Posted: 3/5/03

7 file for 3 seats on Wyoming Town Board

Jessica Foster
Staff Writer

Seven men have filed for three seats on the Wyoming Town Board of Supervisors.

Larry Parker, who was appointed to his position after the resignation of Supervisor Mike Peterson last fall, is running against Lou Sibik, a frequent contender in township elections, for seat A.

For seat B, Incumbent Don Waller is facing off against former township supervisor Gene Patrin and Roger John Elmore.

Incumbent Jeff Eiffler, who came on board after the resignation of Supervisor Robert DuCharme, is up against Richard Berglund.

Berglund, Elmore and Sibik are campaigning together. Members of the Comfort Lake Association, none of the candidates have served on the board in the past.

Forest Lake Times asked the candidates a series of questions. Our questions and their responses follow.

1. Why are you running for Wyoming Town Board of Supervisors (i.e., goals, plans)?

Larry Parker: I am currently on the Wyoming Township Board of Supervisors. I feel that with the rapid growth the township and county are experiencing, I would like to represent my friends, neighbors and constituents within the township to assure the quality of change is representative of the needs and wants of the majority.

Lou Sibik: I am very interested in our community and itís future. I want to assist in the organization and planning for orderly growth. I want to ensure our environment and natural resources are protected, while at the same time provide opportunities for with a well thought out plan for growth. I believe it is important to communicate with our residents to determine what their thoughts are on issues prior to making changes. I will work to assure township business is conducted in a professional manner, and all citizens are treated fairly and with respect. We benefited from living in the community; I believe it is important to give something back in a commitment of time and involvement.

Roger Elmore: I have a strong sense of ownership in this community. For me, it's about giving something back, and being a representative for my neighbors. Through involvement by attending Township meetings and educating myself to the workings of the Township, has led me to believe that I have something to offer to the community. Represent my neighbors to affect a positive change. I will make it my personal commitment to see to it that everyone has a voice in the future of our Township.

Gene Patrin: Informing people of their choices and involving them in decisions that affect their lives is a critical responsibility of elected officials. Balancing growth, protecting natural resources, promoting economic stability and preserving community values are the cornerstones we must build upon as a community, and are what I will pursue if elected.

Don Waller: I was asked to run again and I enjoy serving on the board. There are some projects I want to see moved forward if not completed. The two main projects I want to complete deal with fire protection and lowering the home owners risk for insurance. We have started going through ISO rating for the township and this will lower the cost of home owners insurance for all of the township. The other is to build a new town hall with space for fire equipment. This would put fire trucks in the center of the township and shorten response times. The step we can do before a new hall is a well large enough to service fire trucks as a water point.

Richard Berglund: I want to help develop, adopt and implement a plan for responsible, sustainable development in Wyoming Township. I would like the Town Board to be more proactive in obtaining the opinions of all township residents on critical issues.

Jeff Eiffler: I am running because I feel it is my obligation as a citizen to be involved in my government. I was born and raised in Wyoming Township so it has always been and always will be my home. I have lived in the township for over 34 years. I became involved in the township two years ago when I served on a township advisory committee concerning a joint business park proposal between the township and Chisago City. Being the incumbent, I am very knowledgeable on the issues that are facing the township and I am deeply concerned about the entire township. Not just one or two areas.

2. What experience will you bring to the board (i.e., other involvement, jobs, affiliations)?

Parker: Having been affiliated with the Highway 8 Task Force for the last nine years we have been fortunate enough to have allocated over $16 million in improvements for the safety of everyone along the Highway 8 corridor. It has been a privilege to work with the representatives of the local townships, cities, county and state.

I previously chaired the Neighbors Assisting Proper Planning reporting to the Wyoming Township Board.

Sibik: Previous member of the North Branch Park Board- 5 years. Previous member of a citizen committee in the North Branch High School. Previous member of the Wyoming Township Community Hall Building Committee. Served on the Chisago County Waste Water task force. Serve as a Manager on the Comfort Lake/ Forest Lake Watershed District. Successfully operated my own businesses, served as a Senior Executive Vice President of sales and Marketing for a major worldwide food company. Executive positions with Target Stores for 22 years. Resident of Wyoming Township since 1987.

Elmore: Having worked in the field of marketing/development for over 25 years and as an owner of a small business, I understand the importance of communicating an idea, building consensus, servicing constituents, and evaluating the financial feasibility of a project.

Patrin: My family has lived in the Chisago area for 32 years. I also have served the community as a civil servant and as a member of the Wyoming Township board. The purpose of my candidacy is to provide competent leadership and stability for all of the residents of Wyoming Township. I have served as a member of the Wyoming Township Board from 1996 through 2002, and as a chair of the board for two years. I have represented township interests on several issues including director of the Southern Chisago County coalition, township building and personnel committees and many other committees over the six years. I have worked for Chisago County for the past 20 years as a welfare fraud investigator. I am a founding member of the Minnesota Fraud Investigators Association. I also have served on the associationís board of directors, in addition to being the organizationís legislative liaison. Prior to working for Chisago County, I worked for 12 years for the U.S. Government in law enforcement.

Waller: I have been on the board for six years and have three years of experience on planning commissions. I have attended the two course for planning and zoning and over a dozen short course offered by the Township Assoc. I have completed the City Management Certificate Program through Century College.

Berglund: I have a Graduate Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Minnesota and have worked for Bell Laboratories and General Dynamics for 28 years. I am currently the Product Realization and Quality Assurance Manager for MSP Corporation in Shoreview.

I served as a sewer commissioner for our prior township and am currently the treasurer of the Comfort Lake Association. Iím a member of the Lindstrom Methodist Church.

Eiffler: My experience includes over 10 years on active duty as a US Army Infantryman. During that time I learned very important skills, time management, problem solving, supervisory and personal management skills, to name a few. I also had the opportunity to see different parts of the world and the country. That allowed me to observe how different people and their government interacted. Since I am the incumbent, I have the experience of being a supervisor for the last year. I am very familiar with the functioning of the township and its policies and ordinances. I have also attended several classes on land use and zoning. Last fall, I attended ìAmericaís Town Meetingî in Washington D.C. where I had a chance to talk with fellow supervisors from around the country and members of congress.

3. What do you consider the key issues in Wyoming Township and how do you plan to address them if you are elected?

Parker: Preserving Wyoming Township's rural flavor, through controlled and planned growth of Wyoming Township with respect to building size, structure, i.e., pole barn versus brick, landscaping, impervious surfaces. By controlling growth we can maintain our rural character and still continue smart growth within the township.

Highway and roadway safety, my continued work for safety improvements and traffic flow along the Highway 8 Corridor, including all county and township roads.

Sibik: The proposed rezoning of property along highway eight to commercial development. I believe further study is required prior to any rezoning to determine the impact to our natural resources, infrastructure, and safety. Existing ordinances need to be uniformly applied and enforced across the township.

Communication with our residents is severely lacking, we need to reach out more frequently and get their involvement earlier, on major issues. I plan to meet and communicate on a regular basis with local organizations and individuals to obtain their feedback.

Elmore: First and foremost, is the current rezoning issue outlined in the comprehensive plan. As a member of the Township Board of Supervisors, I would encourage the Planning Commission to further develop the plan with help from the residents, qualified planning professions, and state resources to develop a plan that better meets the needs and desires of our residents.

I would encourage the Board, its administration and committees, to make a significant commitment to the development of ongoing dialogue between the township and its residents.

Patrin: Finding a balance between allowing the area to grow naturally, yet maintaining the communityís rural identity continues to be a challenge. I will devote my attention to finding that balance and managing growth decisions around it. As technology reshapes our lives, it will also impact the economy and our way of life in Wyoming Township. Preparing for these changes in the coming decade includes exploring new ways to generate revenue and attract stable business to the community. The Southern Chisago County Coalition is an example of progressiveness for the future. By working with other communities in our area we can plan for a larger area, with development in the areas that are better able to provide the services needed to these businesses. I will pursue innovative opportunities to maintain and grow our economy while preserving the natural resources that are an important part of our community. The lakes, parks and trails provide an economic resource for local business. Equally valuable is the open, undeveloped space that must be managed wisely to preserve the environment. I am committed to preserving our natural resources and leveraging their value to improve the quality of life in Wyoming Township.

Waller: Completing the Comprehensive Plan revision. Improving the fire protection for the whole township. The Comp. Plan we will finish working through the processÝthat we started in 1998Ýto updateÝthe plan to reflect the changes in the town since the first one was done. The fire protection weÝhave started on with an automatic mutual aid agreement betweenÝall three fire departmentsÝfor structure fires. This means that all departments will dispatch tanker trucks to be sure there is plenty of water to handle the fire.

Berglund: Because it will define the future character of our neighborhoods and environment, I believe the revision to the 1990 Comprehensive Plan is the most important issue currently facing Wyoming Township. I support a plan to identify and study a range of alternative plan elements to those that have been proposed. We must evaluate all the alternatives based on cost, benefit and impact to our natural resources. We should be willing to acquire expert help for this evaluation. Only then can we be confident of our decision.

Eiffler: I would say the biggest issue facing the township is diversifying the tax base while maintaining as rural of a setting as possible. Right now we are largely a bedroom community for the Twin Cities. We live in one of the highest taxed counties in the state. We need to develop a greater commercial tax base. The township is in a unique situation, we have two major road systems within our borders. They are Interstate 35 and Highway 8 corridors. I would like to see the township focus on the I-35 corridor. Development there would keep the heavy traffic associated with commercial developments closer to the interstate and out of the interior of the township while providing the needed tax revenue. Another big issue is the degradation of our natural resources. The water quality of Comfort Lake has been diminishing over the last several years. I have met with the Comfort Lake Association and asked for their support in investigating the possibility of a community septic system to improve the lakeís water quality.

4. The comprehensive plan is nearing approval. This will result in revisions to the zoning ordinances. With so many important decisions to be made, where do you stand? What is best for this community's future?

Parker: The comprehensive plan is being presented to the citizens and the township board at the present time. There is going to be a great deal of improving, revising and changing and eliminating certain areas of the plan to align with the wants and needs of the community as a whole. This plan needs to reflect what the majority of the citizen's want. As a township supervisor I personally will not accept a plan until such time it does this.

Sibik: I am concerned that adequate study has not been completed to address the issues as it pertains to the environmental impact to our natural resources, the safety as it pertains to the proposal to upgrade highway eight. There is a need to understand the requirements for adequate infrastructure to support the large development as outline in the plan, 1658 acres is no small development. The current ordinances do not provide the control necessary to support this type of growth. I believe there still is a lot of work that is required before any commercial rezoning is considered.

Elmore: I would hope that the Township Board of Supervisors would not approve the current draft of the comprehensive plan. This plan, which was just presented to the residents of the Township at a public hearing on February 18, not only lacks the necessary traffic and environmental research and economic feasibility studies, but also lacks support by the community.

How will this plan affect the rights of homeowners? What will it mean for the future of Highway 8? How will it affect our environment and natural resources? Can our current transportation infrastructure support this plan? Does our local government have the administrative capability to support this plan? Will more commercial business generate additional revenues to the Township quicker than more residential housing? These were just a few of the many questions our Township residents feel are still unanswered by the current plan.
I believe development is necessary for growth in any community, but what type of growth, its location, and its timeline should all be up to the residents of the community. With continued communication with our fellow neighbors, the proper research, and the right, qualified planners it can be done responsibly. The Townships' future belongs to us all and we should all have a say in that process.

Patrin: The proposed comprehensive plan needs more work especially in the areas that have been marked as Rural Village Centers. The proposed areas I have seen are too large and include areas that are residential and have never been included in any plan I am aware of. One of the areas that is included is west of the US-8 and 36 intersection. This was removed by a board motion I made in early 2002. Even though I disagreed with the residents of the surrounding area about the issue, the people have spoken and this area should be left at its current agriculture zoning until a request is made to change it. The area on the north side of Highway 8 was never considered for business because of the homes that are there and should not be included. The last area is the Highway 8 and CR-23 intersection. Only the area near the intersection was ever considered for commercial development, because the owners requested the change. The township must be responsive to the community and the residents to have controlled orderly growth.

The best thing for the community is to have a government that cares and listens to their concerns.

Waller: The comprehensive plan will give general direction of development for the town and needs to have the Ordinance to flesh out the details as to what can go where, how large of lots, set backs, and land uses. The Township is not the same as when I finished high school at Forest Lake or even the same as when we bought our house in 91. The questions that we face todayÝare what services do the people want and how much of the cost is to be carried by the residential property owner? The feeling of mixed uses in the town has been stated for years, the balance ofÝresidential and commercial use will be the lighting rod issue, the same in all communities.

Berglund: I am not in favor of approving the revised Comprehensive Plan as it currently stands. The process for revising the Comprehensive Plan needs to be improved. To begin, a proactive effort is required to obtain relevant input from the current township residents concerning their views on land use. In addition, professional help may be required to study the economic impact, environmental impact, infrastructure requirements, and safety for different land use scenarios. Only then, should we begin to define the Comprehensive Plan. The public should be involved at every step.

Eiffler: The revisions to the comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances should not be taken lightly. We only get to do this once so we need to make sure it is done right the first time. There has been a tremendous amount of time and a fair amount of money spent on developing the plan and ordinance. I believe overall it is a good plan. But, it does need some work. I personally do not think Highway 8 is the proper place for more commercial development. I do not believe our current infrastructure could support the proposed commercial expansion. I believe the best things for the future of the township are: to protect our natural resources, diversify our tax base and ensure the citizens are getting their moneyís worth out of the township.

5. The desire of many residents is to retain the rural flavor of Wyoming Township. How can this be balanced with the need for a tax base? How can this be done if Wyoming Township is to be an affordable community to live in?

Parker: Wyoming Township taxes have been the slowest growing tax on property within this county for numerous years. We must continue to work within the community to promote industrial growth in the county even if it means other municipalities within the county.

Sibik: There are a number of communities that have faced similar problems; we can use their research, as a basis to learn what has worked for them and what has not. We can still have development, but we need to understand what the potential impact may be, this information must be shared with all of the stakeholders before finalizing on a planned development such as under consideration. There are minimal requirements by law to put together Comprehensive Plan, than there is the rule of common sense, this has to be applied in the process.

Elmore: We can preserve our community's rural flavor through thoughtful and cooperative planning. A variety of services, development, and transportation improvements are necessary to support any additional growth.

As residents, we must decide how much it is worth. The majority of the tax base will always lie with the homeowner. Developing any commercial tax base takes time and resources.

Patrin: With a large portion of our community nearing retirement age and our children having families of their own, we must not deny them the opportunity to live in our community because of high taxes. With proper planning and input from the community we can have a stabile tax base to help offset the burden of services and education. Technology has given this area the advantage over the metro area since the advent of the Internet. High tech companies look at areas that have a good work force and way of life. No longer do you have to be in a downtown metro area to attract customers.

Waller: The rural flavor of the township has changed since 1979, to when I came home from the service in 85, and by the time we bought the house in 91 some have said that it wasn't rural anymore. To keep what farming that is left I have pushed a change in the AgriculturalÝPreserveÝOrdinance at the county level. The change would allow for preserves as small as 40 acres. This could result in property staying in agricultural useÝin more places and break up the blanket effect of residential. One important thing to remember about a rural flavor or rural nature is the smells, the noise, and the slow moving vehicle signs. If you want rural you get these also. There is a balance for the tax base, it just needs to be applied with care. Commercial use does not mean the steel mills of Pittsburgh.

Berglund: Because of the additional requirements for water, sewer and public services, I do not believe that commercial development necessarily translates into an economic benefit for Wyoming Township. This whole issue needs to be studied very carefully. Wyoming Township currently has more commercial tax property than any other township in Chisago County, yet increasing the number of houses by only 5% would generate the same amount of additional taxes as doubling the amount of commercial development.

Eiffler: The best way to maintain the rural character of the township while diversifying the tax base is to develop the peripheries of the township. The land between I-35 and 61/361 would be one location and between I-35 and Kettle River Blvd. another. These are good locations since they are so close to the interstate and close to infrastructure that is necessary to support businesses.

6. The town hall is in disrepair. Do you think a new town hall is necessary? Any ideas for funding?

Parker: Of course we have to replace the town hall. Currently we are no where near up to code for handicap accessibility. The current building is a major liability for major repairs in the near term. With interest rates the way they are, the town board has to come up with some type of specialized funding or financing now. I am currently talking to several people who have worked within other communities for different types of financing. I would eagerly support a newly-created citizen's board to give recommendations to the township for building size, structure style, etc., and to determine whether we should be thinking about locating a fire station within the township, a community center within the township, or if it should just be township offices and maintenance building. It would be great if we could have all this information pulled together by the summer of 2003 and on the ballot for the fall elections.

Sibik: There was a proposal in a previous referendum that was voted down, this would again need to be reviewed. A possible combination business offices and community center might be an option. The cost could possibly offset some of the expense; this requires study and involvement of our citizens.

Elmore: In light of the current budget shortfall affecting the entire state, I feel a new town hall may, at this time, be something our community cannot afford. Any future town hall construction should be put to the residents for opinions and approval.

Patrin: I served as a member of the town hall committee for several years. The current town hall is of pole building construction which has a limited life span. It has served its useful life as a meeting hall and must be replaced to comply with current building codes. A great deal of study and research was done by the building committee and their findings were rejected by voters in a referendum. The time has come for a community based drive for a new town hall with the possibility for a community center and or a fire hall. Because the interest rates are at an all time low, financing through bonding would be best at this time.
Waller: The town hall I have addressed in part in three. The funding will just have to be worked out for a new building and in the mean time we have upgraded the septic and I hope we do the well this year.

Berglund: I support the improvements to the septic system and well, which will facilitate either a new or remodeled town hall at the existing location. As Wyoming Township continues to grow, I believe that improved town hall facilities will be required.

Eiffler: I think it would be nice to have a new town hall. I donít believe it is absolutely necessary. It would be nice to have more room so we wouldnít have to rent other buildings for large meetings and it would be nice for the township staff to have some privacy while at work. However, I would support a plan that incorporated one or two stalls to accommodate fire trucks. This would help lower fire insurance for homes in the township and it would qualify the township for federal aid. According to Director of Homeland Security Tom Ridge, there will be more federal grant money available for emergency response in rural areas. There also are grants available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. I know a professional grant writer and she is willing to volunteer her time to help the township apply for grants.

7. What is the township doing right? What do you like about living in Wyoming Township and being a part of the community?

Parker: Wyoming Township has been and will continue to be a great place to live and raise a family.

Having been a resident of the township for 24 years, I have seen an enormous amount of growth. The population has increased dramatically bringing with it new friends and neighbors. Not everybody within the township is going to agree on everything. What has to happen within the township is compromise. No one is always right.

I enjoy the wildlife in my backyard, the quietness that surrounds the area and the ease of commuting to work, shopping, entertainment, etc.

I think all the past Wyoming Township Board members have done a great job in making Wyoming Township what it is today. I want the tradition to continue but I also want to incorporate the use of current technology and information in going forward.
It is possible to blend the past, present and future together to make Wyoming Township the best of communities.

Sibik: The institution of emergency equipment is a benefit, and the control in managing the financial budget has been a plus. I appreciate the rural aspects of the community and the respect each member has for each other.

Elmore: As a Wyoming Township resident, I enjoy the quality of life and amenities it has to offer. My family and I moved here 10 years ago because of the rural atmosphere. My wife introduced me to this great area. Her family has been residents here for several decades. The rural landscape, beautiful lakes, proximity to the Twin Cities as well as Greater Minnesota appeals to us both.

Patrin: The completion of the new septic system was long over due. The old drain field was under the driving area on the west side of the building and was overloaded when used at the annual meetings. The well needs to be redrilled but should wait until a final location is determined for the new town hall. The employees should be commended for the work they do on a daily basis, grading, snow plowing and planning and zoning. The equipment has been kept in excellent repair and most work that is contracted out in other townships is done with the current staff, saving the taxpayers money.

The best part about living in the township is the people that are in the community. The diverse population we have is a bit challenging at times but can be very rewarding when everyone works together for the good of the community. The public involvement in the township is amazing compared to other forms of government. The park board, planning commission, emergency management and all other special committees put in long hours with little recognition for the good of their community.

Waller: The people of the Township have seen their Emergency Management Committee formed and complete a major drill (for which they received an award for the state) in about a year and a half. The fire protection is moving forward to benefit the home owners. The main roads are being upgraded and paved with help from the Paving Fund the people voted for three years ago and have continued to fund. The road equipment is kept in excellent shape by the employees, and they have done well on the roads, ditchesÝand drainageÝsystems in the town. I like the Township form of government where every resident has one vote on how much will be raised in taxes to run the Town. It is Grassroots Government.

Berglund: The Township is properly responding to the health and safety issues of the citizens by monitoring building and zoning requests, maintaining and improving roads, and installing warning sirens.

I like the people in Wyoming, the rural nature of the community, and the lakes and waterways. I like being able to go outside at night and see the stars. I like living under a form of Township government where the opinions and votes of the citizens really count.

Eiffler: For the first time in a long time, I believe the township is starting to gel. We have had many personnel changes in the last few years and there was no continuity. We are finally enforcing our ordinances, we are solidifying our long range plans and we are concentrating on improving the quality of life for our residents.

What I like best about the township is working with other supervisors and the staff. All the current supervisors are very concerned with the welfare of the community. There are no personal or political agendas on the town board. There is no bickering or fighting at board meetings. We donít always agree so we discuss the issue and come to a compromise. I do not believe there is a more capable, confident or suitable town board anywhere.

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