Wow! Harrassment. Abuse. Micromanagement. Toxic. That deserves an image.
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| [ l to r ] toxic, abuse, micromanagement, harassment The four horsemen of the exurban apocalypse (three more seals to be opened election day) |
From Strib's June 8, 2022, item by Tim Harlow:
In recent months, between eight and 10 high-ranking city staff members with a combined 75 years of experience have left the city in northwestern Anoka County. They include the deputy city administrator, Public Works superintendent, a senior planner and an IT administrator. [Besides those leaving for other employment, City Administrator Kurt Ulrich recently retired.]
Going back to the beginning of 2021, [former employee] Thorstad estimated that 19 employees — accounting for about a fifth of the city's workforce — have jumped ship.
"I'm very sad to have lost such great staff members recently, but I am not surprised, nor do I blame them," said Council Member Matt Woestehoff during a May 24 City Council meeting.
Woestehoff acknowledged that a series of resolutions passed over the winter, including one stating staff would take direction from the City Council, has created a wedge between the staff and council. City Council members have also sparred with each other during meetings and blamed one another.
Former employees said they were called names by council members and expected to continue phone calls even as members became verbally aggressive.
"The staff does not feel the council had their backs," Mayor Mark Kuzma said in an interview. "It's toxic."
During a meeting instigated after council member Chelsee Howell proposed that Lasher, a long tenured higher level employee, be demoted or dismissed, and that the council conduct a performance review which Lasher requested as a public meeting -
Lasher got support from Kuzma. Chris Riley, another City Council member, called Howell's attack on Lasher a "witch hunt."Woestehoff asked Howell: "is this just one more case to replace somebody to align with your personal or political beliefs? When will it stop? How hostile of an environment are you willing to create?"
Not being at the meeting, I wonder whether the comment of a "witch hunt" was delivered with a by or for implication? But I digress. And do not judge.
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RAMSEY ELECTIONS:
The city website notes;
State Primary - August 9, 2022
General Election - November 8, 2022
The following Ramsey City Council seats will be voted on in the 2022 Election:
- Councilmember At-Large
- *Councilmember Ward 1
- Councilmember Ward 3
*The Councilmember Ward 1 race will be on the Primary Ballot. The two candidates in that race receiving the most votes will move on to the General Election Ballot. A primary is not necessary for the races with two or less candidates.
Absentee voting for the Primary Election begins on Friday, June 24. You may vote in-person absentee at Ramsey City Hall or at Anoka County Elections from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. City Hall will also be open to accommodate absentee voting on Saturday, August 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and until 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 8. You may request to vote absentee by mail at any time prior to this date as well. Contact the City of Ramsey at 763-427-1410 or Anoka County Elections at 763-324-1300 and an application for absentee voting will be mailed to you.
The Primary Election is scheduled for Tuesday, August 9, 2022. All polling locations within the City of Ramsey will be open for voting from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Candidates filed for Office - 2022 for terms beginning in January 2023
- Ward 3 Filing: Dan Specht phone: 763-464-0240, Email, Website
- At-Large Filing: Chris Riley phone: 612-619-4245, Email
- Ward 1 Filing: Milene (Mickey) Adams phone: 612-251-3288, Email
- At-Large Filing: Jeffrey (Jeff) Lubarski phone: 612-271-7006, Email
- Ward 1 Filing: Michael Olson phone: 763-360-5794, Email, Website
- Ward 3 Filing: Rachal Johnson phone: 612-272-5221, Email
- Ward 1 Filing: Wayne Grimmer phone: 612-701-7555
Redistricting
Redistricting is the process of redrawing the boundaries of election districts to ensure that the people of each district are equally represented. Visit the Redistricting page for for information. The Secretary of State Poll Finder has been updated after the 2022 redistricting, visit https://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us to view your polling location. There have been some changes to the Ward/Precinct lines due to redistricting; therefore, your polling location could be different from the last election.
From the Minnesota Secretary of State's website:
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| click the image to enlarge and read |
BOTTOM LINE: The City and SoS info, in summary, is that three seats will be voted in November, (two wards and an at large seat); while the Ward 1 primary (Aug. 9 ) will determine the two finalists for the Ward in November. Riley is the at large incumbent. Specht is the Ward 3 incumbent. With the Ward 1 incumbent not seeking reelection, it will be an open seat election.
Early voting for the Ward 1 primary will open Friday, June 24.
UPDATE: Readers should expect that any email, phone, or campaign website info that changes will be noted as/when from time to time the City's election page is updated: http://www.cityoframsey.com/165/Elections