GF moves to annex north side parcel

The Grand Forks council approved the annexation of property north of the city designed to be the new home of the proposed Fufeng project. As has been the case with most meetings regarding the corn milling plant nearby residents showed up to voice opposition.

One speaker identified himself as Jerol Gohrick the president of the North Dakota Sons of Liberty.  Gohrick says he drove 300 miles to speak out against the plant.  He says every council member who supports bringing a China-based project to Grand Forks should be fired. “We fought to keep an Air Force base and now you are going to let these guys come next door to it.  You guys are not using your heads.”

At one point Mayor Brandon Bochenski urged Gohrick to address the elected council and not city staff.  Gohrick responded “You want to laugh at me?  I’ll come across this table…I’ve got the floor don’t I?.  Do I have the floor?”

The city did receive public support from The Chamber for phase one of the development agreement.

City staff noted that protests of landowners against the annexation fell short of the 25% needed for mediation (13.15%).  The council voted six to one in favor of the move.