Letter: Burchill is right man
Dear Editor,
We have known and worked with Al Burchill for over 20 years since coming to town. Al is a good businessman, a great community volunteer, and an exceptional civic leader. His involvement in organizations, programs, and the city, collectively improve the quality of life here in Hudson. Since becoming mayor of Hudson, we appreciate the fact that Al has been, is, and will continue to be a fiscal conservative when it comes to spending our tax money. Even in a languishing national economy the city of Hudson is in the best shape we’ve ever been in. Under his leadership we have an active and vibrant downtown and “Hill” area that attracts many tourists for dining, the arts and crafts, theatre, shopping and more. We have an ever expanding Industrial Park base with manufacturers providing first tier paying jobs who are thrilled to be here in Hudson. We have a terrific community park system, efficient and cost effective utilities available to our residents and capable and qualified police, fire and emergency systems in place when the needs arise.
The best business advice I ever received from a mentor friend of mine was “Make your best business decisions as quick as you can...and never make a decision unless it’s in the best interest of the customer.” Our best business decision as a community is to vote for Alan Burchill to continue as our mayor because he makes decisions based on what’s best for the residents.
Keep Hudson moving in the right direction. Vote for Al Burchill for mayor!
John and Rose Knutson, Hudson
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Letter: Disgrees with mayor
Dear Editor,
It was recently discovered that for some years now the four municipalities that are the joint partners in the Hudson Area Joint Library have failed to fund the library at a level sufficient to relieve them of having to also pay the county library tax.
On Feb. 28 this matter was brought to the attention of the municipal leaders, and Hudson’s mayor Alan Burchill’s reaction was to state that serious consideration should be given to shutting the library down. (It’s available for viewing at www.riverchannel.org). To say the least, this was not a helpful approach.
Mayor Burchill does not seem to understand that Hudson needs a better path to a brighter future. This is based on an understanding that Hudson needs to fill its foreclosed and empty homes with new families; that in order to attract those families we need to present a picture of our city as a better alternative to other nearby communities that have recently opened for housing development; and that a good library is part of this picture.
Mayor Burchill’s shortsightedness is compounded by the fact that, while he may persuade the city council to shut down our library, he will have done nothing to alleviate the library tax, administered by the county, that we will still have to pay. So, if the mayor gets his way, we will pay a higher tax amount than we have been, and we will have to drive to River Falls or New Richmond for library services. The mayor is wrong on this issue.
The library has made requests to meet with the city’s attorney and the city’s finance officer, to discuss this situation, but the mayor has refused those requests. He and I will discuss his preference for a closed city government, and my insistence on open government, at the mayoral debate, 7 p.m. on March 28 at The Phipps Center. Admission is free.
Scot O’Malley, Hudson
Editor’s note: The writer is a candidate for mayor in the city of Hudson.
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Letter: Critical of O’Malley
Dear Editor,
In many elections for public service, the term “character” always seems to be at the forefront. As well it should be, especially when it comes to a position of leadership. I would like to remind the voters of Hudson of an incident that was perpetrated by one of the candidates for mayor, Scot O’Malley.
A couple was to have, what they hoped would be, a memorable outdoor wedding at the Octagon House. As most married couples know, the memories of their wedding are ones they can carry with them for a lifetime. That is not the case for that couple, thanks to Mr. O’Malley. You see, Mr. O’Malley lives next door to the Octagon House and has for 36 years. Since there have been numerous “events” at the historic site over the years, a wedding there should not have been that unusual for Mr. O’Malley. What he did, though, was.
Before the ceremony was to begin, Mr. O’Malley opened some windows in his house and put stereo speakers in those windows pointing in the direction of the wedding ceremony. After turning the volume up to excessive levels, he put on rock and roll music, locked his doors and left his residence, ruining the wedding memories of that couple.
Oh, by the way, when this incident occurred, Mr. O’Malley was an alderman on the City Council. What does that tell you about the man’s character when he performs a childish act like that while being an alderman? It tells me that he doesn’t think before he acts. It would also tell me that he doesn’t have the character it takes to be mayor any city, let alone Hudson.
I would urge every voter to remember this when you step into the voting booth on April 3rd and vote for Alan Burchill for mayor. He has the character and deserves your vote.
Mark Christoffersen, Hudson
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Letter: Burchill is best choice
Dear Editor,
I had the honor of being asked to go door knocking for Alan Burchill a couple of weeks ago. While having never met him face to face, I have been following his leadership with our city since he has become our mayor. After our door knocking he invited us to have coffee. I was so impressed with his overwhelming big heart, concern for the city and its growth as well as the citizens. We sat and talked for over an hour and I will say that prior to meeting him he had my vote but after sitting and talking with him, not only did he solidify that vote he inspired me to take a much more productive role in our city. Thank you Alan and I look forward to having you serve as our mayor for another term.
Erika Cherrier, Hudson
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Tags: opinion, letters, hudson
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