2014 City of Andover Candidate Filings are Complete for Mayor and Council - My Endorsements for November

Below, you will find the 2014 field, as found at the MN Secretary of State's Office site. 

We have two capable, experienced Council members, both women, running for Mayor in 2014.  Having run against and lost to Julie Trude, I developed a strong appreciation in the 2010 race for her representation of our City.  I can not picture a better representative voice for our community.  She is a leader, she is thoughtful in her position, she reaches out for many opinions, and she makes pragmatic decisions based on the information has collected on the concern.  I respect Sheri Bukkila, who begins many issues in a different perspective than I do, but I am less certain about her ability to reach out and represent the various communities and opinions of Andover residents.  For that, I strongly endorse Julie Trude for Mayor of Andover in 2014.

For City Council, a friend and long-time Andover resident and community leader, Val Holthus, has filed for what is basically the Trude vacancy on the Council.  There are two city-wide Council seats on the ballot this year.  I strongly endorse electing Val Holthus to one of those seats.  Val has worked tirelessly on the City's Planning Commission for many years, she has been a long-time teacher in Anoka-Hennepin and works hard to better our education community through the teacher's association.  And she and her family represent Minnesota values - a look at her Facebook page shows both a proud fishing champion and a proud Mother, whose daughter has been pageant royalty this past year.

Of the remaining three candidates, I don't know Tonya Kostick and will be pleased to meet her and read more about who she is and why she is running.  I posted about James Goodrich last month.  Mr. Goodrich is doing a lot of good campaigning - prominently displayed signs, strong web page, etc.  He is clearly part of the political community I strongly oppose and abhor.  He may be a good fit for many Andover residents.  Certainly, our Republican-Democrat polling results reflect that.  Nonetheless, Andover does not need a second Hennepin County Sheriff's Deputy on its Council, representing the same religious right, pro-gun, heavily-tilted law enforcement viewpoints that Councilwoman and possibly Mayor Bukkila addresses right now.  I will not vote for or recommend a vote for James Goodrich.

Depending on what I learn of candidate Kostick, I am tentatively supporting and recommending the re-election of Tony Howard to fill the other Andover Council seat in this election.  Tony lost in 2010, as I did.  He came in third, I believe behind Julie Trude and Don Jacobson.  When Don resigned soon after, Tony was appointed to fill the term and then won election for two years in the 2012 Special Election.  Tony is a man of good character, a strong family man and community leader, a successful businessman, and another realist, who does not seem to be carrying an agenda in serving the community on the City Council.  I am most likely voting for Howard and Holthus this fall.


http://candidates.sos.state.mn.us/CandidateFilingResults.aspx?county=2&municipality=1486&schooldistrict=&hospitaldistrict=&level=3&party=0&federal=True&judicial=False&executive=True&senate=True&representative=True&title=&office=0&candidateid=0

2014 State General Election Candidate Filings

Use this candidate finder tool to find candidates running for office in the November 4, 2014, State General Election. Candidates for federal, state and county offices are added as filings occur. Candidates for local offices may continue to be added after the filing period. Candidate Filing Periods: Federal, state and county offices, and local offices that hold primaries: Tuesday, May 20–Tuesday, June 3 Other municipal and school district offices: Tuesday, July 29–Tuesday, August 12 Contact your local clerk for the correct filing period for your city or school district. Filing offices will be closed Monday, May 26, in observance of Memorial Day. Learn more about becoming a candidate and filing for office.

Candidates Search Results Andover Mayor (Andover) Candidate Name Party Website File Date SHERI BUKKILA Nonpartisan www.sheribukkila.com 7/29/2014 JULIE TRUDE Nonpartisan JulieTrude.com 7/29/2014     Council Member at Large (Andover) (Elect 2) Candidate Name Party Website File Date JAMES GOODRICH Nonpartisan electjamesgoodrich.com 7/29/2014 VAL HOLTHUS Nonpartisan 8/12/2014 TONY HOWARD Nonpartisan 8/6/2014 TONYA KOSTICK Nonpartisan 8/1/2014

Andover - 2014 City Elections Straight Ahead - Bukkila Running for Mayor

I don't agree with Sheri Bukkila's politics.  She's a conservative Republican.  I'm a progressive Democrat.  But, I have had the opportunity to chat with Sheri, in the context of our mutual employment with Hennepin County, and belonging to separate unions/associations that bargain for contracts with the County.  She represents what - and whom - she says she will represent in her statement announcing her candidacy for Mayor.  I know of at least two other local residents that I hope at least one of whom will enter this race against Sheri, and whom I will support for Mayor.  But that said, here's coverage of Sheri's announcement from the Anoka Union Herald....

ABC Newspapers:  Government

Bukkila will run for mayor of Andover

By Community Contributor

June 28, 2014

http://abcnewspapers.com/2014/06/28/bukkila-will-run-for-mayor-of-andover/

Andover City Councilmember Sheri Bukkila is running for mayor of Andover, following the announcement that current Mayor Mike Gamache will not seek re-election.

“While I’ve enjoyed my role as councilmember, winning the mayor’s race will ensure the rules are followed and the discussions are thorough to ensure we are protecting your investments in the community,” said Bukkila. “It’s my goal to keep Andover property taxes among the lowest in Anoka County. I love the city of Andover and strive to keep government ethically in check, promote fiscal responsibility and keep taxes low through new business growth.”

A strong advocate for property rights and common sense codes and enforcement, Bukkila added, “I believe government shouldn’t get in the way of homeowners and prosperous businesses, but rather be there to ensure that residents and businesses are unencumbered by unnecessary fees or permit approval processes.”

Bukkila said her 26-year work history, most recently as a career law enforcement officer, labor negotiator, coach and mentor, provides an in depth ability to work through difficult legal and social issues. Bukkila also said her civil and criminal history, whether in the courtroom or patrolling the streets, gives her personal experience with ordinance and statute enforcement and an understanding of the difficult time ordinary people have navigating government systems. Bukkila said she also believes in positive, constructive discussion and inviting residents and community partners to have a voice in the city’s government and she believes her no-nonsense style of leadership will help the council cut through the clutter and come to practical solutions.

Bukkila is an 11-year resident of Andover and has served on the Andover City Council for six years.  She has been married to her husband Brett for 14 years and has two sons.