Community service is a top priority for Natalie

• The City of Ramsey and Anoka County have been Natalie’s home since the early 1970s, following service with the U.S. State Dept. in the Far East
• Lord of Life Lutheran Church, recipient of Life Leadership Award 2009,  Volunteer Christian missionary work in Mongolia
• President of the board of directors for Achieve Services, Inc., a training and habilitation agency serving adults with developmental disabilities
• Anoka-Ramsey Community College Foundation Board, past president
• Anoka Legion Auxiliary, Ramsey Rotary
• Service is on the menu when Natalie cooks gourmet “Dinners for Eight” for local groups.  These groups provide scholarships for college students, shelter for women and children experiencing family violence, support to the Anoka Area Chamber of Commerce and preservation of local history through the Anoka County Historical Society. 
• Family life keeps Natalie busy when she is not serving the community.  Twice widowed following marriages to Fred Haas (U.S. Navy, Ret.) and Bernie Steffen (U.S. Army), Natalie has two grown children, eight stepchildren and 22 grand and step-grandchildren

Shaping the future of Anoka County

Tremendous growth in our community has led to continuing public infrastructure needs.  We need a roadway bridge over the railroad tracks as well as a Northstar Commuter Rail Line station in Ramsey.

The 2008 Minnesota Transportation Bill authorized metropolitan counties to implement a 1/4 of one percent sales tax addition to pay for transit infrastructure and operating costs.  Anoka County now uses the broad based sales tax to reduce dependency on your property taxes.

We need a strong leader who has a through understanding of public financing and taxation issues, and the experience working with the multiple jurisdictions that impact transportation investments.  That person is Natalie.

State Rep. Jim Abeler and Natalie review plans for a Northstar Commuter Rail  station in Ramsey.  This proposed station would connect northwest Anoka County to a downtown Minneapolis hub for present and future rail and bus connections. 

Natalie was instrumental in obtaining nearly $4 million in Met Council grants that made the Ramsey Municipal Parking ramp (in back-ground) and amphitheatre possible.  Natalie’s efforts to adopt a Met Council funding formula helped make it possible for of Anoka to get $1.5 million for downtown development.

Natalie: “It’s called returning tax dollars to the community and fostering economic betterment.”

Natalie Steffen and current Anoka County Commissioner Dennis Berg view the plan for the recently chosen Ramsey site for the U. S. Veterans Administration’s Community-Based Outpatient Clinic.

Pointing out Clinic project aspects is area businessman Jim Deal, leader of the team that presented the site chosen by the VA.  Joining in is Vietnam vet Cary Cleveland of Ramsey.

Natalie: “Not only will the Clinic provide a central Minnesota location to serve our veterans, but further area economic development and jobs will follow.  That’s the kind of public and private stimulus I’ll continue to work for in Anoka County.” 

Jim Deal --- “Natalie is good for the community.”