Anoka City Forum

Skogquist a Chameleon

Letter to the Editor Anoka Union October 17, 2008.  Permission to post was not requested nor received as it is found in the public domain.

To the Editor:

Is anyone wondering what kind of political animal Bjorn Skogquist resembles as he campaigns for Anoka County commissioner?

On one hand, he is serving as campaign chair for Andrew Boho who is running on the DFL ticket for the House seat in District 48B.  He should be commended for doing so; it is one of those thankless but necessary jobs in working for a liberal DFL candidate in Anoka.

But if you check Bjorn's campaign financial report, you find that several of his largest supporters are active members of the Minnesota Taxpayers League, undoubtedly the most conservative arm of the Minnesota Republican Party.

The only candidates the League ever supports are those who will vote against spending of any kind that has to do with mass transit, economic development and any project involving investing in our infrastructure.

Managing a campaign for a DFL candidate for the Minnesota House and also being supported himself by the most conservative Republican sub group in the state certainly makes for strange bedfellows.

It would appear the political animal that Bjorn Skogquist most closely resembles is the chameleon, a little creature that changes color every time it finds itself in a different environment.

Anoka resident

Anoka City Forum comment:    Perhaps Mr. Skogquist resembles the little creature aka a career politician.  He is keeping a foot in every door possible as he can't be sure this early which one will open to him and provide the greater opportunity.

Besides DFL and Republican affiliations Skogquist has served as treasurer for the Independent Party of Minnesota (IPM) for the 6th Congressional District.  He has also hosted an Independent Party meet-up on eminent domain issues at Billy's in Anoka.

 

Sivarajah & Skogquist + McDonald

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- now running for county commissioner- 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. (Maybe currently 8-08 -signed a petiton 408 Van Buren #2)  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". ( Also Dori Schumacher and Michael Gundlach's literature was tucked in with Skogquist's) 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.

Comment: Bjorn Skogquist recent job at ATC (Anoka Technical College) should be investigated. While we appreciate Anne Weyandt taking the little guy in, he's not exactly qualified for the job.  Unless it's another one of those spoils hires. Being mayor the major qualification?

Skogquist Surpasses Schaffer

St. Francis city councilmember LeRoy Schaffer is catching heat for  "a pattern of acting on the city's behalf without council sanction." There is a recall election scheduled for December. He's accused of continually misinforming the public, disrespecting the government process, offensive behavior and overstepping bounds.

Mr. Schaffer is an amateur compared to Mayor Bjorn Skogquist. 

Consider Skogquist's known short list of doing business independent of full council:

1. 2005  Skogquist was declaring "I can't work with this council. . . ." He announced he would be "moving forward to work outside the council with an unofficial facilitation." 
2. City of Anoka letterhead was used for two secret, invitation-only "visioning meetings" held by Skogquist.  City Manager Tim Cruikshank appears to have publically resigned his position at this point declaring, "The mayor can do whatever he wants."
3. HRA State legislature debacle. Again with Anoka letterhead, Skogquist lobbied without council sanction or knowledge for his limited self-serving purpose. Who gives him letterhead?  Or does he just take it?
4. Chinese Garden stuck at the "Keep Out" posted amphitheater.  City staff, advisory boards and the rest of council were all kept out of this action. 
5. Retailer Services.  A company in the Industrial Park got a financial benefit afforded no other company on the basis of the Mayor's singular direction, backed by city manager.
6. Recent McGowan suit against, not primarily the city, but the Skogquist brothers personally. For Skogquist "using his position as mayor. . ."   Schaffer is being recalled,  Skogquist's are being sued.

Occassionally, maybe eventually, there are consequences for overstepping bounds.

Beyond these actions, there has been a pattern of retaliation and removal from advisory boards :

• There was a failed attempt to replace Bart Ward at the ACHS with Skogquist's mother.

 

• Borgie Bonthuis, an early Skogquist supporter, was informed by Skogquist he would be refusing to submit her name for reappointment because Mr. Skogquist didn't like the way she was voting.

 

• Lisa Rambol, long-time resident, was not reappointed to the EDC by the Skogquist dominated council.   She had voiced her opinion about Anoka's overdue need for rental licensing in a letter to the editor.  Mimi Doran, wife of the mayor's bartender , non-resident and now beneficiary of the Car Show revenues, got the appointment.

 

• Bruce Lanes,  HRA member,  also voiced an opinion about Paul Pierce actions in a letter to the editor.  Bye, Bye Bruce, thanks for your service.  

And now Ward-based-voting  and  Erik Skogquist  and  Aaron Barr?

Anoka has the elements necessary for a bad historic re-enactment of pre-reform machine politics.    

       Be afraid, Anoka, be very afraid.

Skogquist for Commissioner: History with Special Interests

On 3-1-07  the Anoka Union reported City Manager Tim Cruikshank saying, "I'm getting the message we're not going to have any consultants anymore without the council's approval."

On 3-19-04  the Anoka Union had reported turmoil over another unauthorized survey expenditure. No pre-approval.

The earlier issue involved an unbudgeted, unauthorized expenditure of $8,000.

The bogus "Mayor's Task Force on Housing" was ready to spend this money without council pre-approval.

That's a problem for our form of government. No due process. No public oversight. But it really helps with those tightly managed, politically crafted outcomes. If you can get away with it.  It really keeps any democratic scrutiny to a minimum.

In fact, this same article reported Councilmember Dori Schumacher, who was on the Task Force with Skogquist, saying: "The Task Force is well on its way toward submitting its recommendations to the council."

That's a problem for our form of government. Charter member Zilla Way once stated, "The Charter forbids council members from serving on any advisory boards or commissions." (Early 2007 Union). So self-advising is not advisable and even unlawful. "The Mayor's Task Force on Housing" was unlawful.  It concentrates political power to the few, rather than the whole council.

If you break the rules early and often. . . eventually anything goes.

The keeper of the charter, City Manager Tim Cruikshank, assists the dysfunction with his stated policy: "The mayor can do whatever he wants."

Pierce/Skogquist/Schumacher actually voted for the survey and then went against the survey's findings.

The survey found 80% of Anokans thought rental licensing was desirable.  The triplet ticket on the council disregarded citizens and supported outsider special interests, referred to as predatory landlords by the Tribune.   (Pierce buddy/Skogquist supporter Mr.Fischer of Main & Ferry got his railings ASAP as well. . .Wonder what's on his wish list this time if his boys Aaron Barr and Erik Skogquist are installed).

Now, Bjorn Skogquist-campaigning-for-commissioner decries that sort of thing.  He says we should listen to the citizens, not special interest lobbyists.

It's more likely he will do what he has already done, only it would involve even bigger issues and more money.

Anoka County, be afraid, be very afraid.

Skogquist's Offensive Digit

Mayor Bjorn Skogquist aka King Bjorn 

"clearly it is my ring finger."

(Rulers of realms can determine yesterday's weather and digits by decree.)

Jan Call, loyal subject:  "All of us acquainted with Bjorn know that when he touches his temple, it is simply a habit and not an obscene gesture."

(The emperor does too have clothes on. . .  To say or even think otherwise is unpardonable.)

The King's barrister, Bradley Newbolt:   "It is clear that he simply had a pen in his hand and had his hand resting on and occasionally scratching his brow."

(If anyone disagrees, well. . .We'll sue.  You have no right to any different statement of opinion than what the sovereign has ordained.)

Tough Henry:  "It's just not very good community building."

Advice to children:  If you don't want someone to know it, don't do it.

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

Mayor Skogquist was first cited as "King Bjorn" in a letter to the editor when he was observed operating outside ordinary mayoring.

A city councilmember just up the road in St. Francis is facing recall for stretching his job description.

Currently, Mr. Skogquist says he would be a good statesman, an ambassador, an effective county commissioner or maybe a college student.

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.

Skogquist: The Early Years

Letter to the editor -  End of 2000:

     I did a lot of observing during the race for mayor for the city of Anoka. It was very discouraging.  The way Bjorn Skogquist ran his campaign was downright nasty.

My question is, did he think he was handling himself appropriately?  Did he think he gained the respect of the City of Anoka? 

Bjorn Skogquist ran his campaign in such an unprofessional way; remember he will run the city in much the same manner.

If you as a resident/voting member of Anoka can honestly feel good that you voted for Bjorn you don't have a clue how hard Mayor Pete Beberg had worked to make Anoka what it is today.

I have worked with Mayor Beberg on several committees and you could not ask for a more dedicated, respectful, ethical, all-American, professional and honest individual.

In this election the voters of Anoka didn't honestly show their concern about their future.

Voters, it was in your hands, what were you thinking?  I hope you can live with what you voted for!  The city has come so far, I hope you are prepared to take many steps backward or stagnate.

Think about yourself, were you ready at 22 to run a city?  At least you may have had a college degree, owned property, been a taxpayer and have been soon taking a job in a business.

You probably were not living with your parents, sorting mail casually/part-time and attending a few college classes.

At 22 you think you are prepared to tackle the world, but let's first experience adulthood.

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Follow-up:  In many ways this letter has proved to be prophetic.

Skogquist has been a disaster for Anoka financially.  We've been on the Tribune's dysfunctional city list.  We now suffer lack of respect from neighboring cities.  We have lost our reputation as a good city to work for.

Skogquist and Pierce stalled the condo project for a car show with an inappropriate developer choice.

Saturday night activity is understandably more of a priority for a single 20-something than providing lifecycle housing for citizens.

It's been just one stage production after another undermining the long-term health and very viability of our city. It's been said Skogquist was never a mayor, he just played one on tv.

Now he'd like to take this dysfunction to the next level - the county board of commissioners.

Anoka County, be afraid, be very afraid.   

State Capitol Embarrassment

It's been said that Bjorn Skogquist has a well-earned reputation for saying untrue things, opposite things and strange things.

Until recently this embarrassment was kept "in the family", locally here in the City of Anoka.

The Union quoted Skogquist, "It's not my job to argue with the State Legislature."

This was in regard to legislation giving Anoka more latitude in HRA (Housing Authority) appointments.

This mixed up fellow proceeds to do just that. . .argue. By independently lobbying the State Legislature against the proposed legislation.

This legislation increases local latitude and city options. The local elected official known as the mayor actually lobbied against this latitude and option.

Equally troubling was his unauthorized use of city letterhead and his false claim he represented the "Official Position of the City of Anoka." (A St. Francis city councilmember is facing recall for much less offense of operating out-of-bounds.)

Well, the final vote at the Capitol was 131-0 in the House and 65-0 in the Senate to allow Anoka this local flexibility in their own affairs.

It was supported by resolution by the Anoka City Council 4-1.

How embarrassing, Mr. Skogquist.

At one point in the city newsletter you requested feedback on how you were doing...

Well, you have embarrassed yourself and the City of Anoka statewide. Thanks to you, we now have a statewide reputation as a dysfunctional city.

You have argued when you publicly said you wouldn't.

You have falsely presented your own power-grabbing position as the "official city position".  Your reputation as not-exactly-a-boy-of-your-word now extends to the state capitol.

Follow-up:  Currently Bjorn Skogquist thinks he can be an "effective county commissioner", an "ambassador", a "statesman" even.

As mayor of a city, Skogquist couldn't influence a single lawmaker in St. Paul.

Mayor Skogquist's Abuse of Power

Bjorn Skogquist was replacing people on advisory boards on the basis of whether they would do what he said.  The following was a Letter to the Editor published 4-27-07 in the Anoka County Union. Anoka City Forum did not seek permission to publish it here:

To The Editor:

A group of ordinary Anoka citizens became concerned when it was learned that Mayor Bjorn Skogquist said he intended only to appoint people to the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) who would do what he wanted.

It was decided that a change in the law for HRA appointments was needed to curb this abuse of power.

The bipartisan group was made up of DFL and Republican activists as well as diehard independents.

The legislation would allow our city council to adopt changes in the HRA appointment process through our city charter.

The entire council could then participate fully in the selections.

Mayor Skogquist as Dictator

The following was a letter to the editor.  Permission was not requested nor obtained as it is of public record.

Anoka needs civic leadership, not a dictatorship.

Renewed citizen participation in local government was welcomed with a big "no" from Mayor  Bjorn Skogquist.

There were a record number of top quality applicants to fill available positions on Anoka's boards and commissions.

Rather than consider any of the new applicants for the HRA, Mayor Skogquist put forward his previous appointees and refused to consider any other applicants.

The majority of the council did not want to re-appoint these members because they felt there were better choices.

No doubt they were looking forward to the likely loss of $200,000 of Anoka taxpayers' funds in the event of foreclosure on 302 Fremont.

No council member would want to be on record reappointing HRA members with such poor judgment, lack of experience or incompetence.

5 Women Unacceptable to Skogquist

The following is a letter to the editor from abc newspapers and reprinted here, permission was not requested nor 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

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.

Newspaper Headlines: A Shabby History

Bjorn4Commissioner?

Consider Bjorn's Skogquist's dysfunctional eight years as mayor of Anoka; some of the story is told in the newspaper headlines.

It's been a lot of game playing and power grabbing with the real issues of the city neglected:

Survey Spurs Contentious Controversy/    Skogquist orders $8,000 spent with no council vote, then goes against survey results.  Eighty percent of Anokans want rental licensing.  Skogquist's supporters (out-of-town and predatory landlords) don't.  Mr. Skogquist, now county-commissioner-candidate "Mr. Start-listening-to-the-people" goes with the moneyed special interest lobbyists rather than mere citizens.

HRA Expansion Causing Community Division/   Held at 3 people for six months till shills lined up - then expands 5 to 7.  Another demonstration of how Skogquist values personal power over the good of Anoka.

Appts. Process Criticized, Scrutinized For 'Lack Of Openness'/   Skogquist front loading his appts.  And for what ultimately?  In this case it was the loss of $185,000 - the full year's HRA budget.  Bjorn dismantled the community development department, got his own employee placed under Cruikshank, micromanaged the lack of due diligence on buyer Kaiser, loaded HRA with do-what-I-say appointments.  And for what?  Failure.  Now he won't even take responsibility for 302, blaming the economy.

Rental Licensing Becomes Divisive/ Skogquist's power base interests vs citizen's interests

Unifying Anoka Difficult/  Skogquist's invitation only "visioning meetings" blow up.  He says, "I can't work with this council."  City manager Cruikshank says, "The mayor can do whatever he wants." That is not only incorrect, but should have signaled a job resignation had occurred by Cruikshank to the rest of the city council.

Skogquist Snaps, Flings Allegations/  shameful, immature behavior or campaign performance?  Pattern of discrediting and defaming other voices goes way back.

Cruikshank, Brooklyn Center City Manager Finalist/  second attempt to escape

Moratorium: A City Divided Upon Itself?/   political plank set-up for 2006

Skogquist Shot Down, Loses Bid For Moratorium/  gains supporters, wrangles for downzoning

Greenhaven Golf Pro To Go: Citizen Tees Off Against Council, Manager/  unfair firing, lawsuit recently settled, at what cost?  Ask a councilmember.

Future Locked Up In Historic Preservation?  More homeowners rights assigned to government

Anoka Lends $485,000 for 302 Fremont/ Skogquist defends his appts. and unprecedented amount

Owner 302 Fremont Doesn't Meet Deadline/  HRA acknowledges no-win default situation/302 is a foreclosure waiting to happen

Dysfunction test #3 : Skogquist's Anoka

Backstory on Skogquist as mayor of Anoka on his way to commissoner candidate.  The experts urge citizens of dysfunctional cities like Anoka to "educate yourself". Scenario three- the plot thickens:

Uh, Oh.  The little guy with the big head turns out to be a career politician who wants to dominate advisory boards, put in place some new overriding vision to replace all other plans carefully laid in place and expects to be able to direct staff himself to push his singular agenda- self promotion.  Your manager says:

1.  I can work with you on that.  I'll just craft an "economic coordinator" position, Chris Heineman, and place him under me.  Call 302 Fremont done.  The Planning Dept I'll move from Community Development, and again place directly under me.  That covers rezoning, HPC, etc.  The new HRA position ditto. You, mr. mayor, already recommend HRA appts., so you can just expand that from 5 to 7 and put your people in there.  Your HRA board chairman can be assigned to control any development process in the city (like the Library park) and hold conservation easements.

After all, as you've been saying: "the HRA can do things the council can't".  These maneuvers will effectively allow you to bypass the council when fully implemented.

Then you won't have to endure all the "scrutiny and minutiae" you have complained about.

That should help you direct and control your extreme agenda with the least amount of hassle from citizens and those few professional staff we have left.  I'll go on record again and say, "the mayor can do whatever he wants" and assist where I can with agendas, staff recommends, etc.  When I can't bully and intimidate, I'll do my greasy charm thing.  (Just don't call me "your manager" in public meetings.  People might catch on. . .and it's a little humiliating when I'm called your assistant in letters to the editor.)

Where I can't, you can load council chambers with. . .what does Erik Skogquist call them? Citizens?  No - rabble.  You can do the rabble thing and bully everyone.

Dysfunction test #2: Skogquist as Mayor

A major reason noted for the alarming increase in dysfunctional cities is ignorance by citizens about their local government.  Consider this scenario:

A young, inexperienced person becomes mayor.  He seems gifted in community activism (his brother- Erik Skogquist- calls it rabble rousing) and public speaking. The young man refers to himself as having "talent and expertise".  He considers himself an up and coming politician.  He demands an office in Anoka city hall. Your city manager responds:

1.  Of course, let me help you with that.  Here are the keys to the building so that you can come and go as you please with no staff around. Plus keys to a nice river view office (the whole council used to use it but since you have usurped and made them irrelevant . . .) We'll furnish that with the best new furniture in the building and of course a phone line so you have "City of Anoka" on the caller ID of the folks you want to call and influence. That will make mayor seem more impressive than what it is: ceremonial head of a five person policy making body. My announced policy will be, "the mayor can do whatever he wants." (Tribune North article on visioning mtgs.)

2. Whoa, young fellow.  I need to explain about council/manager govt.  You see, you are merely ceremonial. You have no authority beyond your one vote on the council and no power to veto.  You have no direct access to staff except for information purposes. You cannot direct staff.

Windego: At what point fraud?

At what point does Bjorn and Erik Skogquist's Windego Park Society move beyond irrational optimism to misrepresentation to downright fraud ?

"We have seen better days."   William Shakespeare

• Windego Park Society's site plan has been denied by both the Anoka Planning Commission and the Anoka City Council.

• The lease is in default by their own actions.  See "Windego Lease in Default" on this site.

• WPS founder(Bjorn Skogquist) and currrent WPS president (Erik Skogquist) are facing legal action.  Mark McGowan is "pursuing damage claims for defamation, tortious interference with prospective relations, invasion of privacy, fraud and civil conspiracy".  Mark McGowan simply "presented information disputing the viability of the project".

• WPS and Skogquists couldn't handle a little scrutiny or deal with the issues.

Their style of "doing democracy" and attempts to silence facts and different opinions is what should cause concern in the voting public:  Be afraid, Be very afraid.

And yet the Skogquists continue to fund raise.  At what point does it become fraudulent to accept donations ?  At what point do they disclose to donors the current status of WPS.  At what point do they mention that funds may have to be raised and used for a legal defense fund?

Comment:   Disturbing images: Barb Thurston, the Skogquists mother, pacing and signaling strangely to her son Erik, at the Planning Commission meeting when Mark McGowan was presenting his information.    And then  later signaling to her son Bjorn, in the mayor's seat at the council meeting, to cut him (McGowan) off with a finger across her throat.

At other times the public sees Barb Thurston wrapped in the flag as a Daughter-of-the-American -Revolution, Remember-Constitution-Week-Lady.  Appearing as a promoter of patriotic endeavors.

She is a tireless campaigner for Skogquists-for-office.

Barb Thurston also serves as treasurer of Windego Park Society, causing some to call WPS the first "Skogquist family non-profit".

The political and family nature of WPS will be the first thing noticed on any grant application.  There would certainly be opportunity for chuckles all the way to the circular file,  "the mother is the treasurer!" . . . And the sons have never had full time employment.

The last two years they report having raised just under $25,000 each year  - mostly gone for "expenses".  It's interesting that is the number over which a full accounting would have to be done.

Anoka, we have seen better days.

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?

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.

               

   

Windego = Vampire

At the Anoka City Council open forum on 7-21-08 Dr. Jim Rusin referred to Bjorn and Erik 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 for non-performance, 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.

"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.  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.

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.