If it were a game of musical chairs, the prospect of 11 people wrestling for just two open seats would be quite a fracas.
The struggle of 11 folks over two Maplewood City Council posts is still plenty lively.
The field includes one incumbent council member, a former school board chair, a former council member, several repeat candidates and a number of newcomers. It misses being an even dozen because council member Erik Hjelle declined to file to retain his seat.
The Review asked the candidates to fill out biographical questionnaires, specify if they have been involved in legal issues with the city and answer three questions in writing. Their answers are included below.
Julie Binko
Julie Binko, 52, is single and is the executive director of Stonehouse: Educational Enterprises for Sustainability, which she describes as “an organization dedicated to using sound principles to create programs and make organizations that make them sustainable.” She is also the owner of Natural Stones: Featuring Stones of the West, a small business that sells hand mined or selected rough stones, cabbed and facetted stones and sterling jewelry pieces. Binko describes both as part-time occupations.
Binko holds a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in educational policy and administration. She also has a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction.
Binko sued several people and entities in Maplewood recently, as reported in the Review Aug. 12 and 26. “I am the Executive Director of an organization and I am representing the board in a claim against the city and the Friends of Maplewood Nature,” she says of the case, which she lost.
Asked what experience and knowledge she would bring to governing the city of Maplewood, Binko says, “25 years in public service has shown that people understand their needs very well. I will use this to advocate for the citizens of Maplewood.”
Binko says she was motivated to run by “a desire to advocate for citizens in government and to work on efficient and effective policy for the good of Maplewood.”
She says the city’s biggest challenge right now is “the inability of all council members to put aside their personal and political agendas and work for the general citizenry of Maplewood.”
Mark D. Bradley
Mark D. Bradley Sr., 57, is married and is retired from 3M Co. He holds an associate’s degree from Century College and says he has not been involved in legal action with the city.
Of his experience, Bradley says, “I have forty years holding a job and maintaining a family life. I have had a diverse education and held many different jobs supplying me the knowledge to address a wide range of issues. I have held positions that require management skills in the National Guard as a Military Policeman, and in the public as a lead man at 3M Co. I worked for 3M for 28 years without incidence.”
Bradley says he was spurred to run after “I went to the city administrator and discussed creating a program to revamp a certain number of foreclosed homes using TIF (tax-increment financing) moneys, these homes would be offered to young investors. I felt belittled and ignored, while discussing the ideas with one councilman he accused me of being a communist or socialist, and another told me I was stealing his work. My emotions were boiling from such rude behavior. I thought I could do better.”
Bradley says he sees the city’s greatest challenge as “creating a government that is transparent to citizen issues. How best to reach the public and aide in their need to know, a flow chart should be created of city job descriptions listing who to contact from the service member to upper management. Good communication allows users easy access, informative policies and immediate response in emergencies that’s something to take pride in.”
Rebecca Cave
Rebecca Cave, 40, is married to George and is a homemaker and self-employed small-business operator in Maplewood. She attended the University of Wisconsin-River Falls for 3 years and is currently studying criminal justice at Capella University.
Cave was elected to the city council in early 2006 and served until she lost her seat in the November 2007 election. She says she has not had any legal issues with the city.
Asked about her experience, she says, “As a wife and mother of 5, I certainly understand the need to control wasteful spending in these hard economic times. As a former council member, I provided Maplewood with strong leadership, negotiating, and communication skills.”
Cave adds, “I am returning to the political scene because I see there is a need for positive citizen influence on the council. I have a proven record of serving the people in Maplewood from the North to the South.”
Asked what she thinks is the city’s biggest challenge, she says, “Maplewood is a very diverse and graphically challenged city and the elected official need to be held accountable to serve ALL citizens from every neighborhood in Maplewood. I have been fortunate to have served on the council a couple years back and made it a priority to be a voice for citizens throughout Maplewood.”
Dave Hafner
Dave Hafner, 55, is married to Shannon and is a field equipment operator and emergency medical technician for the St. Paul Fire Department. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health from the University of St. Thomas and is licensed in secondary education and coaching. Hafner also has numerous credits in biology and science at the University of Minnesota and has also attended the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, Portland State University, North Hennepin Community College, Lakewood Community College, Vocational Technical Institute District No. 916, and the St. Paul Technical Vocational Institute.
Hafner says he has not been involved in legal issues with the city.
Of his experience, Hafner says, “Having spent most of my life in public service and people-oriented positions of employment as well as volunteer work, I firmly believe that I can contribute in a positive way. ... I played baseball, football, and hockey-all team sports. The concepts of working together for the common good, sacrificing personal gain for the team, achieving team goals, and working toward a greater cause have always attracted me. And the subsequent results are reward enough.”
Asked his motivation for running, Hafner says Maplewood has had too much negative publicity. “I see no single department in the city that cannot be improved upon and I believe I have the leadership skills and the experience and ideas to provide positive and constructive change and progress,” he adds. “I do not portend to be the smartest or most intelligent person in the world, but I do believe that I possess a fair amount of wisdom, in a day and age where wisdom seems to be scarce. I am firmly convinced that I can play a constructive role in leading the city of Maplewood and restore our city to its’ former state of prominence.”
Asked about Maplewood’s biggest challenge, Hafner says, “Maplewoods’ biggest challenge is to identify and acquire the services of good, decent, HONEST leaders who have no personal agendas, or strong ties to self-interest or special interest groups. People who have no interest in political promotion or advancement or personal projects, and leaders who can put the people first and restore integrity to our government.”
Kathleen “Kathy” Juenemann
Kathleen “Kathy” Juenemann, 63, is married to Greg and does not work outside of council commitments. She holds a bachelor’s degree in French and secondary education from the College of St. Catherine.
Asked about her involvement in legal actions with the city, Juenemann says she was one of the people covered by a temporary restraining order against a Maplewood resident in 2003-04.
That resident was the mayor’s husband, Kevin Berglund, who was temporarily banned from contacting council members and city staffers. When the city tried to make the order permanent, it was dismissed with prejudice by Second District Court Judge Michael Fetsch.
Juenemann was first elected to the city council in 2001 and has served since then.
Asked about her experience, Juenemann says she grew up in the Beaver Lake/East County Line area in the 1950s and ‘60s while Maplewood was being formed, and she and her husband have lived in Parkside for 34 years. “I was a community activist, volunteer for 22 years ... my efforts covered the areas of solid waste management, recycling, 1992 Open Space Referendum, Public Safety dispatching,” she says. “I have been a Crime Watch Block Captain for 29 years; (and) served on Maplewood Police/Civil Service Commision, April 2000-Dec. 2001. I have a deep interest and broad knowledge in local government, function and issues.”
When she first chose to run for council, Juenemann recalls, “My father was a Village of Maplewood Trustee, 1960-67. During my years as an activist I became very familiar with Maplewood government and felt I could help this Community by my participation. I truly value my council post and really want to continue to serve.”
“Our biggest challenge as a city is to rationally balance our community needs,” Juenemann continues. Those include “stable service, strong public safety, good parks, management and protection of open space preserves, retention of strong professional staff, support of our local business economy - with a sound budget and fiscal plan.”
James Llanas
James Llanas, 41, is divorced and is a sales executive at Follett Software Company. He holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of St. Thomas and a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Minnesota.
Llanas says he has not had any legal involvement with the city.
Asked what experience he would bring to the city, Llanas says, “I studied history and political science and was active in student government at the University of Minnesota. As a former teacher and school administrator, I know how to build partnerships to focus on goals that benefit the entire community. As a businessman and parent today I understand issues that face many residents in Maplewood.”
Asked his motivation for running, Llanas says, “There are many who feel disenfranchised and fed up with the nonsense at city hall and the embarrassment it causes Maplewood residents. I believe I can provide balanced and inclusive leadership that allows us to move beyond the headlines and focus on real issues. ... I will focus on issues concerning the community, not personalities.”
Maplewood’s biggest current challenge? “Too much focus and attention is given to loud extremists, while many residents silently struggle for a truly representative city council that listens to its residents. The mayor willingly allows disruptions to the business of running our city for political gain. Maplewood needs a functional city council that works for its citizens rather than for select individuals.”
Mary Z. Mackey
Mary Z. Mackey, 55, is married to Ed and is a health and resource management specialist for the U.S. Postal Service’ human resources department.
Mackey holds a master’s degree in psychology and family counseling from St. Mary’s University.
She says she has not been involved in any legal issues with the city.
Mackey says, “It’s going to take mature, responsible and creative thinking to usher Maplewood through the current economic situation and into the next decade. I am an educated, creative thinker and I’m not boxed in by history. I can help the City Council move away from the useless grudges of the past. Looking to the future, Maplewood must continue to grow in being the most attractive and affordable place for people to live and operate businesses.”
She says she decided to run because she enjoys her current work with the Parks and Recreation Commission, “and want to be even more active in steering Maplewood into the future. I want to keep our city affordable so new people continue to move in and current residents do not move out. And like most, I have been very discouraged by the on-going adversarial and disrespectful interactions so publicly demonstrated by city leaders. Getting along is one of my skills.”
“Sustainability” is Maplewood’s biggest challenge, says Mackey. “Research indicates that in the future ‘creative cities’ will be the most attractive to young and old alike because of how existing spaces are used and ‘repurposed’” she says. “Maplewood will thrive if residents are locally offered the necessities and conveniences they seek. Revenue from new development has nearly ended. ... For sustainability, we must offer the amenities while living within our means.”
Robert Martin
Robert Martin, 44, is married to Marie and is a recently-laid-off electrical engineer. He holds a master’s degree in business administration with a finance and entrepreneurship concentration from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota.
Martin also holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, a master’s degree in public administration from Valdosta State University in Georgia, and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from North Carolina Agricultural and Technological State University.
Martin says he has not been involved in legal actions with the city.
Martin’s experience includes currently serving on the Maplewood Planning Commision and as a member of the School District 622 Finance Committee. He is an alternate on the long-range land-use planning committee for Maplewood parks trails and open space; has served as a board member for the Multicultural Forum on Workplace Diversity and is a former Air Force officer working in airbase operability and engineering.
“I feel that we all should give something back to the community,” Martin says of his decision to run. “As a Boy Scout, Assistant Scout Master, NAACP Volunteer, Air Force officer, Planning Commissioner, I have always had a personal commitment to public service. I am running for council because I can make an even greater contribution to the community and not be one who only criticizes and complains.”
Martin predicts budgeting is Maplewood’s biggest challenge. “The projected state budget deficit of approximately six billion dollars in the next biennium and the unallotment process will have significant impact on cities right now. I want to have a budget shortfall plan in place that will outline the actions that will be taken in response to any budget shortfall issues. With Maplewood being a first ring suburb, redevelopment issues will have to be addressed now that will affect the cityscape into the future.”
DelRay (Rocky) Rokke
DelRay (Rocky) Rokke, 47, is married to Barbara and is a finance specialist at 3M Company, working in the Energy and Advanced Materials Division.
Rokke holds a bachelor’s degree (summa cum laude) in accounting from Moorhead State University and also completed the CPA exam in 1991 and the Certified Internal Auditor exam in 1992.
Rokke says his only involvement in legal cases with the city was when his daughters were subpoenaed as witnesses in a criminal case.
Of his experience, Rokke says, “Being raised in Rural Minnesota, I love the farms and open spaces left in Maplewood. Having worked in construction of municipal water towers for five years before attending college, I have experiences in dealing with public officials in dozens of developing cities all across the country. Having lived an average of three years each in six other cities, I have a good sense of what is right and wrong with many cities, not just Maplewood.”
Rokke says he was motivated to run because “we are facing a major financial problem in that the tax base has taken a steep decline in the last two years while development has all but stopped in Maplewood.” With his financial background, he says, “I feel in these tough financial times I can offer good guidance to help the city run more efficiently to get the most service possible from the resources we currently have.”
Asked about the city’s biggest challenges, Rokke says, “Reduction of costs to run the city and growth of the tax base are big challenges given our debt of $75 Million. We need to concentrate on ways to get our local developers busy to increase the tax base and put some of our local people back to work at the same time. Working on these challenges will be far easier if we get Ken Smart as Mayor and Dave Hafner as a City Council Member.”
Dick Seppala
Dick Seppala, 63, is married to Lee Ann and is the owner of “The Grout Doctor,” a ceramic tile and repair service. Seppala holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, having majored in business administration and minored in political science.
Seppala says he has not been involved in any legal actions with the city.
Asked about his experience, Seppala says, “I served on the School District 622 school board (chair, treasurer). I was a commissioner on the Ramsey County Local Government Consolidation Commission. ... I have lived in the area all of my life except for 4+ years in the U.S. Navy (Viet Nam veteran).” Seppala says the majority of his career was spent as a facilities manager or director at three Fortune 500 companies, where he managed up to 150 employees and budgets worth hundreds of millions of dollars. “I have lived in Maplewood, since 1977. I know the community and I know how to govern,” he says. “I have seen good government and I have seen some not so good. I know we can get our city back on track with the right kind of council.”
Seppala was spurred to run because “The city council through some of its members has made the city of Maplewood, the butt of jokes. Their management or lack thereof has cost our city dollars and have cast a dark shadow on our community. We are still a terrific place to live and work, but I think we can do better!”
As far as Maplewood’s biggest challenge, Seppala says, “We need to get back on track with our comprehensive plan. Instill some job security for our fine employees of the city. We need fiscal responsibility by prioritizing our needs and budgeting for it, and by sticking to that budget. We need to budget for our parks and open spaces. We can no longer ignore their need for upkeep and upgrades.”
Elizabeth Sletten
Elizabeth Sletten, 40, is single. She is recently unemployed, currently looking for job opportunities and is using her time to volunteer. She has a high school diploma and a background in retail, arts and entertainment, and business and law enforcement.
Sletten says she has been involved in a suit against the city over former compost site. “The City of Maplewood was released with prejudice regarding a composting facility that was operating without permit,” she says. “The impact of the compost facility has documented serious health affects that affected my family and neighbors. The Supreme Court stated we were entitled to a trial. Unfortunately the attorneys that formally represented us did not follow through with that right.”
Of the experience she would bring to the city, Sletten says, “I have a long history and interest in the City of Maplewood. I have presented pertinent researched factual information to the City Council and staff that they did not previously have prior to voting on issues that concern the citizens of Maplewood.”
Sletten says she chose to run because “I am committed to serving the public. We need a strong voice to uphold our Constitutional Rights. We need a complete, open, transparent and accountable city government starting at city hall and not at the expense of the citizens. I have personally seen current Council Members turn their backs on the citizens or literally get up and leave the meetings when the citizens are addressing the council.”
Sletten says right now Maplewood’s biggest challenge is “Protecting the citizens’ rights to include the following: Public safety and private/personal properties. To ensure we all get the best quality of life to include: protection of the environment, wetlands, parks, trails and opens space.” She adds, “Public policy, it is the responsibility of the city council to ensure there is solid checks and balances. We need to hold city staff accountable for their inactions and actions. City hall is supposed to work for us.”
