BLUE EARTH — A letter sent to Blue Earth radio station KBEW by a group of citizens was the focus of a one hour discussion at the beginning of last Monday night’s Blue Earth City Council meeting.

The letter expressed the group’s displeasure over one of the station’s programs featuring Bill O’Reilly commentary.

The letter stated the group was going to suggest to the local DFL Party to pull all their advertising from the station, as well as asking others to boycott advertising on – or listening to – the station.

One of the people signing the letter was Blue Earth City Councilman John Huisman.

“I received many phone calls and emails about this letter,” mayor Rick Scholtes stated at the beginning of the meeting. “So I had it added to the agenda.”

The mayor first asked Huisman to speak and the councilman explained the reasoning behind the letter’s creation, then apologized for being part of it and stated that if he had it to do over, he would not be part of it.

“I am sincerely, truly sorry,” Huisman said. “If I could take it back I would take it back.”

Other people in attendance at the meeting were also given the opportunity to speak, including KBEW radio station manager Ron Revere.

“When we first received this letter, I, the owners, our staff and our attorneys, all felt this was a threat to the radio station,” Revere said at first, but later added, “I want to move on, move forward, I want it to drop. I accept John’s apology, we all make mistakes.”

Mayor Scholtes and the council discussed some available options, which included removing Huisman from office “for cause,” or requesting Huisman resign from the Economic Development Authority (EDA), but in the end they did not take any action.

Mayor Scholtes said he did not feel there was justification for removing the councilman from office and other council members agreed.

Huisman also stated he did not want to resign from the EDA, but he would talk to the boardm members at the next meeting, which is this Thursday.

“I appreciate all the comments everyone has shared, especially the council,” Huisman said. “This has been a fine council to work with. I would like to continue to work together to make this a better place to live.”

In other business on Monday night, the City Council:

— Held a discussion with members of the Faribault County Humane Society on plans to build a new animal shelter in Blue Earth starting this spring.

First, new agreements will be made as to who will own the building and/or the land the building will be constructed on.

— Approved a proposal from the mayor to forego the liquor license fees for business establishments in Blue Earth, due to the fact many of them were closed for much of 2020 and were not able to sell on-sale liquor last year.

— Approved the mosquito control contract for the 2021 summer season.

— Approved the mayor’s appointment of four new members to the Blue Earth Community Library Board, who were recommended by the library board.

The four are Judy Orvedal, Jacqui Dikken, Dar Holmseth and Sandy Hanson.