Mille Lacs County, Minnesota

Since 4/18/07

Letters to the Editor

When I received the call from Onamia Public Schools in the summer of 1984 offering me a job as their business education instructor, I thought all my dreams had come true. This was my chance to teach and live in a small community similar to where I had grown up. Unfortunately, because of a lack of adequate housing in Onamia, I was forced to live and commute from Milaca. Although I had found a nice place to live, I didn't care for the daily commute and missed being able to make connections to the community in which I worked. I felt as my parents did - you needed to live in and be a part of the community that provided you with your livelihood.

My opportunity to satisfy this desire came in the summer of 1991 when an adorable home became available a short distance west of Onamia. It was located on a five-acre wooded parcel providing solitude, peace and quiet and an abundance of wildlife. I had even expressed an interest to buy additional land next to me. However, the current owner assured me that the property would never be for sale. Despite this, I asked that if they ever did decide to sell, I would appreciate the first opportunity to purchase it. For 16 years, I have enjoyed living just across the Rum River on Shakopee Lake Road. I have watched as new houses were built, families moved in and the neighborhood grew.

Approximately two weeks ago, while at work, I received an email from my employer congratulating me on my new neighbors. Imagine my dismay and disbelief when I was informed that the city was going to purchase the property next to me - the same property I had tried to buy but was assured would never be for sale. It was to be bought by the city, rezoned as commercial, annexed into the city and subsequently sold to Mille Lacs Academy (Nexus) to relocate their facility. A commercial facility would be placed in a "rural" residential setting. There had been no warning. No notice to the officials of Bradbury Township from which the property would be taken, no notice to the landowners who lived next to the property. The people who would be affected the most had been denied their right to due process to protect their quality of life.

When some of the local landowners contacted city of Onamia officials with questions, they were told that it was a "done deal." When the sale was final and ownership had been given to Mille Lacs Academy (Nexus), the mayor would set up a meeting with Mille Lacs Academy (Nexus) so we could express our concerns.

This is a facility that operates 24 hours a day seven days a week 365 days a year and is to be located in a residential area. Not only will the traffic level increase, but the facility will require extensive night-time lighting that will affect me, my neighbors and the wildlife that call these woods home. I wonder if the impact upon the environment, specifically wetlands, has even been considered.

I understand the importance of facilities like Mille Lacs Academy (Nexus) and recognize the excellent work they do. The city of Onamia is right in trying to keep the facility here. However, placing any type of structure that is not a family dwelling in a residential area is inappropriate. Hopefully this is not a "done deal" and the negative impact that this relocation has on local landowners will be taken into consideration.

Linda
Bradbury Township resident