6B CROSBY-IRONTON COURIER Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2014 Fifty Lakes… —from page 5B expectations, and pay based on performance. My style can be summed up in three words: LESS IS MORE! LESS government, LESS hassle for everyone, FEWER RULES and regulations, FEWER unreasonable FEES, and to keep all of our taxes as LOW as possible. I’ll share one example of fees I believe are unnecessary. I’ve paid $50/year for a permit to park my camper on my own property. (I use the camper only occasionally, while tending my livestock. I pay taxes on the 15 acre Ag property; I pay for a license on the camper; plus I pay to have the tank pumped regularly. Why, in rural America, isn’t that enough? Do we really need a city permit or a conditional use permit too?) If a young family buys a lake lot, why shouldn’t they be able to enjoy summers camping on that lot? I don’t believe the current RV ordinance (in which the city can deny them that right after three summers) is fair or reasonable. I support our firemen and first responders who protect and serve our community. I believe we need better cell phone service (ie, towers) in the area and should utilize cell technology for emergency alerts, rather than the outdated sirens that are under consideration. I grew up on a farm in northwest North Dakota where I learned the value of hard work; earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcasting at UND; and raised two children in Bismarck, ND. I moved to Fifty Lakes in 2010 with my fiancé, Julie Engle. Julie’s family has lived on West Fox Lake for over four decades where they owned Edgewild Resort for 32 years. I now own and manage a local business, Emily Wash, the Laundromat and car wash in Emily with Julie’s brother, Jon Engle. I have 20 years of experience caring for the elderly and disabled as a Nursing Assistant, which I still enjoy doing part-time. I ran my own traveling massage therapy business for 12 years in North Dakota before moving here. For fun, I also raise livestock on a small hobby farm just down County Road 3 from our home in Fifty Lakes. My appreciation to our current city council members for their dedicated service to the community: Jodie Schrupp, Greg Buchite and Jay Weinman, outgoing Mayor Ken Hersey and Councilman Les Degner. Les deserves special recognition for his many years of exemplary service to the City of Fifty Lakes, initially as the Zoning Coordinator, and then as a long-time city council member. Les always kept the best interests of the citizens, as well as the city employees, in mind. He was fair and reasonable and never had a hidden or personal agenda. By serving as a Fifty Lakes Councilperson, I hope to live up to that high standard Les set. KEN HERSEY No response VOTE! ★★★General Election Tuesday, Nov. 4★★★ ★★★★★ I believe the most important issued is to thoroughly check out all insurances that are available and possibly piggyback with other communities for lower insurance rates. If I am elected, I would not micro-manage the bar. I would let the manager do his/her job. I have been married for 40 years and have two daughters and one grandson. I am a high school graduate and am 65 years old. I was a seasonal resident of Fifty Lakes from 1992-2010. I retired from the Department of Transportation (road maintenance) after 36 years of service in 2009 and am now a full time resident of Fifty Lakes. I also worked as a bartender and gambling manager part-time for 20 years. GORDY REILLER No response. MAYOR MAYOR CITY OF RIVERTON (vote for one) (vote for one) DEAN FRENCH DAVID C. PETERSON The most important issue in this campaign is improving downtown Ironton and encourage our few businesses to do all they can to draw from the entire area and hopefully find some funding to help businesses and residents imrpove their properties. If I am elected, the first item on my agenda would be trying to maintain a good budget without increasing our levy. I am 61 years and I’ve lived in Ironton sime 1979. Most people know me from French’s Automotive, which I started and operated for several years. Both of my children are Ironton residents. I also have five grandchildren which I am very proud of. ★★★★★ COUNCIL MEMBER CITY OF IRONTON (vote for up to two) DEBRA L. BERGSNEV The most important issue facing Ironton is the economic stability of our town; The mayor and city of Ironton council members have made progression toward revitalization of Ironton. I support their efforts, if elected as a new member of the council, I will contribute to the revitalization of Ironton. If I am elected, the first item on my agenda would be to gain knowledge and understanding of where the city council has improved the community economic survivability. I have been a resident of Ironton since 2003. I am committed to ensuring the best possible solutions are attained for the community. I retired from the military in 2003 after serving 23 years in United States Air Force. I am currently working on my doctorate for Health Care Administration through Capella University. I have one daughter, Desiree, son-inlaw, Ryan, and three beautiful grandchildren, Jayden, Isaiah, and Hannah. STEVEN CADY JUSTIN GRECULA I believe the most important issue in this campaign is lowering property taxes. I would accomplish this by cutting spending and attracting new business to increase the tax base. If I am elected the first item on my agenda would be attracting new busineses. I feel I am the most qualified candidate because I’m honest, hard working and not afraid to face challenges. I have lived in Ironton for five years. I grew up in the area and graduated from C-I High School. I’m married and have two children, five and three. Unopposed ★★★★★ ERIC J. HEGLUND The most important issue(s) are the economy and controlling taxation. If reelected, I will continue to make changes at a local level to reduce costs and improve the use of resources. In this term, I voted to save Ironton money with a new police contract. The cost reduction is $38,500 per year, while gaining more police patrol hours. I voted against use of city funds to hire a grant writer without guaranteed results. I voted for use of Morningside Park and other properties for local events, to draw people to the area and encourage business growth. If I am elected, the first item on my agenda would be to continue to work smart with the money we have, without increasing the Ironton levy. Instead, I believe we need to find innovative ways to plan and improve roads, sidewalks, bike lane, water and sewer services and fire protection. Although grants may seem like a fiscally prudent way to achieve these goals, grants are NOT free money. First of all, somebody has to pay for them. And secondly, grants often come with conditions and regulations that actually cost more money! Thirdly, grants waste time. Grants can take years to receive, if you receive the grants at all. The delay often results in an increase in project costs, because of inflation. If we can get a project done outside a grant program, have it cost less and get the same or better results. I am in favor of it. Throughout the years, I have had the opportunity to attend various city and county meetings. At these meetings, I have heard a lot of promises and I have watched for the actual final results. This background allows me the perspective to see the truth from the promises and rhetoric. I have been an advertising sales rep for over 26 years. This has given me the unique opportunity to talk to people every day about the challenges that they face. It has allowed me to see different perspectives and different ways to solve problems. Although, most people find me easy-going and easy to get along with, that does not necessarily mean that I am a “Yes” man. I will always work for what is best for Ironton, not what is popular with the rest of the other council members. I am 52 years-old and currently the founder and publisher of the NewsHopper in Ironton. I have owned both commercial and residential property in Ironton since 1988. I have worked as food and beverage controller, night auditor, and advertising manager. I have a computer and accounting background in both college education and work experience. I graduated from Crosby-Ironton High School class of 1980. I attended Brainerd Community College, University of Minnesota Duluth and Control Data Institute Computer Programming. My family on both my mother’s and father’s side have been in the CrosbyIronton area for over a 100 years. My father was a miner, driving truck on the Cuyuna Range in the mines from 1950 until 1972. When the mines closed on the Cuyuna Range, he continued to work for M.A. Hanna Mining on the other range until his retirement in 1981. My mother did payroll/bookkeeping for Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge, until she retired in 2009. No response. JODY SCHRUPP No response. FRED E. STROHMEIER No response. ★★★★★ ★★★★★ ★★★★★ CITY OF IRONTON No response. STEVEN (SKIP) O’BRYAN CLARK HAMDORF GLORIA PERPICH COUNCIL MEMBER CITY OF RIVERTON (vote for up to two) LANA SCHMIDT No response. WARREN C. TURNBLOOM No response. ★★★★★ COUNCIL MEMBER CITY OF RIVERTON SPECIAL COUNCIL (vote for one) ILA RAE MARTIN Unopposed ★★★★★ MAYOR CITY OF TROMMALD (vote for one) JIM HILLER Unopposed ★★★★★ TOWN OFFICES SUPERVISOR SEAT 2 DEERWOOD (vote for one) DENNIS GRAFF No response. JOSHUA R. THOMPSON The most important issue in this campaign is the choice of a supervisor who is responsive and respectful of their constituency. If I am elected, I pledge to always listen to my constituency and their wishes. If I am elected, the first item on my agenda would be roads. Roads are the most important function of a township, and they should always be priority number one. The busiest roads should always be looked at first, but that doesn't mean we forget about the roads that are less traveled. Safety should always be our main concern in the maintenance of township roads. Deerwood Township has a small budget and that means common sense must be applied when prioritizing maintenance and making budgetary decisions. We must all strive to live within our means. I believe I am the best candidate because I am respectful and listen to people. I am also fiscally prudent. Too often elected representatives begin to view the "Public Purse" as their "Purse" and funds are spent in a reckless manner. I pledge to always maintain fidelity to the greater good of the township and not to any personal pet project or agenda. I am a sixth generation Deerwood Township resident; a Sales Representative for Nestlé USA for the past seven years; I am 32 years old and spent three years at St. Cloud State University No response. ★★★★★★★★★★ ★★★★★★★★★★ YOUR VOTE COUNTS…PLEASE VOTE NOV. 4! TOWN OFFICES TOWN OFFICES SUPERVISOR SEAT 3 DEERWOOD CLERK IRONDALE (vote for one) CHERYL KOSTAL (vote for one) No response MICHAEL A. BRANDT The most important issue in this campaign is the general welfare of the township. I would approach this by addressing matters that are brought before the board open mindedly, with no personal agenda. I will address the matters which are requested of the board by the voters. I feel I am the best candidate because I have six years of successful Deerwood township experience. I am 63 years old and retired after 28 years in the automotive industry. I have been married 25 years and have one adult son. I live on County Road 133, Deerwood. ★★★★★ TOWN OFFICES SUPERVISOR SEAT 1 IRONDALE (vote for one) PHILIP JURACEK No response. DAVID GRAY In my opinion, the most important issue in this campaign is how to maintain township roads at a safe level for residents without more tax increases. The best way to approach this is by identifying unnecessary costs. The approach the board has taken with Deer Trail is a good example of this. By shutting down through-traffic, we’ve radically reduced the level of traffic on the road which would otherwise absorb substantial maintenance funds on a regularly recurring basis. We must keep our roads at an acceptable level of maintenance, and we must find thrifty ways to do so. If I am elected the first item on my agenda would be to continue to find ways of budgeting road maintenance using existing funds. In the time I’ve served on the board I’ve helped modernize the township board in ways that allow residents to keep track of our activities. A prime example is the new township Web site, costing only $150 per year. At www.deerwoodtownship.org people can find the agendas and minutes for township meetings going back over the last year and a half, contact numbers for township personnel, meeting times and other useful information. I also bring the perspective of someone who is raising young children and would like to see economic development for the township so that we can have more jobs available, which in turn would broaden our tax base. My twenty years in the armed forces helped teach me how to assess an issue quickly and to aggressively look for solutions. That’s what I want to keep doing for Deerwood Township. I’m a 51 year old husband and father of five young children. I served 20 years in the Air Force. I was born in the old Miner’s Hospital in Crosby and brought my family back home to raise my children after my time in service. I’m currently completing a master’s degree course from American Military University. RANDY STANFIELD The most important issue in this campaign is making sure the residents of Irondale Township have an open minded person who will listen to the concerns of the people and use a common sense approach to solving issues and making decisions. I would be new to this position and would have to take time to listen to the issues and concerns of the residents of the township and prioritize them. I also feel it is very important to work with township employees and address their needs and concerns. I believe as Irondale Township Supervisor I have the interpersonal skills to work as a team with the township board as well as the residents of Irondale Township. In my career as a law enforcement officer and a carpenter, I have developed excellent organization and time management skills and dealt with controversial issues throughout my career. I am 60 years old and retired. I have lived on Beach Road in Deerwood for the past 20 years. I attended Riverton grade school and am a 1972 graduate of CrosbyIronton High School. After high school I worked in construction as a carpenter for approximately five years, then went into law enforcement and retired after 35 years. I am married to Amy and have three daughters, Jennifer, Rebecca and Samantha. More township election info next page ➺➺➺➺➺➺ Please ✓ VOTE for Josh Thompson and Michael Brandt for DEERWOOD TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS Prepared and paid for on their own behalf
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