County Board Votes to Increase their Pay in Special Meeting

The County Board voted themselves a pay increase at a "special" meeting today ... Funny none of them campaigned on increasing their own pay

I have never voted to increase my pay. As Mayor I make less than 10% of our County Commissioners and they keep increasing their own pay

Link to the Winter Isantian

Winter Isantian 

Thank you Card

Isanti Outdoor Hockey Rink

Cambridge Isanti Hockey Association is building ice on the outdoor rink in Bluebird Park. Please do not use the rink until posted it is open

NEWTOWN SHOOTING 

THE VICTIMS

Charlotte Bacon, 6

Daniel Barden, 7

Olivia Engel, 6

Josephine Gay, 7

Ana Marquez-Greene, 6

Dylan Hockley, 6

Madeleine Hsu, 6

Catherine Hubbard, 6

Chase Kowalski, 7

Jesse Lewis, 6

James Mattioli, 6

Grace McDonnell, 7

Emilie Parker, 6

Jack Pinto, 6

Noah Pozner, 6

Caroline Previdi, 6

Jessica Rekos, 6

Avielle Richman, 6

Benjamin Wheeler, 6

Allison Wyatt, 6

Rachel Davino, 29 Teacher

Dawn Hochsprung, 47 School principal

Nancy Lanza, 52 Mother of gunman

Anne Marie Murphy, 52 Teacher

Lauren Rousseau, 30 Teacher

Mary Sherlach, 56 School psychologist

Victoria Soto, 27 Teacher

Blog Improvements

I have added email updates, Twitter following and local news stories about our Community to the columns flank either side of blog post. Hopefully this will help our Citizens and Taxpayers keep up on all things Isanti.

City of Isanti Public Works Director is retiring effective January 31st.

Cambridge-Isanti schools are closed Monday, December 10 due to weather conditions

2012 Winter Isantian Article

I want to congratulate Steve Lundeen, Dan Collison and Adam Johnson on winning their elections. Everyone who ran should be commended for wanting to make Isanti a better place to live, work and play. With this election there are two new Council Members out of our existing four Council Member positions. Our upcoming Goal Setting Session with our new members will be very important in determining the City’s direction over the next few years. Please contact the Council or myself with any issues or concerns you would like to see addressed by the City.

The Community Center Levy vote presented by the Isanti Community Center Task Force failed with only 35% of the City voting in favor of increasing taxes to make needed improvements to the facility. This will put the operation of the Community Center in jeopardy past 2013. The Task Force is still working diligently to find a financial solution to this problem. The final decision will be in the hands of the new Council in 2013.

I want to thank the Sponsors for this year’s Mayor’s Great Yard Award. Above All Rooftops to Remodeling, Inc. was our 1^st place sponsor and is an amazing business located on Main St. in Downtown Isanti. StarTac Construction has been our 2^nd place sponsor for several years and in my opinion is one of the best contractors/builders around. KJD Signs is also a multi-year sponsor whose work has graced Isanti in numerous ways. Thank you to all our gracious sponsors for making the program a success. Over the 6 years, since I initiated the Award, we have had 54 winners collecting a total of $3,150.

Legacy Park Trail, located in our City’s northwest quadrant, was opened this fall with great success. I continue to hear from our residents who use and love this unique community asset. I am working with our local Scouts to further enhance this gem in our Park and Trail system. It’s important to note that we negotiated to receive the land for free from the Bank that owned it. The trail construction was paid for from park and recreation dedication fees, which are paid by a developer in accordance with State Statute. We have developed an amazing Community Asset, in an incredible cost effective manner. 

Housing and business development activity is on the rise. With 387 foreclosed properties sold to date. we have 37% fewer occupied & unoccupied foreclosed homes in Isanti. Our Rental Ordinance and Maintenance code continue to ensure that rental properties are maintained to appropriate standards. This is more important each year as more homes are being converted to rental properties. We have seen the number of non-homesteaded properties from 2010 to 2011 nearly doubling; and this trend will continue into the future.

The Council continues to move forward with the necessary completion of road and trail improvements along South Passage SE and Railroad Avenue SE.  This project will improve the safety of drivers, bikers and pedestrians. We continue to make progress in making Isanti a safer and more efficient City regarding transportation improvements.

After years of trying to get the sidewalk completed on CSAH 5 through traditional methods, I proposed a new approach to the Council. I asked for support in developing a plan that could get us past a major hurdle – the lack of City easements along CSAH 5. We are developing a design that would not take away any business or property owners’ usable land. This took a leap of faith that we could accomplish this project.  We, through the work of our City Engineering firm Bolton-Menk, have been able to make this a reality. We then used this plan to get support from the County who owns and controls activity on CSAH 5 and from all the affected property owners. We have successfully received our last needed easement and a show of strong support from all involved. We have a lot of heavy lifting to do in the area of finding funding for the project but I am confident that the need for this safety improvement should gain overwhelming support from the Council, County and Community. I will keep you updated on our progress.

If you have any questions, concerns or comments please contact me at 763-442-8749 or email me at George@georgewimmer.com . You may also follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/mayorwimmer Facebook at www.facebook.com/MayorGeorgeWimmer or my blog at georgewimmer.blogspot.com

3 Positions opening on Planning and Park and Recreation

2 Park and Recreation Board terms expire end of December 2012 ... If interested in serving please contact me at George@georgewimmer.com

The non-resident Planning Commission seat will be up for appointment in January. If interested please contact me. George@georgewimmer.com

Isanti Hotel Partners, LLC Press Release

The Isanti-Cambridge area currently is under served by one hotel and that is located in the City of Cambridge. Isanti Hotel Partners, LLC has been working with the City of Isanti as well as a local contractor to bring a hotel to the City of Isanti to meet the demand of the region. The City of Isanti approved the Site Plan for a 33 unit hotel with a pool and has strong public support by the City of Isanti.  Work on the project began in 2011 and a Development Agreement between Isanti Hotel Partners, LLC and the City of Isanti providing $600,000 in public investment to the Developer was executed in June 2012 paving the way for the project to commence.  A permit was pulled for the project shortly after in June of 2012 and preliminary work was completed on the site.  Special Tax Increment Financing legislation gave the City of Isanti the ability to provide the initial significant public investment and the City supported it due to the high priority and demand of the hotel for the City and the region.   The project appears to have stalled when the “contractor” and majority investor backed out in October 2012. There is still time to complete the necessary work in 2012 to move the project forward and to open in 2013 but committed investors are needed.

Isanti Hotel Partners, LLC has not given up on this project as it certainly is needed in the area.  However, with the present economic environment many investors appear to be balking at this type of investment regardless of the illustration of need and positive pro forma income statements.   Isanti Hotel Partners, LLC has hired a prominent hotel organizer, Troy Hoekstra, to lead the project.  Troy has organized and financed a number of these projects across the Midwest and is well thought of in the hotel community.  However, Troy has not been able to attract enough local investors to bring the investment to the point of being underwritten by a local bank and its partners that have successfully financed similar projects.   Only a few more investors are needed to complete the investment group and to re-commence construction of the project.

Should anyone have interest, they should contact Mr. Hoekstra immediately at thoekstra@charter.net for the particulars as the time frame to succeed is determined by state statute and will expire shortly. The City of Isanti fully behind this project and is very motivated to add this important component to region to better serve the residents, businesses and visitors of the area.  A long list of local businesses, community organizations and other supporters of this project can be provided upon request. The City of Isanti is home to many exciting events that serve as a draw to this community.  These events will only grow in size and prominence with the addition of a new hotel.  The Isanti-Cambridge Area looks forward to your interest in our area and welcomes your investment into our community.  

President Reagan's 1985 Veteran's Day Speech

PRESIDENT REAGAN: Secretary Weinberger, Harry Walters, Robert Medairos, reverend clergy, ladies and gentlemen, a few moments ago I placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and as I stepped back and stood during the moment of silence that followed, I said a small prayer. And it occurred to me that each of my predecessors has had a similar moment, and I wondered if our prayers weren't very much the same, if not identical.

We celebrate Veterans Day on the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I, the armistice that began on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. And I wonder, in fact, if all Americans' prayers aren't the same as those I mentioned a moment ago. The timing of this holiday is quite deliberate in terms of historical fact but somehow it always seems quite fitting to me that this day comes deep in autumn when the colors are muted and the days seem to invite contemplation.

We are gathered at the National Cemetery, which provides a final resting place for the heroes who have defended our country since the Civil War. This amphitheater, this place for speeches, is more central to this cemetery than it first might seem apparent, for all we can ever do for our heroes is remember them and remember what they did -- and memories are transmitted through words.

Sometime back I received in the name of our country the bodies of four marines who had died while on active duty. I said then that there is a special sadness that accompanies the death of a serviceman, for we're never quite good enough to them-not really; we can't be, because what they gave us is beyond our powers to repay. And so, when a serviceman dies, it's a tear in the fabric, a break in the whole, and all we can do is remember.

It is, in a way, an odd thing to honor those who died in defense of our country, in defense of us, in wars far away. The imagination plays a trick. We see these soldiers in our mind as old and wise. We see them as something like the Founding Fathers, grave and gray haired. But most of them were boys when they died, and they gave up two lives -- the one they were living and the one they would have lived. When they died, they gave up their chance to be husbands and fathers and grandfathers. They gave up their chance to be revered old men. They gave up everything for our country, for us. And all we can do is remember.

There's always someone who is remembering for us. No matter what time of year it is or what time of day, there are always people who come to this cemetery, leave a flag or a flower or a little rock on a headstone. And they stop and bow their heads and communicate what they wished to communicate. They say, "Hello, Johnny," or "Hello, Bob. We still think of you. You're still with us. We never got over you, and we pray for you still, and we'll see you again. We'll all meet again." In a way, they represent us, these relatives and friends, and they speak for us as they walk among the headstones and remember. It's not so hard to summon memory, but it's hard to recapture meaning.

And the living have a responsibility to remember the conditions that led to the wars in which our heroes died. Perhaps we can start by remembering this: that all of those who died for us and our country were, in one way or another, victims of a peace process that failed; victims of a decision to forget certain things; to forget, for instance, that the surest way to keep a peace going is to stay strong. Weakness, after all, is a temptation -- it tempts the pugnacious to assert themselves -- but strength is a declaration that cannot be misunderstood. Strength is a condition that declares actions have consequences. Strength is a prudent warning to the belligerent that aggression need not go unanswered.

Peace fails when we forget what we stand for. It fails when we forget that our Republic is based on firm principles, principles that have real meaning, that with them, we are the last, best hope of man on Earth; without them, we're little more than the crust of a continent. Peace also fails when we forget to bring to the bargaining table God’s first intellectual gift to man: common sense. Common sense gives us a realistic knowledge of human beings and how they think, how they live in the world, what motivates them. Common sense tells us that man has magic in him, but also clay. Common sense can tell the difference between right and wrong. Common sense forgives error, but it always recognizes it to be error first.

We endanger the peace and confuse all issues when we obscure the truth; when we refuse to name an act for what it is; when we refuse to see the obvious and seek safety in Almighty. Peace is only maintained and won by those who have clear eyes and brave minds. Peace is imperiled when we forget to try for agreements and settlements and treaties; when we forget to hold out our hands and strive; when we forget that God gave us talents to use in securing the ends He desires. Peace fails when we forget that agreements, once made, cannot be broken without a price.

Each new day carries within it the potential for breakthroughs, for progress. Each new day bursts with possibilities. And so, hope is realistic and despair a pointless little sin. And peace fails when we forget to pray to the source of all peace and life and happiness. I think sometimes of General Matthew Ridgeway, who, the night before D-day, tossed sleepless on his cot and talked to the Lord and listened for the promise that God made to Joshua: “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

We're surrounded today by the dead of our wars. We owe them a debt we can never repay. All we can do is remember them and what they did and why they had to be brave for us. All we can do is try to see that other young men never have to join them. Today, as never before, we must pledge to remember the things that will continue the peace. Today, as never before, we must pray for God's help in broadening and deepening the peace we enjoy. Let us pray for freedom and justice and a more stable world. And let us make a compact today with the dead, a promise in the words for which General Ridgeway listened, “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

In memory of those who gave the last full measure of devotion, may our efforts to achieve lasting peace gain strength. And through whatever coincidence or accident of timing, I tell you that a week from now when I am some thousands of miles away, believe me, the memory and the importance of this day will be in the forefront of my mind and in my heart.

Thank you. God bless you all, and God bless America.

The Gettysburg Address

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

~ President Abraham Lincoln 

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.

President Obama wins 2nd term

Alan Duff Loses Re-election Bid

Alan Duff has lost his election in his newly redrawn district

Initial Numbers from Isanti City Hall

The initial numbers I will be reporting are from Isanti City Hall and do not reflect absentee ballots which are added by the County later 

 Warring wins Commissioner race over Kennedy 1536 to 1231

 Lundeen (915) Johnson (758) win and Horst (681) Streiff (552) lose for 4 year term 

 Collison (853) wins Aleckson (683) loses for 2 year term

 Congratulations to Lundeen, Johnson, Collison and Warring

I was voter 463 at 9:30 this morning .... voters are moving in an out pretty quickly

Lorinser Endorses

Former Isanti City Council Member Ross Lorinser endorses Mike Streiff & Dan Collison for Council and Jim Kennedy for Commissioner ...

Vote Jim Kennedy County Commissioner

We need City representation on the County Board ... Isanti pays the 2nd most in taxes to the County and have no one from the City on the Board ... Vote Jim Kennedy for Commissioner

Council Candidates

Mike Streiff, Kimberly Hurd, Dan Collison & Steve Lundeen have all worked and served to make Isanti a better pace through positive actions

If candidates for Isanti City Council attack my record as Mayor to fish for votes - they better be prepared to accept the consequences

Email

I am back from 2 weeks in the Philippines and have fixed my email.... please revert back to using George@georgewimmer.com

Candidate Claims

I was reading Adam Johnson's information and his claims to cut wasteful City spending ... examples please ... also he calls my roughly 40% property tax cuts only a fair job ... I can not wait to see how he cuts another 40% plus of taxes without affecting services ... I actually increased services while cutting taxes ... If Mr. Johnson is elected I can not wait to see his proposed budget and tax levy ...

No phone or normal email for two weeks

Without phone and access to my normal email for the next two weeks so please use isantiwimmer@gmail.com if you need to contact me

2 weeks left ... good luck candidates in the final push to the end ... whether you win or lose make sure your campaign made a difference

Grand Opening of Town Boardshop on Main Street

News and Notes

25 new businesses since 2011 ... 6 out of 9 empty industrial buildings sold and occupied ... 377 foreclosed homes sold to date - good start

City of Isanti races and questions sample ballot pic.twitter.com/5UpF4IzX

Isanti Lions Club in 2011 collected & distributed over $44,000 in food, gifts & clothing to families in need in Isanti County for Christmas

Community Center Levy flyer from pro yes group pic.twitter.com/RIc7D65G

Link to the Fall Isantian http://isanticountynews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/isantian.pdf?9d7bd4

Mike Streiff's 5 Principles for Council Candidacy

I wanted to take the time to lay out what my principals as an Isanti City Council Member are today and will continue to be if I’m privileged to continue serving this office in 2013.

 

5 Main Principles My Candidacy for Isanti City Council is based upon:

1).  Affordable taxes for all residents and businesses in the City of Isanti.

~ As council member I would continue to strictly manage the bottom line and ensure adequate long range planning and budgeting for the city.  No new taxes, bottom line!

2).  A strong voice for all in local government policies and procedures ~ In voting for policies and procedures as an Isanti Council Member, I would solicit input and ideas from all.  I will only vote for changes that make good sense, are for the benefit of all the people within Isanti, and provide a clear long -term benefit to the city.

3).  Reduced government bureaucracy.  ~ I firmly believe in government policies and procedures that make sense and actually work.  Local government policies should not be a constraint to running a profitable business or maintaining a positive household budget.

4).  A strong local police and fire department  ~ I believe a key part of Isanti being a great place to live, work, and raise a family is the superb police and fire protection that is provided.  I will only support policies and procedures that will keep Isanti safe 24/7.

5).  Ethical decision-making and strong steward of Isanti.  ~ My youth was spent on my father’s farm, thus I developed a strong sense of right and wrong.  As an Isanti Council Member, I will carry a strong ethical approach to all that I am involved in.  I will also work as a good steward of the city in attracting additional businesses and residents to this great city.  My background in finance/banking and as a husband and father to 6 children being raised in Isanti will go a long way in my ability to promote the City of Isanti.

Thank you for the continued support!

-Mike

Jim Kennedy's response to County News Questions

1.      Introduce Self?

I have served 8 years on the Isanti City Council and 33 years as a Foreman for Old Dutch Foods.  I am married to Yvonne, a cancer-survivor and, together, they are devoted to supporting many local community causes. I enjoy hunting and fishing with family and friends.

NEVER voted for a tax increase in any year as an elected official as he believes it is important to stay within the limited financial means of the people he serves.  My background also includes 4 years on the Economic Development Authority, 4 years on Planning Commission and 2 years on Community Education Advisory Board.  My voting record consistently includes common sense solutions to local problems.  I have earned a reputation for being a strong listener and aggressively protecting townships against forced annexations.

2.      Favor Alternative transit such as commuter rail or increased bus service?

The issue we face is a transportation system that is overburdened by the amount of traffic the last decade of growth has caused. I believe that we need to develop the most cost effective solution to our increased traffic needs. The standard needs to be set that if alternative transportation is cost effective compared to traditional forms then it can work. We cannot afford to subsidize alternative forms of transportation as this will only cause greater budget issues.

3.      Keeping a balanced county budget?

Just as our personal budgets, we must live within our means. As a public official, I respect the limited financial resources of the constituents I serve. We must use common sense in funding only those programs that are benefiting Isanti County and supported by the taxpayers. We need to establish a Long Term Financial Plan that will guide our budget decisions. Not only has the County repeatedly increased taxes the last decade but has increased spending per person at unsustainable rates.

One troubling area that I believe needs to be looked at more closely is the $250K+ budget allocated for “Part-time Commissioners” as I do not believe it is fair for “part-time” politicians to be given health-care benefits while “part-time” employees do not receive this same benefit.  Commissioner pay is roughly $27,000 a year yet we have a Commissioner making over $55,000 in pay, per-diems and benefits. Why do part-time Commissioners take full-time benefits while denying this benefit for County workers? As Commissioner I will lead by example and not make our hardworking taxpayers pay for my healthcare cost and I will take ZERO per-diems.

4.      Plan to attract new businesses and promote economic development?

I have worked on economic development during my 8 years of service on the Isanti City Council. It takes strong dedication and a long term approach to help existing businesses succeed and attracting new businesses. The County has not set a direction for County wide economic development and has not made the commitment to bring effective change to our community. We need to establish our goals working with the cities and townships to produce a truly collaborative approach that yields significant results. We can only be successful if we expand our tax base so we can afford the services we need at a cost we can afford.

5.      Priorities if elected to County Board?

I have listened to Isanti County board meetings and am disappointed in the lack of professionalism and respect given to constituents who show up at meetings and are told to “sit down and be quiet as these are internal meetings of the board.”  I believe our job is to SERVE the public and respect their input, even if we do not fully agree.  We need a transformational change that the Board serves the public, not vice versa.  I support allowing the public to speak at county board meetings. I have been doing this for 8 years on the Isanti City Council. Every one of our meetings starts out with a Citizens input period that allows our residents and taxpayers to bring up issues we do not already have on the agenda. We must listen to and respect our Citizens.

Athens Township must be protected from any forced annexation. Our rural areas are a treasure to our County and must be allowed to grow as they see fit. I have defended township rights in this area for 8 years on the Isanti City Council and am proud that Isanti has never forced any annexation. We do best as a County by allowing our individual local governments to grow and succeed on their own terms and at their own pace.

Did you know City of Isanti has compost site - you can leave your grass & brush clippings & take compost soil for free if you are a resident

Residential Handbook

What information would you want to see in a Residential Handbook. We are developing a resource for residents that will be filled with answers to frequently asked questions, service providers, City ordinances, City resources and so on ... I would like to know what would be most helpful to residents and businesses. 

Story on Isanti Road Rage Shooting Incident

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/10/02/71-year-old-man-charged-in-road-rage-incident-shooting/

Legacy Park Ribbon Cutting

Everyone is invited to Legacy Park Trail ribbon cutting today at 2pm. I will be giving a tour right after. ?s call or text me 763-442-8749

Legacy Park Trail 10-1-2012

Legacy Park Trail Ribbon Cutting Tuesday October 2nd 2pm .... Come join us

Legacy Park Map

Legacy Park Map

Declining Media Interview Request

I have declined on camera interview requests because the press release states all the information we can at this time disclose. We suffered a tragic event today that shattered a gorgeous day. I was at a soccer game in town when I heard the news. My 10 year old son and 7 year old daughter at dinner tonight were asking how this could happen ... what makes a person want to shoot someone like this. I wish I had a magic answer that made sense of it all but I don't. We did have a great discuss about how single moments can have lifelong consequences.

I know I am hugging them tighter tonight and cherishing my family and friends even more.  I do know there is no good that will come from appearing on the news tonight. No, tonight is for counting our blessings as we are focused on this tragedy and thanking the brave police and emergency personnel that acted so quickly. Our prayers are with all involved. I hope we can show a little more patience on the road, myself included.

Updates

I will post any further updates to:

www.georgewimmer.blogspot.com

https://twitter.com/MayorWimmer

http://www.facebook.com/MayorGeorgeWimmer

Isanti Police Department Press Release On Isanti Shooting

PRESS RELEASE

September 29, 2012

On September 29, 2012 at approximately 1605 hours the Isanti Police Department received a call of a fight that was taking place in the east parking lot of the Police Department.

As Officers’ were walking out of the Police Department they heard a gunshot.  Once outside a male victim was found to have been shot in the face with handgun.  The victim was conscious and subsequently flown to Hennepin County Medical Center.

The incident appears to have started as a road rage incident on MNTH 65.  The suspect was taken into custody without incident.  The suspect has been booked into the Isanti County Jail and is awaiting formal charges to be filed by the Isanti County Attorney’s Office.

Isanti Police Department was assisted by the Isanti County Sheriff’s Office, Cambridge Police Department, Isanti Fire Department and Allina Ambulance. 

Incident by Isanti Police department

Apparent road rage lead to fight and ended in shooting near Isanti Police Department ... Shooter in custody ... Investigation ongoing

As many know there is a serious incident in front of Isanti Police Department ... STAY AWAY I will update the City when appropriate

Legacy Park Trail ribbon cutting Tuesday at 2pm ... Come join us ... I will be giving a tour of the trail after ...

Congressional Mobile Office

A mobile office for Congressman Chip Cravaack will be held by his staff at Isanti City Hall on Friday, Oct 5, 2012 (10 a.m. – 11 a.m.)

Vandalism

Unfortunately some idiots had to rip the doors off the portable toilets in Bluebird Park last night ... hopefully will be fix yet today

26 years of City of Isanti Council Elections and Appointments

Year	Title	Name	Elected/Appointed/Resignations
1986	Mayor	Marlys Barr	elected
	Council Member	Clell Bone	elected
	Council Member	Roger Canfield	elected
	Council Member	Ronald Gamble	elected
	Council Member	Norman Schafer	elected
1987	Mayor	Randy Polzin	elected
	Council Member	Clell Bone	elected
	Council Member	Roger Canfield	elected
	Council Member	Patricia Horgen	elected
	Council Member	Norman Schafer	elected
1988	Mayor	Randy Polzin	elected
	Council Member	Clell Bone	elected
	Council Member	Roger Canfield	elected
	Council Member	Patricia Horgen	elected
	Council Member	Norman Schafer	elected
1989	Mayor	Randy Polzin	elected
	Council Member	David Apitz	elected
	Council Member	Clell Bone	elected
	Council Member	Patricia Horgen	elected
	Council Member	Norman Schafer	elected
1990	Mayor	Randy Polzin	elected
	Council Member	David Apitz	elected
	Council Member	Clell Bone	elected
	Council Member	Patricia Horgen	elected
	Council Member	Norman Schafer	elected
1991	Mayor	Randy Polzin	elected
	Council Member	David Apitz	elected
	Council Member	Clell Bone	elected
	Council Member	Patricia Horgen	elected
	Council Member	Norman Schafer	elected
1992	Mayor	Randy Polzin	elected
	Council Member	David Apitz	elected
	Council Member	Clell Bone	elected
	Council Member	Patricia Horgen	elected
	Council Member	Norman Schafer	elected
1993	Mayor	Ken Kahle	elected
	Council Member	David Apitz	elected
	Council Member	Clell Bone	elected
	Council Member	Patricia Horgen	elected
	Council Member	Norman Schafer	elected
Year	Title	Name	Elected/Appointed/Resignations
1994	Mayor	Ken Kahle	elected
	Council Member	David Apitz	elected
	Council Member	Clell Bone	elected
	Council Member	Patricia Horgen	elected
	Council Member	Norman Schafer	elected
1995	Mayor	Ken Kahle	elected
	Council Member	David Apitz	elected
	Council Member	Clell Bone	elected
	Council Member	Patricia Horgen	elected
	Council Member	Gary Jensen	elected
1996	Mayor	Ken Kahle	elected
	Council Member	David Apitz	elected
	Council Member	Clell Bone	elected
	Council Member	Patricia Horgen	resigned 8/20/96
	Council Member	Gary Jensen	elected
	Council Member	Linda Draxten	appointed 10/1/96
1997	Mayor	Dale Shortell	elected
	Council Member	David Apitz	elected
	Council Member	Clell Bone	elected
	Council Member	Linda Draxten	elected
	Council Member	Gary Jensen	resigned 5/1/97
	Council Member	Kurt Naumann	appointed 5/20/97 by interview process
1998	Mayor	Dale Shortell	elected
	Council Member	David Apitz	elected
	Council Member	Clell Bone	elected
	Council Member	Linda Draxten	elected
	Council Member	Kurt Naumann	resigned 9/8/98
	Council Member	Sue Larson	appointed 11/4/98 (rec'd most votes in 11/3/98 election)
1999	Mayor	Dale Shortell	resigned 7/7/99
	Council Member	David Apitz	appointed as Mayor 7/6/99
	Council Member	Clell Bone	elected
	Council Member	Louise Fuhol	elected
	Council Member	Sue Larson	elected
	Council Member	Randy Melland	appointed 8/17/99 by interview process
2000	Mayor	David Apitz	elected
	Council Member	Clell Bone	elected
	Council Member	Louise Fuhol	elected
	Council Member	Sue Larson	elected
	Council Member	Randy Melland	resigned 3/6/00
	Council Member	David Peterson	appointed 4/18/00 by interview process and coin toss
Year	Title	Name	Elected/Appointed/Resignations
2001	Mayor	David Apitz	elected
	Council Member	Louise Fuhol	elected
	Council Member	Sue Larson	elected
	Council Member	David Peterson	elected
	Council Member	Dale Shortell	elected
2002	Mayor	David Apitz	elected
	Council Member	Louise Fuhol	elected
	Council Member	Sue Larson	elected
	Council Member	David Peterson	elected
	Council Member	Dale Shortell	resigned 5/7/02
	Council Member	Ralph Johnson	appointed 6/4/02 by interview process
2003	Mayor	David Apitz	elected
	Council Member	Ralph Johnson	elected
	Council Member	Jim Kennedy	elected
	Council Member	Sue Larson	elected
	Council Member	David Peterson	elected
2004	Mayor	David Apitz	elected
	Council Member	Ralph Johnson	elected
	Council Member	Jim Kennedy	elected
	Council Member	Sue Larson	elected
	Council Member	David Peterson	elected
2005	Mayor	David Apitz	elected
	Council Member	Ralph Johnson	elected
	Council Member	Jim Kennedy	elected
	Council Member	Sue Larson	elected
	Council Member	George Wimmer	elected
2006	Mayor	David Apitz	elected
	Council Member	Ralph Johnson	elected
	Council Member	Jim Kennedy	elected
	Council Member	Sue Larson	elected
	Council Member	George Wimmer	elected
2007	Mayor	George Wimmer	elected
	Council Member	Alan Duff	elected
	Council Member	Susan Larson	elected
	Council Member	Ralph Johnson	elected
	Council Member	Jeff Kolb	appointed (filled Wimmer's Seat) Appointed 1-16-07
2008	Mayor	George Wimmer	elected
	Council Member	Ralph Johnson	elected
	Council Member	Alan Duff	elected (4 yr seat)
	Council Member	Sue Larson	elected
	Council Member	Jeff Kolb	appointed (filled Wimmer's Seat) Appointed 1-16-07
2009	Mayor	George Wimmer	elected
	Council Member	Jim Kennedy	elected (4 yr seat)
	Council Member	Alan Duff	elected (Resigned 01-06-09)-(elected Co.Commissioner)
	Council Member	Sue Larson	elected
	Council Member	Jeff Kolb	elected (4 yr seat)
	Council Member	Ross Lorinser	appointed 01-06-2009 (fill Duff's Seat)
2010	Mayor	George Wimmer	elected
	Council Member	Jim Kennedy	elected
	Council Member	Ross Lorinser	appointed 01-06-2009 (fill Duff's Seat)
	Council Member	Sue Larson	elected
	Council Member	Jeff Kolb	elected (Resigned - 8-17-2010 - Res. 2010-199)
	Council Member	Louise Duff	appointed 09-21-2010 (fill Kolb's Seat) - Res. 2010-223
2011	Mayor	George Wimmer	re-elected (4 yr term)
	Council Member	Ross Lorinser
	Council Member	Sue Larson
	Council Member	Jim Kennedy	elected
	Council Member	Louise Duff	appointed (until seat filled by Special Election)
	Council Member	Steve Lundeen	Elected special election March 2011 (took office 4-5-11)
2012	Mayor	George Wimmer	elected
	Council Member	Ross Lorinser	resigned May 1st - effective May 16th 2012
	Council Member	Sue Larson
	Council Member	Jim Kennedy
	Council Member	Steve Lundeen
	Council Member	Mike Streiff	appointed June 5th to fill Lorinser's seat