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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br /> September 25,2023 <br /> 6:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> that is industry best practice,the letter continued. She asked the Council to build upon the 108-year <br /> foundation of exemplary fire service go into mediation with open minds and consider the wishes of the <br /> volunteer fire fighters. She contended based on what Council members said tonight they cannot <br /> possibility be going into mediation in good faith. Through it all,she said,the Long Lake fire fighters have <br /> continued to serve the community and she asked the community to support the Long Lake Fire <br /> Department open house on October 9. <br /> Brad Erickson,Corcoran, said he thinks Mr. Crosby ought to be fired.Two meetings ago he at the very <br /> least compared Erickson to a Nazi.He asked when will someone speak out because this is becoming the <br /> official message of this City that it is okay to peddle in this stuff.He added Walsh started it, saying he <br /> doesn't know why anyone would bring this up and state it from the Orono City Council table.Erickson <br /> said he had asked for them to sit down to discuss this,adding Crosby should apologize and be censured. <br /> Council Members are dug in on this Nazi stuff,he said. Crosby was out in Washington DC on a first <br /> amendment binge but somehow when he comes up to exercise his first amendment rights they have a <br /> problem with it.He asked when is he going to get an apology and are certain Council Members so <br /> radicalized they think this should be part of civic discourse. <br /> MAYOR/COUNCIL REPORT <br /> Benson said she does not make a habit of responding to public comments in her report but wanted to say <br /> she appreciates the comments made tonight. She denounces hate in any form and speaks for decorum in <br /> City Council meetings and does her best to abide by this. She attended the Wayzata Fire Department <br /> pancake breakfast and said it was wonderful to see communities coming together for positive reasons. <br /> Benson wished City Clerk Anna Carlson well and congratulated her on her new position. <br /> Veach also thanked Anna Carlson and said she has been great to work with since her days as an election <br /> judge. She wished her well in her new position. Veach said she was at the Fire Advisory Board meeting <br /> and can state that within 24 hours of that meeting,Crosby did reach out after putting in more thought <br /> about what he had said. She also mentioned the Fire Department open house on October 9. In her mind, <br /> there never was anything saying that Fire Department can't stay together, she said. <br /> Johnson said he also wanted to congratulate Anna Carlson as she is very capable.With respect to the <br /> mediation the next day,he said he was going in good faith and with an open mind.He said he holds out <br /> hope that there is a path forward for both cities with a path of keeping the fire fighters together. If <br /> progress is being made it could be a multi-day mediation. He is concerned about needing an alternate if it <br /> goes for multiple days. <br /> Benson said she was not aware that the City was disclosing who was representing the City in mediation <br /> and that the City Attorney had advised them not to. <br /> Johnson said it has been open that he was attending mediation. <br /> Johnson moved,Walsh seconded,that the Council appoint Veach as an alternate for mediation in <br /> the event one of the two representatives could not make it. Vote: Ayes 4,Nayes 0. <br /> Page 12 of 13 <br />