ELECTION GUIDE: Scanlon City Council

SCANLON CITY COUNCIL

Jesse Johnson

1. Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. (limit 50 words)

I have an AAS in Civil Engineering Technology. I have worked 24 years in the field of utility maintenance and surveying. I have worked my way from field surveyor to a safety professional and certified instructor. My current role is Environmental Health and Safety & Operator Qualifications Manager.

2. What made you decide to run for city council this year? (limit 35 words)

I want to continue Scanlon's strong and independent history by creating a sustainable community, promoting improvements in infrastructure, and Investing in youth by empowering them to be civically active and engaged in our community.

3. Funding infrastructure (streets, water, sewer) is a challenge. What are your city's biggest needs and how can they be addressed? (limit 100 words)

The first thing we need to do is find and map our water, sewer and other utilities. We must update our utility mapping. Second we must find the known leaks and fix them. Scanlon must learn the location of all shut off valves. Thirdly we already pay a premium on water compared to our near-by communities. Investing in our own water sources is an achievable correction. The best way to fund any project is to find how we are wasting the funds in the first place.

4. Name one other top issue facing Cloquet and how you would like to see it addressed. (limit 100 words)

There is a sense that the independence of Scanlon is eroding. I am running for office to use my voice as an advocate for the preservation of our city's rich history, maintenance of our independent identity, and to create a place for growth and strength for this generation and the generations to come. If I am elected to the City Council, I will work in partnership with other community leaders to find community education opportunities for our residents, young and old and to get our future generations to be involved in the future of Scanlon.

5. Elaborate on something you think the city council has handled well over the past two years. (limit 75 words)

I have spoken to other members of the Scanlon community. What they love most is the service and response that our city workers give. I hope to build and maintain that camaraderie between city and residents. Although my campaign is on Scanlon independence, I do think what the city has done with working with neighboring communities to build a better fire and safety program was highly beneficial.

6. Why should people vote for you? (limit 35 words)

Our community has maintained it's identity and independence for over 120 years. I hope to continue to promote that legacy.

Marshall Johnson

1. Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. (limit 50 words)

My wife Mary Ann and I have 3 daughters, 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. I'm retired. I have been a union officer and served on the Cloquet Hospital Board, Scanlon Council/Mayor, United Way and Cloquet Area Fire District Board.

2. What made you decide to run for city council this year? (limit 35 words)

I am running for City of Scanlon Council seat because we need to work on needed repairs to infrastructure, keeping costs and taxes down. We need to see if there are any federal monies available for any of these.

3. Funding infrastructure (streets, water, sewer) is a challenge. What are your city's biggest needs and how can they be addressed? (limit 100 words)

We need to continue working on water/sewer losses that are causing us, the taxpayers money. Most of the water/sewer lines are old. Several of these need replacement. Many of our streets need repairs and the cost of repairs continues to increase.

4. Name one other top issue facing your city and how you would like to see it addressed. (limit 100 words)

Both 22nd street and a portion of Sahlman Avenue will be reconstructed by the county in the next year or two. We need to address water lines and sidewalk issues included in this area. With inflation costs rising we need to work with other government entities to see if jointly we can lower costs and be more efficient.

5. Elaborate on something you think the city council has handled well over the past two years. (limit 75 words)

No answer given.

6. Why should people vote for you? (limit 35 words)

If elected I will work on these issues with the council and other government entities to see what monies and solutions are available at a reasonable cost.

Cody Grashorn

1. Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. (limit 50 words)

I am ambitious and driven. I thrive on challenges. I'm a construction manager and have lived in Scanlon for almost 5 years now. I want to get involved in the community and have been on the planning committee for a year now. I want to see more people get involved in the community.

2. What made you decide to run for city council this year? (limit 35 words)

I want to get involved in the community. I feel that we need to make sure that the people of Scanlon are being heard. I want to be a voice for the people.

3. Funding infrastructure (streets, water, sewer) is a challenge. What are your city's biggest needs and how can they be addressed? (limit 100 words)

Well, the roads will always be a big topic. Water bills will always be a discussion. But our biggest challenges will be making this small town a safe and secure place to raise a family. We need to get the community together and watch out for each other.

4. Name one other top issue facing Cloquet and how you would like to see it addressed. (limit 100 words)

We need to get more people involved in making discussions for the community. We need people to step up and make the city of Scanlon a safe place that people want to live and rise there family's. I want to be that voice for the people.

5. Elaborate on something you think the city council has handled well over the past two years. (limit 75 words)

I think the city council has been working on making the parks an inviting place to spend quality time with their families. Always being proactive for the future of families in the city of Scanlon.

6. Why should people vote for you? (limit 35 words)

I'm a new member of the community and can bring new ideas. I like to solve problems. I will listen to the people of Scanlon and help find common sense solutions. I feel I can be a voice for the people of Scanlon.

Mike Berthiaume (Incumbent)

1. Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. (limit 50 words)

I grew up in Cloquet, have six children and 11 grandchildren. I've lived in Scanlon for decades, serving in the volunteer fire department for 22 years. I'm running for my third term on the council. I'm civic minded, and have volunteered on many committees and the Cloquet Area Fire District.

2. What made you decide to run for city council this year? (limit 35 words)

I like to be involved in community affairs. I'm too old to be a firefighter anymore but I can be useful to the community as a council member.

3. Funding infrastructure (streets, water, sewer) is a challenge. What are your city's biggest needs and how can they be addressed? (limit 100 words)

We designated that half-percent sales tax for sewer, water and streets. That money is set aside for that purpose. But like any community, you can only do so much.

4. Name one other top issue facing your city and how you would like to see it addressed. (limit 100 words)

It's a tough job trying to make all the citizens happy, because they all have different wants and needs. I've heard complaints about no more parking on Washington Avenue and also about fixing all the streets, which would be a really expensive thing. Scanlon has all the same problems as Cloquet, except we have a smaller tax base.

5. Elaborate on something you think the city council has handled well over the past two years. (limit 75 words)

Lining all the sewer lines instead of digging up the streets was a good thing, and saved a lot of money and time.

6. Why should people vote for you? (limit 35 words)

Because I've lived in Scanlon for 48 years, 22 years with the fire department. I'm not new here. I understand the community and our way of life here.

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SCANLON CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL ELECTION

Jason Bartl (Incumbent)

1. Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. (limit 50 words)

I have lived in and around Minnesota since I moved away for college, but I've always called this area home. I worked as a project engineer for Enbridge for almost 10 years and now for LHB as an electrical engineer. I've managed many projects and contracts, working with consultants, vendors and construction contractors.

2. What made you decide to run for city council this year? (limit 35 words)

After filling a vacant position on the council last year, I realized what a need there is for younger and experienced individuals on the council. I'd like to continue helping where I can and run again.

3. Funding infrastructure (streets, water, sewer) is a challenge. What are your city's biggest needs and how can they be addressed? (limit 100 words)

Our city is no different than any other. We have much aging infrastructure that needs replacing, and if you drive through Scanlon you'll notice the roads are in need of work as well. Much of the work that goes on in Scanlon is done to address an immediate issue. There isn't much planning ahead.

4. Name one other top issue facing your city and how you would like to see it addressed. (limit 100 words)

In addition to the aging infrastructure, our city has a lot of outdated and aging information. Our information management and storage needs to be brought into the 21st century.

5. Elaborate on something you think the city council has handled well over the past two years. (limit 75 words)

No answer given.

6. Why should people vote for you? (limit 35 words)

I may not have the most experience in city government, but I have a wealth of knowledge from working in project management that any employer would want. I am offering that knowledge and experience to the city to help save us money and plan for the future generations that will live here.

The Pine Knot News was unable to reach current Scanlon mayor and special council candidate Annette Bryant.