YOU CHANGED THE FACE OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT!
   COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 1
Candidate                Totals        Pct
LORA WALKER        2471      53.86
BRIAN GREENE        2100      45.77
WRITE IN                       17         0.37

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!  I LOOK FORWARD TO REPRESENTING YOU!

 
 

  

Lora pledges to:
   Bring fresh vision to plans for Chisago's future
   Preserve our quality of life
   Enhance communication - the citizen's voice on the Board
   Build strong partnerships with cities, townships, schools and community

Core issues:
   Thoughtfully planned progress
   Adequate public safety
   Reasonable property taxes
   Green space, parks and trails

      Diverse background/past public service:
   Metropolitan State University, BA, Graduate work in Public Admin., Alumni Board
   MN Licensed Realtor
   MN Historical Society Employee
   United Way Social Services Contracting
   Childhood Center Advisory Board
   Community Council Vice-President/Chair, Community Safety
   Developed Phone Patrol network with law enforcement
   Lent Township Planning Commission

      Knowledgeable about County issues:
   11-Year County Employee - Hennepin
   Chairperson/Participant in County Administrative Advisory Teams (communications, community solutions, skill enhancement, mentoring and implementation of pioneering programs)
   Organizer for grass-roots, community projects including effort to Save Sunrise Prairie Trail for recreational transit

    Endorsements:
   St. Croix Valley AFL-CIO Central Labor Council
   Independence Party
   MN Teamsters Joint Council 32 - MN DRIVE (Democrat, Republican, Independent Voter Education)

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Dear Neighbors:

I live in Lent Township (Stacy) with my husband Chris, nine-year-old son Shelby, two dogs and a cat.  This is where we have chosen to live, work and raise a family.  

My personal time involves gardening, reading and devoting myself to issues that concern me.  We take great joy in active parenting and participating in various school and extracurricular activities.  We attend the Church of St. Gregory in North Branch.  Shelby enjoys Boy Scouting, and attends fourth grade at North Branch Middle School.

My husband Chris has held a union automobile painter position since our marriage ten years ago.  He is an automobile enthusiast specializing in custom/graphic painting.  He builds nostalgic street rods as a hobby and we are lifetime members of the Minnesota Street Rod Association.  We enjoy motorcycling as a family and have participated in the Ride for Diabetes Research.
    
I have treasured the small-town historic charm of our area.  Acting to protect rural character and quality of life is important to me.  Working together, I believe we can preserve what makes Chisago County so special.

Best regards,

Lora Walker



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   Donations.  We could surely use your help with monetary contributions.
      $5__  $10__ $25__ $50__ $100__ $200__ other $__ (maximum $300 permitted by law)
      To donate toward the expense of Lora's campaign, please mail your check to:

      CITIZENS FOR LORA WALKER
      PO BOX 105
      STACY, MN 55079.  Thank you!

   Spread the message to your family and friends "You have a choice November 5th!  Elect Lora Walker".
   Display a lawn sign at your home or business in District 1 (Townships of Lent, Franconia, North Chisago Lake, and Southern North Branch).
   Walk with Lora to distribute campaign literature to people in your neighborhood.
   Host an informal "get to know the candidate" gathering.  
   Phone calling to get the vote out.

E-mail: lorawalker@hotmail.com
Phone number: 651-462-9308

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In visiting with citizens, these are the most frequently mentioned issues:
   Population Growth/Suburban Sprawl
   Saving Sunrise Prairie Trail
   Environment
   Senior Citizen Concerns
   Paving Roads
   Taxes
   The Chisago Project
   Road Safety
   Use of Eminent Domain
   Affordable Housing
   Traffic Congestion on Highways 8 and 95

July 2002 Township Supervisors Meet the Candidate event


Excerpts from Lora's speech:

Township government, in my opinion, is by far the purest form of government for and by the people; which is why I served on my Township's Planning Commission.  In my press release to both local papers, the Chisago County Press and the Post Review, I discussed my position on public safety, transportation and sprawl.  We should seek to develop; not just grow in size.  A delicate balance of (affordable) homes, provision of services to residents, reliable roads and (accessible) bridges, increased local employment, schools and retail, are all key to a successful, vibrant community.  A community our children can look forward to living in 25 years from now.  Working for the common good, as your Commissioner, I will reexamine the County's rapid growth as well as its financial and social costs.  I will advocate a community that is balanced and sustainable.  We don't often talk about our County's financial position.  I work for a County that during the past three decades has held a triple-A rating, more importantly; I understand how it's achieved.  This is very important as a County's financial position allows for smooth and efficient operations at the lowest possible costs to taxpayers with regard to bond interest rates charged for capital projects - projects such as the proposed new County Service Facility and Senior Center in North Branch.  I feel we must meet citizen's needs without taxing them out of their homes.  Citizens deserve action-oriented, independent leadership; I believe I offer that leadership.  I will need the support at the Primary Election on Tuesday, September 10th.


2002 Stacy Daze - Lora Walker and family members walk in the parade

  


GET OUT THE (PRIMARY) VOTE MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Saturday, September 7, 2002


     
Lora Walker "Campaign Mobile" prepares to leave Lent Town Hall to Get Out the Vote.
(Watch for the "campaign mobile" to be in a location near you!)

Caravan participants take a break at Porter House.

     
Bikers prepare to celebrate completion of the ride at Pizza Pub.


"Challengers Unseat Incumbent in Primary!"

 • COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 1
      Candidate          Totals       Pct   
 LORA WALKER        338       34.49  
 BRIAN GREENE       364       37.14  
 TOM DELANEY         278       28.37  
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!  


Lora Walker participating in the North Branch Fall Festival

     
     
     

Lora's 2000 Write-in Campaign

Lora Walker and her son Shelby are pictured with Governor Jesse Ventura during his October 2000 visit to Chisago County where he promoted Lora Walker's write-in candidacy for District 1 Chisago County Commissioner.  The Governor encouraged people to get out and vote and to "Write-in Lora".  Thanks to those who in 2000 cast a write-in vote for change, Lora received the highest percentage of votes of any independent candidate in the state.  She hopes that by having her name on the ballot in 2002 she may represent you as your next County Commissioner.


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Residents attending Stacy Daze gather to sign petition

In 1999, a grass-roots effort began in the areas north from Forest Lake, Wyoming and Stacy to North Branch to save a two-year-old blacktop walking and biking trail from being turned into future light rail.

The land the trail occupies was owned by Burlington Northern and used as a railway prior to the County's purchase and development of the recreation trail.  Before the trail, many residents complained of excessive noise and grass fires, which are both common with railroad transportation.

At its dedication ceremony, Chisago County officials joined the community to celebrate the trail.  Since then, countless families have visited the trail to socialize, enjoy safe recreation and exercise.  Neighbors have enjoyed a noise reduction and safer environment.  It has become a link uniting northern cities.  We truly appreciate the trail and applaud the Chisago Parks and Trails Association and many local businesses that helped build it.

But is it only temporary?  Design planning is underway to convert Sunrise Prairie Trail (often referred to as Rush Line corridor) into light rail transit, most likely connecting to the Twin Cities!  According to local newspapers, Chisago County officials have accepted $500,000 of taxpayers funds to explore developing the trail for light rail use.  Has commuter bus service expansion been explored?  Is there truly a documented need for such an expensive light rail system?  Perhaps we should first explore adding extra lanes to Interstate 35 which is already a transportation corridor.  Let us allow for greater citizen input.

Reasons for opposition of the proposed light rail range from:  Detracting from the rural residential nature of our area, increasing highway pedestrian traffic accidents and injuries, drastic reduction in property value of adjacent homes and businesses, and it would not add enough convenience to justify the commercialization our neighborhoods and community would endure.  Additionally, citizens believe light rail plans have not been openly shared with prospective/new homeowners in nearby developments along the trail.

Interested citizens should vote for county commissioner candidates who support maintaining the trail for recreational use.


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What issues do you anticipate Chisago County will face in the next few years that are important to you and your family?

E-mail: lorawalker@hotmail.com
Phone number: 651-462-9308

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Official Candidate Photo by Mavis' Photographic Corner, Stacy, MN

Prepared by:
CITIZENS FOR LORA WALKER
PO Box 105, Stacy, MN 55079
Dani Rice, North Chisago Lakes, Treasurer










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