Anoka City Forum

Unnecessary Wards

Letter to the editor 10-3-08.  Permission to post on the Anoka City Forum was not requested nor obtained as it was taken from the public record:

On this small patch of land we call the City of Anoka, we as residents have darn good access to all five city council members.

They are all close.  The whole town is only seven square miles.  All of them would welcome a letter from a resident with something to say.

I have never been refused an email address or a cell phone number.  They are all accessible every few days at one of the many published meetings at city hall.

If you don't seem to get along with one, you can talk to another one.  And if you don't like that one, you can choose from three more.

Furthermore, if you don't like the entire council, and that opinion is popular, then you as voters can overturn the majority of the council every two years!

If the people who signed the petition (for a ward based voting system) feel that others have to come to your doors to get your opinion, then you need to get involved.

Streaming video is online ( www.ci.anoka.mn.us ).  City meetings replay several times a day on local cable for the next two weeks.

The City of Anoka ensures that the electronic packets are available for review online by Friday before the next scheduled meeting.  Minutes for meetings are also available on the city website for up to two years.

There are constant vacancies on our boards and commissions.  Many of the public meetings are under attended.

I'll make a personal challenge to all who read this, fill some of the empty chairs yourself.  Did you think all you had to do was vote to be well represented?

Pat Walker

Anoka

Aaron Barr: false info

Aaron Barr, 2006 and 2008 Anoka council candidate, had the temerity to say he was concerned about "the low grade of ethics of people on the city's advisory boards."

An easy look-back has Mr. Barr first making the scene in a Union article in January 2005.  He was the leader of a group that circulated a petition regarding 302 Fremont, his immediate neighbor.

The Union report revealed "much of what has been represented [by this group] is either patently false, seriously in dispute, or counterbalanced by actions the public has not been generally aware."

Barr's group demanded action claiming "surrounding properties have been adversely affected by blight translating to decreasing property values." They tried for eminent domain, a public taking of the property, first for preservation, then for blight.

Aaron Barr's efforts, based on patently false information,influenced the hasty passing of an ordinance and extravagant HRA loans totaling $485,000.  These actions served Barr's immediate self interest: his "decreasing property values".

Mayor Skogquist stated in the Union he was pleased with "this private solution." Bjorn Skogquist's idea of a private solution would eventually cost the city $185,000.  302 Fremont would be sold August 29, 2008 at Sheriff's sale for $132,500.

Later, Bjorn Skogquist wanted Aaron Barr for a five year appointment to the city's independent housing authority, the HRA.  This group is empowered to tax, spend and make financial decisions apart from the elected body: the city council.  These appointments are not accountable to the public by election and outlast any two year term mayor.

A group with this power and longevity needs to recruit people of the highest personal ethics. Certainly not people looking after their own limited self-interest or rubberstamping the mayor's extreme, expensive agenda.

Currently  (October 2008) Aaron Barr and Erik Skogquist are going around Anoka campaigning together for city council.  Be afraid Anoka, be very afraid.

St. Francis is trying to recall a councilmember for spreading misinformation.  It would be easier and cheaper to keep this sort from being elected in the first place.

Anoka Halloween Cartoon Town + Redrum

      It was only eight years ago Skogquist's Anoka was dubbed "Clown Town".

     Twenty-two year old Bjorn Skogquist was installed as mayor on a rebellion ticket.

     He immediately replaced our professional city manager and has been operating a defacto strong mayor council ever since.  He hopes to make the corruption of our form of government permanent with the ward system.

Skogquist's focus has been Saturday night Car Shows - a single, twenty-somethings got his priorities, don't cha know.  Also liquor must be served an hour later.

Some of his other achievements have involved garage sales, wine sippings, horror flick reviews, sidewalk chalk drawings - any number of entertaining mature events.

The contentious theater productions (aka council meetings) have been legendary.  Citizens (known as rabble to the Skogquist's) are roused for these productions.  The rabble receive carefully scripted, choreographed roles.

There has been a dribble of new, apparently easily swayed residents that are used and abused. Mark Peterson, in Anoka only since 2001, is currently being way overused. It's fair to ask how he became so confident about our need for a total change in government after only seven years in town.

Clown town, Theater town, and now Cartoon town:

The top cartoons are at the downtown Anoka gateway as seen from the municipal ramp and condo project area. Redrum-opened 9-20-08. Also see www.greenmonkey.us Redrum's site.

The lower cartoons greet people at the western gateway on Main Street off the Hwy 10 ramp.

Most of the year these Halloweenish images are as stale as leftover Halloween candy in April or August. 

As an identity for the City of Anoka, Halloween has gone beyond stale to Undesirable.

It's not your mother's Halloween.

Online Petition - Stop Murder Spelled Backwards Selling Drug Paraphernalia www.gopetition.com/online/22252.html          

Skogquist's Killing Anoka + Redrum Head Shop

There is a new manifestation of what's killing Anoka.   The facade of the new Redrum smoke shop is full of death symbolism.

The owner of the building and landlord is John Becker, the brother-in-law of Paul Pierce.  Pierce and Bjorn Skogquist are the councilmembers that delayed Riverspointe and caused the Condo project to miss the market.

Thirty people signed a letter to the editor in 2006 saying Mayor Skogquist had let it be known the Anoka River Run Car Show (using the condo building site) was more important than making progress on the Condo project.

Now Erik Skogquist, Mr. "no-more-rental", wants to continue these misguided stuck-in-the-past policies.  It's simplistic to say no-more-rental.  The discussion should be about the quality of rental as much as the quantity.  Hopkins has high quality and quantity and an actual vibrant downtown.

Resisting all new rental locks the city in bondage to the old and deteriorating.  We have a recipe for continued stagnation and decline rather than a plan for replacing and upgrading. 

You only have to see where the Skogquist (and ally Aaron Barr's) signs go to see who benefits by their policies. The Tribune called them low-end, predatory landlords: the Pierces, the Fischer's, the Corriveau's of Anoka.

Bjorn Skogquist delayed routine rental licensing for his constituents.

Erik Skogquist promises to resist new, upgraded replacement rental for his.

Killing the competition for the benefit of his moneyed special interest supporters.

Killing Anoka's future.

Demographics is still destiny.

Online Petition - Stop Murder Spelled Backwards Selling Drug Paraphernalia  www.gopetition.com/online/22252.html

Comment:  If "demographics is destiny":

Anoka is currently being systematically "marketed" to new people through the County welfare system and numbers of failed chemical dependency people each year.

Combined with paralysis in housing renewal, rental licensing, resistance to redevelopment. . .what will Anoka look like in 10, in 20 years?  And who will live here?

Who benefits but the Fischers, Corriveau's and Paul Pierce types?  It's not difficult to see why they support Aaron Barr and the Skogquist's.

Downtown Anoka's Descent + Redrum

Redrum comes to Anoka. . . Letter to the Editor - 19 September 2008:  Pointless and Doomed:

This past year the City of Anoka spent thousands of dollars ($25,000) developing a branding and marketing campaign for roll-out this fall/winter.

As a business owner and member of Rediscover Anoka as well as the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce, I was honored to be on the steering committee for this project.

During the process, I became optimistic and even excited about the future of downtown Anoka.

However, in recent months it has become clear to me that the whole thing is pointless and doomed to fail unless the stakeholders (i.e. landlords) in this town:

1.  fill the empty spaces and

2.  fill them with tenants who will draw customers - that is desirable customers, to town.

Does a "smoke shop" called Redrum (murder spelled backwards) fill that bill?

Is a poster of a Goth girl with an anarchy symbol on her dress and stitches across her forehead the kind of thing you want to see on a block that also houses an annex for Sandburg Middle School?  How about a poster of a guy sporting a fat, hand-rolled "cigarette"?

Yes, there are some exciting things happening in our downtown.

But why does it seem that with every step forward, we take two steps back?

Downtown business owner

           Redrum is at 2015 Second Avenue, Anoka MN, on the corner of Second and Jackson.

    This corner is a "Gateway" to downtown Anoka from the Municipal Parking Ramp and the Condo project area.

    Redrum relocated to Anoka from Cambridge MN where it was granted a tobacco sales license October 15, 2007.

    The building owner is John Becker Properties LLC. brother-in-law of Paul Pierce.

     "Redrum" is also street slang for a potent form of heroin.

          

         

Online Petition - Stop Murder Spelled Backwards Selling Drug Paraphernalia  www.gopetition.com/online/22252.html

Ghost Tours Bad History

Anoka's Ghost Tours make for bad history.

Just one example:

A cable production filmed Anoka County Historical Society's program manager, Vickie Wendel, in front of Colonial Hall on 3rd Avenue in Anoka.

She's narrating the Ghost Tour and telling about mysterious reports of tobacco smoke.  Wendel says, it's a museum, no one has smoked in there since the original owner, Dr. Aldrich.  Such an unfounded fabrication gives county historical societies unfortunate reputations:

#1.  A cloak room in the Aldrich House/Colonial Hall was once connected to the Masonic banquet hall next door.  The Masons had a budget item in old records referring to banquet cigars.

#2.  Colonial Hall, owned by the Masons, was once divided for housing.  It's quite probable that some of those people were smokers.

#3. And finally, the historical society moved into Colonial Hall in 1971. It wasn't until 1979 that a "No Smoking" policy was established.

In fact, ACHS great, Leslie Gillund, was a notorious chain smoker.  Employees routinely smoked in the kitchen/break room as well.

So, at this site the ghost tour narrators don't even know their own history.

It also calls into question: are the other stops on the ghost tour as well researched as the former home of this historical society?  What about other research the historical society is engaged in?

Anoka County taxpayers are financing this breathless gossip and calling it history.

Letter to the Editor

Also:  Anoka's Ghost tours are the antithesis of prayer walks.

Letters to Editor: Citizens Speak Out about Skogquist

A short history of Bjorn Skogquist's eight years as mayor of Anoka.  Now he hopes to spread the pain to more of the County as Commissioner.  This is the short list of titles from Letters to the Editor  to the Anoka newspaper written by concerned citizens:

Anoka needs regime change /   Skogquist is ineffective and clueless, building political power, not looking after the City of Anoka.

Taking back City of Anoka/   Adversarial special interests team with Skogquist to bully and take advantage of Anoka.  Skogquist's main interest is serving "constituents", supporters and his own political future and not representing the long term good of the City of Anoka.

Failed preservation/  302 Fremont failure and it's attendant personal vendetta and lies.  Skogquist hire installed to micromanage the lack of due diligence on Kaiser. Political approval rather than routine due diligence made this fiasco go forward.

Anoka taxpayers dodge bullet/  former appraiser/ Bjornite/ thug ugly Michael Gundlach wants residential taxes set at future highest value- but only for Weaver's house on Ferry Street (we all know how future highest value has turned out). Pattern of targeting opponents for retaliation.

Was position advertised?/    Erik Skogquist's non-compete internship. Internships are valuable resume-building tools for the real working world. Erik's not been able to use his degree for a real job.

Sign looting wholesale/  since Skogquist made the scene, shameless campaign sign stealing.

Campaign sign destruction/  Skogquist opponent's signs face targeted, extensive destruction

Mayor Skogquist's Self-dealing/    Reference accounts Windego and Car Show come before council for approvals and use of city owned property.  If Skogquist's company "Skogquist Management" had actually made any money, this might be a problem.

Windego Lease in Default

Mayor Bjorn Skogquist ( now commissioner candidate) bypassed due process and placed the Chinese garden at his family "non-profit" in an unethical and corrupt manner.

As a County Commissioner, what due process would this individual bypass for his own goals?

Anoka taxpayers, be afraid, be very afraid.

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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.

People are beginning to wonder: do lease agreements, site plans, the rules only apply to ordinary citizens and not the Skogquists?

"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.

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

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.               

________________  ______________________   ____________________

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.  The Anoka Union article named the main ones: Paul Pierce, Aaron Barr, Bjorn Skogquist, 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.

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. 

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?

Windego: 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.

Skogquist against 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.)

Update:    since this was posted the online open comments feature had to be closed.  Spam was getting too heavy, too time consuming and too weird.

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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.

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."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Update:  And now Bjorn Skogquist wants to be a county commissioner.  Oh, Anoka-freedom-of-speech-lover, be afraid, be very afraid.

Burger King

Jayson wrote in and asked about the Burger King site on the NW corner of Main and Ferry.  He called it an eyesore and wondered when would Anoka tear it down?

The Anoka City Forum appreciates the question.

Answer: The City of Anoka does not own it. The building is not structurally substandard and therefore is not subject to city ordered demolition.

Research indicates that there are currently four different private developers and four different private sellers involved in trying to make some kind of deal go forward.

The Forum has heard from prayer intercessors that this is a "location of interest" and there is spiritual warfare over the site that will influence the rest of the city. So, if you are a Christian Believer, please pray that this site would be released for the Lord's purposes, In Jesus Name.

So pray, Jayson, pray.

A little history on this corner: One of the original revival/unity meeting churches was located here. Before that, in 1861, the first Civil War volunteer came forward for the Union Army here at the Shuler Building.

More recently, five years ago, Burger King intended to rebuild but was derailed by an unwilling land/lease holder. That is why it has sat, lo these many years, gaining a reputation as an eyesore.

Jayson, the very month you asked about it is the month this obstructive lease expires.

Forum Research Dept.

Beleagured Aaron Barr

If 302 Fremont had not been such a failure, Anoka's Aaron Barr could cast himself as a community hero.

Bottomline: His neighbor, 302 Fremont, was "hurting his property values".  He took action to influence and pressure the city to solve his problem at exceptional  public expense. He also got a seat on the HRA (where he will continue to make decisions on 302) and a spot as the mayor's running mate.

Barr would be a poster child of effective personal political activism.  Well, maybe not that effective, the petition demanding the city take action wasn't worded correctly and he fell far short of the number needed; but it was an inspiring effort.  And he did succeed in getting public monies applied to his problem.

As it is, a precedent has been set.  Now the mayor's HRA will get to determine whose neighbor is next to receive extravagant public monies and local political status.  Maybe the Skogquist boys will put up political signs for them too. The mom and girlfriends may even do some door-to-door work on their behalf.

Comments: 3-17-07

Comment :  The Anoka City Forum received appreciation and one legitimate complaint for the link to www.maplewoodmn.blogspot.com .  The Anoka Forum was criticized for being too "researchy": Mary C. said, "Why not be more entertaining like Maplewood's blog?"

"Maplewood has their Queen Diana and her minions. Why not have a contest for our guy: like Baron Bjorn or Little Boy Blunder, Baloney Bjorn or Bounder Bjorn?"

The Maplewood blog took the courteous position that if their council was going to invite ridicule, it would be MN Nice to oblige them.

Other Comments: These also spanned the spectrum. Whether you say "Alright" or "Ouch". Our contributors and commenters were commended for being involved, responsible American citizens or tedious self-righteous scolds.

Agreeing with Grampa Sam regarding Bjorn Skogquist flipping the bird on cable meetings:  "That was a problem in our family, too. The boys were at the age they thought it was great fun to 'flip the bird' to the biker dudes while Dad's pumping gas. We do have biker relatives, but they are not all as nice as our family I tried to explain."

Fact Check: 302 Fremont

This was an out-of-the-ordinary, extreme HRA loan.  Anoka's housing rehab revolving loan program was 5% APR maximum of $15,000 for residential, single-family.

Historic property  revolving loan program was 5% APR maximum of $30,000 for residential single-family.  See www.ci.anoka.mn.us

302 Fremont was $200,000 at .75%. . .yes, that's right. . . less than 1% for 10 years.

During the last election season mayor Skogquist and his running mate Aaron Barr were confusing this loan with the Jackson Street Condos project and making invalid comparisons. Young Skogquist wouldn't know the difference (and still doesn't get it: 1-29-07 work session) but Barr the Wells Fargo, now MinnWest Bank Guy should have.

For the record:  The Condos loan is $200,000 for 18 months at 2%.  It is a short term commercial  construction loan. It leverages a 1.7 million dollar privately financed project.

The Jackson Street Condos project includes three parcels with up to 10 units. (Possible 4 residential, 5-6 commercial).