Posted: 3/5/03

Voters have a choice in Columbus races

Berk Brown
Staff Writer

For the first time in a while, there is a competitive election in Columbus Township.

When residents of the township go to the polls on Tuesday, there will be two names for each of the two open seats on the town board.

Incumbent Nick Waldoch and challenger John Wallner are vying for Seat D while incumbent John Gross and challenger Mark Walsh are both running for Seat E.

The Forest Lake Times presented seven questions to each of the four candidates to give voters a good idea of who they are and what can be expected of them.

The questions and their answers follow.

1.) What experience and background will you bring to the board?

Seat D, Waldoch: I was raised (age 1-26) on the family farm in Columbus. I returned to the township with my wife and five daughters in 1988 and we bought 6.5 acres and built our home. I was elected to the Columbus Town Board in 1997 and again in 2000, each for three-year terms. I am also serving as chair of the Columbus Economic Development Committee (CEDC). The CEDC is a committee the board established to develop a marketing plan to recruit retail, show room, commercial and light industrial developers to the freeway district. The CEDC has met with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to lobby to have the I-35 bridge upgraded to better meet the traffic load. I have met with the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee to begin conceptual discussions about changing the I-35/County Road interchange to handle traffic into the future.

I am also on the board of On-Land Environmental Opportunities, an Anoka County non-profit group with a mission to expand the production of eatable products within the county. I have also served six years on the St. Joseph Church Council in Lino Lakes. Civic positions I held while living in Northwestern Minnesota include: six years on the North West Private Industry Council, four years on the North West Minnesota Emergency Service Board, and six years on a school board.

Seat D, Wallner: I currently serve on the Columbus Township planning commission. I have served in that position for four years. I attend many Town board meetings as the planning commission representative. This has helped me stay in touch with township issues.

Seat E, Gross: I moved to Columbus Township in 1981, served on the planning commission in 1985 and again in 1996. I have served two three-year terms as a Township Supervisor and a candidate for a third term. I have worked with law makers at the Minnesota State Capital on legislation issues regarding parental rights. I am retired from the City of St. Paul Police Department and currently am a licensed real estate broker. I was active in writing the current Comprehensive Plan, talking and promoting development of the I-35 corridor, meeting with the Metropolitan Council in getting the sewer connection for the township.

I initiated discussion at the Town Board level on my belief that we should start development of the I-35 corridor as a commercial tax base for the township, writing a letter back in January of 1998. I pushed the importance in developing the area a future tax base for the community and the fact that no action would eventually leave the area vulnerable to annexation by the City of Forest Lake. I believed that I-35/Hwy. 97 area was unique, the corridor could give us our commercial area which would blend in with the City of Forest Lake and yet was isolated from our residential area, keeping our rural atmosphere.

I promoted with a great deal of opposition the idea to build a new fire station of good quality at a reasonable price instead of repairing and adding onto the current pole building used as our township maintenance building. I pushed the idea for a concrete building with possibility for expansion in the future for our maintenance garage, town hall and senior center. I was vigilant on spending our tax dollars wisely. The result was a highly quality building at exceptionally reasonable cost to our residents.

I was opposed to the billboards on the I-35 corridor, but was out-voted. As a compromise I added a 20-year sunset clause to the billboards.

I serve on the Sun Rise Water Shed Board and the Fire Board for Columbus Township, have served on the Youth Service Board. I am the liaison for the Anoka Sheriffís Department, the Road and Bridge Department. I was a member of the Economic Development Committee for the township and a member of the Forest Lake Airport development committee. Each year I attended over 100 meetings relating to township business.

Seat E, Walsh: During my four years as a planning commission member, I have researched, drafted and made recommendations to the town board, worked with the town manager, attorney and planner on issues, i.e. rezoning, variances, new and amended ordinances, conditional use permits and commercial development to name a few. As a commission member attending all public hearing, I have a real sense of our communityís likes and dislikes.

2.) Why would you like to serve on the board?

Seat D, Waldoch: I own a home on 6.5 acres, which serves as my back to a nature retreat from my career in education, and I want to keep its rural atmosphere without increasing taxes. The board had a number of projects in process that needs to be completed to keep the tranquility of the township we currently have in the residential districts. Included in these projects are a grant to upgrade the north end on Hornsby, the sewer project, and the freeway district zoning and development.

Seat D, Wallner: The township needs people to step up to the plate and help out. I have to ask myself, why shouldnít I be the one to step up to the plate? I think I can do a good job. I am objective, open minded, and I will bring a balanced point of view to the town board. My opponent has gone unopposed in the past. We need competition for these seats if we are going to get a truly representative body. This contest will also produce the best person for the job.

Seat E, Gross: I would like to continue to serve on the Columbus town board because I feel we have a lot of work ahead of us. I have stood firm with high ideals on how to develop the I-35 corridor when others wanted to compromise with lesser standards. I believe those high standards will serve in promoting better, higher tax commercial business. Columbus is one of the lowest taxed communities in the metropolitan area. I have worked hard to keep our taxes low, yet provide us with a new fire station, fire equipment, and maintenance equipment to better serve our community. Our township office is equipped with the latest in computers and telephone service. I would keep a slow, steady growth in the township, keep the rural flavor and yet have an aggressive commercial area which would supply a good tax base to allow us to live in the highest standard, yet keep low taxes. Itís not by accident we have one of the lowest tax rates in the Metropolitan area, it is from good management.

Seat E, Walsh: For the past two-plus years, I have witnessed the use of township resources by a couple board members for their own personal agendas. So, as a 16-year resident and informed citizen of the township, I would like an opportunity to represent the people of our township without bringing any special interests or agendas to the position. A change is needed!

3.) What is your vision for the future of Columbus Township?

Seat D, Waldoch: The vision I have for Columbus Township is that we increase the tax capacity of the township so we are able to maintain the services provided without increasing taxes. I see the residential density of one home per five acres and progressive planned commercial development with high quality architectural standards to insure an increased tax capacity.

Seat D, Wallner: I envision a township that continues to grow yet remains rural. I know it is unrealistic to expect that the township is forever going to remain as it is. What we can do is plan for a change in a methodical manner. The residents have moved here to be in a rural area. On page 2 of the Columbus comprehensive plan, it states that, ìthe township should balance additional growth with the preservation of the existing rural character.î I am not entirely convinced that is what is happening in the freeway district. Putting in 516 townhouses certainly will lack a rural character.

Seat E, Gross: My vision for the future is the I-35 corridor as a progressive model for other communities to envy. I would like to keep the rural atmosphere that we have moved out here to enjoy. I envision a large commercial area on the I-35 area that will blend in with the City of Forest Lake and yet keep a low density rural area for the remainder of the township. Moderate, smart growth is good for the community.

Seat E, Walsh: I see a township much as I see it today. A rural community maintaining its open space and wildlife while allowing some low key development. Above all, listening to the residents of the township and proceed accordingly.

4.) What would you like to see happen in the townshipís freeway district and what steps would you like to see taken to reach that idea?

Seat D, Waldoch: I believe the development of the freeway corridor with a retail, office/showroom, light industrial and a small suburban residential districts as planning in the comprehensive plan is the key the township has to increase its tax capacity. For this development to progress, the township will need to coordinate the sewer project. I believe the benefactors of the system should fund the cost of the sewer project. I believe the township must insure all development maintain a high architectural standard to give a positive image to Columbus Township. The EDC has been in contact with the Department of Transportation and the Chair of the Senate Transportation Committee to insure the development in the area is on the DOT planning screen.

Seat D, Wallner: The freeway district has been designed by developers, business owners, and primarily people who have something to gain from their plan. I want more input from residents throughout the township. The current plan for the freeway district is quietly moving along. It took over two years to come up with a plan. The implementation process should not be rushed along. We should slow down and make sure this is a plan that is good for everyone in the township. Not just those that stand to benefit from a sewer line.

Seat E, Gross: The blue print for the I-35 area is already in place. The township supervisors, planning commission members and citizens committees have worked for several years developing the concept, (zoning, land uses, sewer) for the area. I think there is a lot of work yet to be done in the area. I am reluctant to give my blessing to high density housing in the I-35 corridor, but I also believe if we do not have a good plan, the commercial uses wonít come knocking at our door. Columbus is heading in the right direction and I would like to see it stay on track.

Seat E, Walsh: I feel the freeway district should remain zoned commercial industrial. When development is proposed we need to consider all the affects it would have on our community. Unless it pays for itself and is an asset to the community, it should not be allowed.

5.) What is your stance on the issue of allowing community collector systems in the township and why do you feel that way?

Seat D, Waldoch: I believe the township should not close its eyes to any form of proven septic systems. All types of septic systems should be monitored to prevent ground water contamination. The board has been studying many types of septic systems for about a year. We have reams of information from professionals at the Metropolitan Council, University of Minnesota, the township engineer as well as system designers, installers and operators. The Metropolitan Council and University both stated a collector system is a very effective septic system. A collector system like a single home septic system needs to be monitored to insure its successful operation. The board heard from a panel of septic system professionals at our first meeting in February. The advice I heard is you should not close the door on any proven system, but double check the design and installation of all systems and require a professional operating contract on all collector systems permitted in the township.

Seat D, Wallner: As a planning commission member, I voted against the community collector system. These large scale septic systems are very rarely used in new construction. When they are used, it is in cluster developments. Columbus Township does not allow cluster housing. The scenario in question is near marginal wetlands where there isnít enough room for a standard system. Development in marginal wetlands will eventually bring problems to the township as a whole. It is a risk that will benefit the township little and developers a lot.

Seat E, Gross: The community collector system is a good tool for a community to use. The interest in not to make a wetland into a buildable area (as some citizens have led others to believe) or make smaller lots, but to move private septic waste to the highest and best location in a development. Those who have been at the meeting listening to the experts in the field will know itís a good tool ñÝthe system works. The community collector system could be used in a number of areas in the township. Currently, we have numerous homes that do not have a back-up area or a second sewage site on their property. Even some of the larger lots do not have a second sewage site. In case of failure, the collector system would allow a group of homes to combine their systems into one location better suited for sewage treatment, this removing the potential for ground water contamination. Look at Columbus Elementary, I believe if a collector system had been used, we may have saved the community many dollars.

Seat E, Walsh: A community collector system should not be permitted in new construction because of the potential health problems along with the townshipís inevitable legal and financial liability.

6.) If you win the upcoming election, what other issues do you look forward to tackling and why?

Seat D, Waldoch: Completing the freeway district ordinance so development is able to begin as soon as this spring. If our tax capacity is not increased, this year homeowners can expect an increase in taxes. I believe we must maintain a residential density of at least five acres. Farming should be allowed to continue in our township. The rural atmosphere of the township must be maintained in all non-industrial districts. Tax rates must not be increased!

Seat D, Wallner: One of my biggest concerns is annexation. If we are to remain rural, we need to make our own policies. I do not want to go the way of Forest Lake Township. Secondly, we will always need to watch our taxes. The township has remained among the lowest taxes, but this could change if we have risky bonding or development problems. Less important, I think we should have a township web site. Finally, the township could update or develop a nature/wildlife trail around one of our many wetlands. Only public interest would drive such a project.

Seat E, Gross: In the near future, we need to address the issue of a new maintenance garage to replace the deteriorating pole building we currently use. The new fire station was designed for expansion for such use and now is the time to address that particular issue. A second issue and one we will be working on for a number of years is the I-35 area ñÝwho is going to pay for the utilities and how. A third issue is directly related to the I-35 issues and that is replacement of the I-35-Hwy. 97 bridge.

Seat E, Walsh: I would like to see the township have its own web page, enabling the citizens to keep up on current issues as well as give feedback on issues. I feel it is important to research how to protect our community from annexation.

7.) If I live in Columbus Township, why should I cast my vote for you on March 11?

Seat D, Waldoch: As a resident, you can look at my record to see I study issues of the township and make decisions based on the information studied and on what will make the township a better place to live. I listen to residents and make judgements based on their input and professionals hired by the township. My goal is to keep Columbus Township a place you, your children and your grandchildren will want to live and enjoy, as my family has for many, many years.

Seat D, Wallner: Vote for me because I am capable and I will do a good job. I have nothing to gain from being on the town board. There will be no private agenda with me. I do not have land to develop or business interests. I am just an average guy who wants to do some service to the community. I really think I am representative of the majority of the citizens in our township. Furthermore, I have served the community well (so I am told) on the planning commission. Now I would like to serve at the town board level. I have taken every decision on the planning commission very seriously and I always try to see both sides of every issue.

Seat E, Gross: I would look at all the candidates. I believe this yearís election has produced four good people for the position of township supervisor. I feel that all of them would serve the community well. I believe that I have looked out for what I believe to be the best for the community. Some of my positions have not been popular at first, but I have stood firm basing my decision on what would be best for the community as a whole, not make a popular vote to appease a few. The past six years should show where and what my ideals are. I am committed. I attend over 100 meetings each year as a township supervisor.

Seat E, Walsh: Iím a concerned citizen, who after four years of being on the planning commission, has a good understanding of the infrastructure. I do not own any commercial or subdividable property and I also work outside the township. This means my focus can be on preserving the safe, quiet and rural atmosphere that I and others in the township value.

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