Cliff Buchan
News Editor

A year ago when Gary Menne was running for the Wyoming City Council, he found a friend in Mayor Sheldon Anderson.

Anderson publicly supported Menne and the city business owner went on to win a four-year term on the city council.

Now Anderson and Menne are at odds — so much in fact that Menne has gone to court seeking a harassment restraining order against Anderson. A Chisago County District Court judge will hear the petition at 9 a.m., Monday, Nov. 26 in Center City.

The fallout between the two has been building since Menne took office and reached the boiling point this fall when Menne began raising questions over city funding decisions and participation in the merger process with Wyoming Township.

Menne has accused Anderson of operating in a “bizarre” way while Anderson has charged that Menne is “all about chaos.”

On Monday, Nov. 5, Anderson was served with papers informing him of the petition and the Nov. 26 court date. He said this week he will argue to have the matter thrown out of court.

In the interim, Anderson has been ordered to have no telephone, e-mail or personal contact with Menne, other than at formal city council functions and meetings where both are present.

What happened

Anderson says the seriousness of the fallout started in the summer when he observed what he felt was verbal abuse by Menne directed at city staff. Anderson said Menne made calls to him and sent e-mails in attempts to discuss city business.

Frustrated by the actions, Anderson said he placed Menne on record that he was on the “twice a month club,” meaning he would only talk city business with Menne at city meetings and nowhere else.

The issue reached its boiling point, Anderson said, when Menne sought council discussion of the legal action involving the township. The matter, Anderson argued, should not have been public based on the litigation in process with Stacy and Chisago City.

Menne said his request was answered by “cussing and swearing” from Anderson and implied threats. Anderson has denied all of Menne’s allegations.

“It was bizarre, absolutely bizarre,” Menne said of Anderson’s behavior. Menne said he took his action to court after meeting with Scott Dexter, acting chief of police, who turned the matter over to City Administrator Craig Mattson.

Menne said his push for the council agenda item was to reveal what the city has spent on the annexation matter to date.

“We need to know what this is all about,” Menne said. “I want to know where we are at.”

Menne has questioned a number of council decisions in recent months. He has questioned city funding for the Forest Lake Teen Center operated by ISD 831 Community Education, funding for the joint comprehensive plan between the city and township and the annexation proceedings.

Menne said the recent outburst by Anderson was the third time he has behaved in a “bizarre” way.

Anderson, who owns a security company and has a conceal and carry permit for a handgun, says that fact has been taken as a threat by Menne. He has been licensed to carry a weapon for 20 years.

Anderson said he now regrets the fact he supported Menne last fall in the election and has publicly told people that in recent months. In less than a year, Anderson said he has come to see Menne in a different light.

Anderson said he is also frustrated that Menne has refused to pay a bill of $2462.69 in surface water charges that is owed to the city.

“I’ve been very critical of him,” Anderson said of Menne. “He’s all about chaos. He’s all about starting fires.”

After receiving the court order for the hearing, Anderson released the following statement:

“Mr. Menne may not like the comments I made to him on the telephone and via e-mail. My suggestion that if he is going to be a defender of the taxpayers of Wyoming then he should pay his bill owed to the city and become a full fledged tax paying resident.

“I also suggested holding Menne’s council pay and applying it to the amount he is delinquent on his debts to the taxpayers of Wyoming. I think it’s only noble that every elected official pay the same bills every resident receives.

“Although at times it is uncomfortable and awkward to hold other elected officials accountable, I feel it’s only right to be the voice of the residents. Mr. Menne’s claims of statements and profanity I used are absurd.

“If exaggeration and holding a grudge were sport, Menne would be an Olympian. If this is what it takes to hold Menne accountable, I will go to court with Mr. Menne on a monthly basis if needed to defend the taxpayers of Wyoming.”

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