FLT Fiefdom for Sale?

After suffering a major defeat in the November District 5 Chisago County Commissioner election, Fish Lake Township (FLT) Supervisor and Board Chair Bob Carter has set his sights on a new target. Carter is challenging incumbent Craig Mold of Rushseba Township for appointment as the District 5 representative to the Chisago County planning commission.

The Chisago County planning commission is comprised of seven county residents, one from each of the five geographical districts and two “at-large” members. One county board member serves as a planning commission liaison, but without voting rights. Planning commission members are appointed by a majority vote of the county board and serve a three-year term. In January 2009, Districts 3 and 5 terms expire and will be up for re-appointment. District 2 and both “at-large” positions renew in January 2010, while Districts 1 and 4 renew in January 2011. County board members have traditionally supported the planning commission citizen appointee choice of the corresponding district commissioner.

Seven members who reside in diverse regions of the county exceptionally balance the current planning commission geographically. Representation includes some current township supervisors such as the “at-large” member from Fish Lake Township. As the second of three Fish Lake Township supervisors, what would Bob Carter bring to the county planning commission?

1.) A quorum of FLT supervisors
2.) Redundant representation of FLT
3.) Conflicts of interest for FLT
4.) Open Meeting Law violations for FLT
5.) Public disclosure of financial contributors to Carter’s county commissioner campaigns?
6.) Adversarial interactions with District 5 County Commissioner opponent and current planning commission liaison Mike Robinson?
7.) A dark cloud of suspicion regarding Carter’s planning commission appointment despite the vote against him from his home District 5 Commissioner Robinson?

In the recent words of District 4 County Commissioner and attorney Ben Montzka, “Open Meeting Law has been interpreted to bar any quorum of duly sworn-in elected officials from meeting together…..…I heartily support the idea of open government that our Open Meeting Law is designed to protect.”

Appointment of Carter to the county planning commission would result in a quorum of Fish Lake Township supervisors present at every county meeting. To circumvent this issue, will Carter relinquish his Fish Lake Township supervisor “fiefdom” for a county planning commission seat?