This Is NOT The 'Official' Website Of The City Of Hamburg But It SHOULD Be !!
What BEGAN with an
INTENTIONAL, OVERT LIE, DECEPTION
and the AUTHORING of an
OFFICIAL CITY DOCUMENT
by
HAMBURG
CITY CLERK/TREASURER
JEREMY GRUENHAGEN
that he KNEW contained FALSE & FABRICATED INFORMATION,
has now involved, in addition to the HAMBURG MAYOR & ENTIRE
ATTORNEY KELLY C. DOHM of the Waconia based law firm
MELCHERT, HUBERT & SJODIN, as well as the
MANIPULATION
of the
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
so those
PUBLIC OFFICIALS INVOLVED
can
ESCAPE PROSECUTION,
COMMISSIONER of the MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT
(an 'appointee' of Governor Walz) as well as MINNESOTA'S GOVERNOR, and
VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE TIM WALZ; himself !!
Read my OPEN LETTER to HAMBURG MAYOR CHRIS LUND at www.HAMBURGMAYORCHRISLUND.html
WHO'S RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE BEEN READING
ABOUT ON MY WEBSITES & IN MY BOOK ?
DRAMA QUEEN DEFINITION:
"A person given to often excessively
emotional performances or reactions."
To Hear The UNPROVOKED 'AMBUSHED ATTACK' On Me By
HAMBURG CITY CLERK/TREASURER JEREMY GRUENHAGEN,
Please CLICK ON THE LINK To The Left !
(Note The 'Telltale Inflections' Of Gruenhagen's Voice In The Audio.)
Additionally, The UNEDITED LETTERS I Sent That DISPUTES THE INFORMATION About
ROBB'S ELECTRIC Of Carver, Minnesota; (As PUBLICLY IDENTIFIED BY GRUENHAGEN
In The Attached Audio) Appear Below & In My Book, "PUBLIC OFFICIALS BEHAVING BADLY".
HOW TO TELL IF SOMEONE IS LYING BY THE SOUND OF THEIR VOICE
Pay attention to voice changes like change in pitch or cracking; they may well indicate deceit. “A person’s voice pitch tends to
be a bit higher when they’re lying than when they’re telling the truth,” says Mary Ann Campbell, Director Of The Centre
for Criminal Justice Studies and an Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of New Brunswick
in Saint John. “It doesn’t mean they’re lying for sure, but there’s a higher likelihood.”
And, of course; someone with a HISTORY of LYING and UNTRUTHFULNESS is ALSO a pretty good 'GIVEAWAY' !!
THIS WEBPAGE CURRENTLY
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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COPYRIGHT 2024
RICHARD ODOMS
Retired Police Officer/Deputy Sheriff * Current Hamburg Resident * Hamburg City Council Member 2013 - 2017
Before anyone gets their underwear in a knot, be advised that this Website and/or any of its contents, may NOT be printed, photographed, reproduced, copied, recorded, altered, modified or adapted, in any manner, without the prior written
consent of the Webmaster. The entire content of this Website remains the exclusive and sole property of the
Website owner and publisher and is protected under the First Amendment Of The
Constitution of the United States of America.
MORE MISCONDUCT & INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR
HAMBURG CITY CLERK/TREASURER JEREMY GRUENHAGEN really
'WENT OFF THE RAILS' at CITY HALL during one of his
MANY UNCONTROLLABLE OUTBURSTS of RAGE,
"THEY CAN TAKE THIS JOB AND SHOVE IT !!"
Jeremy Gruenhagen, Hamburg City Clerk/Treasurer
SCREAMED IN THE PRESENCE OF A VENDOR
for the City while that vendor was simply
ATTEMPTING TO TRANSACT BUSINESS WITH THE CITY !!
Excerpt From Page 48 Of My Book,
"PUBLIC OFFICIALS
BEHAVING BADLY"....
(MORE EXCERPTS To Follow, PLEASE CHECK BACK !!)
"The REASON that I SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED that we all meet at City Hall was for the DISTINCT
PURPOSE of INCLUDING GRUENHAGEN to ACCOMPANY us to the Community Hall. After being elected to the HAMBURG CITY COUNCIL, it didn't take me long to learn and realize that Gruenhagen HAD to be included in EVERYTHING for the reasons previously stated.
A time and date was agreed upon for the ROBB'S ELECTRIC representative to meet us at the City Hall. I was waiting outside of City Hall when the ROBB'S ELECTRIC truck pulled into the parking lot.
I walked over and greeted the man getting out of his truck, introduced myself to him and stated we could go into City Hall and I would introduce him to Gruenhagen; also stating that he (Gruenhagen) would be accompanying us to the Community Hall.
WELL !! As I opened the door to the City Hall to go in, I heard Gruenhagen, who was leaning up against the 'pass through' to the kitchen, on a cordless phone, 'talking very loudly' (OK; he was literally SCREAMING) to whoever was 'on the other end' of the conversation !!
Needless to say, I was embarrassed NOT ONLY for myself, but I was ALSO EMBARRASSED for the ENTIRE CITY !!
'Walking in' on one of his many 'tirades' (that I've observed TOO MANY TIMES) that was taking place was, as you can understand; a VERY AWKWARD SITUATION; a 'situation' that I wanted to quickly REMOVE MYSELF from, as well as the ROBB'S ELECTRIC representative !!
As we exited City Hall; the last words heard from Gruenhagen, to whoever he was talking to on the 'other end of the line', were; "THEY CAN TAKE THIS JOB AND SHOVE IT" !!
Once out of City Hall and in the parking lot, I apologized to the ROBB'S ELECTRIC representative for what he (we) had just witnessed and stated words to the effect, "The City Clerk" or ("Jeremy") must be having a bad day." Just 'one' of 'many'.
The 'ROBB'S GUY' and I went to the Community Hall without Gruenhagen; who would later present the 'event' to
the HAMBURG CITY COUNCIL in such a 'distorted manner' that he would gain the 'sympathy', AGAIN; of the HAMBURG CITY COUNCIL, would make ME look like the 'BAD GUY' and he was the person 'wearing the
white hat' !!
THESE PEOPLE LIE !!" THEY ALL BELONG IN JAIL !!
.
THIS WEBPAGE CURRENTLY
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Please Check Back Later
COPYRIGHT 2024
RICHARD ODOMS
Retired Police Officer/Deputy Sheriff * Current Hamburg Resident * Hamburg City Council Member 2013 - 2017
Before anyone gets their underwear in a knot, be advised that this Website and/or any of its contents, may NOT be printed, photographed, reproduced, copied, recorded, altered, modified or adapted, in any manner, without the prior written
consent of the Webmaster. The entire content of this Website remains the exclusive and sole property of the
Website owner and publisher and is protected under the First Amendment Of The
Constitution of the United States of America.
I'm PUBLICLY RELEASING OVER 150 PAGES Of DOCUMENTS, Many Of
Which Have NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE And Include RUDE, VULGAR,
And DEMEANING TEXT MESSAGES Sent Between HAMBURG
CITY OFFICIALS 'TARGETING' A CITY EMPLOYEE
WHO THEY WERE TRYING TO FORCE TO QUIT !!
(SOUND FAMILIAR ?? It WILL When You Read My Book !!)
Extracted From OVER FIFTY PAGES Of
INTERNAL CITY DOCUMENTS
That I've Obtained !!
TO PURCHASE YOUR OWN
PERSONAL COPY OF
"PUBLIC OFFICIALS BEHAVING BADLY"
NOW ONLY $47.25
(Includes Sales Tax & Postage)
(NO C.O.D.'s)
SEND YOUR CHECK FOR $47.25
(Includes Sales Tax & Postage)
RICHARD ODOMS
150 Jacob Street
Hamburg, Minnesota
55339
ORDERS RECEIVED BY 2PM (M-F) USUALLY WILL GET MAILED THE SAME DAY !!
November 5, 2014
Mr. Chris Lund, Councilmember
Personnel Committee Member
City of Hamburg
181 Broadway Avenue
Hamburg, Minnesota 55339
Dear Councilmember Lund:
Pursuant to our telephone conversation last week, I bring the following topics involving Hamburg City Clerk/Treasurer Jeremy Gruenhagen to the attention of the Personnel Committee for their consideration and recommendation(s) to be forwarded to the full Hamburg City Council. I have talked with Councilmember Trebesch about the matters outlined below. Steve suggested that after you and he, as members of the Personnel Committee, have read over everything, that the two of you meet with the Hamburg City Attorney to discuss what the city’s options are. I believe that to be an excellent suggestion !!
However, to avoid ANY question of violating the state’s ‘Open Meeting’ law, I PURPOSELY have NOT provided Councilmember Trebesch with a copy of this letter or any of the enclosed documents; you’ll have to ‘share’.
I
MISREPRESENTATION
An assertion or manifestation by words or conduct that is not in accord with the facts.
After my sending two, separate letters to Robb’s Electric and after not receiving any response to those two letters or to two separate
telephone calls placed to Robb’s Electric, I have been wholly UNABLE TO VERIFY the existence ANY of the negative comments being
said or any negative information, allegedly stated against me, by any employee of Robb’s Electric, to him, as stated by Mr. Gruenhagen
to, and before, the entire Hamburg City Council at the City Council Meeting on September 9th.
When Mr. Gruenhagen was describing, before the entire Hamburg City Council, the details of the alleged ’complaint’ he received against me by an employee of Robb’s Electric, I noticed very distinct changes in his normal vocalization, tone of his voice and ’body language’; not consistent with Mr. Gruenhagen’s usual mannerisms and demeanor that I have continually observed for the past several years.
I immediately suspected that the details of the ‘complaint’ against me Mr. Gruenhagen stated that he allegedly received were most
probably, in fact, at best exaggerated (if any complaint was actually received at all), or, at worst, fabricated by Mr. Gruenhagen.
I truly, and simply, don’t believe that any such complaint against me was ever initiated by Robb’s Electric. The facts simply don’t support
Mr. Gruenhagen’s allegation.
Were these alleged ‘complaints’ against me (if there were any, in fact), ‘solicited’ by Mr. Gruenhagen? Probably. Or, were the ‘fabricated’
by Mr. Gruenhagen. Quite possibly.
In the approximate twenty months that I have been a member of the Hamburg City Council, I have ALWAYS, unequivocally
'supported’ Mr. Gruenhagen. More than once he has told me, in the past, that I turned out to be his ‘strongest ally’. On several
occasions, Mr. Gruenhagen told me, directly, that “If it weren’t for you and Steve (Trebesch), I wouldn’t ‘be here.’”.
I fully trusted and respected Mr. Gruenhagen since the day I was elected to the Hamburg City Council (and before) and believed
him to be my good friend.
Now, however, after what I’ve personally experienced because of him and what he’s done against me, how can I ever again trust
him again after what I’ve just witnessed and the personal embarrassment, humiliation and degradation that I’ve been forced to
endure; by someone who I believed to be sincere and was my good friend ?
II
INSUBORDINATION
Insubordination is a defiance of authority directed toward a higher level manager or boss.
When asked to identify the vendor who allegedly made the complaint to him, Mr. Gruenhagen reluctantly stated that the vendor was Robb’s Electric.
When I asked for the name of the specific individual who made the alleged complaint to him, Mr. Gruenhagen avoided providing the requested information.
The ‘accused’ has the ‘right’ to know his accuser. If, in fact, one even exists.
A single refusal, by Mr. Gruenhagen, to provide the requested information to an elected City Council member is grounds for disciplinary action. Yet, Mr. Gruenhagen compounded his improper conduct by refusing to provide the requested information to me a second, and a third, time, is unconscionable.
I sent Mr. Gruenhagen three e-mails formally asking him to identify the person from Robb’s Electric who made the alleged complaint. These written requests were sent on September 10, 2014, September 11, 2014 and September 13, 2014.
When requested and as a city employee, Mr. Gruenhagen is obligated to provide information to any member of the Hamburg City
Council. Yet, he has NEVER provided the name of the person(s) representing Robb’s Electric that he (allegedly) has spoken with.
III
INAPPROPRIATE INVOLVEMENT
I can ‘speak for myself’; and choose to do so.
On Saturday, September 13, 2014, I met with Mayor Malz, at his home, to discuss what had taken place at the September 9th
Hamburg City Council meeting. I expressed my dismay at the manner in which Mr. Gruenhagen, without my knowledge or
authorization, (apparently) freely and openly discussed my involvement and interaction with someone representing Robb’s
Electric and opted to ’speak on my behalf’.
Mayor Malz agreed with me that Mr. Gruenhagen’s talking with anyone from Robb’s Electric about my demeanor with employees of their
company, instead of talking directly with me, was improper. I suggested to Mayor Malz that Mr. Gruenhagen “…..wouldn’t do it to you”;
to which the Mayor replied words to the effect, “I can speak for myself.”
So can I.
Mr. Gruenhagen’s entire, unsolicited conduct in this matter, on my behalf and without my authorization, coupled with his steadfast
refusal to provide the information requested by me, an elected official of the City of Hamburg, is unacceptable.
IV
INAPPROPRIATE CONDUCT
There is no place for rudeness and abusive language in the workplace. Blatant rudeness and the use of foul language is usually considered gross misconduct, especially if it is regularly demonstrated on the job.
On numerous occasions and since approximately September 2013, I personally have observed Mr. Gruenhagen in highly agitated
states while on duty at the Hamburg City Office. During his vociferous tirades and uncontrolled outbursts, Mr. Gruenhagen has stated
how much he dislikes his job, how he can’t (paraphrasing) ’get my work done’, how much he is (paraphrasing) ’bothered’ by
‘everyone coming into my office’ preventing him from doing his work, how he just wants a job where (paraphrasing) “I can sit in
my own little cubicle and do my work without being bothered.’
Eventually, because of the quantity and severity of his tirades and outbursts and his claiming, numerous times, (paraphrasing)
“...this job is affecting my family” , I offered a possible, positive alternative by stating (words to the effect) “….If this job is
affecting you and your family so badly, perhaps it would be better for you and your family for you to seek an alternate,
more suitable source of employment.”
Additionally, Mr. Gruenhagen has threatened to “...quit my job” numerous times because it (apparently) is too overwhelming for him
at times. In fact, he had an unsigned Letter of Resignation that he had written sitting in plain view, on his desk, that was observed by
another City Council member and possibly other city employees.
While I used to frequently visit City Hall two or three times a week, I have intentionally avoided stopping in at City Hall since
approximately June of this year because of what I consider Mr. Gruenhagen’s unacceptable behavior and all of the ‘negativity’
within the confines of City Hall.
V
PROFANITY
Profanity is language or behavior that is considered to be vulgar, rude or offensive. The use of profanity in everyday life, such as
in the workplace, can be deemed appalling or even disrespectful to those around us.
Because of the open use of profanity that I had basically continuously observed previously, I sent an e-mail message, on
April 14, 2013, to Mr. Gruenhagen that, among other things, requested that all city officials ‘be more cognizant’ of their
inappropriate use of profanity while representing the City of Hamburg.
During his tirades and uncontrolled outbursts, Mr. Gruenhagen has frequently been heard to freely use profanity (such as slang for fecal
material and using the Lord’s name in vain) when other employees and/or City Council members are present.
Particularly troubling to me is the frequent use of the “F-Bomb’ profanity in the presence of our newly hired female Deputy City Clerk.
When I met with Mayor Malz on September 13th, I also discussed the issue of profanity in the presence of the city’s newly hired
Deputy City Clerk.
Deputy Malz agreed that such language is not acceptable and that he would talk with the Deputy City Clerk. A week or two ago
I asked the Deputy City Clerk if, in fact, the Mayor had spoken to her about the overall ‘working environment’ at City Hall.
She stated that he had not.
And when I brought a vendor to the City Hall with the intention of introducing him to the Hamburg’s City Clerk/Treasurer, when we walked
into the building, the first thing we heard was Mr. Gruenhagen screaming “THEY CAN TAKE THIS JOB AND SHOVE IT”
o whoever he was talking to on the (city’s) telephone.
The embarrassment I experienced is indescribable; I apologized to the vendor by saying (words to the effect), “Jeremy must be
having another ‘bad day’” and we immediately left the building.
VI
ATTENEDANCE
I have witnessed that Mr. Gruenhagen is absent from his job more than what I consider to be normal or acceptable. While it is true that
the City Council approves vacation days for him to take off, there have been numerous circumstances wherein he’s not at work because
of illness or other reason. I believe the City Council members, all of us, are obligated to know whenever our City Clerk Treasurer isn’t
able to work as scheduled.
While I certainly am acceptable to having to take a ’pre-approved’ day off ‘here and there’ for personal/medical reasons, it appears to me
and as far as I know, there is no ‘recording’ or ‘accounting’ of him not working on scheduled work days.
Approximately one year ago, Councilmember Trebesch suggested a time clock be installed for ALL employees so the city could
‘keep track’ of their ‘hours worked’. At that time, I didn’t think it was necessary.
I’ve completely reversed my thinking about that topic; I totally support the installation of a time clock.
Also, I don’t believe it’s unreasonable, and I believe it is appropriate, for the city to require Mr. Gruenhagen to provide a full accounting of his hours/days off not previously approved during 2014.
When I discussed this topic with Mayor Malz on September 13th, he told me, directly, that he had previously asked Mr. Gruenhagen to provide an ’accounting’ of days that he had not worked that had not been previously approved.
Mayor Malz told me, again, directly; that Mr. Gruenhagen stated that he ’didn’t have to’ provide that information to the city !!
Mayor Malz further went on to state that he then contacted the Hamburg City Attorney as asked if Mr. Gruenhagen was required to ‘account for’ the days that he had taken off without prior approval.
Mayor Malz told me, again directly, that the City Attorney stated that Mr. Gruenhagen, in fact, as an employee of the City of Hamburg,
IS REQUIRED to provide the requested information.
VII
NEGLECT OF DUTY
How many times at City Council meetings, has a certain topic or subject been brought up that was previously discussed and authorized to be purchased, completed, etc., by the City Council?
Sometime, at a later date when a City Councilmember would inquire as to the ’status’ of one of those topics or projects, how often have
we, as a City Council, been told that nothing had been done and given the excuse, “That must have fallen through the cracks” or “That
must have slipped through the cracks.”
Since Mr. Gruenhagen ‘assumed command and control’ of the rebuilding of the Jacob Street Grinder Station, NOTHING FURTHER to
complete the project, has taken place !! When he declared that he was ’in charge’ at the September 9th City Council meeting, the
Jacob Street Grinder Station needed a weatherproof, generator connection installed, it needed an LED ’area light’ installed, and it
needed a weatherproof 110 volt convenience installed.
Now, two months later and under Mr. Gruenhagen’s assumed direction and control, NONE of those three items have been
accomplished or completed !!
Additionally, in a September 8th e-mail to Mr. Gruenhagen, I stated “Also, I strongly urge that when this all finally does happen,
that you ensure that Robb’s Electric physically connects the generator to the lift station and that everything be run
‘under load’ for a period of time to ensure everything is working properly.”
As of about two weeks ago when I inquired, I was told that this hadn’t been done; I seriously doubt if its EVER been done.
Also, at the September 9th City Council meeting, Mayor Malz expressed concern about the order in which Floyd Security notifies
city personnel in the event of a ‘problem’ at the Water Treatment Plant or Park Avenue Lift Station.
On September 15th, after conferring with Floyd Security, I submitted, to Mr. Gruenhagen, via e-mail, directed to Mayor Malz
and the other City Council members, a suggested, updated notification sequence to be used by Floyd for alarms at the city’s
two locations monitored by their alarm company.
In checking with both Floyd Security and another City Council member, I was advised that NEITHER of them had received the
information I sent to Mr. Gruenhagen.
Mr. Gruenhagen has CONTINUALLY been reminded, by me, that the exterior ‘area light’ on the north side of the Fire Station
burns twenty-four hours a day even though it contains a photo-electric cell designed to turn it off during daylight. Mr. Gruenhagen
has stated repeatedly that he would contact the electrical contractor that installed the LED lights on the entire building,
Robb’s Electric, and get the light replaced or repaired.
Yet, as recently as this week, it continues to be illuminated around the clock.
These are just a few instances of ‘needed things not getting done’. Ironically, when I met with Mayor Malz on September 13, he, too,
believes that Mr. Gruenhagen doesn’t always ’follow through’ with his responsibilities by saying to me, directly;
“He doesn’t always get everything done.”
VIII
EMPLOYEE MISCONDUCT
Employee misconduct, because it subjects an employee to disciplinary action up to, and including, termination of employment,
MUST be taken seriously.
I believe that a ‘case can be made’ for Employee Misconduct based on the content of this document and the several pages of
supporting documents accompanying this letter.
Should the city’s only female employee choose to terminate her city employment because of the unacceptable working conditions
to which she has been subjected for the past six or seven months, she is certain to be victorious should she decide to initiate civil
litigation against the city.
Think about it: If I’m sworn to ‘tell the truth’ about what I’ve observed, in a court of law, there is no way that I can ‘forget’ or minimize,
what I’ve seen and heard as a City Council member.
If any other City Council member(s) or other city employees or representatives are dragged into court and are also sworn to
‘tell the truth’, that’s what they have to do. Period !!
Because of what’s taken place in the past, partially documented in this letter and on the attached supporting documents, the
City of Hamburg now faces a potentially perilous, litigious situation.
“The city knew, or should have known ………….”
Our city, like may other similar cities of our size, have a limited number of full time and part time employees. Like Hamburg, similar cities
rely on an equivalent to our City Clerk/Treasurer to ensure that the day to day needs of the city, and its citizens, are continually met.
It is impossible to delineate each and every duty of any of the three of our city employees. Our employees have to be ‘flexible’ enough
to adapt to the ever-changing needs of our city and its residents. In my opinion, a City Clerk/Treasurer, or similar position, REQUIRES
that that person be able to ‘maintain their cool’ when stressful situations arise; not rush into a raging tirade.
Granted; this past year has been an extremely unusual year for the City of Hamburg. The only way that we can be effective to our
citizens is by ‘working together’; not by trying to demonstrate who has the most power or the most influence. I believe the rest of the
City Council would agree with my philosophy: Forget about “….. Who gets the credit; just ‘get the job done’”.
It would appear that Mr. Gruenhagen has ‘lost sight’ of the fact that he is an employee of the City of Hamburg and his ‘bosses’ of
the city are the elected City Council members; collectively AND individually. In the most simplistic terms, we give him direction
and authority; he doesn’t assume direction or authority arbitrarily, by himself.
The ‘tail doesn’t wag the dog’.
The City Council MUST UNITE to swiftly, and steadfastly, rectify the circumstances and causes, past and future, that currently
exist within the walls of City Hall and subject city employees to a less than an ideal working environment.
Probably more than any other City Council member and because of my ‘retirement status’, I have had more interaction with
Mr. Gruenhagen than has any other City Council member. I respected his position (and still do) and sincerely believed that he
respected my newly elected position when I took office in January 2013.
For the next eighteen months, I would go to City Hall several times a week, if only briefly, and talk with Mr. Gruenhagen about various
items of ’city business’ of mutual interest to both of us.
Early on, I made it very clear to Mr. Gruenhagen that anything that might involve me and the city that I believed he should be
made aware of, that I would inform him of so he would not be ‘surprised’ if he heard about me ‘being involved’
in something/anything city related. Mr. Gruenhagen stated that he appreciated the fact that I would ‘keep him informed’.
I can’t count the number of times since taking office that Mr. Gruenhagen and I discussed the various e-mails that I would send to him
in an effort to ‘keep him informed’. I was ‘sensitive’ to not ‘overloading’ him with information and inquired numerous times if I was
sending him ‘too much’ information in the form of e-mails generated.
Each time I inquired, Mr. Gruenhagen assured me that he’d much rather have ‘too much information’ than ‘too little information’;
he could always ‘sort out and discard’ what wasn’t relevant; and he could make the decision of what he wanted to retain. That
seemed logical to me.
The enclosed e-mail messages exchanged between the two of us demonstrates, without a doubt, that I strived to keep
Mr. Gruenhagen informed of my every ‘involvement’ in ‘city business’. It is quite evident, by reviewing the enclosed supporting
documents, that I ALWAYS sought Mr. Gruenhagen’s input.It is also worth noting and to the best of my knowledge, I NEVER
authorized the expenditure of any funds for any city ‘project’ in which I was involved; I NEVER ordered anything for any city
‘project’ in which I was involved without first gaining ‘permission’ from Mr. Gruenhagen.
As evidenced by the enclosed supporting documents, I ALWAYS left those decisions up to Mr. Gruenhagen. I was very
'comfortable’ with that and believed then, and believe now, that was/is how it should be.
Yet, when I met with Mayor Malz on Saturday, September 13th, he stated that Mr. Gruenhagen ’complained’ about all of the
massive amounts of e-mails that I was ’flooding’ Mr. Gruenhagen with. What?
I explained to Mayor Malz what the ‘agreement’ Mr. Gruenhagen and I had reached regarding e-mails (paraphrasing):
“It’s better to have too much information than not enough. Send me everything you’ve got; I’ll sort it out.”
Nonetheless, the Mayor asked me to (paraphrasing) “….quit sending him e-mails”; which I immediately did.
Mr. Gruenhagen, for whatever reason, also pretty much ceased sending me information about what was taking place in the city.
(Particularly regarding the Jacob Street Grinder Station with which I was ‘heavily involved’.) As an elected city official, I believe
that I have a ’right to know’ what’s taking place in the city in which I was elected, by its residents, to serve.
The result is that now I, as a City Council member, am not fully, and properly, informed about what’s taking place in the city. The
city in which I am an elected City Council member.
What’s wrong with this ‘picture’?
So, you ask, “Where do we go from here?” A good question, indeed.
Based on the foregoing narrative and supporting documents attached herewith, I have a sound basis for bringing this entire matter,
and all of the associated details, to the attention of the Personnel Committee. The City of Hamburg simply can not continue to flourish
under this type of hostile environment that has existed much too long. In retrospect, yes; I can be faulted for not directly addressing
these issues when I observed them developing over a year ago.
Do I seek to have Mr. Gruenhagen terminated? A RESOUNDING “NO” !!
Do I want Mr. Gruenhagen to quit? A RESOUNDING “NO” !!
Do I wish to see Mr. Gruenhagen ‘change his ways’ for the betterment of our city, our employees and our citizens? YES; I do,
and I believe I share that sentiment with the other members of the Hamburg City Council.
From what I can gather, Jeremy has done a ‘wonderful job’ for the City of Hamburg as its City Clerk/Treasurer for the past eighteen
years. On the occasions that I have observed his interacting with members of the public, he has represented the city well. And
professionally.
However, I feel that it is in the best interest of the City of Hamburg, it’s employees and its residents, that he gain control of his tirades
and seemingly uncontrollable ‘outbursts’.
Yes; his job can be admittedly stressful. But when a stressful situation arises, we need someone who can provide leadership and act
authoritatively, not ’collapse’ under the pressure and begin swearing and screaming.
Mr. Gruenhagen also needs to be reminded, and understand, that he works at the pleasure and direction of the City Council; collectively
and individually. He is not OUR ’boss’; we are HIS ’boss’. We ‘direct’ him; he doesn’t ‘direct’ us.
To get a better, more complete understanding of everything contained in this letter (and more), I strongly encourage you to carefully
read ALL of the documents attached herewith. Please pay particular attention to the areas highlighted in the enclosed documents.
Should you, Councilmember Trebesch, other City Council members or anyone else wish further information or explanations, please
contact me.
Sincerely,
Richard Odoms,
Hamburg City Council Member
150 Jacob Street
Hamburg, Minnesota 55339
(612) 460-8212
Enclosures: Various documents in chronological order
The remaining six pages of my November 5, 2014 letter to then HAMBURG PERSONNEL COMMITTEE MEMBER and HAMBURG CITY COUNCIL MEMBER CHRIS LUND appear above. CLEARLY, AS EVIDENCED ABOVE; the
'BEHAVIORIAL ISSUES' with Gruenhagen began LONG BEFORE the City was served with a lawsuit on July 31, 2019.
Yet, while both the MAYOR at the time and HAMBURG PERSONNEL COMMITTEE MEMBER CHRIS LUND, were CLEARLY and UNQUESTIONABLY MADE AWARE OF GRUENENHAGEN"S INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR, NUMEROUS TIMES; NO ACTION WAS EVER TAKEN AGAINST GRUENHAGEN !! That's why the CITY OF HAMBURG is STILL being forced to deal with all of the issues that I've been reporting on my Websites (and now in my book; "PUBLIC OFFICIALS BEHAVING BADLY") about the CITY OF HAMBURG, for the past TEN YEARS !!
Speaking of my book, regarding the 'SABOTAGING' of HAMBURG'S FIRE TRUCKS, here's an excerpt from Page 63 Of My Book "PUBLIC OFFICIALS BEHAVING BADLY":
I was REALLY DISTRESSED to hear HAMBURG CITY CLERK/TREASURER JEREMY GRUENHAGEN EVEN IMPLY, yet ACTUALLY BRING UP, former HAMBURG FIRE CHIEF BRAD DROEGE's name as the possible 'culprit'.
For Gruenhagen to RECKLESSLY BESMERCH the GOOD NAME, REPUTATION and 'TRACK RECORD' of BRAD DROEGE, an OUTSTANDING, DEDICATED RESIDENT that has DONE SO MUCH FOR THE CITY OF HAMBURG during his time as a Firefighter and NINETEEN YEARS as the CITY'S FIRE CHIEF, is TOTALLY LUDICROUS and ABSOULUTELY IRRESPONSIBLE !! I thought; "What a malevolent manner in which to 'misdirect' attention' !!" (AWAY from THEMSELVES.)
I was TOTALLY ANGERED BY GRUENHAGEN'S 'SUGGESTION'; BRAD WAS MY CLOSE FRIEND;
a person who I DEEPLY ADMIRED and UNCONDITIONALLY RESPECTED !! (Emphasis added.)
For the HAMBURG CITY COUNCIL to ROUTINELY APPROVE SALARY INCREASES EVERY YEAR FOR GRUENHAGEN, that is simply REWARDING BAD BEHAVIOR and is DOING NOTHING TO ADDRESS, and CORRECT; GRUENHAGEN'S BAD BEHAVIOR !! You'll also find Gruenhagen's comments, recorded at a recent City Council meeting (CHECK BACK to hear the ACTUAL CONVERSATION); about his 'DISSATISFACTION' about the amount of TAXPAYER DOLLARS he receives as 'ON CALL' (OVERTIME) PAY. This was an 'issue' that first came up many years ago when I was on the HAMBURG CITY COUNCIL; and the 'contract' HAMBURG CITY ATTORNEY KELLEY C. DOHM at that time and at an UNRECORDED 'CLOSED' (NOD, NOD; WINK, WINK) City Council Meeting, CLEARLY STATED that GRUENHAGEN WAS NOT ENTITLED TO 'ON CALL. (OVERTIME)
PAY because he is considered an EXEMPT EMPLOYEE; paid a 'SALARY' in lieu of an HOURLY WAGE,
performs 'ADMINISTRATIVE WORK' and IS NOT ENTITLED TO 'OVERTIME PAY' !!
Having worked for City and County 'government', both in an 'exempt' status as well as in a 'non-exempt' status most of my 'adult life', what Dohm said, 'sounded right' to me. I also addressed that 'issue' in my book, "PUBLIC OFFICIALS BEHAVING BADLY"; as well. PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER for MORE INFORMATION about the 'suspicious and questionable circumstances' of how MORE HAMBURG TAXPAYER DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT.
This particular 'discovery' that I'm exposing, has a lot of 'moving parts' and will be of GREAT INTEREST
to HAMBURG TAXPAYERS !! Because of the complexity, details, secrecy and the
HUGE AMOUNT of TAXPYER DOLLARS INVOLVED, I'm in the process
of putting ALL of the information on ITS OWN WEBPAGE; please
check my MASTER WEBPAGE INDEX Webpage frequently.
I will continue to expose many of the little know other TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE ACTIONS & MISCONDUCT
that have taken place in the CITY OF HAMBURG so please CHECK BACK FREQUENTLY !! Virtually ALL of
those deleterious ACTIONS & MISCONDUCT that have taken place have a 'common denominator' that is easily traceable and responsible for COSTING HAMBURG TAXPAYERS TENS (if not HUNDREDS) of THOUSANDS
of TAXPAYER DOLLARS !!
As another example, the ABRUPT DEPARTURE of the 'DEPUTY' CITY CLERK who faithfully served he City for EIGHT YEARS, as well as the SEVERAL MONTH VACANCY of the City being WITHOUT A PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE, are ALL ATTRIBUTABLE to the ABUSIVE MISCONDUCT, ACTIONS and UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIORS of GRUENHAGEN !! (Please check back to HEAR THE ACTUAL AUDIO of the (former) 'DEPUTY' CITY CLERK TELLING THE CITY COUNCIL what was taking place 'inside the walls of City Hall'. While she REPORTED TO HAMBURG MAYOR CHRIS LUND NUMEROUS TIMES what was taking place with Gruenhagen's inappropriate conduct and behavior LUND, and the CITY COUNCIL; NEVER TOOK ANY ACTION AGAINST GRUENHAGEN !!)
EVERYTHING is DOCUMENTED by the AUDIO of the CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS !! Why do you think I was SO ADAMANT, for SO MANY YEARS, for the City to OBTAIN THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT to ACCURATELY RECORD what takes place at the HAMBURG CITY COUNCIL meetings ??
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You May THINK That The City Of Hamburg Is 'Governed' By City Residents. NOT SO !!
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(And ONE 'Contract' City Attorney).
As Just ONE EXAMPLE, If You Ever Attend A City Council Meeting, Notice (And Count) The Number Of People
Seated Around The Tables At The Front Of The Room Where The City's PUBLIC OFFIALS Are Seated.
Alternately, Notice (And Count) The Number Of 'FACES' Below That Represent
The PUBLIC OFFICIALS Of The CITY OF HAMBURG:
HAMBURG RESIDENTS: DID YOU KNOW ...........
WITHOUT RECONCILING HIS 'ATTENDANCE RECORD', a 4% SALARY INCREASE for
HAMBURG CITY CLERK/TREASURER JEREMY GRUENHAGEN for 2023 was
'AUTOMATICALLY APPROVED' by the HAMBURG CITY COUNCIL
at its final 2022 meeting, citing that his
'.... job performance exceeded expectations'.
One
TRUE FACT
(among MANY others) is that
BECAUSE OF HIS ACTIONS
the City has been
WITHOUT A 'DEPUTY' CITY CLERK
and
WITHOUT A PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE ABOUT FOUR MONTHS !!
That makes one wonder: ARE those TWO POSITIONS REALLY NECESSARY !! The City seems to have 'gotten along just fine' for the past FOUR MONTHS without those (EXPENSIVE) positions being filled, certainly the 'DEPUTY' CITY CLERK position is TOTALLY UNNEEDED !! (You'll recall that I pledged to 'ABOLISH' the position !!)
Something else that the City refuses to take responsibility for is the lack of applicants for the City's
two job vacancies that occurred last September 2022: The City's 'reputation' of Hamburg
NOT BEING A GOOD PLACE TO WORK because of it being a
'HOSTILE & TOXIC WORK ENVIRONMENT'.
The erratic, sporadic and 'unpredictable' 'VIOLENT OUTBURSTS' (as DOCUMENTED in the CITYS OWN RECORDS)
that occurred behind the 'closed doors' of City Hall !! This TOTALLY INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR which I
learned about and PERSONALLY WITNESSED (and REPORTED) as a City Councilmember, was
ALSO WITNESSED by AT LEAST FOUR former City employees; EVEN a 'VENDOR' !!
Yet, the INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR of HAMBURG CITY CLERK/TREASURER JEREMY GRUENHAGEN,
that 'drives away' good, qualified potential City employees, was described as
'job performance exceeded expectations'. WHAT A JOKE !!
WHY DOES HE DESERVE A 4% SALARY INCREASE; let alone WHY DOES HE EVEN STILL HAVE A JOB ??
The 'Massive Effort' To Prevent Me From Being Elected Hamburg Mayor Was Because, As A Former City Councilmember, I
Am The ONLY PERSON That's NOT INVOLVED That KNOWS The 'Inner-Workings' Of The City Of Hamburg, Some
Of The 'LESS THAN DESIREABLE' 'Circumstances' And Would Be Familiar With 'WHAT'S TAKEN/TAKING
PLACE', Know 'WHO WAS INVOLVED', Know 'WHAT TO LOOK FOR' and Know 'WHERE TO FIND IT' !!
Folks; this ISN'T 'ROCKET SCIENCE'; quite simply, I 'KNEW (& KNOW) TOO MUCH' !! If anybody
can't understand what's taking place; CHECK THEIR PULSE !!
To preserve ANY 'Moral Rectitude' that MAY still exist in our City and for the WELFARE of our City, CREDIBLE Hamburg residents
MUST COME FORWARD, request, and participate in an INDEPENDENT, IMPARTIAL, FULL & COMPLETE 'AUDIT'
of the 'TIP OF THE ICEBERG': GRUENHAGEN'S 'ATTENDENCE' for the past year; MORE if impropriety is discovered !!
(I firmly BELIEVE that what such a 'basic audit' of his 'work schedule' would 'reveal', will 'KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF' !!
You May Have (Correctly) Assumed That I HAVEN'T Been 'Idle' Since November 8th; Or Even Before. Prior To Filing
On August 16th To Be Elected As The Next Mayor Of Hamburg, I Secured,Downloaded (And SAVED), From
The CITY'S OWN WEBSITE; 'OFFICIAL' CITY DOCUMENTS That CLEARLY SUPPORT
and SUBSTANTIATE That 'SOMETHING IS ROTTEN IN DENMARK'
and has been for quite some time !!
I Began Constructing Yet Another Webpage Consisting Of Those Additional 'OFFICIAL CITY DOCUMENTS' And Other Information That I've Obtained To Further DEMONSTRATE To HAMBURG RESIDENTS The DIRE
NECESSITY For An INDEPENDENT, 'OUTSIDE SOURCE' To Come To Hamburg And ALSO
Conduct An OBJECTIVE, IMPARTIAL EXAMINATION Of The City's 'Books' And Other
'FINANCIAL RECORDS' OF THE CITY !!
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