Mayors expect that the flood study work group will be briefed on closed meeting

WDAY 6 reporter Todd Kurtz spoke with leaders from smaller communities in the area to get their reaction on a closed flood meeting.

Greg Anderson: “This was a meeting to bring this gentleman up to speed. It wasn't a decision making process."

Chad Olson: “The voting members were all represented at that meeting."

Leaders from both Dilworth and Oakport understand who the big players are in the diversion project. Dilworth Mayor Chad Olson expects the metro flood study work group to be briefed on what went on at the closed meeting, so he says he's fine with no invite.

With the diversion grabbing so much public attention his only concern is that closed door meetings could lose trust of the public.

"The elected officials have worked hard for 2 years doing everything possible and we don't want public perception to be skewed that we're not making process in a transparent manner."

The chairman in Oakport says the only thing that matters is getting the diversion done. He says the army corps doesn't need to hear from everyone, so elected officials and the public need to realize there will be a pecking order with who the corps wants to meet with.

"There are two thousand people in Oakport. There are not 200 jobs here. Our jobs, our schools, and our hospitals are in Fargo-Moorhead. Without them we don't have anything we need to protect those communities because they protect us and serve us all."

As long as all new details are available to everyone, these two small community leaders trust what's happening and think others should too. The metro flood study work group meets next week.

Tags: your city, todd kurtz, dilworth, oakport, flood, diversion, moorhead, fargo, news