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It should be the same for everyone

To the editor:
I was astonished at the city council meeting on June 9. It seems that the developer of Fernwood Development feels he does not have to follow the same rules as the other developers here in North Branch. Each developer that develops here has to get a letter of credit for 125 percent in order to develop. Mr. VandenHeuvel apparently feels that he should not need to do this, as he has not had to do this with the last four or five projects in the past.
This requirement is for the cityís protection. If the development is not completed, or goes bankrupt, that 125 percent pays for the project to be completed by the city. If we donít have enough money from the letter of credit, then our tax money pays to complete the project.
The city attorney said that it is better to have a letter of credit than a bond. He said it protects the city better. This was stated several times. The city engineer also felt that all the developers should follow the same guidelines and uniformity in regards to line of credit and the amount. This way the citizens of North Branch would not have to kick in the extra money if a development goes bad.
The sad thing is that three people who sit on the council, Mayor Gloria Karsky, council members Rod Lofquist and John Pace, Jr. feel that this developer can continue to get special treatment and need not follow the same standard of financial route as the other developers.
Just who on the city council is protecting the developer, and who is protecting the citizens of North Branch.
This is the same developer who brought a request to the city council to re-zone property into the water/sewer area back in November of 2002. It was against the comprehensive plan the city has, yet it was approved. Why? It makes you think - who has the power and who doesnít? Does the good of the one outweigh the good of the many?
There was one member of the city council (Kathy Blomquist) present that felt that all developers should follow the same guidelines and financial responsibility. Iím glad Kathy is looking out for us citizens.
Also, we have again started to tape the council meetings so people who have cable at home can see them. They will be played on Monday between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on channel 10. If you donít have cable then call me at home (Iím in the phone book) and Iíll lend you a tape. With these days of financial instability we all need to watch how our government watches over and spends our money.
Theresa Furman
North Branch

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