Northfield mayor sues city, its administrator, and three council members over a liquor store.
The Star Tribune reported that the Northfield Mayor, Lee Lansing sued the city, its administrator and three council members. The suit asks that the three council members to be removed from office. Lansing claims that the city officals broke state open meeting and public records laws during talks about the site where the liquor store would be built.
According to the complaint, Council Member Noah Cashman requested city documents related to the propery that Lansing's son David owned. In response to the request, City Administrator Al Roder prepared a 160-page packet that was given to all of the council members.
Lansings said that much of the information in the packet should have been kept private under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act. The Northfield City Attorney Maren Swanson found out the packet was passed out, she told council memebers not to give it to anyone. But Council Member Jon Denison gave a copy to the local newspaper, according to the complaint.
Lansings claim that they suffered damage to their repuation and business interests, and are asking for damages of $50,000.