Fall Newsletter of the City of Otsego OCTOBER—NOVEMBER 2010
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2 IS ELECTION DAY
OTSEGO COUNCIL SEATS ARE ON THE BALLOT
There will be a full slate of elections decided this November.
Everything from the Governor to State Representatives to Earlier this year the members of
the City Council decided to wait
Judges and City Council members will be on the ballot. to appoint a member to replace
Here in Otsego there are three council seats up for election. Two of the Mark Thorsted.That time came in
seats are four year terms that are presently held by Tom Darkenwald and September when Doug Schroeder
II
Vern Heidner. The third seat on the ballot is a two year term to serve out the was sworn in as the fifth council
seat left vacant when Mark Thorsted moved out of state for a new job. member.The council took this
action as a result-of S;c-hroeder
The candidates for the four year terms are (listed alphabetically): being the only person who filed
to run for the open seat.
Tom Darkenwald* p
Vern Heidner*
Jerry Struthers 4-
*Incumbent
The special election to fill the two year term has just one candidate on
the ballot:
Doug Schroeder
Voting for Otsego residents will take place from 7 am to 8 pm at the Public Works
Building (13400 90th St. NE—North of City Hall.) If you are unable to be in
town that day and vote,you may cast your vote using an absentee ballot. Full
information on how to vote absentee can be found on the city's website in the
section labeled"2010 Election."
VOTE Tuesday, November 2, 2010
IN THIS ISSUE: CITY OF
PAGE TWO: Appeals Court Decision VISEGO
PAGE THREE: Around Otsego
SPECIAL INSERT: Otsego Heritage Sites
ON THE GREAT RIVER ROAD
APPEALS COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF NEW RIVER HOSPITAL
DISTRICT, BUT JUDGE AGREES WITH OTSEGO
"In sum, it is difficult to imagine how a petition for does not provide for a "neutral, disinterested decision
detachment from a hospital district could be stronger maker in regard to detachment from a hospital district. "
than the petition in this case. Nonetheless, given the Because the decision to detach from the hospital district is
applicable statute, the applicable caselaw, and the not made by an independent and impartial body, Johnson
criteria adopted by the district board, Otsego is, in stated:
essence, at the mercy of the other members of the
district. The circumstances of this case give new "The insurmountable obstacle for Otsego, however,
meaning to the oft-repeated phrase, "You can check is the deferential standard of review that we are
out any time you like, but you can never leave."
obligated to apply, which asks only whether the
district board"was within its jurisdiction, was not
This is the final paragraph of a 21 page decision issued mistaken as to the applicable law, and did not act
by the Minnesota Court of Appeals in regard to Otsego vs. arbitrarily, oppressively, or unreasonably. . . and. .
New River Hospital District. Judge Matthew Johnson, one . whether the evidence could reasonably support or
of three judges who heard the appeal, had much to say justify the determination."
about the case and the limitations the court faced in this
case. So, despite having a very strong case for detachment
from the New River Hospital District, Otsego residents will
"(The Appeals Court) deferential standard of review continue to pay approximately$50 on a home valued at
makes it difficult for us to conclude that the district $200,000 to support the Hospital District.
board committed reversible error. Therefore, with
some reluctance, I concur in the opinion of the court." the disparities between Otsego and other
members of the district are obvious."
In essence, the judges ruled that the Hospital District
followed all the rules of the law that established Hospital The City Council has decided to appeal the decision to the
Districts in the state in 1959. However, the legislation Minnesota Supreme Court.
The Hospital District is conducting an election for the Hospital District Board of Directors.One of the Board of
Directors positions on the ballot is for a representative from the City of Otsego.This election will conducted in
conjunction with the general election on Tuesday, November 2,2010. Jim Agosto who has represented the City of
Otsego on the Board of Directors since 1999 is not running this year.One Otsego resident,Rob VanDenBerg will be
on the ballot.VanDenBerg has been active in Otsego and serves on the Police Commission. •
OTSEGO ROYALTY CROWNED
....
The 2010-11 Otsego royalty are: Little
Mister Otsego—Benjamin Carver, 9; illiliko
Little Miss Otsego Jamie Kerkvliet,6; and
Junior Miss Otsego Lauryn Thompson, 11.
li-,:The three were chosen from a total field of '
nearly 20 candidates. br
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CITY OF
OTSEGO
CITY OF O THE GREAT RIVER ROAD
OTSEGO is one of the first areas in all of Wright County to be settled
permanently around the 1850s. "Otsego" is a Mohawk word for "meeting
place" and was likely named after Otsego Lake in New York. The properties
in Otsego described below and shown on the map on the reverse side of this
page have been identified as being significant in the community's heritage and
development. We encourage people to tour Otsego to view these sites and
learn about the City's past.
SITE DESCRIPTIONS:
1 - Swenson Farm(9484 95th St.) 5 — Holt Farm(12731 95th St.) 10 — LeFebvre Round Barn(8585 Parrish Ave.)
Three barns built in 1944 designated as Heritage Sites and one very Willard Holt kept a diary from 1877 to 1890 with brief entries including Hay stored in the loft was thrown down to cows encircling the
large chicken coop.An early owner farmed the land with 26 horses and "Oct.3,1884,Mrs.Thorp fired a shot at Spencer's store"and"Oct.,3, feeding area.
no tractors.The property was purchased from two former owners of the 1884 Joe McDonald had Mrs.Thorp arrested': 11 — Lahn Farm(17685 53rd St.)
Minnesota Vikings in 1968. 6 — Anderson Farm(13118 95th St.) Established business as Crow River Farm Equipment in 1886.Yellow
2 — Lily Pond School Site(NW corner of Kadler Ave./95th St.) House was built for John McDonald's widowed sister-in-law and children. brick for the house came from the nearby Vasseur brickyard.
Land for a school was dedicated in 1870.This school burned down in Northern States Power in 1912 considered a hydroelectric dam at this 12 — School District 12(7005 Odean Ave.)
1913 and classes were held in a church across the road until a new location,but instead chose a Coon Rapids site. Original building remodeled as a modern single family home,the
school was erected. 7 — Otsego Town Hall(Nashua Ave./95th St.) original school is the portion with the columns in the front.
3 — Spencers'Studio(11088 95th St.) This building was a former school house for District 10.This building was 13 — Pride of Otsego Barn(12996 77th St.)
Now used as an artists'studio,this was the home of Willard and Alice(Holt) used as Township Hall until Otsego became a City in 1991 and built a new Built by Alvin,Frank and Alfred Beaudry in 1914 using concrete blocks
Mosman,married November 1883,where they raised 8 children.A treadmill City Hall to the south. made on site.The barn is 26 blocks tall with footings 8 feet deep.The
powered by a dog was used to pump water from the on site well. 8 — McDonald House(13620 95th St.) site was a working dairy until 1998.
4 — Ingersoll House(12188 95th St.) John McDonald was the first permanent settler in 1852 from New York. 14 — School District 112(11756 80th St.)
Settler David Look Ingersoll came here from Maine,filed a land claim for He was one of the first Wright County Commissioners and operated a Known as the Richter/DeMars School,teachers boarded at the
180 acres in 1860.He operated a brick factory from the banks of the store,river ferry,post office and sawmill. adjacent farm.
Mississippi River and transported them on the water as far south as 9 — Otsego Cemetery
Anoka.Many area farmers worked here part-time,including Willard Holt. A designated Heritage Site dating to the 1850s.John McDonald is buried
here.Can you find the grave of William E.Brandt,who killed his wife,
alleged lover and then himself on Jan.15,1906?He is buried separately
from the others by the little shed.
015 E G O HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION is an advisory committee to the City Council whose responsibility it is to promote Otsego's
heritage through preservation of historic sites and documents to foster community pride.The Heritage Preservation Commission was established in
1994 and has over time researched and identified properties in Otsego with potential historical significance.The Heritage Preservation Commission
has also written several publications about Otsego's history and its founders,which are on display and available at City Hall.
09.2010
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2011 CITY BUDGET AROUND OTSEGO
The State's budget woes are in the news with some regularity these days. The staff at -'
City Hall often receives questions or comments revolving around the fact that the State is .,
cuttingaid to cities and that must have a bigimpact on the city's budget. In fact, Otsego % `"
P Y 9 g �.".>
has never received much Local Government Aid(LGA)or other money from the State. `rr p �''
As a result,while State cuts have had an impact,the impact has been relatively minor It ".". I_ -y
compared to many other communities in the State. $ • r
77%of the revenues that make up the Otsego general budget come from residential , "' .)9
property taxes. Commercial/industrial makes up 16%of the budget, agricultural 5% 4, 1 11
and other sources 2%.As work continues on preparing the City budget for 2011, it's a,
r f t
expected that these numbers will remain nearly unchanged. AM ,;!I�
National Night Out was once again a
success as neighbors gathered to renew or
CHECK THE LAW ON MOTORIZED VEHICLES begin relationships with their neighbors.
The city has ordinances in place 9
that ban the use of motorized golf MOM ON& uZi
carts,three wheelers and four �. ,, M"+=wheelers from being driven on the
streets of the city or on the walking 4;l Ni
— .• « « .,,a
paths.The only allowable places to tl ` \ ) ,^ „
operate these vehicles are on private 1 «' r` , M , ,a1
property where the rider has the .' ,, rt' N i
owner's consent. Sheriff's deputies . �'a _ i
from Wright County have been �- •1
ow 4 t
requested to enforce these rules and will stop and ticket those found in violation t
/ . ,
of these regulations.And with winter not that far away, it's a good time to review The first ever Otsego Riverfront JamFest,
where snowmobiles can and cannot be operated in the city. Information on thesei
sponsored by Denny's, Holiday Inn and ,
ordinances can be found in the codes/ordinances section of the city's website. Rockwoods was great fun.The event
Snowmobile Training is available, contact Mn USA at 763-577-0815 or at featured something for everyone and
info@mnsnowmobiler.org.
brought the community together.
NOTES FROM MAYOR .JESSICA STOCKAMP : ,
a.� o,t " :;i,`yar` i r r ,i^ aur m'.r rte a a 9. .;; ;:iiia4:::6
COMMUNITY GROWING TOGETHER Mmit
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I was so excited to see so many friends and neighbors at the 9th Annual Otsego 0
Festival which was a great success again this year. Otsego is a growing community V
with many new families along with long time residents so it's good to have events �'
like the Otsego Festival bringing the community together. This year we have been ., !
fortunate to have new events like Otsego JamFest and the Ava Inspired 5K benefit
run/walk added to our calendar that have wide appeal. We also have the Pumpkin
Patch Day,Santa Day and Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Otsego Parks and
Recreation Commission. Each of these events has been organized by resident This year's 9th Annual Otsego Festival was
volunteers and local businesses and we should all be thankful for their efforts. a great success.The weather cooperated
very nicely and lots of people had a
Best wishes for a wonderful fall season—Jessica. wonderful day and enjoyed a variety of
activities.
1
CITY OF WILL THE GREAT PUMPKIN
OTSEG0 MAKE AN APPEARANCE AT
PUMPKIN PATCH?
MEETINGS Saturday, October 16 from 11 am to 1 pm the Otsego , ' r
Parks and Recreation Commission presents its annual _ ( . )-
These are the scheduled dates and times for Pumpkin Patch event. Each child will be able to _
these meetings, but there may be changes. choose a pumpkin to take home and there will also be /
Please contact City Hall or go to the City's games,treats and inflatables. 1
website to confirm.Agendas and minutes
are available on the City's website. These
meetings take place at City Hall and are
open to the public. OCTOBER IS FIRE SAFETY MONTH
City Council:
Nov 8—Nov 22—Dec 13—Dec 27 @7 pm Remember to change the batteries in your r Fire Prevention Week•October 2010
smoke alarms this month. It's also a good
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Smoke Alarms:
Planning Commission time to replace the battery in your Carbon BEEPI A sound you
Check City website Monoxide detector.These detectors are igISSria 1can live with
•
re uired in all houses and a artments newa pfirepreventionweek.org
Police Commission and old.
Nov 9—Dec 14 @ 6:30 pm
Parks & Recreation
Nov 10—Dec 8 @ 7 pm Holiday Hours for Otsego City Hall
Heritage Commission Closed Nov. 11 for Veteran's Day
Nov 9—Dec 14 @ 7 pm Closed Nov.25 and Nov.26 for Thanksgiving
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