Wimmer's Rhetoric: April 2012

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Week of the Young Child

Week of the Young Child

Whereas, Lit’l Sprouts Childcare Center and other local organizations in conjunction with the National Association for the Education of Young Children, are celebrating the Week of the Young Child™, April 23^rd-April 27^th and

Whereas, these organizations are working to improve early learning opportunities, including early literacy programs, that can provide a foundation of learning for children in Isanti, MN and

Whereas, teachers and others who make a difference in the lives of young children in Isanti, MN deserve thanks and recognition; and

Whereas, public policies that support early learning for all young children are crucial to young children’s futures;

I, George A. Wimmer Mayor of the Isanti, MN do hereby proclaim April 23^rd-April 27^th as the Week of the Young Child™ in Isanti, MN and encourage all citizens to work to make a good investment in early childhood in Isanti, MN.

______________________________

Signature Mayor George A. Wimmer

Monday, April 23, 2012

Decision Time

Serving our community is a great honor and responsibility. It has been a difficult decision trying to find the best way to continue to serve Isanti. An open seat has come up on the Isanti County Board due to redistricting. These chances do not come along very often and offer a chance to serve our greater Isanti community.

3 factors went into my final decision. Where can I be most effective? What position do I feel most passionate about? What does my family believe is the right decision. After going through this process the answer for each question was the same ~ continuing to serve our community as Mayor of the great City of Isanti. At this time I will not be running for County Commissioner. I will continue to press for transparency, fiscal responsibility and economic growth at the County level.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Isanti spends 500% more on economic development & 30% less on parks/rec than peer group of cities. Economic Development is our #1 priority!

I will announce my decision Monday regarding a potential run for County Commissioner

Legacy Park

Legacy Park seems to have peaked a lot of interest lately. This is a roughly 24 acre parcel of land we negotiated to receive from a bank that took over a failed development. The cost of the trail will be paid for entirely by the Park and Recreation fund which receives it funding for parks from each area the parks are developed in. This is not taxpayer funded but a fee on development specified by state law.

This is not a play park but a system of ADA compliant trails that offer something unique in our community. The question of maintenance cost was raised. Trails will consist of wood chips and gravel surfaces with a culvert by the creek. The cost estimate is in the range of several hundred dollars a year.

The entire current Council voted to spend thousands of dollars a year to fund maintenance cost for the Cambridge Isanti Bike Walk tail. The plans and engineering for Legacy Park were approved by a 5-0 vote including Mr. Kennedy and Mr. Lundeen just a few months ago. They voted to spend thousands on that as well. They approved tens of thousands of dollars for park planning and engineering and maintenance and yet seem afraid of several hundred dollars of possible City employee labor time cutting weeds.

To put this in perspective, each time we have to replace a Clifford rocker it cost us roughly $2,000 and about $1,200 to $1,500 for non-Clifford ones. so one little apparatus for a specific age group cost us at least 4 times the annual maintenance budget for and entire park that all age groups and ability levels will be able to use.

The other complaint put forward was this will drain the fund to 0. True but only true because we took over $130,000 of interest income out of the fund last year to help offset the reduction in city property values allowing us to keep city taxes low. I repeatedly asked what else they intend to spend the money on the only answer given was to build another park somewhere else. Well we do not need any more high cost high maintenance play parks in Isanti.

Reasons for approval are:

Legacy Park is paid for by the donation of land along the Rum River that can never be developed due to its location.
The funding comes out of the Park and Recreation Fund that by state law is funded by developers and can only be used for new land and equipment purchases.
The maintenance cost will be minimal compared to its value
It will serve all ages and all ability levels.
It has been in the long term Comprehensive Park Plan for years.
It was recommended by the Park and Recreation Board on a 5-0 vote.
This Council voted 5-0 to spend significant funds on its design and development.

I hope the grasping of political power will not derail all the hard work by the public and staff on this trememndous community asset. I make my opinions based on the facts as I know them and backing it up in public and in writing. I do not scurry around like rats whispering behind others backs. Good honest people can disagree and that is wonderful - but doing so without the facts and only to say no with no other intention than to obstruct is wrong.

Link to the Isanti County News story Tuesday's Council Meeting http://isanticountynews.com/2012/04/18/isanti-moves-forward-with-legacy-park-trail/

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Independent Auditor of the City stated tonight that once again we are in great fiscal shape with excellent financial planning

It's sad to see Council Member Kennedy flip flopping his votes for political reasons.... He has announced he is running for county commissioner

Friday, April 13, 2012

City of Isanti spends 23% less per capita on City government than our peer group of cities ~ we are efficient

Since our change in liquor store operations and manager we have increased gross profit 13%

When I ran for Mayor in 2006 City net debt was $9.1 million ... Today it is $3.8 million

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Fox 9 Interview

click link below for Fox 9 story

http://www.myfoxtwincities.com/dpp/news/minnesota/isanti-wakeboard-water-park-to-make-splash-apr-11-2012

Contact Information

If you have questions, concerns or comments please contact me at george@georgewimmer.com or 763-442-8749.

Follow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/MayorWimmer

or Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/MayorGeorgeWimmer

Fox 9 News Interview on Vision Wake Parks

Just finished my interview with Fox 9 News regarding Vision Wake Parks ... will be on tonight's news cast ... good day for Isanti

City Council Election

Two council seats are up for election this fall. We need hardworking, honest and dedicated people to serve our City. The filing fee is only $2 and you can help shape our community's future. Filing opens in a few months - if you have any questions about running or what it takes to serve please let me know and I will help you in anyway possible.

Monday, April 09, 2012

Vision Wake Parks Coming

Vision Wake Parks is building a one of a kind wakeboard park at Bluebird park. I negotiated a deal that completely protects the City and yet allows this private company to build a one of a kind recreation asset. There are no other wakeboard parks in the Midwest. The City is paid 5% of gross revenues, all insurance cost are covered by Vision Wake Parks and we are holding $20,000 in escrow if the wakeboard park should fail. This is a win/win for everyone and if it should not succeed the city is completely protected.

A layout of Bluebird PArk with the Wakeboard Park included

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

City 2011 Audit

We are going through the 2011 City Audit results. We have some great information to share on our administrative cost being much less than our peer group of cities along with the massive reduction in city net Debt since I took office. I will start posting results over the next few days. This is yet again another 3rd party validation that we know how to clean up messes we inherited and put the financial house back in order.

Wimmer's Rhetoric

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