Anoka City Forum

Windego Abandoned Project

In December 2006, Windego Park Society president, Erik Skogquist stated, "the Society has been successful as of right now without really having a project."

    Hold on. . .

There is another WPS project (besides the Anoka amphitheater) that should have been known to council, staff and certainly Mr. Skogquist.

It is sitting unfinished in St. Francis, four years past the projected completion date.

The Windego Park Society has been called "an untested, under-funded, relatively unknown group which cannot prove their ability to complete the (Anoka) project."

They can, in fact, prove their inability to complete a much smaller project.

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The WPS Anoka project has had estimates from one-half to a full million dollars.

The WPS St. Francis project is a one bedroom house.

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.

Fact Check Skogquist

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".

      

McGowan's Reality Check Smeared

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

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

Finance, Lori Yager, 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 actually 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."

Mark 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.

Carl 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 Carl 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.

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, an Anoka Comedy.

Our local Anoka newspaper doesn't have a comics/humor section.  But the Windego Park Society, aka Bjorn and Erik Skogquist, news releases more than made up for it.  They'll be missed.

Their "main mature event" this season (January thru July 2008) 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 from conversations :  "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?"  Or maybe they need to keep it alive through the election season so they can blame the city council for it not working out.

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.

Windego Magic Money

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

Mayor Skogquist's brother, Erik, 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, now candidate for mayor himself, 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.

Update:   Now Erik Skogquist is running for mayor.  He's now claiming the current mayor and city council have resisted this project.  When, in fact, WPS had a green light and were only able to raise a net of $1,891 towards the project.

It's interesting Skogquist raises just under the $25,000 that would trigger a fuller accounting.

Erik Skogquist wants to your next mayor.  Anoka, be afraid, be very afraid.

Skogquist and his 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.

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

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".

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."

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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?

Newspaper Story Idea: Windego project

Regarding Forum post "Abandoned Project": Anoka City Forum had asked the following questions of Charlie Thompson, Windego Park Society (WPS) board member on:

1. Is there some independent place/site we could refer people to verify or document the non-profit status of Windego?  Tax donation/fraud issues are such sticky wickets especially for business/corporate contributors to non-profits.  This seems especially of concern to people because of the apparent tie of WPS to a local politician.

2. We are unable to address issues regarding Forum post 3-3-07 "Abandoned Project": The Windego Park Society restoration of a schoolhouse in St. Francis.  The sign out front has a completion date several years past due (fall of 2003).  Are you aware of this project?  Do you have a current estimate of completion?  Do you anticipate any significant funds from it?

"Thank you in advance for any assistance you may be able to provide."

Further Outrage/ Windego

City of Anoka Finance Director, Lori Yager, comments on Windego's "Viable Financing Plan":  "Once the lease from the city is approved, capital grant funds will be attainable."

The fact is that they can now apply for funds. To imply that they will receive them is presumption.

Presumption is the lowest form of knowledge and not usually the basis for sound financial projections. Except in Anoka for the mayor's pet projects.

Ms. Yager concludes "that the Windego Park Society has a viable financing plan in place for the construction and operation of an outdoor amphitheater."

Can anyone imagine Jim Knutson being made to say such a thing by Mark Nagel?

Mr Cruikshank's document goes on to state,"For the staff's part of the ordinance requirement, it is our opinion that the WPS has sufficiently met the conditions as outlined in the ordinance."

One was for adequate parking, which was merely waived.

This is another case of wishful thinking and no professional standards being applied by staff. 

President, Eric Skogquist stated, "it will be self sustaining after renovation."

Why?  Because he said so.

After all, if his brother is the king of the realm, doesn't that make him a prince or something and able to make sweeping, irrational proclamations as well?

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Comment:  Duluth's Great Lakes Aquarium had all kinds of optimistic forecasts going into their project.  To date, the city has forgiven debt of 12 million +.

Most recently (4-07) their city council ponied up $300,000 more to keep it open one more year.

They had more credibility going in than the 22 year brother-of-mayor in charge.  One of the citizens that spoke to Anoka's council had a concern, what if they get half done and can't finish?  Carl Anderson blew this off as being vindictive and wouldn't even address it.

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Questions  3-17 from J.G.: "How is it that a 501c3 nonprofit such as Windego that has had their status suspended by the IRS since April of 2004 is still fundraising?"

"Do the donors realize that their contributions are no longer tax deductible?  Why doesn't Windego allow a complete audit of their financial status by an outside independent accounting firm so their true financial picture is more complete than what they presented to the council in December of 2006?"

Forum:  Anyone ?

Pretty Outrageous/ Windego

On December 18, 2006 there was a Request for Council Action, prepared by the city manager, Tim Cruikshank.

One of the reasonable conditions of granting a lease with the Windego Park Society was a "Viable Financing Plan".  Cruikshank's document states that this plan "was reviewed by Lori Yager, Finance Director for the City of Anoka and her comments are as follows":

"The Windego Park Society has laid out a reasonable financial proforma to plan for the construction and operation of an outdoor amphitheater. The fundraising and planning efforts in 2007 will contribute to Phase I construction. Phase I construction includes 50% in kind services.  We are anticipating a letter of commitment from the cement union regarding labor for concrete work worth about $80,000.  Additional commitments should be completed in 2007."

This is outrageous!  So far this language represents nothing but wishful thinking, anticipating preliminary promises.  Not only does this professional, Ms Yager, vouch for the construction but the operation of this thing.

We recently received the fund raising letter for Lyrics Arts.  They stated that 65% of their operation is covered by ticket sales. The rest is covered by ongoing fund raising.

But somehow this Windego Park Society going in can vouch for being able to cover their operational expenses.

Can you impeach finance directors or city managers for incompetence?  Or is it possibly the job of the elected officials to oversee these people ?

The latest is that the financial officer of the City of Anoka, Lori Yager, is now installed as the financial officer over at Paul Pierce's Historical Society. Pierce is on the boards of both Windego Park Society  and ACHS.

One individual, Ms. Yager, has now vouched for the City of Anoka, the Windego Park Society and the Anoka County Historical Society. That seems cozy and efficient, doesn't it?

The City of Anoka, it should be noted, is the leasor/landlord to both the Anoka County Historical Society and the Windego Park Society.

I sure wish Bjornite, Aaron Barr, would look into this for any possible conflict of interest. He promised to stay involved and not be afraid of making people nervous by asking the hard questions.

Anoka's a Joke

Tell me Anoka is not a Joke.

After midnight on December 18, 2006, with brother Bjorn Skogquist presiding, the City of Anoka granted a lease to property owned by you, the taxpayer, to an organization run by an Erik Skogquist.  Erik is the 23 year old "president" of something called "the Windego Park Society". Mother, Barb Thurston, is the treasurer.

Erik maintains a MySpace page on the internet.  The average age of a MySpace user is 14-21.

He lists his occupation as "Aseessor/Inspector". Also "Master of the Universe". In the real world assessors usually work for cities and counties assessing properties for tax determinations.

He enjoys rabble rousing for causes he believes in and recently got excited about crushing his old car into scrap metal for $40.

His girlfriend posted a reminder to get some groceries and to update his page. . .cause "All the cool kids are doing it."

The Simpsons are his first choice for television and he'd like to meet Slick Willy.

He posts about "What is up with Satanism. . ."

Magic Bean Project

Letter to the Anoka Union Editor   Published 5 January 2007

(Windego Park Society lease agreement takes place after midnight 12-18-06. Edited comments)

It would seem WPS is a nonprofit with our mayor, Bjorn Skogquist, as past president, his brother as current president, and their mother, Barb Thurston, as secretary.

The Windego "financials" were unsigned, incomplete, un-audited and did not support their ability to finance a proposed two million dollar project.

How could our city manager have recommended such a poor quality presentation?  How could our city manager imagine that WPS, who after a decade of promotion, solicitation and fundraising (and has only $5,000 to show for it) could somehow raise 2 million to complete a three phase program.

At the time of the lease signing, the first insurance premium will likely wipe out its entire cash balance.  Assuming it can qualify for insurance without proper financial papers.

We as citizens demand better performance from our city manager.

Credibility Crisis

City Council meeting minutes 12-18-06: "Jim Gerber expressed concern that he conducted research on the Windego Park Society (WPS) and went to several charity databases trying to find information on the Society.  He went to a charity review board and five different websites and was not able to find any information regarding the WPS. He questioned if the Society is a private society or a true nonprofit organization."

This concern was not answered. Comments from the inbox reflect that issue. "If it is not properly constituted, what happens to the tax deductible status of donations?"  "What happens to the business or individual donating to a bogus group and then finds themselves in trouble with the IRS?" "Do they have a right to seek recourse from the city?  The city basically accepted WPS as a legitimate entity with which to enter into a lease agreement, lending credibility.

Other comments being sent in:  What has this cost the city staff, city manager, Carl Anderson and Phil Rice in credibility to ignore basic sound concerns by citizens?  Does this set the standard now for other things brought forward.  Will we now just ignore financials, credibility of applicants and just "give things a shot"? The natives get nervous when common sense seems to be abandoned by leadership. We wonder what else is whacked?

Windego credibility

Jim Gerber with the Anti-Crime Commision and Dr. James Rusin recently raised concerns about  the credibility of the Windego Park Society.

Some rudimentary research shows that "Bjorn Skogquist, while still in High School formed the Windego Park Society (WPS)". He currently "performs" for fund raisers.

On August 26, 2005 Bjorn Skogquist tendered his resignation as a member of WPS "so that there is no conflict of interest." Dec 18, 2006 the city attorney agreed. Yup, no conflict of interest here.

Councilmember Anderson encouraged the mayor "to keep this up, even though he does not understand why the mayor would want to in the face of all this opposition". Recognizing that Windego is indeed the mayor's project.

On Nov 11, 2005 both Skogquist boys are photographed receiving a $1500 check from the Twin Rivers Care Center, with Erik identified as the president of WPS. Also in the photo are WPS "boardmembers" Paul Pierce and Al Golder (Pierce and Golder are also Masonic brothers).

In the Nov, 2005 article president Erik cited a fundraising goal of $450,000 to ensure restoration completion... "project completion is anticipated for summer of 2008."

The 2006 financial report indicated they had spent $20,000 to raise $25,000. Ending the year with a $5,000 balance.The boy's mother, Barb Thurston, is treasurer. If you can't trust Mom. . .