Anoka Making News for Being Dysfunctional

Anoka City government is dysfunctional. Like any personal addiction/dysfunction:

1. Outsiders notice first. Anoka was included in an October 11, 2006 Tribune North article on dysfunctional cities.   Also see this blogs post on "Newspaper Headlines: A Shabby History"

2. Insiders are in denial. Five days later Anoka's city council proceeded to demonstrate and display their dysfunction. The mayor was told, "you should be ashamed of yourself." Mayor Skogquist proceeded to dramatically leave the room in a huff and the Union titled the meeting "Skogquist snaps".

One council member then referred to the Tribune article and sincerely announced that he saw no basis for Anoka to be considered dysfunctional.

Anoka's city manager had just applied for employment elsewhere, for the second time.

In the denial stage abnormal behavior is accepted as normal. The "secrets that everyone knows" are not allowed to be discussed. Council meetings are all about political posturing and not the city's business.

For example, January 2, the city council irresponsibly dismissed a 20-30 million dollar public asset and spent more time discussing a city owned residential garage.

3. Finances are eventually affected. Council re-committed to going ahead with a regional ramp project, led by a grant, even though it "will empty all our pockets."  $700,000 is casually plundered from reserves to cover 9% of annual budget: "daily expenses".  Just when the finance director and city manager blow all credibility vouching for financial stability of Windego group based on a marketing letter from Aaron Barr's bank!    The electric utility and taxes are all on the increase.

Public's Role: The experts recommend: keep an eye on city hall, educate yourself, identify and put focus on dysfunctions.  Pay attention and get involved.  This will be the purpose of this blogsite.

Comment: There is a classic tale of "how to raise a co-dependent."

Dad is sprawled in a drunken heap in the front yard.  Little Carl looks out the window and is upset.  Mother says, "Daddy's just taking a nap.  Come and eat your breakfast, Carl."

"All the men in our family take naps in the front yard and you will, too, someday."