Scott cuts the ribbon on a successful Co. Rd. #14 project.
Scott visits with constituents at the Grand Opening ceremony of County Road 14.
ABC Newspapers September 21, 2012
Best-qualified candidate
To the Editor:
As a resident of Anoka County for 44 years, I’ve worked with many great people.
Scott Schulte is one of those people. Scott is currently running against 30-year incumbent Dan Erhart for Anoka County Commissioner in District 7 (which includes portions of Anoka, Andover and Coon Rapids).
I had the pleasure of working alongside Scott Schulte during a few of my own 14 years on the Coon Rapids City Council, as well as several years on the Finance Committee at the Church of the Epiphany.
He is clearly the best-qualified candidate between himself and Dan Erhart.
Scott has the knowledge, skills and experience that are critically needed now on the Anoka County Board.
Scott and his family have all served Anoka County for years. He not only deserves to be county commissioner, but also has earned the right to serve and represent the people of District 7.
I would like nothing more than to see Scott Schulte voted into office in November!
Sincerely,
Jerry Wright
Coon Rapids
Best-qualified candidate
To the Editor:
As a resident of Anoka County for 44 years, I’ve worked with many great people.
Scott Schulte is one of those people. Scott is currently running against 30-year incumbent Dan Erhart for Anoka County Commissioner in District 7 (which includes portions of Anoka, Andover and Coon Rapids).
I had the pleasure of working alongside Scott Schulte during a few of my own 14 years on the Coon Rapids City Council, as well as several years on the Finance Committee at the Church of the Epiphany.
He is clearly the best-qualified candidate between himself and Dan Erhart.
Scott has the knowledge, skills and experience that are critically needed now on the Anoka County Board.
Scott and his family have all served Anoka County for years. He not only deserves to be county commissioner, but also has earned the right to serve and represent the people of District 7.
I would like nothing more than to see Scott Schulte voted into office in November!
Sincerely,
Jerry Wright
Coon Rapids
ABC Newspapers August 31, 2012
Schulte Best Qualified
To the Editor:
Scott Schulte is clearly the best qualified candidate to represent the citizens of Anoka, Andover and Coon Rapids as county commissioner in District 7. His background as a self-employed business owner and his service on the Coon Rapids City Council has made him keenly aware of the many challenges facing all of us in these trying times.
His opponent, Dan Erhart, is a long-standing incumbent who has completely lost touch with the very citizens he claims to represent.
His methods are so outdated and ineffective that he has been unable get a simple majority of his fellow county commissioners to endorse his numerous attempts to become chairman of the Anoka County Board.
Clearly a tragic relic of the past, Erhart has earned the nickname “Dinosaur Dan” for his continued efforts to drag Anoka County into the last century.
Scott Schulte understands the need to engage the voting public on issues that impact the everyday lives of the people he represents.
Erhart’s days of pandering to lobbyists and campaign contributors will finally end this coming November.
Ramsey County voters were able to soundly reject the candidacy of a long-term incumbent; Anoka County voters will do the same.
Scott Schulte and his family have served this area for generations as business owners, volunteers and government servants.
Schulte has earned the trust and support of countless Anoka County residents.
Every knowledgeable voter in this area will be voting to make Scott Schulte our county commissioner this year. I know he can count on you, too.
James B. Hafner
Coon Rapids
To the Editor:
Scott Schulte is clearly the best qualified candidate to represent the citizens of Anoka, Andover and Coon Rapids as county commissioner in District 7. His background as a self-employed business owner and his service on the Coon Rapids City Council has made him keenly aware of the many challenges facing all of us in these trying times.
His opponent, Dan Erhart, is a long-standing incumbent who has completely lost touch with the very citizens he claims to represent.
His methods are so outdated and ineffective that he has been unable get a simple majority of his fellow county commissioners to endorse his numerous attempts to become chairman of the Anoka County Board.
Clearly a tragic relic of the past, Erhart has earned the nickname “Dinosaur Dan” for his continued efforts to drag Anoka County into the last century.
Scott Schulte understands the need to engage the voting public on issues that impact the everyday lives of the people he represents.
Erhart’s days of pandering to lobbyists and campaign contributors will finally end this coming November.
Ramsey County voters were able to soundly reject the candidacy of a long-term incumbent; Anoka County voters will do the same.
Scott Schulte and his family have served this area for generations as business owners, volunteers and government servants.
Schulte has earned the trust and support of countless Anoka County residents.
Every knowledgeable voter in this area will be voting to make Scott Schulte our county commissioner this year. I know he can count on you, too.
James B. Hafner
Coon Rapids
ABC Newspaper August 28th, 2012
Coon Rapids councilmember honored by national organization
By Community Contributor on August 28, 2012 at 7:00
Coon Rapids City Council member Scott Schulte will be recognized by the National League of Cities (NLC) for reaching the silver level in its certificate of achievement in leadership program.
Sponsored by the NLC Leadership Training Institute (LTI), the award will be presented in Boston, Mass., in November.
To achieve the silver level, a local official must earn 36 credits encompassing all five core competency areas of the LTI curriculum, referred to as cornerstone, competent practitioner, communicator, collaborator and catalyst.
Schulte is one of the fewer than 417 NLC members to have reached the silver level in the certificate of achievement in leadership program since its inception.
As part of the NLC mission to create stronger communities, the Leadership Training Institute provides local officials with the professional development opportunities to assist then in promoting positive change and innovation within their communities, according to Greg Minchak of the National League of Cities.
At the same time, seminars are designed to explore the nature and practice of local governmental leadership, Minchak stated in a press release.
Each training seminar addresses one or more of the core areas of municipal leadership, including personal leadership growth and development, effective governance, effective communications, skills in developing and promoting partnerships and managing change.
NLC’s Leadership Training Council established the certificate of achievement in leadership program in 1999.
“The primary purpose of the program is to recognize and acknowledge excellence in leadership by NLC members,” Minchak wrote in the press release.
NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.
SCHULTE CANDIDATE STATEMENT
Erhart opponent Scott Schulte has submitted a candidate statement. Dan Erhart failed to do so.
1. Candidate Name:
Scott Schulte
2. Candidate Web Site:
www.schulteforcountyboard.com
3. Explain your private sector business experience and how that experience informed your understanding of the importance of free markets.
I have been working at our family run service station in Coon Rapids since the age of 12, where my father instilled in me a strong respect for hard work, honesty, and integrity. I worked continuously throughout high school and technical college and continued on until 1998 when I purchased the business from my father. He had owned and operated it since its inception in 1958. I still work in the shop everyday and oversee EVERY aspect of the business, from advertising, payroll, employee education and budgeting. Owning a small, independent "Main Street" business is where I learned the true value of free enterprise and, unfortunately, the negative effects of government over-regulation and intrusion. If elected, I promise to run the county like I run my business - efficient, accountable, and customer-focused.
4. If you have previous political experience, name 5 successful initiatives you championed to limit government and promote freedom.
I have served 3 consecutive terms as the Coon Rapids Councilman at Large, representing up to 63,000 people over the last 12 years. Below is a sampling of some accomplishments.
5. Are you seeking or have you ever been or does the government union known as AFSCME endorse you?
NO
6. If you are challenging an incumbent, you obviously think the incumbent should be fired. Why? What will you do differently?
The incumbent has been in this seat for 30 years and chairman for 18 of those. He has failed to reduce the scope and reach of our county government. He has authorized budget after budget that continues the overreach and was the lone vote against reducing the latest budget and levy. He has focused on trains, stadiums and expanding social programs at the expense of true infrastructure.
When elected I will focus on the true charge of the county board. Maintaining infrastructure, providing necessary services for constituents, paying close attention to the needs of the municipalities within my district and continuing the current chairwomen's lean initiatives.
I have worked with some members of the current County Board with great success in the recent years. Cooperation to achieve good projects and great results for Anoka County residents has been the result. However working with the Commissioner from District #7, Dan Erhart, has proven to be very challenging. His lack of willingness to collaborate and cooperate on even the most basic projects has jeopardized their successes.
The time is NOW for new ideas and the spirit of cooperation. District #7 and Anoka County have changed. You deserve a commissioner that is willing to look forward with enthusiasm and optimism, not backward with disdain.
7. Are you accepting campaign contributions from people or organizations that currently have contracts with the county?
No
8. Will you vote to hold the county property tax levy flat or reduce it in the next term if you are elected?
Yes, barring any unforeseen catastrophe beyond human control.
9. Does Barack Obama deserve to be re-elected?
No, his record is clear.
10. Name 5 things you will accomplish for the taxpayer if you are elected.
Coon Rapids councilmember honored by national organization
By Community Contributor on August 28, 2012 at 7:00
Coon Rapids City Council member Scott Schulte will be recognized by the National League of Cities (NLC) for reaching the silver level in its certificate of achievement in leadership program.
Sponsored by the NLC Leadership Training Institute (LTI), the award will be presented in Boston, Mass., in November.
To achieve the silver level, a local official must earn 36 credits encompassing all five core competency areas of the LTI curriculum, referred to as cornerstone, competent practitioner, communicator, collaborator and catalyst.
Schulte is one of the fewer than 417 NLC members to have reached the silver level in the certificate of achievement in leadership program since its inception.
As part of the NLC mission to create stronger communities, the Leadership Training Institute provides local officials with the professional development opportunities to assist then in promoting positive change and innovation within their communities, according to Greg Minchak of the National League of Cities.
At the same time, seminars are designed to explore the nature and practice of local governmental leadership, Minchak stated in a press release.
Each training seminar addresses one or more of the core areas of municipal leadership, including personal leadership growth and development, effective governance, effective communications, skills in developing and promoting partnerships and managing change.
NLC’s Leadership Training Council established the certificate of achievement in leadership program in 1999.
“The primary purpose of the program is to recognize and acknowledge excellence in leadership by NLC members,” Minchak wrote in the press release.
NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans.
SCHULTE CANDIDATE STATEMENT
Erhart opponent Scott Schulte has submitted a candidate statement. Dan Erhart failed to do so.
1. Candidate Name:
Scott Schulte
2. Candidate Web Site:
www.schulteforcountyboard.com
3. Explain your private sector business experience and how that experience informed your understanding of the importance of free markets.
I have been working at our family run service station in Coon Rapids since the age of 12, where my father instilled in me a strong respect for hard work, honesty, and integrity. I worked continuously throughout high school and technical college and continued on until 1998 when I purchased the business from my father. He had owned and operated it since its inception in 1958. I still work in the shop everyday and oversee EVERY aspect of the business, from advertising, payroll, employee education and budgeting. Owning a small, independent "Main Street" business is where I learned the true value of free enterprise and, unfortunately, the negative effects of government over-regulation and intrusion. If elected, I promise to run the county like I run my business - efficient, accountable, and customer-focused.
4. If you have previous political experience, name 5 successful initiatives you championed to limit government and promote freedom.
I have served 3 consecutive terms as the Coon Rapids Councilman at Large, representing up to 63,000 people over the last 12 years. Below is a sampling of some accomplishments.
- Reduced City staff from 245 in 1999 to the current 226.
- Reduced future pension & insurance liabilities for retiring city employees, by eliminating this benefit with all new hires. The savings over the next decade will be substantial.
- Served on the MN/DOT Design Build Council to promote more efficient project delivery of government projects by allowing the private sector to engineer, design and build public projects as they go to bring the project forward in a more timely and efficient manner. The Main St. or County Road 14 project is the pilot project for this program. It was originally scheduled to take 6 more years to complete on a Design/Bid/Build basis but the committee approved the Design/Build process and the project will have taken 18 months to complete by the time it opens in August of this year. This is the first of many Design/Build projects at the County level to be approved in the state.
- Authorized and supported the Coon Rapids City staff to implement "lean practices" (Kaizen), including working toward an electronic paperless system. Kaizen is process of creating efficiencies within a current system by eliminating redundancies and humanizing the work environment and encouraging workers to experiment with their work in an effort to eliminate wasted effort.
- Removed "Nucleus Clinic" out from under the city's budget and control. The Nucleus Clinic is a sexual health "free clinic" in Coon Rapids that was funded through Community Development Block Grants. Over time it was staffed and funded out of the cities budget. This clinic is better suited to the "non-profit" sector and is now funded through user fees and private donations. This has saved the taxpayer in Coon Rapids many thousands of dollars.
5. Are you seeking or have you ever been or does the government union known as AFSCME endorse you?
NO
6. If you are challenging an incumbent, you obviously think the incumbent should be fired. Why? What will you do differently?
The incumbent has been in this seat for 30 years and chairman for 18 of those. He has failed to reduce the scope and reach of our county government. He has authorized budget after budget that continues the overreach and was the lone vote against reducing the latest budget and levy. He has focused on trains, stadiums and expanding social programs at the expense of true infrastructure.
When elected I will focus on the true charge of the county board. Maintaining infrastructure, providing necessary services for constituents, paying close attention to the needs of the municipalities within my district and continuing the current chairwomen's lean initiatives.
I have worked with some members of the current County Board with great success in the recent years. Cooperation to achieve good projects and great results for Anoka County residents has been the result. However working with the Commissioner from District #7, Dan Erhart, has proven to be very challenging. His lack of willingness to collaborate and cooperate on even the most basic projects has jeopardized their successes.
The time is NOW for new ideas and the spirit of cooperation. District #7 and Anoka County have changed. You deserve a commissioner that is willing to look forward with enthusiasm and optimism, not backward with disdain.
7. Are you accepting campaign contributions from people or organizations that currently have contracts with the county?
No
8. Will you vote to hold the county property tax levy flat or reduce it in the next term if you are elected?
Yes, barring any unforeseen catastrophe beyond human control.
9. Does Barack Obama deserve to be re-elected?
No, his record is clear.
10. Name 5 things you will accomplish for the taxpayer if you are elected.
- Bring a common man's point of view to the board in district #7.
- Bring a business perspective to the boards budget process.
- Remain completely accessible and transparent to the taxpayer.
- Support reforms put in place by the majority of the current board that have saved taxpayers countless dollars and enhanced the delivery of services. Government must continue to find ways to do more with less.
- Taxes should be spent primarily on infrastructure and public safety. We should focus on our local roads and bridges. Providing safe roads is one of the most important roles the County level of government should play.
- Having served many years on the Anoka County Joint Law Enforcement Council I can attest to the great tax savings brought about by this joint venture of all law enforcement agencies in Anoka County. From shared costs at the gun range to shared radio systems and data systems, the economies of scale are tremendous. We must continue to push initiatives similar to this if we intend to improve delivery of services and hold down expenditures and taxes.
- Parks and trails are a part of the infrastructure and fabric of our county. Continued funding and maintenance is a priority, however, implementing the use of volunteer groups like the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4H and other groups can help to keep down some of the expenses related to this important budget item.
Election confusion -- signs of the times
Article by:- PAUL LEVY , Star Tribune
- Updated: June 18, 2012 - 8:37 PM
Days after Coon Rapids and Anoka officials informed candidates that they couldn't post political signs until June 29, a sign promoting Scott Schulte for Anoka County commissioner was visible at one of the busiest intersections in Coon Rapids.
Callers complained and authorities made daily visits to Schulte's service station for two weeks, Schulte said. But he apparently hadn't violated any laws. It was the cities that were confused.
Conflicting city ordinances have turned a concise Minnesota statute regulating campaign signs into a biennial political nightmare, leaving local officials and politicians baffled and flustered, said officials from the Minnesota Secretary of State's office.
The one-sentence law states that in any municipality, regardless of local sign ordinances, all noncommercial signs of any size and in any number may be posted starting 46 days before the state primary. This year, that date is June 29, since the primary is Aug. 14.
"It shouldn't be that complicated," said Patricia Turgeon, a spokeswoman for the Secretary of State's office. "The state overrides municipal ordinances after June 29. Before June 29, it's up to the municipality. It's that simple."
But it is rarely that simple, said Turgeon and others from the Secretary of State's office, who have fielded complaints and questions since the statute became law in 1990. Amending the statute in 2004 and again in 2010 -- when the waiting period was changed from 30 days before the primary to 46 -- may have added to the confusion.
Longtime Anoka County Commissioner Dan Erhart called the city of Anoka in early May, asking when he could post signs. He was told June 29.
But Erhart was misinformed. He could have placed a campaign sign on his own property at any time. The city has no campaign sign exemptions that differ from state law.
Mistaken memo
Coon Rapids, where Schulte has been a City Council member for 12 years, accidentally complicated matters on May 22.
Coon Rapids does have an ordinance that limits the size of signs and where they can be placed. An e-mail to candidates detailing the city ordinance -- which says signs can't be attached to trees or utility poles, can't hang over public property, and can't be located near intersections where they'd be deemed visible obstructions -- also included this brief memo:
"June 29th is the first date that a candidate will be able to post signs."
That memo was "a mistake" and has since been retracted, said City Clerk Cathy Sorensen. The memo was e-mailed from the city to at least one Erhart supporter who called the city to complain when she saw Schulte's sign behind his service station on the corner of Coon Rapids and Hanson Boulevards.
Next to the sign, which could be seen easily from both streets, was Schulte's Acura -- with car-length-sized decals showing his picture and detailing his candidacy. The car decals are considered a sign, said Sorensen. It's legal -- unless the car is driven or parked in a manner considered to be a traffic hazard, said Douglas L. Johnson, Coon Rapids city attorney.
Signs can be driven on a public street in Coon Rapids, but they can't be posted without permission on public property, Johnson said. But other cities could possibly have ordinances prohibiting cars with campaign details -- and those ordinances have to be honored until June 29, when state law pre-empts local ordinances.
Schulte said that he has researched the Coon Rapids ordinance and state law.
"We didn't feel it was necessary to move the sign" behind the station, Schulte said.
State Rep. Jim Abeler, R-Anoka, has been a member of the Legislature for 14 years. He recalled a year in which he was told he had to remove a campaign sign at the Anoka County Fair because it had been placed days ahead of the grace period the state law allowed.
"Now I wait until Labor Day to put up campaign signs," Abeler said. "It's easier that way."
Paul Levy • 612-673-4419
Callers complained and authorities made daily visits to Schulte's service station for two weeks, Schulte said. But he apparently hadn't violated any laws. It was the cities that were confused.
Conflicting city ordinances have turned a concise Minnesota statute regulating campaign signs into a biennial political nightmare, leaving local officials and politicians baffled and flustered, said officials from the Minnesota Secretary of State's office.
The one-sentence law states that in any municipality, regardless of local sign ordinances, all noncommercial signs of any size and in any number may be posted starting 46 days before the state primary. This year, that date is June 29, since the primary is Aug. 14.
"It shouldn't be that complicated," said Patricia Turgeon, a spokeswoman for the Secretary of State's office. "The state overrides municipal ordinances after June 29. Before June 29, it's up to the municipality. It's that simple."
But it is rarely that simple, said Turgeon and others from the Secretary of State's office, who have fielded complaints and questions since the statute became law in 1990. Amending the statute in 2004 and again in 2010 -- when the waiting period was changed from 30 days before the primary to 46 -- may have added to the confusion.
Longtime Anoka County Commissioner Dan Erhart called the city of Anoka in early May, asking when he could post signs. He was told June 29.
But Erhart was misinformed. He could have placed a campaign sign on his own property at any time. The city has no campaign sign exemptions that differ from state law.
Mistaken memo
Coon Rapids, where Schulte has been a City Council member for 12 years, accidentally complicated matters on May 22.
Coon Rapids does have an ordinance that limits the size of signs and where they can be placed. An e-mail to candidates detailing the city ordinance -- which says signs can't be attached to trees or utility poles, can't hang over public property, and can't be located near intersections where they'd be deemed visible obstructions -- also included this brief memo:
"June 29th is the first date that a candidate will be able to post signs."
That memo was "a mistake" and has since been retracted, said City Clerk Cathy Sorensen. The memo was e-mailed from the city to at least one Erhart supporter who called the city to complain when she saw Schulte's sign behind his service station on the corner of Coon Rapids and Hanson Boulevards.
Next to the sign, which could be seen easily from both streets, was Schulte's Acura -- with car-length-sized decals showing his picture and detailing his candidacy. The car decals are considered a sign, said Sorensen. It's legal -- unless the car is driven or parked in a manner considered to be a traffic hazard, said Douglas L. Johnson, Coon Rapids city attorney.
Signs can be driven on a public street in Coon Rapids, but they can't be posted without permission on public property, Johnson said. But other cities could possibly have ordinances prohibiting cars with campaign details -- and those ordinances have to be honored until June 29, when state law pre-empts local ordinances.
Schulte said that he has researched the Coon Rapids ordinance and state law.
"We didn't feel it was necessary to move the sign" behind the station, Schulte said.
State Rep. Jim Abeler, R-Anoka, has been a member of the Legislature for 14 years. He recalled a year in which he was told he had to remove a campaign sign at the Anoka County Fair because it had been placed days ahead of the grace period the state law allowed.
"Now I wait until Labor Day to put up campaign signs," Abeler said. "It's easier that way."
Paul Levy • 612-673-4419
2/4/2011
SCHULTE TOSSES HIS HAT
Coon Rapids City Councilman Scott Schulte announced this week that he will be running for a seat on the Anoka County Board in 2012.
Schulte would face Dan Erhart, based on current district boundaries, although that may change after redistricting.
A potential Schulte-Erhart race bodes ill for the once formidable Good Ol' Boy Godfather. Schulte is extremely popular in the community and is a savvy political operative. The fact that he was the first candidate to publically announce for the Erhart seat shows that savvy, as Schulte knows there will likely be multiple candidates vying for the seat. Announcing early helps to clear the field of potential challengers and gives him a leg up in securing donors and campaign volunteers.
What's surprising is that Schulte isn't one of the three potential Erhart challengers we alluded to in the January 14th edition of the Watchdog. That makes for four quality candidates who are rumored to be interested in taking Erhart down in 2012, provided he even seeks re-election in the face of being relegated to marginal status on the county board.
Make no mistake, Watchdogs. There is a significant amount of campaign activity happening behind the scenes in Erhart's district. He's an endangered incumbent, to be sure. Perhaps the lobbying firm of Best and Flanagan can jump in with some early donations to Erhart to help him out, given that they're flush with cash after getting yet another fat no-bid lobbying contract from the county.
It will be interesting to see if Schulte's announcement forces other contenders to go public with their campaign plans or perhaps causes them to withdraw and support Schulte.
As of today, Schulte looks to be the odds-on favorite for this seat.
SCHULTE TOSSES HIS HAT
Coon Rapids City Councilman Scott Schulte announced this week that he will be running for a seat on the Anoka County Board in 2012.
Schulte would face Dan Erhart, based on current district boundaries, although that may change after redistricting.
A potential Schulte-Erhart race bodes ill for the once formidable Good Ol' Boy Godfather. Schulte is extremely popular in the community and is a savvy political operative. The fact that he was the first candidate to publically announce for the Erhart seat shows that savvy, as Schulte knows there will likely be multiple candidates vying for the seat. Announcing early helps to clear the field of potential challengers and gives him a leg up in securing donors and campaign volunteers.
What's surprising is that Schulte isn't one of the three potential Erhart challengers we alluded to in the January 14th edition of the Watchdog. That makes for four quality candidates who are rumored to be interested in taking Erhart down in 2012, provided he even seeks re-election in the face of being relegated to marginal status on the county board.
Make no mistake, Watchdogs. There is a significant amount of campaign activity happening behind the scenes in Erhart's district. He's an endangered incumbent, to be sure. Perhaps the lobbying firm of Best and Flanagan can jump in with some early donations to Erhart to help him out, given that they're flush with cash after getting yet another fat no-bid lobbying contract from the county.
It will be interesting to see if Schulte's announcement forces other contenders to go public with their campaign plans or perhaps causes them to withdraw and support Schulte.
As of today, Schulte looks to be the odds-on favorite for this seat.
Coon Rapids councilmember planning run for county board
By Peter Bodley on February 1, 2011 at 9:26 am
by Peter Bodley
Managing editor
Scott Schulte, a member of the Coon Rapids City Council since 2000, is planning a run for the Anoka County Board.
Scott Schulte
Schulte has announced his decision to seek the District 7 seat on the county board in the 2012 election.
Longtime County Commissioner Dan Erhart is currently the District 7 representative. The district includes the part of Coon Rapids west of Hanson Boulevard and portions of the city of Anoka.
Schulte is in the middle of his third four-year term on the Coon Rapids City Council, having first been elected in 2000, then re-elected in 2004 and 2008.
The end of his current term on the council coincides with the county board election, so he will be leaving the council no matter the outcome of the county board race, according to Schulte.
He has made the decisions to run regardless of whether Erhart seeks another term, Schulte said.
The attributes that Schulte would bring to the county board include understanding budgeting and what public service means, as well as leadership and the ability to collaborate with others through his experience on the council, he said.
The winds of change that have blown through the county board since the November 2010 general election was another factor in his decision to run for the board, Schulte said.
“The changes on the board show that the public is willing to not only consider new ideas but institute them as well,” he said.
“The old guard has served the county well, but people now want fresh ideas.”
According to Schulte, Coon Rapids is underrepresented on the county board just as it is at the Minnesota Legislature, where there are no residents of the city in either the Senate or the House.
While both Erhart and Fifth District County Commissioner Carol LeDoux are Coon Rapids residents, Erhart lives at the west end of town and LeDoux near the Andover border, Schulte said.
And Erhart has a global vision on the board, not necessarily for Coon Rapids, he said.
“I don’t think the needs of Coon Rapids are being met,” Schulte said.
Schulte does not anticipate that redistricting of the county’s seven commissioner districts prior to the 2012 election will impact his decision to run, he said.
“I live smack dab in the middle of the district,” Schulte said.
A lifelong resident of Coon Rapids, Schulte is married with five children and seven grandchildren.
He is the owner/operator of Hi-Ten Service Center at Hanson and Coon Rapids boulevards in Coon Rapids, a business his father, Mel, started more than 50 years ago.
Schulte attended Hoover and Epiphany grade schools, Coon Rapids High School and graduated from Blaine High School with highest honors, then received multiple scholarships to Dunwoody Institute and Anoka Technical College.
He is active at Epiphany Church and School, coached youth soccer and was a member of Boy Scout in Troop 524.
Schulte is a director on the boards of First Advantage Bank, Coon Rapids Crime Prevention Association and Coon Rapids Mortgage Assistance Foundation and a past president of the Coon Rapids Rotary Club.
Peter Bodley is at peter.bodley@ecm-inc.com.
Scott Schulte
Schulte has announced his decision to seek the District 7 seat on the county board in the 2012 election.
Longtime County Commissioner Dan Erhart is currently the District 7 representative. The district includes the part of Coon Rapids west of Hanson Boulevard and portions of the city of Anoka.
Schulte is in the middle of his third four-year term on the Coon Rapids City Council, having first been elected in 2000, then re-elected in 2004 and 2008.
The end of his current term on the council coincides with the county board election, so he will be leaving the council no matter the outcome of the county board race, according to Schulte.
He has made the decisions to run regardless of whether Erhart seeks another term, Schulte said.
The attributes that Schulte would bring to the county board include understanding budgeting and what public service means, as well as leadership and the ability to collaborate with others through his experience on the council, he said.
The winds of change that have blown through the county board since the November 2010 general election was another factor in his decision to run for the board, Schulte said.
“The changes on the board show that the public is willing to not only consider new ideas but institute them as well,” he said.
“The old guard has served the county well, but people now want fresh ideas.”
According to Schulte, Coon Rapids is underrepresented on the county board just as it is at the Minnesota Legislature, where there are no residents of the city in either the Senate or the House.
While both Erhart and Fifth District County Commissioner Carol LeDoux are Coon Rapids residents, Erhart lives at the west end of town and LeDoux near the Andover border, Schulte said.
And Erhart has a global vision on the board, not necessarily for Coon Rapids, he said.
“I don’t think the needs of Coon Rapids are being met,” Schulte said.
Schulte does not anticipate that redistricting of the county’s seven commissioner districts prior to the 2012 election will impact his decision to run, he said.
“I live smack dab in the middle of the district,” Schulte said.
A lifelong resident of Coon Rapids, Schulte is married with five children and seven grandchildren.
He is the owner/operator of Hi-Ten Service Center at Hanson and Coon Rapids boulevards in Coon Rapids, a business his father, Mel, started more than 50 years ago.
Schulte attended Hoover and Epiphany grade schools, Coon Rapids High School and graduated from Blaine High School with highest honors, then received multiple scholarships to Dunwoody Institute and Anoka Technical College.
He is active at Epiphany Church and School, coached youth soccer and was a member of Boy Scout in Troop 524.
Schulte is a director on the boards of First Advantage Bank, Coon Rapids Crime Prevention Association and Coon Rapids Mortgage Assistance Foundation and a past president of the Coon Rapids Rotary Club.
Peter Bodley is at peter.bodley@ecm-inc.com.
