Historically my liaison appointments have had me involved in transportation (infrastructure, roads, bridges) and transit (buses). As Mayor I will have an active role on our Economic Development Authority (EDA). My thoughts: Address the parking issue. Ideate. Create a vision for our downtown. What do we want it to look like in 5, 10, 20 years? Engage communities that have been successful - Excelsior, Wayzata, etc. What did they do right? How do we create more connectivity between South Main Street and North Main Street? Attract residential options to downtown. My 30 years as an active Twin Cities businessman and investor have provided me with access to leaders in this space. How do we create connectivity between downtown and our businesses in the South Lake Village commercial district? We struggle to integrate the South Lake Village businesses with our downtown events. We need to start these conversations.

The investment is overdue. Our park and trail system maintenance and replacement have been deferred. While costly, I see the completion of our trail system around the lake (particularly along Highway 13), a revamp of Lakefront and Sand Point Beach Parks and the addition of facilities at Spring Lake Park as critical infrastructure. With bonding and grants we are looking at $349 per door after a 6 year process of investment. I do believe the overall investment needs to be drawn back and tempered from the current wish list. I will work diligently with our community, staff and Council to do so. I'd like to see a smaller, more focused overall investment. This investment will provide stable and improved value for our community. Fact: Recently, the playground at Ponds Park was razed and replaced with a new playground. This was the first time in the history of our City a playground was replaced.

Highway 13 is less safe. MNDOT has the data to prove it. After the most recent mill and overlay, MNDOT unilaterally increased the speed limit and removed passing on the shoulder. Several years later they presented their safety study to us. It was not good. We need left turn lanes added in several locations. We need to close several access points. We need to return the speed limit to 45mph. We need to remove flashing yellow arrows where site lines and topography are not conducive to use of this tool. We should not have acquiesced on these changes with MNDOT. When I was a boy one of my neighbor mom's was killed at 13/Franklin taking a left turn onto Franklin. It was a massive tragedy leaving behind two young daughters and a husband. The speed limit was reduced to 45mph. It made sense. At some point Highway 13 will be "turned back" to Scott County and become a County road. The new Minnesota north-south Highway 13 will utilize the Marshall Road corridor in Shakopee. We need to pursue Federal, State and County investments to create a safer Highway 13 corridor through Prior Lake. This needs to start now.

The State continues to move towards Central Planning (emphasis added). I will continue to advocate for local authority, local zoning, and growth paying for growth.

I am concerned about growth in government. I am committed to not voting for a double digit increase in the levy. I don't see how families can continue to succeed with the increases in government taxes. Last year State government alone increased 35% in the size. That's unacceptable.

Lakefront Park is well suited for an Arts Festival with 200+ vendors. These festivals represent a tremendous opportunity to draw weekend crowds to our downtown area in a family friendly environment. I recently attended the Lakeville Arts Festival. I was so impressed! My neighbor has been involved with the Lakeville Arts Festival for years. She and I are committed to founding and co-chairing the Prior Lake Arts Festival.