The League of Women Voters of the Park Rapids Area (LWV) held a forum for Menahga City Council candidates on Monday, Oct. 14.
Jody Bjornson and Tim Ellingson seek the two-year term as mayor. Ellingson was unable to attend the forum and issued a statement that was read by LWV moderator LuAnn Hurd-Lof.
Shannon Geisen/Enterprise
Two council seats are up for election this November. Durwin Tomperi is seeking re-election. Also on the ballot will be Keith Waaraniemi and James Kraskey. Council members serve four years.
The candidate forum can be watched in full at www.parkrapidsenterprise.com.
Bjornson said he has lived in Menahga most of his life. “I went to school here in Menahga for the first 14 years of my life before we moved to Arizona,” he said.
Bjornson served on the Horizons initiative that saved the senior center. He was on the school board for five years and presently has been on the city council for two.
“I believe that we’re elected to serve, not to dictate. I’m going to stand up for what I believe in. I always do. I was taught to stand for something or your fall for anything,” he said.
Bjornson said city finances are improving, but there are a couple projects he’d like to steer.
He said his wide range of leadership and business experiences are helpful.
Originally from Rochester, Kraskey has lived in Menahga for 12 years. “Most of my life, I was in business,” he said. “The city today is a business that has to be run like a business.”
Kraskey said he is widowed, having married a woman from Menahga. His daughter lives in Menahga.
Kraskey dislikes how much money the city has spent on attorney fees. “Also the mess that we’ve had with the water billing in the city that’s been jammed down the people’s throats. It showed they don’t really involve the public in anything,” he said.
Tomperi was born and raised in the area. He has been a business owner for 30-plus years. He served for 12 years on the Blueberry Township Board, the Menahga School Board for 17 years and the Menahga City Council for four years.
“I think I bring a wealth of knowledge that would bring the city forward in a positive direction,” he said.
Tomperi described the city council’s duty as “gatekeepers of the taxes, so we’re not overspending, but getting value for what we do spend.”
He also said there has been financial improvement in three years, but more work needs to be done. “I think if good stewards of the taxpayer’s money, we’ll attain that goal within the next year or two.”
Waaraniemi was also born and raised in Menahga. He’s been a Menahga police officer for 11 years. He’s also been a first responder and firefighter for 17 years.
“I’m going to bring stability and accountability back to the city,” Waaraniemi said, noting the large turnover of city employees in recent years.
When asked how they would maintain city staff, Kraskey said staff is accountable for their positions.
Tomperi said the key to success is hiring the right people, and it’s up to the council to have trained personnel.
“I know the city has struggled over the last few years,” but there are “good people in place,” he said, noting some are on probation.
Bjornson agreed there are good people in place now. Training is important, he said, to make sure there are highly educated people in the positions.
Treating staff with respect and not micromanaging them are essential, Waaraniemi said.
Hurd-Lof asked how they would maintain a healthy, unallocated fund balance in order to improve the city’s bond rating.
Bjornson explained the current council has been trying to replenish this fund. Last year, they levied $53,000 for this purpose. “We need to do that not just on the backs of the taxpayers. We need to be fiscally responsible on our budget and follow it as closely as possible.”
Kraskey said, “Don’t overspend so the rainy day fund isn’t depleted.”
Tomperi said there was $440 in this fund when he joined the council. Today, it’s up to nearly $250,000. “We sharpened our pencils, did the tightening of the belt,” he said. “I think we’ve steered the ship back on course, but we still have a ways to go to get our bond rating up.”
Waaraniemi said he would have to learn about city budgeting.
Hurd-Lof asked if the candidates were willing to look beyond standard curb and gutter to protect Spirit Lake from stormwater runoff.
Tomperi said there has been discussion about a sewer, water, curb and gutter project around the northeast side of Spirit Lake. An engineer has completed a preliminary study, Tomperi said, adding that, in his opinion, curb and gutter aren’t necessary. “I think there is a natural, sand buffer there that would accumulate any excess runoff, so that would save the taxpayers money in the long run.”
Bjornson agreed. Rather than pooling runoff in one spot, there are different filters that could be in place, he said. “We need to really protect our lake. Our lake is our gem.”
It’s not a big problem, Kraskey said. “We’re living on a pile of sand here in Menahga.”
“It comes down to money,” Waaraniemi said.
Ellingson wrote, “I’m running for mayor to give Menahga citizens options for leadership of the council and to help make sensible decisions on the many municipal aspects for the community. Having been a Menahga resident for decades, I’m genuinely interested in making my town a great place to live. Having served the city as a four-year Menahga council member, I have valuable knowledge regarding much of the general operations of the city.
“One of the most important issues facing the city is its financial accounting and stability. The council needs to ensure that the financial reports are accurate and on time. It must invest wisely, purchase frugally, do extensive research on potential high-ticket item purchases and divest the city of money-losing entities.
“Other issues which should be addressed include growing Menahga by promoting and growing businesses with financial assistance and promotional tools, also stimulating housing growth with financial assistance and zoning variances.
In closing, I have a sincere interest in helping our community thrive and the drive to make good things happen for Menahga. I would greatly appreciate your vote.”
