Joe Perske
Sartell
The sale of the Sartell golf-course property is nothing short of a community travesty.
Having served as mayor and on council at the time of the purchase and development of the property, I was very much aware of the city’s intentions for the property at the time of the purchase and for future use. It was very clear the property was purchased as future green space and parkland to be used by generations to come. The mayor and all council members who made that purchase in 2008 are strongly opposed to this sale. They were joined by many other previous council members and scores of community residents shouting to stop this basement-bargain transaction.
Sadly, this council action was orchestrated with dubious arrangements that kept information from being released on the sale until only days before the council action. The council was asked by many to allow for public input and an opportunity to have their voices heard. Council members were stormed by text messages, emails and online questions. The city council could have provided a pause and allowed for clarity on so many questions but chose to move forward to sell.
Where is the transparency? It just does not smell right.
The present operators did not ask for a sale or a change in the lease. They had kept the irrigation system and club house running without asking for city funds. There is no catastrophic condition on the property. The parking lot is in better condition than some of our city streets. A crisis to sell the property was fictitiously generated to devalue the property and sell it at a reduced price. Simple as that.
To say we should have done it differently and just move forward is wrong. Sartell deserves honest, ethical and transparent government now.
Make this right and fix it!
