Faced with problematic situations, the Council has made two major decisions and has changed board and commission makeup, sometimes with perhaps too little directness as to compelling vs. minor motivations. Faced with no problematic situation the Council has given in to carping by a few, and done something impacting wetland buffering, which in turn impacts quality of water ultimately reaching the aquifer we in Ramsey on private wells drink from.
The big ticket items - prioritizing the Armstrong Blvd. rerouting and interchange, and buying the baby in the basket left on the doorstep, the failed Ramsey Town Center. Asking yet another time for a NorthStar stop was done, but I do not see that as major.
One can disagree with the choices made, as I do vigorously, with the environmental decision-making. But as to the other choices, some decision needed to be made on Armstrong and the RTC, and one was made in each instance, like it or love it.
On those two issues, depending on developments and interests that arise, as to interesting thinking or tangible interests - propritary acquisitions and promotions - time will test the Council's wisdom. Said a different way, they've a two-year window until the next election cycle, and then only three of seven seats will be on the line.
The third water tower - that's semi-major as a decision, and I would have gone the other way, putting the thing off. And not mere lip service in saying "No" but something more vigorous and lasting. Saving money, seeing how the housing market changes over the months to come, being the argument grounded on caution and conservative approach.
However -- It's their job, not mine. I as a citizen can observe and comment. But basically they have two years in which to be judged and something more premature than that could be off the mark.
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Review and change of consulting arrangements is also something I would have examined were I in their place. I do not know if that reexaminaiton is going on or not. As with the boards and commissions, arguments can always be made for fresh faces and fresh approaches. Consultants cost money, and cost-benefit attention is always proper.
