– Council Frontier Village meeting – Video

Jamestown (CSi) The Jamestown City Council met in Special Session Weds. Seen Live on CSi 10 & 67, and CSiLiveStream. Replays on CSi TV 10 The Replay Channel and CSi 67. (only on CSi, Like & Share)

Replay of the LiveStream Video

A Public Input Session was held regarding Frontier Village.

Mayor Heinrich’s opening statement said, the actions of the Frontier Village Board is an embarasment to themselves and the Jamestown Community.

He added that with leadership comes responsibiltiy, and that the board has a “sacred trust,” to preserve the communities heritage. He said the recent actions by the board does not meet those standards, and asked the FVA to “Please stop now,” in “acting out.”

Heimrich said he has been in contact with the Perham, Minnesota City Manager, and expressed his sincere apol0gies to the city and its historic village and said no artifacts from Frontier Village have been moved to the Perham location.

At the Public Input Session several comments were made.

David Smette said 11 years ago he was chairman of the Tourism Committee, saying at that time he saw a lack of management of Frontier Village and that there was mismanagement of the Village. He said since that time there has been no improvements, no upgrades and no vision.

Others speaking hoped that an arrangement can be worked out.

John Liechty of Jamestown indicated that his late wife, Fern donated dolls to the Village.

Nancy Kuykendall added that she and her husband came to Jamestown from out of state, and said that losing Frontier Village is “Giving away the Riches,” of the Community.

A young person said she goes to the Frontier Village every year, and wants the Village to stay.

Others indicated a community drive to raise dollars.

Clarice Liechty asked about the background of the turn of events that led to the divisions between the board and the city.

Beth Dewald said she served on the Tourism Board, which tried to assist the Village with grants, to provide sustainability, and tried to work with the Village to enable improvements, but “ran up against roadblocks.”

Karen George, who operates the stagecoach said she is not happy with the FVA board operations, and actions toward the employees there.

A Volunteer at Frontier Village said the current situation is a good opportunity to “clean house,” and to give individuals in the community the opportunity to “move on.”

Mayor Heinrich said he wants to hear from the board that it will turn over artifacts to the donors.

He added that any talk about Frontier Village “going away,” did not come from city official actions.

Other speakers said the Frontier Village Board’s actions come from ‘spite.’

National Buffalo Museum Director, Ilana Xinos pointed out that those who donated or loaned items to Frontier Village should check to see if they have paperwork, concerning the donation or loan between themselves and Frontier Village.

From the City Council, Steve Brubakken said the City Council favors keeping Frontier Village.

Gale Martin asked why no one was in attendance from the Frontier Village Board at Wednesday’s City Council meeting. She wants to know if the city can issue a cease and desist order against the FVA in moving out items, until “calmer heads prevail.”

Mayor Heinrich is hopeful the FVA Board is listening to speakers at Wednesday’s City Council meeting that the community wants Frontier Village to stay in Jamestown.

He said several legal questions need to answered. He added that the City Council will act on a recommendation from the Legal and Finance Committee to accept requests for proposals from those interested in operating Frontier Village.

Barb Lang referred the city to the North Dakota Secretary of State’s Office, regarding dissolving a non-profit corporation, along with the proper procedures for changing by-laws, which the FVA Board has indicated it did.

Tourism Board, President, Matthew Woods said the city is taking action, that something needs to be changed, and the process “needs to play out.” Adding that Frontier Village will continue to exist, but likely not in its present form.

City Fire Chief Jim Reuther said the city fire truck, registered to the city was retrieved from the Frontier Village ‘Fire Dept,’ building, Wednesday along with artifacts that belong to the City Fire Department, indicating its history.

Tourism Director Searle Swedlund said the speakers Wednesday have a passion for the past, adding the City Council has and is taken action to keep Frontier Village open.

Following the Public Input Session, a Resolution of Support for the continuation of Frontier Village was unanimously passed, and asked the Frontier Village Board to pledge to do no harm and return assets at the Village to the City of Jamestown.

The meeting was shown live on CSi Cable 67 followed by replays.

Over the noon hour, Wednesday, members of the Jamestown Fire Department removed the JFD owned Fire Truck and all items from the Village. See related story.