By ELI LUTGENS
Publisher/Editor
The local laundromat has been struggling for quite some time as a result of a dispute between the renters and their landlord. A recent fire ultimately forced the laundromat to close its doors for the past two months.
More than halfway through the most recent New Richland council meeting, Mayor Gail Schmidt addressed the “young lady” in the back, asking her if she would like to speak.
Leah Jacobson of Wallace Laundromat spoke about the situation. “I was just hoping to answer any questions you guys [the council] had… I just felt like I should come because I found out today that I (apparently) “refused to take phone calls or show up to the last city council meeting.”
At the previous council meeting, the renters' request that the city turn their water back on was denied. The renters have been without water for two months.
After two weeks without water, Jacobson called Child Protective Services to express concern for the children in the property and their lack of running water. According to Jacobson, the supervisor of Waseca County CPS told her the situation is only temporary and asked, “What would the difference be if they were camping in the woods?”
Mayor Schmidt addressed Jacobson regarding the rental inspection. “You weren’t at the last meeting. There needs to be an updated rental license on that property.”
Jacobson said they are not going to rent any longer and proceeded to describe more of the apparent struggle/battle to evict tenants that haven’t paid rent or utility bills in more than a year.
“We have no rights to our own property,” Jacobson exclaimed. “They (the renters) don’t let me in most of the time. I’ve had to get a police escort… (when) I’ve had to come in at different times. It’s just really, really bad.”
The city wrote a letter denying Jacobson’s rental license which may aid the eviction process.
“It breaks my heart,” Mayor Schmidt said. “I hope something can get done. That letter should help. We haven’t officially denied it though because we haven't had the inspection… Because they [the renters] won’t let anyone in, is what I’ve heard… Hopefully that rental license, the lack of, will help.”
Mayor Schmidt and City Administrator Michelle Johnson both offered assistance. “If you need anything else from the city, just get ahold of Michelle.”
Mayor Schmidt went on to say, regarding the tenants, “They’re ruining your business.”
“It’s ruined,” Jacobson responded. “We have no [business]. We have very little customer base that would even come back, because they’re used to going elsewhere now… Hopefully we can get everything back and running. And get it figured out… Hopefully I get some good news on Wednesday.”
Jacobson said the city’s handling of the situation has been great, and said she hopes to have some good news following their next court appearance.