Virginia City Council primary to trim field

VIRGINIA—After the votes are counted on Aug. 13, the field will be trimmed from seven to six candidates seeking three seats on the Virginia City Council.

The field currently includes seven candidates for the available four-year seats.

In the running for City Council are: Incumbents Steven B. Johnson and Julianne Paulsen. Incumbent Carl Baranzelli did not seek re-election. They will be challenged by Ricky Angellar, Annie Bachschneider, David S. Hansen, Rodney Salo, and Jared Siebert.

All precincts vote at the Iron Trail Motors Event Center. The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on primary election day. The General Election is set for Nov. 5.

All seven candidates were given the same questions to comment on for this story, including background and why they are running for office.

The following are their answers.

1. Background/experience?

ANGELLAR

I’m a civil rights activist. I’ve been fighting for people’s civil rights for the last 10 years. I have a degree in religious study. I’m an ordained minister. And have ran many organizations to help the people and the poor and the homeless.

BACHSCHNEIDER

My name is Annie Bachschneider, and I’m excited to run for Virginia City Council. I graduated from Virginia High School, Mesabi Range College, and The College of St. Scholastica with a BA in Organizational Leadership and an MBA in Leadership and Change. I work as a Workforce Development Specialist at Essentia Health, where I help create pathways for future healthcare professionals. I’ve also worked with the Essentia Health Foundation. I’m deeply committed to our community, participating in initiatives like the Iron Range Rotary Club and the Mesabi College Foundation, which fuel my passion for public service.

HANSEN

I was a member of the AFSCME union for 30 years. I understand the importance of unions and how they work. When employed I worked for MN-DOT in purchasing. I understand the necessity of being fiscally responsible. I, along with two co-workers, were responsible for an annual budget of $5 million with an inventory and dollar accuracy rate of 97%.

JOHNSON

Steven Bert Johnson, 49, He, Him, His

Education:

Virginia High School

Mesabi Community College. Associate of Arts Degree

University Of Minnesota Duluth. Elementary Education BAS, GPA: 3.97

Mesabi Range College: Associate of Science in Business

League and Coalition ongoing training for elected officials

Current Employment

City Council 8 years

Respite/Foster Care Provider 14 years

On Call Substitute Teacher 24 years

Community Volunteer

I chair the Buildings and Grounds Committee and the Eveleth-Virginia Airport Authority. I am also actively involved with numerous committees including the Human Rights Commission. Active community involvement is a key part of being an effective leader.

PAULSEN

My name is Julianne Paulsen. I am a wife, mom, grandmother, and business owner in Virginia. We moved back in 2006 to be closer to my family in the area. I have been in the retail and jewelry making business since 1991. My background is in business management and marketing with studies at the University of St. Thomas and the College of St. Scholastica. My husband and I have owned and operated a jewelry business since 1998 and are happy we now call Virginia our home.

SALO

Former welder, machinist, carpenter and master electrician. Married to the same wonderful wife over 30 years. Two children and one grandchild. Worked in many states.

SIEBERT

Over the past few years, I have become more involved with local committees and events. As a member of the Revive Virginia Board of Directors, I have volunteered at numerous events to help build our community and encourage business growth, especially in the Chestnut Street area. This includes being Co-Chair of the 2024 Food Truck Festival and assisting with the TEDx event.

2. Why are you running for this particular office?

ANGELLAR

I am running for this seat for I feel and believe that you got this council today makes unjust ordinances that affects the people and I walk and ask people what they need. And that’s why I’m taking a seat for the people. And to fight for the businesses that they try stopping from growing. And for nothing else but my love for this city. My family’s been here since 1906.

BACHSCHNEIDER

As a lifelong resident of Virginia who has closely followed City Council and Committee of the Whole meetings in recent years, I am ready to see change. Monitoring local real estate trends, it saddens me to see friends and neighbors listing their homes and moving outside of Virginia. Their reasons vary, but the common theme is a perceived lack of value in living here and paying city taxes. My goal is to decrease taxes and enhance the value of what taxpayers receive.

HANSEN

I am running for the city council position because I believe in community involvement. I attend numerous community activities. I have volunteered to play Santa for different non-profit agencies. I volunteer at Project Care when they need me. I have been a confirmation mentor for the past 10 years along with being an active member of my church. I believe that running for city council would be a rewarding experience. I am currently retired, so I have time to devote to this position.

JOHNSON

Kindness matters. Our city has AMAZING citizens and employees that take pride in our community. I honor that pride by reading my packet, asking appropriate questions, researching information and providing the opportunity to listen and communicate with individuals. I actively seek out input from staff and community members. I understand all sides of an issue and make informed, logical decisions for the long term benefit of Virginia: ALL of its citizens, visitors, and neighbors. My daughter wants to be Mayor of Virginia. It is our responsibility to ensure that her generation has a city that is kind, inclusive, and healthy.

PAULSEN

I have been greatly honored to be elected twice by Virginia citizens and would welcome the opportunity to continue the work that I have been so passionate about within our great community. It has been my honor to serve and I would continue the diligent care I take regarding all issues important to Virginia taxpayers.

SALO

Want to try to get the city to stay within their budget. Try to cut out overspending and eliminate losing projects. If it doesn’t benefit the people of our city, it should be rethought or eliminated from the budget. Look into and possibly eliminate some of our ordinances and permit requirements.

SIEBERT

As the current Chair of the Rock Ridge American Indian Parent Committee, I have had the privilege of watching many students progress through our education system and graduate.

With these students and future generations in mind, I am committed to ensuring they have a thriving community to work in. I believe that promoting and building business opportunities is essential to improving our city and creating a better future for the next generations. It is with this vision for our city, businesses, and upcoming generations that I am running for City Council.

3. What do you see as the three major issues in your city and if elected how do you plan to address them?

ANGELLAR

1. Law enforcement fire and EMT. Find a way to have them independent on their own with their own financial reasons.

2. Roads and sidewalk.

3. The Iron Trail Motor Center. Start making things work there.

BACHSCHNEIDER

Strategically Building Community Relationships: Strategically building community relationships is crucial, and the city’s role should be to actively participate, support existing organizations with letters of support, and encourage their efforts. It’s not about leading every initiative but collaborating with partners to avoid duplication and maximize resources. My vision for a vibrant and inclusive future focuses on realizing our community’s potential through initiatives like expanding housing opportunities, increasing access to childcare, and providing more mental health resources. The successful Music in the Park and improvements to the Silver Lake walking trail, show we’re on the right path. By expanding community and economic development, we can create a more connected and thriving community. Listening to taxpayers and understanding their priorities will guide our decisions.

Ensuring Transparency and Accountability: Ensuring transparency and accountability is essential for building trust between the city and its residents. As a City Council member, I would prioritize clear and open communication about decisions, spending, and policy changes. This includes making information on city projects, budgets, and council meetings easily accessible to everyone. I strongly believe in fiscal responsibility and accountability, ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and efficiently. Maintaining a clear line of communication with residents is crucial, as it allows for public input and keeps the community informed. By fostering an environment of openness and accountability, we can create a more engaged and informed community, ultimately leading to better decision-making and governance.

Attracting a new tax base while simultaneously valuing current residents and businesses: Attracting a new tax base is vital for our city’s growth and sustainability, but it’s equally important to value and support our current residents and businesses. As a City Council member, I would work to create a welcoming environment for new businesses and families, focusing on expanding housing options, enhancing local amenities, and fostering a thriving local economy. At the same time, I will prioritize policies that protect and uplift our existing community members, ensuring they benefit from new developments. This includes supporting local businesses, promoting community engagement, and maintaining a high quality of life for all. By balancing the attraction of new investments with the needs of current residents, we can build a prosperous and inclusive city for everyone.

HANSEN

1) I feel the city budget needs to be closely looked at with the need to try to ascertain where the city can make financial cuts only when absolutely necessary. I feel that the council members and the mayor need to be a cohesive force while respecting each other’s opinions.

2) I feel the sidewalks are a big issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. The cost of making repairs would be considerably cheaper than the cost of a lawsuit if someone should get hurt. Many people enjoy walking outdoors and yet the sidewalks can be very prohibitive to walk on because of all the upheaval of the cement. Also, many of the sidewalks are not ADA compliant.

3) The city has talked about outsourcing garbage pick-up which I feel would be a big mistake considering this could affect city employment. Our city employees are a valuable asset to us all. I am not sure outsourcing garbage pick-up would be a cost saving measure and it could put some employees out of work.

JOHNSON

Budget

Budget discussions need to be open, honest and respectful. Finger pointing and blame must stop! I accept responsibility for my past levy votes. That is why last year I voted “NO” on a 4% levy increase. It is not sustainable as evidenced by some of the unintended challenges we are seeing. Community programming has been cut and fees have increased. Other cuts have created a delay in services such as maintenance and blight enforcement. We are asking fewer people to do more with less effectiveness. A healthy budget is a living document that is reviewed and discussed regularly. Adjustments must be made as we see our needs change over the course of a year. I will continue to be proactive.

Housing

Multiple independent studies show the great need for diverse housing across the Iron Range. Three different groups have come to the city to ask for support in building multi-family units. Each inquiry was met with “not now”. We need appropriate housing for our elders and young professionals with and without families. Our community will grow as we welcome the changing demographics of our future citizens. People choosing to live in our community will have a positive impact on individual property taxes. City staff must continue to be actively involved with studying and creating a plan with community partners. I believe the city has a responsibility to support sustainability and growth in our housing opportunities.

Public Safety

Public safety is more than a catch phrase to win votes. It is more than flashing lights and sirens. Our public safety depends on multiple departments working together. During a storm (summer or winter), Public Works, Parks & Rec, Police, Fire, EMS, and staff from all departments are doing everything they can to keep us safe while maintaining their own safety. It is imperative that these folks have support in proper tools and equipment. They must have the trust of the council and our citizens. I will continue to be respectful, communicate effectively, and advocate to build and maintain trusting relationships with bargaining units city wide.

PAULSEN

The three major issues I see our community facing: Property taxes, housing needs, and infrastructure improvements/Economic development.

Property taxes: Over the course of a five year period, Virginia residents and some commercial businesses have seen their property taxes dramatically increase. These increases are due to several factors including the referendum passed to build the Iron Trail Motors Event Center and Rock Ridge school(s) as well as steam conversions and increased property values. The main factor that drives property taxes to increase is the annual levy and debt service. The city’s levy (combined with the county and school district’s levy) is what impacts property tax increases. Careful financial oversight is key to balance the services provided to Virginia taxpayers and levy increases.

Housing needs: My focus in Virginia would be senior living and new single-family residential development. I am currently working to develop a strategic housing plan which would encompass senior townhomes/condos/apartments. My thought process is if we can provide housing for our senior and baby boomer populations, they would then sell their existing homes. This would create more housing stock within the city limits to allow families to move in and possibly upgrade these houses. The other focus would be on attracting single-family residential developers to develop parcels of vacant land currently owned by the City of Virginia, including Midway. I am excited about the potential this could be for families moving to our area and for our seniors who are looking for different living options

Infrastructure improvements: Our streets and alleys are in decline with many improvements to continue working on. These projects have proven to be costly, so I will look toward every avenue to offset the high costs of infrastructure improvement. It is something that people always discuss with me and we need to continue to address the difficulty of our aging infrastructure, which will be a priority. Economic development is a passion of mine. It is a goal to reignite our downtown businesses and help our overall business community thrive. We have so much going for us and it’s wonderful to see recent positive movement in Virginia! A trail system that connects downtown to the beautiful mining pits and scenery would bring further economic growth and vitality!

SALO

Try to get the event center to make money or look at selling, it is a major negative cost to our city. Look into the new fire/police station funding, I feel it is possibly not worth the costs.

SIEBERT

I aim to make the City Council more accessible and transparent to the public by encouraging open dialogue through community events. By engaging with our city’s residents outside of the Council chamber walls, we can gain their honest opinions and input on how to best build our community. We need to be more proactive in community outreach to understand what is needed to move forward and prosper.

Economic growth is another crucial issue for the City Council. We need to attract new and diverse businesses to our city to encourage people to move to Virginia and build our skilled workforce. By partnering with local agencies and organizations, we can support local entrepreneurs, assist with loan processes, find suitable workspaces, and provide incentives for growth in our city.

A significant issue for our community is the aging population. As we move forward, our city will need to adjust to a declining workforce, potential changes in housing, and increases in healthcare and social services. To address this, we must attract new residents, expand social services as our community ages, and ensure the medical community is supported while building on their legacy in Virginia.

4. Closing statement

ANGELLAR

I grew up in this city. My whole life my family and I care more about this city and loved this city with so much passion and determination to show people we’re not the worst criminal town in the world. I’m gonna. We’re the best town in the world. Your kids are safe and we still play hockey in the streets. Shout out to the police, fire and EMT. Thank you for protecting me. I got your back 100%.

BACHSCHNEIDER

I’m committed to fostering a vibrant and inclusive future for our community. With a focus on transparency, collaboration, and balanced growth, I aim to serve all residents and businesses, ensuring their voices are heard and valued. Together, we can build a city that thrives economically and socially while preserving the qualities that make Virginia a great place to live. I appreciate your support and look forward to earning your vote on August 13th. Thank you!

HANSEN

I hope the people of Virginia realize the importance of voting and what a difference each vote can make.

JOHNSON

Being an elected official is a part time job with full time responsibility. The full time responsibility is to listen and process ALL sides of an issue. To ask meaningful questions and ensure answers are shared. I accept and honor the privilege of leading Virginia into a future where my daughter can be Mayor and kindness matters! I appreciate your support and your vote! Thank you!

PAULSEN

In closing, thank you for taking the time to read a little bit about me, my thoughts, ideas, and passions. I look forward to connecting with you anytime to answer any other questions you may have about me or my vision for Virginia!

SALO

I want to help our city thrive but not at the taxpayers’ expense. We need our roads repaired (in my opinion) more than we need an event center and new fire/police station. I want to verify all city officers have signed their oath of office and abide by the constitution.

SIEBERT

Being born and raised in this community, and as a parent of a Rock Ridge student, I am deeply invested in this community and representing the people of Virginia on the Council is my opportunity to have a positive impact.