by Alice Pickering
Linwood Area ReporterOn March 9, Linwood residents will elect two Supervisors for the town board, Township Treasurer, and Town Clerk.
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 one or more of your concerns about the township. What suggestions would you make or action you would initiate to make changes. (3) Add other information or comments for votersÇ consideration. Candidates are listed alphabetically and summaries of their responses follow.
Seat C is currently held by Melvin Pfaffendorf, who is running unopposed.
Pfaffendorf and wife Lucy, both retired, (1) have ìlived in Linwood since our marriage in 1960,î on a farm his grandparents once owned. He has served ìsix years on the town board at the end of this term and has served on many boards in Linwood.î Pfaffendorf is the current board chairman.
He is thankful for ìall the respect and confidenceî (residents) have given to him and to the town board. Without the support ìwe would have been unable to accomplish all that we now can enjoy together.î
His concerns about the township (2) are ìfor the people.î He would ìcontinue to keep honesty, fairness, openness, and respect to all who come to the town board meetings.î He would try to ìbring resources and people into a higher standard of living, finishing many projects that were started and never finished.î He would like the board to continue completing the projects it has begun in the township.
His final comments (3) are an encouragement to the ìmany people who are serving on various boards who are doing an excellent job. I intend to continue to encourage people to get involved and join our various boards here in Linwood. We need people who are committed and have a servantÇs heart to serve,î using good judgment in decision-making, treating residents fairly and equally, and keeping ìthe township on a straight course.î
Two candidates have filed for Seat D, currently filled by the appointment of Dave Tryon. Brian Magnuson is running against incumbent Tryon.
Magnuson (1) has an A.A. degree from North Hennepin Community College and has served 22 years in the Air Force. He retired in 2003 from the Air Force and Minnesota Air National Guard, rated as a Master Meteorologist. His position at retirement was as Superintendent of Meteorological Operations. He and his wife Lynn enjoy the outdoors and hunting. He is a member of the Linwood Fire Department and also serves on the township Planning and Zoning Commission.
Magnuson would bring to the job of supervisor ìa diverse military/civilian education, coupled with a solid work ethic and military career.î He believes his ìskills and experience would be highly effective in both leadership and management positions.î His ìpast military teams achievement and personal performance were lauded form the highest level(s) of the Armed Forces, routinely,î as indicated by numerous military awards and citations.
Magnusonís concerns in the township (2) are about speed limits within the township. He believes they need adjustment. He would ìwork closely with Anoka County to insure citizensÇ concerns, with regard to speed, are addressed properly.î
His approach to the Linwood Town Code would be to ìensure it passes human rational test,î recognizing exceptions to various rules and codes do exist. Magnuson would also so work closely with other boards established for the good of the community.
Dave Tryon last served as town supervisor between 1994 and 1996, and was appointed in April 2003 to complete the term vacated by Marvin McCormick, who resigned for health related reasons. No other information was provided.
Vicki Erickson, the current Township Treasurer is running unopposed. She was appointed to fill the position vacated by the resignation of Tammy Lukkonen. Erickson also ran for the treasurer at the last election.
Erickson (1) ìthanks the township for the opportunity to serve as the Linwood Town Treasurer for the last seven months. I have been able to contribute to the community in an area in which my background and experience allows me to excel in the position as Town Treasurer. With my accounting experience that I bring to the job, the town was able to discontinue additional accounting services they acquired from outside sources; this in turn will save the Township administrative dollars.î
(3) Erickson concludes that the ìopportunity to assist the community in this capacity has been fulfilling to me personally. I look forward to continuing to serve the Linwood Township as your Town Treasurer. Thank you for your support.î
Incumbent Township Clerk Judy Hanna is also running unopposed for re-election. Hanna (1) has lived in Linwood since 1970. She has been town clerk since 1998, and writes ìI enjoy the position and being able to give back to the community.î
She writes (2) ìone of my bigger concerns is the townshipÇs substandard roads. As Clerk I canít do anything, but I do provide information to the Town Board, from the Road and Bridge Committee and from the people. Living in a township within the metro area, this day and age, and experiencing growth and expansion, why hasnÇt every road been evaluated and brought up to gravel specifications? We need to continue upgrading roads within the township.î
ìAnother concern is the continuation of the annual meeting.î With information and organization of data, yearly audit completed in mid-February, many budget meetings to review and make changes, relatively up-to-date information is available at the annual meeting in March. Hanna does not believe the continuation of the annual meeting in August to re-evaluate the budget is necessary. ìIt has been used to discuss and rehash over the budgets by a few who return in August. The people who attend in March are present to hear the reports, and hope to leave knowing what the people have set the townshipÇs operating budget at for the following year.î
Finally, (3) Hanna urges residents to use all available information sources (newspapers, the township newsletter, cable Channel 10, posting boxes, and outdoor signs) to stay informed about township government. She also urges everyone to vote on March 9, and to attend the annual meeting.
The annual township meeting is scheduled to begin 8:15 pm, Tues. March 9, after polls close for the election.
Polls are open from 7 am until 8 pm., Tues. March 9. With proof of residency, residents may register to vote on Election Day at the town hall. The annual township meeting will begin at 8:15 pm, after the polls close. Besides departmental reports, the 2005 budget will be presented and the proposed 2005 levy. Residents are invited and encouraged to attend.
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