East Metro Voter Guide Questionnaire
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
As a representative of the people in Ward 2, I will collaborate with my constituents so they are fully represented in decisions.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state’s projected economic outlook?
My number one priority is ensuring growth is reasonable and supported by existing or proposed infrastructure. My second priority is attracting needed businesses/services such as a 24-hour pharmacy, restaurants and grocery stores, to Hugo. Finally, and most importantly I will ensure residents of ward 2 have a voice in city government.
Poor economic outlook would certainly limit growth and make it harder to attract business and build new residential. My plan is to work with the conditions as they are not as I would like them to be.
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What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in Hugo?
Hugo is a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. On the city council, I will work to make it even better. Hugo is projecting tremendous growth in the next 16 years, potentially doubling in size. This growth needs to be managed to ensure the character and feel of Hugo is preserved. Put plainly, there is the amazing opportunity to help to shape Hugo’s growth and the challenge of ensuring it is done correctly and in a manner that is consistent with the citizen’s vision.
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges whether they be education, housing, or workforce development? Do you feel the outcomes of the 2023-2024 legislative session positively or negatively impacted that collaboration and our state’s business climate?
Government should provide broad guardrails to business to protect the environment, the workers, and ensure a level playing field. Day to day decisions should be made by businesses within these guardrails.
Ultimately the 2023-2024 legislative session was not favorable for the state’s business climate. House file 4009 attempted to remove local city and county zoning authority and eliminate public input on housing development. This is a troubling attack on local control. Thankfully it did not pass.
How would you characterize the business climate in Hugo and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in Hugo?
The city council could do a better job of attracting and retaining businesses. In the 10 years that I have lived in Hugo there has been very little business development. The City Council should actively court businesses. It may be beneficial to benchmark with members of the Lino Lakes City Council as they have seen tremendous business growth in the last 10 years.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
Hugo has a wonderful partnership with Washington County Sheriff. Steps should be taken to ensure this partnership remains strong and that officers are added as the population grows.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
Housing affordability is improved by increasing supply. My strategy is to offer a mix of housing including single family housing which promotes long term residency.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
Hugo has a wealth of biking and walking trails. These trails need to be maintained, and where possible extended. Improvements including turn lanes and intersection signal controls should be considered. Public safety will continue to be driven through the Washington County Sheriffs Department.
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Cities have addressed many ongoing needs with temporary, federal COVID relief dollars, what are your plans to ensure fiscal stability as these federal, one-time funds run out?
In my previous leadership roles including in my business and on the advisory council I have been extremely conservative from a fiscal standpoint. On the Council I will be a consistent no vote for projects that do not serve the needs of the citizens. Vanity projects such as “Welcome to Hugo” signs will not receive my vote.
Uber/Lyft wages and proposed childcare subsidies funded by local property taxes are just a few areas where local units of government are wading into policy debates that may be best suited at the state. Please articulate the different scopes of work between state and local government (City/County). Are there specific areas of policy that the city should lead on in lieu of the state or county government?
The city government should focus on city issues. State and county issues should be handled at the state and county level. Areas of policy outside of the Hugo city limits should not be decided at the city level. In these cases, I will engage county commissioners and my state representatives to advocate my position.