HomeMy WebLinkAbout1978 09-14 Citizen: We need assessment help THE DISPATCH By SCOTT CARLSON
Staff Writer
"We're looking for a word to
help us,"Donald Watson said.
Watson,a Maplewood citizen, -
explained that the City Council's
recent decision to levy$450 an
acre assessments for the con-
struction of a new$1.9 million
water tower,on Highway 36 east
of White Bear Avenue,has hit
people"right between the eyes."
HE SAID:"One fellow paid
44;000 for his lot and his assess-
ments are worth more than the
property,"Watson also described
a recent public hearing on the
assessments as"almost a riot."
Watson asked some Maple-
wood City Council members,
state and federal officials last
week if the community might be
eligible for grants to offset the
water tower's cost.But the offi-
cials had few encouraging words
for Watson regarding any possi-
bility of getting grants for the al-
ready completed water tower.
J- Yi
'11
`We tried to get federal funds
WE have been turned down,"
mor John Greavu told Watson.
' lon't think we've met the
-feria."
colleague Donald Wiegert
'meed. "When we tried to quali-
for the block grant we were
4old we are too rich,"Wiegert
,said.
~''MIKE AUGE,of the Minneso-
MState Planning Agency,said
aplewood didn't qualify for a
federal block grant because the
istance to offset the water
tower's cost wouldn't benefit low
of noderate income people.
Stan Pechaver,of the U.S. De-
partment of Commerce,also told
Watson that Maplewood wouldn't
qualify for an economic develop-
ment assistance grant. "Our pro-
gram is designed to be an eco-
nomic catalyst,"he said.
"Everything we do is to help cre-
ate new job opportunities,"
Pechaver continued.
State Rep.Richard Kostohryz,
DFL-North St.Paul,also had no
:'commitment to offer Watson.
"There's no way we could do
anything unless the state started
a program,"he said.
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