What motivated you to run for office, and what perspective or experience would you bring to city leadership?

Having served on the council since 2014, we have had projects on the docket that I've longed to see completed, namely the Hwy 71 project. Being a part of decisions under our control surrounding this project and wanting to see it all come to fruition is the primary reason I am running for council again. I offer the perspective of a female, mother, former business owner, and taxpaying citizen who is proud to be from Sauk Centre and choosing to raise my family here.
 

What does a business-friendly community look like to you, and where do you believe Sauk Centre is currently succeeding or has room to improve?

Business-friendly communities have a pulse on what a thriving local economy looks like when well-supported. Our Economic Development Authority (EDA) works hand-in-hand with businesses to support either new upstarts or long-standing businesses looking for assistance with building improvements or tax incentives. Keeping businesses in mind with the upcoming Hwy 71 project is incredibly important to maintain the economic climate of our downtown and businesses along the corridor. We look forward to helping prepare alternative access and parking, which will be a challenge but certainly a benefit to businesses unsure of what this will look like for them. 

Looking ahead five years, what would you like Sauk Centre to be known for, and what role should the City Council play in helping the community reach that vision?

Five years from now, I would hope our community can be proud of the updated infrastructure, thriving local businesses, and maintenance of a beautiful city. I think in many ways we are already there, so continuing to support decisions that work to benefit taxpayers, local business owners, and welcome new business is my goal. 

The upcoming Highway 71 reconstruction will bring long-term improvements but may create significant disruptions for local businesses. What should the city do before, during, and after construction to maintain access, communicate effectively and help businesses remain visible and successful?

Regarding the upcoming Hwy 71 project, I think the most important thing is communication, to and from business owners and to and from council. We are not the project managers for this reconstruction, so it's important ot maintain constant communication with MnDOT and the engineers who will be guiding the plans along the way. What we can do is plan for loss of parking, front-entry access, and walkability to and from businesses. This may mean a permanent change to the look of our downtown, but thoughtful decisions should work to the advantage of those who need it now and in the future. It won't just be downtown that is affected, either, so keeping in mind all businesses from North to South and planning to help sort out any issues as they arise, or pre-planning with ample time to make adjustments to support them, is key. Managing expectations is hard to do for something we can't know 100% what to expect, so listening and responding without frustration when problems arise will also be important. 

What is one action you support during your first year in office that could strengthen Sauk Centre's economy or business community?

Naming one action is hard to predict, considering many actions have continuing influence on the local economy, whether it's a new business that adds to tax base and employment, or supporting a business model that looks to reshape a current business. I plan to support the decisions the EDA makes in that regard and look for ways the other areas of our government can support future growth opportunities. 

*All candidates were contacted at email addresses and phone numbers listed in public filing records. Questionnaires had word/time limits and are published EXACTLY as submitted. No info is displayed if a candidate didn’t respond. If you would like a copy of the PDF forms that were submitted by the candidate, please submit that request to saukcentrechamber@gmail.com. Thank you.

BACK TO LIST OF CANDIDATES