Kasson mayor race heats up as Anderson gains ground

“Sometimes inexperience is the best experience.” Bryce Anderson is part of a new generation of leadership that hopes to make good on that colloquial proverb. Anderson’s grassroots candidacy has surprised many since he emerged on the campaign trail months ago. The Anderson campaign has not responded to inquiries or interview requests. One thing we do know about the candidate is that he is homegrown. Born and raised in Kasson. Why the sudden candidacy? Why now? Rumor has it that Anderson plans to dismantle the city bureaucracy and be a tax-shield for the hard working people of Kasson.

In recent years the tax hikes in Kasson seem to be the result of glamor projects like a firehouse or a world-class theatre for 8^th grade concerts. The city also has some very controversial and bias dictatorial business and development issues. Some businesses, (like MN Ag Group or LNC Trucking on old 14 and CtyRd15), are forced to plant trees around their property. Or even cover up gravel with grass to make the world pretty. However, A&A and its neighbors seem to get permits right away and DON’T have to plant trees around their eyesore property. Maybe they have the same city engineers or designers on the payroll as Bigelow Homes. Bigelow Homes most recently built the biggest house you’ve ever seen on the smallest lot you’ve ever seen. Next time you’re in South Fork at the first stop sign it will jump out at you and swallow your vehicle. The houses up there are so close they might as well start building ‘khrushchevka’s’, the old soviet style panel buildings. Since they are already leaving a whole 3 feet between houses they could eliminate that waste. 100 houses with 3 feet in between them? That’s 300 feet of waste that could be 30 more houses.

Are these issues the result of bias? Grift? Incompetence? Hopefully Bryce Anderson will get to the bottom of it soon. I call for the City Council and/or Chamber of Commerce to host and live-stream a mayoral debate the night before the election. It could be held in the fancy new fire hall. Some wonder if it was Vice President Kamala Harris’ coup-like arrival on the presidential ticket that encouraged Anderson to be a late comer to the mayoral race. Many wonder if he will even be on the ballot or if this is going to be a write-in, landslide victory. One thing that can’t be denied are the plethora of ‘Anderson for Mayor’ yard signs seen all over Kasson. The community seems to be signaling a desire for change.

Bryce Anderson is the people’s candidate. My wife asked me why I was so sure on Anderson for mayor. After listing off the city issues above I ended my fair and just civic rant to her with two questions: “Why Bryce Anderson? WHY NOT BRYCE ANDERSON?”

Josh Mittstaff

Kasson