Reality Check 2

We have been getting comments and phone calls from the press asking the blog representatives about the idea of the consolidation between Lino Lakes and Centerville. We are not involved with this idea or are participating in any such discussion.

Kindest Regards,

Centerville Citizens for Ethitical Taxation

Reality Check

(from a comment under previous article from a citizen)
I have just spoken with the MN Attorney General Office AND the MN Secretary of State Office. (Attorney General: 651-296-6196)
(Secretary of State: 651-296-2551specifically: Tom Karlson, Manager of Standards and Procedures for Secretary of State 651-296-4715)

If the City has not yet had their required audit by the firm they hire for 2008 (Centerville has NOT yet for '08), the City CAN indeed "replace the independent auditing firm with the State's audit" for the year. If you still do not believe this, please take it up with the Secretary of State.

Again, the incumbents can honor their word from the Candidate Forum and get behind the State Audit. The City & incumbents do not need to proceed with hiring their independent firm for '08 at an added cost of $30K.

Centerville Downtown Redevelopment

The City officials are working closely with The Beard Group to bring new business to town. Take a look at what redevelopment has done for downtown Circle Pines.

If you click the photo to the right you will notice that this is one of the empty buildings currently not leased and The Beard Group phone number (952) 930- 0630 is clearly shown. Link Here
Is this what the citizens of Centerville want? Why is the current council forging ahead with a plan that appears to not work in this economy?

See Mary Capra's statement in the Quad Community Press, Voter's Guide 2008.

(Question 5: What is your stand on redevelopment of older neighborhooods? To what extent should their character be maintained at the expense of increased property values and tax revenue?)

5. Keep the comprehensive plan laid out so one area of the city would not compete with another for commercial. Downtown needs to attract one type of commercial while the industrial part attracts another to keep all areas growing, and not just one commercial area of the community.
We need to focus on having a variety of housing options that will serve the various stages of life; singles, couples, young families, senior citizens and those who need nursing care."

(Question 6: Would you be willing to raise taxes to fund improvements to your district, and if so what improvements?)

6. "I plan on following through with current projects, but for future projects, if all other ways of funding had been exhausted, and there was no other way to cut the budget or provide additional funding for health and safety service, within the city, I would be willing to raise taxes. I have always kept a close watch on our budget and in this difficult economy I will continue to watch the national economic problems, and their impact on our community.

So we are curious Mary, is our nation in an economic crisis, and if so, what are you doing about the impact it IS having on our community?