Two more junk car meetings on agenda

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Saturday, July 5, 2008

If the first two junk car informational meetings, with input taken from area residents, is any indication, the final two gatherings will be lively.

The first two meetings were held June 25 and 26 in Pelican Rapids and Parkers Prairie. The final two informational meetings will take place July 9 at the County Offices, New York Mills, and July 10 at the Government Services Center, Fergus Falls. Both gatherings will begin at 6:30 p.m.

If an ordinance were established, a license would be required if a party had more than five junk autos, or junk equivalent to the same space as five junk cars. County commissioners agree, however, that salvage areas — many of which include junk cars — do have their place.

“As county government, we’re here to act in the people’s best interests,” county Solid Waste Director Mike Hanan said. “We want to not only provide information about the proposed ordinance, but to also receive input from residents throughout the county.”

Those comments are echoed by all five county commissioners who are attending the meetings.

Opponents of the proposed ordinance, which can be seen on the county web site, were out in numbers in both Pelican Rapids and Parkers Prairie.

“We anticipate that the New York Mills meeting on July 9 will be a repeat of Parkers Prairie,” said Bill Stusman of rural Pelican Rapids who supports the proposed ordinance.

Stutsman, who with others belong to an organization called Friends of Visual Chaos, wants to ensure that both sides be heard at the upcoming gatherings in New York Mills and Fergus Falls.

Many issues related to the proposed ordinance will be debated by the county commission after the informational and public input meetings are completed, Hanan said.

“We’ll be utilizing some language as part of state statutes,” he said. “I can’t comment directly about license fees, but can say they would be reasonable if the ordinance were adopted.”

Farmers and salvage operators in both the Pelican Rapids and Parkers Prairie areas expressed concerns about idled farm equipment coming under the banner of the junk car ordinance, fencing requirements and other issues. Supporters, however, pointed to aesthetics and safety issues.

“It’s good that we had the opportunity to be heard,” said Dion Schleske of rural Pelican Rapids, “and that some provisions in the ordination will be revisited.”