Arctic Plunge

 

My 2013 Arctic Plunge with the Minnesota Owls ... 4 more days till my 10th consecutive year taking the Plunge ...

 

http://arcticplunge.com/

2014 State of the City

Delivering the State of the City Wednesday the 19th 11:30am at the Chamber of Commerce Luncheon

Exciting New City Programs

The City is excited to announce their new Family and Youth Recreation Programs! Check out www.cityofisanti.us, search recreations programs for more details on:

Nature Detectives Club : This year-round fun, nature centered program is geared for children ages 4-7 years old. There will be a mix of activities including education, stories, crafts, games and more! First Saturday of the month beginning April. $4/child per session

From Lands to Legacy: Bring the family out to enjoy the history of the great area known as Legacy Park. This series will focus on the Native American history and the Rum River. 9:00am-10:00am – June 21, July 19 and August 16. $4/child, $12/family per session.

 

 

 

 

 

The City of Isanti in Minnesota offers much for vacationers, residents and businesses. Come visit our parks and see our landmarks. Our City of Isanti website offers everything needed to inform you about our beautiful Minnesota town.

Cambridge Isanti School District News

I was asked to join Cambridge/Isanti School District Strategic Planning Group - privileged to help build a brighter future for our Community

State of the City

I am giving the State of the City Address February 19th 11:30am at the Isanti Chamber Luncheon - details in the link http://www.isantichamber.com/calendar-of-events/details/378-february-member-luncheon

New Sidewalk Policy

Effective 1/27/2014, the City of Isanti will be removing snow from all city owned sidewalks & trails within the city limits.

Reelection Questions

Keep getting asked if I am running for re-election - Our family is talking about it - Running for office & serving is a family commitment

Go Paperless for your Utility Billing

For those that do not like the postcard option here is information how to covert to our paperless utility billing ... To pay your Isanti utility bills online or sign up for e-billing go to https://www.paymentservicenetwork.com/Login.aspx?acc=rt19554 ... the site will walk you through the steps

To sign up for auto payment but still receive postcard billing go to  http://cityofisanti.us/images/stories/Finance/automatic%20utility%20bill%20payment%20signup%20sheet.pdf

Thanksgiving Thoughts

 

 

 

The First Thanksgiving Day Proclamation

The Holy God having by a long and Continual Series of his Afflictive dispensations in and by the present Warr with the Heathen Natives of this land, written and brought to pass bitter things against his own Covenant people in this wilderness, yet so that we evidently discern that in the midst of his judgments he hath remembered mercy, having remembered his Footstool in the day of his sore displeasure against us for our sins, with many singular Intimations of his Fatherly Compassion, and regard; reserving many of our Towns from Desolation Threatened, and attempted by the Enemy, and giving us especially of late with many of our Confederates many signal Advantages against them, without such Disadvantage to ourselves as formerly we have been sensible of, if it be the Lord's mercy that we are not consumed, It certainly bespeaks our positive Thankfulness, when our Enemies are in any measure disappointed or destroyed; and fearing the Lord should take notice under so many Intimations of his returning mercy, we should be found an Insensible people, as not standing before Him with Thanksgiving, as well as lading him with our Complaints in the time of pressing Afflictions:

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

-Date: June 20, 1676
-By: Governing council of Charlestown, Massachusetts

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President Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequalled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle, or the ship; the axe had enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consciousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom. No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things.

They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.

And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God; to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon; and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history, that those nations are blessed whose God is the Lord.
- Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation October 3, 1863


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

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

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

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


Since the Pilgrims observed the initial Thanksgiving holiday in 1621, this occasion has served as a singular expression of the transcending spiritual values that played an instrumental part in the founding of our country.

One hundred and twenty years ago, in the midst of a great and terrible civil conflict, President Lincoln formally proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving to remind those "insensible to the ever watchful providence of almighty God" of this Nation's bounty and greatness. Several days after the dedication of the Gettysburg battlefield, the United States celebrated its first national Thanksgiving.

Every year since then, our Nation has faithfully continued this tradition. The time has come once again to proclaim a day of thanksgiving, an occasion for Americans to express gratitude to their God and their country.In his remarks at Gettysburg, President Lincoln referred to ours as a Nation "under God."

We rejoice in the fact that, while we have maintained separate institutions of church and state over our 200 years of freedom, we have at the same time preserved reverence for spiritual beliefs. Although we are a pluralistic society, the giving of thanks can be a true bond of unity among our people. We can unite in gratitude for our individual freedoms and individual faiths. We can be united in gratitude for our Nation's peace and prosperity when so many in this world have neither.

As was written in the first Thanksgiving Proclamation 120 years ago, "No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God." God has blessed America and her people, and it is appropriate we recognize this bounty.

Now, Therefore, I, Ronald Reagan, President of the United States of America, in the spirit of the Pilgrims, President Lincoln, and all succeeding Presidents, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 24, 1983, as a National Day of Thanksgiving, and I call upon Americans to affirm this day of thanks by their prayers and their gratitude for the many blessings upon this land and its people.

-Thanksgiving Day Proclamation 1983
-By: Ronald Reagan

Past Isantian Issues

We are completing the Winter Edition of the Isantian & I thought you might be interested in past editions ... go to  http://cityofisanti.us/component/content/article/68

City of Isanti Utility Billing

The new utility bills are in a post card format similar to ECS bills. This helps reduce cost as part of our money saving plan to bring utility billing in house. As part of this process we installed a utility bill drop box at City Hall. Checks only please for the drop box ...

Council Meeting November 19th 2013

Agenda for our City Council meeting 7pm November 19th at Isanti City Hall http://cityofisanti.us/images/stories/minutes_agendas/cc_agenda/2013/11-19-2013_city_council_agenda.pdf

Isanti County News article regarding Ruby Johnson's Estate gift to Community Center capital improvements http://isanticountynews.com/category/government/

Labor Negotiations

Starting negotiations with our Police Union this morning - We settled with our Public Works Union 2 weeks ago -

When Country Calls

My Grandfather sent these words to my Grandmother in 1917 as America was preparing to fight in World War One. After the war they started a family together. They had 14 children, 11 boys and 3 girls. We must honor our soldiers and their families each and every day.

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A poem written by Ted Wimmer to Agnes

When Country Calls

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Parks, Recreation & Culture News

We are developing a lot of programming for our Community Center & Parks System to engage all ages in educational & recreational fun

Amazing Gift

Isanti City Council received a $120,000 check from the Ruby Johnson Estate for improvements to the Community Center - we are so grateful

Community Center Announcement

Huge announcement on the future of the Isanti Community Center at tomorrow's Council meeting 7pm ... You will not want to miss it

1369 votes cast so far at Isanti City Hall on the C/I Bond Referendum ... Polls close at 8pm

Open Position

We have a job opening for a Community Development Director / Assistant City Administrator http://www.cityofisanti.us/government/job-opportunities/143 ...