Who for City Council?
January 18th, 2008 by 
Alica
Candidates for Brandon City Council can file their petitions at City Hall from Jan. 25 through Feb. 29. A petition needs 50 signatures for the candidate to get on the ballot. Seats for four-year terms will be open in Ward I, now held by John Saarloos, and Ward III, now held by Steve Rubin.
Do you think the incumbents should run for re-election? Why or why not?
If not, who do you think should run against them?
Rubin is just completing his first term. He has been elected by the people once already and has experience with the issues. However, there are some areas where he has the perception of having a conflict of interest.
Saarloos is eager to serve and is a self-proclaimed common man. However, he wasn’t elected by the people, having been appointed to the seat after a previous councilor resigned.
What are other advantages and disadvantages of the incumbents?
Posted in Uncategorized | 
January 18th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Re: STEVE RUBIN - “However,there are some areas where he has the perception of having a conflict of interest.” Alica, are you now going to go through the rest of the city council and list any of there faults ??? Just to give equal time as a reporter..
January 18th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Lets see, ward three who has the interest in that ward. Ward one has a lot, Saaloors, Bastian, Topel, Serk, Schroder, and unknowns. Should be interesting, I know who I’d like to see run again but I’m sure he won’t.
January 18th, 2008 at 9:49 am
Let’s just be careful what is said about anyone without walking in their shoes we don’t know their lives and shouldn’t bash them or anyone!! - Let’s show others the same respect that we want and desire!! We need to come together as a city and show others that we are a caring town and respect our leaders.
January 18th, 2008 at 9:56 am
To #1 Anonymous: I mentioned the two councilors whose seats are up for election. Because of that, these two men will most likely be in the news more often.
If either of them decide not to run for re-election, they’ll most likely be in the news less.
Likewise, whoever does run for those two seats will be in the news more.
January 18th, 2008 at 10:09 am
I applaud anyone who is willing to step up to the plate and run for a public office. Mr. Rubin did exactly what the majority of voters wanted him to do - get a FASTER ambulance service for Brandon. You can argue all you want about “quality service”. Quality, it seems. is all in the eye of the beholder. TIme will tell….
There have been many changes in Brandon with the current city council. Kudos to them for finally taking action on issues which have been ignored in the past. Whether ou agree with the decisions/changes or not, at least they are TRYING to do the right thing.
Hopefully, individuals will run for the City Council who truely want to serve their area. NOT their own agenda! Lets move Brandon forward!!!
January 18th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Alica - I would have to agree with #1, your post is worded in such a way, you want people to bash others. If you read the headings of most of your threads you are looking for people to take shots at others. Shame on you, as you are as much to blame for the negativity of this blog as some of the bloggers themselves.
January 18th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Alica also says he has experience. And fact is fact, how else do you word it? He shouldn’t have voted on the ambulance issue for 2 reasons. One…his nephew is an employee of Medstar and two…his long professional/personal relationship with Jay Masur. She is not to blame for this blog’s negativity, it’s her job to spur the conversation with new topics.
January 18th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
AS MENTIONED BEFORE, CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS ARE “SUPPOSE” TO BE VOTING FOR THE GOOD OF THE PEOPLE IN THEIR WARD, NOT FOR THEMSELVES… SO , THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO EXCUSE THEMSELVES FROM THE VOTE ….
January 18th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
#8,You are starting to sound more and more like Jay with every post you make. After looking at the Police logs it looks like you have alot of time on your hands, maybe you should wash a rig or clean the laundry mat.
If you have a personal agenda in an issue that is being voted on NO MATTER WHAT! you should not have a say in that issue. How do you know that the citizens of Rubins Ward wanted Med-Star? So you are telling me if Rubin wanted to build a new track and it had to be passed by the council, he should be able to vote on the issue? Do you think he would actually vote “No” if the citizens in his ward said No? No because he has a personal agenda, just like the Med-Star issue.
I heard that Rubin is selling some tracks! Jay must have come crying to Rubins doorstep saying he needs more money ASAP! So Rubin will hand him some $$$ under the table, so it makes it look like Med-Star is runing good. But looking at the police reports, looks like it has been a rough few weeks.
January 18th, 2008 at 3:30 pm
OOHHH BOY, - “OH BOY” , I CAN TELL YOU MY NAME WILL NOT BE FOUND ON THE STAFF OF MED STAR AND AM NOT ASSOCIATED WITH MED STAR, AND YOU WILL NOT FIND MY NAME IN THE POLICE LOG. I DO RESPECT YOUR OPIONS, BUT “PLEASE” MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT OR WHO YOU ARE TALKING TO BEFORE YOU MAKE ANY ACCUSATIONS..I DO NOT WASH RIGS AND DO NOT CLEAN LAUNDRY MATS… OTHER THAN THAT - “HAVE A NICE DAY” !!!
January 18th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
FYI….writing in all caps online is considered yelling.
January 18th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
We can discuss the drawbacks of a candidate, or an issue, or a decision, without bashing. In fact, in order to analyze a situation, we must include discussion of drawbacks.
The thing is to do it politely and fairly.
January 18th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
I certainly think the incumbents should run for reelection. I may not want them to be reelected, but that’s my one vote. They can run on their records. This last year means the ambulance, sneaker’s, the possible police department outsourcing, the GOB club, trucks on Redwood and anything else the opponents want to bring up. Those were the recent heavy hitters on the blogs. I don’t know what the earlier ‘big’ issues were. At least the people could vote approval or disapproval on how those issues were resolved.
I think being a council person would be a thankless job. You almost have to have your own personal agenda to make it worthwhile. You can never be right. All of these issues have ardent, vocal supporters on both sides. I think the people on the council are good people. I just don’t understand how they can make basically good ideas so controversial. It may be time for a change just to improve the image of the council.
I don’t know who should run against them and how you prevent winding up with the same type of council next summer. I think the paper needs more in depth articles on the candidates. Maybe we need televised debates (if the council meetings are televised, why not have debates too?). I have no answers. The people that think they do should be running for office.
January 18th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
#10,
When I talk about the police logs, I mean the number of calls Med-Star has been on, i was not saying your name was in the logs for being arrested or anything like that. I was saying Since jan 8th med-star has been on only 8 calls.
FYI…Writing in all small letters, means I am not yelling
January 20th, 2008 at 11:31 am
It is time that we elect people who have never been on council before. Complete new blood, zero agendas, no buddies sitting on the council, do not bowl together, do not go in the back of sneakers together to have meetings with county people, observe all laws, do not presume they are the almighty,and that they may do whatever their whim is to benefit themselves( at the cost to the citizens of Brandon),do not work for their fellow member, have morals and a conscience when voting on issues that affect our citizens, actually take in considerations the people of their ward have to offer, it appears that Mostek is the only one who has done so for years, we thank Dan for this, throw nepotism out the door, I’m sure there are a hundred more things to add to this list, so add your own. So does anyone know a independent of all these things who is 18 to run for council? Cuz they won’t be in the bars planning our future in Brandon!!! think about this, it is so time for a change. A total of 4 need to go, even though 2 are up for re-election. Stay tuned to see what the gobs are , or have been up to, sooner or later the truth will win out, and everyone will find out,everything they have done.
January 20th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
15 - You should consider running yourself. You sound like are perfect.
I think it is great that our community leaders are actually active in our town and spend their money in our fine establishments.
I personally do not want a person on the council who isn’t active in the community. It is also unrealistic to think you can find people who don’t know one another in Brandon. If a person is unfamilar with those around him/her they probably are not too in touch with the happenings in town. I do agree no agendas would be nice - it might hard to come by though.
January 20th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
#16, Right on. To find someone that lives in a bubble, like #15 wants would be more of a negative for our community. You will never find someone that fills all of those areas and if you do I hope that person doesnt live in Brandon. There is no perfect politician, and if you think there is then you are lying to yourself and should probably run since you can fool even your own mind.
ON a different note, rather than rag on people you have never met and just want to complain about, how about looking at the few blogs under this one and supporting our community. A bunch of kids just graduated, no postings. A bowling team that is doing well, a few postings. Lets try to be supportive a little bit too. I challenge you.
January 20th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Actually there were a couple that tried for the position when Kloster and Saarloos got it that did fit the above mentioned bill. (in fact there were 7 choices the last time) No bowling buddies, no hanging at the bar, no long term friendships already on the council. You don’t have to live in a bubble and can be active in the community without hangin at the bar. There’s more to our community than the bars and the bowling alley.
January 20th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
#15. I like to thank you for your words. It’s refeshing to hear from someone that has something positive to say. I’d like to think that I could fill that roll. I for one will be visiting w/ Dennis and picking up my petition on the 25th. I look forward to sharing with our citzens what I believe I could bring to our wonderful city. I for one believe in moving our city forward with a progressive mind, positive attitude and complete honesty. I was raised in the Incredible city, have raised my children here. I have volunteered on the Fire Department and have worked as a Police Officer. I believe I have the business management experience and leadership it takes. We live in a wonderful city, full of wonderful people. It’s time to move forward and show everyone what we’re capable of.
January 20th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Blaine - I am confused, how is #15 being positive? In reading that post I don’t think you would fit his/her criteria. You would have too many connections to individuals working within the city gvm’t. You actually called Mr. Olsen by his first name, Dennis. That would qualify you for fitting right in with the perceived GOB club…..
All of that said, I personally think (because I DISAGREE with #15) that you would be a fine candidate for city council. I do not personally know you but do know OF you (BPD work). I think you would do a nice job. Thanks for stepping up to the plate!
January 20th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
#15, From your post, I take it that Mr. Mostek outshines all the other council people. Besides voting down the ambulance issue as well as sneakers, what else has he done that makes you believe that he better represents the city than the rest on the council members?
January 21st, 2008 at 7:48 pm
GO to Sneakers tonight and see whos there from the council. They were all there last time, I didnt go in, but I observed the vehicles parked outside (maybe they are buying carpet} its not that hard to figure out Dan’s car wasn’t there. “just a good ole boy”
January 21st, 2008 at 8:37 pm
What a stupid comment #22. I am sure you know each city council members car/license plate number.
January 21st, 2008 at 9:34 pm
#22, You might want to go to some kind of meeting for stalkers. Kind of scary that you know all of these mens cars. I smell restraining order.
January 21st, 2008 at 10:21 pm
I believe they were at a city council meeting tonight. It started at 6:00 pm. Your post states your posting time at 7:48 pm - I doubt the meeting was over yet. You must be looking at the wrong vehicles….
Why would you want to stir the pot? An agenda possibly??? According to poster #15 you can’t run for city council now……you don’t meet the criteria!
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:07 am
They could’nt of been there as they were addressing raising oour taxes again with the fire district. Someone on this blog told me when the school issue was up that we would not be affected by the fire district. Looks like we will, my how our taxes have jumpped this last year.
January 22nd, 2008 at 9:09 am
FYI - Last night’s city council meeting adjourned about 7:55 p.m.
January 24th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
Maybe some cars stand out more than othes,some don’t.
January 24th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
To #28: Yeah. In the summer, I drive a black Volkswagon Beetle with fire painted on it. Hard to hide in a crowd in that.
January 25th, 2008 at 5:44 am
Sounds like a nice car havnt seen that one around town did you just get it?
January 25th, 2008 at 7:34 am
#25 If you re-read #22 it says they were there LAST time. I don’t think it’s too hard to see what all the council people drive, as they sit outside the council chambers. And I think the point was that it looks bad when a quorum congregates at the bar before/after meetings. It doesn’t mean they are discussing city business, but it doesn’t assure the public that they aren’t either.
January 25th, 2008 at 11:09 am
To #30: I got the car this past summer and had the fire painted on it. I’ll try to post a photo sometime soon.
January 27th, 2008 at 10:13 pm
#31 That was my point exactly, I’m not a stalker, I believe that city officials who “think” they are above the “common man” should be held to a higher standard of ethics.
#32 I would love to see a picture of that ride!!
January 31st, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Heath Tople Says:
January 29th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
I don’t know what to say. I’m saddened, ashamed and tired of all of this. The single most important thing to me in this world is my family!! I made an incredibly bad mistake and some horrible decisions that led to more bad decisions and terrible consequences. I have and will pay for my poor choices, however I beg any and all to please spare my wife and boys who had nothing to do with all of this. It is my deepest and most sincere hope that my wife and I can reconcile and work through our differences and I can work to earn her trust and be the Father that my sons deserve. Please folks..remember the good things that me and my family have done and continue to do for this City. We have and always will love Brandon. It is our home, and how my family is treated is the most important thing to me. My friends have asked me not to blog on this site, but I am the kind of person who will not stand-by when my family is attacked. I don’t deserve them, but God willing hope I can earn their love and trust and once again them into my life. Community Advisor, i hope you’ve learned that your venom is nothing but evil venom and you will receive your punishment in the afterlife. Todd was right, you ARE a public official or at least someone known to this community and I have resisted outing you with hopes that you would either leave me and my family alone or be bold enough to stand on your own merit. I have NEVER posted here without using my own name…for better or worse. For those of you wondering, “YES” I will likely become a candidate for Ward I City Council. This City deserves someone who will serve them and not their own interests. I expect the attacks…so take a petition and make it public you “brave” people.
Heath Tople Says:
January 31st, 2008 at 6:40 pm
#34
YOU ARE AN UNBELIEVEABLE LOSER.
Your mother must have mistreated you as a young child. I can not imagine why you would have copied and pasted the previous blog on THIS SITE unless you wanted to continue trying to hurt this FAMILY.
You can try and blog under anonymous but I will bet CommunityAdvisor pulled this one off.
I still believe CommunityDestroyer is a recognizable public person who will DESTROY their career by doing this constantly.
I just wish the network monitor used their ability to remove inappropriate blogs or restrict certain signons. Bloggers like you would be the first to go.
February 1st, 2008 at 7:53 am
Amen Todd!! I’m all for free speech but when someone is malciously attacking someone when they are down is cowardly and wrong!
February 19th, 2008 at 3:50 am
seems the loser is Tople. it is beyond me: why be on the side of a person who consistantly stalks women? fortunately he is still in jail and thank god the judges have finally figured it out and stop letting the sob out on bond. what would all you people say once he killed his victims. wake up!