A lifetime in the Prior Lake community since 1975. 8 years on the Prior Lake City Council since 2017. A local entrepreneur. A former CPA. A philanthropic leader. A servant leader. A civic leader.
WHY MAYOR? TOP 3:
1. WE NEED TO REVITALIZE OUR DOWNTOWN TO SUPPORT EXISTING BUSINESSES AND ATTRACT NEW BUSINESSES
As Mayor I will have an active role on our Economic Development Authority (EDA). Our downtown is ripe for a refresh. My thoughts:
Address the parking issue first.
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? What would they change?
How do we create more connectivity between South Main Street and North Main Street? Between Main Street and our South Lake Village commercial district?
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.
We need to start these conversations.
2. RESPECT FOR FAMILY BUDGETS
I am concerned about growth in government. The trajectory at every level is unsustainable. 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 33% in the size layered on top of a massive surplus. That's unacceptable.
I've been a highly conservative person on City Council. I have asked for more accountability. A quarterly budget committee. Zero-based budgeting. Targets for staff. Tell them where we want to be.
I have not found support.
Every year we approve 100% of prior year's budget and add an increase. Repeat: We approve everything that came before us, literally since the City's inception, and add a % increase. I don't like it.
Now voters have the opportunity to hire a local leader. Someone who knows our community from every angle. A bit of a rebel not afraid to poke the establishment and tell staff to stop following "best practices". I'm a believer that following best practices is the opposite of innovation.
3. I SUPPORT A PARK & TRAIL REFERENDUM
The investment is overdue.
Our park and trail system maintenance and replacement have been long-deferred.
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.
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 property value improvement and stability for our community.
IF I'M A SMALL GOVERNMENT GUY, WHY THE SUPPORT FOR A PARK & TRAIL REFERENDUM?
As Governor Arne Carlson said year's ago, you have to build Minnesota.
Like public safety, water, roads and infrastructure, parks and trails are in government's lane. These assets represent a critical element of our community's value proposition.
OPERATING PRINCIPLES
My doctrine for good public policy: It must be simple, equitable, and easy to administer. If it doesn't meet those rules, taxpayers lose.
