Wimmer's Rhetoric: October 2012

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

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

Saturday, October 20, 2012

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

Thursday, October 18, 2012

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

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

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.

Monday, October 08, 2012

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

Wednesday, October 03, 2012

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.