Posted: 3/19/03

Election top story at Linwood's annual meeting

Alice Pickering
Linwood Area Reporter

The biggest news at the Linwood annual meeting on March 11 was the reelection of two incumbent supervisors. Rudi McCurdy, running unopposed was re-elected for Seat B with 282 votes, with 15 write-in votes. Marie Holm received 202 votes to hold on to Seat C; her opponent, Brad Hansen received 142 votes.

In the three-way race for township treasurer, Tammy Lukkonen received 160 votes; Vicki Erickson, 127; and Suzanne Barry, 43. There were also two write-in votes.

Including the 12 who registered on Election Day, there are 2774 registered voters in the township. A total of 346 votes were cast. That translates into just under a 12.5 percent voter turnout.

Auditor David Stene reported that Linwood Township is in good financial shape. The goal is to have between 50 and 100 percent as a cushion because of the six month interval between receipt of funds from the county. Annual budget shows that most departments have about 70 percent in reserve now.

The accounting records are in good condition and internal controls are appropriate. Stene said the financial condition is good, even if cuts are made in reserves and in capital funds. The township has zero debt.

The projected fund balance at the end of 2003 is $925,084. Budgeted expenditures proposed for 2004 total $1,242,166. Supervisors propose a 2004 levy of $1,138,000.

If the budget is spent up to its limit and the proposed levy is passed, there would be a total fund balance at the end of 2004 of $1,009,868. This reflects a 10 percent increase over the 2003 levy of $1,031,677.

Some items questioned were line items for capital funds and engineering funds. Others were concerned generally with the economy and job market suggesting an overall reduction in the budget of about five percent.

There were arguments on both sides about the wisdom of budgeting money ahead for major purchases versus not serving as a bank. However, the history of the township shows special levies do not do well. Final decision about the 2004 levy will be made at the continuation of the annual meeting.

Sivarajah reports

County Commissioner Rhonda Sivarajah discussed budget reductions in Anoka County. She estimated about $3 million in lost property tax relief for 2003.

She anticipates that could be about $5.4 million in 2004. She also estimated about $11.4 million reduction in direct program funding.

Mike Aschenbrenner, board member of the Youth Service Bureau, and two members of the Youth Advisory Board; Nicole Barnes and Dawn Kichler, spoke in support of the activities provided by YSB programs.

Aschenbrenner identified some of the positive choices and alternatives the YSB provides to young people in the area. Providing service to a young person, working through problems, costs about $350. Action on the part of the board last week renewed the contract with YSB for 2003 and provides support of $4700 to the program.

Kathi Eskstrand reported that Mediation Services for Anoka County provided services for 352 clients resulting in 276 conflict resolutions, in 2002.

The organization provides ways for residents to resolve disputes between residents, quickly and privately. The programs provided are supplement to the court system. Services provided include mediating neighborhood disputes, family disputes, assisting in post-divorce visitation program, and student-to-schools, and a victim offender program that involves restorative justice.

There are four parts to the mediation services; Community Program, Family Visitation Program, Students to School Program, and Victim Offender Program. While there is a modest fee for the Family Program, but none for the other parts of the program.

In answer to a question, she said services are roughly split between Anoka cities and rural areas. The number of clients served was not separated by city or township in her report.

Attractions of the program include quick, confidential, convenient, self-determined, and cost-effective solutions to a variety of disputes. Plans are to join with the Lyric Theater in a production of On Golden Pond as a fund raiser. This is scheduled for Sept. 11, 2003.

The cost to resolve an issue with mediation is about $18, whereas a court settlement usually runs about $2,000. The services are supported by city, state, county, and grants and donations. The township budget proposes to maintain the $300 support for 2003.

There are five full-time employees with the service and about 55 community volunteers. A program to train new mediators, a 40-hour training session, is usually held once a year. Volunteers are asked to volunteer about six times a year. Those interested in becoming mediators are encouraged to call 763-422-8878 to get information about training programs.

Roads, police

Anoka County Deputy Sheriff David King said the department responded to 1926 calls in Linwood during 2002. He said numbers correspond roughly to the population in Linwood.

Responses have remained level for the past two years. The majority of calls were for burglaries, domestic disputes, DUI, and other traffic violations.

Asked about the status of the School Officer Resource Program, King said the program is grant-funded through October 2003. Alan Hurtley asked if contributions could be dedicated to this specific program if grant and other financial support for the program are diminished.

This is viewed as an important resource to Linwood Elementary School. King said one captain dedicates all his time to writing grants. The sheriffís budget for 2004 is reduced about five percent.

King reported an across the board reduction of five percent in departmental budgets for 2003, in anticipation of the shortfalls in state government.

Bob McCormack asked the deputy if the person who started the Carlos Edge Fire served any time for his carelessness. He also wanted to know how he can find out more information about the disposition of this case. McCormack lost his home, livestock, and all other possessions in the fire, along with three other families in the township.

There were philosophical differences between who pays for road upgrades.

Marvin McCormick believes everyone in the township benefits from road improvements and the township pays for the improvements. Others said those who benefit most directly from road improvements should be assessed the cost of the work.

Joe Dolphy said the township is responsible for road maintenance not necessarily their improvement. Biggest costs are improvements.

Hurtley disagreed with using General Funds to pay for road improvements. Vern Boettcher believes everyone benefits and the township should help with the upgrades.

Brian McCollough thought the township should ask first if residents want road improvements.

The Building Committee is assessing and prioritizing township building needs. Dolphy said a new town hall is needed first. The group is also working with the road and bridge committee to plan for location and design of the salt shed and future maintenance building.

Jim Garrison, chair of the parks board, said there are five members on the board and that there is room for three more. He invited interested residents to participate.

Howard Nessel reported on the numerous activities hosted at the Senior Center.

Other business

In other business, residents:

ïRecessed the meeting, agreeing to continue it at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 12.

ïVoted to certify the levy for 2004 at the continuation of the Annual meeting on Aug. 12.

ïSet the date of the next annual meeting: Tuesday, March 9, 2004, 8:15 p.m.

ïApproved the minutes of the 2002 Linwood Annual meeting.

ïVoted to retain the gopher bounty at $2.

ïReceived reports about the fire department, recycling and animal control.

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