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There are seven members of the Anoka County Board, each representing an area of the county. The 1st District includes parts Bethel, Nowthen, Ramsey, St. Francis and parts of Andover, Anoka and Oak Grove. The 2010 candidates for District 1 are:
| Matt Look |
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About Me:
A 40-year resident of Anoka County District 1, Matt Look is married, has two children and a small business. He attends First Baptist Church of Anoka and has a Political Science degree from Bethel University (Economics minor). Elected to Ramsey City Council in 2006, he serves the citizens as Mayor Pro Tem; Finance Committee Chair; Housing and Redevelopment Authority Commissioner; Economic Development Authority Member; and Lower Rum River Watershed Management Organization Alternate. Look is an outdoor sportsman and loves watching his boys play sports with the Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association. Two of the 854 Minnesota cities cut taxes. Ramsey was 1of the 2. Look and the other councilmembers prioritized needs to help families sustain themselves in a difficult economic time. Some people think you have to cut services to cut taxes. That’s not true. They did not cut public services. They cut spending and set priorities. Look has also been a leader in reversing business fees, rental licenses, and eminent domain proceedings. He focused on attracting businesses, agencies, and amenities to Ramsey. Look wants to do the same for Anoka County and would be happy to talk with you at 612.558.9111, mattlook2010@gmail.com, www.mattlook2010.com, and Facebook “Matt Look for County Commissioner."
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Important Issues:
The unfortunate reality of today’s economy is that property values are falling while job loss, bankruptcies, and foreclosures are on the rise. Additionally, gas, grocery, utility and other bills continue to increase. Citizens and cities will continue to face deficits. The solution is how Anoka County prepares today to respond to what will be required tomorrow. Government and budgets must reduce or people will be taxed out. The people of Anoka County only have so much money to give. To lower property value and collect the same tax is a hardship! Anoka County must look at needs (potholes on the roads) vs. wants (a train to Duluth) to lower its citizens' tax burden. Government must govern reasonably without exploiting people’s assets. Current County policies ignore economic conditions by increasing taxes while citizens lose jobs and homes. Government must use limited resources on “needs” not “wants”, taking less from struggling taxpayers.
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Political Philosophy:
My goals are to cut taxes, reduce the size of government, and attract businesses to Anoka County. Current County policies have ignored the economic conditions by increasing property taxes at the same time citizens are losing their jobs and homes. In these difficult times, government must focus on utilizing limited resources on “needs” rather than on “wants”, taking less from the taxpayers who are struggling to make ends meet. Property belongs to people not the City or the County. Government is to govern reasonably, not exploit people’s hard earned assets. I see the needs. I have a plan. I have experience. And, I have a track record.
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Endorsements:
I am not currently seeking endorsements.
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| Natalie Steffen |
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About me:
Natalie Steffen is running for Anoka County Commissioner. Current member, Metropolitan Council. Past member, Ramsey City Council, and Anoka County Board of Commissioners. Commissioner, MN Department of Human Services. President, Achieve Services board of directors. Past president, Anoka-Ramsey Community College Foundation Board. Anoka American Legion Auxiliary. Life Leadership Award, Lord of Life Lutheran Church. Missionary work, Mongolia.
Twice widowed following marriages to Fred Haas (U.S. Navy, Ret.) and Bernie Steffen (U.S. Army). Two grown children, eight stepchildren and 22 grand and step-grand children. City of Ramsey resident since early 1970s.
Service is on the menu when Natalie cooks gourmet “Dinners for Eight” in her home for local nonprofits. These meals provide, for example, scholarships for college students, shelter for women and children experiencing family violence, and preservation of local history through the Anoka County Historical Society. |
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Important Issues:
We can provide economic growth, jobs and transportation improvements, while holding the line on property taxes. Working together, we can build on the best in our communities. The county can do more to assist with economic development in Anoka, Andover, Bethel, Nowthen, Oak Grove, Ramsey, and St. Francis. For example, the successful Northstar Commuter Rail Line and new VA clinic offer opportunities for the cities of Ramsey and Anoka that should be aggressively pursued.
I pledge to maintain the county’s hard earned AAA bond rating. Residents and business people will have peace of mind knowing their county finances are secure.
Efficiencies must be accomplished, whether or not the state and federal requirements come with funding. While I was commissioner of the MN Department of Human Services, we overhauled the welfare system to emphasize work and time restricted financial assistance. Today, we need strong leaders who can cut through red tape. |
Political Philosophy:
Experience counts. Today more than ever. Natalie is uniquely qualified to foster cooperation between different private and public sector groups—gaining efficiencies and boosting effectiveness—because she brings experience in several leadership roles, including being appointed by Governors Ventura and Pawlenty to serve on the Met Council (where she helped hold the line on regional taxes), being elected to the Ramsey City Council and the Anoka County Board, being appointed by Governor Arne Carlson to run the MN Department of Human Services (where she worked to balance the state budget), and being appointed by Governor Rudy Perpich to serve on the first MN Board of Soil and Water Conservation.
Thanks to Natalie’s fight for fairness, the Met Council revised its funding distribution formula. Tens of millions of our tax dollars have been invested in Anoka County and local control has been improved for decision making that impacts our neighborhoods. |
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Endorsements:
Anoka County Commissioner Dennis Berg
Bud Redepenning, past American Legion State Commander
Jim Deal, Ramsey businessman
Dave Jeffrey, Ramsey City Council
Charlie Weaver
Tom Weaver
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