Legalectric

Scenic Hwy 7, just west of Mesaba’s preferred site

Jobs at what cost?

Grand Rapids Herald-Review

Darrell White
Bovey

On Monday, it was beyond standing room only, the back hallway was filled too! The League of Women Voters hosted “What is the Future for Family Farms?” at the Northfield Arts Guild, in conjunction with the exhibit “Farm Art: A Tribute.”

The Northfield News was there too: Family Farms Face the Future.

Stephanie Henricksen

The show and the forum were organized by Stephanie Henricksen, who, drawing on her long history and varied experiences in art and farming, put together the exhibit that’s been traveling around the state — what about your town? Photos (all but top) thanks to Margit Johnson, LWV.

Members of the panel were Dave and Flo Minar of Cedar Summit Farm in New Prague; Paul Liebenstein of Wolf Creek Dairy in rural Dundas; John Zimmerman, a turkey grower in rural Northfield; Thom Petersen, Government Relations Director for Minnesota Farmers Union; Susan Stokes, Executive Director of Farmers Legal Action Group; and Duane Alberts of Minnesota Farm Bureau Board of Directors.

Thom Peterson, Farmers Union

Though the questions were set out ahead of time, some of the most important issues affecting family farms were NOT addressed, so here are some things to think about:

l) Unlike other livestock, dairy is still subject to a five-shareholder limit in the Corporate Farm Law. Should we keep it that way or open it up to unlimited shareholders?

2) Poultry was removed from the protections of the Minnesota Corporate Law in l978. They are now grown on contract and how has this changed poultry farming?

3) Minnesota, unlike Iowa, allows local zoning in regard to farm operations, including feedlots. Which system do you prefer?

4) Some farmers are choosing to go organic in their crop or livestock operatons. Proposed USDA Organic Standards have drawn much protest. Why?

5) Is there anything in law now to cap taxes on ag land that abuts urban areas or housing developments? If not, should there be?

by Patty Canney of Minneapolis

And what about Eminent Domain? This is a very hot topic in land use, but they don’t know the half of it — wait until all these transmission lines start criss-crossing farms across Minnesota! Then they’ll know what farmers think of eminent domain!

I had a good chat with Thom Peterson at the Tavern beforehand and we argued the issues where farm and energy intersect. He and I were part of a group working with Sen. Vickerman on eminent domain issues last session, so there’s an awful lot to argue about! A bill was introduced, S.F. 462, that would alter the scheme of payment for transmission easements, a pressing need in SW Minnesota where so many farmers are having their land condemned for transmission line. It went nowhere, sidetracked to a “study group,” but this next session might be different. Then again, it seems the folks talking about eminent domain want to exempt utilities from their bill! Not a bright idea… Thom and I were also part of an energy policy roundtable last week which I hope will help bring energy issues to the forefront in the coming campaign season — much like Elizabeth Dickenson did in the St. Paul mayoral race. FLAG is working on a wind handbook for farmers, crucial as new avenues open for farm revenue in energy and equally important when challenges arise like negotiation of easements and condemnation for transmission.

Stephanie Henricksen & Mac McCutchan in the foreground

Rice Co. Rd. 46, at Albers Park

What are we preserving? What are we giving up? What are we giving away?

There’s a Supreme Court case that just came down that looks at the meaning and impact of orderly development. After Friday’s RCLUA v. Rice County hearing, I spent a lot of time thinking about the wide scope of “protectable resource” provided by the Minnesota Rules, and more broadly, where we’re headed as a culture, and if anyone is thinking long term. Changes in land use are irreversible. What is important?

Read this case! It’s Mendota Golf, LLP v. City of Mendota Heights and in short, open space and the City’s demonstrated desire to preserve it won the day!

Here’s the STrib article: Land use ruling may have wider affect across metro

Doug Jones, in his editorial yesterday in the Northfield News, says I ought to participate! What a novel concept! If only he’d participate, he’d know that I am… sigh… there he goes again, shooting himself in the foot because he can’t be bothered with obvious facts.

Who is this guy and what’s his interest? Doug Jones came here from somewhere else, bought a chunk of Wheeling Township, built a house that has people gawking, was instrumental in the Valley Grove Church restoration, but isn’t overt or visible in his political activity. I can’t tell if he’s a “legend in his own mind” or a close personal friend of Karl Rove’s who is pulling strings and getting folks to toe the party line. He’s got money, no doubt about it, and I’ve heard rumors of a connection to Enron — maybe… he knows a few things about transmission regulation and understands the importance of state, not FERC, control — he looks and carries himself like an absent-minded professor or electrical engineer — so maybe he’s from the electric industry. Jones contributes to many political candidates (do a search), hosts political fundraising and civic shindigs, and when Rep. Ray Cox performs he quietly watches from the sidelines. Now and then comes out with truly bizarre ideas that make it seem he doesn’t care about his credibility — I guess I won’t complain! Anyway, here’s his latest:

Don’t sue; do participate

To the editor:

Rice County needs a director of planning and zoning with the depth of experience and professionalism of Arlyn Grussing.

Unfortunately, the woman who is again suing Rice County because she thinks the Rice County Board of Planning and Zoning staff should be sentenced to “remedial training â?¦ regarding environmental review,” (Northfield News Nov. 19) is at it again!

Something called Rice County Land Use Accountability Inc. has already cost Rice County taxpayers over $10,000 to defend against her suit, which was dismissed by District Judge Bernard Borene. Perhaps her on-going lawsuits contributed to Rice County losing its highly experienced chief civil servant for planning and zoning.

In her insinuation that Rice County should appoint someone acceptable to her personal environmental philosophy, she leaps over to a Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) criticism of the Interstate 35 “rezoning scheme” because the infrastructure is not already planned or implemented. Question: Shouldn’t zoning planning come before infrastructure?

Why doesn’t Carol Overland help by participating on one of the county’s land use committees? Instead, we have continuing lawsuits by Carol Overland’s Rice County Land Use Accountability Inc., which does not have one single known Rice County land owner on its board of directors or among its officers, including Carol Overland, a resident of Goodhue County.

Doug Jones
Nerstrand

Here’s the DOT comment on the AUAR. Download file What do you think???

Here’s the membership of Committee 1

I’ll upload my comments after the paper publishes it. Stay tuned…

Tails from the Fourth Estate — odd this is happening during a Northfield Issues list about editorial changes in the Northfield News, good bye Guest Columns, hello ????

One thing I think we have gained with the new Editor/Publisher is a “been there, done that” common sense that comes with a lot of years at the helm.

Northfield News is issuing a correction to its false and boneheaded sub-headline from last Saturday – they’ve read the judge’s order, Louie Seesz, Editor/Publisher and Mark Anfinson, Esq. are in utter and obvious agreement that the paper’s sub-headline isn’t true, and they’ll issue a correction. It’s a start. What’s a false claim like that worth?

Methinks compensatory damages ought to include a monthly Guest Column! Sound equitable?

Now, will any of the Rice County defendants read the Correction? Or their attorney?

(if you’re feeling the urge to buy a gross of these, here’s the link, and only $2.50 apiece!)