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Supervisors meet the candidatesBy MaryHelen Swanson The Chisago County Association of Townships met for the monthly meeting last week at the senior center in Uptown Maple Commons opening with a moment of silence for long-time Sunrise Township supervisor Royal Wilcox. After a serious discussion about whether or not the township association could serve doughnuts to the public, and following a brief business meeting, the township supervisors heard a word or two from many local candidates for various offices. Given two minutes to speak, the candidates talked quickly, introducing themselves and pointing to specific areas they intend to attack should they be elected. On hand for the evening was Senator Twyla Ring, running in her fourth election in three years in District 17. She noted that the state has come full circle from her first days in office, from state budget surplus to near state shut-down to $2 billion deficit. The budget will be a big issue in the next session, she said. Sean Nienow, also running for Dist. 17 senator, agreed that the budget issue was serious. He noted that his real life experiences made him aware that belt-tightening is going to be needed. Monica Abress, one of four candidates for representative in 17B, said she was excited about going to the House to make changes, especially as they would affect the area she called ìrurban,î rural yet moving toward urban, which she figures suits Chisago County. P.J. Richards, seeking to be representative from 17B, said there were three issues to be addressed at the state level, ìbudget, budget, budget.î He said he wants to be a legislator to make some changes. Lindstromís mayor Pete Nelson, with a goal to represent the county at the House Dist. 17B, talked about how the city of Lindstrom held the line on taxes because they discriminated between wants and needs. Thatís how he would attack the state budget. The fourth candidate for 17B, George McMahon, said the budget should be the emphasis of all of us. He said heíd fight so teachers would not have to be laid off. Running for commissioner for Chisago County Dist. 1, Brian Greene said he thinks he can do good for the county, not that theyíve done bad, he added. But he said new people might be good. Richard Greene, running for commissioner for Dist. 2, said the countyís challenges include new commercial and industrial businesses and transportation. He supports the new long-term care facility, but at the current site (Green Acres ). Incumbent Tom Delaney, making another bid for commissioner for Dist. 1, gave a run-down of the many areas of involvement in the past years as commissioner, noting that he helped keep taxes down. Another incumbent, Bob Vande Kamp, seeking another term as commissioner from Dist. 2, talked briefly about the countyís road improvement plan. He said he supports strong economic development. Harris resident, Rick Olseen, running for commissioner for Dist. 2, said it was the growth in the community that ìsparkedî him to run. He said the countyís comprehensive plan needs to be updated to better manage growth. Running for commissioner of Dist. 1, Lora Walker said the county needs better balance in community development. She also said the county needs to start to demonstrate financial responsibility. Running unopposed, Ben Montzka, Dist. 4, introduced himself and then relinquished his time slot to others. Two of the five candidates for county attorney were on hand for introductions. Katherine Johnson, originally from Rush City, said she finds this an opportunity to give back to he community. Regarding growth, she believes the county board needs sound legal advice in planning for growth in the county. Stoney Hiljus, currently with the Chisago County attorneyís office, said he brings experience as a prosecutor, with contracts and as a public servant. He said Chisago County Attorney Ted Alliegro asked him to run when he, Alliegro, decided not to. Whatever the results of the election, there will be a new sheriff next year as Randy Schwegman has decided not to run again. Seeking that office is Rick Duncan who told the supervisors that with the changes in the county comes an increase in crime, violent crime including drugs. He said drugs and alcohol use are big issues in area schools. Todd Rivard, current Chief Deputy in the county, wants to be sheriff, too. He noted that an overcrowded jail creates a number of issues to be addressed.He also agreed drugs are a big problem as well as working with fiscal restraints. Finally, Dale Bergfalk, a resident from the northern part of the county, is running for Soil and Water board. He would like to work on ways to make everyone happy as the county grows, from homeowners to developers and still keep the countyís soil and water free of pollution. Education, he said, is important. The supervisors were allowed to ask questions at this point, many centering on development and roads, and growth. There was almost unanimous agreement that a gas tax at the state level was necessary. With that note, the meeting adjourned to the eating of the doughnuts. ©ECM Post Review |