This is excerpts from a letter I just sent to some of our elected officials. I just feel helpless and don't know how to help.

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Preface: I’ve copied a lot of people here because I’m not sure who to contact. Please read on if you feel obliged to.

To Whom It May Concern:

            My wife and I have been citizens of Ramsey for a relatively short time, since July of 2007. We both grew up in the area, my wife in Anoka and I in Andover. We both attended Anoka High School. We got married when we were attending the University of Minnesota and lived in Shoreview for a while. When we decided to build a home we were dead-set on Ramsey. We were a young couple and love the prospects of School District 11 who’s board my wife’s uncle, Tom Heidemann, has worked on for several years. Our family ties are deeply rooted in Anoka County with my immediate family being residents for over 26 years and my wife’s for over 23 years.

            Ramsey’s fast development excited us. We see the Town Center project as a huge opportunity for growth as I’m sure you do to, and we knew the stall was just a temporary issue. Thanks to you we are now seeing some headway with it. We all are no strangers to the state, federal and global economic hardships. Tom Heidemann has worked incredibly hard to keep the high education standards our citizen’s demand from the school district up, all the while under heavy economic scrutiny. You have worked hard to keep people in their homes and to keep businesses in Ramsey. I personally try to use a Ramsey business whenever possible for personal and business. I’ve steered the company I work for to use two Ramsey businesses for large accounts, Altron, Inc. and Intech Industries, Inc., and believe me I’d do more if I could.

            Perhaps the background I have given you of just a few citizens is too long-winded, but I wanted you to understand how dedicated and invested we are to this community. It breaks our heart to see the tragedies of people loosing their homes. We feel helpless and small but we know we are not alone. We elect our city, county and district officials to more efficiently deal with the issues that our community faces. We elect these officials to help improve our community. We elect you to protect us, the citizens of the community. Just last night this tragedy hit too hard, too close to home.

            My wife and I were watching the news last and a story came on. A story you have probably heard of by now. Kare11 ran a story (watch it here) about a home about a block away from our home. A home a family “won.” The house was built under the philosophy of Universal Design meaning “barrier-free.” Families were asked to fill out an application (attached) which asked them to describe their living situation and any physical barriers of their current home. The Arends family applied, describing the special needs of their three children. They were one of ten finalists and their name was drawn as the winners. However, their fairytale came crashing down last month when they received a letter saying the home was going into foreclosure. All wrongdoing accusations aside, the builder can no longer afford the mortgage payments and the bank plans to foreclose.

            The depth of my knowledge in this matter is admittedly shallow. I don’t know the proper hoops to jump through, so I turn to you. We cannot stand by and watch this happen to the Arends family. I ask you: What can be done for them? I would implore you to do anything in the city’s power to prevent this house from being taken.

            As I said before we all are no strangers to the troubled times. I’ve followed the city through the economic troubles of the Town Center project and I know you can relate first-hand to this situation. I understand that families are loosing their homes everywhere but this happening is unacceptable and heart wrenching. I know you’ll step in and do whatever you can because I’ve read the meeting minutes from Feb. 13, 2007 and I know how excited our various council members and former Mayor Gamec were when they first heard about the Hope House.

Thank you for your time,

Dan Nelson