Ellendale City Council Accused of Bias, Delays, and Inconsistent Permit Approvals in Veteran’s Legal Battle

By Keith Haskell, Independent Investigative Journalist

ELLENDALE, MN—The Ellendale City Council is facing renewed scrutiny after allegations of deliberate delays, discriminatory permit practices, and outright dismissal of a local business and property owner’s evidence of unequal treatment—all while claiming strict adherence to ordinances they appear to enforce selectively.

Daniel Petsinger, a military veteran and rural broadband provider, has spent months navigating what he calls a “rigged system” after the city refused to renew his long-standing water tower lease under questionable circumstances. His attempts to find an alternative solution have only deepened concerns about the council’s fairness and transparency.

A Conditional Use Permit Delayed Without Explanation

On April 28, Daniel Petsinger, a wartime Air Force communications specialist and local broadband entrepreneur, submitted a Right-Of-Way permit application to relocate equipment from the city’s water tower—a move that would have resolved the council’s disputed claims about maintenance interference. Yet, despite standard procedure, the council did not place his application on the May 8 meeting agenda. Instead, they waited until June 12—a 45-day delay with no justification.

When the permit finally appeared on the agenda, the council had pre-written resolutions—one to approve, one to deny—indicating a decision had been made before public discussion. Worse, Petsinger was not allowed to speak on his application until he pressed the issue. Mayor Growth replied, “I'll give you one minute”.

“Approved in 3 Hours” vs. 45 Days of Delays

Armed with public records, Petsinger demonstrated a glaring double standard. He presented past permits granted to competitors, including one approved in just three hours by the city clerk, without council review. That permit involved equipment placed on a councilmember’s private property, where the member later admitted to being paid $10,000 for access. Other licenses were approved within five days—all administratively, with no involvement from the council.

The Ellendale City Council faces mounting legal challenges of discriminatory practices after delaying a military veteran’s permit application for 45 days while fast-tracking approvals for competitors, including projects benefiting a councilmember’s personal finances.

Yet Petsinger’s request was stalled, debated, and nearly silenced. When he confronted the council with these discrepancies, Mayor Scott Growth shut him down, stating, “We’re not talking about any of those.”

A Pattern of Retaliation?

The council’s refusal to renew Petsinger’s water tower lease—despite no violations—was already under fire after a member admitted the real motive: retaliation for Petsinger’s ongoing lawsuit against the city. Now, the permit delays and inconsistent approvals suggest a broader pattern of bias.

Petsinger’s broadband business, built over 30 years, serves rural residents whom larger providers often ignore. Yet instead of supporting his efforts, which align with Minnesota’s Rural Broadband statutes (116J.39, 237.012.1) and the Federal Telecommunications Act of 1996, the council has stonewalled him at every turn.

“This isn’t just about antennas,” Petsinger told this reporter. “It’s about whether a local government can arbitrarily destroy livelihoods.”

Open Meetings, Closed Doors

The city’s lack of transparency extends beyond permits. Agendas are posted only on City Hall’s door—not online—making it difficult for residents to know when key issues arise. When Petsinger’s permit was finally discussed, the council attempted to bypass his input entirely, raising concerns about Open Meeting Law violations.

And when former councilmember Derrek Bartness resigned after posting a false 1-star review of Petsinger’s business, the council quietly replaced him with a known adversary, without public notice or a search for candidates.

When “The Law” is Applied Unevenly

The council insists “an ordinance is law”—but ignores that ordinances must be fairly enforced. Petsinger’s case exposes how easily small-town governments can weaponize codes against critics while fast-tracking approvals for allies.

With his broadband access at risk and legal battles mounting, Petsinger’s fight is no longer just about antennas—it’s about whether Ellendale’s government serves all residents, or just a select few.

As one resident, who asked to remain anonymous, put it: “If they’ll do this to him, what’s stopping them from doing it to anyone else?”

Keith Haskell is an independent investigative journalist and podcaster, known as 507PatriotMn on social media, who covers government accountability. Reach them at 507PatriotMn@gmail.com or 507-737-0436