Posted: 10/17/06
Four seek city council seats, two positions open
Larry Salm (Nicky Rud); age 67; lived in Caledonia for 5 years; 8 children; Veteran; BA in business administration and systems and procedures analysis; member of Caledonia American Legion and Knights of Columbus; current volunteer in various community activities: assist the Food Shelf in obtaining and collecting food; senior dining and senior dining activities; delivery of meals on wheels; driver for Semcacís RSVP program; worker for American Legion bingo and miscellaneous items as needed; compiler and publisher of Caledonia Resource Guide for the Low Income, Needy and Senior Citizens. ÝBorn and raised on a dairy farm in Chilton, Wisconsin (the county seat of Calumet County and a city the same size as Caledonia). ÝPast experience includes the founding and CEO of three corporations in domestic/international trade consulting, importer/wholesaler of sporting goods and a licensed independent shelter workshop for the disabled. Other experience includes: chaplainís assistant in the military; job and business developer; assistant director of senior aides; placement specialist; micro enterprise developer for refugees; revolving loan funds manager; director of St. Patrickís Emergency Aid and Referral; religious education teacher; licensed real estate sales person; Ýlicensed fraternal insurance agent; notary public; and author of the book, ìImport for Profit.î
As a council member, what will be your priorities?
If elected a council member, my TOP priority will be to be a true representative OF the PEOPLE. I will work with other city council members to insure that EVERY citizen of the City of Caledonia has the opportunity to be self-reliant and independent. The primary purpose of government is to insure that ALL have a better opportunity for a better life. Accordingly, EVERY personís voice is important and government must be BY ALL the PEOPLE and FOR ALL the PEOPLE with a true democracy of acting on behalf of the majority.
What direction would you like to see the city take over the next five years?
The next five years will be very important for the City of Caledonia. It would be very beneficial if we could greatly increase employment opportunities so that more of our youth would have better opportunities to stay and live in Caledonia. It would be very beneficial if we could attract more businesses/manufacturers to the area. It appears that every year cities are obtaining less and less state and federal funds and it will be beneficial if the City of Caledonia can become more self-reliant. In order to accomplish these items, it would be very beneficial if government communications would reach every citizen so that every citizen would have a voice during these next five years. We canít change the past; however, the future belongs to every citizen.
What experience or special skills will you bring to the council?
My diverse lifetime experience includes many different fields to include business, human/social services, manufacturing, government contracts and managing government programs. Plus my diverse experience includes the working with people and being of service to people of all walks of life. A smile is the same in every language and every walk of life. In God We Trust.
Matt Schellsmidt
1. Name, age, occupation, family, number of years as a resident in Caledonia: Matt Schellsmidt, 45, Sheriffís transporter, Home Health aide for Houston County Public Health, Police Reserve, Sheriffís Posse, VFW Vice Commander, Legion member. Married to Debra, owners of Shellyís Specialty Gifts and managed and operated the Caledonia Boxing Club Inc. for the last seven years. Born and raised in Caledonia, returned in 1999 after serving 20 plus years in the United States Marine Corps.
2. As a council member, what will be your priorities? Public safety, neighborhood watch programs, using taxpayersí dollars to benefit the community in the best possible way, communication between council and the residents of Caledonia, public parking downtown, school crossings on Hwy 44.
3. What direction would you like to see the city of Caledonia take over the next five years? An open-arms invitation to new businesses and people to our thriving city, coordinate with local officials and halting the drug flow into our city. Invite persons to be involved in community projects and organizations. As the city grows, so should fire and ambulance services and law enforcement. Weíll all need them one day.
4. What experience or special skills will you bring to the council? Real world experience, excellent communicator, and approach problems with solutions. I use an I Can attitude, which stands for investigate, communicate, action, new reach a decision that will be most beneficial to the community.Ý
Personal information (name, age, occupation, family, number of years that you have been a resident of Caledonia).
Paul Fisch, 45 years old. Director of Medical Media at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center. Wifeís name is Lynn. We have two children, Aimee, 20 and Erik, 17. Lived in Caledonia my entire life.
As a council member, what will be your priorities?
My priorities are, and will continue to be, to keep our taxes at a reasonable rate, while continuing to offer services needed to make Caledonia a great place to live and raise a family. I will encourage the growth of business and housing using the appropriate means of incentives when possible, keep the city up-to-date with equipment and training.
What direction would you like to see the city of Caledonia take over the next five years?
Continue to promote growth in business and housing.
In the next five years, some of our city staff will be retiring. These are key positions and hiring the right people will be very important.
Implementing the new comprehensive plan, which is a 5-10 year plan.
Planning and building a new fire barn. The current building is becoming too small and will need to be replaced in five years.
What experience or special skills will you bring to the council?
Having worked in management for over 15 years at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center has given me experience in managing people and budgets. As a current member of the council for almost eight years, I do understand how city government works and the day-to-day operations. I hope you will trust me for another four years to do the best job I can for the people of Caledonia.
1. Name, age, occupation, family, number of years as a resident in Caledonia: Randi K. Vick, Houston County Home Health Aide, husband Roger, two daughters, two step-sons, eight grandchildren, Caledonia resident since 1988.
2. As a council member, what will be your priorities? To work with Caledonia residents and other council members to better our community through open communication and cooperation and to continue to learn the procedures and laws governing Caledonia.
3. What direction would you like to see the city of Caledonia take over the next five years? I would like to see Caledonia continue to grow and look forward to inviting new businesses to enhance our quality of life. Also, I would like the Caledonia Police Department and the Houston County Sheriffís Department to work more closely to solve and prevent crimes as well as educating the public.
4. What experience or special skills will you bring to the council? As a council member for six years I have learned a great deal about local government and am a graduate of the Blandin Leadership program. Also, I am always willing to listen to concerns and approach problems with an open mind. I implemented the ìMusic in the Parkî program in summer ë06.Ý
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com