While it was a mere 70 votes that decided the election in favor of my opponent, I am very grateful for all that helped with their financial contributions, taking a yard sign, talking with their friends and neighbors, and most importantly their vote.

My goal for running was twofold.  First, it was to lend my time, skills, and abilities to the City of Anoka and work to help solve some of issues that our former and now current elected officials have demonstrated an inability or unwillingness to solve.  Issues such as downtown viability, neighborhood blight and crime, and most importantly the inability of Anoka to attract more young families to fix up our housing and fill our schools with new children.

Secondly, I ran to keep the doors of government open.  Before 2000, it was difficult to not only have a voice in issues but to be able to know what and how decisions where occurring.  Many were done without public knowledge or without public impute.  Information was not easy to access and often it was difficult to see that whole picture.

While we have come a long way, I am certain this will slowly creep back into being the normal practice and I am concerned that without a balance of people and opinions on the City Council this will lead to an Anoka where citizens take a back seat to private interests.

I urge all Anokan to stay in contact with their elected officials, be vigilant, ask question, and most of all hold them accountable for the state of your city!  It is in their hands and it is up to you to make sure they are serving the people of Anoka.

Thanks again to all those that supported my bid for Mayor and if you have questions of concerns, please feel free to let me know. 

Gratefully,

Erik Skogquist