The Copeland council and unions

Despite Mr. Hjelle having accepted and publicized the AFSCME Council 5 endorsement during his 2005 campaign, the January 18, 2008 Pioneer Press letters to the editor included this diatribe:

Bad work, Maplewood Council
The union takeover of Maplewood is complete. The new council majority anointed the union public works director as Maplewood city manager last Thursday night. [emphasis added] So this is Maplewood as of today: Mr. Rossbach has been caught violating his oath of office by actively aiding in a lawsuit against the city and its taxpayers; Mr. Nephew has accepted more than $5,000 in campaign "contributions" from people who do not even live in Minnesota; Mr. Nephew is also accused of impersonating a public official prior to being sworn in to office. We are facing more than $100,000 in lawsuits from our first meeting, and a $75,000 bill for a new city manager search. Now, the new city manager, who is still paying union dues, is being expected to act in the best interests of the taxpayer? What a wonderful first meeting for our new council majority. I'll see everyone next fall at the truth in taxation meeting; the campaign paybacks will be costly.
ERIK HJELLE Maplewood (The writer is a Maplewood City Council member.)

Examining the relationship of the City with its public employee unions will be a Maplewood Voices project for 2008.
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