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<br />Printer version: Unifying Anoka proving difficult <br /> <br />Page 1 of3 <br /> <br />startribune.com <br /> <br />CIQ$slWinoQw <br /> <br />Last update: March 15, 2005 at 3:11 PM <br /> <br />. Unifying Anoka proving difficult <br />Sarah Me Cann <br />Star Tribune <br />Published March 16, 2005 <br /> <br />People who want to create a vision for Anoka's future are getting together to try to make things happen. <br />In certain cases, the only thing they have in common is a love for the city. <br /> <br />Some of those who attended a meeting March 8, initiated by Mayor Bjorn Skogquist, said they worry <br />that the beauty and potential of the city is being clouded by an undercurrent of personal agendas, <br />contention, resistance to change and personality conflicts among factions of residents, city staff, and <br />members of the City Council and advisory boards. Even the meeting itself was tense and combative at <br />times. <br /> <br />Skogquist, a second-term mayor who energizes both supporters and detractors, said he invited facilitator <br />Bert Stitt to bring the community together and identify common goals. <br /> <br />"It seems the past four years it has been all about our differences, criticisms and negativity," he said. "It's <br />time to quit arguing and start doing, and we need a plan." <br /> <br />Mayor's initiative <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The March 8 meeting was the group's third but the first advertised publicly. Skogquist said he had talked <br />twice with the City Council to see whether they wanted to work on such a process, but members either <br />didn't want to spend city money or weren't interested. He told them he was moving forward with an <br />unofficial facilitation. <br /> <br />Not everyone is sure they want to participate. <br /> <br />City administrator Tim Cruikshank said that while the mayor can do as he pleases, it doesn't mean the <br />councilor city staff should be involved. <br /> <br />"Why would I participate in something that currently doesn't have the backing of the council?" he said. <br />"There's clearly no directive. Why would city staff waste time on something that hasn't been identified <br />as a goal for the City Council?" <br /> <br />Council members Carl Anderson, Phil Rice and Dori Schumacher said they were interested in checking <br />out the meeting but weren't able to make it. <br /> <br />"I think that's one thing that would be very helpful," Schumacher said. "As a council member it's always <br />helpful to get input from citizens on what they envision for their community." <br /> <br />Mapping the future <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Stitt, who has facilitated in more than 200 Midwestern communities, said the meetings' purpose can <br />change based on what people say they want. Other communities have agreed to try to improve demeanor <br />or have come up with plans to address specific issues. <br /> <br />http://www.startribune.com/dynamic/ story. php ?template=print_ a&story=5288702 <br /> <br />3/16/2005 <br />