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Managing Editor

Five candidates want to be the new Anoka County Board member in District 2.

The four-year term seat is open because incumbent Commissioner Dick Lang has decided not to run for re-election.

The five candidates will be on the primary election ballot Tuesday, Aug. 10 with the top two vote-getters advancing to the Nov. 2 general election.

They are (in alphabetic order):

• Jolynn Erikson, Oak Grove.

• Erik Evenson, Ham Lake.

• Debbie Johnson, Ham Lake.

• Gary Kirkeide, Ham Lake.

• Andy Westerberg, Blaine.

District 2 boundaries include precincts 7, 8 and 9 in Andover, precincts 31, 32 and 36 in Blaine, precincts 1 and 3 in Oak Grove and all of East Bethel and Ham Lake.

Following are the responses of the candidates (alphabetically) to questions posed by the ABC Newspapers.

1. Biography

Erikson: Hello neighbor. My name is Jolynn Erikson, my friends call me Joey. My husband, Joe, and I have been married for more than 24 years and we live at 21404 Lake George Drive N.W., in Oak Grove. We have three grown children and have been residents of Anoka County since 1986.  

I am a business owner, tax accountant and insurance agent with both offices located at 21471 Ulysses St. N.E., East Bethel.

My active community involvement includes: board treasurer, Anoka County Community Action Program; board member, Mercy Unity Hospital Community Board; committee chairperson, Ham Lake Area Chamber; member, Blaine Ham Lake Rotary Club.

Evenson: I am Erik Evenson, 43. I live in Ham Lake. I am married with two daughters and two step-sons.

My objective is to become an active member of Anoka County – a voice for the working class.

Born and raised in Blaine, I am a 1985 graduate of Blaine High School. I have been in the area all of my life. I have seen growth in the communities and I have witnessed deterioration.

I have owned small businesses in the area and I know firsthand the hardship of endless hours of work and worry that can go into being a small business owner.  

From a middle-class, working family, I am a fourth-generation bricklayer and currently work in sales. As a kid, my family strived to sustain a normal lifestyle in up and downswing economies. During adulthood, I have faced the same challenges of trying to sustain in an unstable economy.

It’s time for change. We need to restructure some of the resolutions for issues in Anoka County, District 2. We need to establish resolutions that will benefit the working class of our communities, its elders and our children – who will be in charge of government in tomorrow’s economy.

There is room for improvement in all levels of government. I can no longer sit idle and expect to see positive results for issues that affect myself, my family and my community. It is time to get involved and speak out. It is time to be pro-active instead of re-active.

I may not have the political background that my opponents share, but I have life experiences as a common man, business owner and taxpayer. I will represent those in District 2 who want a voice that is representative of the people who reside here. I want to see less government control and more authority delegated to the citizens of Anoka County, District 2.

It is my will to approach issues “head-on” and find results that will provide growth, opportunity and success to each and every individual who works and resides in our great community.

I would appreciate the vote of the people in Anoka County, District 2 in the primary election on Aug. 10. I will work hard to represent each individual issue that affects all of us in this district.

Johnson: 43-year Anoka County resident, former chamber of commerce administrator, small business owner, state senator with 10 years of experience on the Senate Tax Committee, former member Anoka Technical College Foundation Board and state’s Major Transportation Projects Commission.

Kirkeide: I have lived in Anoka County since 1958. I am a veteran of the U.S. Army, where I served as a medic from 1971-73. I have been married to my wife, Janelle for 34 years. We have two grown children. I have an AAS degree in business management. I owned and operated a Ham Lake business for 18 years. I am currently employed as a building inspector for the city of Champlin.

Westerberg: AA degree Anoka-Ramsey Community College, CLU designation American College. Former state legislator of eight years. Metropolitan Airports Commissioner, self-employed insurance agent of 30 years. Past Amateur Sports Commissioner, past president North-Metro Association of Life Underwriters, former chairman Fellowship of Christian Golfers. Former volunteer firefighter, Toys of Joy, SLP Lion. Resident of Anoka County for over 40 years, married with four children.

2. What qualifies you to be a member of the Anoka County Board?

Erikson: It is an honor to be a public servant. I am comfortable sharing new ideas and solutions that reflect a fresh perspective.  

While serving on the Ham Lake City Council I fought against wasteful spending, pushed for smaller, more efficient government and demanded accountability and transparency.

Working together is the only way to get our country back on track. We will work to improve communication between all levels of government and together we will find solutions to our issues. I believe it is time to bring business sense to government. Let’s sit down together, share ideas, listen to all sides, take the best solutions that make common sense, do the right thing  and get back to business. My promise to you is that I will restore your confidence in government. Together we will protect our children’s future!

Evenson: I am the best candidate to represent District 2 because I am a common man who has the voice of the common citizen. I have lived in Anoka County for over 30 years and have owned small businesses in Anoka County.

I understand the values of the middle-class working family and small business owners, as well as the importance of creating opportunities and growth for these families and small businesses of District 2.

We need to face the issues “head-on” that concern the citizens of Anoka District 2.  

We can no longer be willing to sit “idle” when it comes to protecting the rights and/or values of our communities.  

I am determined to put into place the proper plans of action to achieve the best results for our communities. I will be a voice for the people and I would appreciate your vote in the Aug 10 primaries.

Johnson: As a state senator with 10 years of experience fighting to reign in out of control spending at the Capitol, I believe I have the background needed to make an effective difference for the overtaxed citizens of Anoka County.  

I’ve seen firsthand the damage done when local needs and fiscal responsibility take a back seat to pet projects and political pandering, and I have the broad tested experience to work effectively with conservatives across party lines to put a stop to it.  

Over my 10 years in the Senate I have had the honor of representing almost all of District 2’s constituents. I’ve door knocked their homes and heard their concerns. I’m running because I believe they deserve representation on the county board that is going to address those concerns, instead of ignore them.

Kirkeide: I have served the city of Ham Lake for 20 years, as a planning commissioner, mayor, council member and member of the Home Rule Charter Commission.  

I am a problem-solver and a consensus builder. I owned and managed a Ham Lake business during tough economic times and helped navigate the city through this bad economy.

Westerberg: My experience and ability to work with people has helped me solve problems affecting the citizens of our county. Being a good listener and effective communicator allows me to respond to the needs of the people I represent.  

My eight years as a legislator taught me the importance of building coalitions amongst stakeholders involved to find the best solutions. Participants included residents, the business community, units of government (many), city government, state officials and federal government.  

I co-founded and chaired the Highway 65 task force that successfully built three new bridges on Highway 65 at Highway 242 in Blaine.  

I have lived and worked in the county for over 40 years melding into our community with a willingness to serve, protect and strengthen our families. From volunteer firefighting to managing billion dollar budgets and chairing diverse groups, I bring a wealth of knowledge to this job.

3. What would be your priorities for the county if elected to the board?

Erikson: The three major issues facing Anoka County: our high unemployment rates, declining property values and the increase in demand for services.

My primary focus will be to create permanent jobs by developing a solid economic plan to expand, attract and retain business in Anoka County. We need more private sector jobs in Anoka County.

Our residents are concerned because their property values continue to decline, yet their property taxes continue to rise. The demand for county services is overwhelming and the funding sources available are decreasing due to state and federal budget cuts.  

We must examine every dollar spent – the same way our families are balancing their budgets. We cannot spend our way out of this recession.  

Anoka County has a AAA bond rating from Standard and Poors. Excellent. Anoka County also has the second lowest tax levy per person in the seven county metro area. Excellent.  

We can do even better. We will continue to deliver essential county services, while we work with county employees to identify areas where we can become even more efficient. Our county employees are extremely dedicated and hard-working. They have stepped up and taken on huge work-loads to do their part during budget cuts and hiring freezes. Our employees are Anoka County’s greatest asset.

Evenson: There are many issues for District 2 and I would not leave any issue or potential resolution behind. Here are just three of the issues that I feel need to be approached:

• Property taxes/values: Residential home and commercial values are declining but property taxes are remaining the same or increasing - which causes budget shortfalls. I have numerous ideas to address this tax issue.

• Government control: Enlarged government growth is a big concern for me. The largest employer in Anoka County is Anoka County itself. We need to establish more personal growth and opportunities for small business owners and for those who want to become self-employed. If small business is to be the “back-bone” of America, we need to do more to help them.

• County sales and use taxes: These taxes have increased from 6.5 percent in 2008 to 7.125 percent in 2010.  Most of this increase is used to fund the commuter rail project. I believe that this creates a huge strain on Anoka County small businesses. These businesses are forced to charge the higher sales tax, while their sales do not necessarily increase in a down economy... thus causing a decrease in their bottom-line profits.

Johnson: We need to take a serious look at county spending when it comes to roads versus transit. As you drive around District 2 there is one thing everybody notices and that is the extreme state of disrepair in our county roads.

Instead of spending money to fix them, our county board has been directing available dollars to subsidize their pet transit projects.

If this were New York or Chicago, subsidized transit might make sense; but this is Anoka County. What we need are better roads that we can traverse safely. As your next county commissioner I will work to make that happen. Safer, reliable roads benefit us all.

With our roads in such disrepair and property values declining year after year, local residents are asking why their property taxes seem to keep going higher and higher, without them actually receiving any benefit.  

This kind of fiscal irresponsibility needs to come to and end. As your county commissioner I will work to eliminate unnecessary pork projects, cut property tax rates and help create fiscally responsible budgets.

Like many county residents, I object to having a county board that isn’t in touch with the actual concerns and needs of county residents.  

Time and again I’ve heard from county leaders that their pet projects have universal support and no opposition, only to go out and find neighbors of the projects with serious and important concerns that the county simply ignores.  

We don’t need out of touch leaders on the county board who are going to ignore local residents. As your county commissioner I intend to be out in the community, actively looking into residents concerns and taking steps to make sure those concerns are addressed, not ignored.

Kirkeide: The biggest problem facing Anoka County right now is the economy. I don’t hold any illusions that the Anoka County Board can change the economy, but we can work to prioritize the needs of county residents and spend their tax dollars wisely in this terrible economy.  

The county needs someone like me, who knows how to budget for results. Property values are falling, so tax revenue is falling. Citizens can’t afford a tax increase to keep things going. The county needs someone with my experience and abilities  at this time.

Westerberg: The best way to help families is to reduce the burden taxes place upon them. High property taxes could force people from their homes. We must control costs in government. Most people feel taxes are too high and want their tax burden lowered.

In the face of rising expenses and growing infrastructure needs, our elected officials must think outside the box, look for new technology and methods of doing business that are more efficient and cost effective. Budget programs must be reviewed to determine value, while improving or eliminating the ones that do not perform.  

I believe my experience and service will guide me toward fiscally conservative solutions for our county making sure we get the best value for our tax dollar.

The second major issue will require looking for transportation solutions. Adequate transportation is necessary for a healthy, vibrant economy. Time and fuel costs waiting in traffic can be significant. Who wants to wait for an emergency vehicle?

Businesses depend upon infrastructure providing safety and fluid flow of traffic to start new locations and expand current operations thereby creating job growth. Highway 65 has 19 dangerous intersections throughout Anoka County many of them in Ham Lake and East Bethel. County road improvements, car-pooling park-n-ride and increased bus capacity are other options.

With over 30 percent of the county budget, human service programs designed to provide a hand up to help those who cannot help themselves must also be reviewed. We must support job training efforts in our challenging economy.

Peter Bodley is at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it