Anoka City Forum

Less-Than-Credible Car Show

4-11-08 Anoka Union:  River Town Community Partnership (RTCP) member Tom Durkin defended executive director Mimi Doran's salary + commissions from the Car Show.

What Tom Durkin failed to disclose was that Mimi Doran is also his wife.  Her salary + commissions benefit his personal household budget.

It's this lack of transparency that diminishes this group's credibility.

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In Mimi Doran's letter to the editor 8-08-08 she casts herself in the role of a benevolent public servant, somehow victimized by vicious politics that she "certainly wasn't privy to 3 1/2 years ago".

But 3 1/2 years ago  (3-16-05) there was a Tribune Metro North article about Anoka's dysfunctional politics. The article described politics in Anoka as having "undercurrent's of personal agendas, contention and resistance to change."

People were beginning to notice Skogquist was systematically loading advisory boards with new and non-residents, replacing anyone who disagreed with him with Bjornites.

The Tribune article was about Skogquist's visioning meetings.  The first two were secret, invitation-only.

The third was described:  "The meeting itself was tense and combative."  Half the people walked out before it was over. The Tribune reported:  "Mimi Doran attended all the meetings so far."

So Doran was not only very much privy, but she was actively participating in Anoka's politics 3 1/2 years ago.

What Mimi Doran is not is a credible spokesperson for a "pending non-profit".

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So RTCP and the Car Show are run by local politicos:  Bjorn and Erik Skogquist, Andrew Boho and Aaron Barr.  And  less-than-credible spokespeople Mimi Doran, Tom Durkin and Mark Peterson.

(Bjornite Mark Peterson is the new resident- 2001. Durkins are non-residents.)

Linea Kirchner

Comment   Concerns have been raised about city assets used for private profit.  Level playing fields have been mentioned.

How many downtown Anoka business owners wouldn't prefer volunteers to paid staff. No storefront rent and expenses, no inventory - just the free streets of Anoka.  Hours on Saturday and only 18 weeks out of 52.  Salary $32,207. + commissions.

Mimi Doran referred to this income as developing a little economy for herself for the work put into her volunteer efforts.

Anoka Car Show: Non-Profit or Political Action Group?

Anoka has a Car Show - Anoka River Run. It is operated by RTCP "River Town Community Partnership" .

Recently this operation has come under a cloud of corruption and fraud.  There is a serious lack of public trust.  There are no checks and balances. They charge fees and collect donations. They use city streets for 18 weeks each year.  There is the feeling that it is an unregulated cash cow.   Much like Windego Park Society. 

We need factual information.  We need full disclosure.

The Car Show was run as a business at first. RTCP took it over, claims it is now a "non-profit". But official status is still pending after three years. If anyone has deducted a donation, are they guilty of filing a fraudulent tax return?

Mayor Bjorn Skogquist and Mayor candidate Erik Skogquist both take credit for the Car Show in their campaign material.

Aaron Barr is the current RTCP president.  Barr was the neighborhood organizing force behind the HRA loss of $200,000 to correct blight on his neighbor's house, 302 Fremont (Barr said his property values were being affected). Barr also wants to be on the City Council and partners with the Skogquist's to that end.

Andrew Boho is another RTCP player as treasurer.  Boho is also a Skogquist neighbor, former council candidate and currently wants to be the DFL candidate for House District 48B.  Bjorn Skogquist is the Chair of Boho's committee.  See  http://www.cfboard.state.mn.us/campfin/rpdetail/rp15834.html

There's more to Mark Peterson than he admitted to at a recent council meeting...  He delivered some outrageous, undocumented charges that, of course, got four lines in the Union. You can slander people that way and get abc newspapers to participate.

In fact, Skogquist routinely and effectively indulges in meeting and media manipulation, especially daring during election seasons.

Mark Peterson, "Mr. Full Disclosure", didn't mention the fact that he is a Skogquist supporter. His home on Oakwood being a "Skogquist for Mayor" sign location in 2004 and 2006.

Mark Peterson, who said full disclosure is a subject near and dear to his heart, also didn't disclose that he's been functioning as the Car Show's secretary.

So. . . Anoka River Run Car Show aka  River Town Community Partnership.

Non-Profit?  or   Political action group?

Windego Lease in Default

Profusion of prima facie breaches of terms and conditions of Windego Park Society lease:

• Section 6:  Use of Premises.  "No event shall be conducted on the site unless it has received prior Landlord (City of Anoka) written approval."  Such event "shall be considered a breach of this lease."

   www.ci.anoka.mn.us links to What's New in Anoka? to Chinese Garden.  This refers to an event May 1 and 2. "The public is invited."

In Addition: "The Premises shall not be used for any events until after the completion of all improvements."

• Section 7:  Improvements and Alterations.  If any alteration, decoration, addition or improvement is made without prior written consent of Landlord, Landlord may correct or remove the same.

In the expired (now denied) site plan there was mention of a future proposed rain garden compatible with the river and flood area.  This rain garden would have required approval through the site plan approval process involving the Planning Commission.  The Chinese Garden was never approved. And how can WPS ethically continue to raise funds without a site plan?  And for what purpose other than political visibility?

• Section 10:   Assignment and Subletting.  The tenant (WPS) will not assign or permit occupancy or use of the premises without obtaining prior written consent of Landlord.

• Section  11:   Tenant will name Landlord as an additional insured on the general liability policy.  (Not done as per Councilmember Weaver's request at Council meeting.)

• Section 25:   Conflict of Interest.  Tenant shall not engage in any political fundraising, expenditures or activities involving City elections.  WPS President Erik Skogquist is running for Mayor of Anoka.

• Section 12:  Default.  If Tenant shall fail to perform any of the conditions, covenants or agreements Landlord may, ten days after written notice, terminate this lease.

"Mayor" Bjorn Skogquist bypassed due process and placed the Chinese garden at his "non-profit" in an unethical and corrupt manner.

As a County Commissioner, what due process would this individual bypass for personal gain ?

Anoka taxpayers, be afraid, be very afraid.

Chinese Garden = Graft + Lease Breach

Update 8-12:  The definition of Graft was brought to the Anoka City Forum's attention and applied to Bjorn Skogquist's Chinese Garden:  "Use of one's position in public office to derive advantage or gain."

There also seem to be multiple defaults of the Windego lease agreement as a result of this public pilfering.

Anoka Mayor Bjorn Skogquist hijacked a request to plant a Chinese flower garden in an Anoka city park.

He poached and planted it at his first non-profit: the Windego Park Society Amphitheater.

The Union stated "it was a project joined by local government".  Also see www.ci.anoka.mn.us/  to What's New to Chinese Garden.

However, there is no record of Skogquist involving the City of Anoka's Parks staff, the Parks Advisory Board, the Planning Commission (necessary site plan approval) or even the rest of the city council.

What local government are they talking about?

The time frame would not have allowed for any public discussion or a local government decision.

Was this  garden project diverted from city parks to maintain interest in his dying "non-profit"?

Windego Park Society's efforts have been inadequate and under increasing scrutiny.

It is becoming obvious that they are not the group that can restore, much less operate an amphitheater.

So this symbolic garden project is "exactly what is needed now". Skogquist just needs to layer in some uses on this city owned land to shore up interest in his no go non-profit.

The garden has been installed halfway under the foot bridge.  In just about any of the numerous city parks (Anoka maintains 12 premier parks - 34 total park locations and trails) a garden would be more visible and accessible.

At the amphitheater it is only accessible by crossing private property. There's a "Keep Out" sign on Ferry Street.

The ARCC students were cheated of a better site and wider, more balanced community involvement and support.

Now instead of a symbolic garden they have planted a secret garden.

   

Sivarajah & Skogquist

Star Tribune on 7-20-08 reported Anoka County Commissioner Rhonda Sivarajah avowing, "I have never talked to people about running against fellow board members."

But the Tribune also reported that Anoka Mayor Skogquist claimed "Rhonda approached me" about running against Dan Erhart.

Sivarajah confirmed to the Tribune that well, yes, she "did encourage him".

Hopefully the Tribune didn't have to resort to waterboarding to get these confessions.

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Sivarajah & Skogquist in cahoots and playing politics goes back to at least 2002.

"Elect Rhonda" was listed in the Coles Information Services Directory at 408 Van Buren, Anoka MN, Skogquist's residence.  The phone number listed was Mayor Bjorn Skogquist's. Sivarajah's district is Lino Lakes in the far east of the county.

408 Van Buren was also the residence of a Bonnie McDonald. This is the renter-girlfriend-fiancee-ex-whatever of Skogquist's that was hired at the Anoka County Historical Society even though she did not meet the minimum requirement of five years experience. And, in fact, was a student back east at the time of the job posting.  See McDonald's profile on www.LinkedIn.com.

Only two applicants were interviewed (ACHS board minutes 5-02). One man had the required five years museum management experience. The other applicant, the-girl-with-no-experience, was hired.

This was the year the Minnesota Historical Society's funding was cut 25%, sites were closed, many qualified historic types were forced into other jobs.

But McDonald was a tireless door-to-door campaigner for "Skogquist for Mayor". She was in a close personal relationship with the Mayor of Anoka. It was determined she was a "better fit" for the job of executive director.  June 2002.

2002 was also the year Skogquist declared his occupation: "to me, being your mayor is a full time job."  Salary $6,800. He was somehow able to purchase 408 Van Buren.   August 2002.

It was probably a helpful benefit to have county taxpayer money via McDonald contributing to Skogquist mortgage payments in those lean years.

Update: Erik Skogquist for mayor literature claims he was "a homeowner when only 19".  He may be referring to this same property (408 Van Buren) owned in conjunction with his two siblings.  See property tax records https://prtinfo.co.anoka.mn.us/ plug in 408 Van Buren or Erik Skogquist's campaign address of 616 Johnson.

Being a third part owner/investor in a duplex you do not occupy isn't most people's idea of being a homeowner.

Windego = Vampire

At the Anoka City Council open forum on 7-21-08 Dr. Jim Rusin referred to Skogquist's Windego project as a vampire that needs to be staked and killed once for all.

Even though Skogquist's Windego Park Society (WPS) had their site plan denied, they apparently still have a lease with the city for this public property, the amphitheater. 

Dr. Rusin was suggesting that the council now take the next responsible step, show some leadership and cancel the lease on this unworkable project.

Even the occasional observer can see the accuracy of the vampire analogy.

Windego has been sucking the credibility of the city council, mayor and staff.

The way this unfeasible project is being handled continues to undermine public confidence in their judgment.

Councilmembers, Anderson and Skogquist can't overcome their bias and even be civil to the public. Skogquist indulges himself and disputes at open forum. Anderson actually orders Dr. Rusin to sit down.  (Thereby sparing Skogquist the embarrassment of admitting the lack of progress in fundraising.  Former side-kicks Paul Pierce and Dori Schumacher didn't have such good timing.)

Windego especially calls into question Bjorn and Erik Skogquist's ability to prioritize projects, make sound decisions, and move on when numerous insurmountable obstacles have been identified.

These protracted deliberations continue to showcase their inability to give straight answers or accept reality checks. Rather, the Skogquist brothers have chosen to irrationally accuse the brave realists of bad motives or criminal backgrounds.

Windego has been a vampire on the Skogquist's time, 20's, credibility, and political future.

And they don't see it, they don't have a clue.  It's clear they have lost all perspective.

It's clear they are ill equiped to participate in public policy discussions. They certainly have no business being in elected office.

Oddly enough, the Windego was an evil spirit in Indian lore that represented a degrading process of fear, paralysis, cold, insanity and finally death.

The Windego was a consuming creature much like the vampire.

Anoka Car Show Defugalties

First of many is that Anoka River Run is more of a car club take-over than a car show.  Car Shows are generally only 1-3 days.  Anoka's River Run is every Saturday for 18 long weeks. It's recognized as a reunion and get together for car people, most of whom are not from Anoka.

www.flickr.com/photos/65789783@N00/2655719590/  says, "it's mostly the same cars and people every weekend."  This site shows the streets almost empty on July 5, 2008.  Other photo sharing sites reveal equally sparse, empty streets.  Once a local has attended, it's been-there-done-that. Why go again? 

The people in charge of Anoka River Run have very different ideas of family friendly than most families.  Once they promoted visits with Santa Claus in a bar as an appropriate place to take small children.  The finale last year had a "bikini contest" that was more of a strip club pole-dance warm-up.  It's posted on You Tube.  Their latest attempt to shore up flagging interest is to offer free wine to young women.

There is the problematic link to Mayor Skogquist and a sort of Bjornite political party.  Running mates Aaron Barr and Mike Gundlach have worked the greeting gate as well as Skogquist himself. Skogquist family non-profit Windego has received funds from Anoka River Run.

The Car Show organization has been used as a reference account for "Skogquist Management", one of a pantheon of "organizations" and "non-profits" Skogquist has begun and abandoned.

Many see the car show as a political action "non-profit".  (At least new blood is being recruited besides the Skogquist's mother's neighbors.)

The Car Show does nothing for the downtown except maybe feed the bar scene.  All the bars have banners: "official River Run pit stop." Many locals actually avoid downtown on summer Saturday nights.

Compare the Car Show with one day Anoka Riverfest or what White Bear Lake does for seven Thursday's each summer.

See www.marketfest.org/photos.htm  Notice the photo of Washington Avenue with state fair volume crowds. They have a petting zoo, inflatable pink castle and incorporate the downtown shops and even include a helpful Downtown Business Directory link.

See www.startribune.com/local/east/25720844.html?location  "Market Downtown" for more on White Bear Lake's event.

Riverfest and Marketfest seem to be real community driven efforts designed to benefit the community and the downtown.  The entire council, with the conspicuous absence of Skogquist, were thanked for helping with Riverfest last year.

Anoka's River Run seems to primarily benefit and serve Mayor Skogquist and the paid organizer.

"Commissioner?" Skogquist. Be afraid, be very afraid.

Original post April 17, 2007.     Updated July 18, 2008.

Bjorn Skogquist's Anoka legacy, 302 Fremont, has been called "a foreclosure waiting to happen", a boondoggle and a debacle. It's very possible the city could lose well over $190,000 (the HRA's total annual budget); plus attorney fees and untold staff hours. 

Double speak, wishful thinking and plain old spin are heavily used in these dysfunctional cities.

Skogquist ally Paul Pierce had this to say about 302 Fremont: "he wants to thank the HRA and commend them on a job well done.  There will be no City funds or HRA funds lost to this project, and that the HRA will receive all of the funds back from the loan. It is important to note that the HRA's solution for 302 Fremont came out without any City money being left in the project. The things going on were all very positive and this all turned out very well."

It should be noted that Mr. Pierce was a student of mythology in his formative years.

Update:  The City of Anoka wrote off $186,000 from the HRA for their part of 302.  The Sheriff's sale was advertised in the 7-11-08 Anoka newspaper.  It will take place August 29, 2008 at 325 E. Main. Mortgagor: Paul M. Kaiser.  Mortgagee:  Wells Fargo Bank. Amount claimed to be due: $312,865.53.  Grand total: $498,865.  The building is not yet finished and does not have a certificate of occupancy issued.

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Pierce dismissed the Union's concern about the cost of city staff time and an estimated $15,000-$18,000 in legal fees at that time (5-05) as "just the cost of doing business."

In his campaign for city council Pierce declared: "The #1 problem is spending." And yet $18,000 in legal fees on one residence is considered "just the cost of doing business" by Mr. Pierce.  The Union promised a full accounting someday.  We're waiting.

Why is the theme to the Twilight Zone humming in my head?  And where did Paul Kaiser, the "rescue buyer", really come from?    Update:  A Paul Kaiser was a part-time ski instructor at the Anoka High School.               

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COMMENT:  It seems that Bjorn Skogquist should have a right to call 302 Fremont his historic preservation legacy.  As testified by four people according to the Anoka Union. 

He finagled long and hard and shamelessly for it.

He got Chris Heineman hired and placed under his assistant, the city manager, Tim Cruikshank.  This facilitated the micro-managing of the lack of due diligence Chuck Drury pointed out in his editorial on 4-13-07.

In a normal city this is known as incompetence and people lose employment over it.  In dysfunctional cities the employee is unanimously rewarded with a five year contract. Naturally.

People spoke against it at the time.  The ACT website, www.anokacitizenstogether.com , had argued all the reasons not to place that position in administration (Tim Cruikshank).  So Mr. Skogquist had to endure all that resistance. He had to endure all those attempts at good governance and due diligence.  But he pushed on and overcame all reason and now we have a Sheriff's sale. He really deserves to claim 302 Fremont as his historic preservation legacy.

Update: A nice ending to this would be if the finaglers chipped in and paid their mess off.  Paul Pierce, Aaron Barr, Bjorn Skogquist, maybe Bonnie McDonald. $46,500 each for the city portion.  Bank can fend for itself.

As it is Bjorn Skogquist can use 302 Fremont as a shining example of "pushing historic preservation" in his bid to do even bigger things at the county level as commissioner. 

Anoka County taxpayer:  Be afraid, be very afraid.

ATC Foundation Take Note

The local newspaper in February printed a thorough article about the ATC (Anoka Technical College) faculty union vote of no confidence in President Anne Weyandt.

One of their concerns was hiring practices.

Mayor Bjorn Skogquist of Anoka was placed on staff about that same time.

The ATC foundation members and MnSCU hopefully will take note of these ongoing concerns. 

The following questions need to be asked and answered about this particular hire:

1. Was the job posted?  If so, when, where and for how long?
2. What is the job description?
3. How many applicants were there?  How many were interviewed?
4. What was the selection criteria?
5. What were the required educational qualifications?
6. What was the required work experience?

The ATC website, www.anokatech.edu/atchiresnewemployee , gives the impression of a job that was crafted for and offered to one particular individual.

This website calls Bjorn Skogquist "a Business and Education Solutions Manager".

However, general public knowledge has Mr. Skogquist possessing only a high school diploma.  The last HR dept that may have a file on him is Menard's.  He was a part-time flooring specialist there in 2006.

There is no public record of any business or education specific management training or experience.

Mr. Skogquist was elected in 2000 (took office in 2001) as part-time, ceremonial mayor of Anoka with a current salary of $8,817 per year.

Being mayor has no qualifications but resident over age 21 and a $20 filing fee.

The mayor presides at 3 evening council meetings a month and attends various public events in a figurehead capacity.

In council/manager govt., such as Anoka has, the mayor has no authority beyond his one public vote with no power to veto.  He cannot legally direct staff or make deals/decisions apart from the full council.

Being mayor is not an administrative, management or educational function.

The ATC hiring of Mr. Skogquist mocks Weyandt's new mission of "rich academic quality and rigor."

And it certainly adds credence and builds urgency to the faculty union's vote of no confidence.

Bjorn's Blunders Bleed Taxpayers

Bjorn Skogquist stayed a little too long.

Many of his blunders are now blowing up.  The cost is being counted.

Anoka City Forum's Short List:

• $186,000 was written off for 302 Fremont. Thousands more were squandered in legal fees and lost staff time.

(302 being the one thing 302 neighbor Aaron Barr will be remembered for since arriving in Anoka in 2002.)

• $100,000 -Skogquist helps delay Riverspointe.
• $500,000 each year delaying condo project by city hall.
• $1,500,000 in embellishments for downtown ramp.

It's unfortunate the taxpayers money that's been lost can't be divided up and charged just to those citizens who voted to put Skogquist into office.

Don't forget quality of life:

• Expanded liquor hours, expanded policing costs.
• Habitat houses + fence on south Ferry instead of nice townhomes.
• Fractious partisan politics.
• A reputation as a dysfunctional city.

That's just the short list.

Good Olde Boy Bjorn

In Bjorn Skogquist's dysfunctional Anoka things often become arbitrary and capricious.  Compare Gould Jewelry and CVS, two projects proposed for 7th and Main.

One is now built: Gould Jewelry Store.

• The other one, a CVS store, is finally in the process of going forward.

Gould had a dream.  But family jewelry stores are going the way of the dinosaur. Witness Hoff and J. B. Hudson Jewelry stores.

• CVS had a market study.

Gould's project was granted changes in zoning and several variances.

• CVS, (SuperAmerica-site owned by local family, the Dehn's), could have gone ahead and built their project with no special dispensations (ie. variances, zoning changes, etc.).  They were stopped by a moratorium.

And today Gould has boulders strewn in the sidewalks (not in any approved site plan).  A backwards fence (illegal).  And the building is unfinished.

The Difference:

Gould hosted events for both of Mayor Bjorn Skogquist's non-profits.

• CVS and the Dehn family only had signatures of scores of mere Anoka residents.

There's never been a good old boy like Bjorn. 

Conflicting Statements

Bjorn Skogquist's problematic conflicting statements and other oddities:

"Bjorn formally resigned from Windego in 2005 in hopes to clear any conflict of interest", Alyssa Baguss, Windego Park Administrator, anoka.wordpress.com/2007

"It's no secret I am a member of the Windego Park Society", said Skogquist Anoka Union 6-18-08 direct quote from city council meeting 6-16-08

Baguss and Bjorn need to get their story straight.  The public gets uneasy when mayors and their non-profits are not trustworthy.  There is the natural tendency to doubt other statements as well.  In fact you risk the whole operation coming under scrutiny.

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At the 6-16-08 city council meeting Bjorn Skogquist complained, "Last December council took away the ability for them (Windego Park Society) to claim they had a site plan".

The Anoka Union reported 12-28-07, "The motion not to renew the site plan with variances was made by Mayor Bjorn Skogquist, seconded by Freeburg and unanimously approved."

Maybe Skogquist statements need to be fact checked.  It's difficult for him to keep all this stuff straight.  Maybe we could get an intern for the mayor.  Someone who's a stickler for accuracy and veracity.

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Eric Skogquist stated (Jan 28,2008 council worksession, pg. 8 of 20) that, "the car show was no longer operated by WPS but are now providing help and are now a recipient of money."   What's up with that?

One of the mayor's non-profits was running the mayor's other non-profit?  Both of which come before mayor and council for approvals and use of public property?

Yikes!  Both of these groups also "collect donations".

      

Distasteful New Low

Mark McGowan brought a much needed reality check on very specific issues about Windego Park Society (WPS), Mayor Skogquist's pet project.

The meeting 6-16-08 was a new dysfunctional low even for Skogquist.

Finance seemed incompetent. She couldn't answer finance questions but attempted an engineering one. The city manager was invisible as usual.  Erik Skogquist did a lot of sideways dancing with one reckless thrust at the end.  Bjorn shamelessly assisted his brother and moderated his baby. And yet strangely abstained from voting.

Dr. Rusin made the most sense to many people when he voiced his disgust, "just kill the damn thing. This thing has to die. Move on."

Freeburg had the clearest thinking and reasoned list. He characterized WPS as just another romantic, futile effort like Mayor Skogquist's scandalous loss of $186,000 on 302 Fremont.

Anderson actually joined the mob and proved himself biased and ungracious growling, "just go home."

Council could have been at least courteous and thanked McGowan for the important issues he brought to their attention that have perhaps been overlooked.   Council basically received a free feasibility study.

Mr. Skogquist, the elder, couldn't find his gavel when his groupies (and Anderson) were heckling and out of order.  And, in fact, as mayor he sincerely thanked that part of the audience for their outburst!

The heckling and then the deliberate libel/slander of McGowan at the very end by Mr. Skogquist, the younger, all seemed a little too coordinated.

One question is:  was the slander "due diligence" done months ago?  Or was it an attempt to dig dirt between the Planning meeting on the 3rd and the council meeting on the 16th to discredit a person?

It's the weakest, most desperate position:  Can't answer the issues?  Smear the man.

They say politics doesn't develop character.  Politics only reveals character.

Mayor Behaving Badly

Mayor, Bjorn Skogquist, behaving badly:       The following is A letter to the editor taken from abc newspapers and reprinted here, permission was not obtained, as it is of public record,

"View the Council Tape":

To the Editor:

Feedback on front page flap over the finger. . .Mayor Skogquist's of Anoka. 

I took the time to order and view the tape.

It was a meeting where he was defending his far-reaching preservation ordinance.  Yet he actually said, "I just can't stress enough how much this ordinance doesn't do anything."

Well, there it was. Intentional looking and surprisingly prolific.  At least four individuals seemed to be the focus of the featured finger.

Windego: Game Over

Mark McGowan, Mpls. developer and businessman, testified before the Anoka Planning Commission about the catastrophic, deal breaker flaws in Windego Park Society plans for the amphitheater.

It became clear in his presentation that Windego is primarily Bjorn and Erik Skogquist and defeated former councilman Paul Pierce.

It is also clear that City Council is now accountable for the new, reality-based information.

McGowan's concerns covered sound volume from the site, alarming safety and traffic issues, uninsurability and finances that make no sense.

He pointed to the lack of transparency and straight answers from Windego representatives.

Every Anokan can only hope the Windegans don't further embarrass themselves and the City by attempting to malign the messenger, Mr. McGowan.

It's been an ineffective and overused tactic.

Mr. McGowan, for the record, has two remarkable historic preservation projects to his name.

Using an all volunteer model, in 2004 McGowan organized a team of businesses that restored the Lake Harriet Bandshell.  This collaborative effort saved the public at least  $350,000.

A 2005 Preservation Alliance Endangered Site was saved.  The City Council of Norwood Young America unanimously agreed to pay McGowan a one-time $50,000 project management fee to oversee the restoration of their 105 year old pavilion.  Nearly 60 volunteer business partners were coordinated for this achievement.

McGowan's management fee of $30,000 for the Anoka amphitheater would have been a bargain.

Referred to as a polished promoter, Mark McGowan's honesty and ability to let others shine seem to be his strengths.

Windego almost seems like a sham racket of some sort in comparison.

Why would Anoka City Council take on unknown and potentially disastrous liabilities by approving this project, now that they know the information presented by Windego can't be trusted?

Amphitheater on Ferry

My concern is:   If there is any entrance at all on Ferry Street (like they are suggesting for handicapped), people will be coming into Anoka on Ferry Street.  They see the entrance, "There it is!"

20-30% of a viable venue will be new people with no experience with the site.

So, it's ten minutes to showtime, they shout "There it is!"  Pull over, park in the neighborhood, maybe Walgreens and dash across Ferry Street toward what they presume is the entrance.

How long before the City of Anoka, along with MnDot, have a lawsuit like North Ferry just had with the tragic loss of four young people.

And what about Saturday night?  Are the city fathers going to continue clogging downtown with the Car Show too? 

The car club people set up pretty early. By the time people arrive for a 7 o'clock concert, downtown is pretty parked up.

Roscoe Degama

Mayor Skogquist's Self-Dealing

The following is a letter to the editor from abc newspapers and reprinted here, permission was not obtained, as it is of public record.

Published May 30, 2008     Self Dealing

Patrick Walker appeared before the Anoka City Council April 21 to object to an obvious ethical conflict of interest concerning Mayor Bjorn Skogquist and the Windego Society.

Later, by coincidence, I presented much the same view about the mayor's conduct regarding not only Windego, but the River Town Community Partnership (RTCP) and the Anoka car show.

We each asked, in essence, that the mayor excuse himself and step down when any item concerning his "babies" is before the council.

Pat Walker and I each cited the informational source of the mayor's self-dealing, as taken from the pages of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits web site.

Mayor Skogquist has a non-profit consulting company, Skogquist Management. His bio on the web site states that Windego and the RTCP are examples of his nonprofit work while he presents himself for a consulting or management job.

Clearly, the success of Windego and RTCP bear on his credentials as a consultant.  A salesman would call them his "reference accounts".  The mayor stands to profit if he can keep Windego and River Town afloat.

Do I want Mayor Skogquist to be fined or barred from office?  That is a matter for the Anoka City Attorney to decide, but I do not.

No, what I am asking is that when issues concerning Windego (which spent most of its net revenue on an administrator last year. . .they are just $1.2 million short of their goal of $1.2 million, give or take) or the RTCP, which spent 80 percent of the Anoka car show revenues it received on an executive director, are before the council, especially concerning the use of city-owned or city-leased property, Mayor Skogquist step aside.

The history has been, if it is one of the mayor's "babies" before the council, all must endure agenda and meeting manipulation.

Consider finding the controversial RTCP farmer's market request hidden on the consent agenda at the April 7 Anoka Council meeting.

Did you see the two-hour "Udder Market" utter fiasco featuring the spouse of the RTCP executive director dressed as a cow at the same meeting?

When Windego is on an agenda, where there might be questions about finances, no matter how many citizens may wish to comment, it will be put at the end of the agenda so it finally comes up at midnight.  Even worse, it just as likely will be off-camera at a workshop.

The mayor has shown no restraint when one of his "reference accounts" is before the council.  In many observers opinions it is most inappropriate to be a presenter and cheerleader and interrogator from the council table.

All I ask is that Mayor Skogquist let Windego Park Society and Anoka car show and River Town requests rise or fall on their own merit, without the taint of interference and unethical participation.

Step down, Mr. Mayor, and spare us the theatrics.  Honor all citizens by removing the appearance of self-dealing and yourself during these considerations.

Steve Schmidt

Anoka

Follow-up information: Anoka Car Show/ River Town Commmunity Partnership's paid director is a Mimi Doran, married to a Tom Durkin. She was paid $1,789 per Saturday night.  It's a true shame she didn't have the opportunity to double that with the expanded farmer's market idea. Of course, the 5-7 actual booths of the farmer's would have been buried in among 45 other booths.  Booths which would compete with our downtown shops.  And the real product she is selling is the public streets of Anoka.

Also, in a normal (read healthy city) it is the function of a city manager's office to set agenda's.  In a normal, healthy city meeting agenda's are not made available for political manipulation.

Windego, an Anoka Comedy.

Our local Anoka newspaper doesn't have a comics/humor section.  But the Windego Park Society (WPS) news releases more than made up for it.  They'll be missed.

Their "main mature event" this season (January thru June) was the Chalk drawing on the sidewalks.

They raised 18 X $20 or $360.00.  This organization needs $675,000 by December 2009. (In 2007 WPS reported a net of $1,891 toward their goals).

A personal favorite in the humor category was "the hazardous waste drop off that was scrapped".

The Skogquist brothers advertised on the Anoka City reader board to drop off hazardous waste at Barb Thurston's residence on 3rd Avenue. 

Must be some kind of passive/aggressive dynamic going on here: Barb Thurston is their mother.

Maybe they thought, hey, it's almost Mother's Day. . .let's get Mom something everyone needs more of: hazardous waste.  We don't have enough of our own for an impressive gift so we'll ask strangers to drop off theirs.

Apparently a caring adult stepped in and saved the hazmat crew a trip to Anoka.

Bitsie

Warning : Further Making Sport:  Please do not read if you are easily offended or if you have no sense of humor.

Submitted:  "What Windego needs to do is appeal to the big money.  They need to take their events up a notch.  They have got to build some credibility.

They should take their annual Chalk drawing and add bubble blowing!

And that annual garage sale. . .they have got to think about adding a lemonade stand."

That should do it."

Also:  It's almost as if Skogquist's are mocking the good will of Anokans, as in, "How lame can we be and still keep the lease?"

Never Get Done

Pat Walker recently gave an overview and reality check on the Windego Park Society (lack of) progress toward rehabbing the Eastman Stadium.

They need one million dollars. They've got $7,000 after 12 years of effort.

Walker said, "At this rate the project will never get done."

It has occurred to people that it never was their goal to "get it done."

Maybe their goal has been to tie up the site.

Alyssa Baguss, WPS quarter-time-administrator, has said; "Windego became a poster-child for saving some drug rehabilitation centers".

Everyone is well aware that drug rehab owners have been firmly behind Windego founder,Bjorn Skogquist's three campaigns for mayor.

Maybe Windego has been about preventing a reality-based discussion and assessment of the practical and preferred uses for this valuable city owned site.  (Nice little faux preservation plank in a campaign platform as well).

Reusing the amphitheater land would also precipitate a renovating look at the drug treatment facilities.

Comment: The irony will be if the drug treatment-cash-cow industry is regulated; these people may want to sell out for top dollar to a developer.  They would then need to include the amphitheater site for redevelopment to maximize alternative uses.

Magic Money

Windego Park Society was questioned, "What happens to donations if the project does not go ahead?"

Mayor Skogquist's brother answered (with a straight face), "The donations are sitting there in escrow until we as an organization prove we can spend it or it goes back to them (the donors)."

WPS income for 2007 was $23,935 with expenses of $22,044.    Net income of $1,891.

By definition escrow is "to keep intact in the control of a 3rd party."

So, this fantasy Windego money can both be spent and kept safely in escrow.  It is consumed, yet somehow still exists.       And who exactly holds the escrow?

The mayor's brother was then asked how much money is on hand.

WPS is a fund raising organization and yet Erik Skogquist stated, "they haven't focused much on the funds this year"; but he thought it was five percent of goal of $675,000. ($33,750).

Staff stated money on hand was $7,000; up from $5,000 in 2006.

Maybe they have Magic Windego Bucks. $7,000 seems like $33,750.

And maybe there is a Bizarro Windego World, where blarney is as easy as breathing.

Impeccable Integrity

When Hwy 10/Thurston comes back for a council decision, will Bjorn Skogquist be representing the City of Anoka or Anoka Technical College?

Maybe that's why he stalled it last time.  Some thought it was just his usual, irrational procrastination and indecision.

But maybe Skogquist hadn't checked with his new employer (ATC) for their position.

We'll just have to count on his impeccable integrity.

Casual Observer notes: "Like when Anoka Mayor, Bjorn Skogquist, was approached for a Chinese Garden site in one of our parks?. . . Windego founder, Bjorn Skogquist, stuck it under the foot bridge at the amphitheater."

Thereby disregarding staff, two advisory boards and the city council in a single act.

Skogquist thus continues to demonstrate his ongoing contempt for our form of government.

The city manager (keeper of the charter) has said the mayor can do whatever he wants.

It's as if there is no adult supervision whatsoever in ye olde city hall.

Rules? What Rules?

Jeff Weaver says-it's-against-the-rules-that-govern-this-body but let's do it anyway: Instructing staff to craft a letter of support for Anne Weyandt during Open Forum.  (Weyandt being the beleagured president of Anoka Technical College/ ATC.)

Anoka Mayor Bjorn Skogquist, aka new ATC employee, Bjorn Skogquist, guides it through by asking; What exactly do you need Madame President aka my boss-in-trouble-trying-to-smooth-things-over-without-changing-your-ways?

There is to be no public or even city council discussion. 

Casual Observer asks, "What about that recent 51-4 no-confidence-in-madame-president vote by the faculty union? The people in the know?"

So, a letter of endorsement and fiction is to be written.

Will Bjorn Skogquist, Mayor of Anoka, or will Bjorn Skogquist, Business & Education Solutions Manager, employee of ATC, sign the letter?

On May 27, 2008 these people (the mayor and his council) will be discussing some fine points of ethics and conflicts of interest. 

Real. Classic. Anoka Bully.

Submitted as a letter to the editor, but censored by Peter Bodley, Editor of the Anoka County Union:

ABC Newspapers printed an article 2-29-08 "Union goes public with no confidence vote in ATC president", Anne Weyandt.

The faculty union at Anoka Technical College had called for a change in senior leadership 51-4.

The article described years of concern over hiring practices and unacceptable, classic bully behavior.

On 5-5-08 Anne Weyandt appeared at Anoka City Council Open Forum.

She demonstrated her new policy of staff participation and shared governance.  One of the three staff who accompanied her was scheduled to speak for 10 minutes.  With no explanation she bumped him and spoke for 20 minutes.

Weyandt demonstrated her new policy of Respect by cutting and chiding a vice president of the college for not being able to read her mind as he advanced slides.

Another disparaging dig drew gasps and a clearly audible reaction from the audience.

Weyandt demonstrated her new policy of Openness by not recognizing her newest hire Mayor Bjorn Skogquist.

Skogquist, of course, being the moderator on the council being solicited for endorsement and approvals.

The mayor of "the city that matters most" having recently been placed in a job apparently crafted just for him at ATC.

A new policy of Openness may have revealed and acknowledged this conflict-of-interest-political hire.

Looks like same old, same old for the long-suffering at ATC.

Submitted by Linea Kirchner

5th generation Anokan

Reality Check : Windego

The following is a letter to the editor from abc newspapers and reprinted here, permission was not obtained, as it is of public record.

To the Editor:

Anoka's mayor, Bjorn Skogquist, said in a recent Star Tribune article, "I'd like for someone to give us a dose of reality."

The Windego Park Society has been in place for over 12 years. Twelve years.

During that time it has amassed $8,000 towards the cost of renovation (of Eastman Stadium), currently estimated to be well over $1 million.  $1,000,000.   At this rate the project will never get done.

In the meantime, donations are being spent and people who have donated in good faith will be disappointed to see that the project does not occur.

If one of these (or dozens of these) donors decide to sue, who will they sue?

The Windego Park Society?  I don't think so.

Their lawyers will quickly discover that Anoka's mayor was the founding member and that his brother is the current president. (Mother, Barb Thurston, is the treasurer.)

They will discover that the city of Anoka has leased the land for only a token fee to Windego and that the city knew of their fundraising.

They will also discover that the city of Anoka has much deeper pockets.

This is a recipe for disaster.  And it's too bad. I would liked to have seen Windego succeed.

But the reality is the amphitheater exists in poor condition and as long as Windego exists, the city does not look seriously at other uses for the site.

The property has a great value, based on the fact it is on the Rum River near city hall.

A public debate on the best and most efficient use for the property has never taken place.

Could it be sold to a private developer?  Should the city develop this city owned property?  Would the DNR have need of the property for a special project?

These and many more questions would be asked if the property was brought to a public forum.

Now that's reality.

Patrick J. Walker  Anoka

HRA member, longtime resident

Letter to the Editor, Appeared in the Anoka Union 5-16-08

Rife with Conflict of Interest

Who does Bjorn Skogquist represent?

Recently, as an elected mayor, he was caught diverting interest in Anoka City Parks to a non-profit he founded and "helps".

He is also recently employed at the Anoka Technical College.

See  www.anokatech.edu/atchiresnewemployee.htm

The plot and conflict thicken as the individual (Dave Jeffrey) introducing Skogquist on this site is also a Ramsey City councilmember and is Skogquist's direct supervisor.

Anoka Technical College may have some serious "splainin to do" if proper hiring practices were not followed.

There seems to be no educational, business or work history to support what looks like a political hire.

ATC, as an educational facility, preparing people for the workplace, should have the highest and fairest hiring practices.

Comments: Secret Chinese Garden

Comment:   This minor official, Bjorn Skogquist, seems to have taken it upon himself to link Anoka  to China.  Your blog didn't mention there might have been discussion, even protests, because of the recent controversies in China.

"The human rights record in China is one of the worst in the world."  Voice of the Martyrs.

"More Christians are in prison or under detention in China than in any other country."      See   www.persecution.com/chinareport

Then there is the Tibetan tragedy. It's not exactly PC to support China right now.

Comment:    The symbolism of Anoka's local little dictator (as he has been called) linking with the largest totalitarian nation on earth seems somewhat ironic and strangely appropriate.

Comment:  Is a secret, symbolic garden even compatible with a National Historic Register Site restoration project?

Was material removed?

If so, was it screened for artifacts by someone who knew what to look for?

What about the site plan process with the Planning Commission?  Is this an approved use under their site plan?  Did they approve this?

Favorite Comment:    There is a classic Chinese garden in the historic district of Suzhou, China officially named "Humble Administrator's Garden".  The locals also refer to it tongue-in-cheek as "Garden of the Stupid Official".

Kidz these dayz

Submitted to the Anoka City Forum:

It's getting hard to explain the world to the kids.  Whenever I hear, "Grampa Sam. . .?" I start praying for wisdom from the good Lord.

Our youngest mayor, Bjorn Skogquist, role model, etc. is fired for lying.  "Grampa Sam, I thought you said everyone's got this permanent record with God and man. . ."  "How can he even get another job, now?"

Even with equal rights and more women than men in university, etc. I've noticed the boys still have more of a sense of providing for their families someday.

"Isn't God kind of against lying?"  "Yes, Jimmy, lying definitely hurts your chances with God."

Then there was the mayor's middle finger towards Mindy's Grandma, we almost had to stop having cable on when the kids were visiting. . .until someone spoke up.

Our own Elyse Kaner wrote about a similar occasion calling it: "Cursing you with a single gesture in a most impolite way."  Another understated (MN Nice) assessment of the mayor's impolite digit was, "it's just not very good community building."

Jimmy's at an age where he knows a lot about little boys caught doin' wrong.

So I listened carefully when he said, "Grampa Sam, I know how to tell that he was guilty."

"Howz that, Jimmy?"

"When he was caught. . .he quit doing it."

-Grampa Sam-

Mayor's Assistant

The following is a letter to the editor from abc newspapers and reprinted here, permission was not obtained, as it is of public record.

To the Editor:

Anoka needs a city manager, not a $107,577.60 assistant to a $7,800 mayor.  The mayor needs to get out of city hall and stop micro-managing city staff!

Imagine the city staff morale issues resulting from having two bosses with conflicting instructions/agendas.

The city manager needs to take guidance from the city council, not directives from a mayor.

The influence of the mayor over the city manager was never more pronounced than was exhibited during the recent (12-18-06) 1:30 am council meeting regarding the Windego's lease of the amphitheater site.

Never, under any circumstance, would such poor information have been considered had it been presented by any member of the public in an arms-length transaction.

Bjorn Skogquist: "He lied, he got caught, he got fired."

Bjorn Skogquist: "He lied, he got caught, he got fired."

That's the unsolicited report of two separate Menard's employees.      More details as submitted.

This was also the same month that Bjorn's city manager proposed and council voted on a 30% pay increase for mayor. The second since Skogquist took office.

Mayor's compensation:  $4200 in 2000.    $6825 in 2001.    $8817 in 2007.

"He lied, he got caught, he got fired."  That's what the blogs said about the Jayson Blair scandal at the New York Times.  It seems that opportunities can sometimes surpass the character development of these young men.  Maybe it has something to do with the self-esteem-trumps-all teaching of the past years.  That's why programs like "Character Counts" are now in vogue.  The self-esteem-only crowd are hitting the public arenas and it ain't pretty.

Comment: regarding mr. skogquist at Menard's: one man's report went something like this: "I knew I had been with a politician when I got home with way more carpet than I ordered or paid for." Politicians always overly generous with other's resources, while they take the credit.    Menard's may want to compare inventory with possible shortages on mr. skogquist's shifts.

Legal Troubles Back Story

An earlier post on the Anoka City Forum referred to campaign fraud investigation of Mayor Skogquist. He answered a public query with, "The County Attorney dropped it on my behalf."

Skogquist revealed that the investigation went on for seven months and characterized it as frivolous.

Most of us have more confidence in our County Attorney's office than to believe they would waste seven months on something that was totally without merit or frivolous.

Some general information has come dribbling in: "Elect Rhonda" was run out of Skogquist's duplex in the City of Anoka in 2002, listing Skogquist's phone number. Rhonda Sivarajah is an Anoka County commissioner; but her area is on the far east end of Anoka County. Mayor Skogquist attended her inauguration.

There is some relationship between the former county attorney, R. W. Johnson, and Bjorn Skogquist.  They were both mentioned in an obituary for a James Farrier: Johnson as an honorary pallbearer and Skogquist as a relative.

The Anoka City Forum has heard about two letter-to-editor writers who had R. W. Johnson, former county attorney, suggest to them that it was inappropriate for them to be writing about Mr. Skogquist.

Is it possible he would attempt to influence his son, the current county attorney, on Mr. Skogquist's behalf?  Mr. Johnson, (R.W.) didn't seem to hesitate to attempt to influence two ordinary citizens and their freedom of speech and statements of opinion.

The campaign violations investigation was largely based on self-reported information, supplied by Mr. Skogquist. Anonymous cash found on his back step. There was a near miss on "Skogquist for Mayor" signs on Leon Fischer's fire truck. Mr. Fischer's out-of-town relatives also suddenly became interested in donating money to Anoka's mayoral race. All perfectly legal.

Buzz Box: Freedom of Speech

The "Anoka City Forum" inbox was abuzz with comments and disbelief over the mayor, Bjorn Skogquist, and his bartender Durkin's idea to pass a resolution against freedom of speech.

Some felt it was par for this course. Others were appalled someone would have the gall to even suggest government censorship in an American city hall.

It was at a meeting with no press, scant minutes, limited attendance - very "back room". It really got around though.

Someone pointed out that if Paul Pierce, Aaron Barr, Mike Gundlach or Dori Schumacher were on the council to back Mr. Skogquist up, it would probably be a done deal by now. "We the city council pass a resolution against the public's freedom of speech on blogs."

That would be serious. As noted, "Blogs now represent the town square and digital democracy."

"No one is more despised by career politicians than someone who insists on telling the truth and can back it up with good files."

"Always easier to attack messengers than deal with issues." (That's why civilian commenters are not ID'ed on this forum.)

Also: "Apparently Mr. Durkin approves of free speech for everyone except blogs. 

He seems VERY sensitive to any suggestion the car show might in any way be a platform for future politicals...mayor, council and the like.

Maybe we could all put on blindfolds and it would not be so easy to connect the dots.

Let's see...last election a non-profit looking for a cause was formed by mayor's running mate.

Now the car show is run by this non-profit...maybe blind folds AND ear plugs are needed.

As Durkin himself said at a recent meeting, "at the car show the candidates have all had an opportunity to get out and meet folks"...maybe blindfolds, earplugs AND a frontal lobotomy are needed to not be able to connect the dots."

This commenter was Spot On: the position of visibility on opening night of the Car Show was staffed by none other than Mayor Skogquist. Third night was Skogquist political yes-man and Anoka newcomer, Mike Gundlach.

We've heard from people noting electricity from a business being tapped as the Car Show people just helped themselves.  Also there seems to be dissatisfaction with how early they take over the streets from other users, businesses and neighborhoods.

Finally, someone else commented on the irony and similarities of Durkin and Castro's Cuba.  Cuba recently expelled two journalists. Durkin was quoted almost verbatim: "they were just too negative and it was hurting business."

5 Women Unacceptable to Skogquist

The following is a letter to the editor from abc newspapers and reprinted here, permission was not obtained, as it is of public record.

To the Editor:

The Union recently quoted Anoka Mayor Skogquist as saying "the other applicants were not acceptable to me."  He was referring to applicants to the city's Housing Authority.

A little research indicates that among these applicants that were not acceptable to Mr. Skogquist were at least five women.

Their credentials were impressive.

There was a former mayor, former councilwoman, park board commissioner and a housing coordinator.  There were women with experience with Section 8 rent assistance and the federal Community Development Block Grant program.  There were council candidates and a senior housing specialist.  A rental agent for a U of M housing cooperative and two former HRA members.

Everyone talks about what a critical need Anoka has to refurbish our old housing and that the HRA is one tool to assist in doing that.  And yet these people with all their rich experience and qualifications were not acceptable to Mr. Skogquist.

Mr. Skogquist's original reason for expanding the HRA from five to seven was "to have more people to do the work."

And yet one of the men he wanted, the Union noted, had no qualification except being a resident.  The other guy, Aaron Barr, has barely five years experience with our town.

But these five highly qualified women were somehow not acceptable to Mr. Skogquist.

Letter to the Editor May 2007- Published in the Anoka Union

--------------------------------------------------------------

Comment: This seems like another example of hizzoner's hardheaded hubris.

Or:

Waaay back in the 70's the militant women would say, "Sexism is a learning disability."

Dodged a Bullet: defeated Gundlach

The following is a letter to the editor from abc newspapers and reprinted here, permission was not obtained, as it is of public record.

To the Editor:

November 2005:  Taxpayers in the City of Anoka dodged a bullet last election (2004) by keeping newcomer Mike Gundlach off the city council.

The Pierce/Skogquist council did succeed  in appointing him, a resident of only four months, to the city's HRA (Housing Authority) -consistent with their pattern of installing new and non-residents to make decisions for the city.

Gundlach was also named to the Charter Commission just before the new ethics rules were in place.

At the November 14 meeting Gundlach, a former appraiser, expressed concern about the assessed value of a specific home related to it's possible higher current market value.

Citing this historic residence in zone 4, Gundlach said, "The city is losing tax revenue." Then he directed staff to look into it and report back.

I wonder whose crystal ball you could use to do that. . .to predict and then tax some future highest value of any given property?

Many historic homes could not be preserved under such a punishing and speculative tax scheme.

Letter to Editor November 2005   Anoka County Union

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Comments:  Where and how does Skogquist find these guys? Or do they find him?  This particular tax scheme was one commonly used by the early political bosses to go after political rivals.

The historic residence cited was owned by the Weaver family. Why wasn't Gundlach concerned about property north (Medved's and Corriveau's)?  Or even the Pierce holdings south?  Could it be because these men are political allies of Mr. Skogquist and himself?  Gundlach and Skogquist campaign signs were on these properties.

There's that arbitrary and capricious conflict-of-interest-thingee again.

Comments:  One idea floated out there was to redevelop those old useless concrete ruins (already owned by Anokans and doing no earthly good) aka amphitheater, along with those old crummy sober houses.   With that footbridge already connecting the street to downtown, it would be a nice looking thing, like that nice three-story into the hill across the river and north from city hall.

Unfortunate Legacy

One of the many unfortunate legacies of King Bjorn Skogquist's reign is the diminishment of Anoka's volunteer advisory boards.

2008 was the third year in the smaller room at Greenhaven.  It's called a Board Appreciation Dinner. It is meant to be a recogniton and honoring event of the many citizen volunteers of the city.

It was a bad omen, a few years ago in the largest room, Mayor Skogquist said in his opening remarks, "People have asked me, why do you bother with advisory boards?"

After that it went downhill. This year and last only two retiring board members came forward (one each year) for their service recognition. 2006 it was painfully obvious we were broken when Bjorn read 10-12 names and none of them were even there.  How sad.

2007 the King himself left immediately after opening remarks. Basically saying "Nuts-to-you" to the whole room. 

He handed the program to his manager instead of mayor pro tem Mark Freeburg. Once again indicating the rest of the council was irrelevant.  He and his manager were the ones running things.

I remember Mayor Beberg was especially proud of the high rate of agreement of the council and advisory board recommendations.

Skogquist's record is all over the place to say the least.  He will totally ignore unanimous recommendations.  Other times he backs down opposition by saying we have to do this because of a board's recommendation.  Arbitrary and capricious seems to mild a description.

------------------------------------------------

Background research indicated that city manager Tim Cruikshank had very little experience working with Advisory boards or even Department heads when he came to Anoka.

That helps explain why these two key groups goals were not even incorporated into council goals in 2007 like always had been done in the past.

That's another unfortunate thing and Anoka's loss.

The Jackal Pup

Letter to Editor, reprinted on the "Anoka City Forum" - Anoka Union -   6-21-07:

"Recently the Anoka newspaper did a piece on a start-up Windego Dinner Theater.

The article said, "Finally, a professional dinner theater has arrived in the Anoka area."

And "people won't have to drive down to Chanhassen to see quality dinner theater."

For the record, the Anoka area has a proven, high quality, professional dinner theater that is, in fact, celebrating its 20th anniversary.

The Seasons Dinner Theater presents family orientated, humorous theater in a very nice setting. see www.theseasonsatbunkerhills.com for more information.

Maybe the Anoka newspaper could do a feature story on The Seasons Dinner Theater. It could serve to review and honor 20 entertaining years of successful dinner theater here in the north metro."

        ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Comments: It's hard to understand how Anoka newspaper staff could have missed this. They have printed information on the Seasons Dinner theater for twenty years. Somehow they stepped out of reality and joined make-believe-land.

The land where things are so, just because someone says so.

The land where you don't know what you are talking about, you just "give it a shot."  Ala Windego Park Society president Erik Skogquist.

As far as Windego Park Society goes. . .you'd think a legitimate start-up endeavor would do a little research on similar, competing efforts. Who's doing what, how's it going, how is it done successfully, is there a market for this service?

What is the chance for success if you haven't answered these most basic questions?

There's a great African proverb about the impudence of youth: "What is impertinence?  When the jackal is born in August and there is a flood in September and the jackal pup says "Good gracious! I never saw such a high flood!"

Erik Skogquist was a (no doubt adorable) toddler when the Seasons Dinner Theater got started.  Without due diligence or basic research, how could he be expected to know anything?

Now, what's the newspaper's excuse?

Political Theater-Always Late

There's a joke in Anoka about it's two theaters: Lyric Arts and Anoka City Council Chambers.  Bjorn Skogquist is the "leading man" starring in the Chambers production, in the seventh year of his run.

Mr. Skogquist has a habit of arriving fashionably late. Also known as unfashionably rude.

There has not been one meeting this year (as of 3-19) that has started at 7:00.

Last year, of the 44 meetings on the city website, only 10 started on time. Two of those were started by Councilmember Carl Anderson with the star of the show arriving a few minutes later.

Some think it is because Mayor Skogquist is becoming increasingly uncomfortable and is avoiding people.

Others say he just wants to get in character and get on stage. Life before the camera, such as it is.

He may get a bit of an adrenaline rush also, being late.  It adds to the drama of the "entrance"; all these people are waiting for him. In fact, they can't start without him.

Well, the truth is they can and they should.  The rest of the council could start training this kid to grow up and show up.

The rest of the council could decide to start on time. Start on time out of courtesy and respect for the cable company, the audience, any guests, the staff and the council process itself.

Start on time whether the king has made his grand entrance or not.

Update: Things are no better (6-4), in fact they are worse.  Much like an unruly rebellious child when they are first disciplined; their misbehaving increases for awhile. Boy Bjorn's method of signalling "Nuts to them"?

The first six months of 2007 there is one meeting on record that started at 7:00.  That was opened by Mayor Pro Tem, Mark Freeburg. So it is possible to start a council meeting at 7:00.

Mr. Skogquist has been twenty minutes late on three separate occasions just since March.

A review of advisory boards reveal meetings that pretty much start on time. So it can be done. Of course those folks are mere public servants and not self-important politicians.

Submitted Irony: There is not a single job, with the City of Anoka, Bjorn Skogquist would qualify for.  His lack of job experience, education and poor attendance and punctuality would serve to disqualify him for any of the over 100 full and part-time positions.

He's late, he's a no-show for important community events, he leaves early. All signs of growing disinterest?  The damage is done, may as well move on. 

Insolence of elected officials

A letter to the editor, December 15, 2006, (posted on the Anoka City Forum 3-21-07) referred to Bjorn Skogquist as Anoka's dictator, having said he wanted to only appoint people to an advisory board who would do what he tells them to do.

A subsequent Union article (2-2-07) substantiated that assertion with a statement by Borgie Bonthuis. The Union reported," Skogquist met her for coffee and told her to her face he would not be submitting her name for the HRA (for reappointment) because he did not like the way she was voting."

Early in Skogquist's regime John Weaver attempted to bring this problem up.  At a council meeting senior councilmember Weaver said, "Mr. Mayor, you domi