2014-07-29

Three candidates each for three available seats

The primary election for the Crystal City Council will pare the field of nine contenders down to six. Three seats are available on the council, and each has two new candidates and one incumbent in the running for it.

The four-year terms of incumbents John Budziszewski, Mark Hoffmann and Joe Selton end this year. Budziszewski represents Section II, Hoffmann Ward 1 and Selton Ward 2.

The primary election will take place Tuesday, Aug. 12, and will narrow the field to two candidates per seat. The general election, held Nov. 4, will select a winner.

Section II

Section II is generally located north of 45th Avenue North in the city and encompasses the city’s third and fourth wards.

John Budziszewski (incumbent)



Budziszewski

Address: 5308 47th Ave. N.

Family: My wife, Heidi, and our two kids, Wyatt and Bria.

Education: Humboldt High School; B.A. from the University of Minnesota in International Relations.

Occupation: Commercial banking; delivers news overnight for an independent news service.

Years you have lived in the city: 17

Community/civic organizations involvement: Habitat for Humanity; ally of PRIDE; blood donor of 10 years.

Have you run for any other office in the past?: Yes

How people can contact you: 612-207-3704

What do you consider the top issues that the Crystal City Council should address?

Opposed to increasing property taxes and support the expiration of the CR 81 levy.

What measures would you propose to address those issues?

I see property tax reform happening at the state level and it is important to me that the homeowners receive this refund without encumbrances. As for the CR 81 levy, this is the city’s portion of the CR 81 Bottineau Blvd. project; the city council was adamant that upon completion of CR 81 the levy would expire. I support this action and will voice opposition to any proposed action retaining the levy in perpetuity.

Bottineau Light Rail Transit has emerged as a topic of prominent concern in the northwest metro. How would you work with constituents with varying views on the line and what is your own opinion? What do you anticipate your role being in regard to this issue?

It is my goal to ensure the safety of the community, to minimize the LRT impact on residents and businesses along the rail corridor, and within our city’s borders. Right now, the city’s focus is on noise both rail and horn, configuration of the Bass Lake Road Station, how traffic will be affected and the potential adverse impact to public safety. After the feasibility study and the environmental impact statement are completed, there will be public hearings to discuss the findings and if needed clarification on the proposed timeline and cost. Please keep in mind that this project will not take place before the Southwest LRT. As a city official, it is important to me that when Light Rail finally comes to Crystal that we have participated in the discussion regarding its implementation both financially and logistically.

Karen Lincoln



Lincoln

Address: 4706 Xenia Ave N.

Family: Single parent of twin teens and a young adult

Education: Two years of college

Occupation: IRS-registered tax preparer and waitress

Years you have lived in the city: 23

Community/civic organizations involvement: Member and active volunteer with The Bridge, Reclaim, and Transforming Families.

Have you run for any other office in the past?: This is my first run for public office

How people can contact you: lincolnforcrystal@gmail.com

What do you consider the top issues that the Crystal City Council should address?

As I have moved about the city talking to residents of Crystal, these are the issues I have uncovered:

The first issue is that residents of Crystal feel that the city council does not listen, is not responsive and that decisions are made before city council meetings and without their input.

The second issue is a lack of diversity in the city’s workforce. The workforce does not mirror the diversity of the residents.

The third issue people have raised is the level of taxes compared to the level of services received. Taxes continue to rise while services decline. People don’t mind paying taxes as long as they can see that they are receiving value for their money. People are particularly upset about flooding after improperly installed drainage systems.

What measures would you propose to address those issues?

I will establish a resident hotline, incorporate office hours and hold listening sessions in the community. I will be available by email and respond to emails I receive. I will listen – really listen – to people’s ideas and concerns.

Launch a campaign to encourage a diverse bank of candidates to apply for positions in Crystal. Encourage diversity training for city employees including training on workplace ethics and culture.

Provide a simple annual report to the community on services provided by the city and the cost of those services so that residents can understand and appreciate where their tax dollars are going.

Ensure that a competitive bidding process is used for the purchase of all city goods and services to minimize costs.

Bottineau Light Rail Transit has emerged as a topic of prominent concern in the northwest metro. How would you work with constituents with varying views on the line and what is your own opinion? What do you anticipate your role being in regard to this issue?

On this issue, as with any other issue, I will listen to the varying views of Crystal residents. My role will be to advocate for what is best for the residents of Crystal. I am particularly concerned that the cost and negative impact on our small businesses is not worth the trade-off for any benefit this light rail line might serve. I believe there are people who stand to gain from this but they aren’t the residents of Crystal.

Olga Parsons



Parsons

Address: 4951 Jersey Ave N.

Family: Husband John of 10 years; sons Josiah, age 9, and Judah, age 5.

Education: Did not respond.

Occupation: Homemaker

Years you have lived in the city: 8

Community/civic organizations involvement: Volunteer as communication assistant helping kids and families through their adoption and post-adoption journey; volunteer flutist with the Medalist Concert Band; past volunteer as crisis-phone line counselor with Love Lines Crisis Center.

Have you run for any other office in the past? Did not respond.

How people can contact you: 612-217-2337

What do you consider the top issues that the Crystal City Council should address?

1. Lack of transparency in City Hall, and respect towards residents and their concerns.

2. The need for accountability and responsibility in fiscal management.

3. Creating a more business-friendly atmosphere.

What measures would you propose to address those issues?

1. Council members should put Crystal residents first. They must conduct themselves openly, be better connected to their community and respectfully take the residents’ input into consideration. Council members should take initiative to inform the residents of projects affecting their neighborhoods, finances and the future of the city.

2. Council members should respect the residents’ hard-earned money, and avoid unnecessary and frivolous spending. We need to ensure that property taxes remain low, while infrastructure and public safety are not neglected. I support a thorough review of the budget to maximize efficiency and eliminate wasteful spending.

3. A thriving local economy is essential to Crystal’s future. The council should proactively eliminate roadblocks to businesses coming and thriving in Crystal. Council members should listen to the concerns of our business community, and actively work to meet their needs.

Bottineau Light Rail Transit has emerged as a topic of prominent concern in the northwest metro. How would you work with constituents with varying views on the line and what is your own opinion? What do you anticipate your role being in regard to this issue?

I will respectfully and sincerely listen to the concerns of Crystal residents, and strive to honestly and fairly represent their views. At this point, my main concerns with Bottineau Light Rail Transit are public safety due to traffic congestion, the potential for more financial burden on the city, and long-term solvency of the project. Overall, I am committed to being an active listener and advocate for the residents in Section 2.

Ward 1

Ward 1 generally occupies the southern portion of the city, below 45th Avenue North and opposite Section II.

Elizabeth Dahl

Dahl

Address: 8217 30th Ave N.

Family: Caleb Dahl (married 7 years) and three children

Education: Some college

Occupation: Small business owner

Years you have lived in the city: 3.5

Community/civic organizations involvement:

Co-host and organizer for the Great Winnetka Hills Meet-Up 2014. I am the lead for my Winnetka Hills neighborhood through Nextdoor.com. Vice-president and then president of Minnesota Families for Midwifery from 2009-2013.

Have you run for any other office in the past? No

How people can contact you: 612-567-3353

What do you consider the top issues that the Crystal City Council should address?

Crystal City Council should consider:

1. Responsible Spending

2. Respectful interaction, transparency and accountability towards Crystal citizens.

What measures would you propose to address those issues?

1. The budget needs to be re-looked at, spending priorities should be made clear to the public (I would personally encourage core services to be top priority, such as fire, police and road maintenance). Additionally, city council members should consult their constituents and lay out options well in advance before voting through new additions to assessments or tax levies.

2. To wisely represent your constituents you must know what they are thinking, and be willing to learn from them. The city council should not simply be willing to bring citizen experts into the conversations, they should pointedly ask for them as decisions are being made. Transparency and accountability will naturally flow from a more open and honest relationship with Crystal citizens.

Bottineau Light Rail Transit has emerged as a topic of prominent concern in the northwest metro. How would you work with constituents with varying views on the line and what is your own opinion? What do you anticipate your role being in regard to this issue?

As a city council member I would see it my role to improve the quality of life of those that live here. If the Bottineau Light Rail can be shown as beneficial to a large portion of the population here in Crystal, I would support it. But at this point the numbers I have seen show that only a very small portion of the population will benefit from this rail system, while at a very high cost to Crystal residents. As of now there are other less expensive, less disruptive to traffic and more energy-efficient mass transit options available, such as buses and ride share programs.

Ongoing conversations with Crystal residents and transit experts will be essential to making wise decisions regarding this issue.

Mark Hoffmann (incumbent)

Hoffman

Address:3307 Zane Ave N.

Family: Joanie, three children, eight grandchildren

Education: No response given

Occupation: Retired retail management and sales

Years you have lived in the city:38 years

Community/civic organizations involvement: West Metro Fire-Rescue District Board of Directors since 2010; Bottineau LRT Policy Advisory Committee since 2011; Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission 1980-1989

Have you run for any other office in the past?: Mayor, 2004, not elected

How people can contact you: 763-536-0385

What do you consider the top issues that the Crystal City Council should address?

I see the budget as the largest, most important and all encompassing issue that the city of Crystal must address at any time. As a fully developed community we do not have large areas of opportunity to increase tax base except through redevelopment which usually has a short term cost. I have always believed and practiced that we must strive to improve, and at least maintain, our core services: public safety, utilities and recreation without putting undue tax or spending increases on our taxpayers.

What measures would you propose to address those issues?

I would first continue with my proven experience and leadership in building a fiscally sound and prudent budget that meets the values our residents expect and deserve. Over the last four years, the city has benefited from strong control of revenue and expenses, resulting in under a $13 annual tax increase for the average taxpayer.

Through years of reduced state aid and holding taxes tighter, most of the reductions have already been made, which have, in most areas, put us at minimal levels. I look for smaller cuts and ways to increase revenue through non-property tax increases. A thorough review of services offered and cost of service must be watched and adjusted as needed to have the beneficiary pay the fair value.

I have never felt it is wrong to receive money from another government entity or business to help reduce our General Fund expenses. LGA has been cut dramatically in the past, and is now being increased slightly. To be transparent we should use it in the General Fund. Normally, we do show a surplus, and I believe part of these dollars should be used to decrease the next year’s tax liability.

Another example is last year we received funding for solar panels with grants from government and private sources for the Community Center, which is projected to save 10 percent of our electric costs for that building. Our contribution for the purchase and installation is the 10 percent savings on electricity for the first six years. A no-cost venture that should feel good for all taxpayers.

Bottineau Light Rail Transit has emerged as a topic of prominent concern in the northwest metro. How would you work with constituents with varying views on the line and what is your own opinion? What do you anticipate your role being in regard to this issue?

At this point there have been a number of public meetings, online info and articles. We must continue to encourage participation, sooner rather than later. I believe the long-range economic benefit and transportation needs will more than make up for the initial costs and create opportunities. I would like to continue being Crystal’s representative on future task forces for this project.

Carla McPipe

McPipe

Address: 3010 Winnetka Ave N.

Family: Single parent of two boys

Education: AS Degree Criminal Justice, currently completing AS Degree in Business Management, real estate certificate

Years you have lived in the city: 8

Community/civic organizations involvement: Nice Ride; African-American Culture Club; YWCA

Have you run for any office? This is my first run for public office.

How people can contact you: mcpipeforcrystal@gmail.com

What do you consider the top issues that the Crystal City Council should address?

1.) Residents not being heard and their opinions not being considered.

2.) Business property vacancies and the effects of these vacancies on tax rates for other property owners and renters.

3.) Youth involvement programs that are affordable for parents and that provide recreation to keep kids off the street and out of trouble.

4.) Taxpayers need to have more input on how their tax dollars are spent.

What measures would you propose to address those issues?

1.) Make a concerted effort to talk to people in the community by holding regular office hours. Respond to emails and telephone calls so people know their input really matters. Set up times to meet with people who have specific concerns so these concerns are heard.

2.) Educate people on real estate and direct people toward resources that are available to assist them with starting or expanding their businesses. Educate potential homeowners and encourage responsible home ownership.

3.) Set up events for young people. Raise funds for additional recreational opportunities for youth and families. This will encourage youth to participate in the life of the city and to grow into tomorrow’s leaders.

4.) Help the people of Ward 1 to understand the city’s budget and budgetary process and provide opportunities for their input.

Bottineau Light Rail Transit has emerged as a topic of prominent concern in the northwest metro. How would you work with constituents with varying views on the line and what is your own opinion? What do you anticipate your role being in regard to this issue?

This issue will have significant impact on Crystal residents. People of all views need to be heard on this issue. My personal belief is that the light rail is expensive, unnecessary and will bring unwanted traffic to the city, and possibly increase crime and other problems.

Ward 2

Ward 2 sits in the central portion of the city, south of 45th Avenue North and opposite Section II.

Jeff Kolb

Kolb

Address: 6404 38th Ave N.

Family: Wife Erin (14 years), Son James (11 months old)

Education: Did not respond

Occupation: Small business owner, technology industry

Years you have lived in the city: 3

Community/civic organizations involvement: Crystal Planning Commissioner, board member; Crystal Business Association, volunteer consultant; American Foundation for Cardiomyopathy

Have you run for any other office in the past?: No

How can people contact you? 612-314-5652

What do you consider the top issues that the Crystal City Council should address?

The top issues facing Crystal are 1.) Responsible spending 2.) Keeping our neighborhoods safe and 3.) Ensuring City Hall is responsive and accountable

What measures would you propose to address those issues?

1.) We need a full, top-down budget review process that looks at spending priorities. We can’t afford “feel-good” projects like the ones the council has voted for recently. Our elected officials need to remember there is no “free money”– it all comes from the pockets of the citizens.

2.) We need to continue our efforts to maintain safe and strong neighborhoods by keeping a focus on engaging citizens. Last year we had a record number of Night to Unite parties in Crystal. I would like to build on that momentum and use it to help revitalize our Neighborhood Watch program. There are also opportunities to leverage public/private partnerships like the Crystal Crime Prevention Board, which my wife is a board member of. We should also look to our neighbors such as Robbinsdale and emulate what is successful there.

3.) City government should work for the citizens, and sometimes City Hall needs to be reminded of that. As a council member I will focus on making sure citizens’ needs are represented.

It seems like the only time most citizens hear from their council member is every few years when they need your vote. One of my goals on the council is to foster ongoing two-way communication with citizens.

On the Planning Commission I write a recap of every meeting, and explain why I voted the way I did on the issues and post them on my website at www.KolbForCrystal.com (you can go there to check out old meetings). If elected, I will continue the practice of explaining my votes to the citizens after every meeting.

Bottineau Light Rail Transit has emerged as a topic of prominent concern in the northwest metro. How would you work with constituents with varying views on the line and what is your own opinion? What do you anticipate your role being in regard to this issue?

I like trains. I frequently rode “The L” when I traveled to Chicago for work, and I even rode “the Tube” when I visited London. However, those cities have a population density to support rail transit, while Minneapolis/St. Paul does not.

LRT is the most expensive and inflexible mode of transit. A train can’t provide door-to-door service to our seniors and citizens with mobility challenges like a bus can.

We should explore more bus-based transit to meet our current and future transit needs. This is a much more cost effective and flexible option that is more respectful of the taxpayers at all levels.

Randy Rosario

Rosario

Address: 6609 43rd Ave. N.

Family: Debra Rosario, two children

Education: High school diploma and current student at Hennepin Technical

Occupation: Wholesale specialist at Motorwerks BMW

Years you have lived in the city: I have lived in Crystal for at least 5 years and in the surrounding area for 15-plus years (Golden Valley, New Hope and Plymouth)

Community/civic organizations involvement: Advocate and youth mentor for Midwest Extreme Outdoors, a youth mentoring program involved with fishing and the great outdoors.

Have you run for any other office in the past? This will be my first attempt at running for any type of office.

How people can contact you: randyrosario72.wordpress.com

What do you consider the top issues that the Crystal City Council should address?

The current Public Works facility and its financial responsibility, the power grid in the local area and the possibility of repairs that need to be made and finally the street maintenance project and how it is to be funded.

What measures would you propose to address those issues?

While I do not oppose the new public works facility I would like to know how it is being funded, the financial impact on the taxpayers (if any) and addressing any of the “old” facilities shortcomings in the “new” facility. If these things have been properly addressed, then I have no further input or objection to the building of the facility.

I would like to see an assessment of the current power grid, especially in Ward 2. I have lived in my home for the past five years and have suffered through power outages that have at least in one case lasted a week. I cycle my ward frequently and see power poles that lean to what would appear to be a dangerous angle. I would like to see that these problems are assessed and addressed.

To date the issue of how to pay for the current street maintenance has yet to be addressed. I believe by the time this appears in print it may be resolved and I will be watching to see its outcome. Currently the debate is whether to pay for the projects through special assessments or through a tax levy. I believe that an assessment is the best solution for both the taxpayers and the city.

Bottineau Light Rail Transit has emerged as a topic of prominent concern in the northwest metro. How would you work with constituents with varying views on the line and what is your own opinion? What do you anticipate your role being in regard to this issue?

While the Light Rail basically will skirt the majority of the Crystal area I would like to work with our neighboring cities in regard to the traffic issues and involvement from Crystal.

I would like to work with the citizen concerns regarding the Light Rail and its impact on our city and help to develop strategies that will safeguard our involvement when the Light Rail is near completion. Make no mistake about it: should the Light Rail act as its builders anticipate in rider participation, it will impact our city. Impact will come in increased traffic through our city and an influx of new residents that will seek to find living on the outskirts of the metro area as the Light Rail will make travelling into the metro that much easier.

The benefits in increased renters, home buyers and new small businesses, as well as job opportunities created by the line, are weighed by the eventual increase in policing and public maintenance that need to be thought of now so that we, the city of Crystal, are prepared.

Joe Selton (incumbent)

Selton

Address: 3916 Edgewood Ave. N., Brownwood neighborhood, Ward 2.

Family: Wife ReNae; daughters Joann (and Rick), Elizabeth and Sheri; step-daughter Amber (and Brian); eight grandchildren.

Education: Patrick Henry High, Minneapolis; Anoka-Hennepin Technical College, Anoka; University of Minnesota – LES, Minneapolis; University of Wisconsin – ESW, Madison; William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology Center at Placid Harbor, Hollywood, Md.

Occupation: Journeyman truck mechanic and head shop steward for Bimbo Baking Group.

Years you have lived in the city: 34 years as a resident of Crystal Ward 2.

Community/civic organizations involvement: Volunteer with NEAR food shelf

How people can contact you: 763- 531-2074

What do you consider the top issues that the Crystal City Council should address?

Preserving neighborhoods: The city has had 1,098 home foreclosures from January 2007 to June 2014. This has brought to us speculative buyers getting into the rental business. The Economic Development Authority of Crystal is constantly reviewing the foreclosures for possible property acquisitions. New homes continue to be built on purchased EDA lots. This helps maintain higher owner occupancy rates.

We must prevent big spikes in property taxes. Although these are times of economic difficulties for many cities across the country, your elected officials must plan according. We are a diverse community and we do not want to jeopardize home ownership for seniors as well as new families starting out.

Protecting property values: The city of Crystal must protect property values by maintaining local infrastructure and planning for amenities including strong, healthy retail shopping areas, parks and trails and happy business owners.

Promoting involvement: When government is not involved with actively receiving information and feedback from its citizens, it cannot serve its citizens. I will continue to serve citizens by listening and by calling on them to participate in keeping our city a great place to live, work and play. We currently have many vacancies on our city commissions.

The city must also market itself and its assets to prospective homeowners. We live in a great geographic location in relation to Minneapolis and St. Paul. We have great parks and a variety of recreational activities available to citizens. Our school district has been award winning. Through greater involvement of all citizens we need to create some excitement about living in Crystal.

What measures would you propose to address these issues?

The first and foremost job of a council member is the annual budget. I’m committed to a common sense approach to the budget using all the tools and talents available from the financial toolbox. I’m a blue collar worker and I also pay taxes to the city of Crystal. I believe a budget should reflect what is valued by the community and protects the health, safety and investments of our community.

Bottineau Light Rail Transit has emerged as a topic of prominent concern in the North West Metro. How would you work with constituents with varying views on the line and what is your own opinion? What do you anticipate your role being in regard to this issue?

I currently support the Bottineau Light Rail. I ask that citizens take the opportunity to submit their comments and input to me or during formal public hearings. On May 21, the city of Crystal submitted formal comments to Hennepin County outlining the issues of noise, vibration and traffic related to the Bottineau Boulevard transit way. My role is to represent the voices of citizens and business concerning the construction impact and line operation on this important project.

Contact Joe Bowen at joe.bowen@ecm-inc.com

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