11/26/2025
Hello Old Friends from Operation SOS,
As many of you know, the concerns we faced regarding youth sports that put certain baseball and soccer fields (and thusly youth programs themselves) in jeopardy have been resolved.
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Fortunately/unfortunately, within the last couple years, something unexpected happened to me. City government affairs managed to light a fire under me. **Of all the hobbies to develop, right?!?!?**
Fridley residents are often told, “No decisions have been made, you’ll be invited back to the table, we value your input.” And we believe it. We go about our merry way, await our personal invite…and then watch the council vote in perfect harmony with staff recommendations. Shockingly, those recommendations don’t look much like what residents want.
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If you’re anything like me, you blame yourselves for not paying closer attention. Let me assure you, it’s not you. This is how the system is structured and how it continues to operate.
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Over time, curiosity turned into commitment. I’ve spent many hours attending council conference meetings (the untelevised ones, where the sausage is made). You (YES YOU!) are legally allowed to attend them also. Based on my experience, you wouldn’t know it. I’m usually the only person there besides the occasional reporter and staff presenting to council. The very abbreviated minutes of those meetings are published on the city’s website several weeks after the meetings take place. I’ll predict staff and council will tell you that they’ve never hidden this but it sure feels like a big ole dirty secret.
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When I can’t attend the televised meetings, I religiously view them on the city’s website. I watch every recorded commission meeting (HRA, Planning, Parks and Rec) like it’s my job.
I’m seeing big issues. Small issues. Issues hiding in plain sight. And yes, I’m keeping notes and I have receipts. (To be clear, nothing illegal, that I’m aware of, except a few open meeting law violations one that was called out and immediately denied.) Just a whole lot of over-reach sprinkled with a side of “Wait, they did what how many years in a row?” There are ways to rein it in and I’ll be sharing more about that soon enough. I said what I said.
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Which brings me to the fun part.
I follow The Anoka County Department of F**kery, a sharp, satirical take on Anoka County https://www.facebook.com/AnokaCountyDeptOfF that roasts every city from Columbia Heights to Bethel and Nowthen to Linwood with equal opportunity enthusiasm. It’s the hilarious, fearless, lighthearted accountability that Fridley needs. I also follow Eye on Anoka County https://www.facebook.com/groups/340454623277998 which provides a Reader’s Digest style overview of political happenings. Blend those two inspirations and FRIDICULOUS is born. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61583882783142 If you’re in the mood for a little humor mixed with watch-dogging plus a smidge of government nerdiness, give it a LIKE and FOLLOW.
I’ll be sharing updates on what I hear in the Fireside Room and the Council Chambers.
Thanks for being part of a community that cares!
So many fun things are happening locally. Join in all the laughs with us. We'll share fun stuff thats happening from The Fireside Room to the Council Chambers and other happenings around town.
