Fred Heinonen
Scandia Area Reporter

This article is presented to give New Scandia Township voters a little more insight directly from their candidates, in order to help them make the best choices in the Tuesday, Dec. 12 mayoral and city council elections.

Despite such a short timeline for candidates to organize, the citizens must try to select the best candidates for the critical task of establishing and then maintaining the new city of Scandia.

The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., next Tuesday at the New Scandia Community Center, 14727 N. 209th St.

In all 25 candidates have filed for office. The list includes five for mayor and 20 for the four city council seats. One mayoral candidate withdrew.

The mayorís term is for two years. The top two vote getters in the council election receive four-year terms. The third and fourth vote getters in the council election get two-year terms.

Candidates were asked to respond to the two following questions.

Question 1. What do you think is most important for Scandia?

Question 2. Briefly, what do you want to say to the citizens?

Mayoral Candidates

Brandon Morris

1. As a new city it is most important to grow on our own terms and our own pace.

2. I believe this is a unique opportunity to start fresh and control our destiny as a city and assure a positive future for our city.

Dennis Seefeldt

1. In my mind the most important thing for Scandia is development, which is a right of all land owners. We must be diligent in our work to insure that this inevitable development is done in a manner which preserves our rural character, maintains open space and protects the environment.

2. What I would like people to know is that I have been a leader in getting a draft of an Open Space Conservation Subdivision ordinance and a draft of a Tree Preservation ordinance ready for a public hearing on Jan. 9th.

The conservation subdivision would replace our old Open Space (cluster ordinance) and the Tree Preservation ordinance is new.

Both ordinances will greatly enhance the cities ability to insure that developments are done in a way to guarantee that we maintain our rural character, preserve open space and protect the environment. I hope I am on the council to cast a vote to approve these significant changes to our ordinances.

Kim Bakken

1 I believe there are many items important to Scandia. Helping toward a smooth transition from a town to a city is one of the first items to address. Providing leadership without a personal agenda or gain is important. Managing growth and development, both residential and commercial, with fairness and consistency is another major concern. Open space management, parks, trails, and city services, are all important too.

2. I think that by bringing a business-like, common sense approach to Scandiaís present and future, I can unite the city council and the residents to a common goal. There are many issues for Scandia, but with open communication, listening, learning, and working together, it can be done. I hope to be there, working for and with the residents and new city council of Scandia, as their mayor.

Joseph Beitler

1. Scandia becoming a city is what we call progress. It is defining what we want to look like. The memory of the ìgood old daysî is ours to carry forward, and moving forward is the only direction we can go. We can carry our heritage, our values and traditions, but we should also know what we will become. If our goal is just to preserve ìopen spacesî and have a retreat from a busy world, we will have missed the most important thing: community and people. For what will we be known in future generations?

It could be a community that deeply cared for its neighbors, who openly welcomed new faces, who reached out beyond our family and friends to call the whole community: ìmy family.î

2. We live in a world where families are too often torn apart, where we are divided over politics, etc., and where we focus on ourselves more than we should. Let us make Scandia more like our earlier settlers, where people needed and depended on each other. They did it sometimes to survive. We can do it to build a lasting heritage.

Ross Brunfeld

1. Scandia needs a first mayor and city council that listens to and works with its citizens.

2. I have lived in Scandia more than 25 years and will strive for common sense leadership.

Council candidates

Michael Harnetty

1. As we begin to move forward as a city, I believe the biggest issues are: 1) Shared Vision. It is important that we develop a clear, well defined vision of what we want to look and feel like, what we want to be and what we donít want to be. We donít have one now and I believe it is the most critical element of managed growth. 2) Comprehensive plan. Our current plan is due for revision in 2008. That plan will have one clear, singular purpose to accomplish our vision. 3) Residential Development Management. No development is unrealistic. Managed development in line with our vision will serve us best. 4) Commercial and Retail Development. We need some in our city. We need to identify where, when and what kind best supports our vision.

2. I donít think there is anything here we canít handle. This community has a long history of mature, sound and responsible judgement. We will be going all of this now with a little more independence and little less oversight from Washington County. It is a time for sound leadership and that is precisely why this election is so important. We are in a period of critical transition. We were a very good township. Now we are a city. We need to become a very good city.

Nancy Madden

1. Keep doing what we are doing, knowing where we have been and where we are going, and tightening ordinances to protect our natural resources. Development is inevitable, but must be controlled.

2. Experience is important, especially at this time of transition, and I have that experience.

Tom Krinkie

1. Preserving the quality of life and rural character. Make sure we are self sufficient and set the proper priorities.

2. I ask the citizens to stay involved, give feedback to the leadership, and make sure we agree on priorities as much as possible.

John Lindell

1. How to preserve rural character in light of the pressures for increased development.

2. I have been a Scandia resident for nine years. I am a CPA and currently work for the State Public Utilities Commission. I would like to promote more resident input into the government process in Scandia.

Dolores Peterson

1. It is most important to maintain rural character.

2. A life long resident, I have served 32 years as your New Scandia Township Clerk, which has given me a vast amount of knowledge and experience for the position of city council member.

Jerry Anderson

1. Maintain the city of Scandia as a rural oriented and large residential development free city.

2. I want to maintain the interests of Scandia citizens above those of special interest groups and work for well-managed slow growth. I want to defeat unnecessary tax increases and limit spending that does not contribute to the quality of life in our city.

Jim Schreyer

1. My wife and I have been enjoying Scandia for the past 25 years. Seven years ago we purchased my in-lawís home to escape the hustle and bustle and congestion of the suburbs. I think I share the same goals as other residents. I would like to maintain the quality of life with the rural and quaint community that Scandia offers all of us. We know that growth and development is planned and if I am elected, I would make certain development does not change the reason why we all live here.

If elected, I would listen to the residentís feedback and opinions so their voice is heard with pressing issues that face Scandia in the upcoming years. I am an advocate for preserving Scandiaís protected parks and recreation. Iím not a one issue candidate.

2. Scandia has grown from a township to a city and I want to be a part of the change. I do not have any political experience. I feel that my 30 years of sales and business experience (still going strong) makes me as good a candidate as any and qualifies me for the job. Throughout my career Iíve learned the importance of listening to others and reaching common goals. I am dedicated to working with the residents of Scandia and preserving our community.

Donnette Yehle

1. The most pressing task facing the new council will be to continue the already ongoing process of being prepared to take on responsibilities that were previously handled by Washington County.

What has been and will continue to be a vital issue facing the new city council is how we can retain our valued rural character and preserve our fabulous natural resources as we grow.

2. New Scandia is a wonderful community because of the people. My goal as a city council member is to work with all involved to ensure preservation of the other things that make Scandia the great place it is. We can protect our rich farming and immigrant history through ordinances that promote preservation of historic buildings and encourage agriculture. We can preserve our rural character, natural resources and beautiful views through development standards that leave large open spaces for agriculture, habitat or recreation.

As your new city council member I would work to keep Scandia the wonderful place it is.

Daniel Skupien

1. The most important issue facing Scandia today is how it will deal with the inevitable pressure to develop its open spaces.

2. The people of Scandia have expressed a strong desire to preserve its rural character, natural resources, and cultural history. Now is the time to write and modify codes, ordinances, and plans that support that goal, while still allowing intelligent and creative development at a rational pace. Creative planning starts with creative people having a common mind set.

Jim Hillman

1. Maintain hometown values, community integrity and retain responsible development.

2. Donít forget to vote. It is important to remain a part of the community.

Charles Amann

1. In the transition from a township under Washington County it is most important for Scandia to establish a stable governing body and have clear direction.

2. If I am elected I would bring experience with meetings to help reach consensus on issues. I would stay on the present course for the immediate future and promote slow growth. I have been a resident since 1992.

Deborah Campobasso

1. I believe the most important thing a new leadership team should focus on in the coming years is, together with residents, define what rural character means, then work to create development ordinances that truly reflect the citizensí wishes.

This includes responsible growth, proactive planning, open and honest communication with residents and careful identification, consideration and preservation of our treasured natural resources. This process should occur in an atmosphere that welcomes new and old residents to become active in shaping the communities future.

2. My 4.5 years on the Scandia Park and Recreation Committee and 2 years as chair, shows my commitment to making a difference as well as my leadership. The committee has made great strides under my leadership, including establishing fair policies/procedures on how decisions are made; initiated and completed a comprehensive plan for parks, trails, open space and recreation; and created the first recreation and community events to provide opportunities for children and neighbors to get together.

We have done this together with much resident input. I strongly believe that government should involve and respect the residents they serve.

Connie Amos

1. To keep Scandia pretty much like it is, not like Woodbury.

2. It is time for change of leadership.

Pete Crum

1. It is most important to implement the transition from a township to a city and have the city administrator handle the day to day operation.

2. It is very important for council members to remember they represent all citizens of Scandia and their participation is crucial to a well run city.

Gary Hogle

1. Maintain our rural character and have access to local government.

2. We need to establish priorities that meet the needs and desires of the residents of Scandia, which must be the core of representative government.

Kraig Anderson

1. It is important to try to control and steer development to keep the community aesthetically pleasing in its rural setting.

2. I want to represent the majority of citizenís views and serve the community.

Wyman Detzler

1. To maintain rural community values and keep Scandia a great place to live.

2. Let us work together to maintain the rural community values that make Scandia a great place to live. I am running for a seat on the Scandia City Council. My family and I have been residents of Scandia for 15 years. We were attracted to this area because of those values.

Scandia is also a growing community. I will work to develop a responsible growth plan to preserve the rural atmosphere and protect natural landscapes, scenic attributes, open space, and cultural and historical features. I will work to ensure all individuals and community groups are treated fairly and equitably in matters of land use and access to resources. I have developed proven leadership skills during my 27-year military career, which included service in Vietnam as an enlisted member of the United States Marine Corps and service as an officer with the United States Army and the Minnesota Army National Guard. I look forward to the privilege to serve all the citizens of Scandia as a member of your city council.

Don Baber

1. Keep small town atmosphere and not move too fast on future development.

2. If elected to represent the people of Scandia, I will have an honest and straight forward manner and give truthful information and put the interests of our residents first and not special interests.

Michael White

1. New Scandia Township is becoming a city and the most important issue is how orderly this transition will be administrated, to protect ìScandiaís way of lifeî with all its values, open spaces, natural resources, and residents.

2. I have worked with the New Scandia Township Board and Planning Commission and attended 90 percent of their meetings for the last 16 years. Washington County appointed me manager of the Carnelian/Marine Watershed District for six years. I currently chair the Carnelian/Marine Watershed Citizens Advisory Committee.

The Minnesota DNR named me manager of the year. I am a member of the Land Heritage Committee and board member of LATV 10 Lakes TV station.

As chair of New Scandiaís Park and Recreation Advisory Committee for nine years, I worked to establish parks; ìWinds in Pine,î a 40 plus acre park along the St. Croix river, and the New Lionís Park. I currently manage and maintain Scandiaís skate park.

I grew up in Stillwater and moved to New Scandia Township 16 years ago for the beauty and natural resources of the area. I am a college graduate with degrees in education and engineering. I am married with four grown children and a Vietnam veteran.

Louie Diberardini

1. It is most important to remain a rural city with minimum growth.

2. I want to be on the council to watch spending because I have good experience in managing money. It is time for a change and a time to elect new faces for city council and mayor.

Writerís Note

It has been a pleasure individually communicating with this excellent fleet of 25 candidates. We certainly have an abundance of local talent.

I noticed a lot of passion and concern about trying to keep Scandia on track as a rural community. People are proud of their blossoming new city of Scandia.

I want to thank each and every candidate for their cooperation and patience in helping get this article completed on schedule.

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