07-12-2004 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, June 28, 2004 7:00 o'clock p.m. (PUBLIC COMMENTS, Continued) Olher vcicrans and Vets Camp supporters in attendance included: Jeff Hof fman. 225‘> Lilac Road. Spring Park, Spring Park City Council member Keith Kask, 19750 Manor Road, Deephaven, Mike Flanagan, 20560 Summemlic, Deephaven. Ex-Board of Governors Representative Ed Callahan, Orono Woods Apartments, Past Orono Mayor Gabriel Jabbour, Orono resident and Past Mayor Bret Cirecnwald, 411 Lake Street, Excelsior Tnnua Johnson. 2400 Intcriachen Road. Spring Paik Mike Hanagan staled that in the I920’s the camp was established as a rest camp, or place for vets to recover with their families. Legislation of that ‘ime stated that the litsl priority of this camp would be Its disabled vets, a pnority which continues at the camp today. He urged the Council to make a recommendation to support the camp, noting what a bi/aiTc notion it seemed to him to close the camp when the country is at war. Managan acknowledged that, if no other alternatives remained, he could sup|K»rl selling a small portion of the camp to create an endowment for the remainder of the camp for generations of veterans to come. Keith Kask stated that the camp operated at a mere $3,100 deficit last year, which to him seemed a minimal expense, since the camp was not meant to Ire a profitable entity. With gornl utih/alion and increasing numbers visiting annually, he argued that the vets continue to do a great job matnUiining the camp at minimal expense for well over 5,000 users per season. Kask stated that, since he personally writes the insurance on the camp, he can attest to the fact that it continues to be covered. Sanscvcrc qucstionec? where the doll.irs would go if the camp w ere sold. Flanagan staled that the liiiuls w ould go into a trust fiind for benefit of veterans at the di.scretion of the Board of Commanders. Jabbour tntcijcctcd that develojK-rs are alieady eager to gel their hands t>n Big Island, w iih one such devclopei telling him the past week that Orono w ill jump at the opportunity to make money off develo|K‘rs on Big Island.r \mlerson staled that the vets have begun approaching private entities to fund the camp and gam financial commitments to keep it open. } (>lson i|ucstioncii what drove the decision to sell the camp and was curious to hear what the vets tell ihe motivalion was. Although admittedly conjecture on his part, Aiulerson stated that after State ('ommission ot V'clcrans* Aliairs Jell Olson collected reporting data and mission statements trom him on several occasions, and attended srvne meetings, suddenly Anderson received a letter on April 16'** which removed him from the Board and prohihited him from attending the ne.\l meeting. Kask added dial two other board i members seals were i>pen at the time and during the vote in April, two regular board members abstain d from the sole. PAGE 5 of 19