Meet Erik Skogquist, whose deep roots in Anoka, Minnesota, have seen him transition from a park ranger-in-the-making to a guardian of the town's historical tapestry. In our heartwarming chat, Erik opens up about how a love for community and a penchant for preservation redirected his life's compass. We navigate through the city council's endeavors—from traffic tribulations to delicate discussions on a jail expansion—and discover why plunging into local politics can be as enriching as it is essential. Plus, we don't shy away from the more tender topics, like navigating the new normal of legal marijuana smoke in neighborhoods, revealing the nuances of community living.
Finally, pull up a chair and get cozy as Eric shares the balancing act of family life and civic duty, never losing his passion for connecting with residents or his sense of humor. Our conversation takes a playful turn with a 'would you rather' segment that's sure to leave you grinning. It's an episode that celebrates the heart, humor, and hustle of hometown pride, inviting you to laugh, learn, and maybe even get a little inspired to play a part in your own community's story.
Meet Erik Skogquist, whose deep roots in Anoka, Minnesota, have seen him transition from a park ranger-in-the-making to a guardian of the town's historical tapestry. In our heartwarming chat, Erik opens up about how a love for community and a penchant for preservation redirected his life's compass. We navigate through the city council's endeavors—from traffic tribulations to delicate discussions on a jail expansion—and discover why plunging into local politics can be as enriching as it is essential. Plus, we don't shy away from the more tender topics, like navigating the new normal of legal marijuana smoke in neighborhoods, revealing the nuances of community living.
Finally, pull up a chair and get cozy as Eric shares the balancing act of family life and civic duty, never losing his passion for connecting with residents or his sense of humor. Our conversation takes a playful turn with a 'would you rather' segment that's sure to leave you grinning. It's an episode that celebrates the heart, humor, and hustle of hometown pride, inviting you to laugh, learn, and maybe even get a little inspired to play a part in your own community's story.
Hey guys, welcome back to On Our Best Behavior. You're here with Mac and Kelly Boom. You did it. I'm so good. I'm so proud of you. I like it when you're a little too fast on the, On Our Best Behavior part but you slowed it down.
Speaker 3:You were just like, hey, yeah, that vibe, I was loving the vibe.
Speaker 1:Yes, let's go. Oh my gosh, you're so good, I'm alright.
Speaker 3:What up? Mac Doggy Dog, let's up how. You know what I want to tell you. We haven't shared with the audience. Happy birthday baby.
Speaker 1:Oh my god, no, it's not. It was my birthday yesterday.
Speaker 3:It was your birthday and you're 15. Yeah, I know right. Driving. They see me rolling.
Speaker 1:They hate in. You're so goofy.
Speaker 3:That's going to be you. Yeah, it is going to be me Trying to catch me riding dirty.
Speaker 1:No, You're so goofy they see me rolling. They hate in.
Speaker 3:I don't even know what comes next. Something, something, something, something, something. Trying to catch me rolling dirty. Trying to catch me rolling dirty, you're funny. Trying to catch me rolling dirty.
Speaker 1:You're funny.
Speaker 3:What's up? What's new? What do you got? What drama you got for your mama?
Speaker 1:Well, what do I have? Nothing, Honestly. Nothing. I mean there's nothing much going on, I mean just school.
Speaker 3:Just living the life.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and then my birthday, I guess, is like the only big thing, I guess.
Speaker 3:What was, what was the highlight of your birthday?
Speaker 1:No highlights, not yet, because we have. I mean, the highlight is going to be going out to dinner.
Speaker 3:Oh yeah, where are we going On Saturday? What is it called? I don't know? Tipsy chicken. Yeah, tipsy chicken yeah. What are you going to have there?
Speaker 1:Waffles and chicken and waffle Chicken and waffle Chicken and waffle.
Speaker 3:Yeah, we had Jersey Mike's on your birthday. Oh yeah, you're right, I forgot Ice cream. Oh yeah, you got a present, a few of them. You have another present coming.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I do yeah.
Speaker 3:Yeah, yeah, that's good.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah, it was good. I'm not going to lie the whooped cream, though. What's it called Whipped cream?
Speaker 3:Whipped. You've called it whooped cream since you were little I don't know. So when you still say whooped cream, like it kind of, melts my heart.
Speaker 1:Sometimes I say whooped and sometimes I say whipped.
Speaker 3:It's really supposed to be whooped, but you always say whooped, whooped cream.
Speaker 1:So whooped cream is like Whooped cream is like whoop your ass. Okay, the whipped cream is like it tastes bitter-y. Oh, it has a bitter taste. I don't want it.
Speaker 3:I got that same vibe.
Speaker 1:After you said that it tastes like blood, though.
Speaker 3:When I tasted it I was kind of like, oh, I see what he's saying about this. Yeah it's weird, I don't know. So we got the Dairy Queen cupcakes and this is what I did. I tried to just get a little hole past the whipped cream.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 3:I did too, and the vanilla, and then I just eat the chocolate and then crumbles and the caramel.
Speaker 1:I did that cry.
Speaker 3:And then I give the dogs the vanilla and the whooped cream.
Speaker 1:You're funny, it's funny.
Speaker 3:So fun fact. Do you want to know what I learned how to do this week?
Speaker 1:Yeah, let's learn, let's see what you learned. Okay, do you? Know, what I'm going to tell you. No, I have no idea. I feel like I should, or I feel like I just forgot.
Speaker 3:Yeah, you were there.
Speaker 1:No, you got to tell me. I bet you don't remember that.
Speaker 3:I erred, up my own tires.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, because the, but you didn't know how much pressure they needed to have. I didn't. It's supposed to be 37.
Speaker 3:Did you Google it?
Speaker 1:No, I'm kidding.
Speaker 3:You're close though.
Speaker 1:You're close. I think it's supposed to be 30.
Speaker 3:30 to 33 PSI, but I think I erred mine up to 36 because I knew like as soon as I took that thing off it was going to go Actually Google it, I did Google it, I'm telling you I don't remember what it said, but my little low pressure tire indicator has not come back on, so I feel like killing it. I was just out there.
Speaker 3:It was like the coldest day of the week. Oh yeah, and you're just out there unscrewing it. My little fingers are freezing. You're like what are you doing? I'm like I was like, oh, maybe he'll offer to help and he's like okay, see you later.
Speaker 1:I was cold though I was, I was. You had a cold on and gloves. I was nothing.
Speaker 3:You know what I call that Personal choice. Every morning I bring you to school Like you're going to wear a jacket no, I'm good. How about some gloves? No, I'm good.
Speaker 1:Well I should have. The only thing I had to do is just walk a couple of feet and I'm in the door. Okay, Must be rough. No, it's not.
Speaker 3:There was a bus crash today. There was no just walking in the door, it was all backed up. I was late to work, you was late to school. Yeah, did you feel bad? Actually, I wasn't late. No, well, I was actually. No, I actually like scooted in on time, but then I just, you know, when I get to work I like to ease in, unpack my stuff.
Speaker 1:I do too. That's what I hate about getting out of it.
Speaker 3:Yeah, you can relate.
Speaker 1:Yeah, Unpack my lunch. I actually talk to my friends and I'm like and then I see, you know I just had to just get the class mic properly.
Speaker 3:I need to get my coffee. I barely even woke up, bro. A few sips of my coffee in my system. Just get me fired up.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I need to get out. I got to drink my milk in the morning.
Speaker 3:Otherwise, I just feel like my neuros aren't firing right.
Speaker 1:You're funny.
Speaker 3:And then if I have to like draw blood or anything, I'm like got the shaky hand. I'm like, oh, believe me, I know what I'm doing. I just haven't had my coffee yet. Believe me, I don't even feel like, oh God, you're coming at me with that needle. It's all shaken. I'm like, nah, she's just in my coffee. You're funny. All right, I had something else funny happening.
Speaker 1:I was leaving work the other day.
Speaker 3:Nobody likes a shaky hand coming at him with a needle. No, I was leaving work the other day and this lady was just just like people are so rude. Like people are just so rude, they're in a hurry, they're selfish, they're rude. This lady is getting in her car and she's kind of just been a pain in the ass, you know, and I see her driving off. This is so funny because I was like come as my boyfriend, because I saw her dress was just hanging out the door Like she got her car and her like fabric was just like flapping in the window outside of the car.
Speaker 1:That's right.
Speaker 3:Come is my boyfriend.
Speaker 1:You're funny.
Speaker 3:Karma is the breeze in your dress on a really fucking cold day.
Speaker 1:You're funny.
Speaker 3:Me and karma. Vibe like that.
Speaker 1:Oh, my God.
Speaker 3:Okay. So do you remember our new thing that we're doing, when I ask you? Oh, first I have another terrible, crazy story to tell you what is that. So I decided to start donating plasma.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, that's right yeah.
Speaker 3:And I'm like you know what's the easiest way. I could make some extra money, like I don't want to get an extra job, but I want to travel and I want to be able to have fun.
Speaker 1:How often do you think I'll do it?
Speaker 3:You can do it up to two times a week, so that's what I'm striving for.
Speaker 1:You're going to do it two times a week. Yep, I'm going back tomorrow. Oh damn, yep, you're going to get a hundred bucks. You're going to make 200 bucks a week doing that.
Speaker 3:Well, the first month I can make up to $950. And I think it slows down after that. So I'm like, yeah, and it's tax free, they can't tax you on it.
Speaker 1:Like you always get a hundred bucks.
Speaker 3:No, no, no. I think like it depends on the promotions that they're having every month, but I think the minimum is like, if you go twice a week, you can get 40 the first time and 70 the sex, the sex the next time. So it's like what is that? 110 bucks a month a week, yeah, that's still like over $400 a month extra money.
Speaker 1:That's so good.
Speaker 3:You just go sit there and stick a needle in your arm and you chill.
Speaker 1:I feel really tired out and you kind of don't feel the best.
Speaker 3:Well, I'm going to tell you about that. So I get there. You know I go through. It's a long process. You have to have a physical, you have to like. Your iron has to be fine, your protein has to be fine, your blood pressure has to be fine, your heart rate has to be fine, your weight has to be fine.
Speaker 3:There's like all these check marks and things you have to have your heart listen to, your lung listens to. You have to report like every single tattoo and piercing that you have, because if you get another one, you have to go on like 120 day deferral before you can donate again. Whatever it was like this is just as big ordeal. So then they're like what did you eat today before you came here? And I'm like, well, I had vegetarian meatloaf and I had fruit snacks and I had an apple and I had.
Speaker 3:Right before I came, I drank a Fair Life protein shake and I had a kind bar. And they're like, oh, that's not enough food you need. You need here's some goldfish crackers and you need to drink water. And I'm like, okay, well, I brought water, I'll keep drinking that. I'm there. I'm like I'm like I have to pee, I have to pee, I have to pee, I drink all this water. I got to keep having to go pee. Finally I get back there and I give him my bad arm on accident. I'm like, oh, you know you can have this arm, but I forgot like this is my really good arm and nobody's ever even gotten blood out of this arm. But this guy was a champ Like he. Just he got a nice blood coming out, I was like, damn bro, you good at that.
Speaker 1:Anyway, yeah.
Speaker 3:I've never had blood out of this arm, only this one. This is a good vein over here. This one, not so much Any who, any who. I have in the past donated blood and sometimes I'll get a little like tired, woozy, like just feel like I want to go to sleep, feeling Never passed out or anything like that. And so they like show you, like okay, we want to get like 800 mls out of you. Here's like the number that you're where you're at and this is the goal. So if you want to know kind of where you're at in the donating process, just look at this number.
Speaker 3:And I'm like, doing good, I'm chugging along. It's been like 10 minutes and I'm at like 400 out of 800. I'm like, oh yeah, damn, I got this like 10 more minutes. I'm going to be done. Like I'm halfway there and I get to about like 550 and I'm like, oh, I'm getting tired, I'm starting to yawn, starting to yawn. And then I'm like, oh, starting to feel a little nauseous, like, oh, no, I'm starting to feel really hot and I'm like all right, kelly, you can fight this. Like I, I, I understand like the psyche of the brain and how this works, and like psychological response to blood and needles and how you're feeling and I'm like I can. I can fight this. I can beat this feeling.
Speaker 1:Why are you on it?
Speaker 3:I don't know, I'm just thinking about it. It's making me tired. So all of a sudden I'm like okay, like I'm getting to a point where I'm like, okay, I feel like you know, I I kind of like backed off a little bit, but I can't like totally like get the feeling and I kind of like gag, like like oh, that wasn't good. And then I kind of gag again, like shit. I'm going to ask for an ice pack at this point and I'm like, excuse me, hi, hi, can you get me?
Speaker 2:an ice pack.
Speaker 3:I'm feeling a little warm. Do you think you're going to get sick? I'm like maybe, Because if I can get that ice pack real fast, I might be able to nip that in the butt and make it not happen All of a sudden they show me the blue bag, like they're like here's a blue bag, I'm just puke all up in that bag. I feel that thing half up.
Speaker 1:Oh, it's so embarrassing.
Speaker 3:I got like barf on my mouth. You know, it's real cute. I'm like can I get an app, can? And I'm just like I just have my head in the bag because I'm like I don't want people to see me with barf on my face.
Speaker 1:You're just like, I feel like when, I throw up, it's so bad. You are like the exorcist the first throw up is like it's just like oh, waterfalls. Like I saw so much going on in my mouth at once. Like I have so much going on in my mouth, I can't breathe like at all, and it sucks.
Speaker 2:It does suck.
Speaker 1:Like it's like coming and it doesn't stop.
Speaker 2:I'm like, I'm, like, I'm going to die it like doesn't hurt. I just can't breathe and I start freaking out like air Cause.
Speaker 1:like you know, you can't breathe.
Speaker 3:You can't get air in when you're putting stuff out. Yeah, it's hard yeah. So you are a funny puker because you will be like in the bathroom, naked with, like, the door shut.
Speaker 1:That was one time.
Speaker 3:And you like, or your whole body is like lurching. That's the last time you threw up with a fun dip?
Speaker 1:No, it isn't. When did you puke since then? When I was at my dad's. Oh well, I was really easily. I went to the bathroom and I was like, oh, I know it's gonna happen, it was not that bad.
Speaker 3:Anyway.
Speaker 1:I was like. I was like oh, I'm fine in the morning I didn't.
Speaker 3:So anyway, so I was trying to like hold off, like on my puking. I'm like I'm getting sick, you know whatever I'm like I've got to get to that number so that they still pay me my money.
Speaker 1:Like.
Speaker 3:I'm like trying to think about the money, like you can do this, you can do this, and so, whatever, like they're checking my blood pressure. It's fine, you know, they're checking my vitals. As soon as I throw up, like I instantly feel better. And guess what? I threw up the goldfish and the water that they made me drink, that I didn't want in the first place. So I feel like, well, if you want to make me eat that, and so, then they're. You know, they're checking my blood pressure, like they're pulling the needle out there, whatever. And I'm like, do I still get my money? And they're like, yeah, yeah, you made it to the number that we need. Okay, perfect, perfect.
Speaker 3:So then I like, okay, we, well, we need you to stay now for another 15 minutes so we can monitor you, but we want you to eat some goldfish and some water. I'm like, no, I just, you can't eat something that you just puked. So you said no, I said I can't eat that, I can't eat a kind of bar. I'm like, oh, yeah, I can eat those all day. I love them. So, anyway, I'm going to go back tomorrow and, fingers crossed, it gets better.
Speaker 3:I'm like do I? I'm like, even though I threw up, can I come back? They're like yeah, yeah come on back. So I wonder if this time they're just going to be like here's a bag I mean I'll puke for $125 all day Cash not taxed.
Speaker 1:I don't like puking, because puking is not like a fast thing for me. It's like I like puke a bunch at the start and then it just slowly slows down.
Speaker 3:Here's the thing, like if so he most of my life, if I throw up, like I feel better, like it gives me instant relief.
Speaker 1:I can't really throw up if I'm like really full, like that's why.
Speaker 3:I feel that I'm sick.
Speaker 1:Yeah or sick yeah that was the only reason I throw up. I've never thrown up for like another reason.
Speaker 3:I don't think you're really lucky that you one that's.
Speaker 1:I really my my stomach Does not agree with the food. Yeah, I don't know.
Speaker 3:Yeah, when I was pregnant with you, I was very sick, very nauseous, threw up a ton for like 20 weeks. You know how long 20 weeks is, that's five months, yeah, so yeah that's five months.
Speaker 3:I was sick and, and, but when you're pregnant and you are sick or you throw up, it doesn't give you relief, like you still just feel really crappy. So you're lucky that you never have to experience that. You're welcome. You can thank your dad for sending a, just kidding. You can thank God for sending a male into my uterus, mm-hmm. Okay. So are you ready for your driver's ed question? No, it's our new segment. Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3:I was really proud of you last week, when you knew I was so surprised. But this one might be a little bit tougher. Okay, are you ready? Are you focused, you listening?
Speaker 1:Yeah, right, okay.
Speaker 3:When two vehicles. Do you know what a vehicle is?
Speaker 1:No, I totally don't.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I know what a vehicle is when two vehicles reach an intersection at the same time and there is no traffic light or stop sign, who has the right away? Is it the vehicle who turns on their blinker first is that the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right.
Speaker 1:What do you yield?
Speaker 3:yield means like weight, oh weight, or slow. Okay, the vehicle on the left must yield to the vehicle on the right, the vehicle on the right must yield to the vehicle on the left, or the heavier vehicle has the right away. Oh, it's not. It's not the bottom one, it's not the bottom.
Speaker 1:I know that process of elimination, it's intersection right.
Speaker 3:Yeah, intersection, everyone gets there at the same time. I'm your foot.
Speaker 1:I don't know what's your favorite school?
Speaker 3:It's like, we're like there. Usually there's a stoplight or a stop sign turning or like going straight yeah like you could turn, you could go straight. So who has the right away if there's no stop sign and no stop light?
Speaker 1:Where's the person I Need to know again like no, no, everyone's just driving.
Speaker 3:Oh person, so you ruled out the heavier vehicle smart good to do, ruled out so that you're let your three options you have left is is it who has the right away first, the vehicle that signals first? The vehicle on the left must wait for the right, or the vehicle on the right must wait for the left.
Speaker 1:The left goes first.
Speaker 3:You're wrong. The right always goes first. I can, and.
Speaker 1:I always think about what do you mean on the right, like is it only two lanes?
Speaker 3:Whoever's, not what I mean, I guess. If this, so it's a new car is going there. No, well, there's four. So an intersection is a four way.
Speaker 3:Oh, Honestly don't know so whenever you're at that situation, unless there's multiple cars, then I feel like it's just whoever stops first has the right away. You know, I always do that like why you always say, mom, why are you calling me to five? Because I do that one, two, three, four, and if no one else goes, then I go on five. Because a lot of times people all get there at the Same time and they're like we don't know what to do. Who's gonna go? So I have in five seconds and if nobody goes and like, all right, fuck you, I'm going.
Speaker 1:But Assent process ago, like when you're waiting.
Speaker 3:So it's just saying, like, when it so? Here's the thing about driving you only have to pass your permit test one time, yeah, so means you don't even have to do it, right? You just have to answer the questions, right, yeah? And then, when you do your drivers test, you only have to pass it one time, yeah, and then you can really do whatever you want to yeah.
Speaker 3:You know, as long as you don't hurt anyone or yourself, yeah, but the answer is always the person to the right is In the right, okay, so just think of it like that.
Speaker 1:Oh, if you're on the right, you're right to go, yeah so if you're in, the right side you're on, you have the right away you've the right to go. Okay, yeah, okay, so that's so.
Speaker 3:You got that one wrong, just so you know. All right, today we have a really great interview and it is from Eric Skog quest. He is Noka City council member, does really great things for Noka. He's been here his whole life and we're gonna talk to him and I voted for him. I hope you did too, and and and, and. You know what I love I say, and so much.
Speaker 1:Uh-huh, yeah, you do, yeah, yeah, yeah, and and and all right.
Speaker 3:So here's Eric scope quiz. Take it away. Oh, you're listening to another episode of on our best behavior, and today I have a very special guest. He is a lifelong Noka resident neighbor, politician, expert, property appraiser, community volunteer and a Noka City council member. I have Eric Skoguqquist the long. Oh, I should be good. I'm really good at saying boat, so I should be really good at saying Skoguqquist.
Speaker 2:Very Minnesota way to say it to Skoguqquist.
Speaker 3:Yeah, always drag out those O's. All right, Eric. So tell me what I missed. Give me a little introduction about yourself.
Speaker 2:Sure, so my name's Eric Skoguqquist. Like you said, I'm Mostly lifelong in Noka and when I was really little we actually lived out in. Now then that's kind of where they let's go family. They're all farmers out there back when it was rural and Noka, but it's not so rural anymore out there. So we ended up moving into town when I was like three, four years old and then pretty much been here ever since, except for We'll stint in college at the U of M. But otherwise it's a great place and so that's why why I'm still here and have a wife, couple, kids and then do this council, city council thing kind of on the side. So I have a pretty full life, but it's a good life, it's fun and and I always like to be involved and busy.
Speaker 3:So I think it's interesting when people grow up somewhere and then decide like this is where I want to be my whole life. When I was a kid, I was like I am gonna get out of this town, Not in Noka, I'm not from here my whole life. I grew up in East Bethel, but I went to St Francis High School and I was like I am getting out of this town, I don't want to live here forever. And then I found a Noka when I was 21 and I loved it. And now I'm 41. I've been here for 20 years and I love this city, so I can see what's great about it. But I didn't grow up here. You grew up here. You went to college and you said you know what? I'm going back to an Oka. I'm gonna raise my family and build my future there. Why is a Noka special to you? Well, you know, you said the key word family.
Speaker 2:So for me that's a big, big part of it. So when I was, you know, try to figure out what am I gonna do when I grow up. That type of thing it's always what. What are my interests and what do I want to go to school for and so and so I had applied to the University of Minnesota and I was gonna be a park ranger. That was my thing. So I went for natural resource management. I got accepted and got scholarships, all this stuff. I'm like all right, this is what I want to do very outdoorsy, have been in, you know, scouts as a kid and all these different things, and so that's what I decided I want to do.
Speaker 2:But you know, I came to this realization at some point that I I probably have to be away from people and, you know, travel or maybe accept the job wherever that is, which could be Hour away, it could be a thousand miles away. So I started to have second thoughts about that, really, because even that little bit in college, only being in, you know, minneapolis, at the U of M, I Just I felt that drawback to an Oka, to my family, the place that I called home, and I, you know, I remember this one time when I was working. I worked in Home Depot in college for a little while and I Got scheduled and it was during the Halloween parade and I was so angry I couldn't get off. You know that was my only eight hours. They scheduled me all week and I was just like all right, I'm gonna have a life choice here, what I want to do with myself.
Speaker 2:So changed a little college jobs but really decided after about two years of living down there by the U of M, I decided you know what I'm gonna be in an Oka, I'll just commute and that's kind of what I did and I've just been around ever since and then it's yeah, not just family too, but it's just like you said, and Oka is a really unique place.
Speaker 2:It's a fun town, it's a creative town and one thing I think is Really really neat about it that hopefully this lasts a long time. But it's got that mixture of like I can be in a small town by a big city. I can go 10 miles away and I'm kind of out in, out in rural area. I'm gonna go 10 or 15 miles the other way and you're in the city. It's just it's kind of a crossroads of so many places and it's really Preserved its its history and and its culture and stuff over the years, even if it's changed. It's got all of those little things and maybe that's, I think, that's a lot of the reason why I like to be here.
Speaker 3:And fun fact you and I actually live on the same road, so I think that's always like yeah for real neighbors totally so Going back to figuring out what you want to be when you grow up, I think that's interesting that you said that you wanted to be a park ranger, because my son like says he wants to be an electrician because he thinks that that's like Achievable, but he always says, like I want to be a DNR officer, that would be a fun job. And so I think it's funny that you had went to school thinking that you were gonna be a park ranger. But yeah, that's very true.
Speaker 3:Like the Hope of going to school to be that and then to work in like a NOCA or even Minnesota alone is Probably not that easy to achieve. So I always am trying to teach my kids like find out what your true passion is and try to incorporate that into a career, because if you can find a job that you like, that is something that you love doing, it's gonna be a lot easier of a road right If you have to do work but you enjoy it. Like that makes life easier. And you are passionate about preserving historical places and you found a career doing that. I mean you get to assess properties and try to preserve historic buildings in a NOCA in the surrounding areas. And so how did you go from wanting to be a park ranger to deciding I'm gonna appraise historical buildings?
Speaker 2:Yeah, it was kind of interesting. So what what started was, you know, I thought this is what I want to do and then I started to have those realizations about what that meant and At the same time I was starting to figure this out. Senior year, kind of of high school into college, my brother older brother, his name is Bjorn, he's five years older than me he Decided he was gonna run for mayor because he had some beefs on a few things and he was all of 22 years old and he won, and so he was mayor of an OCA for eight years in his 20s, retired at the old age of 30, and so as this, you know, I'm thinking about these things, I'm seeing what he's doing and how he's involved, and I started to pay more attention to civic things in my own community and that really started to show me that that was something I had a lot of interest in. So I shifted while I was in school I shifted over to dual degrees in political science and then urban studies, so city planning, sociology, geography, history, kind of all that stuff mixed in together and I thought, okay, I'm gonna be a city planner, that'll be my thing instead. And so this, this kind of Interest in local government was born by not only something that was happening in my life and with my family but also having a big impact on this city that I and live in and I love. So that that's kind of where the shift sort of started to happen for me.
Speaker 2:And then, 2005 or so, I got out of college and started looking for jobs and it wasn't a great market at that point it wasn't bad yet but I just couldn't find things that was interested in. So I did my old fallback, which for me was a carpentry construction, and I grew up in old houses, in an elka and one of those fixer upper type families. So I was used to working at the older houses and that kind of filled the gap. For a while I would do remodeling and things on folks, older houses, because it just wasn't a lot of people that understood. You know how to get different sized lumber and how to match materials and all that type of stuff that I just kind of learned. I'm growing up around it so I was doing that on the side and cobble and different things together. And Then my my wife's family is also from a noka. They live kind of up by Wilson school and neighbors.
Speaker 2:Father Was a property assessor and he was an independent contractor, wasn't one that worked for a city or a county, just kind of contracted with different places, and so he was looking for somebody to work with him. So I thought, all right, I'll give this a shot, see what, see what it's like, and and I really enjoyed it. It's just kind of a mixture of a lot of things. You know, a little bit of math, geography, history, construction, and then just, you know, shooting the breeze of people too. So that's that's something I really enjoy doing as well, and so that's kind of how I fell into that and I really enjoyed it.
Speaker 2:And the niche I have is I just work in a lot of different communities throughout the state of Minnesota, and one thing that I think is really cool about that is I get to see His little microcosms. Every city, every township. They're all kind of different but they're all sort of the same, and I can see what works for ones and what doesn't work for some, and kind of take those ideas back with me, and so that that's really what I do for my, my paying gig Not that I don't get paid to be on City Council, but it's enough to cover those lunch bills, and so it's, it's. It's a really good, good fit for me. I've kind of created my own niche and really enjoyed.
Speaker 3:So first of all, I want to tell you that, as somebody who lives in a house built in 1948 and being only the second person who's ever lived in this house, which I think is amazing that, wow, people who lived in my house before me built this house and, like, lived here, raised their kids and died, and then, you know, 20-something year old me comes along and buys it and here I am, 40 plus and still living here.
Speaker 3:But whenever something needs to be done, it's like you cannot go back to the city. It's like you cannot go to Menards and just buy a window or a door, like everything is like custom, you know, and then you want to keep like the charm of the house right, like I think that's one of the things that's fun about living in old Anoka is all these houses have so much charm and character and it's not like when you go to a new development, all the houses kind of just look the same. They're all just like a little bit different or a little bit different color, where all of these houses are completely different, in my opinion, and I love that. So that is definitely a challenge and a good thing that you're good at, since you like to restore new houses and we're gonna get to your house. Yeah, that's definitely been a challenge for me.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. It's not not the easiest in the world, but you find the right people that understand it and it's, you know, it makes a world of difference and that that is you know why one of the things about anoka that's cool. It's not just you know the people that I really enjoy, but it's just a unique environment. It's, you know, it's an older town, there's a lot of older towns, but I guess that it's kind of a mixture of Older, a new city world. It's all these things together which probably would drive some people crazy, but for me, I love it.
Speaker 3:So you're on the city council. What does this city council member do?
Speaker 2:So City Council member is basically it's a part-time job. The minimal you do is you have to attend meetings every month. So we have about three meetings every month two officials, council meetings and then like a work session or a workshop, we kind of hash stuff out and so there's that portion of it. But then there's all sorts of, you know, subgroups and committees that people are on and there's all that meeting, discussion stuff. And then there's the other part of it, which to me is a really important part. It's just that those soft things that you do going, attending events, reaching out to people, answering their questions and phone calls and emails, trying to solve problems for folks that to me is a big part of the job that I think some elected officials are better at than others. Some put more energy into it than others.
Speaker 2:I try to put a lot into that because, to be quite honest with you, when I was not an elected official, but I was still very actively engaged, I was on the park board prior and just somebody that was interested and sometimes butt heads with people at City Hall. You know the response back was now is great. Sometimes it was just ignored, sometimes it felt like it really was just we're just giving you a kind of lip service and so I don't want to do that. As a city council member I've been on the outside of that and it's not fun. So I tell people that you know. If there is an issue or concern or you're not getting traction, just let me know, because if I can bring that forward and I can point something out not all the time but a lot of times there could be movement and things can get done. So I think that's a big part of the job.
Speaker 3:Yeah, that's one of the things that I really like about you, as I and I'm going to get to that too but I just see you in the community so active in. In my 20 years of being in Anoka, I really haven't seen anyone as active as you in the community and I applaud that. So appreciate that, thank you. Can you share some of the current initiatives or projects that the city council is working on right now?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so there's I feel like there's been so many things the last couple of years. It's just crazy how Anoka's the population isn't that different. It's been 17, 18,000 people for a long time, but just the amount of action and activity that happens in the city and decisions that are made is it's. I mean, I feel like it's doubled in 20 years from from when I first started paying attention to all this stuff, and I think part of that is just the growth of the community around us as well. Anoka is its own city, but you know I live in Anoka, but I don't just live in Anoka. I shop in Kunrapads, I go to the Champlain, you know Ramsey and all these places right, and the other people do the same thing. And so one thing I started to tell people that I've noticed is Anoka is really kind of the downtown and the I would say, the core neighborhoods of a city of probably 200,000 people. You know it's just people don't care about where the city line stops and ends. They go shopping one place, they live someplace, and all that type of stuff is important. So I think that's a lot of the reasons why it's grown and just got so much more life and activity, and that comes with challenges.
Speaker 2:Some of the challenges that we've been dealing with obviously is we have traffic Everybody talks about that. All these highway projects, the roads, the main highways, are the same as they were in 1960. The population in Anoka and around is not the same, and so that comes with a lot of challenges. We've kind of done with mostly done with all the Highway 10 projects, but that was really a city driven thing, kind of a crazy situation when you think about it, but it was a US Highway, highway 10 and 169. And then typically what you do is you just have to wait around for the state or the feds to finally come up with money and say, all right, we're going to do your project. No, well, what happened always was Anoka never got it, because the second you got to the Anoka border, all of a sudden you had skinny roads and cemeteries and seven bridges and you know it just became too big of a thing for them to start. So it never happened. And so the city and no, to give credit, this started somewhat before I was on the council too, but it was just all right, let's go get grant funds, let's come up with a plan ourselves that we can live with. And so that was starting. And then, as I was on the council, that was continuing in the city of Anoka ended up coming up with over $80 million of grant funds from the feds and the state and all sorts of areas and said, all right, state, we got a project, we got money, let's go. And so that that's what happened. And then on top of that, the state said, well, now that you're going to fix the areas, basically to think from like Greenhaven and the old Perkins to ramp the Ramsey border that was the Anoka project to kind of get rid of the lights and all of that. And the state said, all right, we'll come up with some money and we'll rebuild Ferry Street and we'll do all that other stuff from, basically, the golf course to Green Rapids. And so that synergy that got created around the project became huge. And now other cities Ramsey as an example their projects are happening to get rid of their lights because they followed the same model. They went and got their own funds, and so that that's a really powerful thing If you look at that of a city of 18,000 people came forward with the money and created this big project, and so we continue to kind of try to do that with other things.
Speaker 2:We've been trying to do some stuff along Highway 47. That's another little, that's another set of the cow path that got paved and it's been that way for a very, very long time. But there's challenges, you know. There's the railroad tracks, there's Alter, there's manufacturing or, excuse me, alter, like the scrap yard. There's the fairgrounds, there's houses up right along there. I mean, it's a tight, difficult corridor, so now one might take a while, but we're going to keep working on it.
Speaker 2:And then one other thing that's been taking a lot of time lately, but there's, there's a jail expansion that's in the works for an old county. That's something they've been, they've been wanting to do for a while, and so it's. It's this delicate balance between it. You know, what does Anoka County need? And I think they need to decide for themselves what do they need. And then, what can the city of Anoka handle in its location currently? And so we've been, we've been kind of at odds a little bit on that, but we've been talking and we're trying to work out a plan. So now again, kind of following that same model, the city is putting some time and energy into coming up with some options that says this is what we can live with. If you want plan A, which is a very large, you know, triple expansion of the current jail capacity, probably not going to work in its current location Because we don't want to take out some of those neighborhoods, we don't want to take out streets, all of these things that a large jail would mean for that location.
Speaker 3:Yeah, because that's already, like, located on like a whole block itself. So if you did expand it right, you would be going into other blocks and homes and absolutely Correct.
Speaker 2:So so that's something that we're working on and we're just we're trying to come up with a resolution. So we're working with the county board. You know there's kind of fits and starts and you know all that type of stuff, but we'll get there and so in the end I think we'll get a rebuilt kind of safe jail that will work for the capacity of Anoka County but also not kind of be this giant Elbitross in the city, the core of the city of Anoka. So that's just some of those things. But there's always little stuff. That, that's the little stuff, is the stuff I really like Just working on expanding sidewalks, getting bike trails, trying to get little development, unique things here and there.
Speaker 2:We're trying to angle to see if we can get a hotel downtown right now. So that would be pretty, that would be pretty awesome. So we got some funding for a to just do a study, to start marketing. So hopefully in the near future something like that can happen where people not only can come downtown but they can stay down there, and that just you know, if you've been here 20 years, you can you kind of remember that I would say Anoka was one of these towns where there was three bars and you open to fourth and one of them will close right. There was just only so much capacity for things. And if you really look at the last 15 years or 10 years even, you know I just use bars as an example, but I mean there's other businesses, unique places, yarn stores, um um wine, wine, bar, speakies, all these other unique things, the mill sites and event center. So over time more things have kind of built up and created a situation where they feed off of each other and they complement each other really well.
Speaker 3:I like that a lot. I like that idea. I never really thought about that, but yeah, there's so many neat little bars and restaurants and it's the kind of area where you can kind of hop from place to place like everything has a little bit something different to offer. And then you have the river, which is beautiful and scenic. The whole social district thing. Like that opens up a whole nother good reason for having a place to stay the event center when there's weddings and there's all these cute little shops and antique shops and stores and ice cream, and I love that idea.
Speaker 3:I think that's really great because, like you said, that's one of the things I love about Anoka is there's seriously every possible thing you could want bakeries, I mean, I love it. I love it, it's great. I think that's a good idea. So if you are not even an Anoka resident but any city resident, how can they become more involved in their community? I feel like a lot of people like to be pros on the couch and I see a lot of people putting in their two cents on social media in the Anoka community page and you know it's always like just arguments and so anyway, if you actually want to do something about it. How can you?
Speaker 2:Yeah. So I mean there's lots of things. One thing I'd say, and all cities have this but there's all sorts of volunteer boards and committees and commissions and things like that. So you know, on Anoka I don't know the exact number, we probably have eight or ten of them Everything from you know Heritage Preservation Commission, so kind of the historic stuff, to the Parks and Rec Board, to Utility Advisory Commission, because the City of Anoka has a utility board but a lot of cities have that.
Speaker 2:Planning and zoning in Anoka is big but a lot of growing cities. That's an important part. What do you want your community to look like? Where do you want things to go? That's a big part of it and then everything down to that. We have a parking advisory board in Anoka. So if you know it's more business folks but you know they're the ones that deal with stop signs and parking times and all that type of stuff, and so if you look at your particular community you can go to usually your city website or if you're on a township, even some of those different ones, they have planning and zoning board or things. Just go to those and check, because a lot of times that's something that maybe only requires one meeting a month, Sometimes they're two or whatever. You can kind of pick what works for you. But it's a good way to not only get involved and bring up an initiative that you might have, but just know what's happening in your community.
Speaker 2:I was on the park board for nine years and the best part about that is not just talking about park related things, but I would always get updates on, hey, what's going on with this road project or this river thing or this development, and so it's kind of a good summary of what's happening in the city. And then usually there's, you know, those groups can network together and sometimes there'll be a joint meeting with another group. So I would say that's the first thing. But also there's a lot of nonprofits around you know, that do specific things. So every community has, you know these Lions organizations are just volunteer groups. Historian, Okka County Historical Society that's something that I kind of was involved with a little bit when I was younger as well, and just all of that stuff. So pick your interest like you said with work earlier right, what interests you, and look for things out there, and sometimes you'll find opportunities you didn't even realize just by being involved.
Speaker 3:Right, and I think it's easy to voice your opinion and complain, but getting out there and doing something about it and actually know what's going on is a game changer.
Speaker 2:And you know what you mentioned. It's interesting. So I mean we don't have to get too much into the whole social media thing. You know it's good and bad, right, there's a lot of pros and a lot of cons of that, but I try to be active. I would say I'm mainly more active on Facebook than anything else just because there's a lot of folks on there.
Speaker 2:But it's a good way for people to communicate stuff, because before it was, you know what's the city doing. Well, it's on, you know the bulletin board at City Hall or in the, you know age 47 of the newspaper or whatever, and so those types of things were difficult to communicate and understand what's going on. A lot of times now you know somebody's already answered a question before I get to it and I try to be pretty proactive on answering questions. But there's some people that answer things actually way better than I do and I try to only interject when there's, you know, maybe, something I can add to it or a correction or whatnot. But that's been amazing because things happen so quickly and people can respond so quickly that it's a good. That also is a really good way to just engage with the community. It's not the only way, but it is a very good way.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I like it because I can always like, when I'm wondering like what building is going up there or what business is going in there, like I usually can weed through the comments and figure it out. So you know, let's always care like what's gonna be the new place to eat, because you know priorities Exactly exactly. Hey, you know what that's, that's.
Speaker 2:That's alright, because some, how would you find that stuff up before?
Speaker 3:It would just be rumor and innuendo for forever, until the sign is on the wall Like did they put the sign up yet no, did they put the sign up yet no? So I personally feel like you do a great job of being informative, transparent. I think that you do a really good job leading by example. I see you out in the community picking up trash, participating in community events, volunteering, saving the trees. You know, I hear you telling us what's going around in Onoka. I see you thanking people and like shouting people out like hey, I see you, I saw you did this and you know giving them, you know credit that maybe people wouldn't know that they deserve and let's be humble, like it always feels good to get a pat on the back. So I think that you, circling back, do a really good job at leading by example. What do you look for in Onoka? Community leadership.
Speaker 2:You know I I look for the same thing you're just talking about. You know it doesn't mean you have to do that, be totally out there and spend 30 hours of your week doing that type of stuff. But to me what's important is, you know there's there's elected leaders, which you know. That's like I said, there's certain responsibilities to that and there's certain soft things, but you can be a leader in your community in a lot of ways and some people are on City Council or mayor or county commissioners or whatever, a lot of the people that are very influential and do a lot of good work. They just do something, you know, they decide all right, this is an issue that I see, I'm gonna, I'm gonna figure it out, I'm gonna start working with people, I'm gonna solve this problem.
Speaker 2:I'll say a good example of that was so it's been a few years but it's still going on is up at the old state hospital cottages. Those are beautiful buildings. They were built, you know, 1904 through probably the late teens and from you know, basically a mental institution for folks, and so the county has had those now and you know they're expensive to maintain and to upgrade and so a few years back they didn't want to do it. It was too much money and they were thinking of demolishing it. And so what happened was there's a group of citizens that decided you know, we're gonna step up, we're gonna do something. The City Council at the time said we're not. You know, we don't want you to demolish those, for we won't make your life easy to do it. But what can we? What can we do? And so after a few years, some solutions came about, and so the idea it's now called Haven for Heroes, but remodeling a few of them, turning them into housing for homeless veterans in the community, and so that's been a way to rehab a few of those buildings.
Speaker 2:And that's just been members of the community. One of the members was Senator Jim Abler, but he wasn't doing it as a senator, he was just doing it as a guy that lived in Anoka, him and his wife. They lived right across the river and probably grew up and saw those things forever. And so another day, bart Nellon Ward just members of the community that decided this is something we're gonna do, doug Holcomb from the Legion. And so they all kind of have been working on this diligently behind the scenes for years and years, raising millions of dollars and money, donated labor materials, and that's been a huge thing because it's shown. If anybody has a chance ever during a tour to go and view those, just to see what's been redone on those two cottages they've done already.
Speaker 2:They're just gorgeous buildings. I mean you look at them and the way that things were built at that point versus today it's totally different. But those are the shelters I've ever been in. I mean chandeliers and led glass and just all sorts of cool stuff. And so that was just again people in the community saying I'm gonna lead by example. This is something I want to do. But circling back to just government, to me I think it's important that you have leaders that are willing to lead by example, that are willing to go out there, talk to people, communicate. That's still something I think a lot of folks don't do so great at is getting back to people. I'm not saying I'm perfect. I might miss one here or there, but responding to comments, emails, phone calls, that type of stuff is just a real basic job and unfortunately, a lot of times it gets lost on certain folks. So I hate to say that that's one of the things that people really like about me, because it should be something that everybody does. It just doesn't always happen.
Speaker 3:I think that I mean, one of the best bosses that I've ever had in my life was I work in healthcare and I remember like there was a bodily fluids on the floor and I saw her like on her hands and knees like cleaning it up, not just like telling somebody else to do it, and that always just resonates in my mind. That's a true leader, somebody who's gonna just get down and dirty and do what they have to do to be a team and not just tell other people what to do, but to actually see them doing it themselves just speaks volumes.
Speaker 2:Yeah, totally agree, and you can't. That's the balance right. You can't just do that all the time. You have to be able to delegate in positions of leadership too. But there's something to be said. I'm just kind of leading the troops.
Speaker 2:I guess you could say and it is important, and especially at a local level. You know that's one thing. People always ask, hey, would you be interested in running for something else? You know higher, and most of the time I just say not really, my interests are in my community. The reason I feel like I'm doing this is because I felt there was a need for people of different ideas and opinions to be involved, and it just the community is what's close to you. That's where you live. You know it's interesting to read about what's going on in Washington or the Capitol or whatever, but you know the vast majority of your life is driven by the decisions in the city, county, school, all this stuff that's in the area you live, and so to me that's what's most important and that's what I try to be able to lead with. But also bring people along and say, hey, why don't you get involved? Because you never know what cool idea you can create if you just meet the right people, you know. Put your time in. That's what makes me.
Speaker 3:So living here your whole life. Can you share some hidden gems or lesser known spots in Anoka that you've discovered?
Speaker 2:Well, if I share them, then everybody else knows about them, right?
Speaker 3:You don't know. If you don't ask Eric, I know, it's all good, there's not like a secret.
Speaker 2:you know chamber anywhere.
Speaker 3:I mean, there are some speakeasies around here, but I mean you can find those on your own.
Speaker 2:That's right. That's right, you know. So there's some pretty cool spots. So, like, growing up around, I was the type of person that you know got on my bike, rode around, did whatever you know, always explore places. Maybe you shouldn't when you're 14 or 13 years old, but you figure different things out, and so I always thought you know one of my favorite places, even to this day. I should say there's two really favorite places in Anoka.
Speaker 2:One is just going down to, like, the Rum River, the core area of the old part of town, because you can go by it on the path, you can go by it on Main Street, it's very picturesque by the dam, it's all nice, but when you actually get down by the river, it's a totally different world. Down there it's, you know, it's a history, it's a lot of nature that you wouldn't have expected in that environment and there's so many unique things. I know I don't know how many years I've been doing it like a trash cleanup, usually in the fall down there. It started when we, you know, we had some really low water one year, and now it's like every year we have low water, but you know, you pick up garbage and all these other things, but at the same time you would find old leather soles from the factory that used to be there 100 years ago, and some people would find the old wire spectacles and we found a skateboard that had probably been sitting in the water for 30 or 40 years, and just you know, it's really that type of stuff is interesting and that's just garbage, right. But, by the way, it's much better now. Every time we clean it up there's a lot less stuff, but that's just a kind of a cool area that people probably have been hanging out and doing that type of stuff forever. It's right in front of your face but a lot of people don't go down there and check it out.
Speaker 2:My other really place that I like a lot is so if you ever go to the Anoka Nature Preserve, it's up by the County Library, up Highway 7, 7th Avenue 116. And so it's kind of tucked in. There's a newer neighborhood that's along Bunker and 7th there, but you go back behind the library. It's 200 acres. It's along the Rum River, there's Oak Savannah, oak Forest, there's Ferry, there's River. It's just a really cool place to just explore and you'll be sitting on the middle of this wide open field. You feel like you're in Iowa Actually, that's its nickname is Iowa and then you can see in the distance the Ramsay Water Tower and you know all these other things. But it's just kind of unique, just island there that you don't think about and I've always loved that again, I'm a nature guy. It kind of revives me, so having something like that so close is to me is really really cool.
Speaker 3:Yeah, and I think, like we had mentioned earlier, one of the unique things about Anoka that we both love is you are in a city but sometimes you feel like you're not. Like if you're down by the river it feels like you're not in the city, and if you're in the woods it doesn't feel like you're in the city. You know you can be really close to everything, but also super far away.
Speaker 2:Yeah, exactly, and you know, connecting those things I'm talking about, there's the trail of Rim River Trail. It's a trail that goes for the most part on Interrupted there's a couple little spots near Pleasant Street, but it'll go from South to downtown and all the way up to the nature area and there's some spots where you're on these bluffs, overlooking things, surrounded by these, you know, five foot six foot diameter cottonwood trees and 300 year old oak trees, and it's crazy because you know you go two or three blocks the other way and you're on 7th Avenue where everything's zooming by, and so I think those are. That's really cool. That's one of the unique parts about having these rivers that run through town is they kind of just force nature upon people in a lot of areas. And it's great that it's there because it helps kind of connect the natural world with this kind of urban, busy world in which we live.
Speaker 3:So the house that you live in on Monroe Street is a historical home that you moved from its original location and it was going to get torn down. It went up for auction. Now did you already own the lot that you moved the house on to? How did all this work? Does this happen often, where teardowns go up for auction and people maybe don't know about it and you get a better deal on it, or you know? Give me that whole story, Like what is on the lot where that house was.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so kind of the story of that. So this I almost say, grew up, I was in that neighborhood for a long time, so we're talking kind of the old Christian, the south of Main Street. And so the house that was up it was a foreplex. It was 1887, big, giant Victorian type house, but I've been turned into a foreplex that the owner had lived in since 1960, up through 2010, I can't remember exactly, or she passed away, but it was right around that time.
Speaker 2:And so the city acquired it because it was in an area that they wanted to do some redevelopment. And so most of the time when the city, at least for a long time, when they would buy property and they'd buy houses, it was instantly all right, let's just demolish it and start fresh. And so there was a lot of pushback on that particular one, because if you see in the house it's a really grand house. Just because it got turned into a foreplex doesn't mean it's terrible or whatever. But that's just something that happened a lot in the Nolka and these older, bigger houses that got chopped up, things like that. So we don't want to see it demolished. So the city's Housing and Redevelopment Authority, which is a commission under the city I didn't mention it before you can apply to beyond they didn't want to really see it demolished, but they didn't want to do rehab work or move it or do anything themselves. And so what they decided to do was say, all right, we'll sell this house, we'll sell it to the right person for a dollar. But what you need to do is you need to. First of all, you have to move the house and then, secondly, you can't have it be a rental anymore, you have to turn it back into a single family, and so there just really wasn't takers for that because of the expense and the cost and everything like that.
Speaker 2:And so my wife and I are both a little nuts, apparently. So we decided we were at that point in life we started you know we're having kids and family was growing and we were in a pretty, pretty little tiny cookie cutter 1900, I'll say three bedrooms, generously, it was really two bedroom house. And so we were trying to look at something to expand and we thought, hey, this is maybe something that could work. And so, to answer your question, do people move houses like this? Very often Not really. You know, ramblers, one story houses, they're easier. It's kind of like something you can throw on some wheels and move around. But 30 foot tall, big, giant monster houses don't move very often, but it's done. In fact it's a little nugget the house to the east of me. There's a yellow house to the east of my house that was also moved, probably 2008 or 2010. So it happens, but it's usually kind of cost prohibitive to do that. People have to do it because the house is unique or they love the house Especially. The taller they get, the harder it gets to, because you run into trees and power lines and all that. So we were looking for a place to move it. And again, it's a large house and it can't go very far. So where's it going to go? You're not in an area with big open lots and all that type of stuff.
Speaker 2:So we were really scrambling for a while because the Housing and Redevelopment Authority put a deadline on it and said you know, you can't remember a few months to figure something out. Every one we tried to find didn't work, or maybe it wasn't the best lot, because maybe the location wasn't great and so we didn't have a lot of options. And then sort of there was a hail mary of the last minute that I said. You know, I found out the guy that owned the lot my house is currently on on the road street. He owned like three houses in one area and he had just kind of redone the lot lines because there was a little little like one and a half story kind of house on the spot mine is now, but it was. It had been trashed by renters where they plugged the drains, turned the water on. That whole deal Really wasn't salvageable.
Speaker 2:So the lot he kind of redoed the lot lines and I looked at it and I said, hey, you know, this actually will work for this if we could make it work. And it was one block away. You know Monroe Street it's not a human, it's not like Main Street, but it's wide, you know there's enough space for it. And so said, hey, can I buy this old house from you and demolish it and all that type of stuff? And so we worked out a deal, brought it to the city and said, hey, this is what I interested in doing. And they said OK, and so we did it. We, we took some time. It took probably I had to rewire the house. I did that myself. So that took a year while it was in its old and new location, and they moved it in August of 2014 down the street, which is still talked about to this day, If you ever probably remember, but I swear I've talked to more people that watch my health move that were actually there.
Speaker 2:But you know hundreds and hundreds of people and it was at five o'clock in the afternoon on a warm summer evening. So it was the dinner crowd, the two scoops ice cream crowd. They're all just hanging out on the lawn in front of the Sandberg school just watching, watching it happen, and so it was a pretty, pretty cool experience. I was tell people I would. I would do that. Knowing what I know Now, I would have done it the same way. I just don't want to do it a second time because it's just so much. I mean, all the stars are like for you, Eric.
Speaker 3:I mean you got, you got kind of lucky. Totally doesn't happen.
Speaker 2:They did, and it's a weird little thing, and probably the one of the reasons we're crazy enough is I have my. Before I was even born, my parents moved to house out and now then the house I lived in when I was a kid, so they moved it on to you know 20 acres that grandma split off from the farm, and then my I'd helped a guy in St Francis move an old schoolhouse, and then my wife's parents even moved to house an old farmhouse up north in Aiken County that I had helped do a bunch of work, but so I'd been around it enough to know I wasn't going to be totally scared by it. But it was the first time I did it myself, and so I'm glad we did it.
Speaker 2:It's it's an awesome house. It's in a great location. I got sick. I ended up in the hospital after like it was just it was. It wore me out, but at the end of the day I'm glad I did it.
Speaker 3:So I'm still here and I got a good story to tell and a lot of people are familiar with it, so it's kind of a small legend. You know a legendary story Like is that true? Yes, it happened.
Speaker 2:I keep a picture of the house, like the lights on it at night, in the middle of the street, like right by our front door. So when anybody I mean you get people walk by on the sidewalk and they talk about that house move, I just run and say, yeah, here's a picture, and they just jaw drops and it's pretty cool.
Speaker 3:Can we talk about sidewalk track law?
Speaker 2:We can talk about sidewalk.
Speaker 3:We're going to be able to write on our sidewalks again in Anoka. It's like one of those funny like southern ones like you can't marry your cousin or you can't. You know you can't wear a skirt on Saturday after three. You can't ever write on the sidewalks in Anoka La Choc.
Speaker 2:Yeah, you know. So it officially was. The flag ordinance is what looked at. Self started that we were amending the ordinance that related to flags, and so it was one of those kind of Vietnam era ordinances that said you know, you can only use certain things with flags, and I don't even remember all the details, but it was. It was kind of out of date. And so one of the council members at the time this was, I forgot, 20, maybe or 19.
Speaker 2:One of those years they decided, ok, we're going to update this and we're going to do certain things in there that you know, quote protect the city. It was the mindset. So people can't request putting any and all flags or symbols in the parks, or you know, kind of a kind of a neutered neutral law that says, you know, no, no opinions can be done in there, because you get people that would say, well, you know, they're going to put pride, pride flags or they're going to put Nazi flags, all these other things. And they said we don't want to deal with that, you know. And so that was the logic and the reasoning behind amending this, this ordinance. And so, as we're going through this and I kind of came up and I started to read it I said, ok, there's certain things in here that are normal activities that would be prohibited by this law. And I remember specifically pointing out to one of which was the kindness rock garden, that if you ever go along the river there was a lot of folks that were leaving rocks, for you know, it was a memorial to a fallen female soldier that had committed suicide, and so it was a really great thing, I thought. But you know, this is somebody leaving something on a public location. That's not a sanctioned government thing, and so that's kind of the reasoning or the teeth behind this law. And so I said you know, that's not, that wouldn't be OK. And then I said you know, you can't use chalk on the sidewalk. You can use it in the driveway but not on the sidewalk in front of their house. I'm like that's silly. And so it came back after first discussion and they worked away around the kindness rock garden thing by technically making it part of the city park now. So if you go, it's been moved. It's near the stairway behind City Hall and it's part of the park system, you know, just like a park bench or something. It's kind of it's part of it and so that's OK.
Speaker 2:But you know the mention I said of chalk, so what. You know that's still going to be illegal. Why are we making something that's really pretty harmless of legal? And so that there was differences of opinion where people said you know it's graffiti, that's how the city treats it, and so what we can make changes. You know it's temporary. If there's an issue, it washes off with rain or you know, I personally didn't have an issue with it. Majority of the city council did, and so that's why that law passed the way it did.
Speaker 2:Then, you know, I can't remember which the local paper or the start. You know, one of them picked up on the chalk thing and then it just kind of blew up and became this big thing. But even to this day there's other stuff that I try to point out. I said you know we're not following our own ordinance here. We're allowing things to happen and long as somebody doesn't complain, we don't do anything about it. So to me it's.
Speaker 2:I want to be consistent and I'm the type of person where I don't really. You know, somebody wants to write something in chalk, oh well, whatever, you know it's, it's not permanent. Somebody displays something with a light on the side of, you know, a message on the side of a building, it's speech. It's not really hurting me, you know, and even at the same time there was a discussion and we passed an ordinance. A lot of cities around had done this. Where you can't residential protesting ordinance, you can protest downtown or in a commercial area, but you can't in a residential area Because, if you remember, there was a lot of people going. You know, there was an issue with a prosecutor or something, or a sheriff, and so there'd be 300 people.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I mean there was not that long ago. There was a lot of people with coat hangers on Main Street too, with that whole thing.
Speaker 2:So yeah, yeah, it's, you know, but to me it's like it's speech. That's where you know you got an amendment right in the beginning of our Constitution that says it, and so, as long as it's not hurting somebody in some way than other than hurt feelings, it is what it is. I said, you know, somebody wants to sit in the lawn chair in front of my house of the sign that says Eric's a jerk, Okay, I guess you can. You know, but in Anoka and a lot of cities around us that's illegal now. So just some of that's just silly to me, and so I. I guess I had a different opinion of some people on that, but right now that is what it is. So that's something I continue to bring up every once in a while and I'm hopeful that someday this is kind of a silly rule can be changed, and maybe that means, you know, other things will get said and they'll be hurt feelings, but it's a price you pay to live in you know a democratic society there's always going to be hurt feelings.
Speaker 3:But you know, when I take my dog for a walk I love seeing the kids like you know they, oh, they played hopscotch or oh, they played four square, oh, they drew a little cute picture Like that always just made my heart happy that we lived in a community where you were still seeing like younger families having kids and doing things that kids should be doing Right. So you know it's, it's a it's a funny quote, unquote thing, but you know I get it.
Speaker 2:Well, I'll keep working on it. We're it's. It's not over yet. I would. I would love to make the change, but not the votes for it, and that's unfortunately part of it. You got to count the votes.
Speaker 3:All right, Eric. So my controversial question for you is a personal situation that I am dealing with at my house. I'm going to set the scene for you. It's a beautiful summer day, the sun is shining down on me. I'm like I'm going to open up all the windows in my house, get some fresh air in here. And what do I get waffs of marijuana, because it's legal. And now people can smoke it outside or in their driveway or in their garage. On the breeze just blows it in my house. And now my kids are like hey mom, what's that smell? Now I have to tell my kids oh, all right, I guess we're going to have a marijuana talk now, because everybody can. So we were like you know, we know it's legal, let's just call the non-emergency cop line. Let's see what the police have to say. What can we do about this? Nothing. So, neighbor to neighbor, what's your advice?
Speaker 2:You know that's a tough one. I mean, short of just talking to your neighbor, I mean I've had issues with mine here or there. I mean everybody does right with a garbage stick and all that stinky, loud music, those types of things. And you know, usually what I've tried to do is talk to people and most of the time it works out, but not always. Sometimes it comes back again, you know, a month later. But that's, I mean that's really all you can do on this one, right, it's, it's. You know the whole discussion around legalization of marijuana I won't get into it because it is what it is.
Speaker 2:It's, again, that's a state level thing. It's just what do we do at the city level? Deal with that? And so in a lot of ways it's, you know, sometimes it's like tobacco, sometimes it's like alcohol. It just depends on how you treat it. You know controlled substance, you know. But then there's also parts that, like sit smoke, it affects other people On a private property. I don't know of, and I haven't heard of any real way to do it, short of just trying to communicate that that's something that's bothering you. Maybe they can do it in a way where it's not going to waft on your property regularly, keep it inside or, you know, their garage, whatever. That's probably about the best you're going to do.
Speaker 2:We had a discussion at the city level which we didn't know about until after this had all passed, but cities can be relatively restrictive on how it's utilized out in public places or not at all. And so, anoco, we sort of took a middle of the road approach because, again, like you said, it's legal, it's a legal product, but certain things, especially, you know, the smoke and whatnot is something that you know has an impact similar to what tobacco smoke does right. And so in the city we changed the policy that we have in the parks. So basically we had a. It was a tobacco-free policy.
Speaker 2:20 years ago updated it to basically be like a smoke-free policy. So vaping, smoking marijuana can't smoke in the park or ride adjacent to it. And you know one thing at least in those scenarios I've noticed a lot less people you know is just lighting up a cigarette in a group by a softball field or whatever. I mean. Society's changed a little bit on that and so people have been pretty good about that Like hopefully like the wear is off right, but novelty wears off over time.
Speaker 2:Right, but you know I can, I can understand what you're saying, you know, because it's at a neighbor that didn't take their garbage out for a long time and it was. You know the stench of it you would smell when you went by. And I mean, you can talk to people and sometimes it solves the problem and sometimes it doesn't. But that's just going to be something that we think as a society we're just going to have to deal with, no different than you know, said, tobacco, smoker or any other unpleasant orders that can come by. If it's garbage in the backyard, you can call me or you can call the city and we'll we'll get on them for that, but as far as smoke, I think your, your options are limited, Sorry.
Speaker 3:Well, you don't know if you don't ask. Like I said, is there anything else you want to share?
Speaker 2:You know, I just want to say I appreciate kind of what you're doing with. This is kind of kind of cool live. I've listened to some every once in a while and it's just, it's nice to be able to just chat and be able to ask questions of people and just make everything a little bit more personal. One thing that I try to do and have always been whether it's politics, personal life, whatever I just always try to meet people where they're at and I'd be friendly, communicate with them, because there's a lot of communities that people just don't talk to each other, they don't interact at all on the block and even, to be fair, there's I mean there's areas in Anoka where that happens to, but there's a lot of areas and a lot of people I've talked to that love living in our community because they can talk to their neighbors, they know their neighbors. We do we do like a progressive dinner, we do the night to nights, all these things that invite new people in. It's amazing. And so if you can just, you know, get to know people, be friendly with people, say hi to the person you know walking down the street, it's amazing how, how that can change our relationship or turn into something else. So I encourage people to just just be friendly, decent human beings and but. But what you're doing now is great because it just builds that personal connection, thank you.
Speaker 2:What's next for you, eric? What's next for me? Well, oh, that's a good question. Well, I'm basically just going to keep doing what I'm doing. Knows that the grindstone with with life. I got said I got two kids, 11 and seven, so they keep me pretty busy. Two boys to, so they're they're rambunctious, but I love it. So when I'm not working, try to do time with them, you know. Go to school activities. There are two different schools now, so that's twice as much as right. Different nights, different activities, but that's okay. It'll only be for so many years, right, and then I'll know how fast.
Speaker 2:And then where can we find you?
Speaker 3:Eric, if, if we have a problem and we need someone to solve it, or if we just want to tell you like, thank you, where do we find you?
Speaker 2:Yeah, so I mean you can. I'm pretty easy to find generally online. You know I have a website, eric scope, with calm. You don't even have to spell it right, it'll probably go to the right one. That's got just general philosophy or where I'm at, but ways to get a hold of me as well. I'm on there personally. And then also Eric scope was to know City Council or stop at a City Council meeting or an event. I try to go to a lot of the concerts in the park in the summertime and other different events. So if you see me, don't be, you know, intimidated. Just come up and say hi, I always like to meet people, hear your story where you're at with your concerns, so you never know what that would turn into. So just reach out and I like to interact with folks and I like to welcome and help people Whatever I can help.
Speaker 3:Thank you so much for being on the podcast, Eric. Thank you for all you do for our community and I'm sure I'll see you soon.
Speaker 2:Great thanks for having me.
Speaker 3:I appreciate it. You have a good night. That was Eric was a lot of great insights about the city of Anoka, where we live, and I also do think, like if you have any questions and you live in Anoka and you want to like a go to a person or somebody that you can feel comfortable and confident asking questions and getting like real answers and the truth, like reach out to Eric, he's really a great guy. All right, here's the part where this is the part when you tell me your would rather.
Speaker 1:Okay are you ready? I'm ready to five, four, 85, let's go 150 boom. All right. Would you rather go back in time and experience how you were born, or would you rather go ahead of time and know how you die?
Speaker 3:I'm gonna shoot, okay, so this, this is a counter. I think it's a controversial thing that nobody remembers their birth.
Speaker 1:Okay, I don't know why it's. It is weird that no one does that.
Speaker 3:I think that there's a reason why we don't remember our birth.
Speaker 3:It's probably really traumatic, but don't you feel like you have so when you, when you hear about babies being born or somebody had a baby, like it's usually like a really happy and joyful experience. Yeah, okay For the people who are there and remember it because it was great for them. But why don't we remember? Why doesn't anyone remember their birth? But then think about, like, how much experience you have with the death, seeing people die, hearing about people die, people getting sick, like just hearing those stories and journeys. So I think I know I survived my birth so I want to see what that was like when you at. Yeah, what's your, what's your? Would you rather answer Darth Vader?
Speaker 1:I really want to be extra with the know how I die. And you do want to know yeah, and know how I can avoid it.
Speaker 3:You can't do that. No, you can't do that. It is what it is. So don't you think it's crazy to know how you die? But you can't avoid it.
Speaker 1:I don't want to know that.
Speaker 3:So you're going to witness your birth. Yep, let me tell you something great about your birth I was there. Yeah, I know you were the person doing it, I pushed for three hours. I remember thinking I could be to Duluth by now.
Speaker 2:I've been pushing so long I think you had to poop.
Speaker 3:I did, and then, after you were born, I really had to poop.
Speaker 1:Oh, you had to poop, you can't get up.
Speaker 3:I'm like bitch I have not pooped in nine months. Like, watch out, I'm coming.
Speaker 1:You just got up and you like get the, because I had to epidural and I'm like you can't feel your legs.
Speaker 3:I'm like I can feel them. I'm going to the bathroom.
Speaker 1:Did you fall? No, I didn't fall.
Speaker 3:You're like. I ran to the bathroom and she came in there with me and it was so embarrassing. I've never had to poop like that for anybody else. Really, you're just like just kept coming for hours Not really You're a long time I'm like hey, I told you, I was so constipated when I was pregnant, I did not poop for a long time, all right. I know that was funny, but I have a funny joke for you.
Speaker 1:What time? What is it? Are you ready?
Speaker 3:No, what do you call? What do you call a woman that takes care of owls? Give up.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I give up a hooten nanny.
Speaker 3:Hooten nanny, oh my God, do you get it?
Speaker 1:Do you get it? I think I don't even guess Owls hoot yeah.
Speaker 3:And then nanny is somebody who watches people. Hey, look it, I actually had a clean joke this week. You're welcome. Thank you for listening to another episode of on our best behavior and we'll be back next week. Peace, can you hit the stop button?
Speaker 2:It's your one job.
Speaker 3:We're going to keep recording guys.