The Becker High School chapter of National Honor Society would like to thank Becker High School students as well as community members for their support as we raised $1428.08 to donate to Randy Shaver's Tackle Cancer fund. NHS students sold Tackle Cancer Bracelets as well as collected donations at the football game. I would like to thank the NHS students for all of their planning and work to make that event a success. They are an amazing group of students who work hard to make their school and community better.

 

Thank you to our elected officials, especially those on our Becker City Council. We are lucky you choose to run for what can be a thankless job, and are grateful for your many hours and willingness to serve.

 

With our votes on Nov. 8, we can have our strongest Becker City Council yet. If we elect Mike Doering and Todd Hanrahan and add them to strong returning members Rick Hendrickson and Lori Keller, we will have an amazing group of council members who can get things done.

 

And that group will need a strong leader, which is why I am supporting Tracy Bertram for Mayor.  Tracy brings a solid understanding of Becker city operations, is respected by our Becker city department heads and staff and will bring a much-needed rationality to City Council proceedings. Tracy is a consensus builder and natural leader, who is smart, honest and ethical so we can trust her to make good decisions that are in the best interest of Becker.

 

If you want to see positive change for Becker, I ask you to join me and vote Tracy Bertram for Mayor on Nov. 8!

 

I have read and listened to comments criticizing Mayor Lefty Kleis and his supporters. I have some comments about Ms. Bertram. However, I will not stoop to condemning other voters.    

 

Ms. Bertram supported a $60,000 taxpayer bailout of business owner Shelly Mattson and Hunters Ridge, eliminating a fulltime fire chief position while supporting a full time golf director despite the course closure 5-6 months a year and 6 digit financial losses, increased spending over 39% the last 4 years raising taxes on home and business owners - advocated for elimination of the open forum when residents get to speak, claimed "I don't need a shrink" to discontinue conflict resolution training so she can get along with others, applies a double standard to the city code of conduct and censure to council members including one who makes obscene gestures to residents. 

 

Knowing the value of a dollar and how hard working and honest she is should be reflected in her behavior and voting record, not by telling me on a campaign flyer. I am supporting Lefty Kleis for Mayor. This will apply action to the accountability missing the last 8 years from Ms. Bertram’s words.

 

I’ve read with interest and listened to the commentary put out by Mayor Kleis and his supporters. Interestingly, the information being put out tends to miss the important information. Mayor has yet to support any one of the four city budgets during his tenure, claiming his lack of support for the golf course. By not supporting the budgets he has said no to and not supported street improvements, maintaining parks and trails, adding needed street lights, critical equipment, and the list goes on. There are other things to consider within the City of Becker than just golf. He and his supporters continue to mention Tracy Bertram and her support of $7 million for upgrades to the golf course. What isn’t mentioned is this is part of a larger improvement plan for the entire city, its infrastructure. Tracy Bertram continues to be an advocate for the City of Becker and is engaged in what is happening in the City, presently and for the future. She has invested time and energy into meeting with Sherco and continues to discuss options for securing additional businesses to town. I grow concerned that the Mayor’s confrontational style with the council and staff will result in additional issues and lost opportunity (Mayor Kleis fumbled on the new grocery store) for the city.

 

I ask the residents to consider a vote for Tracy Bertram. She has the best interests of the City in mind over a personal agenda. Vote Tracy Bertram for Mayor Nov. 8.

 

Karla Scapanski is the wise choice:

 

In 1968 the world population was 3.5 billion, we were naïve about the risk of global warming, fossil fuels were plentiful, and the Sherco Plant was beginning its construction and employing a lot of my classmates. 

 

Sherco is planning for a future beyond coal. Unfortunately Jim Newberger, isn’t. Sherco is adapting to the change because its owners know that the actual and environmental costs of coal and oil will rise dramatically and renewable sources will inevitably replace them. They are retiring two of their three generators and this will mean a loss of certain jobs. Newberger, for political reasons, denies this reality and continues to push for a reliance on coal. The community needs his attention but the coal lobby is getting it.  Not surprising given his history of resisting the North Star Commuter Train extension to St. Cloud because he believed it was a liberal plot to win Black votes. He is not a wise man. Karla Scapanski on the other hand, is wise. She and her family are Central Minnesota dairy farmers, and she is running to replace Newberger. Farmers survive by dealing effectively with constant change. Successful farming requires wisdom Karla recognizes the need to plan ahead to meet the needs of these workers and the community at large. Please consider voting for Karla Scapanski on Nov. 8.

 

I would like to respond to the two editorials that were addressed to me last week. 

 

As the election approaches the question of leadership is a very important one. Given the news we received in regards to Sherco we now need a leader more that ever that isn’t afraid to ask the difficult questions. 

 

My opponent went against our city attorney’s recommendation and moved forward with a censor. The second censor was in reference to harassing someone, again where is the report? Apparently the police were called, but no report done on the call. I was under the impression when something as serious as; “Council was told there were credible reports that city employees were continuing to be engaged in aggressive communications that may be contributing to a potential hostile work environment if not addressed.” Where is the report? There isn’t one. The reason for there being no report is because none of these events or instances happened. This is a plain case of keeping me from being able to do the job I was elected to do by the residents of Becker.

 

To address looking out for the future of Becker and the uncertainty of Sherco, I have been doing this for the past four years. I have voted every year not to raise taxes. My opponent has voted for tax increases taking more money each year out of every resident’s pockets and businesses pockets, while increasing our city spending over 39% in the last 4 years.

 

My opponent voted to let Shelly Hunter Mattson to continue to operate Hunters Ridge when she owed the city over $26,000 for past-due utility bills on that business and then voted to absorb additional costs and lease agreements upwards of $132,000.

 

If you want someone who has never held anyone accountable and has chosen to raise your taxes every year, then vote for my opponent. If you want someone that will ask the hard questions, continue to push for lower taxes, hold everyone accountable and have a vision with every resident’s best interests in mind, then I ask for your vote.