Isanti candidates discuss issues

Mayoral, city council and county commissioner candidates speak about what they would do if elected this November.

During two-minute increments, those who hope to represent the city of Isanti outlined their positions on a variety of issues during a forum on Thursday night, Oct. 9, 2008 at the Isanti Middle School.
Things discussed included top goals, transportation, motocross tracks, economic development, amenities and foreclosed properties.
Attending the forum were mayoral candidates George Wimmer and Sue Larson; city council candidates Jeff Kolb and Ross Lorsiner; Isanti Commissioner District 3 candidates Alan Duff and Gail Genin; and Isanti Commissioner District 4 candidate Jaysen Guthmueller.
Absent were city council candidates Jim Kennedy and Steve Rask, as well as Isanti County Commissioner District 4 candidate Kurt Daudt.
Moderating the event was Jackie Moen. The forum was organized by the Isanti Area Chamber of Commerce.
QUESTION 1: WHAT ARE YOUR TOP GOALS
To start the evening off, candidates outlined their top goals if elected.
Sue Larson's goals center around the current economic situation. She stressed increasing the city's tax base, improving transportation access, and making sure the city has skilled workers.
George Wimmer would begin by taking a fresh look at the goals he set two years ago when first elected as mayor. He would then work to implement the financial plan recently adopted by the council. He is also focused on bringing a rail spur into the city.
Ross Lorinser's first goal is to lower taxes. "We need to make sure we do not waste taxpayer money," he said, referring to projects in the past, such as plans to construct a new liquor store, that he believes did waste money. His second step would be to attract new business. His third goal would to simply be a good steward of the city.
Jeff Kolb's top goal is safety. "It doesn't do any good to have a good budget if we can't keep our people safe," he said. He referred to building a new fire sub-station, and to constructing sidewalks along all of County Road 5. He would also seek to continue to lower spending, and focus on an aggressive economic development marketing plan.
Alan Duff said that he has set his top three goals after talking to local residents. Number one is to reduce the tax burden. He referenced the fact that while he's served on the Isanti City Council the tax burden has been reduced by 14%. He also hopes to establish a county rail industrial park to bring in higher paying jobs. Additionally, he will work to preserve open space. He advocated taking a hard look at the newly proposed county comprehensive plan. "We're not going in the right direction," said Duff.
Gail Genin opened by stating, "I did not come into this with any set agenda." What she's heard from people is they don't expect to see taxes go down, but they'd like to hold the line on taxes. She's heard that people want more county parks. And she believes that the proposed county comprehensive plan, which she helped develop, is a good compromise between those who want to develop in higher densities and those that want to preserve open space.
Jaysen Guthmueller has set reducing taxes as his number one goal, and pointed out he has listed 53 cost-saving ideas on his web site. "We've had four straight years of increases," said Guthmueller. He would like to see more businesses in the county, as they require fewer services than residential developments do. Additionally, he would strive for an open and transparent government and suggested that the county board meetings should be recorded.
QUESTION 2: DESCRIBE PLAN FOR CREATING NEW JOBS IN AREA
Kolb would continue to help new businesses with the tools the city already has in place.
Lorinser would also offer incentives in order to get and keep businesses in Isanti.
Wimmer pointed out that the city has dramatically increased its tax base in the past few years, and pointed to EverCat as one example. "We're working on a marketing plan," he added. He would also not forget the city's existing businesses.
Larson pointed out that she's been involved in a regional approach to supporting job growth. "I firmly believe we need a knowledgeable workforce," she said.
Duff noted, "It definitely starts with good marketing." He added, "I think we need to continue what we've been doing in the city of Isanti." He believes the county should stress the assets of the area: reasonably priced land, rail capacity and a phenomenal school district.
Genin stressed that the Isanti County Economic Development Authority work cooperatively with the cities of Braham, Isanti and Cambridge to bring in new businesses. She also sees growth happening in other areas that have traditionally been business centers, such as Dalbo, Grandy and Bradford.
"Right now there is competition between these towns. We need to turn that into partnerships," said Guthmueller.
QUESTION 3: TRANSPORTATION
Genin proposed establishing a ride share program. This would deal with the issue she sees of people commuting to the Twin Cities for work. Aside from that, Genin does not think there is a transportation problem within the county.
Duff, too, pointed to the large number of commuters in the county. "Eighty percent of our residents travel to the Twin Cities to work," he said. "I don't see MnDOT doing anything to fix the problem." He embraces commuter rail and is working to make that a reality "sooner rather than later." He pointed out that the city of Isanti has set aside $25,000 for a park and ride, and hopes to see a location designated soon.
Guthmueller supports park and rides, as well as commuter rail. To accomplish those, he foresees partnering with the state and federal government for funds. "Without their help we're not going to get very far," said Guthmueller.
From her years serving on the Highway 65 Task Force, Larson has become a believer in access management. But for that to work along Highway 65 the frontage and backage roads need to be developed. Larson worries about the traffic back-ups that are beginning to occur along County Road 5. "I believe that our County Road 5 is a baby 95," said Larson. She is excited about the prospect of commuter rail, passenger rail and industrial rail.
Wimmer noted that rail will help alleviate the burden on the roadways, as will park and ride areas. He agreed that east-west traffic is also becoming an issue. "These roads are not designed for this type of traffic," he said. The funding will need to come from state and federal sources, he believes. To get this, how funding is distributed will need to be looked at. Wimmer referenced the issues Anoka County has had with Highway 65, which it is now trying to fix with an overpass at 242. He predicted that in 20 years, the same will be done at County Road 5. "We keep making the same mistakes. We have to stop that," Wimmer said.
As an Anoka County Sheriff Deputy, Lorinser has seen firsthand how dangerous Highway 65 is. "You add rail. You add busing. That's going to alleviate some of the problems on 65," he said. He advocated joining with other counties and groups to pull together funding.
As a former commuter himself, Kolb advocates turning Highway 65 into a six-land interstate from Blaine to Cambridge. He noted that he's seen such things done in other cities, like Atlanta and Toronto. "They must know something we don't," he said. Kolb admitted he's not a big supporter of commuter rail, but if it does happen, he promised to push for a station in Isanti. He is also in favor of park and rides so that residents can hop aboard a bus to get to Minneapolis.
QUESTION 4: WHAT IS YOUR MAIN ROLE AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL?
"It is to listen to what people's concerns are," said Lorinser.
"We really are just citizens of the community who step up and help lead the community in a better direction," said Kolb. He also believes elected officials should always be open to new ideas.
"The major role is to try to lay out some type of agenda for the city," said Wimmer.
"You want to be that cheerleader for the city," said Larson. "You want to be approachable to the citizens. You want to be accessible to city staff. You want to be open minded."
Duff quoted the League of Minnesota Cities and Association of Minnesota Counties. "Be responsible for health, safety and welfare of your constituents." He would like to start a county e-newsletter; intends to hold regular meetings with District 3 residents and businesses; and make all county meetings available on the web site.
Genin stated, "I feel it is our responsibility to dedicate time to that position, listen and respond."
"We should be an advocate of the taxpayers, not private interests," said Guthmueller. "I think we need to re-establish trust in public officials."
QUESTION 5:
Each group of candidates was asked separate questions at the end.
HOW SHOULD ISANTI HANDLE FORECLOSED PROPERTIES?
Wimmer noted that in Isanti the city decided to shut off water and utilities. The police department is notified to watch the property, and the city mows the lawns to keep weeds down. The city is also part of a local coalition working to get help to people nearing foreclosure.
Larson reiterated much of what Wimmer said, stressing public health and safety. She is in favor of making sure the foreclosures still look nice to avoid driving down property values.
SHOULD ISANTI PURSUE A LIBRARY AND/OR POOL/WATER PARK?
Kolb noted that he is on the committee looking into this. "I'd love to see a project like this come to our community, but we can't by raising our taxes," he said.
Lorinser would also like the amenities, but won't raise taxes to add them. However, he would give residents the option of raising taxes to cover the projects by placing it on the ballot.
SHOULD THERE BE REGULATIONS ON MOTOCROSS TRACKS?
Guthmueller noted that he hasn't researched this issue and is not sure of how big the problem is. He said he leans towards making sure these tracks don't infringe on the rights of others.
Genin noted she has heard complaints against the tracks but also heard from those in favor of them. "We need some regulation," she said.
Duff noted that this is a big issue. "Basically this requires good planning," he pointed out. He advocates keeping the tracks away from areas where density is high.