Anoka City Forum

Skogquist a Chameleon

Letter to the Editor Anoka Union October 17, 2008.  Permission to post was not requested nor received as it is found in the public domain.

To the Editor:

Is anyone wondering what kind of political animal Bjorn Skogquist resembles as he campaigns for Anoka County commissioner?

On one hand, he is serving as campaign chair for Andrew Boho who is running on the DFL ticket for the House seat in District 48B.  He should be commended for doing so; it is one of those thankless but necessary jobs in working for a liberal DFL candidate in Anoka.

But if you check Bjorn's campaign financial report, you find that several of his largest supporters are active members of the Minnesota Taxpayers League, undoubtedly the most conservative arm of the Minnesota Republican Party.

The only candidates the League ever supports are those who will vote against spending of any kind that has to do with mass transit, economic development and any project involving investing in our infrastructure.

Managing a campaign for a DFL candidate for the Minnesota House and also being supported himself by the most conservative Republican sub group in the state certainly makes for strange bedfellows.

It would appear the political animal that Bjorn Skogquist most closely resembles is the chameleon, a little creature that changes color every time it finds itself in a different environment.

Anoka resident

Anoka City Forum comment:    Perhaps Mr. Skogquist resembles the little creature aka a career politician.  He is keeping a foot in every door possible as he can't be sure this early which one will open to him and provide the greater opportunity.

Besides DFL and Republican affiliations Skogquist has served as treasurer for the Independent Party of Minnesota (IPM) for the 6th Congressional District.  He has also hosted an Independent Party meet-up on eminent domain issues at Billy's in Anoka.

 

Sivarajah & Skogquist + McDonald

Star Tribune on 7-20-08 reported Anoka County Commissioner Rhonda Sivarajah avowing, "I have never talked to people about running against fellow board members."

But the Tribune also reported that Anoka Mayor Skogquist- now running for county commissioner- claimed "Rhonda approached me" about running against Dan Erhart.

Sivarajah confirmed to the Tribune that well, yes, she "did encourage him".

Hopefully the Tribune didn't have to resort to waterboarding to get these confessions.

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Sivarajah & Skogquist in cahoots and playing politics goes back to at least 2002.

"Elect Rhonda" was listed in the Coles Information Services Directory at 408 Van Buren, Anoka MN, Skogquist's residence.  The phone number listed was Mayor Bjorn Skogquist's. Sivarajah's district is Lino Lakes in the far east of the county.

408 Van Buren was also the residence of a Bonnie McDonald. (Maybe currently 8-08 -signed a petiton 408 Van Buren #2)  This is the renter-girlfriend-fiancee-ex-whatever of Skogquist's that was hired at the Anoka County Historical Society even though she did not meet the minimum requirement of five years experience. And, in fact, was a student back east at the time of the job posting.  See McDonald's profile on www.LinkedIn.com.

Only two applicants were interviewed (ACHS board minutes 5-02). One man had the required five years museum management experience. The other applicant, the-girl-with-no-experience, was hired.

This was the year the Minnesota Historical Society's funding was cut 25%, sites were closed, many qualified historic types were forced into other jobs.

But McDonald was a tireless door-to-door campaigner for "Skogquist for Mayor". ( Also Dori Schumacher and Michael Gundlach's literature was tucked in with Skogquist's) She was in a close personal relationship with the Mayor of Anoka. It was determined she was a "better fit" for the job of executive director.  June 2002.

2002 was also the year Skogquist declared his occupation: "to me, being your mayor is a full time job."  Salary $6,800. He was somehow able to purchase 408 Van Buren.   August 2002.

It was probably a helpful benefit to have county taxpayer money via McDonald contributing to Skogquist mortgage payments in those lean years.

Comment: Bjorn Skogquist recent job at ATC (Anoka Technical College) should be investigated. While we appreciate Anne Weyandt taking the little guy in, he's not exactly qualified for the job.  Unless it's another one of those spoils hires. Being mayor the major qualification?

Wards Regressive

Anoka Union Columnist Chuck Drury wrote on the ward-based-voting-system versus Anoka's current at-large city council representation: ( Permission to post on the Anoka City Forum was not requested nor obtained as info was taken from the public record)  -  Selected Quotes:

"A good reason for keeping the mayor at two years so that the voters can clean house if necessary." ( A four year mayor's term had also been requested with the ward petition - all instigated and signed by the Paul Pierce/ Bjorn Skogquist / Dori Schumacher alliance.)

Former mayor and councilmember Charlie Sell was referenced: "He knew that the two-year mayor term was a good protection for the citizens of Anoka and should not be changed.  Charlie also felt that going to a ward based system would be a mistake.  We discussed at length the experience of Shorewood."

"Shorewood had adopted the ward system in 2004.  However, it found that it caused a drop in voter turnout and community participation in government.  They found that under the at-large system council members were much more responsive to residents."

"Some citizens wanted to again have all council members represent them, rather than only one."

"Therefore, the Shorewood City Council unanimously agreed to respond to their citizens.  They voted to return to the at-large system."

"This was done even though some council members would have to give up part of their present terms and stand for re-election."

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Anoka City Forum also recommends  http://www.startribune.com/templates/Print_This_Story?sid=19747624  and http://www.ci.shorewood.mn.us/pages/election/election.html 

Historically, wards were a preferred, effective method for a small group of people to get and maintain political micromanagement of a city and all of its functions.  The small group recruits new residents and controls candidates.

Wards make it very easy to get people off and keep them off of city councils, advisory boards and commissions.

Be afraid, Anoka, be very afraid. 

 

Unnecessary Wards

Letter to the editor 10-3-08.  Permission to post on the Anoka City Forum was not requested nor obtained as it was taken from the public record:

On this small patch of land we call the City of Anoka, we as residents have darn good access to all five city council members.

They are all close.  The whole town is only seven square miles.  All of them would welcome a letter from a resident with something to say.

I have never been refused an email address or a cell phone number.  They are all accessible every few days at one of the many published meetings at city hall.

If you don't seem to get along with one, you can talk to another one.  And if you don't like that one, you can choose from three more.

Furthermore, if you don't like the entire council, and that opinion is popular, then you as voters can overturn the majority of the council every two years!

If the people who signed the petition (for a ward based voting system) feel that others have to come to your doors to get your opinion, then you need to get involved.

Streaming video is online ( www.ci.anoka.mn.us ).  City meetings replay several times a day on local cable for the next two weeks.

The City of Anoka ensures that the electronic packets are available for review online by Friday before the next scheduled meeting.  Minutes for meetings are also available on the city website for up to two years.

There are constant vacancies on our boards and commissions.  Many of the public meetings are under attended.

I'll make a personal challenge to all who read this, fill some of the empty chairs yourself.  Did you think all you had to do was vote to be well represented?

Pat Walker

Anoka

Skogquist Surpasses Schaffer

St. Francis city councilmember LeRoy Schaffer is catching heat for  "a pattern of acting on the city's behalf without council sanction." There is a recall election scheduled for December. He's accused of continually misinforming the public, disrespecting the government process, offensive behavior and overstepping bounds.

Mr. Schaffer is an amateur compared to Mayor Bjorn Skogquist. 

Consider Skogquist's known short list of doing business independent of full council:

1. 2005  Skogquist was declaring "I can't work with this council. . . ." He announced he would be "moving forward to work outside the council with an unofficial facilitation." 
2. City of Anoka letterhead was used for two secret, invitation-only "visioning meetings" held by Skogquist.  City Manager Tim Cruikshank appears to have publically resigned his position at this point declaring, "The mayor can do whatever he wants."
3. HRA State legislature debacle. Again with Anoka letterhead, Skogquist lobbied without council sanction or knowledge for his limited self-serving purpose. Who gives him letterhead?  Or does he just take it?
4. Chinese Garden stuck at the "Keep Out" posted amphitheater.  City staff, advisory boards and the rest of council were all kept out of this action. 
5. Retailer Services.  A company in the Industrial Park got a financial benefit afforded no other company on the basis of the Mayor's singular direction, backed by city manager.
6. Recent McGowan suit against, not primarily the city, but the Skogquist brothers personally. For Skogquist "using his position as mayor. . ."   Schaffer is being recalled,  Skogquist's are being sued.

Occassionally, maybe eventually, there are consequences for overstepping bounds.

Beyond these actions, there has been a pattern of retaliation and removal from advisory boards :

• There was a failed attempt to replace Bart Ward at the ACHS with Skogquist's mother.

 

• Borgie Bonthuis, an early Skogquist supporter, was informed by Skogquist he would be refusing to submit her name for reappointment because Mr. Skogquist didn't like the way she was voting.

 

• Lisa Rambol, long-time resident, was not reappointed to the EDC by the Skogquist dominated council.   She had voiced her opinion about Anoka's overdue need for rental licensing in a letter to the editor.  Mimi Doran, wife of the mayor's bartender , non-resident and now beneficiary of the Car Show revenues, got the appointment.

 

• Bruce Lanes,  HRA member,  also voiced an opinion about Paul Pierce actions in a letter to the editor.  Bye, Bye Bruce, thanks for your service.  

And now Ward-based-voting  and  Erik Skogquist  and  Aaron Barr?

Anoka has the elements necessary for a bad historic re-enactment of pre-reform machine politics.    

       Be afraid, Anoka, be very afraid.

Skogquist for Commissioner: History with Special Interests

On 3-1-07  the Anoka Union reported City Manager Tim Cruikshank saying, "I'm getting the message we're not going to have any consultants anymore without the council's approval."

On 3-19-04  the Anoka Union had reported turmoil over another unauthorized survey expenditure. No pre-approval.

The earlier issue involved an unbudgeted, unauthorized expenditure of $8,000.

The bogus "Mayor's Task Force on Housing" was ready to spend this money without council pre-approval.

That's a problem for our form of government. No due process. No public oversight. But it really helps with those tightly managed, politically crafted outcomes. If you can get away with it.  It really keeps any democratic scrutiny to a minimum.

In fact, this same article reported Councilmember Dori Schumacher, who was on the Task Force with Skogquist, saying: "The Task Force is well on its way toward submitting its recommendations to the council."

That's a problem for our form of government. Charter member Zilla Way once stated, "The Charter forbids council members from serving on any advisory boards or commissions." (Early 2007 Union). So self-advising is not advisable and even unlawful. "The Mayor's Task Force on Housing" was unlawful.  It concentrates political power to the few, rather than the whole council.

If you break the rules early and often. . . eventually anything goes.

The keeper of the charter, City Manager Tim Cruikshank, assists the dysfunction with his stated policy: "The mayor can do whatever he wants."

Pierce/Skogquist/Schumacher actually voted for the survey and then went against the survey's findings.

The survey found 80% of Anokans thought rental licensing was desirable.  The triplet ticket on the council disregarded citizens and supported outsider special interests, referred to as predatory landlords by the Tribune.   (Pierce buddy/Skogquist supporter Mr.Fischer of Main & Ferry got his railings ASAP as well. . .Wonder what's on his wish list this time if his boys Aaron Barr and Erik Skogquist are installed).

Now, Bjorn Skogquist-campaigning-for-commissioner decries that sort of thing.  He says we should listen to the citizens, not special interest lobbyists.

It's more likely he will do what he has already done, only it would involve even bigger issues and more money.

Anoka County, be afraid, be very afraid.

Aaron Barr: false info

Aaron Barr, 2006 and 2008 Anoka council candidate, had the temerity to say he was concerned about "the low grade of ethics of people on the city's advisory boards."

An easy look-back has Mr. Barr first making the scene in a Union article in January 2005.  He was the leader of a group that circulated a petition regarding 302 Fremont, his immediate neighbor.

The Union report revealed "much of what has been represented [by this group] is either patently false, seriously in dispute, or counterbalanced by actions the public has not been generally aware."

Barr's group demanded action claiming "surrounding properties have been adversely affected by blight translating to decreasing property values." They tried for eminent domain, a public taking of the property, first for preservation, then for blight.

Aaron Barr's efforts, based on patently false information,influenced the hasty passing of an ordinance and extravagant HRA loans totaling $485,000.  These actions served Barr's immediate self interest: his "decreasing property values".

Mayor Skogquist stated in the Union he was pleased with "this private solution." Bjorn Skogquist's idea of a private solution would eventually cost the city $185,000.  302 Fremont would be sold August 29, 2008 at Sheriff's sale for $132,500.

Later, Bjorn Skogquist wanted Aaron Barr for a five year appointment to the city's independent housing authority, the HRA.  This group is empowered to tax, spend and make financial decisions apart from the elected body: the city council.  These appointments are not accountable to the public by election and outlast any two year term mayor.

A group with this power and longevity needs to recruit people of the highest personal ethics. Certainly not people looking after their own limited self-interest or rubberstamping the mayor's extreme, expensive agenda.

Currently  (October 2008) Aaron Barr and Erik Skogquist are going around Anoka campaigning together for city council.  Be afraid Anoka, be very afraid.

St. Francis is trying to recall a councilmember for spreading misinformation.  It would be easier and cheaper to keep this sort from being elected in the first place.

Windego Abandoned Project

In December 2006, Windego Park Society president, Erik Skogquist stated, "the Society has been successful as of right now without really having a project."

    Hold on. . .

There is another WPS project (besides the Anoka amphitheater) that should have been known to council, staff and certainly Mr. Skogquist.

It is sitting unfinished in St. Francis, four years past the projected completion date.

The Windego Park Society has been called "an untested, under-funded, relatively unknown group which cannot prove their ability to complete the (Anoka) project."

They can, in fact, prove their inability to complete a much smaller project.

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The WPS Anoka project has had estimates from one-half to a full million dollars.

The WPS St. Francis project is a one bedroom house.

Skogquist's Offensive Digit

Mayor Bjorn Skogquist aka King Bjorn 

"clearly it is my ring finger."

(Rulers of realms can determine yesterday's weather and digits by decree.)

Jan Call, loyal subject:  "All of us acquainted with Bjorn know that when he touches his temple, it is simply a habit and not an obscene gesture."

(The emperor does too have clothes on. . .  To say or even think otherwise is unpardonable.)

The King's barrister, Bradley Newbolt:   "It is clear that he simply had a pen in his hand and had his hand resting on and occasionally scratching his brow."

(If anyone disagrees, well. . .We'll sue.  You have no right to any different statement of opinion than what the sovereign has ordained.)

Tough Henry:  "It's just not very good community building."

Advice to children:  If you don't want someone to know it, don't do it.

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Mayor Skogquist was first cited as "King Bjorn" in a letter to the editor when he was observed operating outside ordinary mayoring.

A city councilmember just up the road in St. Francis is facing recall for stretching his job description.

Currently, Mr. Skogquist says he would be a good statesman, an ambassador, an effective county commissioner or maybe a college student.

Anoka Halloween Cartoon Town + Redrum

      It was only eight years ago Skogquist's Anoka was dubbed "Clown Town".

     Twenty-two year old Bjorn Skogquist was installed as mayor on a rebellion ticket.

     He immediately replaced our professional city manager and has been operating a defacto strong mayor council ever since.  He hopes to make the corruption of our form of government permanent with the ward system.

Skogquist's focus has been Saturday night Car Shows - a single, twenty-somethings got his priorities, don't cha know.  Also liquor must be served an hour later.

Some of his other achievements have involved garage sales, wine sippings, horror flick reviews, sidewalk chalk drawings - any number of entertaining mature events.

The contentious theater productions (aka council meetings) have been legendary.  Citizens (known as rabble to the Skogquist's) are roused for these productions.  The rabble receive carefully scripted, choreographed roles.

There has been a dribble of new, apparently easily swayed residents that are used and abused. Mark Peterson, in Anoka only since 2001, is currently being way overused. It's fair to ask how he became so confident about our need for a total change in government after only seven years in town.

Clown town, Theater town, and now Cartoon town:

The top cartoons are at the downtown Anoka gateway as seen from the municipal ramp and condo project area. Redrum-opened 9-20-08. Also see www.greenmonkey.us Redrum's site.

The lower cartoons greet people at the western gateway on Main Street off the Hwy 10 ramp.

Most of the year these Halloweenish images are as stale as leftover Halloween candy in April or August. 

As an identity for the City of Anoka, Halloween has gone beyond stale to Undesirable.

It's not your mother's Halloween.

Online Petition - Stop Murder Spelled Backwards Selling Drug Paraphernalia www.gopetition.com/online/22252.html          

Skogquist's Killing Anoka + Redrum Head Shop

There is a new manifestation of what's killing Anoka.   The facade of the new Redrum smoke shop is full of death symbolism.

The owner of the building and landlord is John Becker, the brother-in-law of Paul Pierce.  Pierce and Bjorn Skogquist are the councilmembers that delayed Riverspointe and caused the Condo project to miss the market.

Thirty people signed a letter to the editor in 2006 saying Mayor Skogquist had let it be known the Anoka River Run Car Show (using the condo building site) was more important than making progress on the Condo project.

Now Erik Skogquist, Mr. "no-more-rental", wants to continue these misguided stuck-in-the-past policies.  It's simplistic to say no-more-rental.  The discussion should be about the quality of rental as much as the quantity.  Hopkins has high quality and quantity and an actual vibrant downtown.

Resisting all new rental locks the city in bondage to the old and deteriorating.  We have a recipe for continued stagnation and decline rather than a plan for replacing and upgrading. 

You only have to see where the Skogquist (and ally Aaron Barr's) signs go to see who benefits by their policies. The Tribune called them low-end, predatory landlords: the Pierces, the Fischer's, the Corriveau's of Anoka.

Bjorn Skogquist delayed routine rental licensing for his constituents.

Erik Skogquist promises to resist new, upgraded replacement rental for his.

Killing the competition for the benefit of his moneyed special interest supporters.

Killing Anoka's future.

Demographics is still destiny.

Online Petition - Stop Murder Spelled Backwards Selling Drug Paraphernalia  www.gopetition.com/online/22252.html

Comment:  If "demographics is destiny":

Anoka is currently being systematically "marketed" to new people through the County welfare system and numbers of failed chemical dependency people each year.

Combined with paralysis in housing renewal, rental licensing, resistance to redevelopment. . .what will Anoka look like in 10, in 20 years?  And who will live here?

Who benefits but the Fischers, Corriveau's and Paul Pierce types?  It's not difficult to see why they support Aaron Barr and the Skogquist's.

Downtown Anoka's Descent + Redrum

Redrum comes to Anoka. . . Letter to the Editor - 19 September 2008:  Pointless and Doomed:

This past year the City of Anoka spent thousands of dollars ($25,000) developing a branding and marketing campaign for roll-out this fall/winter.

As a business owner and member of Rediscover Anoka as well as the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce, I was honored to be on the steering committee for this project.

During the process, I became optimistic and even excited about the future of downtown Anoka.

However, in recent months it has become clear to me that the whole thing is pointless and doomed to fail unless the stakeholders (i.e. landlords) in this town:

1.  fill the empty spaces and

2.  fill them with tenants who will draw customers - that is desirable customers, to town.

Does a "smoke shop" called Redrum (murder spelled backwards) fill that bill?

Is a poster of a Goth girl with an anarchy symbol on her dress and stitches across her forehead the kind of thing you want to see on a block that also houses an annex for Sandburg Middle School?  How about a poster of a guy sporting a fat, hand-rolled "cigarette"?

Yes, there are some exciting things happening in our downtown.

But why does it seem that with every step forward, we take two steps back?

Downtown business owner

           Redrum is at 2015 Second Avenue, Anoka MN, on the corner of Second and Jackson.

    This corner is a "Gateway" to downtown Anoka from the Municipal Parking Ramp and the Condo project area.

    Redrum relocated to Anoka from Cambridge MN where it was granted a tobacco sales license October 15, 2007.

    The building owner is John Becker Properties LLC. brother-in-law of Paul Pierce.

     "Redrum" is also street slang for a potent form of heroin.

          

         

Online Petition - Stop Murder Spelled Backwards Selling Drug Paraphernalia  www.gopetition.com/online/22252.html

Ghost Tours Bad History

Anoka's Ghost Tours make for bad history.

Just one example:

A cable production filmed Anoka County Historical Society's program manager, Vickie Wendel, in front of Colonial Hall on 3rd Avenue in Anoka.

She's narrating the Ghost Tour and telling about mysterious reports of tobacco smoke.  Wendel says, it's a museum, no one has smoked in there since the original owner, Dr. Aldrich.  Such an unfounded fabrication gives county historical societies unfortunate reputations:

#1.  A cloak room in the Aldrich House/Colonial Hall was once connected to the Masonic banquet hall next door.  The Masons had a budget item in old records referring to banquet cigars.

#2.  Colonial Hall, owned by the Masons, was once divided for housing.  It's quite probable that some of those people were smokers.

#3. And finally, the historical society moved into Colonial Hall in 1971. It wasn't until 1979 that a "No Smoking" policy was established.

In fact, ACHS great, Leslie Gillund, was a notorious chain smoker.  Employees routinely smoked in the kitchen/break room as well.

So, at this site the ghost tour narrators don't even know their own history.

It also calls into question: are the other stops on the ghost tour as well researched as the former home of this historical society?  What about other research the historical society is engaged in?

Anoka County taxpayers are financing this breathless gossip and calling it history.

Letter to the Editor

Also:  Anoka's Ghost tours are the antithesis of prayer walks.

Skogquist: The Early Years

Letter to the editor -  End of 2000:

     I did a lot of observing during the race for mayor for the city of Anoka. It was very discouraging.  The way Bjorn Skogquist ran his campaign was downright nasty.

My question is, did he think he was handling himself appropriately?  Did he think he gained the respect of the City of Anoka? 

Bjorn Skogquist ran his campaign in such an unprofessional way; remember he will run the city in much the same manner.

If you as a resident/voting member of Anoka can honestly feel good that you voted for Bjorn you don't have a clue how hard Mayor Pete Beberg had worked to make Anoka what it is today.

I have worked with Mayor Beberg on several committees and you could not ask for a more dedicated, respectful, ethical, all-American, professional and honest individual.

In this election the voters of Anoka didn't honestly show their concern about their future.

Voters, it was in your hands, what were you thinking?  I hope you can live with what you voted for!  The city has come so far, I hope you are prepared to take many steps backward or stagnate.

Think about yourself, were you ready at 22 to run a city?  At least you may have had a college degree, owned property, been a taxpayer and have been soon taking a job in a business.

You probably were not living with your parents, sorting mail casually/part-time and attending a few college classes.

At 22 you think you are prepared to tackle the world, but let's first experience adulthood.

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Follow-up:  In many ways this letter has proved to be prophetic.

Skogquist has been a disaster for Anoka financially.  We've been on the Tribune's dysfunctional city list.  We now suffer lack of respect from neighboring cities.  We have lost our reputation as a good city to work for.

Skogquist and Pierce stalled the condo project for a car show with an inappropriate developer choice.

Saturday night activity is understandably more of a priority for a single 20-something than providing lifecycle housing for citizens.

It's been just one stage production after another undermining the long-term health and very viability of our city. It's been said Skogquist was never a mayor, he just played one on tv.

Now he'd like to take this dysfunction to the next level - the county board of commissioners.

Anoka County, be afraid, be very afraid.   

State Capitol Embarrassment

It's been said that Bjorn Skogquist has a well-earned reputation for saying untrue things, opposite things and strange things.

Until recently this embarrassment was kept "in the family", locally here in the City of Anoka.

The Union quoted Skogquist, "It's not my job to argue with the State Legislature."

This was in regard to legislation giving Anoka more latitude in HRA (Housing Authority) appointments.

This mixed up fellow proceeds to do just that. . .argue. By independently lobbying the State Legislature against the proposed legislation.

This legislation increases local latitude and city options. The local elected official known as the mayor actually lobbied against this latitude and option.

Equally troubling was his unauthorized use of city letterhead and his false claim he represented the "Official Position of the City of Anoka." (A St. Francis city councilmember is facing recall for much less offense of operating out-of-bounds.)

Well, the final vote at the Capitol was 131-0 in the House and 65-0 in the Senate to allow Anoka this local flexibility in their own affairs.

It was supported by resolution by the Anoka City Council 4-1.

How embarrassing, Mr. Skogquist.

At one point in the city newsletter you requested feedback on how you were doing...

Well, you have embarrassed yourself and the City of Anoka statewide. Thanks to you, we now have a statewide reputation as a dysfunctional city.

You have argued when you publicly said you wouldn't.

You have falsely presented your own power-grabbing position as the "official city position".  Your reputation as not-exactly-a-boy-of-your-word now extends to the state capitol.

Follow-up:  Currently Bjorn Skogquist thinks he can be an "effective county commissioner", an "ambassador", a "statesman" even.

As mayor of a city, Skogquist couldn't influence a single lawmaker in St. Paul.

Mayor Skogquist's Abuse of Power

Bjorn Skogquist was replacing people on advisory boards on the basis of whether they would do what he said.  The following was a Letter to the Editor published 4-27-07 in the Anoka County Union. Anoka City Forum did not seek permission to publish it here:

To The Editor:

A group of ordinary Anoka citizens became concerned when it was learned that Mayor Bjorn Skogquist said he intended only to appoint people to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) who would do what he wanted.

It was decided that a change in the law for HRA appointments was needed to curb this abuse of power.

The bipartisan group was made up of DFL and Republican activists as well as diehard independents.

The legislation would allow our city council to adopt changes in the HRA appointment process through our city charter.

The entire council could then participate fully in the selections.

Mayor Skogquist as Dictator

The following was a letter to the editor.  Permission was not requested nor obtained as it is of public record.

Anoka needs civic leadership, not a dictatorship.

Renewed citizen participation in local government was welcomed with a big "no" from Mayor  Bjorn Skogquist.

There were a record number of top quality applicants to fill available positions on Anoka's boards and commissions.

Rather than consider any of the new applicants for the HRA, Mayor Skogquist put forward his previous appointees and refused to consider any other applicants.

The majority of the council did not want to re-appoint these members because they felt there were better choices.

No doubt they were looking forward to the likely loss of $200,000 of Anoka taxpayers' funds in the event of foreclosure on 302 Fremont.

No council member would want to be on record reappointing HRA members with such poor judgment, lack of experience or incompetence.

5 Women Unacceptable to Skogquist

The following is a letter to the editor from abc newspapers and reprinted here, permission was not requested nor obtained, as it is of public record.

To the Editor:

The Union recently quoted Anoka Mayor Skogquist as saying "the other applicants were not acceptable to me."  He was referring to applicants to the city's Housing Authority.

A little research indicates that among these applicants that were not acceptable to Mr. Skogquist were at least five women.

Their credentials were impressive.

There was a former mayor, former councilwoman, park board commissioner and a housing coordinator.  There were women with experience with Section 8 rent assistance and the federal Community Development Block Grant program.  There were council candidates and a senior housing specialist.  A rental agent for a U of M housing cooperative and two former HRA members.

Everyone talks about what a critical need Anoka has to refurbish our old housing and that the HRA is one tool to assist in doing that.  And yet these people with all their rich experience and qualifications were not acceptable to Mr. Skogquist.

Mr. Skogquist's original reason for expanding the HRA from five to seven was "to have more people to do the work."

And yet one of the men he wanted, the Union noted, had no qualification except being a resident.  The other guy, Aaron Barr, has barely five years experience with our town.

But these five highly qualified women were somehow not acceptable to Mr. Skogquist.

Letter to the Editor May 2007- Published in the Anoka Union

Erik Skogquist the Collaborator ?

Erik Skogquist-for-mayor campaign rhetoric asks why Anoka's City Council "is killing car shows, farmer's markets and amphitheaters".   Abc newspaper 8-29-08.

For the record these three things are all still out there, alive and active:

• Anoka has had a car show for four months almost every Saturday every summer for the last six years.  The Anoka City Council (8-18-08) unanimously approved the car show through 2009 - to be run by council candidate Aaron Barr's organization. Members include Mark Peterson and Andrew Boho.

• We have also had a very nice farmer's market for many years. ---Thank you to St. Stephen's Church and Lyric Arts for this year's improvement with the added visibility and easy parking.  It's wonderful.  Fifth and Main. Thursday afternoon 2-5:30. Through October 16. Get there early for the sweet corn.

• Erik's amphitheater project is still advertising events and collecting donations.  He shouldn't be doing that if it was "killed", should he?

Erik Skogquist promises to work collaboratively should he add to his brother's eight years as mayor.

Hopefully casting inaccurate aspersions and spreading wrong information is not Erik's idea of being collaborative.

Letter to the editor. . .submitted by Linea Kirchner. . .censored by Peter Bodley.

Continually spreading misinformation is one of the accusations behind the councilmember recall effort in St. Francis.

Comment:   At what price credibility?  At what price character?

A quote usually attributed to Lincoln:  "If you can forfeit the confidence of your fellow citizens, you can never regain their respect and esteem.   It is true that you can fool all the people some of the time;  you can even fool some of the people all the time; but you can't fool all of the people all the time."

Comment:  Stirring up strife for political gain just hurts the candidate and it hurts the town. It seems that Erik is going to be exactly like his brother in his frequent departures from the truth and reality. One wonders what he is telling people door-to-door when he gets this strident in a public statement.

His brother had told people that the former mayor "made money off of land deals."

Letters to Editor: Citizens Speak Out about Skogquist

A short history of Bjorn Skogquist's eight years as mayor of Anoka.  Now he hopes to spread the pain to more of the County as Commissioner.  This is the short list of titles from Letters to the Editor  to the Anoka newspaper written by concerned citizens:

Anoka needs regime change /   Skogquist is ineffective and clueless, building political power, not looking after the City of Anoka.

Taking back City of Anoka/   Adversarial special interests team with Skogquist to bully and take advantage of Anoka.  Skogquist's main interest is serving "constituents", supporters and his own political future and not representing the long term good of the City of Anoka.

Failed preservation/  302 Fremont failure and it's attendant personal vendetta and lies.  Skogquist hire installed to micromanage the lack of due diligence on Kaiser. Political approval rather than routine due diligence made this fiasco go forward.

Anoka taxpayers dodge bullet/  former appraiser/ Bjornite/ thug ugly Michael Gundlach wants residential taxes set at future highest value- but only for Weaver's house on Ferry Street (we all know how future highest value has turned out). Pattern of targeting opponents for retaliation.

Was position advertised?/    Erik Skogquist's non-compete internship. Internships are valuable resume-building tools for the real working world. Erik's not been able to use his degree for a real job.

Sign looting wholesale/  since Skogquist made the scene, shameless campaign sign stealing.

Campaign sign destruction/  Skogquist opponent's signs face targeted, extensive destruction

Mayor Skogquist's Self-dealing/    Reference accounts Windego and Car Show come before council for approvals and use of city owned property.  If Skogquist's company "Skogquist Management" had actually made any money, this might be a problem.

Newspaper Headlines: A Shabby History

Bjorn4Commissioner?

Consider Bjorn's Skogquist's dysfunctional eight years as mayor of Anoka; some of the story is told in the newspaper headlines.

It's been a lot of game playing and power grabbing with the real issues of the city neglected:

Survey Spurs Contentious Controversy/    Skogquist orders $8,000 spent with no council vote, then goes against survey results.  Eighty percent of Anokans want rental licensing.  Skogquist's supporters (out-of-town and predatory landlords) don't.  Mr. Skogquist, now county-commissioner-candidate "Mr. Start-listening-to-the-people" goes with the moneyed special interest lobbyists rather than mere citizens.

HRA Expansion Causing Community Division/   Held at 3 people for six months till shills lined up - then expands 5 to 7.  Another demonstration of how Skogquist values personal power over the good of Anoka.

Appts. Process Criticized, Scrutinized For 'Lack Of Openness'/   Skogquist front loading his appts.  And for what ultimately?  In this case it was the loss of $185,000 - the full year's HRA budget.  Bjorn dismantled the community development department, got his own employee placed under Cruikshank, micromanaged the lack of due diligence on buyer Kaiser, loaded HRA with do-what-I-say appointments.  And for what?  Failure.  Now he won't even take responsibility for 302, blaming the economy.

Rental Licensing Becomes Divisive/ Skogquist's power base interests vs citizen's interests

Unifying Anoka Difficult/  Skogquist's invitation only "visioning meetings" blow up.  He says, "I can't work with this council."  City manager Cruikshank says, "The mayor can do whatever he wants." That is not only incorrect, but should have signaled a job resignation had occurred by Cruikshank to the rest of the city council.

Skogquist Snaps, Flings Allegations/  shameful, immature behavior or campaign performance?  Pattern of discrediting and defaming other voices goes way back.

Cruikshank, Brooklyn Center City Manager Finalist/  second attempt to escape

Moratorium: A City Divided Upon Itself?/   political plank set-up for 2006

Skogquist Shot Down, Loses Bid For Moratorium/  gains supporters, wrangles for downzoning

Greenhaven Golf Pro To Go: Citizen Tees Off Against Council, Manager/  unfair firing, lawsuit recently settled, at what cost?  Ask a councilmember.

Future Locked Up In Historic Preservation?  More homeowners rights assigned to government

Anoka Lends $485,000 for 302 Fremont/ Skogquist defends his appts. and unprecedented amount

Owner 302 Fremont Doesn't Meet Deadline/  HRA acknowledges no-win default situation/302 is a foreclosure waiting to happen

Wary of Wards

There has been a petition circulating in the City of Anoka requesting a ward based voting system be installed.

Paul Pierce, Bjorn Skogquist and Dori Schumacher are the only three ever elected officials to sign the petition.  Rather than public hearings and debate first, they went straight to the at-the-door limited presentation and signature gathering.

Wards can work in very large cities with diverse populations.

Wards for Anoka would be a big step backward. Council/manager government came about to curb abuses and dysfunctions of wards.

The petition to amend the charter in favor of wards is not a minor tweaking, but a major change.  This is huge.

In Anoka a vote for a wards system is a vote to give up your full right to vote, your full right to choose representation. (50-75% depending on how you count it.)

Shorewood, MN tried wards and is turning back.  They found a ward system reduced voter turnout and made elected officials less responsive and less accountable. 

See  http://www.startribune.com/templates/Print_This_Story?sid=19747624

See http://www.ci.shorewood.mn.us/pages/election/election.html

Shorewood felt that returning to an at large system with all residents voting for all officials was more democratic.

Dysfunction test #3 : Skogquist's Anoka

Backstory on Skogquist as mayor of Anoka on his way to commissoner candidate.  The experts urge citizens of dysfunctional cities like Anoka to "educate yourself". Scenario three- the plot thickens:

Uh, Oh.  The little guy with the big head turns out to be a career politician who wants to dominate advisory boards, put in place some new overriding vision to replace all other plans carefully laid in place and expects to be able to direct staff himself to push his singular agenda- self promotion.  Your manager says:

1.  I can work with you on that.  I'll just craft an "economic coordinator" position, Chris Heineman, and place him under me.  Call 302 Fremont done.  The Planning Dept I'll move from Community Development, and again place directly under me.  That covers rezoning, HPC, etc.  The new HRA position ditto. You, mr. mayor, already recommend HRA appts., so you can just expand that from 5 to 7 and put your people in there.  Your HRA board chairman can be assigned to control any development process in the city (like the Library park) and hold conservation easements.

After all, as you've been saying: "the HRA can do things the council can't".  These maneuvers will effectively allow you to bypass the council when fully implemented.

Then you won't have to endure all the "scrutiny and minutiae" you have complained about.

That should help you direct and control your extreme agenda with the least amount of hassle from citizens and those few professional staff we have left.  I'll go on record again and say, "the mayor can do whatever he wants" and assist where I can with agendas, staff recommends, etc.  When I can't bully and intimidate, I'll do my greasy charm thing.  (Just don't call me "your manager" in public meetings.  People might catch on. . .and it's a little humiliating when I'm called your assistant in letters to the editor.)

Where I can't, you can load council chambers with. . .what does Erik Skogquist call them? Citizens?  No - rabble.  You can do the rabble thing and bully everyone.

Dysfunction test #2: Skogquist as Mayor

A major reason noted for the alarming increase in dysfunctional cities is ignorance by citizens about their local government.  Consider this scenario:

A young, inexperienced person becomes mayor.  He seems gifted in community activism (his brother- Erik Skogquist- calls it rabble rousing) and public speaking. The young man refers to himself as having "talent and expertise".  He considers himself an up and coming politician.  He demands an office in Anoka city hall. Your city manager responds:

1.  Of course, let me help you with that.  Here are the keys to the building so that you can come and go as you please with no staff around. Plus keys to a nice river view office (the whole council used to use it but since you have usurped and made them irrelevant . . .) We'll furnish that with the best new furniture in the building and of course a phone line so you have "City of Anoka" on the caller ID of the folks you want to call and influence. That will make mayor seem more impressive than what it is: ceremonial head of a five person policy making body. My announced policy will be, "the mayor can do whatever he wants." (Tribune North article on visioning mtgs.)

2. Whoa, young fellow.  I need to explain about council/manager govt.  You see, you are merely ceremonial. You have no authority beyond your one vote on the council and no power to veto.  You have no direct access to staff except for information purposes. You cannot direct staff.

Windego: At what point fraud?

At what point does Bjorn and Erik Skogquist's Windego Park Society move beyond irrational optimism to misrepresentation to downright fraud ?

"We have seen better days."   William Shakespeare

• Windego Park Society's site plan has been denied by both the Anoka Planning Commission and the Anoka City Council.

• The lease is in default by their own actions.  See "Windego Lease in Default" on this site.

• WPS founder(Bjorn Skogquist) and currrent WPS president (Erik Skogquist) are facing legal action.  Mark McGowan is "pursuing damage claims for defamation, tortious interference with prospective relations, invasion of privacy, fraud and civil conspiracy".  Mark McGowan simply "presented information disputing the viability of the project".

• WPS and Skogquists couldn't handle a little scrutiny or deal with the issues.

Their style of "doing democracy" and attempts to silence facts and different opinions is what should cause concern in the voting public:  Be afraid, Be very afraid.

And yet the Skogquists continue to fund raise.  At what point does it become fraudulent to accept donations ?  At what point do they disclose to donors the current status of WPS.  At what point do they mention that funds may have to be raised and used for a legal defense fund?

Comment:   Disturbing images: Barb Thurston, the Skogquists mother, pacing and signaling strangely to her son Erik, at the Planning Commission meeting when Mark McGowan was presenting his information.    And then  later signaling to her son Bjorn, in the mayor's seat at the council meeting, to cut him (McGowan) off with a finger across her throat.

At other times the public sees Barb Thurston wrapped in the flag as a Daughter-of-the-American -Revolution, Remember-Constitution-Week-Lady.  Appearing as a promoter of patriotic endeavors.

She is a tireless campaigner for Skogquists-for-office.

Barb Thurston also serves as treasurer of Windego Park Society, causing some to call WPS the first "Skogquist family non-profit".

The political and family nature of WPS will be the first thing noticed on any grant application.  There would certainly be opportunity for chuckles all the way to the circular file,  "the mother is the treasurer!" . . . And the sons have never had full time employment.

The last two years they report having raised just under $25,000 each year  - mostly gone for "expenses".  It's interesting that is the number over which a full accounting would have to be done.

Anoka, we have seen better days.

Less-Than-Credible Car Show

4-11-08 Anoka Union:  River Town Community Partnership (RTCP) member Tom Durkin defended executive director Mimi Doran's salary + commissions from the Car Show.

What Tom Durkin failed to disclose was that Mimi Doran is also his wife.  Her salary + commissions benefit his personal household budget.

It's this lack of transparency that diminishes this group's credibility.

Update : the lack of transparency and diminished credibility continues October 3, 2008: Ann Kemp writes a letter-to-the-editor defending Mark Petersen.  She fails to disclose they share a house together on Oakwood (in town since only 2006?).  His house on Oakwood appears to be vacant- for 5+ years now. But the lawn is being used for a display of signs for both Skogquist's and Aaron Barr. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In Mimi Doran's letter to the editor 8-08-08 she casts herself in the role of a benevolent public servant, somehow victimized by vicious politics that she "certainly wasn't privy to 3 1/2 years ago".

But 3 1/2 years ago  (3-16-05) there was a Tribune Metro North article about Anoka's dysfunctional politics. The article described politics in Anoka as having "undercurrent's of personal agendas, contention and resistance to change."

People were beginning to notice Skogquist was systematically loading advisory boards with new and non-residents, replacing anyone who disagreed with him with Bjornites.

The Tribune article was about Skogquist's visioning meetings.  The first two were secret, invitation-only.

The third was described:  "The meeting itself was tense and combative."  Half the people walked out before it was over. The Tribune reported:  "Mimi Doran attended all the meetings so far."

So Doran was not only very much privy, but she was actively participating in Anoka's politics 3 1/2 years ago.

What Mimi Doran is not is a credible spokesperson for a "pending non-profit".

--------------------------------------------------------------------

So RTCP and the Car Show are run by local politicos:  Bjorn and Erik Skogquist, Andrew Boho and Aaron Barr.  And  less-than-credible spokespeople Mimi Doran, Tom Durkin, Ann Kemp and Mark Petersen.

(Bjornite Mark Petersen is the new resident- 2001/ Ann Kemp 2006. Durkins are non-residents.)

Linea Kirchner

Comment   Concerns have been raised about city assets used for private profit.  Level playing fields have been mentioned.

How many downtown Anoka business owners wouldn't prefer volunteers to paid staff. No storefront rent and expenses, no inventory - just the free streets of Anoka.  Hours on Saturday and only 18 weeks out of 52.  Salary $32,207. + commissions.

Mimi Doran referred to this income as developing a little economy for herself for the work put into her volunteer efforts.

Anoka Car Show: Non-Profit or Political Action Group?

Anoka has a Car Show - Anoka River Run. It is operated by RTCP "River Town Community Partnership" .

Recently this operation has come under a cloud of corruption and fraud.  There is serious lack of public trust.  There are no checks and balances. They charge fees and collect donations. They use city streets for 18 weeks each year.  There is the feeling that it is an unregulated cash cow.   Much like Windego Park Society. 

We need factual information.    We need full disclosure.

The Car Show was run as a business at first. RTCP took it over, claims it is now a "non-profit".   But official status is still pending after three years. If anyone has deducted a donation, are they guilty of filing a fraudulent tax return?   Will all the politicos on the board raise red flags at the IRS?  Will there be an accountability day for the City of Anoka:  "What were you thinking?"

Mayor Bjorn Skogquist and Mayor candidate Erik Skogquist both take credit for the Car Show in their campaign material.  RTCP is a reference account for "Skogquist Management".

Aaron Barr is the current RTCP president.  Barr was the neighborhood organizing force behind the HRA loss of $200,000 to correct blight on his neighbor's house, 302 Fremont (Barr said his property values were being affected). Barr also wants to be on the City Council and partners with the Skogquist's to that end.

Andrew Boho is another RTCP player as treasurer.  Boho is also a Skogquist neighbor, former council candidate and currently wants to be the DFL candidate for House District 48B.  Bjorn Skogquist is the Chair of Boho's committee.  See  http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us/campfin/rpdetail/rp15834.html

There's more to Mark Petersen than he admitted to at a recent council meeting...  He delivered some outrageous, undocumented charges (out of order + Skogquist pretended not to know him) that, of course, got four lines in the Union. You can slander people that way and get abc newspapers to participate.

In fact, Skogquist routinely and effectively indulges in meeting and media manipulation, especially daring during election seasons.

Mark Petersen, "Mr. Full Disclosure", didn't mention the fact that he is a Skogquist supporter. His vacant home on Oakwood being a "Skogquist for Mayor" sign location in 2004 and 2006 and now 2008.  His actual home with Ann Kemp on Oakwood an "Erik Skogquist" for mayor sign location this year.

Mark Petersen, who said full disclosure is a subject near and dear to his heart, also didn't disclose that he's been functioning as the Car Show's secretary.

Update: Mark Petersen, being shamelessly overused by Skogquist, along with partner Ann Kemp, was also one of five people crawling around Anoka trying to steal your right to vote.  Where is the full disclosure, the open dialogue?  How can a guy in town since 2001 be so confident we need to radically change our form of government?

The same and more can be inquired of partner Ann Kemp. Her property info indicates a 9-26-06 entrance into Anoka and its divisive political scene.

So. . . Anoka River Run Car Show aka  River Town Community Partnership.

Non-Profit?  or   Political action group?

Windego Lease in Default

Mayor Bjorn Skogquist ( now commissioner candidate) bypassed due process and placed the Chinese garden at his family "non-profit" in an unethical and corrupt manner.

As a County Commissioner, what due process would this individual bypass for his own goals?

Anoka taxpayers, be afraid, be very afraid.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Profusion of prima facie breaches of terms and conditions of Windego Park Society lease:

• Section 6:  Use of Premises.  "No event shall be conducted on the site unless it has received prior Landlord (City of Anoka) written approval."  Such event "shall be considered a breach of this lease."

   www.ci.anoka.mn.us links to What's New in Anoka? to Chinese Garden.  This refers to an event May 1 and 2. "The public is invited."

In Addition: "The Premises shall not be used for any events until after the completion of all improvements."

• Section 7:  Improvements and Alterations.  If any alteration, decoration, addition or improvement is made without prior written consent of Landlord, Landlord may correct or remove the same.

In the expired (now denied) site plan there was mention of a future proposed rain garden compatible with the river and flood area.  This rain garden would have required approval through the site plan approval process involving the Planning Commission.  The Chinese Garden was never approved. And how can WPS ethically continue to raise funds without a site plan?  And for what purpose other than political visibility?

• Section 10:   Assignment and Subletting.  The tenant (WPS) will not assign or permit occupancy or use of the premises without obtaining prior written consent of Landlord.

• Section  11:   Tenant will name Landlord as an additional insured on the general liability policy.  (Not done as per Councilmember Weaver's request at Council meeting.)

• Section 25:   Conflict of Interest.  Tenant shall not engage in any political fundraising, expenditures or activities involving City elections.  WPS President Erik Skogquist is running for Mayor of Anoka.

• Section 12:  Default.  If Tenant shall fail to perform any of the conditions, covenants or agreements Landlord may, ten days after written notice, terminate this lease.

People are beginning to wonder: do lease agreements, site plans, the rules only apply to ordinary citizens and not the Skogquists?

Chinese Garden = Graft + Lease Breach

Update 8-12:  The definition of Graft was brought to the Anoka City Forum's attention and applied to Bjorn Skogquist's Chinese Garden:  "Use of one's position in public office to derive advantage or gain."

There also seem to be multiple defaults of the Windego lease agreement as a result of this public pilfering.

Anoka Mayor Bjorn Skogquist hijacked a request to plant a Chinese flower garden in an Anoka city park.

He poached and planted it at his first non-profit: the Windego Park Society Amphitheater.

The Union stated "it was a project joined by local government".  Also see www.ci.anoka.mn.us/  to What's New to Chinese Garden.

However, there is no record of Skogquist involving the City of Anoka's Parks staff, the Parks Advisory Board, the Planning Commission (necessary site plan approval) or even the rest of the city council.

What local government are they talking about?

The time frame would not have allowed for any public discussion or a local government decision.

Was this  garden project diverted from city parks to maintain interest in his dying "non-profit"?

Windego Park Society's efforts have been inadequate and under increasing scrutiny.

It is becoming obvious that they are not the group that can restore, much less operate an amphitheater.

So this symbolic garden project is "exactly what is needed now". Skogquist just needs to layer in some uses on this city owned land to shore up interest in his no go non-profit.

The garden has been installed halfway under the foot bridge.  In just about any of the numerous city parks (Anoka maintains 12 premier parks - 34 total park locations and trails) a garden would be more visible and accessible.

At the amphitheater it is only accessible by crossing private property. There's a "Keep Out" sign on Ferry Street.

The ARCC students were cheated of a better site and wider, more balanced community involvement and support.

Now instead of a symbolic garden they have planted a secret garden.

               

   

Windego = Vampire

At the Anoka City Council open forum on 7-21-08 Dr. Jim Rusin referred to Bjorn and Erik Skogquist's Windego project as a vampire that needs to be staked and killed once for all.

Even though Skogquist's Windego Park Society (WPS) had their site plan denied for non-performance, they apparently still have a lease with the city for this public property, the amphitheater. 

Dr. Rusin was suggesting that the council now take the next responsible step, show some leadership and cancel the lease on this unworkable project.

Even the occasional observer can see the accuracy of the vampire analogy.

Windego has been sucking the credibility of the city council, mayor and staff.

The way this unfeasible project is being handled continues to undermine public confidence in their judgment.

Councilmembers, Anderson and Skogquist can't overcome their bias and even be civil to the public. Skogquist indulges himself and disputes at open forum. Anderson actually orders Dr. Rusin to sit down.  (Thereby sparing Skogquist the embarrassment of admitting the lack of progress in fundraising.  Former side-kicks Paul Pierce and Dori Schumacher didn't have such good timing.)

Windego especially calls into question Bjorn and Erik Skogquist's ability to prioritize projects, make sound decisions, and move on when numerous insurmountable obstacles have been identified.

These protracted deliberations continue to showcase their inability to give straight answers or accept reality checks. Rather, the Skogquist brothers have chosen to irrationally accuse the brave realists of bad motives or criminal backgrounds.

Windego has been a vampire on the Skogquist's time, 20's, credibility, and political future.

And they don't see it, they don't have a clue.  It's clear they have lost all perspective.

It's clear they are ill equiped to participate in public policy discussions. They certainly have no business being in elected office.

Oddly enough, the Windego was an evil spirit in Indian lore that represented a degrading process of fear, paralysis, cold, insanity and finally death.

The Windego was a consuming creature much like the vampire.

Anoka Car Show Defugalties

First of many is that Anoka River Run is more of a car club take-over than a car show.  Car Shows are generally only 1-3 days.  Anoka's River Run is every Saturday for 18 long weeks. It's recognized as a reunion and get together for car people, most of whom are not from Anoka.

www.flickr.com/photos/65789783@N00/2655719590/  says, "it's mostly the same cars and people every weekend."  This site shows the streets almost empty on July 5, 2008.  Other photo sharing sites reveal equally sparse, empty streets.  Once a local has attended, it's been-there-done-that. Why go again? 

The people in charge of Anoka River Run have very different ideas of family friendly than most families.  Once they promoted visits with Santa Claus in a bar as an appropriate place to take small children.  The finale last year had a "bikini contest" that was more of a strip club pole-dance warm-up.  It's posted on You Tube.  Their latest attempt to shore up flagging interest is to offer free wine to young women.

There is the problematic link to Mayor Skogquist and a sort of Bjornite political party.  Running mates Aaron Barr and Mike Gundlach have worked the greeting gate as well as Skogquist himself. Skogquist family non-profit Windego has received funds from Anoka River Run.

The Car Show organization has been used as a reference account for "Skogquist Management", one of a pantheon of "organizations" and "non-profits" Skogquist has begun and abandoned.

Many see the car show as a political action "non-profit".

Compare the Car Show with one day Anoka Riverfest or what White Bear Lake does for seven Thursday's each summer.

See www.marketfest.org/photos.htm  Notice the photo of Washington Avenue with state fair volume crowds. They have a petting zoo, inflatable pink castle and incorporate the downtown shops and even include a helpful Downtown Business Directory link.

See www.startribune.com/local/east/25720844.html?location  "Market Downtown" for more on White Bear Lake's event.

Riverfest and Marketfest seem to be real community driven efforts designed to benefit the community and the downtown.  The entire council, with the conspicuous absence of Skogquist, were thanked for helping with Riverfest last year.

Anoka's River Run seems to primarily benefit and serve Mayor Skogquist and the paid organizer.

"Commissioner?" Skogquist. Be afraid, be very afraid.

Original post April 17, 2007.     Updated July 18, 2008.

Bjorn Skogquist's Anoka legacy, 302 Fremont, has been called "a foreclosure waiting to happen", a boondoggle and a debacle. It's very possible the city could lose well over $190,000 (the HRA's total annual budget); plus attorney fees and untold staff hours. 

Double speak, wishful thinking and plain old spin are heavily used in these dysfunctional cities.

Skogquist ally Paul Pierce had this to say about 302 Fremont: "he wants to thank the HRA and commend them on a job well done.  There will be no City funds or HRA funds lost to this project, and that the HRA will receive all of the funds back from the loan. It is important to note that the HRA's solution for 302 Fremont came out without any City money being left in the project. The things going on were all very positive and this all turned out very well."

It should be noted that Mr. Pierce was a student of mythology in his formative years.

Update:  The City of Anoka wrote off $186,000 from the HRA for their part of 302.  The Sheriff's sale was advertised in the 7-11-08 Anoka newspaper.  It will take place August 29, 2008 at 325 E. Main. Mortgagor: Paul M. Kaiser.  Mortgagee:  Wells Fargo Bank. Amount claimed to be due: $312,865.53.  Grand total: $498,865.  The building is not yet finished and does not have a certificate of occupancy issued.

      - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Pierce dismissed the Union's concern about the cost of city staff time and an estimated $15,000-$18,000 in legal fees at that time (5-05) as "just the cost of doing business."

In his campaign for city council Pierce declared: "The #1 problem is spending." And yet $18,000 in legal fees on one residence is considered "just the cost of doing business" by Mr. Pierce.  The Union promised a full accounting someday.  We're waiting.

Why is the theme to the Twilight Zone humming in my head?  And where did Paul Kaiser, the "rescue buyer", really come from?    Update:  A Paul Kaiser was a part-time ski instructor at the Anoka High School.               

________________  ______________________   ____________________

COMMENT:  It seems that Bjorn Skogquist should have a right to call 302 Fremont his historic preservation legacy.  As testified by four people according to the Anoka Union. 

He finagled long and hard and shamelessly for it.

He got Chris Heineman hired and placed under his assistant, the city manager, Tim Cruikshank.  This facilitated the micro-managing of the lack of due diligence Chuck Drury pointed out in his editorial on 4-13-07.

In a normal city this is known as incompetence and people lose employment over it.  In dysfunctional cities the employee is unanimously rewarded with a five year contract. Naturally.

People spoke against it at the time.  The ACT website, www.anokacitizenstogether.com , had argued all the reasons not to place that position in administration (Tim Cruikshank).  So Mr. Skogquist had to endure all that resistance. He had to endure all those attempts at good governance and due diligence.  But he pushed on and overcame all reason and now we have a Sheriff's sale. He really deserves to claim 302 Fremont as his historic preservation legacy.

Update: A nice ending to this would be if the finaglers chipped in and paid their mess off.  The Anoka Union article named the main ones: Paul Pierce, Aaron Barr, Bjorn Skogquist, Bonnie McDonald. $46,500 each for the city portion.  Bank can fend for itself.

As it is Bjorn Skogquist can use 302 Fremont as a shining example of "pushing historic preservation" in his bid to do even bigger things at the county level as commissioner. 

Anoka County taxpayer:  Be afraid, be very afraid.

ATC Foundation Take Note

The local newspaper in February printed a thorough article about the ATC (Anoka Technical College) faculty union vote of no confidence in President Anne Weyandt.

One of their concerns was hiring practices.

Mayor Bjorn Skogquist of Anoka was placed on staff about that same time.

The ATC foundation members and MnSCU hopefully will take note of these ongoing concerns. 

The following questions need to be asked and answered about this particular hire:

1. Was the job posted?  If so, when, where and for how long?
2. What is the job description?
3. How many applicants were there?  How many were interviewed?
4. What was the selection criteria?
5. What were the required educational qualifications?
6. What was the required work experience?

The ATC website, www.anokatech.edu/atchiresnewemployee , gives the impression of a job that was crafted for and offered to one particular individual.

This website calls Bjorn Skogquist "a Business and Education Solutions Manager".

However, general public knowledge has Mr. Skogquist possessing only a high school diploma.  The last HR dept that may have a file on him is Menard's.  He was a part-time flooring specialist there in 2006.

There is no public record of any business or education specific management training or experience.

Mr. Skogquist was elected in 2000 (took office in 2001) as part-time, ceremonial mayor of Anoka with a current salary of $8,817 per year.

Being mayor has no qualifications but resident over age 21 and a $20 filing fee.

The mayor presides at 3 evening council meetings a month and attends various public events in a figurehead capacity.

In council/manager govt., such as Anoka has, the mayor has no authority beyond his one public vote with no power to veto.  He cannot legally direct staff or make deals/decisions apart from the full council.

Being mayor is not an administrative, management or educational function.

The ATC hiring of Mr. Skogquist mocks Weyandt's new mission of "rich academic quality and rigor."

And it certainly adds credence and builds urgency to the faculty union's vote of no confidence.

Bjorn's Blunders Bleed Taxpayers

Bjorn Skogquist stayed a little too long.

Many of his blunders are now blowing up.  The cost is being counted.

Anoka City Forum's Short List:

• $186,000 was written off for 302 Fremont. Thousands more were squandered in legal fees and lost staff time.

(302 being the one thing 302 neighbor Aaron Barr will be remembered for since arriving in Anoka in 2002.)

• $100,000 -Skogquist helps delay Riverspointe.
• $500,000 each year delaying condo project by city hall.
• $1,500,000 in embellishments for downtown ramp.

It's unfortunate the taxpayers money that's been lost can't be divided up and charged just to those citizens who voted to put Skogquist into office.

Don't forget quality of life:

• Expanded liquor hours, expanded policing costs.
• Habitat houses + fence on south Ferry instead of nice townhomes.
• Fractious partisan politics.
• A reputation as a dysfunctional city.

That's just the short list.

Good Olde Boy Bjorn

In Bjorn Skogquist's dysfunctional Anoka things often become arbitrary and capricious.  Compare Gould Jewelry and CVS, two projects proposed for 7th and Main.

One is now built: Gould Jewelry Store.

• The other one, a CVS store, is finally in the process of going forward.

Gould had a dream.  But family jewelry stores are going the way of the dinosaur. Witness Hoff and J. B. Hudson Jewelry stores.

• CVS had a market study.

Gould's project was granted changes in zoning and several variances.

• CVS, (SuperAmerica-site owned by local family, the Dehn's), could have gone ahead and built their project with no special dispensations (ie. variances, zoning changes, etc.).  They were stopped by a moratorium.

And today Gould has boulders strewn in the sidewalks (not in any approved site plan).  A backwards fence (illegal).  And the building is unfinished.

The Difference:

Gould hosted events for both of Mayor Bjorn Skogquist's non-profits.

• CVS and the Dehn family only had signatures of scores of mere Anoka residents.

There's never been a good old boy like Bjorn. 

Fact Check Skogquist

Bjorn Skogquist's problematic conflicting statements and other oddities:

"Bjorn formally resigned from Windego in 2005 in hopes to clear any conflict of interest", Alyssa Baguss, Windego Park Administrator, anoka.wordpress.com/2007

"It's no secret I am a member of the Windego Park Society", said Skogquist Anoka Union 6-18-08 direct quote from city council meeting 6-16-08

Baguss and Bjorn need to get their story straight.  The public gets uneasy when mayors and their non-profits are not trustworthy.  There is the natural tendency to doubt other statements as well.  In fact you risk the whole operation coming under scrutiny.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

At the 6-16-08 city council meeting Bjorn Skogquist complained, "Last December council took away the ability for them (Windego Park Society) to claim they had a site plan".

The Anoka Union reported 12-28-07, "The motion not to renew the site plan with variances was made by Mayor Bjorn Skogquist, seconded by Freeburg and unanimously approved."

Maybe Skogquist statements need to be fact checked.  It's difficult for him to keep all this stuff straight.  Maybe we could get an intern for the mayor.  Someone who's a stickler for accuracy and veracity.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Eric Skogquist stated (Jan 28,2008 council worksession, pg. 8 of 20) that, "the car show was no longer operated by WPS but are now providing help and are now a recipient of money."   What's up with that?

One of the mayor's non-profits was running the mayor's other non-profit?  Both of which come before mayor and council for approvals and use of public property?

Yikes!  Both of these groups also "collect donations".

      

McGowan's Reality Check Smeared

Mark McGowan brought a much needed reality check on very specific issues about Windego Park Society (WPS), Mayor Skogquist's pet project, run by his brother Erik Skogquist.

The meeting 6-16-08 was a new dysfunctional low even for Skogquist.

Finance, Lori Yager, seemed incompetent. She couldn't answer finance questions but attempted an engineering one. The city manager was invisible as usual.  Erik Skogquist did a lot of sideways dancing with one reckless thrust at the end.  Bjorn shamelessly assisted his brother and moderated his baby. And yet strangely abstained from actually voting.

Dr. Rusin made the most sense to many people when he voiced his disgust, "just kill the damn thing. This thing has to die. Move on."

Mark Freeburg had the clearest thinking and reasoned list. He characterized WPS as just another romantic, futile effort like Mayor Skogquist's scandalous loss of $186,000 on 302 Fremont.

Carl Anderson actually joined the mob and proved himself biased and ungracious growling, "just go home."

Council could have been at least courteous and thanked McGowan for the important issues he brought to their attention that have perhaps been overlooked.   Council basically received a free feasibility study.

Mr. Skogquist, the elder, couldn't find his gavel when his groupies (and Carl Anderson) were heckling and out of order.  And, in fact, as mayor he sincerely thanked that part of the audience for their outburst!

The heckling and then the deliberate libel/slander of McGowan at the very end by Mr. Skogquist, the younger, all seemed a little too coordinated.

One question is:  was the slander "due diligence" done months ago?  Or was it an attempt to dig dirt between the Planning meeting on the 3rd and the council meeting on the 16th to discredit a person?

It's the weakest, most desperate position:  Can't answer the issues?  Smear the man.

They say politics doesn't develop character.  Politics only reveals character.

Skogquist Behaving Badly

Mayor, Bjorn Skogquist, behaving badly:       The following is A letter to the editor taken from abc newspapers and reprinted here, permission was not obtained, as it is of public record, image from DVD of meeting,

"View the Council Tape":

To the Editor:

Feedback on front page flap over the finger. . .Mayor Skogquist's of Anoka. 

I took the time to order and view the tape.

It was a meeting where he was defending his far-reaching preservation ordinance.  Yet he actually said, "I just can't stress enough how much this ordinance doesn't do anything."

Well, there it was. Intentional looking and surprisingly prolific.  At least four individuals seemed to be the focus of the featured finger.

Windego: Game Over

Mark McGowan, Mpls. developer and businessman, testified before the Anoka Planning Commission about the catastrophic, deal breaker flaws in Windego Park Society plans for the amphitheater.

It became clear in his presentation that Windego is primarily Bjorn and Erik Skogquist and defeated former councilman Paul Pierce.

It is also clear that City Council is now accountable for the new, reality-based information.

McGowan's concerns covered sound volume from the site, alarming safety and traffic issues, uninsurability and finances that make no sense.

He pointed to the lack of transparency and straight answers from Windego representatives.

Every Anokan can only hope the Windegans don't further embarrass themselves and the City by attempting to malign the messenger, Mr. McGowan.

It's been an ineffective and overused tactic.

Mr. McGowan, for the record, has two remarkable historic preservation projects to his name.

Using an all volunteer model, in 2004 McGowan organized a team of businesses that restored the Lake Harriet Bandshell.  This collaborative effort saved the public at least  $350,000.

A 2005 Preservation Alliance Endangered Site was saved.  The City Council of Norwood Young America unanimously agreed to pay McGowan a one-time $50,000 project management fee to oversee the restoration of their 105 year old pavilion.  Nearly 60 volunteer business partners were coordinated for this achievement.

McGowan's management fee of $30,000 for the Anoka amphitheater would have been a bargain.

Referred to as a polished promoter, Mark McGowan's honesty and ability to let others shine seem to be his strengths.

Windego almost seems like a sham racket of some sort in comparison.

Why would Anoka City Council take on unknown and potentially disastrous liabilities by approving this project, now that they know the information presented by Windego can't be trusted?

Mayor Skogquist's Self-Dealing

The following is a letter to the editor from abc newspapers and reprinted here, permission was not requested nor obtained, as it is of public record.

Published May 30, 2008     Self Dealing

Patrick Walker appeared before the Anoka City Council April 21 to object to an obvious ethical conflict of interest concerning Mayor Bjorn Skogquist and the Windego Society.

Later, by coincidence, I presented much the same view about the mayor's conduct regarding not only Windego, but the River Town Community Partnership (RTCP) and the Anoka car show.

We each asked, in essence, that the mayor excuse himself and step down when any item concerning his "babies" is before the council.

Pat Walker and I each cited the informational source of the mayor's self-dealing, as taken from the pages of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits web site.

Mayor Skogquist has a non-profit consulting company, Skogquist Management. His bio on the web site states that Windego and the RTCP are examples of his nonprofit work while he presents himself for a consulting or management job.

Clearly, the success of Windego and RTCP bear on his credentials as a consultant.  A salesman would call them his "reference accounts".  The mayor stands to profit if he can keep Windego and River Town afloat.

Do I want Mayor Skogquist to be fined or barred from office?  That is a matter for the Anoka City Attorney to decide, but I do not.

No, what I am asking is that when issues concerning Windego (which spent most of its net revenue on an administrator last year. . .they are just $1.2 million short of their goal of $1.2 million, give or take) or the RTCP, which spent 80 percent of the Anoka car show revenues it received on an executive director, are before the council, especially concerning the use of city-owned or city-leased property, Mayor Skogquist step aside.

The history has been, if it is one of the mayor's "babies" before the council, all must endure agenda and meeting manipulation.

Consider finding the controversial RTCP farmer's market request hidden on the consent agenda at the April 7 Anoka Council meeting.

Did you see the two-hour "Udder Market" utter fiasco featuring the spouse of the RTCP executive director dressed as a cow at the same meeting?

When Windego is on an agenda, where there might be questions about finances, no matter how many citizens may wish to comment, it will be put at the end of the agenda so it finally comes up at midnight.  Even worse, it just as likely will be off-camera at a workshop.

The mayor has shown no restraint when one of his "reference accounts" is before the council.  In many observers opinions it is most inappropriate to be a presenter and cheerleader and interrogator from the council table.

All I ask is that Mayor Skogquist let Windego Park Society and Anoka car show and River Town requests rise or fall on their own merit, without the taint of interference and unethical participation.

Step down, Mr. Mayor, and spare us the theatrics.  Honor all citizens by removing the appearance of self-dealing and yourself during these considerations.

Steve Schmidt

Anoka

Follow-up information: Anoka Car Show/ River Town Commmunity Partnership's paid director is a Mimi Doran, married to a Tom Durkin. She was paid $1,789 per Saturday night.  It's a true shame she didn't have the opportunity to double that with the expanded farmer's market idea. Of course, the 5-7 actual booths of the farmer's would have been buried in among 45 other booths.  Booths which would compete with our downtown shops.  And the real product she is selling is the public streets of Anoka.

Also, in a normal (read healthy city) it is the function of a city manager's office to set agenda's.  In a normal, healthy city meeting agenda's are not made available for political manipulation.

Windego, an Anoka Comedy.

Our local Anoka newspaper doesn't have a comics/humor section.  But the Windego Park Society, aka Bjorn and Erik Skogquist, news releases more than made up for it.  They'll be missed.

Their "main mature event" this season (January thru July 2008) was the Chalk drawing on the sidewalks.

They raised 18 X $20 or $360.00.  This organization needs $675,000 by December 2009. (In 2007 WPS reported a net of $1,891 toward their goals).

A personal favorite in the humor category was "the hazardous waste drop off that was scrapped".

The Skogquist brothers advertised on the Anoka City reader board to drop off hazardous waste at Barb Thurston's residence on 3rd Avenue. 

Must be some kind of passive/aggressive dynamic going on here: Barb Thurston is their mother.

Maybe they thought, hey, it's almost Mother's Day. . .let's get Mom something everyone needs more of: hazardous waste.  We don't have enough of our own for an impressive gift so we'll ask strangers to drop off theirs.

Apparently a caring adult stepped in and saved the hazmat crew a trip to Anoka.

Bitsie

Warning : Further Making Sport:  Please do not read if you are easily offended or if you have no sense of humor.

Submitted from conversations :  "What Windego needs to do is appeal to the big money.  They need to take their events up a notch.  They have got to build some credibility.

They should take their annual Chalk drawing and add bubble blowing!

And that annual garage sale. . .they have got to think about adding a lemonade stand."

"That should do it."

Also:  It's almost as if Skogquist's are mocking the good will of Anokans, as in, "How lame can we be and still keep the lease?"  Or maybe they need to keep it alive through the election season so they can blame the city council for it not working out.

Windego: Never Get Done

Pat Walker recently gave an overview and reality check on the Windego Park Society (lack of) progress toward rehabbing the Eastman Stadium.

They need one million dollars. They've got $7,000 after 12 years of effort.

Walker said, "At this rate the project will never get done."

It has occurred to people that it never was their goal to "get it done."

Maybe their goal has been to tie up the site.

Alyssa Baguss, WPS quarter-time-administrator, has said; "Windego became a poster-child for saving some drug rehabilitation centers".

Everyone is well aware that drug rehab owners have been firmly behind Windego founder, Bjorn Skogquist's three campaigns for mayor.

Maybe Windego has been about preventing a reality-based discussion and assessment of the practical and preferred uses for this valuable city owned site.  (Nice little faux preservation plank in a campaign platform as well).

Reusing the amphitheater land would also precipitate a renovating look at the drug treatment facilities.

Comment: The irony will be if the drug treatment-cash-cow industry is regulated; these people may want to sell out for top dollar to a developer.  They would then need to include the amphitheater site for redevelopment to maximize alternative uses.

Windego Magic Money

Windego Park Society president, Erik Skogquist, was questioned, "What happens to donations if the project does not go ahead?"

Mayor Skogquist's brother, Erik, answered (with a straight face), "The donations are sitting there in escrow until we as an organization prove we can spend it or it goes back to them (the donors)."

WPS income for 2007 was $23,935 with expenses of $22,044.    Net income of $1,891.

By definition escrow is "to keep intact in the control of a 3rd party."

So, this fantasy Windego money can both be spent and kept safely in escrow.  It is consumed, yet somehow still exists.       And who exactly holds the escrow?

The mayor's brother, now candidate for mayor himself, was then asked how much money is on hand.

WPS is a fund raising organization and yet Erik Skogquist stated, "they haven't focused much on the funds this year"; but he thought it was five percent of goal of $675,000. ($33,750).

Staff stated money on hand was $7,000; up from $5,000 in 2006.

Maybe they have Magic Windego Bucks. $7,000 seems like $33,750.

And maybe there is a Bizarro Windego World, where blarney is as easy as breathing.

Update:   Now Erik Skogquist is running for mayor.  He's now claiming the current mayor and city council have resisted this project.  When, in fact, WPS had a green light and were only able to raise a net of $1,891 towards the project.

It's interesting Skogquist raises just under the $25,000 that would trigger a fuller accounting.

Erik Skogquist wants to your next mayor.  Anoka, be afraid, be very afraid.

Skogquist and his Impeccable Integrity

When Hwy 10/Thurston comes back for a council decision, will Bjorn Skogquist be representing the City of Anoka or Anoka Technical College?

Maybe that's why he stalled it last time.  Some thought it was just his usual, irrational procrastination and indecision.

But maybe Skogquist hadn't checked with his new employer (ATC) for their position.

We'll just have to count on his impeccable integrity.

Casual Observer notes: "Like when Anoka Mayor, Bjorn Skogquist, was approached for a Chinese Garden site in one of our parks?. . . Windego founder, Bjorn Skogquist, stuck it under the foot bridge at the amphitheater."

Thereby disregarding staff, two advisory boards and the city council in a single act.

Skogquist thus continues to demonstrate his ongoing contempt for our form of government.

The city manager (keeper of the charter) has said the mayor can do whatever he wants.

It's as if there is no adult supervision whatsoever in ye olde city hall.

Anoka Tech College Approval

Anoka Councilman, Jeff Weaver says-it's-against-the-rules-that-govern-this-body, but let's do it anyway:  Instructing staff to craft a letter of support for Anne Weyandt during Open Forum.  (Weyandt being the beleagured president of Anoka Technical College/ ATC.)

Anoka Mayor Bjorn Skogquist, aka new ATC employee, Bjorn Skogquist, guides it through by asking; What exactly do you need Madame President aka my boss-in-trouble-trying-to-smooth-things-over-without-changing-your-ways?

There is to be no public or even city council discussion. 

Casual Observer asks, "What about that recent 51-4 no-confidence-in-madame-president vote by the faculty union? The people in the know?"

So, a letter of endorsement and fiction is to be written.

Will Bjorn Skogquist, Mayor of Anoka, or will Bjorn Skogquist, Business & Education Solutions Manager, employee of ATC, write and/or sign the letter?

On May 27, 2008 these people (the mayor and his council) will be discussing some fine points of ethics and conflicts of interest.

Anne Weyandt Observed May 2008

Submitted as a letter to the editor, but censored by Peter Bodley, Editor of the Anoka County Union:

ABC Newspapers printed an article 2-29-08 "Union goes public with no confidence vote in ATC president", Anne Weyandt.

The faculty union at Anoka Technical College had called for a change in senior leadership 51-4.

The article described years of concern over hiring practices and unacceptable, classic bully behavior.

On 5-5-08 Anne Weyandt appeared at Anoka City Council Open Forum.

She demonstrated her new policy of staff participation and shared governance.  One of the three staff who accompanied her was scheduled to speak for 10 minutes.  With no explanation she bumped him and spoke for 20 minutes.

Weyandt demonstrated her new policy of Respect by cutting and chiding a vice president of the college for not being able to read her mind as he advanced slides.

Another disparaging dig drew gasps and a clearly audible reaction from the audience.

Weyandt demonstrated her new policy of Openness by not recognizing her newest hire Mayor Bjorn Skogquist.

Skogquist, of course, being the moderator on the council being solicited for endorsement and approvals.

The mayor of "the city that matters most" having recently been placed in a job apparently crafted just for him at ATC.

A new policy of Openness may have revealed and acknowledged this conflict-of-interest-political hire.

Looks like same old, same old for the long-suffering at ATC.

Submitted by Linea Kirchner

5th generation Anokan

Reality Check : Windego

The following is a letter to the editor from abc newspapers and reprinted here, permission was not obtained, as it is of public record.

To the Editor:

Anoka's mayor, Bjorn Skogquist, said in a recent Star Tribune article, "I'd like for someone to give us a dose of reality."

The Windego Park Society has been in place for over 12 years. Twelve years.

During that time it has amassed $8,000 towards the cost of renovation (of Eastman Stadium), currently estimated to be well over $1 million.  $1,000,000.   At this rate the project will never get done.

In the meantime, donations are being spent and people who have donated in good faith will be disappointed to see that the project does not occur.

If one of these (or dozens of these) donors decide to sue, who will they sue?

The Windego Park Society?  I don't think so.

Their lawyers will quickly discover that Anoka's mayor was the founding member and that his brother is the current president. (Mother, Barb Thurston, is the treasurer.)

They will discover that the city of Anoka has leased the land for only a token fee to Windego and that the city knew of their fundraising.

They will also discover that the city of Anoka has much deeper pockets.

This is a recipe for disaster.  And it's too bad. I would liked to have seen Windego succeed.

But the reality is the amphitheater exists in poor condition and as long as Windego exists, the city does not look seriously at other uses for the site.

The property has a great value, based on the fact it is on the Rum River near city hall.

A public debate on the best and most efficient use for the property has never taken place.

Could it be sold to a private developer?  Should the city develop this city owned property?  Would the DNR have need of the property for a special project?

These and many more questions would be asked if the property was brought to a public forum.

Now that's reality.

Patrick J. Walker  Anoka

HRA member, longtime resident

Letter to the Editor, Appeared in the Anoka Union 5-16-08

Manager pimps finance

You can understand Erik-for-mayor and Bjorn-for-commissioner Skogquist running amok of sound financial principles, honesty and basic accountability.  You can understand freely running afoul of Roberts Rules of Order and not excusing yourself from presiding over your family's non-profit.

They are, after all, only preparing for a great future in politics where such things are expected. (And apparently there were no adults in the room familiar with meeting procedure.)

What is harder to understand is two professionals going along with the fraternal finaglings. City Manager and Finance presumably want to keep working in their chosen professions, maybe even advancing to larger responsibilities. One would think they would want to be building their credibility. Not destroying it.

For the record: Request for Council Action on December 18, 2006. Originating Department: Administration.  Prepared by: Tim Cruikshank, City Manager

Comments by Lori Yager, Finance Director:  "The Windego Park Society has laid out a reasonable financial proforma to plan for the construction and operation of an outdoor amphitheater. Minnwest Bank has indicated that the Windego Park Society has demonstrated the level of financial detail needed to obtain financing."

Skogquist at Anoka Tech

Who does Bjorn Skogquist represent?

Recently, as an elected mayor, he was caught diverting interest in Anoka City Parks to a non-profit he founded and "helps".

He is also recently employed at the Anoka Technical College.

See  www.anokatech.edu/atchiresnewemployee.htm

The plot and conflict thicken as the individual (Dave Jeffrey) introducing Skogquist on this site is also a Ramsey City councilmember and is Skogquist's direct supervisor.

Anoka Technical College may have some serious "splainin to do" if proper hiring practices were not followed.

There seems to be no educational, business or work history to support what looks like a political hire.

ATC, as an educational facility, preparing people for the workplace, should have the highest and fairest hiring practices.

Comments: Secret Chinese Garden

Comment:   This minor official, Bjorn Skogquist, seems to have taken it upon himself to link Anoka  to China.  Your blog didn't mention there might have been discussion, even protests, because of the recent controversies in China.

"The human rights record in China is one of the worst in the world."  Voice of the Martyrs.

"More Christians are in prison or under detention in China than in any other country."      See   www.persecution.com/chinareport

Then there is the Tibetan tragedy. It's not exactly PC to support China right now.

Comment:    The symbolism of Anoka's local little dictator (as he has been called) linking with the largest totalitarian nation on earth seems somewhat ironic and strangely appropriate.

Comment:  Is a secret, symbolic garden even compatible with a National Historic Register Site restoration project?

Was material removed?

If so, was it screened for artifacts by someone who knew what to look for?

What about the site plan process with the Planning Commission?  Is this an approved use under their site plan?  Did they approve this?

Favorite Comment:    There is a classic Chinese garden in the historic district of Suzhou, China officially named "Humble Administrator's Garden".  The locals also refer to it tongue-in-cheek as "Garden of the Stupid Official".