with the ruling issued by an administrative law judge last week that granted an incorporation request by Columbus Township and rejected a petition by the city of Forest Lake to annex the commercial portion of the I-35 corridor south of TH-97 in Columbus.
Weíve maintained all along that Forest Lakeís plate has been full with an overflowing kettle of projects that need the full time attention of staff and the elected officials that direct staff. Adding more to that plate would do a service to no one and certainly not those in Columbus Township.
The 40-page ruling of the law judge last week says much of the same in rejecting the annexation bid and allowing Columbus to move forward as a city.
This has been another costly legal fight for both parties. When the combined legal bills are tallied, we would bet the tab will top $200,000. Thatís a lot of taxpayer money that could have been used elsewhere to better serve citizens of both communities.
Columbus officials were right to fight to protect their borders and Forest Lake officials were doing what they felt best. Now it is time to put aside any additional legal expenses.
Forest Lake can still appeal the ruling to the Minnesota Court of Appeals. We suggest they donít.
There is plenty in Forest Lake that remains to be done.
The community center and airport industrial park projects need to advance at a faster pace that has been produced to date. Washington Countyís plans for its new library and service center will be a boost to the appearance of the site, but Forest Lakeís end of the project is still far from certain.
There are other serious items at hand. The W. Broadway project and its proposal for seven roundabouts is drawing more and more public concern and may need further deliberations. The future of the city-owned Castlewood Golf Course is also a topic that will require more city council and staff attention in the months ahead.
We wish Columbus Township officials good luck as they proceed to the future as a city and with the hope that the legal challenges are over and a new city council can be elected.
As a small footnote to the process, we donít know if the new Columbus is locked in for its formal name. We have a suggestion. How about Columbus City as the formal name and a way to make this former township standout as a city every time its name is mentioned in any context.
Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
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