Request for Funds

The City of Isanti has received 4 request so far for funds these are the Isanti Area Chamber of Commerce, Friends of the Library, Rum River BMX and the Isanti Community Involvement Team. There will be many more as well.

As part of conserving our City cash on hand until we know just how much LGA will get cut, the Finance Committee has recommended eliminating City donations to all groups. We are expecting to learn more after the February estimates come in and the Governor and Legislature starts putting firm numbers together. The final numbers may not be sent to the City until early summer however and the City needs to preserve cash on hand. We will earn more than $70,000 in interest alone for 2009 from our cash investments and our cost to borrow is already saving our taxpayers with our new A+ bond rating. If we burn through a large sum of our cash not only do we lose the one time funds but we also lose out on the interest revenue income it generates necessitating more cuts.

The City budget financial report and Truth - Taxation hearing materials are available on the City website:

http://cityofisanti.us/govern_city_departments_finance.php

Be Safe Tonight

I wanted to pass along the Safe Cab information and hope everyone has a fun and safe New Year.

Cambridge Cab Company

http://www.cambridgecab.net/

We are also the official provider of the Isanti County Safe Cab program to reduce deaths, injuries and DUI arrests. Since 2005 we have provided free rides to over 1,500 passengers and lowered the DUI rate over 60% from the establishments that use the Safe Cab program the most! Ask your server if they participate in the Safe Cab program!

Story links

http://isanticountynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4134&Itemid=1
http://wcco.com/local/dwi.sober.cab.2.897447.html

Ever Cat Update

Here is a link to the Ever Cat Bio-Diesel Plant Update.

http://isanticountynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5113&Itemid=59

By the Numbers

I wanted to add another note to the previous posting:

The first 9 items will bring in $165,817 and the next 2 items equal $156,000 totaling $321,812 or 63% of the promised LGA for 2009. If they cut more than 63% of the promised LGA than step 12 gets looked at.

24% of 2008 LGA was cut just a few days ago - totaling $112,000 that the City is absorbing by using general fund reserves that can not be used in 2009. The total amount the City is absorbing in the first 11 adjustments and the 2008 LGA cut is $433,817. Our total budget for 2009 is $3,407,000. We are losing an equivalent to 13% of our budget before we look at step 12.

Everyone will have things they do not like in the situation we have been placed in by the state's failure.

2009 Budget expenditures by percentage:

Public Safety - 32%
General Government - 26%
Public Works - 17%
Debt payments - 13% down from over 18%
Park and Recreation - 6%
Capital Outlay - 3%
Transfers/Misc - 3%

We have been working the last few years to drive down our City debt to improve Isanti fiscal health. We will continue to drive down City debt to alleviate this burden from our City Taxpayers.

3 more quick points... There would be no need for any of this if either the State lived up to its promises or if the delinquent taxpayers - especially developers- paid their taxes.

The City is still attracting new business to town and the growth of our tax and job base over the long run makes our dependence on the state or any handle full of taxpayers less important. This has been a trend over the last few years and will continue into the future.

The last point is we are planning for at least a 50% cut in LGA/Homestead Credit reimbursement. If it is less than that then we will be able to back fill in funds that were cut.

2008 and 2009 LGA Solution

I have made several proposals to the Finance Committee that were adopted and will be recommended to the City Council on January 6th. The immediate $112,000 Local Government Aid cut from the State for our 2008 budget will be fixed by using unspent 2008 budget dollars. This means even though we already made cuts in 2008 spending further cuts in spending will be used to gap the difference.

2009 anticipated cuts from the state to our $514,000 promised LGA have also been dealt with. We have a list of 16 actions we can take to cover part or all of the LGA cuts we will be facing due to the historic state deficit. The first 9 need to be adopted immediately. Some may ask why not wait to make cuts until we find out how much the state is going to cut our payment. The answer is it will be to late - the money will have already been spent.

The days when Isanti or any city can count on the State to keep its financial house in order are over. The State legislature and Governor have failed the cities and counties twice in 5 short years. We must do what every small an medium sized business must do, live within our means. We can not rely on state and federal help. When and if we get our LGA payments great, we can rebuild reserves and capital equipment funds but relying on LGA for daily operations must become a thing of the past.

Isanti is in a good position to weather this storm because of the Long Term Financial Planning I had pushed for after I was first elected Mayor in 2006. There will be pain felt by every City department from previous spending cuts and future actions. Many of our states cities and counties have little to no reserves and rely on state aid for as much as 80% of their entire budget. Isanti receives roughly 17% of our budget in state aid.

I will detail the 16 item list that the Finance Committee will be asking the Council to adopt. Remember the first 9 need to go into effect immediately.

1. No new non-budgeted spending
2. Eliminate charitable giving by the Council ($10,000)
3. Cut City Council travel and training budget by 50% ($2,500)
4. Cut EDA travel and training budget by 50% ($1,500)
5. Hiring freeze on replacement positions ($30,000)
6. Eliminate Warming House staff for outdoor ice rink ($3,000)
7. Cut EDA Marketing budget for Granite city Welcome signs ($5,000)
8. Transfer a further $100,000 from liquor store funds - good thing we did not build a new liquor store or this money would not be available
9. Eliminate transfer in Revolving Loan Fund ($14,000)
10. Eliminate 2009 transfer into Capital Replacement Fund ($106,000)
11. Rewrite City loan from City sewer fund that paid for the cost over run on City Hall ($50,000)
12. Eliminate position from Police Department and/or Public Works - if labor/health care cost can not be lowered - if State does not fulfill its commitments
13. Lower General Fund Balance ($300,000) one-time funds
14. Transfer from Capital Replacement Funds ($572,000) one-time funds
15. Transfer from Revolving Loan Funds ($130,000) one-time funds
16. Inter-city fund loans (Sewer and Water Funds) ($500,000) one-time funds

The figures for items 13-16 are estimates at this time and will fluctuate. These items also are only onetime cash infusions and can only be done once and the money is gone. These are not anticipated to be needed but if the hard economic times go into 2011 we will need to use them.
The elimination of positions is a structural change and its impact takes months to hit the bottom line. The employees have a 60 notification and the City would be paying unemployment as well on those positions.
We will not know until late spring or early summer what to expect from the state but we will have all our plans in place for different funding levels. This is also happening when the City is receiving fewer property tax dollars from non-payment due to foreclosures and failed developers.
We are facing historic tough times but we are prepared and will come through this together. The fund reserves for the City especially in capital replacement and others are at historic highs through our excellent planning. We will also be tasking committees to go through each respective department for structural savings. If other savings can be achieved or the state lives up to its promises the items on the list past number 9 may never need to be taken.
One quick note on a repeated question to me - The Mayor and Council have had no raise in pay since I have been on the Council and as Mayor I am paid just under $4,000 a year and Council Members make less than that.

Local Government Aid

We were just informed that the LGA cut to Isanti is $112,000. This was for our 2008 budget - money already spent. The Finance Committee will be meeting on Monday to finalize our plan to amend this years budget.

We are also working under the expectation that the $514,000 promised by the state for 2009 will be deeply slashed. Spending cuts will be offered to amend the 2009 budget. I put together a list of cuts and other tools to balance the 2009 budget. I will be detailing this out in the days to come.

Ever Cat Fuels Job Alert

Today's tour participants

We conducted a mid process tour of the Ever Cat Biodiesel Plant today. The plant will be in production in about 3 months. There will be an initial hiring of 20 employees. These are good paying jobs and most only require a high school diploma, technical aptitude and a willingness to be trained. They said that they need operators, a buy, a seller and a maintenance person. Ever Cat wanted us to make sure the word is out that they are looking for applicants. Here is the contact information.

Glen Heffron
Plant Manager
Ever Cat Fuels, LLC
100 Isanti Parkway NE
Isanti, MN 55040
glenheffron@evercatfuels.com

Unemployment in Minnesota

The State's unemployment rate shot up again:

http://www.startribune.com/business/36380739.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUac8HEaDiaMDCinchO7DU

Friday We Know

We will find out Friday how deep the cuts will be to our Local Government Aid.

http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/36340964.html?elr=KArksLckD8EQDUoaEyqyP4O:DW3ckUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUl

2009 Budge/Levy and Council Update

The City Council approved the City budget and levy tonight. The 2009 levy is 53.937%, down 5.9 points from 59.886% this year. That is a 10% decrease in City property taxes in one year. In 2003 Isanti's levy was at 77.75%. We have reduced the rate by nearly 24 points or 31%in just a few years. Another way to look at it is if we had not gotten control of City spending and succeeded in Fiscal discipline and spending your City property taxes would be a third higher than they are today.

When I ran for Mayor in 2006 I had promised to lower our levy rate to 55% in three years - we exceeded that goal in just two years. We are again the only community in the region to have achieved this feat.

I updated the Council tonight about all the work we are doing in the Finance Committee to plan for the expected LGA cuts and the issues arising from non-payment of property taxes and assessments. We will be presenting the plan to the Council in the next few months after all the information is in and we have the States decision on LGA cuts. These are not problems to be feared but challenges to be conquered.

We have placed Isanti in as good a position as can be had in these difficult times. Our liquor store fund has a healthy cash balance that will help our 2009 budget. The 3-2 split decision to not build a new liquor store has been proven right. I was against building the new store for many reasons including the fact it would have wiped out the cash balance in the fund and cost the City over a $100,000 in revenue each year for roughly 10 years as the debt for the store would be paid down.

The City has built up a nearly $600,000 capital replacement budget in the last few years as well. Isanti had not reserved funds in this way in the past - another component of our Long Term Financial Plan. This along with a healthy general fund balance will allow us to weather the difficult economic conditions we face. We continue to look for greater efficiencies in City operations to ensure the greatest value for our Taxpayers. Case in point tonight is that we paid off an existing bonded debt early because we would save $37,000 doing so and we had the cash available.

We have had to make tough decisions and we will continue to do so. I know I sound like a broken record but fiscal discipline is key to our success and we must continue to follow our plan. The City can not take on new large amounts of debt or new structural cost. The Council will also have to trim cost in several areas but again this will be in the plan we will present to the Council.

The Council voted to pave 3rd Avenue along the Soccer Fields in 2009. The City pulled a letter of credit from the bank of a failed developer to pay roughly half of this project cost. If we did not move forward with this project these funds would have had to be refunded back - use it or lose it. There are several details to still be worked out but by mid summer this road should be paved.

The Council approved applying for $552k in Neighborhood Stabilization Funds that are used to buy foreclosed properties. We have been working on this project for a few weeks and much of the background information was developed as a part of our foreclosure program in Isanti. Central Minnesota Housing Partnership will be assisting the City in writing and administrating the grant. Many of the details are not decided yet but we will be recommending that the funds be used for down payment assistance. I have talked with local banks and Realtors and all agree this is the best use of these funds.

Tonights Agenda

Go to - http://www.cityofisanti.us/Irene/12-16-18-CC%20agn.pdf to read the Council agenda for tonight.

I will be writing extensively about tonight's meeting after we adjourn. We will be having the final vote on the 2009 budget and all its implications along with the state's looking at cutting current LGA.

Winter 2008 Isantian

http://www.cityofisanti.us/Trudi/Isantian%20final%20winter%202008.pdf

For A Few Dollars More - Sorry Sergio Leone

Had to use the title


We will be asking the Council to approve paying off one of our bonds early. We have the funds in this account to pay it off early and this will save us $37,000 in interest expense. We are organizing our City accounts to maximize our investment returns and ensuring a transparency and clarity of information.

Last year we had for the first time put out a Request for Proposal for our City deposits. This yielded excellent returns. This is all part of an on going process to make sure we are managing the Taxpayers money in as efficient a way as possible. The more money we save and or earn interest on the smaller the burden on our Taxpayers.

In the last two weeks we have saved $27,000 on interest expense from our recent bond rating improvement to A+ and if the Council approves our early debt retirement another $37,000. Every dollar counts in the best of times but as we face significant challenges including the State taking back what has already been promised it is all the more important. Fiscal discipline and planning are great things.

A Quick Update

My post have slowed the last two weeks due to a great deal of work we have been doing at the City. We are preparing for the very real possibility that part or all of our remaining Local Government Aid (LGA) dollars that we were promised for 2008 will be withheld by the State so they can balance their budget. LGA makes up about 16% of our budget. I also expect that the dollars promised for the 2009 budget will be slashed.

I have said previously we are fiscally sound and are well placed for such an occurrence. This does not mean that we will not have to make tough choices.

We are working on two separate Federal Stimulus programs that are progressing through the system. One is an initial infrastructure program and the other is an assistance program to help sell foreclosed homes. Both are moving at warp speed and we have been spending a great deal of time and energy to get these federal dollars spent locally. I am certain there will be many more such programs developed at the federal and state level.

Some will disagree with the use of federal dollars as stimulus and I have great sympathy for the position but I must be the chief advocate for the City of Isanti. I will update you as we progress on each of these.

Council Update 12-3-08

A couple quick notes about tonight's Council meeting. I informed the Council that we have been successful in improving our City's credit rating. We have gone from a Baa to an A+ rating. This is a momentous achievement for Isanti. One of the reasons for this stated by Standard & Poor's is our "very strong financial operations, as evidenced by a high general fund balance reserve and positive operating results." It was also explained tonight that our low tax rate, strong fiscal discipline and excellent economic development all played a major role in our improved credit rating.

One more independent indication that we have been doing the right thing the last two years. I have worked so hard to improve the financial conditions of this City and tonight the Council, Citizens and Taxpayers were able to see some of the fruits of our labor. This was important as we sold the bonds to pay for the recent street improvement project today. We saved $27,000 just in interest expense from this one project.

I also informed the Council that the Finance Committee will be meeting to develop a plan of action in case the state cuts part or all of our $514,121 in LGA or tax revenues fall due to unpaid property taxes. The State cut funds several years ago to balance the their budget. I have discussed the upcoming state deficit and what it could mean for Isanti Taxpayers if it balances its budget on the backs of local government. We are in a good position to weather this financial storm due to our strong fiscal discipline in cutting cost and building healthy reserves.

Isanti County Christmas Project

The Isanti County Christmas Project helps shed happiness upon what is often a difficult time for struggling families. They are all volunteers and all the money raised is spent on families in Isanti County.

Make checks payable to the Isanti County Christmas Project and mail them to Isanti Lions Club, c/o Tom Pagel, 28339 Bayshore Drive NW, Isanti, MN, 55040. To help or ask questions about the project, call Tom at 763-444-6560.

My Isantian Article

We have a few new items to discuss. I would like to congratulate Mr. Kolb and Mr. Kennedy on their election to 4 year terms on the City Council. I would also like to congratulate Mr. Duff on his election to the County Board representing Bradford Township and the City of Isanti. This leaves an opening on the City Council for 2009-2010; the Council will determine the best way to fill this vacancy at the first meeting in January. Go to www.cityofisanti.us for the complete election results of Mayor and Council.

The Council will hold a Goal Setting session at the end of January. I have high hopes for this meeting as it sets the Agenda for the next 2 years. The Goals we set in 2007; Long Term Financial Plan, 3 centering on economic growth and our Water Treatment Plant have all been great successes. We have been able to cut taxes and City spending in the last 2 budget cycles and will continue to work towards fulfilling our Long Term Financial Plan. We have grown existing businesses and attracted new ones to our City accomplishing our 3 economic growth goals which diversifies our tax base and should continue to allow us to ease our tax burden. Our Water Treatment Plant is being constructed and will be in operation by the summer of 2009, providing clean and safe drinking water for generations to come.

I will be presenting my agenda at the Goal setting session but more importantly I want to hear from you. I want the input of our Citizens and Taxpayers. If you have ideas for specific projects or overall goals of the City please contact me at George@GeorgeWimmer.com, write to P.O. Box 25 Isanti, MN 55040 or call me directly at 763-444-7158. I want your voice heard as we continue to move Isanti into a brighter future.

We face significant challenges in these tough economic times but we have developed processes to manage the home foreclosure issue and non-payment of taxes and assessments. Our process of handling the effects of home foreclosure is being hailed as a model for the region. From a high of 116 occupied foreclosed homes at the end of August we now have 74 in November – a 36% decrease. Our financial planning the last 2 years has allowed us to cut spending and taxes while developing healthy fund balances. This is important in tough economic times as we face the non-payment of taxes and assessments. We continue to work diligently to help existing businesses grow and recruiting new companies to Isanti. The methods we developed over the last two years to attract businesses brought us the recognition of the Economic Development Association of Minnesota when Isanti was awarded the prestigious Business Recruitment Award in June. The City of Isanti is well placed to handle the tough economic times we face.

I will be delivering the State of the City address at the February 18th Isanti Area Chamber of Commerce Luncheon and March 7th I will be jumping at the Arctic Plunge on Long Lake. The Plunge Committee raised over $20,000 last year for Isanti Search and Rescue. One last item, don’t forget you can listen to the audio of past Council meetings by going to the City website and clicking the link.

One Last Note on the Campaign

I wanted to add one last thing from our recently concluded campaign. I was proud to have bought all my campaign materials from Isanti businesses. I hope all local candidates in the future will do the same.

Printed materials and buttons from Embroidery & Ink

Signs from Reller Signs

T-shirts from Prints Charming

It was important to keep our money local especially for those that wish to lead our community.

Thanksgiving Thoughts

The First Thanksgiving Day Proclamation

The Holy God having by a long and Continual Series of his Afflictive dispensations in and by the present War with the Heathen Natives of this land, written and brought to pass bitter things against his own Covenant people in this wilderness, yet so that we evidently discern that in the midst of his judgements he hath remembered mercy, having remembered his Footstool in the day of his sore displeasure against us for our sins, with many singular Intimations of his Fatherly Compassion, and regard; reserving many of our Towns from Desolation Threatened, and attempted by the Enemy, and giving us especially of late with many of our Confederates many signal Advantages against them, without such Disadvantage to ourselves as formerly we have been sensible of, if it be the Lord's mercy that we are not consumed.

It certainly bespeaks our positive Thankfulness, when our Enemies are in any measure disappointed or destroyed; and fearing the Lord should take notice under so many Intimations of his returning mercy, we should be found an Insensible people, as not standing before Him with Thanksgiving, as well as lading him with our Complaints in the time of pressing Afflictions:

The Council has thought meet to appoint and set apart the 29th day of this instant June, as a day of Solemn Thanksgiving and praise to God for such his Goodness and Favour, many Particulars of which mercy might be Instanced, but we doubt not those who are sensible of God's Afflictions, have been as diligent to espy him returning to us; and that the Lord may behold us as a People offering Praise and thereby glorifying Him; the Council doth commend it to the Respective Ministers, Elders and people of this Jurisdiction; Solemnly and seriously to keep the same Beseeching that being persuaded by the mercies of God we may all, even this whole people offer up our bodies and souls as a living and acceptable Service unto God by Jesus Christ.
-Date: June 20, 1676-By: Governing council of Charlestown, Massachusetts*

President Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things.They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.

And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord.
- Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation October 3, 1863

Once, when my feet were bare, and I had not the means of obtaining shoes I came to the chief of Kufah in a state of much dejection, and saw there a man who had no feet. I returned thanks to God and acknowledged his mercies, and endured my want of shoes with patience
- Sadi, The Gulistan

Do not get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, For we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.
- Galatians 6:9

For flowers that bloom about our feet;For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;For song of bird, and hum of bee;For all things fair we hear or see,Father in heaven, we thank Thee!
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Some people complain because God put thorns on roses, while others praise Him for putting roses among thorns."
-Anonymous

Since the Pilgrims observed the initial Thanksgiving holiday in 1621, this occasion has served as a singular expression of the transcending spiritual values that played an instrumental part in the founding of our country.
One hundred and twenty years ago, in the midst of a great and terrible civil conflict, President Lincoln formally proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving to remind those "insensible to the ever watchful providence of almighty God" of this Nation's bounty and greatness.
Several days after the dedication of the Gettysburg battlefield, the United States celebrated its first national Thanksgiving.Every year since then, our Nation has faithfully continued this tradition. The time has come once again to proclaim a day of thanksgiving, an occasion for Americans to express gratitude to their God and their country.In his remarks at Gettysburg, President Lincoln referred to ours as a Nation "under God."
We rejoice in the fact that, while we have maintained separate institutions of church and state over our 200 years of freedom, we have at the same time preserved reverence for spiritual beliefs. Although we are a pluralistic society, the giving of thanks can be a true bond of unity among our people. We can unite in gratitude for our individual freedoms and individual faiths. We can be united in gratitude for our Nation's peace and prosperity when so many in this world have neither.
As was written in the first Thanksgiving Proclamation 120 years ago, "No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God." God has blessed America and her people, and it is appropriate we recognize this bounty.
Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, in the spirit of the Pilgrims, President Lincoln, and all succeeding Presidents, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 24, 1983, as a National Day of Thanksgiving, and I call upon Americans to affirm this day of thanks by their prayers and their gratitude for the many blessings upon this land and its people.

-Thanksgiving Day Proclamation 1983-By: Ronald Reagan

State Legislature Deficit Prediction

Just in time for some holiday cheer the State Legislature has sent out their budget deficit. The 4 Billion dollar - $4,000,000,000 - deficit that is projected is going to hurt local units of government. It was less than a decade ago when the state was faced with a large deficit and the legislature decided to drastically cut Local Government Aid and balance the state budget on the backs of Counties and Cities but cutting off money and shifting state responsibilities to local units of government.

We have been dealing a number of critical issues including non-payment of taxes and assessments in the Finance Committee. We will be adding this topic. I will be proposing several further spending cuts if our LGA is cut for the existing 2009 budget. This was done the last time and hopefully it will not happen but we must be prepared.

The positive is that with our fiscal discipline the last 2 years we are well placed to weather this financial tsunami. Hard decisions will have to be made but we will come through this together.

The Arctic Plunge in Coming March 7th 2009

This is more a posting for perspective Sponsors of the Arctic Plunge. The Plunge raised more than $20,000 for Isanti Search and Rescue from the 2008 event. I have jumped and sponsored the Plunge for the last 3 years and will be doing so again March 7th 2009. Take a look and if you are willing and able give Carrie a call 612-282-6246 - http://www.arcticplunge.com/. Here is the sponsorship information:

2009 ARCTIC PLUNGE SPONSORSHIP LEVELS

Platinum Level Sponsorship - $1200.00

• Advertising in all print ads and Platinum level on all apparel with logo on sleeve and back
• 2 Sweatshirts Sizes________________________
• VIP Tent (20’ x 20’ approx.) with an 8’ table and 15 chairs and garbage container. Platinum level sponsors are allowed to serve food & beverages in their tent.
• Recognition plaque
• Signage on all 3 sides of Master of Ceremony tower and bleachers
• Logo banner in front of VIP tent

Gold Level Sponsorship - $800.00

• Advertising in all print ads and Gold level on all apparel
• 1 Sweatshirt Size______________
• VIP Tent (20’ x 20’ approx.) with an 8’ table and 15 chairs and garbage container. Gold level sponsors are allowed to serve food & beverages in their tent.
• Sponsorship signage in front of VIP tent
• Recognition plaque

Silver Level Sponsorship - $400.00

• Advertising in all print ads and Silver level on all apparel
• Sponsorship signage around plunge area (2’ x 4’ approx)

Bronze Level Sponsorship - $200.00

• Advertising on all apparel at the bronze level
• Recognition on signage the day of the event. (two common signs will include all Bronze level sponsors one will be placed near Captain’s and the other on the lake during the events)

November 19th Council Meeting

The main issues we faced were rezoning request for a parcel of commercially zoned land wanting to be reverted to industrial and medium density properties wanting to be rezoned to high density to allow for apartment development.

The commercial property abuts the Central Business District along Main Street. The property was formerly industrial and the owner wants to revert it back to industrial. The property was changed to a commercial zoning to better fit into the long term economic development of the City as a whole. It makes little sense to spend so much time and money bringing commercial businesses to downtown and working towards a commuter train stop if we are going to have heavy industrial uses in the same area. The existing business is grandfathered in and may continue to operate forever if they choose to do so. This was all part of the 2 year Comprehensive Planning process and the dozens of public meetings we held.

I was disappointed that the landowner denigrated the work that many have put into redeveloping the downtown. He basically said downtown was dead - I corrected him and hope he will spend a bit more time downtown and see the great growth.

CM Kolb tried for a compromise to rezone from commercial to a light industrial to satisfy the long term development of the City and to ease the concerns of the landowner. The Council directed the issue not be sent back to the Planning Commission but a solution be found by the Development Advisory Committee - CM Kolb and I sit on this committee.

The other item that was discussed related to changing an r3 medium density to r4 high density area along Whiskey just west of the intersection of Whiskey and North Brookview. This area has been r3 for decades and the recent comprehensive plan carried that zoning through. The property owner stated he wanted the higher density to allow for apartment development. I was concerned that high density would be placed next to single family homes. My position was that an r4 development could be designed and presented to the City and at that time the rezoning could be discussed if proper buffering were included in the plan. If the change to r4 were made without knowing the plan the City and that specific neighborhood could be stuck with a bad development and no leverage to change it.

A quick note on an issue being pushed through cities as part of the Towards Zero Deaths program. The issue is the elimination of home delivery of alcohol. This is being presented as a way to prevent minors and irresponsible people from being sold alcohol. We had 3 main concerns with this process. 1 - there is no way to enforce it, 2 - there are already existing state statutes that address this very issue and 3 - the hypocrisy of cities allowing an exemption for their own municipal liquor stores. So it is bad for a business to sell this way but a City can profit from it all day long.

Isanti County Christmas Project

We are entering into a time of thanks and celebration. Thanksgiving to Christmas can be the most wonderful time of the year but for many of our friends and neighbors it can be a frightening time.

The Isanti County Christmas Project helps shed happiness upon what is often a difficult time for struggling families. They are all volunteers and all the money raised is spent on families in Isanti County.

Make checks payable to the Isanti County Christmas Project and mail them to Isanti Lions Club, c/o Tom Pagel, 28339 Bayshore Drive NW, Isanti, MN, 55040. To help or ask questions about the project, call Tom at 763-444-6560.

I will be posting more information in the next several weeks.

Winter Poster Contest

The Isanti Downtown Committee is conducting a Youth Winter Poster Contest. All youth ages 3 to 18 are invited to submit a work of art. The theme for the contest is “Winter in Isanti”. Submittals will be divided into four (4) age categories. Prizes will be given to the top three (3) works of art in each age category. The rules for the contest are as follows:

· Any kind of medium and materials can be used. The artwork can be a maximum of 11” x 17”.
· The artwork should reflect the chose theme, “Winter in Isanti”.
· The youth’s name, address, phone number, and age must be provided on the back side of the artwork.

Submission Deadline: 11.21.2008

Artwork will be put on display for the public to view in a Youth Art Gallery, which will be located at 105 Main Street W (American Family Insurance Office Building), Thursday, December 11th through Saturday, December 13th. Please note, parents will be responsible for picking up the submitted artwork after December 13th. If you have questions regarding the contest, please contact Lisa Krause, City Planner at (763) 444-5512 or via e-mail at lkrause@cityofisanti.us

A Couple Items

We have the winners of the City Flag Contest. I am in the process of contacting the winners. We had 4 winning designs whose elements will be used in the final version. I along with Community Pride Bank will be awarding the prizes at next weeks Council meeting.

In the coming weeks we will be discussing Isanti's Fiscal Plan. The City will be bonding for the remainder of the outstanding City debt. We are working towards not only completing this process but looking to improve the City's rating. I will inform you when I know if we are successful. If our credit rating does increase, as we believe it will, then the cost of our bond issues will decrease saving our taxpayers money.

We are working with a potential opportunity to leverage $500,000, in grant form, to help with the City's foreclosure issues. We have also presented a number of City improvement projects to be funded by the federal stimulus package working its way through Congress. We have presented the improvement and paving of the gravel portion of Railroad Avenue, complete sidewalk system on both sides of County Highway 5 from County highway 23 to Highway 65 and paving 3rd Avenue along the Soccer fields.

We have another new business opening its doors on Main St. and hopefully completing a deal to bring another manufacturer to our Industrial Park.

Busy week to be sure but of course last week we only had the election, Governor's Opener Banquet and State Media Tour.

I will be delivering the State of the City Address at the Isanti Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon on February 18th.

When Country Calls

My Grandfather wrote these words to my Grandmother in 1917 as America was preparing to fight in World War One. His words worked quite well. They had 14 children, 11 boys and 3 girls. We must honor our soldiers and their families each and every day.

*

A poem written by Ted Wimmer to Agnes

When Country Calls

***

I feel so very lonesome tonight

I don’t know what to do

I feel so blue and downhearted right

So I’ll write a few lines to you.

*

I was dreaming of the days gone by

And the hours I spent with you

My eyes grew dim, and with a sigh

I said your love must be true.

*

There’s a sort of pain that hurts my heart

When I think of the hour drawing nigh

The sad day when we two must part

When I’ll kiss you and say good bye.

*

Remember me and do not fear

To you, I’ll always be true

I’ll always think of you my dear

And I hope to return to you.

*

Rivers, mountains and the ocean may lie

Between your soldier and you

His love for you will never die

If you’ll promise you’ll be true.

*

Your soldier begs of you to say

At the rising of the sun

A prayer for him, that this very day

May not be his last one.

*

And when this war to an end has come

And the troops God spared return

The world again its peace has won

Your soldier’s love for you will burn.

*

And if the giver of all good

Hears the prayers of your spotless heart

At least I hope and pray he would

That I return never more to part.

Veteran's Day Quotes and Speeches

But the freedom that they fought for, and the country grand they wrought for,Is their monument to-day, and for aye.
~Thomas Dunn English

In war, there are no unwounded soldiers.
~José Narosky

This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.
~Elmer Davis

But fame is theirs - and future days On pillar'd brass shall tell their praise; Shall tell - when cold neglect is dead -"These for their country fought and bled."
~Philip Freneau

Freedom is never free.
~Author Unknown

I think there is one higher office than president and I would call that patriot.
~Gary Hart

When our perils are past, shall our gratitude sleep?
~George Canning

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.
~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Valor is stability, not of legs and arms, but of courage and the soul.
~Michel de Montaigne

I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, "Mother, what was war?"
~Eve Merriam

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.
~Cynthia Ozick

Lord, bid war's trumpet cease;Fold the whole earth in peace.
~Oliver Wendell Holmes

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!
~Maya Angelou

When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them.
~Chinese Proverb

The most persistent sound which reverberates through men's history is the beating of war drums.
~Arthur Koestler, Janus: A Summing Up

The more we sweat in peace the less we bleed in war.
~Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit

Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die.
~G.K. Chesterton

In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, and brave, and hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds, the timid join him, for then it costs nothing to be a patriot.
~Mark Twain, Notebook, 1935

How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.
~William Shakespeare

In war there is no prize for the runner-up
- General Omar Bradley

It is fatal to enter any war without the will to win it.
- General Douglas MacArthur

I know not with what weapons World War III will befought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.
- Albert Einstein

You can no more win a war than you can win an earthquake.
- Jeannette Rankin first woman Member of Congress

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!
- Patrick HenryMarch 23,1775

THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.
~ Thomas Paine first line of "The Crisis" - December 23, 1776

***

President Reagan's 40th Anniversary of D-Day (June 6, 1984)

We're here to mark that day in history when the Allied armies joined in battle to reclaim this continent to liberty. For 4 long years, much of Europe had been under a terrible shadow. Free nations had fallen, Jews cried out in the camps, millions cried out for liberation. Europe was enslaved, and the world prayed for its rescue. Here in Normandy the rescue began. Here the Allies stood and fought against tyranny in a giant undertaking unparalleled in human history.

We stand on a lonely, windswept point on the northern shore of France. The air is soft, but 40 years ago at this moment, the air was dense with smoke and the cries of men, and the air was filled with the crack of rifle fire and the roar of cannon. At dawn, on the morning of the 6th of June, 1944, 225 Rangers jumped off the British landing craft and ran to the bottom of these cliffs. Their mission was one of the most difficult and daring of the invasion: to climb these sheer and desolate cliffs and take out the enemy guns.

The Allies had been told that some of the mightiest of these guns were here and they would be trained on the beaches to stop the Allied advance.The Rangers looked up and saw the enemy soldiers -- the edge of the cliffs shooting down at them with machineguns and throwing grenades. And the American Rangers began to climb. They shot rope ladders over the face of these cliffs and began to pull themselves up. When one Ranger fell, another would take his place. When one rope was cut, a Ranger would grab another and begin his climb again. They climbed, shot back, and held their footing. Soon, one by one, the Rangers pulled themselves over the top, and in seizing the firm land at the top of these cliffs, they began to seize back the continent of Europe. Two hundred and twenty-five came here.

After 2 days of fighting, only 90 could still bear arms.Behind me is a memorial that symbolizes the Ranger daggers that were thrust into the top of these cliffs. And before me are the men who put them there.These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc. These are the men who took the cliffs. These are the champions who helped free a continent. These are the heroes who helped end a war.

Gentlemen, I look at you and I think of the words of Stephen Spender's poem. You are men who in your ``lives fought for life . . . and left the vivid air signed with your honor.''I think I know what you may be thinking right now -- thinking ``we were just part of a bigger effort; everyone was brave that day.'' Well, everyone was. Do you remember the story of Bill Millin of the 51st Highlanders? Forty years ago today, British troops were pinned down near a bridge, waiting desperately for help. Suddenly, they heard the sound of bagpipes, and some thought they were dreaming. Well, they weren't.

They looked up and saw Bill Millin with his bagpipes, leading the reinforcements and ignoring the smack of the bullets into the ground around him.Lord Lovat was with him -- Lord Lovat of Scotland, who calmly announced when he got to the bridge, ``Sorry I'm a few minutes late,'' as if he'd been delayed by a traffic jam, when in truth he'd just come from the bloody fighting on Sword Beach, which he and his men had just taken.

There was the impossible valor of the Poles who threw themselves between the enemy and the rest of Europe as the invasion took hold, and the unsurpassed courage of the Canadians who had already seen the horrors of war on this coast. They knew what awaited them there, but they would not be deterred. And once they hit Juno Beach, they never looked back.

All of these men were part of a rollcall of honor with names that spoke of a pride as bright as the colors they bore: the Royal Winnipeg Rifles, Poland's 24th Lancers, the Royal Scots Fusiliers, the Screaming Eagles, the Yeomen of England's armored divisions, the forces of Free France, the Coast Guard's ``Matchbox Fleet'' and you, the American Rangers.Forty summers have passed since the battle that you fought here. You were young the day you took these cliffs; some of you were hardly more than boys, with the deepest joys of life before you. Yet, you risked everything here. Why? Why did you do it? What impelled you to put aside the instinct for self-preservation and risk your lives to take these cliffs? What inspired all the men of the armies that met here? We look at you, and somehow we know the answer.

It was faith and belief; it was loyalty and love.The men of Normandy had faith that what they were doing was right, faith that they fought for all humanity, faith that a just God would grant them mercy on this beachhead or on the next. It was the deep knowledge -- and pray God we have not lost it -- that there is a profound, moral difference between the use of force for liberation and the use of force for conquest.

You were here to liberate, not to conquer, and so you and those others did not doubt your cause. And you were right not to doubt.You all knew that some things are worth dying for. One's country is worth dying for, and democracy is worth dying for, because it's the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man. All of you loved liberty. All of you were willing to fight tyranny, and you knew the people of your countries were behind you.The Americans who fought here that morning knew word of the invasion was spreading through the darkness back home.

They fought -- or felt in their hearts, though they couldn't know in fact, that in Georgia they were filling the churches at 4 a.m., in Kansas they were kneeling on their porches and praying, and in Philadelphia they were ringing the Liberty Bell.Something else helped the men of D-day: their rockhard belief that Providence would have a great hand in the events that would unfold here; that God was an ally in this great cause.

And so, the night before the invasion, when Colonel Wolverton asked his parachute troops to kneel with him in prayer he told them: Do not bow your heads, but look up so you can see God and ask His blessing in what we're about to do. Also that night, General Matthew Ridgway on his cot, listening in the darkness for the promise God made to Joshua: ``I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.''These are the things that impelled them; these are the things that shaped the unity of the Allies.

When the war was over, there were lives to be rebuilt and governments to be returned to the people. There were nations to be reborn. Above all, there was a new peace to be assured. These were huge and daunting tasks. But the Allies summoned strength from the faith, belief, loyalty, and love of those who fell here. They rebuilt a new Europe together.There was first a great reconciliation among those who had been enemies, all of whom had suffered so greatly. The United States did its part, creating the Marshall plan to help rebuild our allies and our former enemies.

The Marshall plan led to the Atlantic alliance -- a great alliance that serves to this day as our shield for freedom, for prosperity, and for peace.In spite of our great efforts and successes, not all that followed the end of the war was happy or planned. Some liberated countries were lost. The great sadness of this loss echoes down to our own time in the streets of Warsaw, Prague, and East Berlin. Soviet troops that came to the center of this continent did not leave when peace came. They're still there, uninvited, unwanted, unyielding, almost 40 years after the war. Because of this, allied forces still stand on this continent.

Today, as 40 years ago, our armies are here for only one purpose -- to protect and defend democracy. The only territories we hold are memorials like this one and graveyards where our heroes rest.We in America have learned bitter lessons from two World Wars: It is better to be here ready to protect the peace, than to take blind shelter across the sea, rushing to respond only after freedom is lost. We've learned that isolationism never was and never will be an acceptable response to tyrannical governments with an expansionist intent.

But we try always to be prepared for peace; prepared to deter aggression; prepared to negotiate the reduction of arms; and, yes, prepared to reach out again in the spirit of reconciliation. In truth, there is no reconciliation we would welcome more than a reconciliation with the Soviet Union, so, together, we can lessen the risks of war, now and forever.It's fitting to remember here the great losses also suffered by the Russian people during World War II: 20 million perished, a terrible price that testifies to all the world the necessity of ending war. I tell you from my heart that we in the United States do not want war.

We want to wipe from the face of the Earth the terrible weapons that man now has in his hands. And I tell you, we are ready to seize that beachhead. We look for some sign from the Soviet Union that they are willing to move forward, that they share our desire and love for peace, and that they will give up the ways of conquest. There must be a changing there that will allow us to turn our hope into action.

We will pray forever that some day that changing will come. But for now, particularly today, it is good and fitting to renew our commitment to each other, to our freedom, and to the alliance that protects it.

We are bound today by what bound us 40 years ago, the same loyalties, traditions, and beliefs. We're bound by reality. The strength of America's allies is vital to the United States, and the American security guarantee is essential to the continued freedom of Europe's democracies. We were with you then; we are with you now. Your hopes are our hopes, and your destiny is our destiny.

Here, in this place where the West held together, let us make a vow to our dead. Let us show them by our actions that we understand what they died for. Let our actions say to them the words for which Matthew Ridgway listened: ``I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.''Strengthened by their courage, heartened by their valor, and borne by their memory, let us continue to stand for the ideals for which they lived and died.Thank you very much, and God bless you all.

Goal Setting Session

In January the Council will be setting the goals for the next 2 years. I will be presenting my Agenda but I also want to hear from you. What goals and changes would you like to see Isanti adopt.

The 5 goals we adopted in 2007 were:

• Water Treatment Plant
• Long Term Financial Plan
• City Marketing Plan
• Increased Commercial Development
• Downtown Redevelopment and Marketing

We have succeeded on each of these. Please share your ideas by emailing me at george@georgewimmer.com or by adding a comment to this posting.

Council Audio

Don't forget to listen to the Council meetings:

http://www.cityofisanti.us/govern_citycouncil_audio.php

OWLS HOST FAMILIES STILL NEEDED!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We are still looking for host families to house our Minnesota Owls hockey players. More than ten players are still looking for a home.
These are good kids who follow the strict team rules. The families that have taken in players have had a very good experience -- my family is already talking about how much we'll miss him while he's gone for the summer!

If you're interested in more information or in hearing about the perks and benefits of being a Host Family, please contact me as soon as possible.

(763)444-8330

Thank you!

Carla Duncan
Minnesota Owls Billet Supervisor

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Isanti Election by the Numbers

We have the official numbers from the election and there are some eye opening stats.

We had 2,193 people voting in Isanti of which 765 were voting for the first time in the City, that equates to 35%. That is an amazing number!

Now for the flip side:

In the Mayor's race I received 1,432 and Ms. Larson had 573 but 173 people (8%) did not vote for either candidate. This is absolutely a person's choice and the outcome would not have been affected. There was a tremendous impact on the Council Race however.

Kolb 899------31%
Kennedy 744--26%
Lorinser 693--24%
Rask 573------20%

1459 votes were not cast. Now this is a bit more complex as each voter had 2 votes to cast for Council Members. There was a mixed bag of some voters not voting at all for Council and voters only voting for 1 candidate. With a total of 2,193 voters and each gets 2 votes there were 4,386 votes for Council.

1,459 or 33% of the total possible votes not being cast had a dramatic impact on the election. 155 votes separate 1st from 2nd place and only 51 votes separated 2nd from 3rd.

Now part of this is the fact that the further you go down on the ballot the more voters drop off or the fact many people were motivated to vote for President or Senate but knew little about the Council Candidates or the high percentage of new voters do not feel a strong connection to City government or all the above.

We will never know why there was such a dramatic drop off but it does have a strong impact on the election. Thought it was interesting information.

Election Result Breakdown Coming

I will be breaking out the votes this evening and discussing the future agenda. We have the Governor's Deer Opener Dinner tomorrow night and I give the official welcome and then the media tour on Friday that will highlight Isanti to state media outlets. We have a busy week ahead.

Signs

I will be picking up my signs today.

We Won!!!

We won, I want to thank everyone for all their help. Tonight is a good night to celebrate but there is a lot of work for us to do and that starts tomorrow. With Commissioner Elect Duff winning tonight his Council seat will come open. The Council will determine how to fill the open seat in January. The last such position was filled by appointing the 3rd place Council candidate. Here are the results:

***Mayor's Race***

Wimmer 1432---71%

Larson 573----29%

***Council Race***

Kolb 899------31%

Kennedy 744--26%

Lorinser 693--24%

Rask 573------20%

***Commissioner Race***

Duff 1964-----54%

Genin 1648---46%

Election Update

***Update***

Over 2000 votes cast by 6:30pm

***Update***
1700 votes reported in Isanti 5:15pm

*****Update*****

1156 voters in Bradford at 3:50pm

1431 voters in Isanti at 4:15pm

2007 popultaion estimtes for each:

3703 residents in Bradford

5484 residents in the City of Isanti

We were at 1127 votes in Isanti and 1107 in Bradford around 2:30pm today. We should be setting records by the end of the day today.

I will post the final results as soon as they are available.

Star has wrong Address

The Star newspaper has the wrong address for City Hall which is our poling place for the City of Isanti. The correct one is:

110 First Avenue North

Directions to City Hall:

From West:
CSAH 5 east to First Avenue, take a right (south). City Hall is on your left (east) in 1.5 blocks.

From East:
CSAH 5 west to First Avenue, take a left (south). City Hall is on your left (east) in 1.5 blocks.

From North:
TH 65 south to CSAH 5, take a right (west) to First Avenue, take a left (south).
City Hall is on your left (east) in 1.5 blocks.

Who do you think will win?

I would like to know who you think will win in the following races.

Mayor: Vote for 1

Wimmer or Larson

Council: Vote for 2

Kolb, Kennedy, Lorinser or Rask

County Commissioner: Vote for 1

Duff or Genin



Click on the comments below and post to this entry as anonymous or with your name. Comment on any or all that you wish. Should be interesting to see the results Tuesday night.

Elections Matter

Get out and vote Tuesday and make sure your friends and neighbors get to the polls. Nothing can be taken for granted as many races are going to be very close. We must ensure we have the right representation for our City in all our local races.

One quick example of how things can change in the City:

Since 2005 I have been trying to use the sidewalk money from projects like the Shawn-Candy-Richard street project and the Broadway-Elizabeth area which are low traffic roads and use the money to build complete sidewalks along County Highway 5. We desperately need sidewalks along 5 to ensure the safety of our smallest children walking to school, our seniors trying to get to Riverside for groceries our the numerous people living in the apartment buildings.

This was blocked by the former Mayor along with Council Members Larson and Johnson. In 2007 I wanted to do the same but you need to have a super majority of 4 out of 5 votes so Larson and Johnson were able to block this again. If I win the Mayor's race Tuesday we will have only CM Larson left (CM Johnson ran for Commissioner and his Council term ends in December) and the remaining candidates for Council have all expressed the need for sidewalks along County Highway 5. We will have the 4 votes in 2009 to move this project along.

Elections matter.

Election Reporting

I will post the local results as soon as the are counted. We should have everything in by 8:30 pm to 9:00 pm Tuesday.

I was looking something up on the blog and came across a post I wrote just before the 2006 election - http://georgewimmer.blogspot.com/2006/11/full-page-re-elect-ad.html - It was illuminating to see how the former Mayor and Ms. Larson tied their campaigns together, his re-election as Mayor and her run for a third Council term. Here is an excerpt from that post:

High taxes and fees, brown/radium filled city water, transportation, rising crime, anemic commercial/industrial growth and no financial planning are issues they seem not to acknowledge. They write that this election is not about reform or change.

They want to keep the "train on the track". Their track is taking Isanti off a cliff. I could not have made my points about these two any better than they did in this expensive full page ad. Thank you.

The list of items are all ones we have greatly improved. Taxes are down 14%, our water treatment plant is being built to remove the brown/radium filled water, transportation is being improved with dollars set aside for ride share and rail service, crime is down 17%, we have had a magnificent expansion of businesses and we have a Long Term Financial Plan in place with strong budget controls.

Just wanted to share with you what might have happened if 2006 went the other way. Elections matter, lets make the 2008 election matter.

The Record Speaks for Itself

I thought it would be good to keep my opponent's record and my Record front and center until the election. The voters have a right to compare us side by side.

Ms. Larson's record

Another Success

My Record

Even Ms Larson believes I am doing a good job as Mayor.
"Mayor Wimmer is doing an excellent job, is great with numbers and is very good with the budget"
-Ms. Larson at the Candidate Forum October 9th, 2008.

Get out the vote

The Election is in the hands of the voters. We have done everything we can to promote our Agenda and inform the voters. It is important to make sure we all talk to our friends and neighbors and get out the vote on Tuesday.

We need to win this election to keep moving Isanti forward.

Local elections

With all the excitement surrounding state and national election we often forget to take the time to learn the agenda and record of those seeking local office. Our County Commissioners,School board, Council Members and Mayors shape a great deal of our community.

We face difficult times ahead and need to make sure we have elected officials that will be able to do the job needed. Everything from local property taxes/fees, transportation, health/safety, education, economic development, parks/recreation and on and on are controlled by your locally elected officials. Your Commissioners, School Board Members, City Councilors and Mayors are people you see everyday and will impact your daily life.

Please invest at least the same amount of time learning about your local candidates as you have for state and national office. Vote November 4th.

Churchill Quotes

As some may know Sir Winston Churchill is a personal hero of mine. If you get the chance read the "Last Lion" two volume biography of Churchill by William Manchester. I can not pass up a chance to let his words run free once again.....

Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities... because it is the quality which guarantees all others.

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.

Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.

Danger - if you meet it promptly and without flinching - you will reduce the danger by half. Never run away from anything. Never!

I am prepared to meet my Maker. Whether my Maker is prepared for the great ordeal of meeting me is another matter.

Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.

Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.

I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined this Government: 'I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat."

All great things are simple, and many can be expressed in single words: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope.

An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.

Every day you may make progress. Every step may be fruitful. Yet there will stretch out before you an ever-lengthening, ever-ascending, ever-improving path. You know you will never get to the end of the journey. But this, so far from discouraging, only adds to the joy and glory of the climb.

He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.

History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.

I have always felt that a politician is to be judged by the animosities he excites among his opponents.

I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.

It's not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what's required.

Personally I'm always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught.

Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm.

The price of greatness is responsibility.

There are a terrible lot of lies going around the world, and the worst of it is half of them are true.

We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.


Lady Astor: "Winston, if I were your wife I'd put poison in your coffee."
Winston: "Nancy, if I were your husband I'd drink it."

Postings to Come

There will be a host of election related postings tonight.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

On Friday November 7, 2008 as part of the Governor's Deer Hunting Opener, there will be a media/dignitary bus tour through our City. Mayor Wimmer will be highlighting points of interest and one of those points will be the revitalization of Main St - mural, benches, banners, etc.

We need individuals to be on Main St, preferably in Blaze Orange, as the bus drives from Dahlin west to the Creamery Crossing Cafe. The approximate time will be 4:15 to 4:40 PM.

Please call the Chamber office at 763-444-8515 or Jaysen Guthmueller's office at 763-444-4554 to volunteer.

LET'S SHOW OUR ISANTI SPIRIT!

Commissioner 3rd District Video

Isanti County Commissioner District 3, which encompasses the City of Isanti and Bradford Township, video thanks to Tesha Christensen and the Star Newspaper.

3rd District Forum Video

2009 BMX National in Isanti

Distinguished Civic Leaders, Media contacts, and Community Leaders:

The Rum River BMX Association is extremely pleased to announce that it has been chosen to host the 2009 American Bicycle Associations Land O'lakes National on the weekend of July 24th - 26th.

This is national is one of the twenty five stops on the series as it travel around the United States. After a tremendous performance by the United States in the 2008 Olympics our season promises to be bigger and better than ever!

Much the same as the 2008 National which we hosted at the non-profit track in Isanti we will draw thousands of young men and women from all over the country to compete at our communities rapidly growing BMX facility, experience the local flavor, and enjoy the tremendous hospitality that our communities have generously shown.

The American Bicycle Association and Rum River BMX are extremely excited to be working together on this joint venture that will once again bring recognition, excitement, and families into our communities.

This announcement is from Kevin Riedemann.

I just wanted to add their website - http://www.rumriverbmx.com/index.html

Isanti Parkway Railroad Crossing Arms

BNSF will be continuing to work on placing crossing arms on Isanti Parkway near Blue Bird Park. The crossing arm will add needed protection at this rail crossing - we have had a fatal accident here just a few short years ago.

The City was not notified of the work schedule and I am disappointed by this but not surprised as the railroad pretty much does whatever they want since they are federally controlled and local entities like cities or counties have no authority over them.

Our City engineer is working hard to get more information and I will pass it on to you as soon as I get it, especially as it pertains to road closure.

Jersey Night Guest Writer Carla Duncan

Hey everyone!

Just wanted to let you all know that this Saturday night, November 1st, is JERSEY NIGHT at the Minnesota Owls game! Up to four kids can get in per paid adult as long as they're wearing some sort of jersey -- it can be ANY kind of jersey!

So help spread the word to all of the hockey association! Come and cheer on your Minnesota Owls as they take on the Minnesota Flying Aces on Saturday night at 8:00!!!

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!

Carla Duncan
Isanti Arena Board Member
Minnesota Owls Billet Supervisor
(763)444-8330

The Record

Comparing the Isanti Mayoral candidates' records -

The Record click to learn

Flag Contest Update

We received nearly 4 dozen entrants and it was tough for us to choose a winner on Park Board. We ended up choosing to use components of 4 designs. I want to thank all those that sent us an entry. I will be announcing the winning designs at City Council and presenting the winners their checks supplied by Community Pride Bank. The $250 will split between the winners.

Foreclosure Update

I wanted to share our City's foreclosure situation. I have updated you from time to time and wanted to give the most recent data. I am giving the total number which includes occupied and unoccupied houses along with empty lots that are foreclosed. The 2nd number is only homes that are in foreclosure.

6/19-----166-----145
7/1------240-----136
7/14-----264-----148
7/29-----235-----163
8/12-----246-----174
8/29-----265-----181
9/16-----250-----170
10/6-----187-----134
10/22----197-----134

The trend does look slightly better but we are far from out of the woods on this one. I would like to share part of my budgeting plan for the next two years and how we will bridge the time it takes for the hundreds of thousands of dollars of unpaid property taxes and assessments to be collected. Our historic cuts in City spending are the first critical part of the equation as fewer tax dollars are needed, this process will continue as needed. The other factor for bridging the troubled waters we face are our fund balances.

The last two years we have built and maintained healthy fund balances that can be tapped for one time money. It is important that we be cautious about using these funds but if the economic climate continues to get worse we are protected. It is however important to not let these funds be wasted on excessive spending or pet projects. The only use of these funds should be to provide essential City services due to unpaid property taxes and assessments.

Great Job Owls

Our hometown Minnesota Owls Hockey Team (6-2) had over 3600 people at their first 4 home games at the David C Johnson Civic Arena - http://isantiarena.org/index.html -, Isanti should be proud of such a strong welcome.

The Owls are one more component in building our community and attracting a hotel to to Isanti.

Finance Director Update

Our new Finance Director, Kristi Smith, starts work Monday the 27th. Here is the posting I published after she accepted the position. - and for those that always ask when we hire a new employee - She has moved to the City of Isanti.


I am happy to announce that we have an accepted offer for our open City Finance Director Position. The Council will be asked to approve the hire at tonight's meeting. I serve on the Personnel Committee which conducted the search and interviews. The individual has 7 years of auditing Cities and School Districts, is a Certified Public Accountant and is a Certified Fraud Examiner. This last certification was especially important to me. I want to make sure we have a guardian of Isanti's financial resources.

Welcome Back Veterans 2008!

Vietnam Veterans Chapter #684 presents

Welcome Back Veterans 2008!

Date: Friday, October 31

Where: Spectacular Events

Isanti, MN

Social: 6:00 pm

Dinner: 7:00 pm

Silent Auction

Dinner Tickets: $35.00

Please join us in celebrating the return of our Veterans.

Veterans of all eras will be recognized!

Guest speaker Dr. Jim Tuorila President

of Freedom Flight Inc.

(POW/MIA Hot Air Balloon Team)

*Tables can be sponsored for $280 each*

Advanced tickets available at: Minnco Credit Union’s 4 locations -

American Family Insurance - Isanti office DJ’s Grill House &

The Isanti Chamber of Commerce or by calling 763-444-4554

Local Candidates Websites

I thought it would be interesting to list local candidates websites:

Isanti Council only has 2 out of the 4 with websites:

Ross Lorinser - http://www.lower-isanti-taxes.com/

Jeff Kolb - http://www.jeff-kolb.com/

Isanti Mayor has only one candidate with a website

George Wimmer - http://www.georgewimmer.com/

Isanti Commissioners all districts


3rd District both candidates have websites

Alan Duff - http://www.alanduff.net/

Gail Genin - http://gailgenin.com/

2nd District does not have any candidates with websites

4th district appears only one has a website

Jaysen Guthmueller - http://www.jaysenguthmueller.net/

Legislative district 17A both candidates have websites

Rob Eastlund - http://www.robeastlund.org/

Jim Godfrey - http://votejimgodfrey.com/


Candidate Forum Coverage - http://isanticountynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4510&Itemid=1

http://www.mystarnewspaper.com/detail/32889.html?category_id=&search_filter=forum&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=1&sub_type=&town_id=15

Voter Guide - http://isanticountynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4592&Itemid=0

http://www.mystarnewspaper.com/detail/33713.html?category_id=2&search_filter=&list_type=&order_by=&order_sort=&content_class=&sub_type=&town_id=15

Jon Tattings Editorial on not missing Candidate Forums - http://isanticountynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4595&Itemid=87


*If I have missed any candidate websites please let me know and I will update accordingly*

October 21st Council Update

The Council unanimously passed the ordinances to fully implement the Comprehensive Plan we passed last year. There has been a tremendous amount of work put into this plan and there will be future refinement as this is an ever ongoing process. We do however have a set of ordinances that allow us to plan for the next 10-20 years of City development.

This brings to our County who also has a Comprehensive Plan they are working on but have for some reason halted the process the last few months and will not be taking the controversial issue up again until after the election. I would hope the County would have the political courage to tackle the tough issues on a timely basis.

The other item I want to draw attention to is an item I briefed the Council on – the lack of paid assessments by developers. We have talked at length about the damage done to our City due to unpaid property taxes but unpaid assessments have the same if not more harmful affects. Assessments that are owed for the push eastward across highway 65 are largely going unpaid. This is for infrastructure the City built and paid for and then assessed to the developer to pay. The roughly $6,000,000 in total cost is guaranteed by the Isanti tax payer if the developer does not pay.

I will not rehash all my arguments of why I did not support the City taking this position years ago but we are now in this mess and we have to fix it. The addle minded that think this will one day be all better and the City made whole are dead wrong. The City is going to have to bond and make the bond payments out of other City revenue – namely taxes. The burden of this debt will have to be managed quite carefully so it does not permanently damage our ability to grow in the future. The Finance Committee, which I serve on, will be working over the next few weeks with our financial advisors, City Attorney and Finance Director to detail out all our options. I am confident that we will have a plan to present to the Council in the next few weeks that will move us into a brighter fiscal future but we must make sure those responsible are not allowed to do such damage to the City again. The City must never again allow developers to put the Isanti taxpayer on the hook for millions of dollars of debt.

When the land is sold the past due taxes and assessments will be paid but that could be in 5 days or 5 years and all the while you and I are paying the cost. The City will also be out tens of thousands of dollars and many missed opportunities to develop our commercial property along highway 65 due to the limbo state of foreclosures. All the time we have had to spend on these issues is time we are unable to work on moving our City forward. The dollars spent on fixing the disastrous decisions of the past are dollars that can not be spent on other projects.

There are nights at City Council where I want to stand on my desk and yell I told you so…. But that of course would not get anything done other than make me feel good for a few minutes….. Tarring and feathering comes to mind as an appropriate punishment for the people responsible but that of course does not fix anything either. We have been able to accomplish so much even with this albatross around our neck. I will be recommending policies to the Council that will protect us from these issues in the future. We need to make sure we have a Council that understands what our priorities are and that we serve the Citizens of Isanti and not irresponsible developers.

Minnesota Home Ownership Center – Thank you!

I wanted to share an email I received as part of a much larger group of Community Leaders working on the forecloser issue. It is from Ed Nelson the Marketing & Communications Manager for Minnesota Home Ownership Center, www.hocmn.org, to Greg Owens - President of Community Pride Bank in Isanti. The email details the success of a recent telephone call in seminar. Published with permission-


Minnesota Home Ownership Center – Thank you!

Dear Greg:

I want to thank you for your ongoing dedication to preventing foreclosures across Minnesota, and to update you on the telephone seminar that the Minnesota Home Ownership Center recently held for area residents struggling to keep up with their mortgages.

Last Wednesday, Oct. 15, more than 85 people participated in the anonymous conversation. They were able to ask pertinent questions of professional advisors and were able to gain one-on-one help during the seminar.

The telephone seminar was the first effort of its type in the country, and we were able to reach so many home owners because of the generosity and commitment of leaders like you.

With recent crisis on Wall Street and on Main Street, our work must continue. In the coming months, the Minnesota Home Ownership Center will continue outreaching to community leaders and media in targeted areas across the state. We’ll be engaging home owners directly through telephone seminars, workshops and one-on-one counseling from our network of mortgage support advisors.

I look forward to continuing to work with you in our ongoing efforts to sustain home ownership for Minnesota families and communities. Again, thank you for your time and for your commitment to keeping Minnesotans in their homes.

Sincerely,

Ed Nelson
Minnesota Home Ownership Center
Marketing & Communications Manager
1000 Payne Avenue, Suite 200
St. Paul, MN 55130
P. 651.659.9336 x 201 F. 651.659.9518
Toll-Free: 1-866-HOC-MINN
www.hocmn.org

October 21st Council Agenda

AGENDA
CITY OF ISANTI
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2008 - 7:00 p.m.
CITY HALL

Call to Order

B. Pledge of Allegiance

C. Roll Call

D. Adopt Agenda

E. Proclamations/Commendations/Certificate Awards

1. Presentation of Certificate of Commendation to Certain Isanti Manufacturing Businesses

F. Approve City Council Minutes

1. October 7, 2008 – Regular Meeting

G. Citizens Input

H. Announcements

1. Park & Recreation Board Meeting Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.
2. EDA Meeting Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
3. General Election Tuesday, November 4, 2008 (Isanti City Precinct at City Hall – Polls open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m.)
4. City Council Meeting Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
5. CITY OFFICES CLOSED Tuesday, November 11, 2008 (In Observance of Veteran’s Day)
6. Planning Commission Meeting Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

I. Council Committee Reports

J. Public Hearings

Business Items

City Planner Lisa Krause

1. Adoption of Updated Zoning Ordinance

City Engineer Brad DeWolf

2. Resolution Calling for Special Assessment Hearing for the 2008 Street and Utility Improvement Project

Assistant City Administrator/City Clerk

3. Qwest Phone Service

City Administrator Don Lorsung

4. Consider Amendments to Lot Mowing Policy

L. Approve Consent Agenda

1. Approve Municipal Builders, Inc.’s Pay Estimate Request No. 3 in the amount of $310,595.85 for Work Completed on the Water Treatment Facility Project
2. Approve Douglas-Kerr’s Pay Estimate Request No. 3 in the amount of $31,337.84 for Work Completed on the 2008 Street and Utility Improvement Project
3. Accounts Payable in the Amounts of $575,038.48 and Payroll in the Amount of $63,880.53
4. Approval of September 10, 2008 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
5. Resolution Appointing Finance Director Kristi Smith as Treasurer for the City of Isanti
6. Memorandum of Understanding – IUOE, Local 49
7. Approval of Kit Welchlin’s Training Proposal
8. Approve Snow Plowing Policy
9. Approve Signing for City Hall Entrance Doors
M. Other Communications
1. September Building Permit Report
2. October Engineering Project Status Report
3. September Police Report
4. Draft Copy of October 14, 2008 Planning Commission Minutes
Adjournment

Flag Contest Repost

Following is the City of Isanti Flag Contest that I have created with Park and Recreation Board help. Community Pride Bank has answered the call and is supplying the $250 prize money. This should be a fun contest and I look forward to reviewing all the entries. Upon construction of the new City Hall, four flag poles were placed near the entrance to the facility. The fourth flag pole was provided in anticipation of the creation of a city flag.

The Park and Recreation Board has requested that everyone be given the opportunity to
submit a flag design on the City’s behalf. The winning design will be used as the concept plan for the City flag. (Please note: The winning proposal may be altered at the City’s discretion)

The rules for the City Flag Design Contest are as follows:

• The City logo, as shown within the bottom right-hand corner must be utilized as part of the design. The tag line, “A Community for Generations” must also be incorporated.

• All designs shall be displayed on 11” x 17” sized paper.

• The design should include features or images that represent the spirit and character of the City of Isanti.

• The designer’s name and contact information must be provided on the back side of the design submission.

Each individual is limited to one submission. The deadline for submission is Wednesday, October 22nd at 4:30 p.m. The design proposals can be dropped off at Isanti City Hall located at 110 First Avenue NW or mailed to PO Box 428, Isanti, MN 55040.

The Parks and Recreation Board will review the submissions and make a recommendation to the City Council. The winning design will be used as the concept plan for the final design. The winning designer will receive a monetary prize of $250 donated by Community Pride Bank and will be presented with such prize and a formal proclamation before the City Council.

If there are questions regarding the contest or the criteria for the design submission, please contact Lisa Krause, City Planner at (763) 444-5512 or via e-mail at lkrause@cityofisanti.us