Legalectric

The Public Utilities Commission deemed the “Northland Reliability Project” complete, and so we’re off to the races, the permitting process has begun. Minnesota Power and Great River Energy filed both the Certificate of Need application (CN-22-416) and the Routing application (TL-22-415). It’s a long line, and the application is LARGE. Here’s the joint application narrative:

For the rest of the application go HERE TO PUC eDOCKEtS PAGE and click on “Go to eDockets” and search for “year” 22 and “Docket” 415 or 416.

Now, about that road show, errrr, “Public Information and Environmental Assessment Scoping Meetings” to be held over a week around northern Minnesota:

There’s also a Webex meeting on Friday the 27th!

This is the time to let them know your concerns, up close and personal. You can also send comments in writing — keeping in mind that this is the time for comments about the scope of the “Environmental Assessment” and here’s what they want comments on — not that this is ALL you may comment on — but commenting on these issues, framing your concerns into these questions, will increase odds of yuor concerns being considered. Be as specific as possible, and yes, include maps, charts, graphs, circles, and arrows:

Read the “need” section carefully, because I sure can’t find anything specific, and the “Transmission Studies” in Appendix I are “CONFIDENTIAL.” What? And what I’ve found in other transmission dockets is that the need is overstated at best, and usually it’s not needed at all, it’s WANTED. It’s all about money, it’s all about market, after all, the MISO “studies” that they now rely on as demonstrating “need” is for MISO, MISO is a MARKET. It is not a reliability organization like NERC (North American Electric Reliability Corporation). (In case you’re interested, here’s the latest NERC report, the 2022 Long Term Reliability Assessment, with the details.)

MISO is all about delivering benefits (dollars) to its MEMBERS (read all about it HERE):

I digress…

If you have questions, if you have concerns, read the Application-Narrative, look up the docket filings, determine if there are things missing, issues of concern, considerations that they’re NOT considering, put all that into a comment. And look at the questions for which they’re seeking answers, and write up comments specific to those questions. It’s a bit of homework, but that’s what’s required if you want to weigh in, and that’s OUR job, letting them know what we know that they should account for, and what they’re missing or ignoring.

Send comments:

Get to work! It’ll take a while to get familiar with the application, and it will take forever to download the maps and other appendices.

So many videos of Trump, Green, Gaetz at the “America First” rallies in Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, am I missing any? Trump said said he was pushing “economic nationalism.”

Trump vows to ‘launch a revival of economic nationalism’ at Cedar Rapids rally

At Iowa rally, Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Gaetz advocate for Trump’s ‘America First’ values

Green supporting “America First” after she “rejects” it:

America First Caucus exposed (& 86’d by Greene) April 17th, 2021

(link in that post: Marjorie Taylor Greene scraps planned launch of controversial ‘America First’ caucus amid blowback from GOP)

The “Put America First” PAC?

Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz’s Big Fundraising PAC Is Nearly Broke

“Put America First” Joint Fundraising Committee – Summary and some details

As I’ve posted here and written about before, “America First” is nothing new:

Iowans heard about ‘America First’ 76 years before Trump

We have “our” own America First state House Rep. Pam Altendorf right here:

What I can’t wrap my brain around is their current support of Israel given America First’s rabid anti-semitism. Is it anything more than supporting Putin and increasing chaos around the world? And no doubt this America First tour is distractivism from the chaos in the U.S. I’m having enough trouble wrapping my head around Hamas attack on Israel and the back and forth carnage, Putin’s involvement, comparison’s with Ukraine, and the timing. Having Trump, Greene, and Gaetz in the mix sure doesn’t help.

What a mess…

Who are they? Take a wild guess…

They ALL need a call, contact info HERE, and list below:

This is the most specific argument blast and theory ripping Order I’ve ever seen. It’s not very long, and it’s so worth a read:

Judge Engoran is sending more than a shot across the bow — it’s a gut shot to each and every Defendant, and as importantly, their attorneys.

A handful of Trump’s businesses organized in New York (are there others?) and all entities held by the Defendants, are history, and a receiver will be appointed to manage the dissolution of those entities.

Here’s the bottom line:

I’ve been working on getting copies of the claimed “we’ve got tons of them” screenshots that Mayor Wilson has been waving around in support of these burr-up-his-butt theories of violations of Open Meeting Law and Data Breeches by City Council and/or Commission members. He’s done it before, and he needs to be called on that.

Red Wing adopts Social Media Policy

I’d sent a Data Practices Act Request:

That request was made because of the way Mayor Wilson was waving about what he claimed were screenshots, inferring that they proved his claims of violations of Open Meeting law and that there were data breeches:

The City’s response to that Data Practices Act Request was a denial in search of a rationale:

So I sent “Data Practices Act Request Redux” yesterday:

What do those screenshots demonstrate? My guess is that they show his obsession with the Red Wing Snowstorm fb group, and attempting to shame or intimidate those who speak up and discuss issues in our fair city. His proposal for amendment to the Social Media Policy would limit Council and Commission members’ membership and participation in private social media groups and even blogs! It was deleted.

His behavior is odd, but there’s background to this that’s compounding the weirdness. He has referred to me in at least two orations before the Council, first inferring some nefarious intent in my advocacy for updating the City’s Code of Conduct, and now, tied to adoption of the City’s Social Media Policy, about participation in the “Snowstorm” fb group. Enough. Put up or shut up!

My first noteworthy encounter with Wilson was when he called me after I’d sent a mass mailing quoting the City’s position on the Recall City Hall effort and providing contact info for the Council. One flyer went to him, and he was furious. “DON’T YOU EVER SEND ANYTHING TO MY HOME AGAIN!” He loudly demanded to know where I got the list (public info), who I sent them to (none of your business), how many flyers I sent (why?)… WHAT?!?! What’s the problem? It was the weirdest response ever, clearly hit a nerve, and damn… I wish I’d recorded.

Another example was his previous statements during an earlier Council meeting. At that time, the Council was deliberating changes in the Code of Conduct. See transcript below… What I “find interesting” is his sideways objection to my participation in updating the Code of Conduct. This is something I’ve openly been working on since the Citizens Assembly, circa 2017, and the ejection of Mayor Egan circa 2013, long before Wilson was Mayor. Why this need to make up objections to my work? Why put all this out there in a public statement, on the record, before the Council, that is demonstrably false and downright goofy? In that Code of Conduct Council meeting, he said this:

Really! The City Attorney quickly corrected him, stating that my suggestions were for the most part not adopted! The City Administrator also knew the history and acknowledged the need for an update. Councilor Norton spoke up, she knew of my years long work on this and my push to get the Council to take it up. None of this have even been necessary. A simple comparison of 1) the suggestions I’d been sending in to the Council and Mayor, and 2) the Code update presented to the Council reveals the difference. Apparently that homework wasn’t done, hence the statement?

That evening the Code of Conduct was discussed, I had work to do outstate with a township I’m representing on an Ordinance, so I couldn’t attend, and oh how I wish I could have been in 2 places at once. Wilson’s statement that “she had issues with the Mayor way back when,” ummmm, no, it was former Mayor Dennis Egan who had obvious ethical issues — a clear conflict of interest as ED of a sand mining association when sand loading was before the Council and HE DID NOT DISCLOSE, much less recuse (Mayor Egan Resigns). At that time, I said, “Onward, and hopefully this time we’ll find a mayor with some integrity and ethics.” Perhaps that expectation is Wilson’s objection?!?!

Wilson has repeatedly displayed poor judgment. This is the same guy who wrote an ex parte letter to District Court Judge Lennon, who’s charged with Ordering appointments to the Charter Commission after the Commission forwards names to her. His ex parte, letter, asking that I be denied reappointment to the Charter Commission was full of outright lies and was accompanied bizarre attachments.

Note he writes this letter “As Red Wing’s mayor” and signs it “Mike Wilson, Mayor.” Under color of law much? I do hope someone explained to him how this is problematic. And dig this WTAF attachment, which he linked to his “commissar” comment in the letter:

It seems Red Wing DOES need a commissar!

Just too bizarre…

And I’ve not forgotten the Mayor’s support for the Recall City Hall effort (their website has been completely eliminated, a good decision, no evidence; the fb page sort of present, but mostly scrubbed.). Recall sought to upend the legitimate election of our City Council members, disenfranchising voters. Does this sound familiar? They used a demonstrably false premise in the “250 word statement,” claiming Open Meeting Law violations. DUH, personnel issues are held in CLOSED session. Specifics of the firing are PRIVATE INFORMATION — only the subject, in this case Pohlman, can disclose, and he chose not to disclose. Recall proponents were hollering “Stop the Steal” while stealing slogans and tactics from another equally unsuccessful “Stop the Steal” effort (that effort resulting thus far in how many disbarments and indictments?).

Column: Recall petition is old-fashioned democracy in action

I had a few things to say about that as well, particularly about the Post Bulletin’s promotional toadying coverage, but about Wilson’s support as well:

Letter: Red Wing recall coverage lacking

Another issue is Wilson’s attempt to get City funding to pay for the roof repairs for his Red Wing Marine Museum. building. The lease requires, as do most commercial leases, that the lessee is responsible for repairs. The roof was a known issue when he signed the second lease a decade ago. Wilson says he is no longer the head of it, but he was President until this most recent request for city money came up. He was President at least until 12-31-2021, the date of most recent public IRS 990 on Guidestar.

Also note the claim of “Land and Buildings” as a $214,763 asset. How can that be? It’s a lease and it’s been in default for a decade, now officially declared in default by the City.

FULL DISCLOSURE: Alan Muller is a big boat motor fan, and a big fan of the Red Wing Marine Museum. Alan strongly wants to see this museum continue, he likes it personally, plus it’s a big asset to the city, and he hopes the Board can keep it open.

Overall, this history of Wilson’s conduct has become a pattern, and a few of these instances directed my wa caught my attention, mindful that I’m at least a limited public figure. One thing I do agree with Wilson on: “So I’m just giving everybody a heads up on this stuff. Pay attention from here on in.“ Of course! I am paying attention!

As to this current Wilson waving of “we’ve got tons of them” screenshots… Mayor Wilson, “if you’re listening,” if you have proof of Open Meeting Law violations, and/or “there’s data breech going on,” let’s see it. If there are violations, you have a duty to report issues to the City for investigation and to address violations, if there are any. If you see something, say something.