Anoka City Forum

"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.

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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.               

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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 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.  Paul Pierce, Aaron Barr, Bjorn Skogquist, maybe 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. 

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 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.

It is not an administrative function.

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. 

Conflicting Statements

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.

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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".

      

Distasteful New Low

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

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

Finance 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 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."

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.

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 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.

Mayor Behaving Badly

Mayor, Bjorn Skogquist, behaving badly:       A letter to the editor, "View the Council Tape" published in the Anoka County Union had this to say:

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.

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?

Amphitheater on Ferry

My concern is:   If there is any entrance at all on Ferry Street (like they are suggesting for handicapped), people will be coming into Anoka on Ferry Street.  They see the entrance, "There it is!"

20-30% of a viable venue will be new people with no experience with the site.

So, it's ten minutes to showtime, they shout "There it is!"  Pull over, park in the neighborhood, maybe Walgreens and dash across Ferry Street toward what they presume is the entrance.

How long before the City of Anoka, along with MnDot, have a lawsuit like North Ferry just had with the tragic loss of four young people.

And what about Saturday night?  Are the city fathers going to continue clogging downtown with the Car Show too? 

The car club people set up pretty early. By the time people arrive for a 7 o'clock concert, downtown is pretty parked up.

Roscoe Degama

Mayor Skogquist's Self-Dealing

Below is a Letter to the Editor of the Anoka Union regarding Bjorn Skogquist and conflict of interest.

Published May 30, 2008

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.  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.

Real. Classic. Anoka Comedy.

Our local Anoka newspaper doesn't have a comics/humor section.  But the regular Windego Park Society (WPS) news releases more than made up for it.

Their "main mature event" this season (January thru June) 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

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.

Magic Money

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

Mayor Skogquist's brother 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 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.

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.

Rules? What Rules?

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, 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. 

Real. Classic. Anoka Bully.

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

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

Rife with Conflict of Interest

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 probably 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".

Symbolic Chinese Garden

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 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 woefully 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* a garden would be more visible and accessible.

At the amphitheater it is only accessible by crossing private property.

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.

      *The City of Anoka maintains 12 premier parks (34 total park locations and trails).

Kidz these dayz

Submitted to the Anoka City Forum:

It's getting hard to explain the world to the kids.  Whenever I hear, "Grampa Sam. . .?" I start praying for wisdom from the good Lord.

Our youngest mayor, Bjorn Skogquist, role model, etc. is fired for lying.  "Grampa Sam, I thought you said everyone's got this permanent record with God and man. . ."  "How can he even get another job, now?"

Even with equal rights and more women than men in university, etc. I've noticed the boys still have more of a sense of providing for their families someday.

"Isn't God kind of against lying?"  "Yes, Jimmy, lying definitely hurts your chances with God."

Then there was the mayor's middle finger towards Mindy's Grandma, we almost had to stop having cable on when the kids were visiting. . .until someone spoke up.

Our own Elyse Kaner wrote about a similar occasion calling it: "Cursing you with a single gesture in a most impolite way."  Another understated (MN Nice) assessment of the mayor's impolite digit was, "it's just not very good community building."

Jimmy's at an age where he knows a lot about little boys caught doin' wrong.

So I listened carefully when he said, "Grampa Sam, I know how to tell that he was guilty."

"Howz that, Jimmy?"

"When he was caught. . .he quit doing it."

-Grampa Sam-

Mayor's Assistant

Anoka needs a city manager, not a $107,577.60 assistant to a $7,800 mayor.  The mayor needs to get out of city hall and stop micro-managing city staff!

Imagine the city staff morale issues resulting from having two bosses with conflicting instructions/agendas.

The city manager needs to take guidance from the city council, not directives from a mayor.

The influence of the mayor over the city manager was never more pronounced than was exhibited during the recent (12-18-06) 1:30 am council meeting regarding the Windego's lease of the amphitheater site.

Never, under any circumstance, would such poor information have been considered had it been presented by any member of the public in an arms-length transaction.

Bjorn Skogquist: "He lied, he got caught, he got fired."

Bjorn Skogquist: "He lied, he got caught, he got fired."

That's the unsolicited report of two separate Menard's employees.      More details as submitted.

This was also the same month that Bjorn's city manager proposed and council voted on a 30% pay increase for mayor. The second since Skogquist took office.

Mayor's compensation:  $4200 in 2000.    $6825 in 2001.    $8817 in 2007.

"He lied, he got caught, he got fired."  That's what the blogs said about the Jayson Blair scandal at the New York Times.  It seems that opportunities can sometimes surpass the character development of these young men.  Maybe it has something to do with the self-esteem-trumps-all teaching of the past years.  That's why programs like "Character Counts" are now in vogue.  The self-esteem-only crowd are hitting the public arenas and it ain't pretty.

Comment: regarding mr. skogquist at Menard's: one man's report went something like this: "I knew I had been with a politician when I got home with way more carpet than I ordered or paid for." Politicians always overly generous with other's resources, while they take the credit.    Menard's may want to compare inventory with possible shortages on mr. skogquist's shifts.

Legal Troubles Back Story

An earlier post on the Anoka City Forum referred to campaign fraud investigation of Mayor Skogquist. He answered a public query with, "The County Attorney dropped it on my behalf."

Skogquist revealed that the investigation went on for seven months and characterized it as frivolous.

Most of us have more confidence in our County Attorney's office than to believe they would waste seven months on something that was totally without merit or frivolous.

Some general information has come dribbling in: "Elect Rhonda" was run out of Skogquist's duplex in the City of Anoka in 2002, listing Skogquist's phone number. Rhonda Sivarajah is an Anoka County commissioner; but her area is on the far east end of Anoka County. Mayor Skogquist attended her inauguration.

There is some relationship between the former county attorney, R. W. Johnson, and Bjorn Skogquist.  They were both mentioned in an obituary for a James Farrier: Johnson as an honorary pallbearer and Skogquist as a relative.

The Anoka City Forum has heard about two letter-to-editor writers who had R. W. Johnson, former county attorney, suggest to them that it was inappropriate for them to be writing about Mr. Skogquist.

Is it possible he would attempt to influence his son, the current county attorney, on Mr. Skogquist's behalf?  Mr. Johnson, (R.W.) didn't seem to hesitate to attempt to influence two ordinary citizens and their freedom of speech and statements of opinion.

The campaign violations investigation was largely based on self-reported information, supplied by Mr. Skogquist. Anonymous cash found on his back step. There was a near miss on "Skogquist for Mayor" signs on Leon Fischer's fire truck. Mr. Fischer's out-of-town relatives also suddenly became interested in donating money to Anoka's mayoral race. All perfectly legal.

Buzz Box: Freedom of Speech

The "Anoka City Forum" inbox was abuzz with comments and disbelief over the mayor, Bjorn Skogquist, and his bartender Durkin's idea to pass a resolution against freedom of speech.

Some felt it was par for this course. Others were appalled someone would have the gall to even suggest government censorship in an American city hall.

It was at a meeting with no press, scant minutes, limited attendance - very "back room". It really got around though.

Someone pointed out that if Paul Pierce, Aaron Barr, Mike Gundlach or Dori Schumacher were on the council to back Mr. Skogquist up, it would probably be a done deal by now. "We the city council pass a resolution against the public's freedom of speech on blogs."

That would be serious. As noted, "Blogs now represent the town square and digital democracy."

"No one is more despised by career politicians than someone who insists on telling the truth and can back it up with good files."

"Always easier to attack messengers than deal with issues." (That's why civilian commenters are not ID'ed on this forum.)

Also: "Apparently Mr. Durkin approves of free speech for everyone except blogs. 

He seems VERY sensitive to any suggestion the car show might in any way be a platform for future politicals...mayor, council and the like.

Maybe we could all put on blindfolds and it would not be so easy to connect the dots.

Let's see...last election a non-profit looking for a cause was formed by mayor's running mate.

Now the car show is run by this non-profit...maybe blind folds AND ear plugs are needed.

As Durkin himself said at a recent meeting, "at the car show the candidates have all had an opportunity to get out and meet folks"...maybe blindfolds, earplugs AND a frontal lobotomy are needed to not be able to connect the dots."

This commenter was Spot On: the position of visibility on opening night of the Car Show was staffed by none other than Mayor Skogquist. Third night was Skogquist political yes-man and Anoka newcomer, Mike Gundlach.

We've heard from people noting electricity from a business being tapped as the Car Show people just helped themselves.  Also there seems to be dissatisfaction with how early they take over the streets from other users, businesses and neighborhoods.

Finally, someone else commented on the irony and similarities of Durkin and Castro's Cuba.  Cuba recently expelled two journalists. Durkin was quoted almost verbatim: "they were just too negative and it was hurting business."

5 Women Unacceptable to Skogquist

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

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Comment: This seems like another example of hizzoner's hardheaded hubris.

Or:

Waaay back in the 70's the militant women would say, "Sexism is a learning disability."

Dodged a Bullet: defeated Gundlach

November 2005:  Taxpayers in the City of Anoka dodged a bullet last election (2004) by keeping newcomer Mike Gundlach off the city council.

The Pierce/Skogquist council did succeed  in appointing him, a resident of only four months, to the city's HRA (Housing Authority) -consistent with their pattern of installing new and non-residents to make decisions for the city.

Gundlach was also named to the Charter Commission just before the new ethics rules were in place.

At the November 14 meeting Gundlach, a former appraiser, expressed concern about the assessed value of a specific home related to it's possible higher current market value.

Citing this historic residence in zone 4, Gundlach said, "The city is losing tax revenue." Then he directed staff to look into it and report back.

I wonder whose crystal ball you could use to do that. . .to predict and then tax some future highest value of any given property?

Many historic homes could not be preserved under such a punishing and speculative tax scheme.

Letter to Editor November 2005   Anoka County Union

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

Comments:  Where and how does Skogquist find these guys? Or do they find him?  This particular tax scheme was one commonly used by the early political bosses to go after political rivals.

The historic residence cited was owned by the Weaver family. Why wasn't Gundlach concerned about property north (Medved's and Corriveau's)?  Or even the Pierce holdings south?  Could it be because these men are political allies of Mr. Skogquist and himself?  Gundlach and Skogquist campaign signs were on these properties.

There's that arbitrary and capricious conflict-of-interest-thingee again.

Comments:  One idea floated out there was to redevelop those old useless concrete ruins (already owned by Anokans and doing no earthly good) aka amphitheater, along with those old crummy sober houses.   With that footbridge already connecting the street to downtown, it would be a nice looking thing, like that nice three-story into the hill across the river and north from city hall.

Unfortunate Legacy

One of the many unfortunate legacies of King Bjorn Skogquist's reign is the diminishment of Anoka's volunteer advisory boards.

2008 was the third year in the smaller room at Greenhaven.  It's called a Board Appreciation Dinner. It is meant to be a recogniton and honoring event of the many citizen volunteers of the city.

It was a bad omen, a few years ago in the largest room, Mayor Skogquist said in his opening remarks, "People have asked me, why do you bother with advisory boards?"

After that it went downhill. This year and last only two retiring board members came forward (one each year) for their service recognition. 2006 it was painfully obvious we were broken when Bjorn read 10-12 names and none of them were even there.  How sad.

2007 the King himself left immediately after opening remarks. Basically saying "Nuts-to-you" to the whole room. 

He handed the program to his manager instead of mayor pro tem Mark Freeburg. Once again indicating the rest of the council was irrelevant.  He and his manager were the ones running things.

I remember Mayor Beberg was especially proud of the high rate of agreement of the council and advisory board recommendations.

Skogquist's record is all over the place to say the least.  He will totally ignore unanimous recommendations.  Other times he backs down opposition by saying we have to do this because of a board's recommendation.  Arbitrary and capricious seems to mild a description.

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

Background research indicated that city manager Tim Cruikshank had very little experience working with Advisory boards or even Department heads when he came to Anoka.

That helps explain why these two key groups goals were not even incorporated into council goals in 2007 like always had been done in the past.

That's another unfortunate thing and Anoka's loss.

The Jackal Pup

Letter to Editor, reprinted on the "Anoka City Forum" - Anoka Union -   6-21-07:

"Recently the Anoka newspaper did a piece on a start-up Windego Dinner Theater.

The article said, "Finally, a professional dinner theater has arrived in the Anoka area."

And "people won't have to drive down to Chanhassen to see quality dinner theater."

For the record, the Anoka area has a proven, high quality, professional dinner theater that is, in fact, celebrating its 20th anniversary.

The Seasons Dinner Theater presents family orientated, humorous theater in a very nice setting. see www.theseasonsatbunkerhills.com for more information.

Maybe the Anoka newspaper could do a feature story on The Seasons Dinner Theater. It could serve to review and honor 20 entertaining years of successful dinner theater here in the north metro."

        ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Comments: It's hard to understand how Anoka newspaper staff could have missed this. They have printed information on the Seasons Dinner theater for twenty years. Somehow they stepped out of reality and joined make-believe-land.

The land where things are so, just because someone says so.

The land where you don't know what you are talking about, you just "give it a shot."  Ala Windego Park Society president Erik Skogquist.

As far as Windego Park Society goes. . .you'd think a legitimate start-up endeavor would do a little research on similar, competing efforts. Who's doing what, how's it going, how is it done successfully, is there a market for this service?

What is the chance for success if you haven't answered these most basic questions?

There's a great African proverb about the impudence of youth: "What is impertinence?  When the jackal is born in August and there is a flood in September and the jackal pup says "Good gracious! I never saw such a high flood!"

Erik Skogquist was a (no doubt adorable) toddler when the Seasons Dinner Theater got started.  Without due diligence or basic research, how could he be expected to know anything?

Now, what's the newspaper's excuse?

Political Theater-Always Late

There's a joke in Anoka about it's two theaters: Lyric Arts and Anoka City Council Chambers.  Bjorn Skogquist is the "leading man" starring in the Chambers production, in the seventh year of his run.

Mr. Skogquist has a habit of arriving fashionably late. Also known as unfashionably rude.

There has not been one meeting this year (as of 3-19) that has started at 7:00.

Last year, of the 44 meetings on the city website, only 10 started on time. Two of those were started by Councilmember Carl Anderson with the star of the show arriving a few minutes later.

Some think it is because Mayor Skogquist is becoming increasingly uncomfortable and is avoiding people.

Others say he just wants to get in character and get on stage. Life before the camera, such as it is.

He may get a bit of an adrenaline rush also, being late.  It adds to the drama of the "entrance"; all these people are waiting for him. In fact, they can't start without him.

Well, the truth is they can and they should.  The rest of the council could start training this kid to grow up and show up.

The rest of the council could decide to start on time. Start on time out of courtesy and respect for the cable company, the audience, any guests, the staff and the council process itself.

Start on time whether the king has made his grand entrance or not.

Update: Things are no better (6-4), in fact they are worse.  Much like an unruly rebellious child when they are first disciplined; their misbehaving increases for awhile. Boy Bjorn's method of signalling "Nuts to them"?

The first six months of 2007 there is one meeting on record that started at 7:00.  That was opened by Mayor Pro Tem, Mark Freeburg. So it is possible to start a council meeting at 7:00.

Mr. Skogquist has been twenty minutes late on three separate occasions just since March.

A review of advisory boards reveal meetings that pretty much start on time. So it can be done. Of course those folks are mere public servants and not self-important politicians.

Submitted Irony: There is not a single job, with the City of Anoka, Bjorn Skogquist would qualify for.  His lack of job experience, education and poor attendance and punctuality would serve to disqualify him for any of the over 100 full and part-time positions.

He's late, he's a no-show for important community events, he leaves early. All signs of growing disinterest?  The damage is done, may as well move on. 

Insolence of elected officials

A letter to the editor, December 15, 2006, (posted on the Anoka City Forum 3-21-07) referred to Bjorn Skogquist as Anoka's dictator, having said he wanted to only appoint people to an advisory board who would do what he tells them to do.

A subsequent Union article (2-2-07) substantiated that assertion with a statement by Borgie Bonthuis. The Union reported," Skogquist met her for coffee and told her to her face he would not be submitting her name for the HRA (for reappointment) because he did not like the way she was voting."

Early in Skogquist's regime John Weaver attempted to bring this problem up.  At a council meeting senior councilmember Weaver said, "Mr. Mayor, you dominate our meetings."

The kid actually said, "You're out of order" and moved on.

"The insolence of elected persons."  Whitman called it.

It was a defining moment in Anoka's political history.

Not only was senior councilmember Weaver personally cut off; but more significantly, every Anokan who voted for him to represent them had their voice cut off as well.

The issue being discussed, the kid himself and our form of government were all cheated and made "less than".  The move towards a de facto dictatorship was well underway.

   ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Submitted Update:  The next step in any self-respecting dictatorship is to make moves to oppose or shut down any freedom of speech.

Amazingly, (or predictably) this happened recently as reported at an Anoka city council work session.

A Mr. Durkin was giddy; having just rolled the council over. He got his continued self-serving weekly street closings to benefit his downtown drinking establishment. And his wife, Mimi Durkin's fee of $1,789. per Saturday.

He then pressed the council to pass a resolution against blogs like the Anoka City Forum that you are now reading.

A Mr. Skogquist, on the council, agreed and actually suggested they discuss such a thing further at a future workshop.

Another city councilmember, Jeff Weaver, mentioned the First Amendment.

You know, the pesky right of Americans to comment on (and even criticize) their government.

All other rights and freedoms we enjoy hinge and depend on this first one.

Near the Fourth of July it might be well to remember this.  Especially in Anoka MN.

Where Mayors and their bartenders would make resolutions against 1st Amendment freedom of speech.

          Amazing.

Durkin's Pub guy

The Anoka City Forum received a thoughtful, almost philosophical letter from Durkin's Pub. Philosophy honed by years spent solving the world's problems by closing time.  It was in the vein of John Gardner, founder of Common Cause, encouraging citizen participation. Gardner:

"I keep running into highly capable potential leaders all over the country who literally never give a thought to the well-being of their community.  And I keep wondering who gave them permission to stand aside."

"Most Americans welcome the voice that lifts them out of themselves. They want to be better people. They want to help make this a better country.. When the American spirit awakens, it transforms worlds.  But it does not awaken without a challenge."

"As citizens we have every right to raise hell when we see injustice done, or the public interest betrayed, or the public process corrupted."

It could be argued that every individual has a citizen responsibility.

                     ___  ___ ___  ___ ___  ___ ___  ___  ___ ___

Mr. Durkin also said, "The town is filled with negative attitudes." This narrow world view may have to be understood and perhaps discounted by the nature of the bar business.

Community Interventions

The experts recommend:  "Pay attention to how council members are acting and progressing at meetings, use your vote to eliminate dysfunction and get involved in citizen groups to keep tabs on your council."

"There has got to be a group of citizens that are able to identify when things are starting to go to pot in their government and somehow put the focus on that."

Mike Gundlach's Prior Lake had 60 people attend their first meeting of Citizens for Ethical Government. The name of the group tells Prior Lake's story. Gundlach (recent migrant to the anoka political scene) was apparently a political ally, a lieutenant for Prior Lake's dysfunctional mayor. The machine boss era used the unflattering, but descriptive, "thug ugly".

Roseville fought their extreme dysfunction with an impressive website, much community activity and ongoing monitoring. Roseville Citizen's League at www.rosevillecl.org/  Formerly known as the Roseville Citizens Council for Fair and Open government.

Maplewood has just organized at www.maplewoodcitizensleague.com to challenge and change their dysfunctional dynamics.

They also have www.maplewoodmn.blogspot.com/ . Self described as "verbal cartoons about Maplewood city politics." This is a brilliant LOL (laugh out loud) read. It contains eerie similarities to Anoka's mess.

Historically, America had the Good Government Clubs (Goo Goos) that fought the corruption of the Boss era and brought reforms.

Abuse of Power

The following was a Letter to the Editor published 4-27-07 in the Anoka County Union:

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.

Newspaper Story Idea: Windego project

Regarding Forum post "Abandoned Project" 3-3-07:   The Anoka City Forum research department had asked the following questions of Charlie Thompson, Windego Park Society (WPS) board member on 5-28-07:

1. Is there some independent place/site we could refer people to verify or document the non-profit status of Windego?  Tax donation/fraud issues are such sticky wickets especially for business/corporate contributors to non-profits.  This seems especially of concern to people because of the apparent tie of WPS to a local politician.

2. We are unable to address issues regarding Forum post 3-3-07 "Abandoned Project": The Windego Park Society restoration of a schoolhouse in St. Francis.  The sign out front has a completion date several years past due (fall of 2003).  Are you aware of this project?  Do you have a current estimate of completion?  Do you anticipate any significant funds from it?

"Thank you in advance for any assistance you may be able to provide."

Hell to Pay

Currently there seems to be equal-opportunity-dysfunction in the City of Anoka. Staff, mayor, advisory board members all share alike.

Things get blurry quick once ethical barriers are broken by leadership.

On "Houston there is a problem" 5-03 post it was the planning commission in trouble. There is the question of no notice of meetings in the newspaper, no agendas and no minutes for quorum meetings. (Sounds like secret, limited access meetings to me).

Just imagine. . . if, instead of:

• Braun's Planning Commission. . . it was the Mayor's HRA.
• Gould Jewelry. . . it was Kaiser Homes. Exerting undue influence.
• Bjorn appt. Mark Jenson. . . it was Elvig and Schmidt being excluded.
• Main Street design. . . it was pre-1920 housing design. For example.
• Councilmember Weaver. . .it was Councilmember Pierce. In attendance. (Both of these men have every right to participate fully as stakeholders. But not to have undetected undue influence and access to meetings having been notified as a councilmember. While other Main Street stakeholders were excluded.)

Pimping Anoka

Larry Turnquist, lifetime resident, asked why we were giving the whole last tip of Anoka away (that's what a land trust is- the city will have responsibility for it but no authority over it). He asked,

"How does this benefit Anoka?"

That is the question for everything mr skogquist has done to Anoka these last six years:

Bjorn Skogquist blocked, then weakened routine rental licensing 80% of the citizens wanted, making Anoka a haven for predatory landlords. He gave them more years to enlarge and entrench and bring the city down. "How does this benefit Anoka?"

Skogquist voted to keep the bars open until 2am. "How does this benefit Anoka?"

Skogquist has repeatedly refused to work on regulating the sober house industry. He routinely passes the buck. "How does this benefit Anoka?"

Skogquist turns our downtown over to a car club (now run by his supporters: Durkin, Doran and Barr) every Saturday night; feeding the downtown bar scene. The Car Show makes donations to his "family-non-profit", the Windego Park Society.  "How does this benefit Anoka?"

Skogquist supports a new regional ramp paid for by Anokans at the rail station to be used primarily by Andover and Ramsey residents.  "How does this benefit Anoka?"

Skogquist influenced his HRA appointments to spend the HRA budget of an entire year on one house. (The house is still unfit to live in with no certificate of occupancy issued.)  "How does this benefit Anoka?"

Skogquist has played games with the HRA appointment process trying to get his "do-what-I-say" people in there. First he expanded it; then he makes the motion to reduce it.  "How does this benefit Anoka?"

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

It is the era of ongoing, perpetual and premature political campaigning.

Now, if only Dan Erhart or Jim Abeler would stumble or step out of the way, this "Bjorn-to-run" character could move up.

It's been suggested that he has been merely pimping Anoka, gaining faux "achievements" for his next political move.

Skogquist's Untrue Things

People have been commenting on the obviously untrue things Anoka's mayor (Bjorn Skogquist) utters.  This bad habit continues to erode his already diminished credibility.  It also seems to be annoying people:

Recently (3-26-07) he said, "No one else (but Anoka) has the Rum River."

Fact:  The Rum River starts at Lake Mille Lacs and winds down to Anoka for 145 miles.

It flows through Milaca, Princeton, Cambridge and Isanti. For 145 miles.

               _______________________________

Then there was his reference to Anoka's "vice-president" streets.

Fact:  Anoka has streets named for presidents,famous orators and some of the earliest Anoka and MN residents.

           ================================

He must make this stuff up to hear himself talk.  Or as C. R. posted on Minnesotans FOR Bjorn Skogquist at facebook.com: "Bjorn likes to be in the lime light.  That is what he was best known for - being a good actor in High School."

T. H. wrote, "It's bad enuf he hurts his own reputation, but he's dragging Anoka down as well.  That's my concern." 

REMINDER to contributors:   we appreciate the documentation of sources on submissions to the Anoka City Forum.

Thank you for dates, references to documents, meeting minutes, newspaper articles, other websites, eyewitness observations, etc. It can be careful, tedious work. You do a great job.

The Forum's been called "a good read", "very truthful" and "the humor has great appeal to thinking people".

Many have said, "Keep up the good work."

City Pages recently recognized and promoted Anoka City Forum as their featured blog of the day.

Minnesotans For BS

Minnesotans FOR Bjorn Skogquist at facebook.com is a curious little shrine.

It's a curious concept and unclear: Minnesotans For BS for what?  Czar?  Homecoming King?    American Idol?

The site seems to have started up during the last election season (10-10-06) and links with Windego Park Society (WPS), Anoka High School Graduates and Thursday the Gathering.

It's a juvenile site with a junior-high-school-type adulation for Bjorn from his theater days. (facebook.com is a social network for the kids who have outgrown myspace.com)

There is a mishmash of misinformation.

There is one self-confessed case of probable voter fraud that may be of interest to the authorities:

A Jim Schroeder wrote on October 12th, 2006:  "I've lived in Mpls for the past five years or so, but I still vote in Anoka JUST so I can keep voting for Bjorn!"

There are encouragements for students away from home at college to submit absentee ballots.

There are unsubstantiated, libelous statements regarding "the old mayor who used his power to make money off land deals."  Self-described "insider"Joe Blackstad 11-5-06.

The site advertises drinking parties with copious amounts of beer and practicing magic via a card game. Magic the Gathering explains: "It's like going back to middle school except with a lot more beer."

These are the credible younkers (WPS) our wise and esteemed Anoka City Council signed a 25 year lease with for valuable city property.

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Dictionary.com. . .YOUNKERS = def: n. young lords