Residents respond to THC comments

More than half a dozen residents addressed the Waseca City Council during its regular meeting, Tuesday October 4, 2022. 

Council chambers were filled to capacity, with public comment dominating the evening as residents addressed the controversial THC moratorium approved 4-3 during the September 20 meeting.

Cindy Gilmore was first to address the council regarding the moratorium–more accurately, she responded to public comments made by council member John Mansfield during the previous council meeting. Mansfield had made reference to “Dime Bag Dave,” and said how, during his youth, individuals who sold marijuana or THC products, were called drug dealers. 

“I do not wish the person who represents me (on the city council) to be rude to others,” she said after quoting rules and conduct regarding disrespectful behavior towards others from city employees. “Mr. Mansfield said he hopes Mr. Drummer doesn’t want to be remembered as Dime Bag Drummer… Expressing your views on the moratorium, that is absolutely fine. As council members I think you should express why you’re voting the way you do. However, rudeness goes against that.”

Gilmore also expressed that comments like those made by Mansfield would not be tolerated in her workplace. “If I were to say derogatory things like that, I wouldn’t have a job.” 

Four residents present came to Mansfield’s defense. 

“I’ve dedicated my life for the past 20 years to helping people get off addiction,” Dean Spies said. “I don’t see what John said as name calling. I would say it's describing. If Phyzer prescribed OxyContin to a patient, then dropped them suddenly and that person became addicted, then I would call Phyzer a drug dealer too. John was elected by a community and trusted to make decisions which he thinks best represent his community. He said some words which people take as name calling, and it very well could have been. I say all of this with much respect for Mrs. Gilmore.”

Jim Foley said he respects plain talk. “I don’t like disrespectful or rude talk. I don’t think that conversation (at the last council meeting) was. What I want is someone who speaks plain and respectful and straight. Sometimes council members take a lot of words to say little. I do not think it was name calling or rude. If we at that point, as adults, are worrying about that, then we’re in a sad position.” 

Daryn Spies said he doesn’t like cancel culture. “We don’t all have to get along politically, but we do get along on a personal level. Last week was a good example of a vote, which went 4-3, where no one was aligned politically. The council had a discussion and people whose views differ came together to reach a decision regarding the moratorium.”

“I’m in ward 2, represented by councilperson Mansfield,” Andrew Isker, a local pastor, addressed the council. “I feel he’s doing a good job representing us and what we think. I don’t want our town to be thought of as the pot head of the midwest. I don’t want legalized drugs to be dealt in town or manufactured in my town. I want a councilman to stand up for what I believe in and what his constituents believe in. “

Several of these people referenced a topic not discussed regarding Mansfield. That being a supposed portion of an email sent to the city manager and the mayor asking for Mansfield to be recalled. Nearly everyone present agreed that recalling someone for “name calling” would be a bad idea and a “slippery slope.” 

Mansfield had no comments or response during the meeting to any of the discussion. 

“This is how city government is supposed to work,” Mayor Roy Srp said. “Thank you for not being in the little coffee clutches saying things that aren’t for the public record. That’s what it [the public comment portion] is here for. And that’s what we’re here for.”

After the meeting, Srp reiterated, as he had throughout the meeting, that hearing from residents in Waseca has been his number one goal. “It’s our most important role. I hope that continues after I’m gone. I say it all the time. City Hall belongs to the people of Waseca. We work for you.”