Posted by NeedMoreInfo (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tim/Greg, thank you for voting in favor of the filming project. It’s quite apparent that we need to open up this crypt called Fergus Falls, let in some sunshine, and air this place out.

Posted by sametoyou (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

My greatest fear is, this CDG is a big con job! I mean, why is this guy even doing this? What is he , or his group(?) getting out of this? There are so many questions they can't answer. So many expensive trips to China. A scare movie is going to keep them from coming? Give us a break, city council. If Rick Anderson is serious about that, how can you take Rick Anderson serious? This council sure scares easy! Embarrassing? YES!!!!

Posted by theweasel (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Leroy, if this were the only example of stagnant thinking by this and past city councils, you would have a point. It is however just one more example after another, after another, of small town close mindedness going back over fifty years. And it has gotten to a point where some citizen/voters are so fed up they are actually considering voting for Jamie Cooper. Talk about a horror movie in Fergus Falls, we will be living in a horror movie day after day if that happens.
As much as I dread the thought of Jamie Cooper in office it will not be his fault. Because he is just standing beside the road like a vulture waiting for the city council to hand him this election on a silver platter.

Posted by theweasel (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Whats with the clocks at the FFDJ site, these posts do not appear in order posted and some appear to be posted several hours from now.

Posted by CED202 (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What should be brought up in this article, which numerous people brought up yesterday, was the fact that Fergus Falls has now become the laughing stock of the entire nation. I saw yesterdays article in small newspapers online in Long Island, NY. This has garnished more publicity than one low-budget film ever would. Will this blowover and be forgotten? Of course, but that's not the point of the arguement. The point is progressive thinking and creating opportunities. It all feels like a slap in the face and just another closed door. Since moving to Fergus Falls, I am coming to realize that the "O" word (opportunity) is something that has for the most part been shunned. People driving 50 miles to either Alexandria or Fargo is sad. Let's spur some economic growth in this town. Local government should be here to promote business and opportunity, not turn it down. At the end of the day, $10,000 and some trips to Walmart are not going to make or break Fergus Falls. It's the blatant lack of concern for a town that is stagnant and slowly falling behind that has everybody in an uproar.

A business college for Chinese students? That’s great and I hope that it comes to fruition. Being turned off by a low budget, straight to DVD film, I highly doubt it. I am sure the Chinese delegates would be more troubled by the lack of vision in Fergus Falls leaders than a FICTIONAL movie.

All I can say is, I I know I will be following the election in this town very closely this year.

Posted by ghostly_1 (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 1:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hey LeRoyJenkins, you sure are a mental giant in your own right thats for sure. Do the math alright but have you ever heard that a "bird in the hand is worth two in the bush"?

Thats this "one" deal is worth more than that one or more deals "in the bush" that probably will never happen anyway. And if they do, only an idiot would think a movie being shot here in the past would make a difference in it happening or not.

Yes, somebody, anybody, do the MATH. If math and a little common sense had been used this wouldn't even have happened.

Posted by skeptik (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think it's about time for all the council members who voted against this to write in and explain their reasoning for their votes. With the growing number of overwhelmingly negative comments coming in from the taxpayers you elected officials are obviously not listening to and properly communicating with, the very least you all could do is join in on the discussion here. This issue is festering throughout the region and state, causing much embarrassment to the community, and the council has a responsibility to participate in this.

Posted by Mel (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If the Chinese don't come because of a movie, we don't need them. I think that the idea of the Chinese canceling because of this is all in the minds of a couple of people in Fergus

Posted by kokobeware (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 2:04 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by rodentboy (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

how is the CDG financed? who is paying for all the trips and so forth? if it is not coming out of andersons pocket he has a sweet deal and i want a piece of the action.

Posted by LeroyJenkins (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 2:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The reasoning for turning down the movie I would imagine is coming from a simple business decision. What is better for the long term change of the town.

Simple concept but, is lost on some of the mental giants around here.

Here is the math for you.

A very small short-term business opportunity with very little gain or upside---- or----- doing everything to ensure the best possible shot at a huge business opportunity with lots of upside.

There is simply no way to know right now if one would affect the other so, go with simple math and make the best long-term business decision. That is what most of the council members did.

Why do very few see this?

Posted by positivelyperham (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

whether you agree or disagree with the councils decision i think it is time that rick anderson and his "friends" get investigated. what is his upside and where is all of this money coming from for negotiations and trips. cmon fergus falls, who is paying for ricks vacations. too bad this paper isnt into investigation, there probably is a pretty good story of corruption here.

Posted by golferguy (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 2:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I believe I missed the sign just outside of Fergus when I moved to Fergus Falls. "Fighting change since 1950".

Posted by rodentboy (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)

richard anderson, the mayor and the council with the exception of the two smart ones should do the right thing and resign asap

Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 2:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

the movie would have shown Minnesota and the rest of the nation that Fergus falls is open for business!
plain and simple.
there was more on the table than the money Kaufman was offering.
what kind of community invites a filmmaker to write a script specifically for our community only to double cross him almost a year later, in favor of rumors?

this decision has much larger consequences than many of you are considering.

since when is it a great idea to put all our eggs in one basket?, and to double cross people we've invited to come to our community?

thank you
Jamie Cooper

Posted by ghostly_1 (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is ridiculous and makes us look so stupid and backward. I got e-mails yesterday from people in the Twin Cities that attched the Tribune article about this, they were trying to understand why we would turn down that movie shoot and laughing their backsides off over it.

I am ashamed, you council members should be recalled or impeached that voted against this, I can't imagine, the cities of Walker, Willmar or Brainerd turning it down, they also have closed State Hospitals or nearly closed. Anyone who has ever been in the upper level of Kirkbride knows its ideal for a movie and the tunnels as well. After dark it must be scary without ghost stories.

Any parties possibly interested in investment and redevelopment would have to be ignorant fools to be troubled by it having been a movie location, it might even add to its mystique for crying out loud.

Just one last thing. The Chinese thing with the college at the RTC is not only a pipe dream, if you believe that is going to happen, I have some ocean front property for sale in Arizona. Forget it, ours is one of many, many locations they are looking at.

Come to think of it, if the chinese get wind of this they may like it after all, the thinking of the area leadership is so similar to Chinese leadership, so afraid of anything different, the desire to keep out change, the fear of the unknown.

I think the next sequel of Dumb and Dumber should be made here.

Posted by MarcNSuzy (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 2:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Idiots. Shortsighted, self-serving good ole boys. The exact OPPOSITE of what city leaders should be. Textbook.

Laughably bad. A complete caricature.

Let us shovel more dirt upon the grave of this dead and rotting community.

Posted by Generally_Misunderstood (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 2:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

LeroyJenkins. So you're saying you actually buy the argument that this film would have such a negative impact on the school itself that the project would fail to materialize solely on the film's content? I think the average person is capable of determining what is a piece of fiction and what is a true historical account. If the film was a documentary of the facility and showed what experiments went on during the 100+ years of operation, would this have been fought as harshly? The CDG has never once admitted that the true nature of what went on inside the walls of the RTC was ever a factor in the Universities involved not considering going forward. Mr. Anderson only glossed over the positives of what the institution did, when if he was aware of the true deeds that took place, that would be far greater of an issue then any silly film project. If these well educated individuals in charge of the Universities looking to join the CDG are capable of looking past what was reality, then the whole notion of negative impact of the film is nothing more then overblown fear mongering on Mr. Anderson's part. It was more about his ego and winning then the actual merit to his argument. It's a sad day for political leadership when none of them questioned him on this in the public setting of the Council Chambers for the whole voting public to see. If such questioning occurred, it wasn't in the public eye. Stumbo and Jensen did mention that there had to be a way to coexist, but not once during Monday's meeting were any truly tough questions asked by any council member.

I could care less about the film not going through or not. The project itself would have a minor affect, it's the close-minded leadership that lets one man and his ego control the direction of where this town is going without any legal recourse if his plan fails to materialize.

Posted by LeroyJenkins (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 2:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GM---no that is not my argument at all. It is given the information the council had at this time they made the better long-term business decision from a business perspective. There is no way to know if one would decision affect the other project----- regardless of peoples' hot-headed opinions.

I am saying they most likely voted it down because they saw a better business opportunity in the college path and doing everything possible to give it the best chance at going thru.

The movie had no clear benefit only risk to the better business opportunity.

Only time will tell....

Posted by rodentboy (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

leroy,
here is some math

1 movie = 1
1 college = 1
1 movie + 1 college = 2

2 is better than one and one sure thing is better than nothing.

Posted by WallLakeWhiggaPosse85 (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So, the Chinese government is going to invest millions to bring hundreds of their countrymen to an ethnically homogenous backwater in rural MN just because we're willing to give them a giant unused building in the middle of town?

Logistics alone make this scenario unlikely, and it goes like this: Shanghai or Beijing to, what, San Francisco, maybe? San Francisco to Minneapolis and then take the Greyhound up I94, or wait for the single flight per day to Fargo and then bus it back down?

We are a small, relatively isolated farming community with limited infrastructure. Current efforts to preserve the RTC are admirable, but seem pie-in-the-sky and unrealistic, and occasionally delusional and desperate.

This movie would have made no lasting impact on FF, positive or negative. Ten grand for rent and some hotel rooms and liquor tabs, that's about it. Small budget, no distribution, direct-to-Netflix, if you're lucky. Take the guy's money and let him make his movie.

Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

“Basically it’s an agreement that we’re going to continue our conversations,”

cheif,
I applaud you for you optimism, this is not a letter stating intent to renovate and bring a international university to the RTC.

but at least it is something from the CDG!
I gotta give you that!

Jamie Cooper

Posted by concernedinFF (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 3:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

******PLEASE READ THIS POST*******
Here’s the real problem. People talking about this embarrassment in our city won’t blow over for a long, long time. In fact, long after the current city council is long gone, people will still be talking about this, and feeling the way we feel about it now. We are the laughing stock of the entire nation and the world now. In fact, I even heard that Newsweek is going run the story. I was at the City Council meeting on Monday. I watched in complete anger as Mr. Anderson dodged every question presented to him from the public, and no one on the city council asked him any pertinent questions to his deal. This obviously means that something is going on behind the curtain that the public is not privy to. So I did what nobody else seems to be doing. I did a little research on what the real story is behind all this. Using nothing but the archives of this newspaper and a little time spent on google, I discovered the name of the Chinese University the CDG is partnering with; The Hunan Normal University.
http://www.hunnu.edu.cn/english/infoabou...
it’s in English, so just hit cancel when the window comes up asking if you want to translate it. Spending some time on their site, I discovered that there are many universities already partnered with them across the country. I also discovered that all the email addresses of the university executives are there. If we’re not getting answers from Mr. Anderson and the CDG, let’s ask the source? Trembling yet Mr. Anderson?
The second point is that we have just missed an opportunity of a lifetime that is gone forever. Does anybody really think that Mr. Kaufman would return to this town if the decision was overruled after the way he was treated? All he wanted to do was come to our community, bring some notoriety to this town and spend a lot of money and we treated him like he had the plague. Mr. Kaufman if you are reading this, please know that the vast majority of us here in Fergus Falls are reasonable, intelligent people and we sincerely apologize to you on the way you were treated here.
Its time we get answers from those who refuse to answer them. Otherwise, come January, we the tax payers are going to be left holding the bag, and our empty wallets. Count on it. Thank you for your time.

Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"The University attaches great importance to international exchanges with foreign universities and academic institutions. Until October 2006, the University has established official collaborative relationships with 50 universities or institutions in America, Japan, Canada, Korea, Russia, France, Finland and other countries. We share faculty members, libray and research resources with these foreign universities through the exchange of professors，students and academic periodicals. Every year, the University receives over 300 guests from abroad, either in groups or as individual scholars, who come for academic visits. In recent years, the number of overseas students has been increasing rapidly and today, the University annually houses more than 300 longer-term or shorter-term overseas students." Hunan normal university

300 students to be divided over 54 universities they are already partnered with?
300 divided by 54 ?
so we would be lucky to get 6 or so students?

Mr. Anderson better start explaining his actions and why 6 students would benefit our community greater than showing our nation we are open for business!

Jamie Cooper

Posted by cheif (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

A LETTER OF INTENT HAS BEEN SIGNED! People! They signed a Memorandum of Understanding when the Chinese visited a few months ago. What's that? According to Wikipedia: In private U.S. law, MoU is a common synonym for a letter of intent (LoI).

How about this part in the Journal? "An agreement with Hunan Province has already been made for Chinese students to enroll in the college’s nursing programs in the future. Student enrollment could begin as early as fall 2009."

Posted by Generally_Misunderstood (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 3:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you "concernedinFF." What you said could not be any more true.

LeroyJenkins, that is quite a few assumptions to base anything off of. If the council had more information from Mr. Anderson and his group, then it was not publicly shared on Monday's meeting. Mr. Anderson's sole argument was that the Universities involved did not want the possible negative impact of the film's content to impact even "single student" attending the future campus. This argument makes no sense to any rationale human that knows the distinction between reality and a piece of fiction. It has been reiterated by many individuals that the realities of a mental institution far out weigh whatever a creative story could contain. If I need to provide actual evidence to the ongoings of our mental institutions over the last century to solidify my argument, I will. Rationale leadership should not base there decisions on a weakly supported argument with nothing more then one man's opinion to go from. Clearly the uproar and press coverage that has gone national is going to have far more of an impact then any silly indie movie could ever have. If any good comes of this negativity is that more of the voting public will become energized into action.

No clear benefit sir/madame? Short term financial gain, $10k to the city coffers for nothing more then a yes vote on an empty building they are gaining nothing from currently. Hotel rooms occupied, restaurants and shopped at. Yes, only minor fluctuations in income, but hardly the "no clear benefit."

It's not about the movie, it's about the bigger picture of going forward without anything more then the word of a few individuals with no legal recourse to fall back on if their plan fails. Is it a good idea, sure, but 16 months is a long time to have nothing tangible to show for. It is quite clear that this location is not the only one being considered by the Hunan delegation. But this concept is not ever spoken of by the powers that be. What are they afraid of? If our leadership does not ask the right questions, then what good are they for us?

Questions that need to be answered:
Who is Mr. Anderson and his CDG group?
How are they Financed?
Is financing guaranteed? If so, by whom?
What is being asked of the City to make the project feasible and profitable for all involved? What concessions will be made that garner the City any revenue null for how many years because of this?
Who in FF stands to benefit financially from the CDG and it's plan?
What American Universities are to be partners?
Do these Universities need their State Legislatures approval to go forward with this project? If so, what is that timeline? What is their financial obligation?
What is "Plan B" when/if the CDG plan fails?

These are only a few questions, there's tons more that have yet to be answered and only a few months to iron them out before a state mandated plan for demolition must occur.

Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

cheif, what is your source for these claims?
why would the CDG and Mr. Anderson withhold information like this?
Jamie Cooper

Posted by Mel (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 4 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"What is "Plan B" when/if the CDG plan fails?"
I hope it isn't, destroy the Kirkbride. The nation wide publicity of this is just great! Save the Kirkbride!

Posted by cheif (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 4:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It was printed in the Journal.

http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/news/2...

Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 4:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

plan B is to begin demolition, and to hope before everything is gone that a smaller investor would come to the rescue.

Posted by Generally_Misunderstood (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 4:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Cheif, you are correct, a letter was signed to partner with area Colleges and Universities. http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/news/2...
But from what has been publicly aired, it is not a letter of intent that directly refers to the RTC campus. The agreement put forth to this date from what I've been able to ascertain was about educational resource sharing, not a physical building site. If you have evidence otherwise, then please post it without spamming your own self-serving website. Thanks in advance.

If I'm wrong, I will gladly retract my request for tangible proof that our community itself will see a benefit from this. Since this is a public issue, where is the transparency in disclosure of what does and doesn't exist to qwell any speculation? Not once during the two council meetings on this film issue was the MoU ever brought up to support that the RTC deal was more then an idea of location. This would have been a major power play in the powers that be hand's to use. But it was not presented at the two recent council meetings. Will this be apart of the Sept. 2nd meeting where the CDG has promised more information? I hope so. I'm excited about the potential what a collaboration of this scale could mean for the community we all live in and seem to have such passion for.

Posted by cheif (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 4:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank you, watermelon!

Posted by votedem (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 5 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by Nyrad (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

All I got to say is Boy, Howdy, the Chinese deal better come through with the council under fire like this. 200 years ago they would have tared and feathers them for passing on an opportunity like this for a ,so called, better one that never came through.

Posted by concernedinFF (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 5:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Watermelon, I've been reading your idiotic rant on these postings since this started. According to Mr. Kaufman’s website, the DVD of his last movie isn’t going to be released until October 28th. So, enlighten us. How is it that you are so connected to the film industry that you’ve seen a film that hasn’t even been released? You seem to personally attack Mr. Kaufman in every one of your posts like you have something to prove. Or is it that you’re exactly who we all know you are. Chief as well. You’re not fooling anyone.

Posted by watermelon (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 5:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It still seems to be the case where the fiction is getting confused with reality. I'm guessing the story got stuck on the AP and is being used as filler material in small newspapers in different cities. As for being mocked nationally? Well, James Lileks of the star tribune took a poke at the city, but he has less credibility than a cashier at hamburger hamlet. It is also being covered by a bunch of twin city blogs and news outlets. Other than that, I can't see why anyone else would care.

How has the city of Fergus Falls become a laughing stock? For turning down an unknown producer from the twin cities? The guy isn't hardly known outside of the state and through some film festivals. Has anyone even seen the one and only film that this producer put out? It's terrible, even for a b-grade slasher flick. Granted, some of the reasoning could have been better, other than the fact that the Chinese may be afraid of ghosts or something like that. Everybody seems to be mistaken that this is some sort of hollywood production. It has nothing to do with the west coast film industry.

In the end, I may sound like a pessimist..but not even a short term filming is going to save the RTC. The powers that be are just sitting on their thumbs, worrying about the deadline for state funds to tear the whole site down. The longer it sits, a better excuse to do away with it.

Again-short term small boost to economy....is the city just supposed to keep the RTC so that people can film there? I imagine that could get rather expensive.

I'm almost embarassed to have come from FF at this point. In judging by the comments on this board, everyone under the age of 30 is a gullible sap, who thinks that hollywood is coming to town. This film has nothing to do with hollywood and it is not going to put Fergus on the map-the younger folk just think about how "cool" it would be to have it shot at the RTC.

Bah, I'm wasting my breath.

Posted by Mel (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 5:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To me, it's not just about the movie, it's about saving the Kirkbride. I would have allowed the movie, and would have insisted that the Kirkbride, and Fergus, be prominently credited in the movie, not kept out.
Any, no matter how little, publicity to the town and the Kirkbride could only be a GOOD THING.
To those who want to tear down the RTC, the only thing to TRY to do is keep it VERY low key, then get rid of it.
Not so low key right now, is it? The building is a real treasure!
Remember Phelps Mill, the person (name?) who keep it preserved was correct. (what a battle she had) I know of no one who wants to get rid of it now.
Now is the time to save the Kirkbride (RTC). Do not give up!

Posted by Bev (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 5:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

golferguy, The sign reads, "Now entering the Twighlight Zone, doomed"

Posted by JAnderson (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 5:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

To give up a short-term "sure deal" for a long-term "possibility" is stupid. Last I checked this was 2008, not the 1900's. Things come and go on a daily basis. You have to take what's given when it is given.

Posted by Generally_Misunderstood (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 5:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's not about an indie movie's impact for me. Never has been. More so that city leadership has not publicly asked Mr. Anderson and the CDG the tough questions. Such as "if a piece of fiction could cause this much turmoil with the potential Universities, what impact with the truth of what was done in the facility have?" The question may have been asked, but was not apart of the public meeting. Or even to point out that their reasons for not approving of the film were quite flimsy. What occurred may be perceived today as evil and torturous, but it was for a common good to help people. We can't just brush aside what happened, but learn that all people have rights. Furthermore, a council member saying they're "not in the position to question" the CDG's opinion. If not, then who is? If leadership won't even ask the questions for us, who will?

The indie film not happening here is a disappointment, but not the root of my consternation of our local politicos.

Posted by JAnderson (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 5:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Watermelon - I normally do not respond to a single individual...but the fact is, the RTC is sitting there, it isn't going anywhere for a while, so why not utilize it for at least some amounts of money. Regardless of whether it is a Hollywood move or not, it was guaranteed money...more than they had before. Plus, let's not forget the fact that the crew would need to eat, sleep, etc...in Fergus. All which is more money that was not there before. So before you target the 30 and under, you should read and think how stupid your response was...IT'S MORE MONEY THAN THE CITY HAD BEFORE!!!

Posted by grandma66 (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 6:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Yeah, we are pretty much forced to "get out of town" to shop because there isn't jack in this town for shopping or entertainment. As far as the whole world out there, if I didn't live in this town working for peanuts, I could explore a little bit more. I wish I had stayed in the Twin Cities, but I move back because I have family here. I think I'm going to move back there, very soon!!!!

Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 6:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

iloveottertaillake, Scorsese?, guess what, Martin Scorsese attends independent film festivals.
there's a good chance Scorsese may have seen this film and became interested in Fergus falls.
you doubt it's importance?
I've been hearing about this from people who live and work in Hollywood.
explain to me why the associated press covered this story?
I wasn't aware the AP covers pointless, meaningless stories.
but I guess anything is possible when you just take the word of people like Mr. Rick Anderson as gospel truth.

Jamie Cooper

Posted by bobcab (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 6:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ok i did some simple math. during every one is just bringing up only the 10 grand for the city counsel. hotel rooms for 100 people for at least 30 days at 30-50$ per day(if they give them a deal)90,000-150,000$ food for 100 people for at least 30 days at 15-30 per day 45,000-90,000$ and thats just the beginning, who knows how much money they just tossed away.

Posted by watermelon (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 6:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

10 grand to a city fund doesn't mean much. A mile of road gets the cracks filled and that's ten grand right there. And the RTC isn't going to be sitting there for much longer if a LONG-term solution for the campus isn't found-the city WILL tear it down because they've been dragging their feet for years and it has fallen into such a state of disrepair. It's the same thing that has happened to Fort Snelling in the twin cities. They haven't torn it down, but almost all the buildings have collapsed roofs and are completely useless because of political bungling and governmental red tape.

The only thing that has happened is that Mr. Kaufman has used this as a publicity tool by sending out the news links to all the blogs and getting his name all over the web and starting a buzz to HELP HIS MOVIE. At the expense of Fergus Falls....for a couple of months until this whole idiotic thing is forgotten.

As for the added business for a month? They stay in a hotel for a month, the corporate owners of the hotel make money. They eat at perkins for a month, perkins makes more money. The employees get the same wages as before, and the city gets the same property taxes from those businesses. Perhaps mabel's will get an enlarged drinking crowd for a few weeks, except I don't think they carry Czekvar.

I wish someone would consider shooting in downtown FF-it's been listed as a film location on the MN film board for many years.

I don't take offense at being called stupid, since I am replying to the same people who get excited as an 8 year old over new plastic garbage bins and an Arby's. Every time I check the County jail website, another couple of my old classmates who never left town are in jail for something or another.

Get out of town more often, people. There's a whole world to explore out there.

Posted by puddlejumper (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 6:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As a business owner in Fergus Falls, I drool at the thought of 'Out-of Towners'. It might be for just one month, but it's better than nothing!

Posted by iloveottertaillake (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 6:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think everyone in Fergus Falls is on the same side about a lot of things: This is a beautiful, historically precious, architecturally significant building. It is a bit of an albatross, but we want to preserve it, glorify it, and help make it a landmark for our community (Eiffel tower, anyone?). If we can bring some new revenue, residents, and business to our area at the same time- even better. I have to believe that Mr. Anderson and the group of businesspeople with the Campus Development Group, in the end, want the same thing. Even thought it would have been kind of fun to have this movie made in town, I think people are overestimating the exposure it would have given us and the economic impact it would have had. I mean, come on- it was going direct to DVD. It's not like Scorsese was coming to town. Rick Anderson and the group he represents have experience in this sort of project and the very best of intentions. Maybe we could suspend our self-righteous indignity long enough to ponder... maybe this was the best decision. Just food for thought. Hopefully this will blow over quickly and those willing to put their necks out to develop this property won't back out due to our collective snarkiness. Hopefully in a couple of years, we will be on our way to establishing this university, welcoming new Chinese friends to town, and wondering why we got our undies in a bunch over this.

Good luck, Rick and the CDG! Thanks for the time, effort, and hard work you've put into this project so far. Thank you for taking this chance and betting ON our community, not against it. There are far more people excited about the university than there are whiners who can't see the forest for the trees.

Posted by brighteyes (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"Well, James Lileks of the star tribune took a poke at the city, but he has less credibility than a cashier at hamburger hamlet." -Oh man..that cracked me up.. The latter half of that statement completely sums up our bogus town.. City council needs to be revamped. 90% of them. Get some younger people in there with idea's, plans, and motivation. Fergus Falls. a joke in itself.

Posted by Rogde (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If the Chinese weren't turned off by the fact that the property warehoused the mentally ill for decades, and I believe that frontal lobotomy was de rigueur for part of that time, how is a horror movie going to put them off?

These posts appear to me to have the makings of a movie script, and it's definitely a comedy.

David Rogde

Posted by awen1989 (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Alright, we already know Fergus Falls is a town to fall asleep in. Why make it even more dull by passing up an opportunity like this. So far, it looks like we have at least 2 council members that have some foresight. At this point, stop trying to be heros and go back to that producer and ask for "forgiveness." You can still make the right move.

Posted by whatcc (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 7:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Its a movie. Its money. It shows that we (majority) are open to new ideas and economic development. Times change and you either change with them or get new city council members....

Posted by Hennepin (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 7:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Finally Fergus Falls is trying for the big hit with the Chinese and the small minds are worried about a B grade movie that will never see the big screen. Dana Barringer criticizing, what else is new? The 20 great years I lived in Fergus she criticized the Chamber but refused to join and make changes. Anderson has spent weeks and months in China and knows what he has to do. He has little to gain from this deal but the satisfaction of giving back to the community. The hits he is taking will make future successfull business people from this town think twice before they spend their own money to leave a positive legacy. Screw the 2 bit movie!

Posted by jamieann (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Time check: My computer says 7:41 NOW! What time is my comment?

Posted by ottergrad (anonymous) on August 20, 2008 at 8:45 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on August 21, 2008 at 7:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

"I asked a few of the council members if they ever talked to CDG. They all indicated that they spoke to Mr. Anderson before both council meetings and he shared with them details of the negotiations that cannot be made public at this time." - ottergrad

well isn't that nice to know.
so the council meeting was all just a show?
when the CDG said they would have more information to offer at Mondays meeting, and didn't offer anything, that's OK, because the council meetings are just show biz and we're just meat puppets paying the tab and being pacified?
better yet, our city council lets you know the whole story but not the rest of us?

so did Mr Anderson lie when he said the CDG have nothing on paper, and no guarantees of anything?

Mr. Anderson said flat out "it has nothing to do with timing!" He "speaks for Fergus falls and We just don't want this movie!"

I heard these statements with my own ears and I saw his mouth moving.
I think I'm gonna trust his words more than what you claim he said.

thank you,
Jamie Cooper

Posted by Hennepin (anonymous) on August 21, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Cooper,
Is it your agenda to drive Fergus Falls back 40 years to the time when we could have had a big 3M plant but small minds like yours forced them to locate elsewhere?

Posted by TomKat9 (anonymous) on August 21, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I found this article in the Star Tribune and linked back to the Fergus Falls Journal from the Fargo Forum.

All I can say is I wish I had a scary building near my northern Minnesota restaurant. I WOULD ABSOLUTELY LOVE TO SEAT AN ADDITIONAL 50 OR 60 PEOPLE FOR A MONTH IN THE OFF SEASON; especially after the burden we will be experiencing just trying to keep the doors open this winter!!

Our part of the world (just off 371 between Brainerd and Bemidji) experienced a dreadfully slow summer –lots of people coming up and cooking at home because they can’t budget for eating out and paying for gas to get here. We have our fingers crossed for snow to thwart total collapse!!

The dollars don’t just roll into town up here and as a small town business owner in the current economic climate I would be absolutely furious at this council decision. Talk about horror – your elected officials are the scary monsters gobbling up your hopes for paying the employees and the heat!! Good luck to all the poor Fergus Falls business owners!

PS -I bet it would have been fun, too.

Posted by Generally_Misunderstood (anonymous) on August 21, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

ottergrad, you make many excellent points. But why weren't these questions poised in the public setting so the average taxpayer can see what is being asked and by whom. I understand that the negotiations are a sensitive thing, but since the City Council has the ultimate authority in selling/leasing the RTC to the CDG for the campus, should not any and all information be public? If such questions were asked, why did not one council member bring this point up? The public is not getting the whole story and I for one have learned that when information is slow to be released that there is usually negative reasons for this. I could be pacified with at least a tidbit of information that states exactly who the CDG is and what control our local officials have in the entire arrangement. Is this going to be a private school or a state funded campus? If a state campus, does the legislature need to rule on funding? The CDG's website answers nothing about who they are and has but a few great pictures and minimal text. If we are placing all of our hopes for the RTC to remain on the CDG's shoulders, we need more information. After 16 months or so, at least a few questions should be answered, but we the general public know almost nothing. If we as taxpayers are to fund this in anyway, we need information. That's where I take issue. Another question that remains for me is does the City retain rights to the campus to ensure that a private corporation doesn't find it more cost effective to tear down any of the structures in lieu of unique design solutions?

The nurses program you bring up ottergrad is quite interesting seeing as it was just a few months ago that large portions where looked at being cut from our local college and transfered to different locations.

http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/search...

http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/news/2...

How would this have affected the CDG deal? Luckily our community banded together to show support for the Nursing and MLT programs at the Community College and refused to allow them to be moved or discontinued. Just goes to show what we can do together when provided the resources and information to make a decision. Did the CDG play a role in this? If so, Great! But how? If the CDG wants us to rally behind them with this plan, we need disclosure of even the simplest details and questions.

Posted by killdeer (anonymous) on August 21, 2008 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I must plead ignorance of some of the details of the Chinese plan. Who will be paying to do the asbestos removal and renovation of the facility? Can the Chinese withdraw midway, if they are not pleased? How long will they stay, and then what? Who will be the actual owners? Why do they want to heat and maintain such a huge campus? It all seems like it has potential to become a real boondoggle,and bottomless pit for the city.

Posted by NeedMoreInfo (anonymous) on August 21, 2008 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Comment time: 11:10 CDT

Good point killdeer. The costs for upgrading the facility (asbestos abatement, plumbing upgrades, handicap and accessibility upgrades, wiring updates and other renovations) will be a staggering. A business looking to expand into another city/state/country would want the host city to have some skin in the game. For instance, if the remodeling bill comes to $75M for the facility and China requests that Fergus foot the bill for at least 20%. Where would Fergus come up with the +$15M? Who will pay for the maintenance and operating expenses? How will the contracts be written to ensure that Fergus does not end up holding the bag for a massive remodeling project?

Based on the questions floating around on this subject, the CDG would be wise to start providing some answers.

Posted by Kurtisishere (anonymous) on August 21, 2008 at 11:20 a.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by Kurtisishere (anonymous) on August 21, 2008 at 11:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sweet... My comment was removed because I said The President of the CDG, Rick Anderson should have to pony up $10K "just in case" the college plan doesn't pan out. After all, Dav Kaufman was willing to pay $10K for something that he believes in, Rick Anderson should do the same.

I suppose my comment was removed because I happened mentioned a business that Rick Anderson owns (a weekly advertising and clasifieds piece that is typically delivered on Saturdays), that happens to be located near the Stop N Go east....

Posted by JL (anonymous) on August 21, 2008 at noon (Suggest removal)

BOBCAT that was awesome how your comments added all that up. Another note on that, they weren't just looking at one of the cheap motels we have in town either the were specifically interested in sweets much more than 30-50 bucks and to figure they would be eating 3 meals at restaurants and all the shopping and misc. things they would have bought....then go back and tell friends and family how great the people of Fergus are and well you got it more business for the community and the opportunity to be known as an open minded community.

Posted by JL (anonymous) on August 21, 2008 at 12:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

kirtisishere, are you talking about that waste of paper that shows up on my steps every week that I toss in the garbage as soon as it hits the steps? LOL

Posted by positivelyperham (anonymous) on August 21, 2008 at 12:13 p.m.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

Posted by fuzzybunny (anonymous) on August 21, 2008 at 12:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The point everyone's missing is this. People say that the making of this low-budget "B" movie will cast a negative light on the kirkbride and this town. Try this little experiment. Write down your ten all-time favorite movies, now write down where they were filmed. chances are you don't even know what city they were filmed in much less what the name of the building might have been. Can our city council be deluded to the extent of thinking that people will actually read the closing credits on a low budget "B" film.

Posted by JL (anonymous) on August 21, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

and the fact that the guy doing the film said he would not even mention the name of Fergus falls in his film nor mention the fact that it was filmed at the RTC

Posted by ottergrad (anonymous) on August 21, 2008 at 7:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

What a bunch of babies. You quote a blogger who says you won't report and it hurts the Journal staff's feelings.

Get our there and do some factual reporting. Your opinion today is so far off that it is laughable. You call yourselves reporters, somebody who is supposed to be the moral compass of our community.

You remove a blog criticizing your job as a newspaper but don't remove offensive bloggers like Jamie Cooper who says the Chinese shoot retarded people in the back of the head and throw babies off cliffs.

Shame on you.

Posted by jamieann (anonymous) on August 21, 2008 at 8:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

(This comment was removed by me before I even typed it, at 7:06PM)

Posted by Kurtisishere (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

fuzzybunny - To answer your question; "Can our city council be deluded to the extent of thinking that people will actually read the closing credits on a low budget "B" film." Yes they can be deluded in such a manner. They've proven it time and time again. What about the delusion that the city needed a bunch of new trash cans? Well that wasn't enough delusion for them because they got more delusional when they decided to purchase a $300K garbage truck that didn't work to pick them all up. Talk about delusion!

Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 1:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

" Cooper,
Is it your agenda to drive Fergus Falls back 40 years to the time when we could have had a big 3M plant but small minds like yours forced them to locate elsewhere?" Posted by Hennepin

No, my plan is to tell the world that Fergus falls is open for business.
My proposal for reuse of the RTC was meant as an alternative to the current plan B which is demolition.
I'm not opposed to a international university coming here, I just feel We should have allowed a movie as well.

I don't feel expecting more information about the CDG's plans, would set us back 40 years either.

I don't know where the CDG are getting the numbers they've suggested.
the Hunan normal university http://www.hunnu.edu.cn/english/ has 300 students to send abroad divided between 55 schools, how that would amount to more than 4 or 5 students for Fergus.

I just feel we deserve answers to questions like these.

Jamie Cooper

Posted by AnoMNous (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 2:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I believe Hunan says it recieves 300 students at its location, not sends 300 students to its 55 partner schools.

Posted by JL421 (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 3:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

This is what we get from a city council that hates bringing new people to the city, and wastes money on things that aren't neccessary. For example, the $15,000 study to find out if the roads are in need of repair. Has anything been accomplished by that study, no, but take a drive on East Mount Faith, you might loose a muffler from bottoming out in a pothole. In time not repairing the roads will end up costing more than the actual work now. The city spent $10,000 on the dietary programs in the senior homes, which are businesses, and should be able to pay for these things themselves. In all honesty I think Anderson knows this deal with China won't work out, and wants to use it as an excuse to drive this city more into the ground. He said he would release more details about the deal at Monday's meeting, and yet, did we get anymore information, no, we drove off income and possible future business from the city. I know that it was only a small indy movie, but still it's a start, then we would let people know that we're here, it's an oppertunity. That's all we need, a legit oppertunity, not a possibility.

Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 6 p.m. (Suggest removal)

it says is receives 300 guests and 300 has overseas students

http://www.hunnu.edu.cn/english/infofor/...
"The University attaches great importance to international exchanges with foreign universities and academic institutions. Until October 2006, the University has established official collaborative relationships with 50 universities or institutions in America, Japan, Canada, Korea, Russia, France, Finland and other countries. We share faculty members, libray and research resources with these foreign universities through the exchange of professors，students and academic periodicals. Every year, the University receives over 300 guests from abroad, either in groups or as individual scholars, who come for academic visits. In recent years, the number of overseas students has been increasing rapidly and today, the University annually houses more than 300 longer-term or shorter-term overseas students."

Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on August 22, 2008 at 6:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

it says is receives 300 guests and has 300 overseas students
sorry about the typo above

Posted by ottergrad (anonymous) on August 23, 2008 at 10:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Did anybody listen to the city administrator say at the council meeting.The Minnesota Dept of Health had concerns about a movie being made while they still had a CD unit there.

The MN Dept of Health pays hundreds of thousands per year in rent. Their concerns cannot be ignored.

The movie is only a $100,000 total budget with estimates of $8000 in room and meals in Fergus. They never said they would bring 70 people to Fergus.

Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on August 24, 2008 at 4:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)

well either way they voted the movie down,(it's not going to happen) and hopefully Mr. Anderson will come though with the school.

Jamie Cooper