Minnesota and North Dakota Voter's Guide

Forum Communications Co., in collaboration with the League of Women Voters of Minnesota and of North Dakota, is providing this voter guide to help keep you informed ahead of the 2024 election.

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Medina City Council Member {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

As local legislators who sometimes have executive power, council members can propose ordinances, set administrative policy, and authorize the budget proposed by the mayor. They oversee all city activities, including city services, programs, licensing, and public safety. Mayoral appointments to city government typically require council approval.Voting in local elections is important - learn more here: Why Vote for City CouncilA forum for the candidates in this race will be held on September 26, 2024, at 7:00pm at Medina City Hall.

Click a candidate icon to find more information about the candidate. To compare two candidates, click the "compare" button. To start over, click a candidate icon.

  • Candidate picture

    Mary Morrison
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Chris Pederson
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Braden Rhem
    (NP)

Biographical Information

Why are you the best candidate for this position? (750 characters)

If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (500 characters)

How do you plan to engage with and represent all members of our diverse community?(500 characters)

What steps will you take to ensure transparency and accountability in city government? (500 characters)

Contact Phone 651-442-9515
I have served on the Medina Parks Commission for 8 years, 2 years as chair. During this time we acquired and developed new and existing parks and trails, and preserved open areas for public enjoyment. I have worked with and appreciate many of the Council and staff members. I practiced law for 35 years as a partner in major Twin Cities law forms, representing community and nonprofit organizations. I have served on the governing boards of and led many local arts, social services, environmental and educational organizations. We have lived in the rural part of Medina for more than 11 years. If elected I would be the only commissioner with a legal background, the only one from the southern part of Medina, and the only woman.
1. Protection of our natural beauty, open space and unique rural character. 2. Thoughtful, consensus-based long-range fiscal, infrastructure and growth planning, working with the requirements of the 2050 metropolitan Comprehensive Plan. 3. Continued excellent service to our residents with our city staff.
Visiting neighborhoods and attending community events; maintaining an open line to residents for comments, questions and concerns, staying informed through city resources and staff about resident groups and issues that need attention.
Medina has an excellent City staff and leadership. I will work to maintain that culture of trust, efficiency and low turnover. Our staff and volunteers are carefully chosen and I will support the current processes. I will attend audit meetings and other processes that provide independent verification of our use of City resources.
I'm proud to be co-owner of our family business in Medina, and the 3rd generation to live, work and raise a family in the city. I have spent over 10 years volunteering my time to organize public events and fundraisers, actively engaging residents, businesses and city officials to support for the Three Rivers Park District Diamond Head Lake Trail, expand residential access to renewable energy and participate in the comprehensive plan. I've volunteered on my neighborhood’s HOA board for 8 years, currently serving my 6th as President. I'm a known, reliable contact in the community with 10+ years of experience engaging directly with the police, fire and public works as well as the Planning and Parks Commissions and City Council.
1) Ensure community public safety as well as residential and local business needs are met while maintaining a balanced budget to prevent unnecessary tax increases.

2) Foster commercial development along the 55 corridor to offset costs of enhanced services for the community and promoting environmentally-friendly approaches to building, per the city’s vision and comp plan goals.

3) Preserve the natural beauty of the rural landscape that my family has known and loved for the past 60 years.
I will continue to engage community members by organizing and attending area events, obtaining feedback from local residents, businesses and city service organizations, such as the police and fire departments, collaborating with volunteer and non-profit organizations, and responding to the wide range of calls and messages I receive, as I have done for many years.
As someone who has been labeled as too transparent in business, I'm naturally inclined to respond openly and honestly to questions and concerns. I believe an independent voice among our elected representatives is needed now more than ever. As such, I plan to keep an open line of communication to the council by encouraging residents and businesses to provide feedback in order to represent the interests of the community, not just maintain tradition.
Contact Phone 612-889-4477
I have proudly called Medina home for the past decade, raising my family in the Fields of Medina. My two school-aged boys and I deeply appreciate our city's parks and trails. With four years on the Planning Commission, including two as Chair, I’ve championed community perspectives in development, preserving open spaces, and protecting our natural resources. My 17 years at a Fortune 100 company have equipped me with expertise in driving business strategy, managing complex operations, and advancing sustainable practices. I prioritize community input in development and work to preserve Medina’s rural character, ensuring a high quality of life for all residents. I have no conflicts of interest through property development or business ownership.
My top three priorities are: 1.Strategic Vision: To enhance and preserve Medina's natural beauty, protect open spaces, and maintain low tax rates through efficient resource use and local business support. 2. Balanced Growth: To advocate for development that respects our rural heritage and natural resources, incorporating community voices in decision-making. 3. Unbiased Representation: To focus solely on the needs of our community, with no personal business or development interest in Medina.
I’ve been meeting residents throughout my campaign to hear their concerns and will bring those with me if elected. I plan to engage and represent all members of our community by fostering open communication. Residents can call or email me directly, and I will respond promptly to ensure their concerns are heard. I will incorporate community input in all decisions, advocate for balanced growth that respects our rural heritage, and focus on unbiased representation and improving quality of life.
To ensure transparency and accountability, I will prioritize open communication and community involvement. I will make it easy for residents to reach me directly via phone or email and will respond promptly to their concerns. I will advocate for clear, accessible reporting on city decisions and finances. Additionally, I will bring unbiased representation, ensuring that my actions are always in the best interest of the community, without any personal interests influencing my decisions.

The League of Women Voters of Minnesota and North Dakota crafted the questions sent to the candidates in the Spring of 2024. They reached out to candidates based on contact information in their public candidate filings. Candidates with email addresses were invited and reminded with emails. Candidates with only mailing addresses were sent a letter. Candidates with phone numbers received a phone call as well.

Candidate responses are published as they responded and have not been edited, except when responses were longer than the given character limit. In those cases, the responses are truncated.

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