Mailing Address: P.O. Box 75, Mora, MN 55051

Zoning Administrator cell - 320-515-0205

New Zoning Administrator Hired

Alan Hancock was hired as the Ford Zoning Administrator and began his duties on February 25, 2010. Alan works for the Mille Lacs County Public Works Department as a Civil Engineer Technician and is also the Zoning Administrator for Pomroy Township, Kanabec County. In addition, he owns a small beef farm operation. Alan is married to Stacy (Steele) and they are the parents of two daughters. Alan has prior experience on the North Branch City Council and the Pine County Board was well as having served in the US army as an Infantry Scout and the MN Army National Guard as a tank crewman.

In his spare time, Alan likes to hunt, fish, ski and camp as well as spending time with his family. You may contact Alan on his cell phone at (320) 515-0205 with any questions you might have regarding land use issues.

Ford’s First Zoning Administrator Resigns

The Ford Town Board officially accepted the resignation of Frank Kriz, Zoning Administrator, at their regular meeting on January 12, 2010. Kriz, who was also one of the original members of the Ford Planning Commission responsible for creation of the Land Use Ordinances, had served as the Ford ZA since November, 2008. Kriz had made it known from the beginning of his service that this would only be a short-term position for him but he did want to see the Ordinances “up and working” and wanted to assist in that endeavor. We are grateful to him for his service above and beyond what should have been expected of that office and wish he and his wife, Barb, the best of everything in their “semi-retirement”.

MEET THE TOWN BOARD MEMBERS

Elected officials:

Doug Bassett - Chair/Supervisor – Term: Nov 2010/serve Jan 2011
Kim Johnson - Vice Chair/Supervisor Term: Nov. 2010/serve Jan 2011
Ken Von Bank – Supervisor – Term: Nov 2012/serve Jan 2013
Sarah Berry - Clerk – Term: Nov 2012/serve Jan 2013
Edna Cole - Treasurer – Term: Nov. 2010/serve Jan 2011

Doug Bassett

Doug has served as Ford Township Supervisor since 1995 and was elected to another term in March, 2007.  He is a lifelong resident of the area either in Ford or neighboring Peace Township.  Doug is self employed in his cabinet shop located adjacent to his home.  While Doug was elected as Chair of the Town Board for 2009, he also is the Road and Town Hall Supervisor.  Doug and his wife, Clarise, have two children and two grandchildren.

Kim Johnson 

Kim was appointed to the Town Board in 2005 and elected to his first full term in 2006.  Kim serves as the Town Board representative on the Ford Township Planning Commission.  Kim’s first introduction to the area was canoeing the Snake River in the mid-1960s.  Later his parents and grandparents bought land in the township and in 1999, Kim and his wife, Sally, built their home on the river property.  The river continues to be an important part of the whole family’s life.  Their son, Sam, and wife Heidi, and daughter, Erin and husband Eric, are all avid canoeists/kayakers and family gatherings often include something to do with water.  Kim is one of the founders and treasurer of the Friends of the Snake River and serves as DNR river level monitor at the Snake River township bridge.  Kim’s primary focus as a Ford Town official is to make sure that the Snake River and the natural environment are protected so that generations can find the same enjoyment his family has found for the last 40 years.
 
Ken Von Bank

Ken was just elected to the Town Board in November after spending the last 2 years as a member of the Ford Township Planning Commission. He was born and raised in Scott County, primarily in the City of Shakopee where he witnessed that city grow in size through the annexation of adjoining townships as the population increased from 2,500 to more than 26,000.   Ken originally joined the planning commission to work toward the goal of assuring any change would be in the best interests of both current and future residents and landowners.  He hopes to continue that work now as a Board member. Ken and his wife, Kathy, moved to Ford Township in 2003 when they purchased a local business, Bassett’s Greenery.  The Von Banks have 1 son, 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren.

Sarah Berry

Sarah was appointed as Ford Town Clerk on May 15, 2007 and was just elected to her first full term in November, 2008.  A resident of the township since October 2005, Sarah grew up in Arthur Township.  Sarah is a kindergarten teacher at Fairview Elementary in Mora.  She and her husband John have three children, Nicole, Kailey and Nolan.  In her free time Sarah enjoys scrapbooking, watching her children’s school activities, and spending time with her husband and children.

Edna Cole

Edna has served as the Treasurer for Ford Township since she was appointed to complete a term in 2002 and was elected to her third full term in 2007.  Edna grew up in Ford Township and she and her husband, Jim, returned to the family farm in 1974.  Edna was Executive Director of the Kanabec History Center in Mora before retiring in 1999.  In addition to her duties as Treasurer, Edna writes for the newsletter and the website.  The Coles have two daughters and three grandchildren.  Edna enjoys all those cross country meets, soccer and basketball games that the grandkids are participating in, scrapbooking, their daylily gardens, reading and time with family and friends.

MEET THE PLANNNG COMMISSION MEMBERS

Appointed members:

Jim Cole – Chair - two year term - 2010 
Carl “Jim” Swaningson – Vice Chair - one year term - 2009
Kim Johnson - Board Representative:  one year term - 2009
Kathy Von Bank - two year term – 2010
Wayne Anderson – three year term – 2011

Jim Cole

Jim has resided in Ford Township since 1974 and has lived in rural Kanabec County all of his life.  Actively involved with Kanabec County Sheriff’s Reserve, Kanabec County First Responders, the McGrath Area First Responders and other area services, Jim has a deep commitment to this community. One of the original members of the Planning Commission, he was recently appointed to a two year term and believes that the work on zoning ordinances needs to be completed as soon as possible.  Jim and his wife, Edna, have two daughters and three grandchildren. His other interests include weather monitoring for Soil & Water Conservation and the Minnesota Climatology Working Group, his daylily gardens, and helping Santa with some seasonal personal appearances.

Carl “Jim” Swaningson

Jim was appointed to a one year term on the Planning Commission in 2009.  He is a retired over-the-road truck driver.  Jim and his wife, Karen, moved to Ford Township in August 2006.  They chose Ford Township (Snake River Valley) as a retirement home because of its natural beauty and Jim has a strong desire to keep it as pristine as possible for themselves and future generations.  He hopes to make a contribution as a Planning Commission Member. 

Kathy Von Bank

Kathy moved to Mora 6 years ago with her husband, Ken. They decided to try a new adventure in their lives and bought Bassett’s Greenery. She says it has been a good journey and feels she has made a lot of new friends. Kathy has 3 children and 4 grandchildren all living in the metro area.  Hunting is one of her passions and she is currently on the Steering Committee for BOW (Becoming an Outdoor Woman). This group is sponsored through the Minnesota DNR. It is a program for women who need direction in learning outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, canoeing and biking. There are also dog sledding classes and the programs are open to women of all ages. She also likes to read, sew and quilt and has a long arm quilting machine.  People bring their quilts to her and she sews all the layers together.  Kathy decided to be on the Planning Commission because she knows the importance of having some basic laws in place. She moved here from Shakopee and experienced the growing pains they went through and hopefully will have some ideas to put in place for Ford Township. She believes it is very important for the township to have some structure for future growth.  Kathy was appointed to a two year term.
  
Wayne Anderson

Wayne moved to Ford Twp in 1974 as a child with his parents.  Growing up on the family beef farm and coming to elections to meet Charlie Scott, Max Sherman, Hjalmar Elfstrum, Ellzy Moore, and Art Christian made a big impact on his life.  After high school, Wayne was asked to "fill in” for Art Christian on the Town Board when Art moved to town.  Charlie Scott informed Wayne that he had been asked to fill in on the town board 50 years ago and was still there!  Wayne saw that and found that town board was truly a life sentence but, following in Art's footsteps, moved to the McGrath area for a few years (to find himself elected to the Williams Town Board) returning to Ford Township in 2003.  Now, with the new Comprehensive Plan and big work to be done on the Zoning Ordinance, Wayne has decided to again be active with local government and help implement a functional and workable Zoning Ordinance.