Heinrich and O'Berry spar over transportation, public safety and county transparency in Ramsey forum

Laurie Higgins, moderator and president of the Metro North Chamber of Commerce, hosted a candidate forum in Ramsey where John Heinrich and Betsy O'Berry outlined competing priorities for Anoka County Commissioner District 1, focusing on transportation, public safety, county staffing and transparency.

Heinrich, a former state representative and local business owner, argued that "support for law and order is our biggest need in Anoka County," saying the county should continue to fund the sheriff and county attorney to hold criminals accountable. He described his legislative work on transportation, saying he "chief-authored" a bill that helped advance Highway 10 improvements and citing a separate measure that he said secured "$50,000,000 towards a bridge over those railroad tracks." Heinrich framed his candidacy around his public-safety focus and experience in state government and local business.

Betsy O'Berry, a retired certified public accountant and Ramsey resident, emphasized transportation and county operations, urging completion of Highway 10, additional work on Highway 65 and a redesign of Highway 47 to handle future development. She criticized what she called a lack of transparency after the county board added a proposed jail site to an agenda on short notice and said she would be a full-time commissioner. "The short answer is that I will be a full time commissioner," O'Berry said, noting Anoka County's budget is "approximately $365,000,000 a year" and that commissioners earn "in excess of $90,000," which she said warrants a full-time commitment.

The two clashed directly over the bonding bill that enabled Highway 10 work: Heinrich said he helped lead local advocacy and worked with the state Transportation Committee in Ramsey, and he defended voting against an omnibus bonding bill that included many unrelated measures; O'Berry said voting and advocacy should align, noting she believes Heinrich voted against the final bonding bill despite local transportation gains. Both candidates cited local business impacts during construction and pledged to work with cities on planning and economic support.

On broader county policy, O'Berry said she wants to retain and properly compensate county employees after years of turnover; Heinrich stressed fiscal conservatism and said he would review the county budget to limit taxes and upgrade county software and hardware. Audience questions covered whether candidates would give up private employment; Heinrich said he would keep running his asphalt firm but would attend all county meetings and work the hours needed, while O'Berry reiterated she would serve full time.

The forum closed with both candidates urging voters to learn more about their records and plans; Higgins reminded attendees to vote by Tuesday, Nov. 5. No formal endorsements or votes were taken at the event.