Watch Channel 5 tonight at 6

Watch Channel 5 at 6 tonight and hopefully the sunlight with shed transparency and correct issues that have lingered far too long

Isanti County News broke the story originally last week

I hope the internal controls of the county improve

Scandal at Isanti County! Auditor's report has damaging claims of County Commissioner misconduct & County credit cards used for personal use

How can the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency change permitting rules for cities without being required to notify those cities

$350k of renovations to Community Center will cost $17.92 per $150k of home value for 10 years ... $31.93 per $150k of commercial/industrial

1st day back from vacation and just finished 7th call from residents/businesses ... Added to other events this morning ... UFF-DA

If a candidate promises to do or undo something ... Ask the next logical ? ... How ... Wishing a thing so does not make it so

Candidate Mike Streiff's Announcement

Mike Streiff – Isanti City Council Candidate 2012

“The Better Choice in 2012”

Friends in Isanti,

I would like the opportunity to continue serving the City of Isanti as a Council Member due to the different perspectives I am able to provide as a small business / commercial banker, small business owner, husband/father, and several year resident of Isanti.  In representing the people of Isanti as a council member, I am able to carry the voices of 99% of the citizens in each piece of legislation.  It would be an honor to continue as a participant in providing the blue print of Isanti for many generations to come.

In continuing as an Isanti Council Member, I would work very hard to carry the will of all residents in each piece of legislation that enters the council chambers.  I do not seek this office due to any hidden agendas or personal opinions that do not look out for the best interest of all citizens.  I plan to use good common sense in approaching all the work that is accomplished by the Isanti City Council.  My idea of common sense is rooted in long-term financial planning/budgeting and policies that make actual sense to the common person.  I believe that in order for the future direction of Isanti to continue to be bright for many years to come, the City Council will need to use good common sense and ideas that are fresh and new.  For example, I believe the Isanti Public Works Department could share many resources with surrounding communities as well as Isanti County.  The sharing of common resources could provide several cost cutting measures to the city in both the short and long term.

I feel the biggest issue facing the City of Isanti is the current uncertainty in the amount of revenues the city receives annually from the State of Minnesota as well as the city’s stagnant commercial and residential tax base. 

The State of Minnesota continues to hand over fewer and fewer of our tax dollars to local municipalities, thus causing cities such as Isanti to take a hard look at what core services are essential necessity to it’s residents.  I feel it is very important that the voices of all businesses and residents are represented at the Isanti City Council in deciding what city services are essential long-term to the city.  The City of Isanti will need to work toward little-to-no dependence on funding from the State of Minnesota.

The business tax base continues to remain stagnant due to businesses that are forced to close down operations and leave town, as well as a lack of businesses spending capital on expansion and growth into the Isanti area.  The city continues to experience high levels of residential foreclosures, thus plaguing the revenues that the city receives from the residential tax base.  The City Council will need to work very hard to continue to build up the business tax base as well as continued work in reducing residential foreclosures.  The current citizens cannot afford to pay any more in additional taxes, thus the Council will need to work hard to attract additional tax payers to the City of Isanti.  I will not support any legislation that will increase taxes to the citizens of Isanti, thus I will pledge to work very hard personally to bring in additional business to the city, increase the commercial tax base, and fine tune any unnecessary spending of all our tax dollars.  I have many years experience working with all types of businesses, thus I am up to the challenge of working as an active council member to attract additional businesses and residents to the Isanti area.

I feel I am most qualified, and the better choice for Isanti Council Member, due primarily to my extensive background and the perspectives it provides.  I grew up on a farm, which provided a solid background in common sense, the meaning of hard work, and personal pride in a job done correctly.  I have a college degree in business administration, which offered me the opportunity to take the everyday real-life experiences of operating my father’s farm and reinforce these principles with the knowledge I gained in a college degree program.  I have worked for a St. Paul based bank for the past 10 years, currently serving as Vice President, Credit Risk Manager.  In my current position, I am in charge of creating financial solutions for business lending customers in the bank’s footprint ranging from Lakeville, MN to Minot ND.  In the past, I also owned and operated my own landscaping company in Isanti.  Currently, I have had the opportunity at the will of the current Isanti City Council, to serve as a member of the Isanti Planning Commission as well as a current member of the Isanti City Council.  It has been an honor to help guide the direction of our city as well as the planning and zoning of this great city for the past five years.  On top of all of this, my most important responsibility is that my wife and I are currently raising 6 children here in Isanti, MN.  I feel my background as listed above provides me with a good perspective on what the majority of Isanti residents and businesses are experiencing on a daily basis.  My background will aid in keeping my hand on the pulse of both the short term and long-term needs of residents and businesses in Isanti.

I appreciate your support and look forward to continuing to serve you, the residents and businesses that call Isanti home.

- Mike Streiff 

All Council and Commissioner candidates that want their announcements posted on the blog please send it over soon

All Council and Commissioner candidates that want their announcements posted on the blog please send it over soon

Candidates

Council candidates speaking in platitudes ... only specifics so far are from Lundeen/Strieff on Council and Kimberly Horst ... also like seeing Candidate Horst putting her thoughts into words at her blog site http://khurdhorst.blogspot.com/

Should a County Commissioner claim they are doing good work for charity if they make Taxpayers pay them per diems each time they show up?

Isanti Fire District has improved their ISO ratings meaning better insurance rates ... We have the best Fire Department in the State

New Poll

New Poll on the Blog ... go to http://georgewimmer.blogspot.com/ to vote for your favorite Council Candidate running in the August Primary

7/17/12 News Coverage of Council Meeting

Newspaper coverage of the 7/17/12 Isanti Council meeting http://isanticountynews.com/2012/07/18/bmx-national-race-to-be-held-in-isanti/

Community Center Update

Went through the Community Center this morning with staff & CM Larson to detail the needed improvements & layout the process going forward ... I am also having contractor bids done to give us accurate information to the complete cost of the renovations. This will allow us to show the impact any levy increase vote would have. I have not made my mind up on the issue but I want to make sure all the information is accurate and complete for the voters.

Update

Tonight's budget session and Council meeting went quite well.... we achieved everything we needed too..... We had only one Council candidate at Council tonight and none at the budget work session ... I hope attendance improves... we have a lot of work to do ...

Budget Work Session

Going over the City Budget tomorrow night at our work session 5:45 City Hall ... My 2011 estimate for the 2013 budget was off by only .6% ;)

Everyone should let Brian Strike and Chamber know they did a great job with the Parade ... It's a great Community asset Thank You !!!

City of Isanti needs some DFL election judges ... We do not have enough to balance GOP judges ... We have 5 GOP & 3 DFL ... has to be equal

Send your recommendations for Mayor's Choice Award for the best float in tonight's parade ... Text 763-442-8749 or George@georgewimmer.com

Not trying to scold but after a good showing last meeting no Council Candidates were at the meeting again tonight except for sitting members

Horse Owners violating Bike/Walk Trail Rules

How do we get the word to horse riders they are not allowed on the bike/walk trail (sign clearly states this) and to clean up their poop

Looks like we will be pushing 100 degrees today ... Everyone be careful in the heat and check on our senior citizen neighbors

Mayor's Employer Appreciation Luncheon Coverage

Pictures and Article from my Mayor's Employer Appreciation Luncheon

http://isanticountynews.com/2012/06/21/isanti-mayor-recognizes-business-milestones/

Isanti voters make sure you ask candidates how they will pay for their promises ... We must maintain fiscal discipline ...

Happy to announce that Isanti's COPS grant is extended for 3 more years totaling $125,000 to cover partial cost of an existing officer ...

Last night's Council meeting was instructive ... Many wonderful groups want the City to fund their operations. Is this what taxpayers want?

Tuesday's Council meeting will be covering a great deal including hotel, community center, police dog request and much more

9/

Interesting survey results about residents wanting more city planning http://m.theatlanticcities.com/neighborhoods/2012/06/americans-want-more-city-planning/227

Interesting survey http://m.theatlanticcities.com/neighborhoods/2012/06/americans-want-more-city-planning/2279/

Summer 2012 Isantian Article

The summer and fall of 2012 will be quite active for Isanti. We have a full summer of events with Redbirds baseball, soccer tournaments, BMX racing, Jubilee/Rodeo Days and the new Vision Wake Park. On June 20^th we will celebrate our employers at the Mayor’s Employer Appreciation Luncheon; which highlights our hard working businesses and all they contribute to Isanti.

Isanti has been proactively working through nuisance issues; such as the parking of cars, boats and trailers on grass as well as piles of debris and outdoor storage; and long grass and weeds.  For those residents receiving violation letters; it has resulted in a few complaints. We have also received complaints from residents and businesses; wanting to ensure that Isanti is an attractive City in which to live and conduct business.  We hear from real-estate agents and brokers trying to sell residential and commercial property in our City that nuisance issues are making it even harder in these tough times to sell property. This is a tough problem considering everyone has their own standard of what should be and should not be allowed. We all want to be “King or Queen of our Castle” and protect our property rights. The problem occurs when one person’s property rights lock horns with the next person’s property rights. Living in close proximity to so many others in a city necessitates the need for more rules governing behavior. This is never fun for those being regulated or for the Council that bears the final responsibility for passing City ordinances. However, the Council is working to protect the entire City and our property values.

These ordinances do at times change.  For instance, after I became Mayor, I requested that work vehicles be allowed in residential areas. The previous rule did not allow for any work trucks or vans, such as a telephone or power company vehicle, to be parked in the driveway of a residence.  My Yukon is not much different in size than a construction workers truck or power company van or many other vehicles that our residents use every day to make a living. So we went through the process and changed the ordinance, so it made sense. I hope to hear from anyone that has suggestions on how to make our community a better place to live, work, and play.

I wanted to share some highlights from our latest’s Audit Report.

• ·         City Administrative costs are 23% lower in Isanti than our peer group of cities
•   City net debt is down 57% since I became Mayor
•  Economic Development spending is 400% higher than our peer group of Cities
•  General Fund Balance is up from 58% to 89% due to cost cutting
•   Park and Recreation spending is 42% less than our peer group  cities
• Liquor Store gross profit is up over 10% since our reorganization

We have put Isanti on firm financial footing as we face several more tough years. I am very optimistic about the economic development projects we have been working on. We have assembled an excellent team to manage our City into a brighter future.

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 .

After a year of hard work we have a 33 room hotel with pool & room to expand coming before the Council Tuesday. Breaking ground end of June

Empty lots are private property and no one is allowed to dump or park on them ... The City is required to enforce no trespassing laws

Get your Mayor's Great Yard nominations in .... 1st place $100

Vision Wake Park in Isanti is a great way to beat the heat

We have 8 people who filed to run for Council ... Only two were at tonight's Council meeting ...

Filing cost is $2 to run for Isanti City Council and you must be 18 years old, U.S. Citizen and be a resident for at least 20 days.

Council Race filings to Date

Dan Collison filed for 2 year term and Kimberly A. Hurd, Steve Lundeen and Mike Streiff III have filed for the 2 open 4 year terms. Filing deadline is June 5th

3 people have filed for the 2 four year term seats and 0 for the 2 year term .. filing closes June 5th

Only 2 people have filed for the 3 Council seats ... Filing ends June 5th ...

Mayor's Employer Luncheon is June 20th 11:30 at Isanti City Hall ... I want to celebrate our Employers and their hard working Employees

The cemetery with acts of vandalism is located in Isanti Township not the City of Isanti ... Reports have been confusing I hope this helps

Only 1 person has filed for the 2 four year terms and 0 for the 2 year term ... Filing ends June 5th

Isanti Church arson fire info http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2012/05/28/authorities-issue-crime-alert-for-suspect-in-isanti-church-fire/

Ronald Reagan's 1982 Memorial Day

Remarks at Memorial Day Ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery May 31, 1982 Mr. President, General, thedistinguishedguests here with us today,my fellow citizens: In America's cities and towns today,flags willbe placed on graves in cemeteries; public officials will speak of thesacrificeand thevalorofthose whosememorywehonor. In 1863, when he dedicated a small cemetery in Pennsylvania marking a terrible collision between thearmies of North and South, Abraham Lincoln noted theswiftobscurity of such speeches. Well, we know now thatLincoln was wrong about thatparticular occasion.His remarks commemorating thosewho gave their ``lastfullmeasureofdevotion'' werelong remembered. But since that moment at Gettysburg, few othersuch addresses have become part of our national heritage -- not because of theinadequacyofthespeakers,but because of theinadequacyofwords. I haveno illusions about whatlittleI canadd now to thesilent testimony of thosewho gave their lives willingly for their country. Words are even more feeble on this Memorial Day, for the sight before us is thatofa strong and good nationthatstands in silenceand remembers thosewho werelovedand who,in return,loved their countrymen enough to diefor them. Yet,wemusttry to honorthem-- notfor their sakes alone,but for ourown.And ifwords cannotrepay thedebtweowe these men, surely with ouractions we must strive to keep faith with themand with thevision thatled themto battleand to final sacrifice. Our first obligation to them and ourselves is plain enough: TheUnited States and the freedom for which it stands, thefreedom for which theydied, mustendureand prosper.Their lives remind us thatfreedom is notbought cheaply. It has a cost; itimposes a burden.And just as theywhomwecommemoratewere willing to sacrifice, so too must we -- in a less final, less heroic way -- be willing to give of ourselves. It is this, beyond thecontroversyand the congressional debate, beyond theblizzardof budget numbers and thecomplexity of modern weapons systems,thatmotivates us in our search for security and peace. War will not come again, otheryoung men willnothaveto die,ifwe will speak honestly of thedangers thatconfront us and remain strong enough to meet those dangers. It's notjuststrength orcouragethatweneed, but understandingand a measureofwisdom as well. We must understand enough about our world to see thevalueofouralliances. We must be wise enough about ourselves to listento our allies, to work with them, to build and strengthen thebonds between us. Our understandingmustalsoextend to potential adversaries. We must strive to speak of them not belligerently, but firmly and frankly. And that's why we must never fail to note, as frequentlyas necessary, thewidegulf between our codes of morality. And that's whywemustneverhesitate to acknowledge theirrefutabledifference between ourview of man as master of the state and their view of man as servantof the state. Nor must we ever underestimate the seriousness of their aspirations to global expansion. Therisk is theveryfreedom thathas been so dearly won. It is this honestyof mind thatcanopenpaths to peace, thatcanlead to fruitfulnegotiation,that can build a foundation upon which treaties between ournations canstandand last--treaties thatcansomeday bringabout a reduction in theterrible arms of destruction, arms thatthreaten us with wareven more terrible thanthosethathavetaken thelivesof theAmericans we honortoday. In thequest for peace, theUnited States has proposed to theSovietUnion thatwereducethe threatofnuclear weapons by negotiating a stable balanceat far lower levels of strategic forces. This is a fitting occasion to announcethat START, as we call it, strategicarms reductions, thatthenegotiationsbetween ourcountry and theSovietUnion willbegin on the29th ofJune. As for existing strategicarms agreements, we will refrain from actions which undercut them so long as theSovietUnion shows equalrestraint. With good will and dedication on both sides, I pray thatwewillachieve a safer world. Our goal is peace. We can gain that peace by strengthening ouralliances, by speaking candidly of thedangers beforeus,by assuring potential adversaries of ourseriousness,by actively pursuing every chance of honest and fruitful negotiation. It is with thesegoals in mind thatI willdepart Wednesday for Europe,and it's altogetherfitting thatwehavethis moment to reflect on the price of freedom and thosewho haveso willinglypaid it. Forhoweverimportant thematters ofstate before us this next week, theymustnotdisturb thesolemnityof this occasion.Normustthey dilute oursenseofreverenceand thesilent gratitude we hold for thosewho areburiedhere. Thewillingness of some to give their lives so that others might live never fails to evoke in us a sense of wonderand mystery.One gets that feeling here on this hallowed ground, and I have known thatsamepoignant feeling as I looked outacross therows of white crosses and Stars of David in Europe,in thePhilippines, and the military cemeteries here in our own land. Each onemarks theresting placeofan American hero and,in my lifetime, theheroes of World War I, theDoughboys,theGI's ofWorld WarIIorKorea or Vietnam. Theyspan severalgenerations of young Americans,alldifferent and yet all alike, like the markers abovetheir resting places, all alike in a truly meaningfulway. Winston Churchill said of those he knew in World War II theyseemed to be theonly young men who could laugh and fight at thesame time. A great general in thatwarcalled them our secret weapon,``justthebest darn kids in theworld.'' Each died for a cause he considered more important thanhis own life. Well, they didn't volunteer to die; theyvolunteered to defend values for which men havealways been willing to die if need be, thevalues which makeup what we call civilization. And how theymusthave wished, in all theugliness thatwarbrings, that no othergenerationofyoung men to follow would haveto undergothatsame experience. As we honortheirmemorytoday,letus pledge thattheirlives, their sacrifices, their valor shall be justified and remembered for as long as God gives life to this nation. And let us also pledge to do ourutmostto carry outwhatmusthavebeen their wish: that no othergenerationofyoung men will every have to share their experiences and repeat their sacrifice. Earlier today,with themusicthatwehaveheard and thatofourNationalAnthem -- I can't claim to know thewords of all thenational anthems in theworld, but I don't know ofany otherthat ends with a question and a challenge as ours does: Does thatflag still wave o'er the land of thefreeand thehomeofthebrave? Thatis what we must all ask. Thankyou. Ronald Reagan

Speaking at Cambridge/Isanti Rotary Club meeting tomorrow ...

Filing begins for School Board, County Commissioner and City Council... We need good people in all positions

Wake Park story http://wap.myfoxtwincities.com/w/main/story/61956717/

Vision Wake Park of Isanti will be on Fox9 at 10pm tonight

Fox9 at Isanti Wake Park right now filming another story

I do not tolerate disrespectful or abusive behavior towards City Employees who are simply doing their job

=PUa3pGlo

Dangerous fugitive with ties to Rochester, Duluth, Big Lake and Isanti on the run http://m.postbulletin.com/postbulletin/pm_105781/contentdetail.htm?contentguid

Pat's Small Engines expanding in Isanti and 2 more industrial buildings have been purchased this week ... Good week for our industrial park

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms in our lives

Isanti residents drop your grass clippings at our City compost pile and take free compost for all your gardening & planting needs

Interim Council Seat Process

CITY OF ISANTI

INTERIM APPOINTMENT TO FILL VACANT

CITY COUNCIL SEAT

The City of Isanti is seeking interested persons to fill a vacant City Council seat until
such time as a candidate is elected to fill the vacant seat.  Interested persons must
complete an application and may supply a resume regarding their qualifications.
Applicants must be available to attend the 7:00 p.m. June 5, 2012 City Council meeting at
which time the City Council will conduct interviews.  Applications are available at Isanti
City Hall, 110 1st Avenue NW, P.O. Box 428, Isanti, MN 55040.  Applications must be
submitted and received at Isanti City Hall no later than 4:30 p.m., Monday, May 21.


Karissa Henning
Human Resources/ Deputy City Clerk
City of Isanti, 763-444-5512, www.cityofisanti.us

***Copy of Application***

  Uniform Application for Candidate
Temporary Appointment to Isanti City Council
Name:__________________________________
Street Address:_____________________________, Isanti, Minnesota
Contact Information
Phone:________________________________
For the office of City Councilor, I swear (or affirm) that this is my true name or the name by which I am
generally known in the community.  I also swear (or affirm) that:
 I am eligible to vote in Minnesota;
 I am, or will be on assuming office, 21 years of age or more;
 I have maintained residence in the City for at least 30 days prior to May 1, 2012;
 I meet any other qualifications for that office as prescribed by law;
_____________________________________
Candidate Signature
___________________
Date:
Subscribed and sworn before me this ____ of ________, 2012
______________________________________
Notary Public or other officer empowered to take and certify acknowledgements
(Notary Stamp)

2012 Mayor's Great Yard Award

2012 MAYOR’S GREAT YARD AWARDS
The Park and Recreation Board will be kicking off its fifth year of the “Mayor’s Great Yard
Award”.  This award recognizes the hard work, dedication, and creativity of our residents to help
maintain a beautiful City.  The awards are open to all Isanti City residents.  You may nominate
yourself or any property within the Isanti city limits.  The Park and Recreation Board will judge
all entries and make recommendations to the Mayor for award winners.  Awards will be
presented for June, July, and August.  You may not win consecutive awards.  All Park and
Recreation Board members as well as City staff and their immediate family members are not
eligible.

This year’s awards are sponsored by the following businesses: First Place ($100) Daniel
Mujwid, Above All Rooftops to Remodeling, Inc.; Second Place ($50) Aaron Zdon, Startac
Construction, Inc; and Third Place ($25) Ken Drilling, KJD Signs, LLC.
Nominations will be accepted through Park and Recreation staff, Lisa Wilson, who can be
contacted by phone at (763) 444-5512, via e-mail at lwilson@cityofisanti.us or by mail or drop
off at City Hall, 110 First Avenue N, PO Box 428, Isanti, MN 55040.  All nominations must be
received by 4:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of the month.  The first round will be reviewed at
the June 26 the Park Board meeting.  The awards will be presented by the Mayor at the following
Council meeting.

Any Isanti residents that are interested in being appointed to fill vacant Council term till November please contact me immediately

Council Member Lorinser resigned at last night's Council meeting effective May 16th.

Sarah Cotton was hired as our new Finance Director, Legacy Park passed 5-0 and we recognized 2 of our outstanding Police Officers among other agenda items

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

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. 

 

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:

1. Legacy Park is paid for by the donation of land along the Rum River that can never be developed due to its location. 
2. 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.
3. The maintenance cost will be minimal compared to its value
4. It will serve all ages and all ability levels. 
5. It has been in the long term Comprehensive Park Plan for years. 
6. It was recommended by the Park and Recreation Board on a 5-0 vote. 
7. 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/

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

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

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.

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 

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.

Polling Results

Polling results from blog show 83% want me to continue as Mayor and 17% want me to run for County Commissioner

Finance Director Search

Reopening search for qualified Finance Director till April 17th ~ City Experience & Utility billing experience a big plus ... any questions please call me at 763-442-8749 or email at george@georgewimmer.com

Power Company Cutting Trees in Isanti

Sign on stump states free wood for the taking along County 5 just east of the tennis courts

The Mayor's Great Yard Award Sponsors

Our Sponsors of the 2012 Mayor's Great Yard Award 

1st Place Dan Mujwid of Above all Rooftops and Remodeling

2nd Place Aaron Zdon Startac Construction 

3rd Place Ken Drilling of KJD Signs

New Mayor George Wimmer Facebook Fan Page

Make sure you go and like my Mayor George Wimmer Facebook page  http://www.facebook.com/MayorGeorgeWimmer

you may also fallow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/MayorWimmer

Mayor's Great Yard Award 2012

We need a 1st place sponsor for the Mayor's Great Yard Award. This cost $100 for June, July and August totaling $300. Our 2nd and 3rd place prizes are funded. All sponsors help provide positive reinforcement to Isanti residents that help beautify our community. The Awards and monetary prizes are presented each month at City Council meetings. This is a great way to highlight our sponsors and their wonderful contributions to our City. If you are interested please call me 763-442-8749 or george@georgewimmer.com

Ethan and Evie's Spaghetti Dinner & Silent Auction

Redistricting

The Isanti County Board approved governing principles for redistricting .. if followed the new districts will be fair and equitable. 

New Mayor George Wimmer Facebook Fan Page

Make sure you go and like my Mayor George Wimmer Facebook page  http://www.facebook.com/MayorGeorgeWimmer

you may also fallow me on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/MayorWimmer

Plunge Pictures

The Before

The During

The After

2012 Spring Isantian Article

This Edition of Isantian looks a little bit different due to my goal of adding greater transparency to our City Government. We have taken each City department and explained how your taxpayer dollars are being used to fund City services. Many duties are self-evident such as police stopping speeders or public works plowing streets. Many other state mandated duties and expenses are not such as our City Planner making sure we do not allow spot zoning which could cost the City significantly in legal and future development cost. Our HR person has to make sure we comply with comparable worth and a litany of other State mandates. Our Police Department is not only busy catching the bad guys but also helps with such things as infant car seat inspections and lockout assistance. I believe it is important each Citizen and Taxpayer has a complete view of what their City government is doing and how their money is being spent.

Another topic we need to discuss is the ever changing landscape of our City. Isanti has gone from 74%  our tax base being owner occupied homes in 2010, to 65% in 2011. This is a significant shift and shows the trend of our housing stock being converted into rental properties. This is a foreseen outcome of the foreclosure crisis our Nation has been plagued with. When I was elected Mayor in 2006 I made a rental and maintenance ordinance a high priority so Isanti would be well positioned to deal with the coming changes. Isanti may very well see 50% of our housing stock converted into rental properties. This will lead to many challenges, which we have seen in other communities where rental property owners try to force communities to lower their standards and increase their profits at the City’s cost. Future Mayors and Councils must not allow an eroding of community standards to profit a few at the expense of families that invested so much in making Isanti a wonderful place to live.

On this same topic there is a trend occurring centering around the theme of ‘times are tough, Isanti should take anything they can get’. This would be disastrous to the long term health and vitality of our community. Residential proposals allowing new tiny cheap homes in established neighborhoods would not only hurt existing property values but would never generate enough future property taxes to help pay for City services thus increasing the burden on existing homeowners. Only the developer would make money on this type of deal. We see it on the commercial property side as well. Proposals to build low value additions along TH 65 that would never provide decent paying jobs, tax base or services our community needs. Times are hard and will continue to be for years to come but we must not allow short term fear to drive long term policy. The approval of any type of ‘growth proposal’ is what got Isanti in such a mess to begin with and has left us paying millions in debt that we have inherited. Long term city planning is like planting trees - we do it for the generations to come.

2012 will see exciting events and changes in Isanti. Redistricting has placed our City in a new State Representative district as well as a new County Commissioner District. These changes highlight the need to have good representation for our community at each level of government. There is not one seat on the School Board or County Board occupied by a City resident.

We are hosting State tournaments for soccer and BMX, along with numerous weekly games and rides this summer. Our State Champion Redbirds will be playing in a tougher division this year and will continue to make us proud. These two groups alone bring in tens of thousands of spectators and participants and highlight the great strengths of our community. Rodeo Jubilee Days along with other numerous events make Isanti such a wonderful community.

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 facebook.com/GeorgeAWimmer or my blog at georgewimmer.blogspot.com

1 Day to the 10th Annual Arctic Plunge

Go to http://arcticplunge.com/ to learn more.... there will be many changes this year due to the weather conditions but the cause of raising money for important local causes is still the same....

Local Papers Coverage of my State of the City

http://www.presspubs.com/isanti/news/article_5aaf021a-63c0-11e1-89c2-001871e3ce6c.html

http://isanticountynews.com/2012/03/01/isanti-mayor-times-are-tough-but-staying-positive/

3 Reasons I am Considering Running for County Commissioner

1. We need a vision for our County's future that provides a Long Term Financial Plan (LTFP), strong economic growth, transparency and shared services. I developed a LTFP for Isanti that has significantly lowered taxes, reduced debt and spending without cutting any City services. This must be repeated at the County level. I chaired the County wide group that brought cities and townships together and developed the County Economic Development Authority. After its development we handed it off to the County Board where it has been languishing for years now. Not one business project has been developed or enhanced by the County in the years since the County EDA's creation. They have not even decided on what type of organization they wish to be. Tens of thousands of dollars have been spent with no positive result. This needs to be turned around immediately. The lack of transparency at the County Board has been glaring for years. The board only recently, after we placed tremendous pressure on them, voted to record their meetings but has yet to appear on the County website. The Board holds meetings of the whole where they all discuss County business and these meetings are not recorded nor are they covered by the press. I have attended several of these over the years and it is clear why they hesitate to record these meetings. Transparency please in all County discussions so Citizens and Taxpayers know how decisions are being made. The County needs to take leadership on pooling services and purchases with the cities, school board and townships to help lower all of our cost. We have done these type of delas wit hthe City of Cambridge and currently working with Isanti Township on others - We know how to make this work even if the County does not. City, Township, School District and County taxes come out of the same wallet. We must streamline all levels of government and eliminate unnecessary redundancies.

2. The County Board and School Board do not have anyone from our Isanti Community on their boards. We pay the 2nd highest amount of County and School District taxes and we have ZERO representation. This is undemocratic and must be addressed. We need strong representation that will fight for our communities needs. We also need strong County leadership in dealing with State Government. We are all to often forgotten and left behind when policy is being developed on the State level.

3. We have a track record of reform, fiscal discipline and leadership. We have cut taxes and cost. We are spending less in 2012 than we did in 2006 in the City of Isanti. We have cut employee cost and improved city services. We must replace the good ole boy/girl style of County Government and usher in a wave of reform that breathes new life into our Community.

I am far from deciding if I will run or not and I hope the County Board does not play politics with redistricting. I love serving my Community as Mayor and hope to continue to do so but if the County continues on its normal course we may have no choice but to knock down the same walls of misgovernment of Isanti County as we did in 2006 in the City of Isanti.

Missing my Parents

Arctic Plunge Medallion Hunt

2012 ARCTIC PLUNGE MEDALLION HUNT

FEBRUARY 16TH - MARCH 2ND
(OR WHEN MEDALLION IS FOUND)

The cost of the button is $2.00

The medallion is a round metal object the size of a hockey puck clearly marked ARCTIC PLUNGE MEDALLION.  The medallion will be hidden within a 10 mile radius of the City of Isanti Police Station.

Daily clues will be posted on the Arctic Plunge website, Captains on Long Lake website, the Chamber of Commerce website and any merchant participating in the sale of buttons.  The Arctic Plunge will run ads in the Isanti County News promoting the medallion hunt and the merchants selling the buttons.

The person who finds the medallion will turn it into the Chamber of Commerce.  If they have a button at the time they will win a $250.00 cash prize.  If they don’t have a button the prize is $100.00.  The merchant who sells the winning button  will receive a $50.00 prize.  If no button is turned in we will enter all merchant names in a drawing for this prize.

BUTTONS & DISCOUNTS OFFERED AT THESE MERCHANTS

Chanticlear Pizza - $3 off an XL pizza, $2 off Large Pizza (regulaIsanti Chamber of Commerce

DAILY CLUES...

Clue #1	Keep your eye on the prize, it's hockey puck sized.
Clue #2	Small and gray, let the songbirds lead the way.
Clue #3	Pack up the napkins, blanket, all odds n' ends. Spend a nice summer day with good food and good friends.
Clue #4	Come one and all, let your imagination soar; this hunt is for all - young or old, rich or poor.

ARCTIC PLUNGE MEDALLION HUNT RULES

• The medallion will be hidden in an actual location in Isanti County.

• Go to  http://arcticplunge.com/medallion-hunted for more informationes, nor the hiding place, require entry on to private prop

Great Lost of Norene Callahan Isanti 2nd Grade Teacher

Superintendent Novak has informed us 2nd grade teacher, Norene Callahan, died in a car accident today. Isanti has suffered a great loss...

Link to story -

http://isanticountynews.com/2012/02/17/isanti-primary-school-teacher-killed-in-car-accident/

Thank You

Thank you everyone for the hundreds of Facebook, Twitter, email, text and phone call birthday wishes.... I am truly blessed at 40

Isanti's Rum River BMX Track 5th Best in Nation

Great Cause

On April 13, 2012, our family will be holding a spaghetti dinner and silent auction benefit to raise travel expenses for the MACS conference in the United Kingdom . The Micro and Anophthlamic Children’s Society was established in 1994. It is a model of excellence in the UK and is supported by professionals and parents. The benefit will be held at Captian’s on Long Lake in Isanti, MN. We are looking for individuals, companies, and organizations to help with donations of money, silent auction items or other services for this event to be successful.

In June of 2007 my newborn son, Ethan, was diagnosed with a very rare genetic disease called Microaphthalmia (small formed eyes). Two years later in May 2009, our 3rd child, Evalyn, was also diagnosed with Microaphthalmia. It was then we learned our children are blind and there is no cure. After several surgeries and all kinds of emotions, we went in search of other families who have gone through the same experience.  Having the support of other families who have already been through what we were going through is invaluable.  The “completely lost” feeling we had been living with has started to disappear.

Last summer we attended the International Children’s Anophthalmia/Microphthalmia Network (ican) conference in Boston, MA. There we met Barry,the chairman for Micro & Anophthalmic Children’s Society based in the United kingdom (MACS).  While in Boston Barry invited our family the the MACS family weekend in the UK. This takes place from May 3rd to the 7th, 2012. MACS are helping with some of the cost in relation to airfare, accommodations and food.

The ICAN Conference was a wonderful experience and we have connected with many families and learned so much medically and genetically. Therefore to be able to give ICAN members a further insight and knowledge of what MACS has achieved in the UK would be an invaluable experience. We are hoping to learn more about the MACS organization and bring home ways to help ICAN grow and reach more families in need of support as they navigate this long and emotional journey.

Not only that but this weekend will also give our children a chance to make friends who are like them and will give us as parents the support and knowledge we need to raise our kids to lead full, productive,  and independent lives. I, as Ethan and Evie’s mom, have volunteered to speak at this conference about our kids and share with other families the challenges and successes we face in raising our children.

Thank you in advance for any help you can give to making this weekend a possibility for our family. The connections we make there will serve many families through out the US.

For more information on MACS and ICAN please visit their websites:
www.macs.org.uk
www.anophthalmia.org