ONCE HOMELESS, NOW HOUSED

New Pathways homeless program in Cambridge gives family hope.

It happened one day when Lisa and Tom Stoker were making supper. A Chisago County Sheriff's deputy knocked on the door and told them they had five days to vacate their home.
The news caught them completely by surprise.
And it came during the worst week of their lives.
Tom's dad had just died. Both their vehicles broke down. Lisa had lost the diamond in her wedding ring. And now they were losing the house.
"If you would have asked me if I thought I'd be out on the streets I'd tell you 'you're nuts,'" said Tom.
DOWN ON THEIR LUCK
The road leading up to the loss of their home had started in 2002. The Stokers had fallen behind on the mortgage payments on their mobile home in Wyoming. Their lender offered to refinance and tack on those late payments to the end of the loan. They were so glad to find a solution to the problem, neither Tom nor Lisa read the fine print.
It's a mistake they'll never make again.
According to the terms of the refinancing agreement, if the family was ever late again on a payment, the bank could take possession of their home. The legal stipulations regarding proper notice for a foreclosure and the ability of a homeowner to stay there six months during the redemption period before leaving no longer applied.
In 2005, Tom was taken off the job market by a vehicle accident. With two discs out in his neck and back, he wasn't able to return to work as a machinist. However, Lisa's job as a machinist paid the bills.
Two years later, Lisa found herself on the disability list. The rupture of cysts led to a hysterectomy. Not only was she out of work for four months, but her insurance coverage ran out.
The Stokers found themselves two months behind on mortgage payments.
And then came the knock on the door one October afternoon.
They never received a warning, just the news to get out.
STRUGGLING TO FIND A NEW PLACE
To begin with, Tom, Lisa and their two children who were still at home moved down the street to live with another daughter, her husband and two kids. "There were eight of us in a trailer," recalled Tom. It proved to be too many. "We were all starting to get on each other's nerves."
A friend caught wind of their trouble, and offered to sell them a mobile home at Castle Towers in East Bethel. Because it had sat empty, he asked that Tom fix the pipes that had frozen, get the water going, and pay the lot fees. The Stokers could pay him the $4,000 for the trailer itself when they had the money. Their 13-year-old daughter Savannah and 16-year-old daughter Nicole switched schools, and Tom, along with some buddies, made the necessary repairs.
They were there two months when the caretaker came up one day and asked what they were doing there. He requested that the Stokers fill out an application form – something Tom hadn't done in 20 years.
A mistake he made 15 years previously came to light, and they were kicked out of the mobile home park. Tom had purchased a "hot" car and been convicted of a felony.
Desperate, the family wasn't sure what to do next. They couldn't go back to their daughter's place, and didn't have other options. While online one night, Lisa stumbled upon information about New Pathways, a homeless program based in Cambridge.
They decided to drive up and check the place out. Tom admitted that they expected the kind of shelter you'd find in the Twin Cities. "We were all thinking we'd just jump back in the truck and leave," he noted.
Instead, the family felt welcomed by the staff members at New Pathways. They had found a place to stay.
PEOPLE HELP THEM THROUGH THE DARK DAYS
At New Pathways, families sleep at night in various churches. There are 13 church and a group of people in the program, which host the families one week. They provide sleeping arrangements and an evening meal. Depending on the size of the church, families may stay in a private room; other times, curtains separate them from each other.
The program can accommodate 24 family members at one time. (A family is defined as an adult with children.)
It took awhile for the Stokers to get used to shuffling between churches every week. And it was hard living out of suitcases and duffle bags.
At first, they admitted they were a bit nervous about being in a church, and paid attention to minding their Ps and Qs. But they soon relaxed. The volunteers at each church were open and friendly.
Looking back, Tom especially points to those volunteers as being the highlight of the experience. "We met great people every night," he said. "Everyone was trying to help in one way or another." Program participants and the volunteers would play cards and board games. They'd work on puzzles. They'd talk about life.
One night at Long Lake Lutheran, they sat up and played cribbage all night long.
The food was delicious – although there was one stretch where they ate pizza four nights in a row. The rest of the time, the meals were so good, Tom would head back to the kitchen and beg for recipes. He put on 20 pounds.
Leaving each church at the end of the week became difficult.
LIFE AT THE SHELTER
After nights spent in the church, Tom and Lisa would drop their daughters off at school. Then they'd head to the New Pathways day center in downtown Cambridge. The day center is stocked with information on jobs and housing vacancies.
It was there they'd take showers, signing up for specific time slots. They were also responsible for chores to keep the place clean and picked up.
Tom and Lisa focused on finding a place to live. Again, Tom's felony kept cropping up. Over a three-month period, the Stokers sent out 300 housing applications. Each was denied.
When they felt discouraged, the couple would head into the office of a New Pathways staff person, typically Mary Westlund's. When they walked out, their spirits were always lighter.
"They don't belittle you. They make you feel right at home," said Tom.
"I love that place," added Savannah.
The couple worked on completing the one-week-long Rentwise program. They learned about dealing with management and caretakers, how to maintain a property, and to always read the fine print. Their certificate of completion was included with their rental applications.
Tom also worked to expunge his criminal record, to no avail.
Families may participate in the New Pathways program for three months. As the end of their stay ticked closer, the Stokers began asking themselves if they'd have to divorce so that Lisa and the girls could find housing without the blemish of Tom's record.
The staff at New Pathways began using all their connections to find a place for the Stokers.
Finally, the manager of an apartment complex in Sandstone was swayed by a letter Mary wrote. She offered them a place with reduced rent.
"We were so excited," noted Lisa.
"We shot up there. I was in a huge hurry to get us regrouped, to get our family back together again," noted Tom.
Once there, they realized all they had with them were duffle bags full of clothes. They had no sheets. No beds. No dishes. No towels.
They used the tax refund they had received to pay three months worth of rent and their damage deposit. And then they headed to the Hinckley casino for a hot bath and to plan their next step.
The girls hit the arcade, and Tom and Lisa decided they could finally splurge a little. They each took $100 to try their luck at the slot machines. Unbelievably, it seemed their luck had finally changed.
They left $1,800 richer. It was enough to buy a kitchen table, chairs and a few necessities so they could move into their new home.
BACK HOME, AT LAST
Seven months later, the Stokers are still getting settled. They moved from the first apartment to a ground-floor one which is easier for Tom to access. Some of the bigger furniture items, such as their entertainment center, which they kept, is still in storage because it's been difficult to gather a group to help them move it in.
Savannah and Nicole are still making friends at their fourth school in one year.
Lisa got a job at the Family Dollar store in Sandstone, and although she missed a month of work due to complications from her diabetes, she has recently been promoted to manager. Tom is looking for a job that doesn't require repetitive work because of his spinal injuries.
Lisa and Tom both miss the woodworking shop they had in Wyoming. It's hard to visit their daughter and see their old home just down the street.
What they all miss the most is the community they had in Wyoming, their family and friends. Tom no longer has visitors dropping by their place for a cup of coffee and a chat. They're an hour drive from either Cambridge or Wyoming. There's not a whole lot to do in Sandstone, they noted.
"That's something that hit us when we moved up here. Boy, did we lose a big circle of security," said Tom. "Up here, its just us."
But for now, being together in their own home is enough.

PROGRAMS FOR THE HOMELESS
About New Pathways and the Interfaith Hospitality Network:

• Since its inception in 2000, 301 families have been helped. In 2007, 34 families were assisted by New Pathways, including the Stokers.

• How it works: Families spend their evenings at area churches in one-week increments. Volunteers also spend the night at the churches and provide an evening meal. During the day, participants head to a day center in Cambridge. There they have meals, do laundry, shower, train, and search for jobs and housing.

• There are two sites. The IHN site in Cambridge serves Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Pine Counties. The site in Brainerd serves Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd and Wadena Counties.

• The local churches involved include: Cambridge Lutheran, Elim Baptist, Faith Lutheran, First Baptist, Grace Bible Fellowship, Long Lake Lutheran, New Hope Community, North Isanti Baptist, Oxlip Evangelical Free, Sts. Peter and Paul, Stanchfield Baptist, Trinity Lutheran and Cambridge United Methodist.


FOR MORE INFORMATION
CALL 763-691-0121
BROWSE www.newpathwaysmn.com
EMAIL infonpi@newpathwaysmn.com

TO A POINT: No, the depot task force hasn't been a decision yet

What's the passenger rail depot task force up to these days?
Apparently, there are a few rumors floating around. The most prevalent seems to be that the decision has already been made about where to locate the depot. As a member of the task force, I can assure you that's not the case. We have not determined that the City Center is the best possible location – contrary to what you might be hearing around the tables at Herman's Bakery.
What group members are doing is evaluating the pros and cons of five different sites. These sites are areas with enough space for a building, parking lot and future expansion, as well as land for possible development of shops and apartments. Being organized by the Cambridge City Council, this group is focusing on sites within the city of Cambridge. From the south to north, possible areas include Westrom's Corner, the former Hayford Ford property, the area near First Baptist Church (where the depot was up until the 1980s), the City Center, and the area on the north side of town near the Great River Energy peaking plant.
The task force is using a long list of criteria to evaluate these sites. They're focusing what will be nearby to offer passengers getting off these trains. Amenities at either the First Baptist or City Center sites are easy: Northern Lights Express (NLX) riders will have all of downtown within a few-blocks walk. Task force members also want to make sure that folks can get to other main attractions, such as the medical center, community college and shops on the east side of town. While it's easiest if riders can get there with their own two feet, we also see the Heartland Express city bus being extraordinarily useful. Thus, task force members are keeping in mind that the main hub of the local bus line (which connects Isanti and Chisago counties) is also located downtown at Buchanan and Second Avenue Southeast. Another important item of note is that the original report that came out advocating Cambridge as one of the sites for a passenger rail depot stressed that the depot be located downtown.
The possibility for development near the depot is huge. Riders will want shops; others will want to live nearby so they can avoid driving their cars to work altogether. Thus, any potential depot location needs to be in a spot that can accommodate future growth by willing landowners. By that criteria alone, the large open space on the north side of town looks best – but then you're isolating this one use from what is already here, and you're contributing to urban sprawl. Is that in the best interest of the city in the long run?
Traffic is also on the forefront of every discussion about the potential depot location. Every single person on the depot task force knows how bad congestion is along Highway 95. In fact, a large number of them also served on the Highway 95 Task Force last year; while on that task force they studied possible traffic solutions and then recommended that the city pursue widening Highway 95. The depot task force knows that there were other options the original group threw out because they were too expensive, such as constructing either an overpass or underpass at Highway 95 and the railroad tracks. But if Cambridge could obtain federal funding for such an option as part of the depot project, well, as task force member Susan Morris put it, it could be the ticket to solving a lot of the Highway 95 issues.
Just how people will get to the depot and how they will get out of the depot is critical. A potential depot need to be situated along major roads, and several major roads, not just one. We don't want to see traffic funneled to one artery – or we'll have the same problem we do now along Highway 95. To understand the impact, task force members are using their common sense. In addition, a feasibility study will be done in the future to study the effect of a couple hundred more cars a day in the city.
The task force has a lot of work left to do. There are many unanswered questions at this point, answers that need to come from the broader Passenger Rail Alliance. How fast will trains be coming through town? Will there be a dual track or a siding? Will we get the funding for an underpass? Will there be a Northstar commuter rail line coming in the near future, as well?
These questions won't be answered tomorrow. Nor will the passenger rail depot task force be ready next week with a recommendation. No, it will take months. Once things have been flushed out at a committee level, the broader public will be invited to come and have their say. Until then, feel free to share your opinions with task force members (Susan Morris, George Larson, Bob Voss, Pat Johns, Nicki Klanderud, Jon Ward, Bob Guetschoff, Greg Carlson, Kim Erickson, Mark Anderson, Jackie Forner, Marlys Palmer, Dave Schornstein and Tesha Christensen). Call city hall (763-689-3211) and speak to Dave Carlberg, the city's development director.
This will be a great thing for the area; there's no doubt about that. It will not only benefit Cambridge itself, but cities all around. I know folks in Kanabec County are excited about the opportunity to drive a bit south and then hop aboard. There is so much potential, you can be assured that the depot task force is doing its homework to make this thing work.

Will depot worsen congestion on Highway 95?

George Johnson thinks that a depot at the city center will do just that. He proposed three alternative locations.

CAMBRIDGE – Long-time Cambridge resident and developer George Johnson is "terribly concerned about the direction the depot task force is moving."
He discussed his opinions with the Cambridge Passenger Rail Depot Task Force during its Nov. 12, 2008 meeting.
Johnson noted that he is strongly opposed to placing the proposed depot at the Cambridge City Center. The reason? The impact he thinks it will have on Highway 95 congestion.
Johnson explained that he first became active in solving traffic issues in Cambridge in 1968 when the Transportation Action Model was created. One of the items that came from this was the formation of Opportunity Boulevard several decades later.
He is now the chair of the Cambridge-Isanti Transportation Action Council (CITAC). "Every one of our transportation studies has pointed to east/west traffic on Highway 95 as the primary traffic problem in the city," Johnson observed.
"We have really serious congestion on Highway 95."
As a developer, Johnson pointed out that the main deterrent to businesses coming in is the traffic.
"I believe the most important criteria you guys are going to have to consider in a depot is what is the impact on Highway 95," he stated. "The city center depot location will absolutely cause the largest delays."
He questioned the assumption that the train will cause minimal delays. At the city center location, the trains will begin moving from a stop one block away from the intersection with Highway 95. "It will take much longer to get across 95 than if they were going 60 or 90 miles per hour," stated Johnson.
"The delays will be serious. It will aggravate one of the most serious issues we have in town."
In addition to the time needed for the train to actually cross the road, there will be the time required for the railroad crossing bars to go down and back up.
After placing a call to a Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad signal master, Cambridge property owner Ray Mullen noted that presently trains traveling at 50 to 55 miles per hour trigger crossing bars to lower when they are one-quarter mile away. Trains at 79 miles per hour trigger them at one mile, and those at 110 miles per hour at one and one-half miles.
Additionally, when a train is stopped within an area, as would occur with the passenger rail depot, the guards remain down until the train has passed. Thus, if a depot were located at the city center, the guards at Highway 95 would remain closed from the time the train came close to the time it was on its way again.
"There would be a long delay," stated Mullen.
Cambridge City Development Director Dave Carlberg pointed out that because of possible delays, a one-mile siding has been proposed in the city. A train picking up passengers on the siding would not trigger the crossing guards.
Additionally, Northern Lights Express planners are considering laying dual tracks along the section of line north to Cambridge.
Carlberg pointed out there is much the Cambridge Task Force doesn't yet know, such as the speed of trains as they go through the city and the requirements of the double crossing bars that will replace the existing bars. This information will be procured during a feasibility study which the larger Passenger Rail Alliance is commissioning. It has just received $1.1 million in a federal grant to pay for the work.
"We need a lot more information from the Northern Lights people," said Carlberg.
Task force member and Isanti County Commissioner Susan Morris pointed out, "Trains will cross 95 no matter where the depot is located."
POSSIBLE UNDERPASS
Johnson asked that the city not even consider the city center location unless an underpass is installed at Highway 95.
Even then, he's not sure that he supports the underpass option.
He pointed out it will impact businesses along that road from Emerson west to Main Street. Also, even if the city obtained federal funding, he noted it would not cover the entire cost, and the remainder would fall on local taxpayers.
"Just because we can get federal funding, does that mean we should do it?" he asked.
HIGHWAY 95
Morris noted that last year she served on the Highway 95 Task Force, which looked at the various options of resolving congestion along Highway 95.
In the end, the recommendation the task force made was to widen 95. This option will impact many businesses along that stretch. She noted that the full cost of the project has not been tabulated.
The task force had laid aside both the overpass and underpass options at that time because of the price tag associated with each.
Morris believes the congestion issue needs to be addressed "sooner rather than later." The city may be able to get it done by combining the work with passenger rail.
"This is the ticket to solving a lot of our Highway 95 issues," said Morris.
IS THE DECISION MADE?
Steve Ritchart, who owns land being considered as one option for the depot, asked if the decision about the depot location has already been made. He said that's what he's heard around town.
Ritchart added that from his point of view, it doesn't seem as though there has been much public input on the decision. "I believe the task force hasn't been totally forthcoming," he said.
Task Force Chair Bob Guetschoff replied that the decision has "absolutely not" been made. Rather, the task force has established a list of criteria, and is evaluating five possible sites at this point.
The sites include: the peaking plant area north of town, the Cambridge City Center, First Baptist Church area, the former Ford dealership, and Westrom's Corner.
Task force members are evaluating the sites based on impact on traffic, walkability, space for adequate parking, and potential for future development.
When the evaluation process has been completed, the information will be compiled and presented at a public meeting, as was done with the Highway 95 Task Force. After this, a recommendation will be made to the city council.
This is not a process that will be over in a few weeks, but will take some time.
"We will do our homework," promised Cambridge Mayor Marlys Palmer.
OTHER OPTIONS
Johnson presented task force members with five alternative drawings of how a depot could occupy three sites. One is at 512 South Main, just south of the area the task force has been considering. One option is to locate the depot and parking entirely within the railroad right-of-way. With another, the city could purchase the vacant lot at 512 (which Johnson owns) to offer more parking. The city could also choose to acquire Odmark Electric and the used car dealership along Fourth, vacate the road, realign Fifth Avenue and extend Adams to Fifth. This option would provide more parking and clean up a road that is not well-aligned now, noted Johnson.
This option would place the depot four and one-half blocks from Highway 95 to the south, which may still not be far enough away to eliminate congestion, according to Johnson.
However, it would offer superior walkability to the medical center and industrial park across the tracks which employs 1,000 people.
The second location Johnson proposed was 2440 South Main, the old Ford dealership property. This spot is two miles from Highway 95. The city could acquire only the vacant land, or the former Hayford Ford building, as well, for use as retail or office space. The city could also choose to clean up the area and spread to the land south currently occupied by Watson's and North Country Fabrication.
Another possible location is to bring the depot outside the city of Cambridge and locate it along County Road 19. In CITAC's transportation plan for the region, County Road 19 would become a major thoroughfare with overpasses at Highway 65 and the railroad, and a bridge along the Rum River. This location would pull traffic off Highway 95 altogether.
Morris questioned how many parking spaces were provided in the options presented by Johnson. He did not have the figures, but stated he could return with them.
At its next meeting, set for Jan. 13, 2009 at 3 p.m., the task force will continue evaluating sites.
Citizens who would like to give input are encouraged to contact Carlberg at 763-689-3211 or email dcarlberg@ci.cambridge.mn.us.

CRITERIA
*The task force is evaluating each possible site location using the following list of criteria.

• Downtown location
• Automobile access
• Public transit access
• Walkability
• Bicycle traffic
• Walking distance to major trip generators (Cambridge Medical Center, government center, shopping areas, college)
• Auto drop-off
• Long-term parking
• Short-term parking
• Traffic concerns
• Trains crossing Highway 95
• Acquisition costs
• Future expansion space
• Joint depot (commuter and passenger)
• Land restrictions
• Utilities
• Economic development opportunity
• Building proximity to railroad
• Expansion opportunities

Man dies in hunting accident

Another accidentally shot in the knee.

A 67-year-old Isanti man died on Friday, Nov. 13, 2008 following a hunting accident at his home.
According to Isanti County Chief Deputy Russ Monson, Glen Roeder had gone out to his deer stand and while climbing his foot slipped and lodged between the ladder and the tree. He fell backwards and was unable to free himself.
Shortly after 4 p.m., his son, Mark Roeder, heard four shots fired. He went out to look for his father, and found him deceased between 5:30 and 6 p.m.
Roeder was an avid hunter and fisherman, and he loved the outdoors, according to his family.
The funeral service was held Nov. 17, 2008 at Strike Funeral Home – Isanti Chapel. See obituary on page 9.
ACCIDENTAL SHOOTING
An 18-year-old man was accidentally shot by his grandfather on Saturday morning, Nov. 15 in the southwest part of Isanti County.
According to Monson, when Harold Krause, 78, shot off his 12-gauge the shot ricocheted and struck his grandson, Deon Guinn, in the back of the knee.
No further information is available at this time.

Attorney stops escaping inmate

Former peace officer chases down a man making a run for it after a court appearance in Isanti County.

When he heard commotion in the hallway at the government center on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008, Assistant Isanti County Attorney David Kraemer didn't hesitate.
He dropped the files he was carrying back to his office and dashed towards the noise.
As he rounded the corner near the court administration window, Kraemer saw inmate Cary Barry Kessel of Cambridge running towards the stairs. He was still handcuffed.
Kraemer, trailed by the court baliff, followed him down the stairs. The balliff tasered Kessel for the second time, but he didn't halt.
In the lobby, Kraemer, a former peace officer, caught up with Kessel and stopped him.
It's been 10 years since Kraemer worked as a conservation officer, but his training came back to him.
It's not the first time, Kraemer has stopped an uncooperative suspect. While working in International Falls, he wrestled with a drunk snowmobiler. And as a prosecutor in Douglas County he assisted with escapees if he was around.
"If I'm available I'm going to chase them," said Kraemer. "I'm not going to let them run by.
"The courtroom personnel have difficult jobs to do. If I can help them, I'm going to."
Kraemer added, "You don't know when someone is out of control what they're going to do. The person is not rational. He's got a history of violence. You don't let somebody like that just run out."
Kraemer had noticed during Kessel's bail hearing shortly after 11 a.m. that he seemed agitated and knew he had been a difficult inmate since being locked up on Nov. 8. Kessel had been arrested the week before for second degree test refusal and driving while under the influence of alcohol. The charges were exacerbated by a probation violation for a DUI in 2007. While in custody, the charges related to an incident where he allegedly inappropriately touched a Pizza Hut delivery driver on Oct. 28 were also filed.
On Nov. 12, after the Honorable P. Hunter Anderson informed Kessel that he was to be held without bail, Kessel, who was handcuffed, kicked off his shoes and ran for the courtroom door, according to Isanti County Attorney Jeff Edblad, who had also just left the room. After court officer David Bowman's taser was unable to stop him, Kessel ran out of the courtroom and into the hallway of the second floor of the Isanti County Government Center.
That's where he encountered Kraemer.
After being returned to jail, Kessel kicked out and broke a window in the holding cell.
Kessel is expected to be charged with felony attempted escape from custody and criminal damage to property from the Nov. 12 incident.
As for Kraemer, he's glad no one else was hurt.

No change in commissioner race following recount

ISANTI COUNTY – Over 4,000 ballots were recounted on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008, but the results remained the same.
Isanti County Commissioner Larry Southerland held onto his seat by eight votes.
Challenger Terry Turnquist had requested the recount.
During the recount at the Isanti County Government Center, both candidates were present. The recount began at 1:30 p.m. and lasted until 5 p.m.
Each ballot was examined by hand, and if anyone disagreed with the results it was re-examined, according to Isanti County Auditor Terry Treichel. "There was no issue with the way people marked their ballots," he said.
In the recount, the legality of each vote is not questioned. "Basically, what we're doing is determining the count of votes," explained Turnquist.
The county canvassing board will meet to certify the results on Friday morning.
At that point, Turnquist has seven days to contest the results in the court system if he feels there is any irregularity.
Treichel was pleased that the results remained the same. "The machines proved accurate again," he noted.
The one issue that arose during the recount was that half the precinct judges did not initial the absentee ballots they opened up before running them through the machines. This occurred in Wyanett, Springvale and Maple Ridge Townships.
Treichel pointed out that this recount was a preliminary of the recount that will occur next Thursday and Friday when the results for Minnesota Senator are scrutinized.

Southerland wins by eight votes

Two incumbents ousted in Chisago County

Eight voters made the difference in the race for Isanti County Commissioner in District 2.
Larry Southerland was re-elected by those eight votes.
The people watching the results come in at the Isanti County Government Center on Tuesday night, Nov. 4, 2008 figured that challenger Terry Turnquist was going to capture the seat as he was in the lead with one township yet to count. But when the results from Wyanett Township were entered, Southerland had won by eight votes.
There will be a recount in the race.
Meanwhile, in southern Isanti County, District 4 Commissioner Kurt Daudt held onto his seat and will serve a second term. He earned 65% of the vote compared to Jaysen Guthmueller's 35%.
A new face will occupy the District 3 seat following the retirement of long-time commissioner Tom Pagel. Allan Duff, current Isanti City Council member, garnered 54% of the vote to beat Gail Genin. This will leave a vacancy on the Isanti City Council.
CHISAGO COUNTY
In Chisago County, two incumbents were ousted from the county board, and one held onto his seat.
Longtime District 3 commissioner Bob Gustafson will be replaced by George McMahon, who received 54% of the vote.
In District 1, Lora Walker takes back the seat Lynn Schultz won from her four years ago. It was a close race, however. Walker garnered 52% of the vote while Schultz earned 47%.
Mike Robinson in District 4 was the sole incumbent commissioner to survive the election. He beat out challenger Bob Carter, earning 64% of the vote.