Maple Lake resident John Rivers appeared in the Maple Lake City Council public forum to argue that vermin in Maple Lake with junk yards are destroying his property values and should have their property bulldozed (my residence and museum) for starters. Mr. Rivers owns a mega mansion south of town and these are the property values for that property:
2020: $523,200(0.02%)
2021: $537,100(2.66%)
2022: $569,700(6.07%)
2023: $637,600(11.92%)
2024: $638,200(0.09%)
Mr. River’s house south of my museum, who he apparently was arguing, was adversely affected by my “junkyard,” in reality is apparently very positively affected:
2020: $139,700(4.02%)
2021: $145,000(3.79%)
2022: $175,600(21.10%)
2023: $190,000(8.37%)
2024: $205,900(8.20%)
As for my museum, it doesn’t appear my property value has declined…in fact it jumped a whapping 30% in 2023…. This was offset in 2024 with a 0 percent increase, thankfully.
John Haack’s Museum/ Flea Market
2020: $48,700(2.53%)
2021: $50,700(4.11%)
2022: $51,700(1.97%)
2023: $67,300(30.17%)
2024: $67,300(0.00)
So much for Mr. River’s argument for over 5 minutes in the public forum that “vermin” like me should have their properties “bulldozed” for being a “junkyard,” adversely affecting his property values? Such nonsense needs to be recognized for what it is. This is the same man who has complemented me for standing up to makers and growers asking for more city money to grow their operation after saying a one- time donation was all they would ever ask for, the man who has asked me to ride with him in his antique automobile(s). This is the second time he has attacked me publicly at a council meeting, encouraging others to do so and follow his lead for speaking out on this big “blight” in our city.
John Haack
Maple Lake