ORONO’S UNREST

Orono continues to falter:

Lack of process allows favoritism, distrust and a certain level of lawlessness.

How is Mayor Tunheim affecting our community and our environment? Let’s look at four issues that he recently weighed in on - continued marring of our lakeshore set back areas; acceptance of numerous building code violations, end running Park Commission process, and over treatment of Lake Minnetonka.

1) Monday night, the Orono City Council reopened a wealthy property owner’s application for a pool cabana within the average lakeshore set back. This application was voted on and denied previously until a lawyer showed up and appeared to pressure Mayor Tunheim into changing his mind.

Now the application is tabled for a revised plan. Anyone wanting to build a structure within the average lakeshore set back? Just bring your lawyer. Sadly this is just one of Tunheim's votes allowing possible environmental degradation Monday night.

2) Also during the Monday night meeting, the City Council discussed the removal of Orono’s Park Commissioner Chair Brian Roath. Mayor Tunheim appeared to not understand that Roath has violated somewhere around 10 building codes in his back yard including building structure within the 75’ lakeshore set back.

It appeared Roath used his position as Park Commissioner to strong arm his neighbors into allowing several of these violations onto his neighbor’s private property.

Clearly, Roath has broken the Orono Code of Conduct by using his position to circumvent city law. Unfortunately, Mayor Tunheim had not reviewed the Planning Commission meeting where Roath incriminated himself over and over again.

Still, Mayor Tunheim believes this level of corruption should be handled internally by city staff? The complaint has been circling for over a year with city staff without resolution. Citizen’s wonder where is Roath’s fine and ordered removal of illegal structures?

3) During the Hackberry update, City Administrator Adam Edwards asks for “a nod to move forward” with the plan the Park Commission hasn’t even finished yet. He hasn’t gotten final Park Commission feedback yet either. Edwards isn’t waiting for input from the specially scheduled Park meeting 9/9/25.

Why is there a Park Commission when Edwards does whatever he wants when he wants? This continued end run around citizenry breeds distrust and a fear of city staff. Mayor Tunheim chimed in to say he was already asking for funds from Hennepin County. Is this any way to treat your volunteers and neighborhoods of the voting public?

4) Last but not least, Mayor Tunheim boasts that there will be Lake Improvement Districts on every bay in Orono. He says this before he’s met with MNDNR, Orono Citizens at large, or other environmental experts to review the rampant over treatment in Carman Bay and Stubbs Bay.

Data shared publicly shows massive chemical dumping with little to no oversight from the DNR. Perhaps the greatest misstep Tunheim has made or will make in his tenure is to open up Lake Minnetonka to widespread poisoning - so much so certain aquatic ecosystems have disappeared.

Everyone should be worried about this lack of recognition for our environment and absolute distrust of the Orono government to acknowledge what they are doing to Lake Minnetonka.

We didn’t vote Bob Tunheim in to bring just civility to our city. We voted Tunheim in to enforce codes and ordinances. We voted him in to stop favoritism, back room deals, and the degrading of our natural resources. Ask Mayor Tunheim to stop "kicking the can down the road" and enforce codes, ethics and clean water initiatives.

btunheim@oronomn.gov

#togetherwearetogether

#communitythatcares

@friendsoforono

Why is it that the City of Orono has a hard time holding their City Officials accountable? We used to think it was the former Mayor, but here we are again with a city official clearly breaking ordinances for his own benefit.

Remember clear cutting bluffs and wetlands? Now we have structure and hardcover within the 75 foot set back without permits. Orono’s own Park Commissioner Chair Brian Roath hired a landscape firm in 2021, and built large retaining walls within the 75 foot set back and 11 feet onto his neighbor's property. He also built a patio 3 feet onto his neighbors property. Now four years later he’s asking for an after the fact Conditional Use Permit (CUP).

The worst part is that City is offering to give it to him if he makes a few changes. How about ripping those retaining walls out to plant trees and vegetation instead? Isn’t that what the City would normally make a citizen do?

Several questions are:

1) Why didn’t a Park Commissioner or his landscape company apply for permits? Not knowing your own lot line is a very poor excuse. Why didn’t you survey?

2) Building onto your neighbor’s property not once but twice? Don’t you think you should have pulled your own structure/hardcover off their property immediately when this came light?

3) Why has it taken over a year for you to resolve this? Aren’t you wasting everyone’s time?

4) Isn’t the runoff going to be worse with all this hardcover near the lake?

5) Who “advised” you and “recommended” this course of action in 2021. Hearing justification after the fact should not be applicable.

6) Where are your original plans and why isn’t your contractor https://erlandandtree.com/ part of the city packet?

7) Where is the proof of erosion issues and tree degradation? After the fact hearsay should not be applicable.

This appears to be the same well worn tactic, called “”grandfathering” which Roath has employed during his five+ year tenure as Park Commissioner. Instead of following Orono rules and laws, he is constructing first and asking for forgiveness after the fact.

Other examples are:

Roath tried to grandfather development into Lowry Woods against Nature Conservancy covenants.

Roath tried to grandfather development at Bederwood which is still ongoing and degrading the park.

Roath approved behind the scenes development at the golf course for several projects including clear cutting trees.

And let’s not forget Summit Beach, Hackberry, etc.

The City of Orono states in the regulations that: “The granting of the proposed variance will not in any way impair health, safety, comfort, or morals, or in any other respect be contrary to the intent of this chapter. This criterion is met.”

https://legistarweb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/.../Exhib...

Oh this “impairs our morals” - this is a great example of another Orono City official believing they do not have to follow City ordinances that any other Citizen would be made to adhere to. Park Commissioner Chair Roath should be made to rip out all this illegal construction and plant the right vegetation within the 75 foot set back. That is what any other citizen would be made to do in this situation. #stopcorruption #stopdeception City Officials are not above the law - they should be leading the adherence to our laws as examples of good Citizens.

Attend Monday night's Orono Planning Commission meeting held at 6 p.m. Orono City Hall to voice your concerns.

#togtherwearebetter

#communitythatcares

#oronoparkcommission #brianroath #Wildhursttrail #orono #cityoforono #75footsetback #buildingpermits

Why is it that the City of Orono has a hard time holding their City Officials accountable? We used to think it was the former Mayor, but here we are again with a city official clearly breaking ordinances for his own benefit.

Remember clear cutting bluffs and wetlands? Now we have structure and hardcover within the 75 foot set back without permits. Orono’s own Park Commissioner Chair Brian Roath hired a landscape firm in 2021, and built large retaining walls within the 75 foot set back and 11 feet onto his neighbor's property. He also built a patio 3 feet onto his neighbors property. Now four years later he’s asking for an after the fact Conditional Use Permit (CUP).

The worst part is that City is offering to give it to him if he makes a few changes. How about ripping those retaining walls out to plant trees and vegetation instead? Isn’t that what the City would normally make a citizen do?

Several questions are:

1) Why didn’t a Park Commissioner or his landscape company apply for permits? Not knowing your own lot line is a very poor excuse. Why didn’t you survey?

2) Building onto your neighbor’s property not once but twice? Don’t you think you should have pulled your own structure/hardcover off their property immediately when this came light?

3) Why has it taken over a year for you to resolve this? Aren’t you wasting everyone’s time?

4) Isn’t the runoff going to be worse with all this hardcover near the lake?

5) Who “advised” you and “recommended” this course of action in 2021. Hearing justification after the fact should not be applicable.

6) Where are your original plans and why isn’t your contractor https://erlandandtree.com/ part of the city packet?

7) Where is the proof of erosion issues and tree degradation? After the fact hearsay should not be applicable.

This appears to be the same well worn tactic, called “”grandfathering” which Roath has employed during his five+ year tenure as Park Commissioner. Instead of following Orono rules and laws, he is constructing first and asking for forgiveness after the fact.

Other examples are:

Roath tried to grandfather development into Lowry Woods against Nature Conservancy covenants.

Roath tried to grandfather development at Bederwood which is still ongoing and degrading the park.

Roath approved behind the scenes development at the golf course for several projects including clear cutting trees.

And let’s not forget Summit Beach, Hackberry, etc.

The City of Orono states in the regulations that: “The granting of the proposed variance will not in any way impair health, safety, comfort, or morals, or in any other respect be contrary to the intent of this chapter. This criterion is met.”

https://legistarweb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/.../Exhib...

Oh this “impairs our morals” - this is a great example of another Orono City official believing they do not have to follow City ordinances that any other Citizen would be made to adhere to. Park Commissioner Chair Roath should be made to rip out all this illegal construction and plant the right vegetation within the 75 foot set back. That is what any other citizen would be made to do in this situation. #stopcorruption #stopdeception City Officials are not above the law - they should be leading the adherence to our laws as examples of good Citizens.

Attend Monday night's Orono Planning Commission meeting held at 6 p.m. Orono City Hall to voice your concerns.

#togtherwearebetter

#communitythatcares

#oronoparkcommission #brianroath #Wildhursttrail #orono #cityoforono #75footsetback #buildingpermits

Please Vote!

It's only one more day until the special election and although we are not endorsing any candidate, as public rights enthusiasts, we need to note some current behavior - left to right:

1) Ryan Kanive is a firefighter who did not stand up for the Citizens during the duplicate fire debacle. In fact, he endorsed none other than Denny Walsh in the last election. He was a no show at the League of Women Voters event (he sent in a statement) and he did not make any public comments recently when we did see him in Chambers. Not a public speaker? See here: https://youtu.be/7tGidiNBGQs?feature=shared

2) Recently, Bruce Lemke unfortunately decided to jump on social media and employ a well worn citizen suppression technique. This is out of bounds for a former city official and frankly doesn't bode well for the tough questions he's going to have to answer in office. And the first question we have is how is he going to listen to ALL the Citizens when there isn’t a scientific City Council supported survey? See here: https://www.friendsoforono.org/oronosunrest

3) Jon Schwingler jumped right in on social media and lauded Mr. Lemke. But that's not his most egregious issue - he's been in the pocket of Walsh, wasted taxpayer funds, time, and disregarded the Citizens on recent occasions. Enough with the bromance. Oh, and by the way he just flip flopped again by reposting the Supreme Court judgement with Denny Walsh’s loss. Yet, all his signs are in Walshites’ yards. He’s the weathervane that just keeps spinning. See here: https://youtu.be/uAwZR4tuMXQ?feature=shared

4) Gigi Simpson has the interest of U.S. Congresswoman Kelly Morrison and that has us intrigued. Although Simpson has virtually no experience, maybe she will do her homework (already ahead of a couple of candidates) and without crony judgement (like several of the other candidates). Or maybe she’ll be overwhelmed?

5) Did anyone see Todd Trettel’s social media pages? Party on Garth. Where have you been? No presence in public comments and we’ve not seen you at committee meetings either. MIA for all the current hooha means he’s already way behind.

Please, let’s not let the Walshites back into office…let’s keep moving ahead with those that will come to the table with an open heart for the Citizens. No matter what anyone says - please look at their behavior. Are they walking their talk? Or just talking?

#togetherwearebetter

#communitythatcares

@friendsoforono

Ah oh, not again. Two candidates jump onto the Nextdoor Social Media site and appear to try to shut down the communication informing Citizens of Mr. Jon Schwingler’s past track record. This communication which is similar to those we found during the last administration, frankly has no place in our community for the following reasons:

I) A former City official who is running for office again should be aware and adhere to the City of Orono Code of Conduct and Social Media Policies. Just because a person is running for office, doesn’t mean they are above civility and honoring First Amendment rights of Citizens.

2) Posting what appears to be Citizen Suppression at the very best on Social Media makes one wonder if the Orono Code of Conduct will be upheld by either of the candidates because they are already stepping on our rights. 

3) If this was a “very friendly and fair contest”, why would either candidate feel the need for partisan endorsements? This municipal race is supposed to be nonpartisan.

Also, if this was a “very friendly and fair contest”, why can’t we discuss Mr. Schwingler’s past track record - those are facts. And why wouldn’t you want us to?

And finally, if this was a “very friendly and fair contest”, why would there be public shaming of citizen communication on social media? Isn’t this an example of inappropriate and unwarranted communication that was called out in the first place? 

Here we go again. These entitled individuals are already throwing salt into the taxpayers wounds before they are even in office. Does any of this sound familiar? Coffee with the Mayor? Disingenuous banter about ethics? Trying to shut down how the Citizens really feel about losing their assets and not having a voice?

#togetherewearebetter

#communitythatcares

@friendsoforono

Not only did Mr. Schwing-ler use his Republican buddies at the club to endorse him, he also used their lawns to plant his signs. Not a good look is it? Drive around Woodhill Country Club and you’ll see what we mean. 

We don’t need or want more entitled Walshite cronies in our City Council. We need more people who take representation seriously by researching the issues and coming to the Citizens - not just those whose kids you coached - not just those playing golf at the club - but all the rest of the Citizens who pay taxes. 

We want the Walsh era over don’t we? That landslide election should be the reason why and let’s not let the old guard creep back into office. #votenojonfororono

#togetherwearebetter

#communitythatcares

@friendsoforono

#votejonfororono

#jonschwingler

We see you Mr. Schwing-ler. You have two Republican former Wayzata Mayors endorsing you? Now that’s not a friendly, unfair fight is it? You have a sitting Republican Council member from sister city endorsing you? Now, that’s not a friendly, unfair fight for a nonpartisan seat is it?

We are especially sad that Mr. Dyvik felt he needed to add his name given he has been so strongly against the Walsh-ites in the past. Apparently this connection comes from your Coaching days but let us be clear, you cannot “Coach” your way out of representing the Citizens of Orono. We will hold your feet to the fire Mr. Schwingler for data, research and not just your conjecture from the country club. That is if you even win this race. 

#togetherwearebetter

#communitythatcares

@friendsoforono

#votejonfororono

#jonschwingler

Maybe Mr. Schwingler doesn’t want us to remember all the times that he ignored us, and went ahead with Mr. Walsh’s desires because “he was asked to.” Mr. Schwingler literally didn’t consider how many outdoor rinks were unused in Orono and the surrounding communities. He didn’t ask the neighbors how they felt about more traffic, industrial lighting and who was going to maintain said venue. 

In short, Mr. Schwingler did not do his homework. All he did was front Mr. Walsh’s desire to develop Orono Parks. These are two very good reasons not to vote him into our City Council.

He is also downplaying how much work our City Council is by saying “An hour a week? That’s not bad, I can do that.” 

No, Mr. Schwingler. Ask any of the four Council members. An hour a week? They are spending many more hours to research issues and bring data back to the dais for the Citizens to review. We don’t think you can “Coach” yourself out of actually doing the work do you?

#togetherwearebetter

#communitythatcares

#votejonfororono

#jonschwingler

@friendsoforono

One thing about video - it’s a very good documentation of someone’s behavior and a great way to document a track record. The three Schwingler videos are posted here so that Citizens know his past behavior and how it affected some of our neighborhoods and how little research or communication he did for the Citizens. 

Everyone should be concerned that Mr. Schwingler did not appear to consider the neighbors at Casco Point nor the Orono Golf Course. He also lauded the past administration for their “service” which after a landslide election should have been done in private if one cared about how the Citizens feel. 

Jon Schwingler is a close ally of what we call the “Walsh-ites” and his partisan endorsements are plenty of proof. Sadly, making this race partisan is but one reason this is an unfriendly and unfair race. 

Remember that Denny Walsh has sued the City of Orono to keep his appointee as an Orono City Council member. Walsh also cost taxpayers millions of unnecessary spending for a duplicate fire department and a double trouble oversized Public Work Building “The Taj Mahal”, etc. Schwingler = Walsh and friends.

The list goes on and on. Suffice it to say that if Mr. Schwingler does get into office, there will be a cadre of Citizens watching and listening to his every move. We don’t think he can “Coach” himself out of doing statistical research and actually listening to the Citizens do we?

#togetherewearebetter

#communitythatcares

@friendsoforono

#votejonfororono

#jonschwingler

Orono’s “Great Ride” at Taxpayer’s Expense

Mayor Walsh’s messages in the city newsletter boast of the last eight years being a “great ride”. Much of that "great ride” for him has come at the expense of increasing the city’s tax levy over 80% in those eight years. It's a great ride if one can spend, spend, spend.

Orono’s tax base and citizens' house assessments have never been higher in the city’s history. Inflated home values and new density developments have created the largest tax base from which to tax and spend. Repairing roads and maintaining parks is great but not creating a whole new fire department and going into debt to build a new supersized public works building when only a new outside storage area was needed. These new projects are costing the citizens over tens of millions of dollars. Instead of getting a break in tax rates when times are good, the Orono citizens are watching their property taxes rise and the city’s reserves dwindle.

As far as reserves go, Mayor Walsh’s spending has drained the capital parks fund hence he has to now annually levy for park money to get the fund back to zero. And many parks still lack basic upkeep. All of our sewer, water and stormwater funds were fully funded but now they are each being drained of over a million dollars to pay for the financial shortfall of the oversized public works building. This guarantees that monthly sewer, water and stormwater fees will remain high in the foreseeable future. And after all that additional spending, the new building does not have the new salt and commodities storage area built as there are presently no funds left to build it.

Mayor Walsh acts like he went out of his way to pay off the old city debt but that debt was scheduled to be paid off regardless of his actions. Instead he increased the debt to an all-time high by adding a $16 million debt obligation on the Orono citizens. And to top it off, this debt is spread out over 25 years vs the usual 15 years, so it will cost the Orono taxpayers another $5 million in interest.

The costs of starting up the Orono Fire Department are unknown - not even the city council or staff know what it is going to cost in the end. Just on financials alone, not considering the public safety aspect, this is unacceptable planning. One thing is known, it will be a very, very expensive fire department to support and operate.

Mayor Walsh paints a rosy picture but that comes from grandiose spending at the Orono taxpayers’ expense to make things look good. It is a classic example of government overspending when times are good so the ability to tax more is not as noticeable. Very expensive programs are being put in motion creating operating costs that will strap the taxpayers for years to come - does Walsh even care?

#togetherwearebetter @friendsoforono

KARE 11 reports on the lawsuit between Long Lake and the City of Orono. As the breach of contract case continues, more contempt of court rulings are sanctioned against the City of Orono.

https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/orono-in-contempt-of-court-over-fire-department-feud-again/

Fox 9 News covers the 5/23/23 Orono City Council meeting highlighting the voices of citizens.

https://www.facebook.com/DennisWalshforMayor https://nextdoor.com/profile/01cCZcgZpr7yxwjDC/?init_source=search&is=search&query=dennis%20walsh%20saga%20hill

https://nextdoor.com/profile/01skzXWt69j7xNy95/?init_source=search&is=search&query=denny%20walsh%20saga%20hill

Once again, Orono's Mayor and Citizen Unrest makes nightly news - thank you Fox9 for bringing attention to how residents are treated and why. Channel 9 FoxNews 5/10/23.

https://www.facebook.com/DennisWalshforMayor https://nextdoor.com/profile/01cCZcgZpr7yxwjDC/?init_source=search&is=search&query=dennis%20walsh%20saga%20hill

https://nextdoor.com/profile/01skzXWt69j7xNy95/?init_source=search&is=search&query=denny%20walsh%20saga%20hill

Orono Council member Richard F. Crosby II (Jr.) attending a Governor’s mansion rally December 5, 2020.

https://www.facebook.com/DennisWalshforMayor https://nextdoor.com/profile/01cCZcgZpr7yxwjDC/?init_source=search&is=search&query=dennis%20walsh%20saga%20hill

https://nextdoor.com/profile/01skzXWt69j7xNy95/?init_source=search&is=search&query=denny%20walsh%20saga%20hill