You can't beat an incumbent? Hold my '89 Prior Lake Letter Jacket.

As I told the current Mayor several months ago, "I'm not running against you for Mayor, but I am running for Mayor."

I'm running for Mayor to give voters a choice they did not have last election. Lack of choice is a lack of Democracy.

I'm also committed to term limits. Two terms for Mayor.

Primarily, I want to see a more fiscally responsible government. I want to take a more managed approach to government, less busy and a want for as small of a government footprint as possible. No more double digit increases in the levy.

I want more listening and less talk. I want a low profile. The less people know I'm the mayor the better. If they know you're the mayor the dynamic changes and a transparent conversation may not occur.

I will maintain a professional but arms length relationship with staff and other electeds. I want others on council to be independent and speak with constituents first. I do not want voting blocks. I want to be sure we avoid open meeting violations. I'm not seeking a 5-0 council. I want rigorous, healthy discourse. It's good to be challenged.

I will not be the Mayor of Social Media. It's not a healthy environment for public policy development. Staff can take that. If I need to chime in on something, they can alert me and I will do so.

Everyone will have direct access to me anytime, my cell is 952-457-8066 and email kevin@kevinburkart.com.

It speaks well of our community we have two good people running for office. Both are passionate.

Briggs, a corporate guy, being a med-device/pharma sales person from California, has leveraged an outsider's perspective.

Now voters have the opportunity to hire a local leader for Mayor. Someone who knows our community from every angle from childhood on. 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.

WHY TERM LIMITS?

I am in favor of term limits, in the least for the Mayoral position. Two 4 year terms and you're out. If elected, I'm committed to this. Two terms and out. I did the same for my Councilor seat. Two terms. And now a terrific young person signed up and will have my seat to learn and grow and lead. That's how it should be.

Why term limits? It is an exceptional experience to serve as Mayor. We need to grow the next generation of leaders and provide that experience to as many others as possible.

The electorate deserves periodic new leadership, new ideas and new approaches.