My experience on the Shoreview City Council and as a state legislator from 2007 to 2010 provides me with the experience to take on the job as mayor. These and other public-facing positions have taught me the value of collaboration and prepared me for taking the heat when necessary decisions aren’t popular.
I have championed climate-friendly policies that help residents and businesses save money and development code changes that meet the need for “missing middle” housing options. My professional background includes two decades in the recycling and solid waste sector, where I advocated for policy at the state and national level, and seven years as the Administrator of the Minnesota Clean Water Council.
The cost of housing is a major burden. We are making some zoning and redevelopment changes that will help add new housing including many affordable units.
Our businesses need room to expand. We need to work with them on the planning and zoning process that can make that easier.
Our city’s natural resources need constant attention, like tree planting to replace our decimated ash trees. We can help residents save money and reduce carbon with timely information about energy efficiency.
Municipal officials must adhere to strict ethical standards, including declaring conflicts of interest, and modeling ethical behavior for staff. Of course, we must obey all laws, statutes, and city policies.
Financial data is available, but is hard to decipher! Elected officials must understand the big picture on how the city spends money and raises revenue, and communicate that to constituents in an accessible way. I would like to experiment with some budget communication ideas to the public.
I want to engage the public about the city’s budget priorities, so they can see the strategic questions we face. Waiting until the Truth in Taxation hearing is too late.
I will be available through e-mail, office hours, and “Zoom time.” Our faith communities and businesses offer services to our city’s residents and I’d like to get together with them regularly.
A mayor needs to have an empathetic ear, since most people don’t interact with elected officials that much and are looking for guidance.
Shoreview is a safe city, but we experience sexual assault, domestic violence, drunk driving, juvenile offenses, fraud, property crime, and the impacts of addiction. In addition to contracting with the Sheriff’s Department, we have a good partnership with Northeast Youth & Family Services to help families work through crises and provide youth diversion. I am particularly interested in prevention strategies for domestic violence, which impose costs not just on families but taxpayers as well.
As a longtime Shoreview resident and member of both the EDC and EDA, I bring firsthand knowledge of how our city operates and where the real opportunities lie. My background in business strategy gives me the discipline to ask hard questions and hold spending accountable. I believe in Shoreview's tradition of citizen leadership, not career politics, and in an independent, business-minded perspective at City Hall. Keeping Shoreview a great place to live will require disciplined spending, thoughtful redevelopment of our aging housing stock, more homeownership opportunities, and a stronger commercial tax base. I am prepared to ask difficult questions, listen to residents and businesses, and work collaboratively to move Shoreview forward.
My priorities are affordability, business growth and housing. First, control city operating costs and the property-tax burden on residents. Second, strengthen our commercial and business base by retaining, attracting and supporting businesses that provide jobs, services and tax revenue. Third, expand housing choices, including more ownership opportunities and options for residents who want to downsize while remaining in Shoreview.
Transparency starts with being accessible, listening and clearly explaining how and why decisions are made. I will continue the Mayor and Council's tradition of approachable leadership while making resident and business input an important part of decision-making. I will ask difficult questions, expect accountability for how taxpayer dollars are spent, and work to ensure decisions balance Shoreview's long-term needs with the needs of residents today.
I will be accessible by phone, online and in person and actively seek input from residents and businesses, not just when a major decision is already on the table. Shoreview has a strong tradition of approachable local leadership, and I intend to continue it. Good decisions start with listening, asking questions and making sure people understand both the choices before the city and the tradeoffs involved.
Shoreview is fortunate to be a safe community, and maintaining that requires strong partnerships with law enforcement, fire and emergency services. We also need to prepare for emerging threats. My technology and cybersecurity experience gives me a unique perspective on risks from cybercrime, AI-enabled fraud and attacks on city systems. Public safety today means protecting residents, first responders and the digital infrastructure our city depends on.
