Disappointed with councilor’s survey reaction

I read with mixed emotions the article in the June 24, 2025 edition of the Sentinel on the City Council’s proposed Blue Earth Avenue street median project.

Some of the factors that had to be considered with the proposed beautification of the median were: the extra cost of the project; snow removal issues; maintenance of the median; safety of city employees working between two lanes of traffic pruning, watering and weeding; probability of future damage from tree roots to sewer and road surface; and disruption of traffic when recycling and garbage are collected.

While I was waiting for a doctor’s appointment recently in Sioux Falls, I overheard people complaining of visibility issues with a similar project in that city. They were stating if you were not driving a truck or SUV, you couldn’t see over the flowers and shrubs.

I found it unsettling that Councilor Kawecki questioned the results of the survey. The survey had 15 percent voting in favor of the project, while 85 percent were opposed. She said that city residents could have gone and clicked multiple times to skew the survey. How would she know who, if anyone, would have done that? If the results were reversed and 85 percent were in favor would she still have problems with the survey?

Is Councilor Kawecki saying that those who voted in opposition to the proposal were dishonest (claiming that they clicked multiple times), and those who voted in favor were honest (claiming that they clicked only one time)? This seems to be another unsubstantiated accusation by Councilor Kawecki against those who disagree with her particular views.

Councilor Kawecki’s beautification for Blue Earth Avenue will be a maintenance nightmare issue and an expensive diversion of resources. The people of Fairmont voted against it because they are tired of frivolous spending on public works projects while the basic infrastructure continues to deteriorate. We voiced our opinions in the survey and as elected officials supposedly serving to carry out the will of the people, the City Council’s path forward is now clear. Thank you.

Bill Cieslinski

Fairmont