Fiscal Responsibility: Every taxpayer dollar should be spent responsibly and efficiently. With families and seniors facing higher taxes and rising costs, I will ask: Do we have the resources? Can we do it more efficiently? Most importantly, how will it impact taxpayers? Public Safety: Safe communities are the foundation of a strong county. I support our police officers and first responders. They need the training, equipment, and resources to protect residents and respond to emergencies.
Roads and Infrastructure: Reliable roads and transportation are essential for residents, businesses, and emergency services. I will focus on practical solutions that address the greatest needs while ensuring projects are completed cost effectively.
Election integrity is the foundation of our republic. Requiring voter ID is a common-sense way to help ensure only eligible voters are casting ballots. I also support shortening the early voting period. It would still provide convenient access for voters while strengthening election security and confidence in the process. We do have a system that can verify immigration status, we should somehow find a way to legally use this to verify citizenship for voting.
Our biggest challenges facing social services and mental health in Anoka County is meeting growing needs with limited resources. Demand for services is increasing while providers face workforce shortages and long wait times. Substance abuse and an aging population add to these challenges. Having worked in Anoka County Human Services for 27 years, I understand the importance of delivering services efficiently and directing resources where they have the greatest impact for residents and taxpayers.
After 27 years working for Anoka County, I’ve seen that we sometimes do things a certain way simply because that’s how they’ve always been done. We should regularly ask: Is this required? Is there a more efficient way? Can technology help us serve residents better? We should continually evaluate our services, streamline processes, and eliminate unnecessary steps so we can improve customer service, reduce waste, and make the best use of every taxpayer dollar.
County commissioners do not set or enforce federal immigration law. The county board's role is to ensure county departments comply with applicable laws, support public safety, and provide services required by law. The Sheriff would need board approval before entering into a 287(g) agreement with the Federal Government.
If I am elected, being County Commissioner will be my full-time job. I’ll continue to be active in our community, just like I am now, while also getting involved in areas I have not yet explored. Being involved is the best way to know people and hear their concerns. That’s why I would also like to start Coffee with the Commish. An informal way to sit down, listen and have conversations about what’s important to you and what you would like to see in the community.
1) I am the most fiscally conservative member on our board. In 7 yrs, the county tax levy increased 37% but NOT WITH MY VOTE. I approved 10.4% of that 37% increase. With inflation up over 20+%, taxpayers should not have the county piling on. As a business owner for 40+ yrs and a public rep for 20+ yrs, I have the skills needed for this job.
2) Our voting machines in Anoka County and many other counties are not Federally EAC certified. EAC is the gold standard for certification. MN has the option to get EAC certification, but with MN corruption as it is, I believe we should pursue EAC certification.
3) Good communication is key to a productive county board. Having worked with 1000's of people, I know if we work as a team, everyone wins.
Every citizen should have easy and available access to voting, but since voting laws are made at the State level, Anoka County has to follow the laws in place until they can be changed ... and there are many laws that need to be changed.
As Chair of Human Services for three years, I can tell you I am very impressed with the level of social services that Anoka County provides.
For Mental Health, one area where we need additional capacity is people with psychiatric issues. AMRTC, Anoka Metro Regional Treatment Center, located in the city of Anoka, is the state’s largest psychiatric hospital. The responsibility to fund these services are at the state level but the state continues to cost shift to counties.
Service delivery is not a problem for Anoka County. The problem is where the dollars come from to pay for the delivery of those services. Unfunded mandates that come from the state and federal government forces our county to provide a service but then they do not provide all of the dollars needed to fund that service.
Especially in the last few years, we have seen cost shifts that is causing all counties to increase their county levy to fund state and federal programs, and this is wrong.
Immigration enforcement is only a problem because some government entities have decided not to follow the law. I believe Anoka County should follow the laws as they exist and cooperate with all branches of government.
I have been interacting with and helping residents in Anoka County for over 25 years. When they call, I answer and listen, and when they have a problem, I do everything in my power to fix it. I also stay involved with local organizations like the Boy Scouts, Rotary & Lions Clubs; and I spend a lot of time as American Legion Commander of the SAL at Post 566 in Lino Lakes. I have been representing the people in my District for a very long time. They know me, trust me, and can depend on me.
