In an unexpected turn Tuesday night, Windom Mayor Hilary Mathis rescinded her veto of Ordinance #211, removing the obstacle standing in the way of the proposed sale of WindomNet to Federated Broadband. The decision came just one night after a more than four-hour special meeting where the City Council reviewed WindomNet customer trends, finances, future capital and operational needs, Federated’s proposal and questions submitted by the public. Prior to voting the council presented last comments, to again make their individual positions clear.
Councilman Jayesun Sherman continued to argue for giving WindomNet more time, saying he sees future potential and profitability and believes the recent changes to the system deserve time to produce measurable results. He referenced a conversation he had with Windom Citizen. Councilman James Nelson challenged part of Sherman’s argument after both councilmen referenced conversations with the same individual about WindomNet. Nelson pointed out that while some of the comments Sherman referenced were made, the individual had also expressed serious doubts about the city successfully continuing to operate WindomNet and ultimately favored selling and was in favor of Midco. Sherman acknowledged the individual favored a sale, while saying he took other important points from the conversation.
Councilman Dennis Esplan also discussed a conversation with a Southwest Minnesota Broadband representative, saying the company remained interested in WindomNet but was also willing to work with the city if it chose to retain the utility, including possible cooperation between the systems.
Councilman Scott Benson again focused on declining customer numbers and the threat of additional competition. Benson said he was relying on the information presented to the council and was concerned that waiting could leave the city with an increasingly difficult financial situation and eventually little left to sell.
Councilwoman Jenny Quade said after nearly 20 months of researching the issue and more than four hours of discussion Monday night, she did not know what more could be said. “We don’t vote with feelings, emotions and what-ifs,” Quade said, urging the council to look at the numbers and facts when making a business decision of this magnitude. She added, “You’ve got to take reality and you’ve got to deal with the reality.”
Then came the unexpected announcement from the mayor. Mathis began by making it clear her personal opinion of the Federated sale had not changed. Mathis stated, “I still do not support a sale of WindomNet to Federated Broadband,” adding that Southwest Minnesota Broadband had been her preferred option from the start of the process. However, Mathis acknowledged the Federated sale had gone through the proper process, including two readings of the ordinance and a 3-to-2 majority vote of the City Council. She said that majority carried weight. Mathis said she went into Monday night’s informational meeting hopeful WindomNet had potential to continue as a city-owned utility. But after hearing the information presented Monday and having extensive conversations yesterday, she reached a different conclusion. Mathis said she no longer believes WindomNet has the support necessary to successfully continue as a city-owned and operated utility. She said keeping WindomNet would require financial investment, increased customer service, additional marketing and potentially other changes. Those decisions would require council approval, and Mathis said conversations with individual council members on Tuesday left her questioning whether that support would be there. Mathis said she asked council members whether they would consider selling to another provider, support additional investment in WindomNet and consider reducing rates in an effort to regain customers. Those conversations ultimately changed what Mathis believed was possible moving forward. Mathis stated, “I realized that those of us that opposed the sale to Federated are going to be trying to fight a war that we’ll never win.” She added that the council should be working together rather than continuing that fight. Mathis then announced she would rescind her veto rather than force the council to attempt to override it. Mathis conceded saying, “I think this is literally the only way to move forward.” Mathis also said she does not regret issuing the veto. She said the process resulted in discussions she believes should have taken place months earlier and wished they had taken a more thoughtful approach sooner. Following the announcement, Councilman Scott Benson praised Mathis for making a decision she clearly did not personally support. Benson told the mayor it was “a big pill” to swallow and said he was proud of her for putting the city ahead of her own feelings. With the veto rescinded, no override vote was necessary. Mathis noted Ordinance #211 had already received its first and second readings and passed the council before she issued the veto. The action marks the conclusion of an unprecedented chapter for the City of Windom, its first-ever mayoral veto, followed by its first-ever rescission of a veto. With the veto now withdrawn, the City Council can begin moving forward with the sale and turn its attention toward the financial future of Windom and the needs of the community.
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Today is the BIG DAY!!! We are gearing up to give away the FINAL BIG 5K Giveaway with one lucky person walking away with $2,000 in COLD HARD CASH! We are talking 20 one hundred bills in their pocket JUST because LA MOTOR SPORTS says let’s give it ALL AWAY!!! Join us TONIGHT for our end of Summer Barbeque! We have the burgers, dogs and all the fixin’s to serve from 5pm to 6:30pm and then at 6:45 we will start drawing more winners as we get to draw our FINAL WINNER! KDOM wants to thank HyVee in Windom, BARC, Culligan Water and the Windom Chamber for helping make our picnic complete with food, water, seating and shade! BUT our real shining star of the Summer and Moment is LA MotorSports. If it wasn’t for their fun generosity this truly would not be possible. How cool is that a local business WANTS TO SHOW YOU THE MONEY! Local Support makes for a great combination. We have qualifers from Mountain Lake, Bingham Lake, Okabena, Jeffers, Dundee, Lakefield, Jackson, Heron Lake, Sioux Falls-SD, Butterfield, Storden, and Windom!!! Let’s talk about a great representation of our listening area… It has been a really fun summer! We can’t wait to see you and share a meal as we build the excitement of pulling one lucky winner for $2,000! We truly can’t wait to see EVERYONE Tonight!
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Windom Police Department reported 110 calls in the week of August 23rd to August 29th. Traffic enforcement made up a large portion of the week’s activity, with officers conducting 32 traffic stops along with 18 Directed Patrols and 2 Driving Complaints. Officers had 2 Concerns for Welfare, 2 Citizen Complaints, 2 Juvenile Offenders and one Juvenile Runaway. Police responded to 2 Domestic Assaults, 2 Civil Disputes, and 2 Harassment Calls. Police investigated 6 Suspicious Activities, 3 Suspicious Vehicles, 1 Theft and 1 Vehicle Theft. A full listing of all calls in the Windom Police Department’s Weekly Citizens Report is available on KDOM’s Website at www.windomradio.com under Local Headline News. by clicking the link below.