Posted: 3/5/03

Treasurer, two supervisors up in Linwood

Alice Pickering
Linwood Area Reporter

On March 11, Linwood Township residents will elect two Supervisors for the town board and a town treasurer.

All candidates were contacted in writing and asked to provide a (1) brief biography and submit a photo. They were also asked to comment on the following statements. (2) Identify what you believe is the most important issue or problem in the township. Suggest a solution and give reasons for your position. (3) Add other information or comments for votersí consideration.
Candidates are listed alphabetically and summaries of their responses follow.

Seat B is held by Rudi McCurdy elected in 2002 to complete the remaining year of a three-year term, is running unopposed.

Appointed to the board in March 2001to fill the seat vacated by a resignation, (1) McCurdy writes, ìI have spent most of my time working in the graphic arts area of the printing industry. My initiation into this business began in 1955 when I was taught how to operate several different types of sheet-fed printing presses.î

In about 1960 he switched to the film preparation area, then became a supervisor in the high-tech computer transition of the industry. His additional credentials and work experience include a ìvocational instructorís certification from Hennepin Technical Institute; 15 years as an evening instructor at Graphic Arts International Union School, instructing in graphic art and computer software related subjects; about 14 years, Board Member, Graphic Arts and Machinists Credit Union,î serving 12 years as an elected Treasurer of the organization.

He concluded, ìI would like to think that my supervisory and treasurer experience is especially useful when dealing with Township issues.î

(2) ìWith the impending shortfalls at the State level, Linwood Township and other (municipalities), are going to have to be exceedingly cautious in their fund allocations. Cuts from the State level are surely imminent and without careful budget monitoring, services will have to be curtailed and taxes raised to unacceptable levels. Hopefully this can be avoided.î

Finally, (3) ìObviously, road construction and upgrading is a major concern in the area.
Deciding which areas to improve is no simple task. Taking into consideration, whether the project will benefit the entire Township or just a small majority is usually the determining factor. As a Town Board Member, I will always place the interest or benefit to the Township as my primary concern, when voting on issues addressed by the Board.î

Candidates for Seat E are Brad Hanson and incumbent Marie Holm. This position is for a three-year term.

Hanson did not respond.

Marie Holm (1) and her husband, Howard, have lived in Linwood for six years. She said, ìI have served on the town board for the past three years and prior to that on the Planning and Zoning Commission. I feel I can help to maintain and improve township services, while at the same time planning for future growth of our community.î

Holm identified (2) community development as an important issue in Linwood, ìallowing for new development, while maintaining the quality of life we expect.î For Holm this means ìaddressing environmental concerns, as well as providing for community services that are needed due to population growth.î In keeping with the townshipís comprehensive plan, ìordinances need to be reviewed and revised to assure that we continue to meet the needs of our citizens as the community grows. We need to realistically plan for improvements to our roads, parks, and other infrastructure as Linwood continues to grow.î

(3) Finally, ìeven with all the recent financial problems causing government deficits at the state and federal levels, Linwood Township is debt free. We built a new fire station and are working several roadway projects for next year.î In addition, ìwe have maintained a very reasonable property tax levy for the township.î

Referring to the last information published in Star Tribune, ìLinwood ranked 86th out of 101 communities in property taxes. The latest auditorís update this month indicated that our financial position is extremely positive with a reserve operating budget that exceeded the Minnesota Association of TownshipsÇ recommendation by over 25 percent.î

In conclusion, Holm says ìwe have a very proactive township board that is seeking the best for our community, while planning for the future.î

The two-year position of township Treasurer is also up for election. Three experienced candidates have filed; Suzanne Barry, Vicki Erickson, and Tammy Lukkonen.

Born in Duluth, (1) Barry lived in Minneapolis, then, in 1991 she and her husband Bryan moved to Linwood. Barry was elected Linwood Township treasurer in 1991 and served through 1995. She also served as interim treasurer from 1998-99. Barry writes, ìI have over 17 years experience in accounting with a 2-yr degree in Public Accounting. I also have many years experience using various computer systems and software.î She also has experience doing system upgrades and computer maintenance. Barry is running again for township treasurer because she liked being involved with the township and her work schedule is now more flexible.

(2) ìI believe that the most pressing need for the township is to keep the small town feel,î writes Barry. While not offering a solution, she believes ìkeeping the lot sizes bigger and development to a minimumî will help keep the township feeling. Having lived in the city most of her life she likes ìbeing able to see the wildlife in my backyard.î

Finally, (3) ìI know the township office is looking to change the accounting program and my experience in computers might help with that transition.î

Vicki Erickson (1) has lived in Linwood for the past eight years. She writes, ìI am excited to become more involved with the township and offer my 18 years of experience to the treasure position. My current schedule will allow me to incorporate the necessary time that will be needed to complete the scheduled tasks and deadlines. I am eager to assist with the accounting needs of our local area. I have a passion for numbers and can offer honest and accurate bookkeeping skills to Linwood.î

(2)Ericksonís skills are diverse. ìI have had the opportunity to work with large and small corporations, which has expanded my knowledge and given me a well-rounded background.î She has experience as a bank teller/vault teller, personal and mortgage loan processor, and office manager for accounts payables/receivable departments. She concludes, ìI am meticulous about verifying receipts, recording transactions and reconciling accounts. I pride myself in being detail-oriented while maintaining organized files, and stay focused to the projectís completion.î

(3)Finally, ìI enjoy the beauty of Linwood through the friendly small town atmosphere. I know I can contribute to the goals and needs of the township and I will strive to keep Linwood balanced in the right direction.î She thanks voters for their consideration and looks forward to meeting them.

Tammy Lukkonen (1) has been a Linwood resident for 39 years. She and her husband Tom have been married for 13 years and have one daughter, Samantha, age 4. She has ìspent countless hours volunteering on committees and for the organizations of Linwood Township.î She writes ìI am proud to be a long-term resident and am pleased to have the opportunity to raise my daughter in the same community.î Lukkonen is running for treasurer ìto become more involved with the township and the process of the town board as a whole.î Her experience includes ì14 years in corporate work.î She operates her own business and is also a customer service manager and bookkeeper for Cub Foods.

Lukkonen sees (2) growth in township population as an issue that must be addressed. While welcoming the growth and change in the community, she sees a ìneed for new and standardized ordinances to allow the town board to operate more proactively.î She continues, ìFor many years I believe Linwood Township may have resisted growth and change; it is time to accept growth as an opportunity within this community and find ways to more effectively channel our resources.î

Polls are open at the Linwood Town Hall from 7 am until 8 pm on Tuesday, March 11.
The annual meeting begins at 8:15 pm. Results of the election will be announced at the end of the annual meeting. Departmental annual reports will be summarized. The 2004 budget and proposed levy will be discussed. This is the best place for direct participation in township government. Residents are invited and encouraged to attend.

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