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DEAR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, <br /> Please allow this letter to serve as an introduction. I'm Patrick McLafferty, <br />I have a foster home in Ramsey for 6 children now. We moved here to Ramsey after <br />purchasing the home at 7321 154th Lane last spring. <br /> I have been a foster parent for over 16 years. I've been licensed for regular <br />foster care, as a shelter for emergency placements, for respite and as a treatment <br />foster home. <br /> I have been licensed for up to 8 children for many years at my former hc~e. <br />recently was informed by City of Ramsey that I now must apply for a "special <br />conditional use permit" in order to be licensed again for up to 8 children instead <br />of the 6 I am now licensed for in Ramsey. The City, as part of this process, has <br />sent neighbors within 350 feet of our home, notices of this. I received one of the <br />notices myself and looking at it from a neighbors' perspective, I thought it could <br />be kind of scary so I thought perhaps a letter of introduction might be in order <br />along with letting you all know, I already have been licensed for 6 for the laswt <br />year here. In essence, we are only asking for an increase of only 2 children. <br /> The boys and I built a large addition on this home last summer. Many of you <br />may have heard all of the han~ering and sawing going on. We increased the square <br />footage inside our hc~e by over 2,000 feet. We did this with the purpose in mind <br />of sharing our hcme with other needy kids who don't have a home. <br /> I was totally unaware of all of the special conditions Anoka county and the <br />City of Ramsey were going to impose on us. I did contact both the County and the <br />City before I began this project but neither one came forward with all of these <br />rules and regulations at that time. Only after Committing our lifes savings and <br />all of last sur~aer to this project and being practically 90% done did these rules <br />cc~e to light. Never the less, we are trying our best to accommodate all of the <br />parties involved. <br /> I invite any of you who might have concerns or worries to please feel free to <br />call us at our home which is 427-9637 or to just drop over and visit us any time. <br />Like I said earlier, we have already been here for almost a year and many of you <br />close neighbors have met most of us already and know us. I am worried that the <br />cold formality of the cities letter might worry some people. I also believed it <br />important that everyone realizes I am not a newcomer to this. I am a professional <br />who has been doing it for a long time. I am home here on a full-time basis and am <br />always available. <br /> If any of you would care to meet myself or my wife and are unable to come by <br />for a visit, please just call and we'll be happy to meet and speak with you. <br />want everyone'to be comfortable and secure in the knowledge that these children <br />are no different than anyone elses children except that mine are "borrowed". At <br />t_he ~nent, 2 of my boys are on the Anoka Highs Honors list, 2 work jobs in the <br />ccmmunity and 1 is going to Technical College. <br /> I feel somewhat sad and disappointed with the City of Ramsey singling out <br />foster homes and even sadder that foster children themselves should be treated in <br />this manner. It's tough enough to come from a broken home and have that to deal <br />with. Being singled out this way hurts. One of my boys asked me, "why aren't other <br />families told they have to go through all of this if they want more children?' It <br />broke my heart not to have an answer for him. What would you say? <br /> Please call me with any questions or co~rm~nts and I hope I can rely on your <br />support on the night of Tuesday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ramsey City Hall. <br /> Thank you very much for your time and ~upport. Patrick and Ann McLafferty <br /> <br /> <br />