Ely City Council, Mayor candidates answer Echo questionnaire

John Lahtonen
1. Personal information - (Age, education, occupation, spouse and children’s names if you wish, any listing of committee involvement, community participation).
Age 61 years. Served in law enforcement for 34 years in law enforcement. After retiring two years ago as the Police Chief for the City of Ely, I have been working for EZ Excavating. I’ve also been employed for 42 years at the Ely school district as a bus driver. I have served on the City of Ely’s Housing and Redevelopment Authority for over 10 years.
2. Why are you the best choice to be a council member in Ely?
I think I understand the people and the situation we are in right now. We are at a 40-year high for inflation, interest rates are going up making it difficult to buy a home and people are struggling. The city has not changed how they do business during this economic downturn.
I can sympathize with the electorate. We need someone on the council who will slow things down. Some times in governing you need to respond to the situation at hand. And whether that’s going from doing a big project every year to every other year, we need to understand and realize that it’s not going as good as it was three years ago. Look at the cost of diesel which is just like fuel oil for heating homes. We just can’t keep spending when people are hurting.
3. What do you feel is the most important issue currently facing the city and what would you do as mayor to address it?
Again, we can’t keep taxing our people to death and feeing them to death. Our rates are high. The city can’t continue down the same road of raising fees and taxes. The average income here is around $36,000 and people are going to have a tough time if their heating bills skyrocket. If fuel oil goes to $6 a gallon, it’s not uncommon to have a home use 1,000 gallons per year, that’s $6,000. There are a number of people on fixed income and or Social Security and they can’t afford another tax increase.
I’m advocating for a zero levy. We should have a zero levy, and instead take money out of reserves or push a project back a year. If the people can’t afford it we cannot continue acting like nothing is wrong. I understand getting the biggest bang for the buck and our streets have never looked so good, but we have to do more with less.
4. Please list at least one other idea or proposal you would advance during your term in office to improve city services, change how city government operates, or make Ely a better place to live.
The garbage service is one area where we can do better. Because competition does reduce costs and increases service, I would like to see the contract changed to allow for more than one provider in town. Instead of making it more difficult, the city should have found a way to reduce the number of restrictions so a second contractor could come in. The city should have made it as open as possible.
We’re supposed to be helping the people. It’s about the person on the street. What can we do to make their lives easier, not more difficult or more expensive. Especially when times are tough we need to look at everything we do and see if there is way to do it better.
Angela Campbell
1. Personal information - (Age, education, occupation, spouse and children’s names if you wish, any listing of committee involvement, community participation).
I’m 74 years old and mother of 2 adult children and have 5 grandchildren.
I have lived in the Ely area for over 30 years and have been a resident of the city of Ely for 21 years. I attended the University of So. Dakota (Communications) and the University of Nebraska (Architecture and Design). I earned certificates from the Seasonal Park Ranger program at Vermilion Community College and Non-profit management program at the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN. I have been honored to serve the community as a member of several boards and committees including: the Burntside Lake Homeowners Association (Past President), International Wolf Center Board, Bear Center Board, Ely Area Development Association, Ely Storefront/Rehab Loan Committee and the Ely Heritage Preservation and Design Review Board, I am a past member of Ely Kiwanis, New Horizons Women’s Club and Ely Rod and Gun Club. I am also a life member of the Ely-Winton Historical Society, a stockholder in Ely Bloomenson Hospital, and a member of Ely Gospel Church. I have been a small business owner having established the A.K. Campbell Development Company. I was particularly honored to have worked with a small group that successfully brought Northwest Airlines (Delta) to Ely for two years. Currently I am President of Ely Rotary Club, a member of the Ely Coalition for Seniors and TOPS of Ely.
I presently serve on the Ely City Council and the following eight city commissions and committees: Housing and Redevelopment Authority (Chair), Ely Heritage Preservation Commission (Founding member), Ely Economic Development Authority, Donald G. Gardner Humanities Trust, Employee Relations Committee, Planning and Zoning Commission, Range Area Municipalities and Schools (Alternate), Ely Cemetery Committee, and previously served on the Ely Utilities Commission. Also, I am a member of the Ely Board of Appeals and Equalization on behalf of the city council.
2. Why are you the best choice to be a council member in Ely?
I am familiar with the issues that confront the City of Ely. I have served on the Council for four years. I am a person,
• who understands how public policy, public safety and city finances work;
• who inspires, motivates and listens to everyone;
• who is trustworthy, honest, ethical, and compassionate;
• who understands how vital economic development is to our city and who embraces new ideas;
• who is able to negotiate and work with others to create and execute policies that enables our City to thrive;
• who encourages collaboration with community leaders.
• who is an excellent communicator;
• who is capable of making tough decisions that aren’t always popular with everyone.
3. What do you feel is the most important issue currently facing the city and what would you do as mayor to address it?
The most important issue facing the City of Ely is the ineffective management of the Ely Area Ambulance Service and the resulting financial deficits that the cities of Ely and Winton and the Townships of Morse and Fall Lake are asked to resolve.
Several other important issues are before the City, one being the lack of well-paying jobs available to support a family and another being the lack of housing.
The Ely HRA is developing plans to construct a 22-unit townhouse project to be located in the vicinity of the golf course and the hospital. A waiting list exists of prospective tenants to fill the townhouses.
4. Please list at least one other idea or proposal you would advance during your term in office to improve city services, change how city government operates, or make Ely a better place to live.
It is important to stabilize the real taxes currently being assessed on real property in the City of Ely. What then, is the most effective way to lower real estate taxes in the City? First, one should argue for increasing the flow of Local Government Aid to pay for city services. Secondly, one should insist that ever increasing IRRRB grants are used to pay for city infrastructure.
Albert Forsman
1. Personal information - (Age, education, occupation, spouse and children’s names if you wish, any listing of committee involvement, community participation).
I am 55 years old and a graduate of Ely High School and Anoka Technical College. For the last 3+ years I have worked as the Operations Manager for Cunningham Electric. My wife, Bonnie, and I have three adult children and two grandchildren - all in the Ely area.
2. Why are you the best choice to be a council member in Ely?
Having served two terms on the Ely City Council, most of you should have disliked at least some decision I have made as your representative. No candidate will see everything the same as each of his constituents. I try to always do what is best for our community in the long term. I am happy to discuss any City issue and carefully consider your point of view. In the end, you’ll always know why I choose the stance I take.
3. What do you feel is the most important issue currently facing the city and what would you do as mayor to address it?
The recession our nation faces today will have also have a significant impact on Ely’s budget and services. We have made significant investment over the past decade to renew our aging infrastructure. Ely must continue to evaluate community assets and prioritize capital investments along with regular operating expenses. Without a commitment to capital equipment and projects, we will see operating expenses increase dramatically due to preventable failures of aged infrastructure. Meanwhile, we must ensure that essential city services continue without interruption. Maintaining ambulance service will require cooperation among numerous entities and undoubtedly a hit to our budget. These solutions won’t come easy.
4. Please list at least one other idea or proposal you would advance during your term in office to improve city services, change how city government operates, or make Ely a better place to live.
For Ely to maintain its historical small-town charm and natural beauty, we need to commit ourselves to not allowing construction of any round-a-bouts here. These menaces have infiltrated cities throughout the country. The effect has been a never-ending circle of wasted energy and fender-benders. We need to take a stance on this issue now before it becomes an irreversible issue for us.
Adam Bisbee
1. Personal information - (Age, education, occupation, spouse and children’s names if you wish, any listing of committee involvement, community participation).
42 year old father of two (Phoebe, 8 and Olive, 7) Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications: Mass Media. Highway Contract Delivery Driver for the United States Postal Service. Served on the Duluth Area Attractions (tourism) Committee. Volunteered and worked on projects supporting the Arts, and an Adopt-A-Highway participant and promoter.
2. Why are you the best choice to be a council member in Ely?
The ability to serve the people of Ely adequately, both now and moving forward, is determinant upon the people to successfully elect (and represent) ALL members of the community [equally]. Including the largely underrepresented group of new and existing families seeking a better quality of life.
3. What do you feel is the most important issue currently facing the city and what would you do as mayor to address it?
When we listen to the candidates we hear about focus on one particular issue or another. As if one were more important. Some issues can be regarded as more important than others, sure, but addressing all issues with equal determination and concern requires a well-honed perspective and empathetic approach. And we don’t always get that. That’s an issue.
4. Please list at least one other idea or proposal you would advance during your term in office to improve city services, change how city government operates, or make Ely a better place to live.
Bringing more security to Ely residents is a crucial necessity for forward progress. Whether that’s financial security, health security, safety or food security…there needs to be a way to promote a healthy and affordable development of the systems that foster that security as well as the promotion of the responsible engagement of its participants. Quality enrichment (and the means by which it is acquired) needs to be addressed, funded, and endorsed.
Paul Kess
1. Personal information - (Age, education, occupation, spouse and children’s names if you wish, any listing of committee involvement, community participation).
I am a lifelong resident of Ely with deep roots in our community. I graduated from Ely High School , Vermilion CC, Concordia College, and UMD with degrees in psychology, political science, elementary education, and a Master’s degree in Education. I taught at Vermilion for 40 years, retiring in 2018. My wife Laurie and I raised our family here and we continue to be involved in numerous community organizations.
2. Why are you the best choice to be the mayor of Ely?
I am the best choice for Mayor because I’m committed to the people of Ely and to keeping Ely a great place to live. I’ve walked that talk for many years and have a long record of successful leadership. I’ve served on the Council for 20+ years, was the faculty union president for 10+ years, and as President of the Range Association I led the effort to reinvigorate that organization. I’m comfortable with our legislators and have testified at the Legislature on behalf of Range issues.
Over the years I have built a reputation for integrity.
We need a dynamic Mayor with the knowledge, skills, and experience to lead us. I am that person.
3. What do you feel is the most important issue currently facing the city and what would you do as mayor to address it?
We must continue to control our spending. Many of our citizens live on fixed incomes and keeping taxes as low as possible is essential.
In addition, if we want to grow as a community, we need to be creative in finding ways to create more housing opportunities. Rentals are almost impossible to find because of the impact of short term rentals. Housing developers are wary of small projects. I’ll start by attending the Range-wide Housing Summitt and work with our HRA and the IRRB to create an action plan.
4. Please list at least one other idea or proposal you would advance during your term in office to improve city services, change how city government operates, or make Ely a better place to live.
Because people generally notice what the Council does, I’d like to use some of our study sessions as forums for updates on topics of interest. Wouldn’t it be great to have the MN DNR give an update on Twin Metals permit status? Or, the USFS an update on BWCA issues? Or, RAMS (Range Association) on Legislative issues?
As an educator, I’ve always believed in communication and these forums may be one way to accomplish that.
Heidi Omerza
1. Personal information - (Age, education, occupation, spouse and children’s names if you wish, any listing of committee involvement, community participation).
Heidi Omerza (53) is married to Tom Omerza, President of Frandsen Bank, School Board Member and Assistant Girl Basketball Coach. They have four children Elliot, Evan, Eric, and Elizabeth. The boys all graduated from Ely School District, Elizabeth is in the 12th grade.
Heidi grew up as a pastor’s kid living in different places in Minnesota (Pine City, Blue Earth, and Mahtomedi). She graduated from Hamline University with a major in Psychology and receiving an Elementary Teaching License. She taught Kindergarten in St. Paul. Heidi currently teaches 5th grade at Washington Elementary School in Ely.
The Omerza family moved to Ely in 2002 when it was time for Elliot to start school. The excellent education system, moving closer to family and quality of life were all key factors when deciding to leave suburbia and moving to Ely MN.
Currently Heidi serves Coalition of Greater MN Cities Board, chairing the Energy and Environment Committee and is Past President of the Greater MN Partnership. She was also the President of the League of MN Cities and President of the Coalition of Greater MN Cities. Heidi also currently serves on the following Boards: Ely Economic Development Authority as President, Park and Recreation, Library, Employee Relations, Insurance, Childcare Working Group and Negotiations.
Heidi volunteers for several organizations including Incredible Ely, Hoop Club, and Ely Area Community Foundation
2. Why are you the best choice to be the mayor of Ely?
I am passionate about our community and have a proven track record of experience. I strive to listen to concerns, to find common ground and the best path forward on issues. I have been President of several state-wide organizations, which means I have good working relationships at the state and federal level that can be relied upon to help Ely when needed.
3. What do you feel is the most important issue currently facing the city and what would you do as mayor to address it?
The lack of housing, lack of workers, and childcare shortages have high priorities. The Ely HRA is in the process of developing a new housing project in the west end, and the City is extending utilities to new lots available for purchase in the Spaulding area. I will continue to support housing development efforts.
There is an active childcare working group in Ely, where many community members have engaged including myself. I have appealed to legislators that it is important to keep our children safe. Still, many state statutes regarding licensing are “one size fits all,” which have an unnecessary burden on any at-home or licensed childcare facility. As a teacher, I am passionate about finding a solution. To increase our workforce, we need to increase our reliable internet capability and hold our local providers accountable. I will continue to protect the jobs that we currently have and ensure the City is fiscally responsible and stable.
4. Please list at least one other idea or proposal you would advance during your term in office to improve city services, change how city government operates, or make Ely a better place to live.
A top priority would be cooperatively working with our surrounding communities to assist the Ely Area Ambulance Service in becoming a viable entity. It is currently struggling financially. We know that our ambulance service is vital to not just Ely but all our surrounding communities and their residents. A solution is critical to the health and well-being of our citizens and well as our financial stability as a City. In addition, I will continue to support the completion of the new Trailhead facility and the key initiates I previously discussed.