Four individuals, including two incumbents, will vie for two open New Hope City Council seats.
Each available seat is for a full four-year term.
John A. Elder
Elder
Residence: 8525 27th Place N.
Age: 49
Family: Married, three kids ages 19, 20 and 21
Education: Bachelor of Science Degree, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota; Masters of Arts Degree, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
Occupation: Public Information Officer for the Minneapolis Police Department
Years lived in city: 26.5 years
Community involvement: board member for West Metro Fire Department; board member on Seven Dreams Educational Foundation; member of Governmental Advisory Council to ISD 281; city commissioner to Basset Creek Watershed Commission; founding (and current) board member for New Hope Community Farmer’s Market; member of Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Committee;
Regional Coordinator of local church
Contact Info: johnaelder58@gmail.com, 763-913-1472, JohnAElderforNewHope.org
Why are you seeking re-election to the New Hope City Council?
I am seeking re-election to the New Hope City Council because there are exciting things happening in New Hope that need to be seen through.
Our current council is truly a team, and whereas we do not always agree, we work to an agreement and move forward for the betterment of the city. We have accomplished a great number of things and look forward to continuing the great work.
What are the top two or three priorities for the City of New Hope in the coming year and how would you address them?
Top three priorities in New Hope:
1. Redevelopment – I have been a strong supporter of bringing Hy-Vee in only if it was a smart choice for the city and citizens. I was one of the first council members to be approached on this and I have been able to see it through.
As we moved through the process, I pushed for public input. Through this input, we have come up with a plan to do this in an economic and responsible manner. Centra Homes is coming in and building above market rate homes in the next year.
This will turn a tax exempt property into a taxable property. We are also working on developing the site next to the golf course.
2. Public Safety – Police and fire services are extremely important. With the fire department on stable footings with each of the cities, we need to allow for proper staffing, equipment, and training to ensure the safety of our citizens.
3. Infrastructure – Maintaining the infrastructure of the city is crucial and the city is modifying the pavement management plan to complete more streets for less money.
We are also modifying our analysis of replacing water mains. A sound wall will be erected along Highway 169 and we are working to put a quiet zone at the railroad tracks on Winnetka Avenue.
I am also working with the Friends of Northwood Lake to address water quality issues.
What would you like to see included in the City Center project?
As we moved into the redevelopment of the Kmart lot, we looked at the vision and strategic plan. We recognized that the plan needed adjustments and modifications to meet current situations.
To make this property work economically for the city, we understood that there were limited uses. With Hy-Vee coming in, we expect to have increased traffic numbers that will drive City Center development in the coming years. This current council is looking at those options now. Proper planning, with ample citizen input, will ensure more successful development in New Hope.
Jonathan D. London
London
Address: 8516 Hopewood Lane
Age: 38
Family: Wife: Alison Kids: Matthew, Lauren
Education: BBA, University of Wisconsin, Madison (1999) Triple major – Accounting, Economics and Finance, International Business Certificate
Occupation: Investment Adviser
Years lived in the city: 38
Community involvement: New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission (2008-2013) – chairman (2011-2012)
Contact info: Facebook: Jonathan D. London, Candidate for New Hope City Council; jdladvisor@gmail.com; 763-546-1293
Why are you seeking election to the New Hope City Council?
I am running for New Hope City Council because I want to change the course of New Hope. I am very passionate about the city I have lived in for more than 30 years. I have seen a lot.
I volunteered for six years on the New Hope Citizen Advisory Commission, and through that experience I realized the challenges New Hope needs to address to make the city stronger.
I am committed to raising my two children in the same city I grew up in and sharing many of the same wonderful experiences with them. I ask for your vote on Nov. 4.
What are the top two or three priorities for the City of New Hope in the coming year and how would you address them?
1. Housing – New Hope needs new single family housing. New Hope housing is almost 45 percent rental. That is almost double the Hennepin County average of 25 percent rental housing. This exaggerated amount of rental housing is impacting New Hope’s business development, school district and property values. Less than 1 percent (46) of New Hope homes are valued at more than $300,000.
2. Business Development – Businesses often look at demographic data when deciding where to locate. Elected officials and city staff need to better understand how New Hope “competes” with other neighboring cities and create a new housing plan to strengthen New Hope.
I would also advocate for large employers to locate in New Hope with the help of commercial real estate brokers.
3. Accountability through new “Key Metric” reporting – The city staff and council members currently use numerous reports to track and asses key information, however some of reports used to guide decisions are out of date and so big that they are not fully read or manageable.
I would like to see 40-50 “Key Metrics” (such as Tax Capacity, Home Values, Business Data, City Survey Data, School District Data, Community Safety Data and Public Infrastructure Data) tracked yearly and compared to other cities so we know if New Hope is moving forward or backward.
What would you like to see included in the City Center project?
The New Hope City Center Vision Document presents 30 plus pages of ideas for the City Center such as a blend of diverse retail shopping, a public plaza for gathering, restaurants, professional offices, space for the farmers market, housing, and biking and walking trails.
I would like to see all the plans in this document implemented. Not only does it provide a great blueprint for New Hope redevelopment but it was the result of years of planning by our citizens, commissioners, consultants and council members.
Louis D. Oswalt
Address: 4211 Oregon Avenue N.
Age: 42
Family: Not Married, no kids. My parents and brothers still live back in Texas.
Education: Bachelor of Business Administration from Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas (1994)
Occupation: I have two jobs. Full-time senior life insurance consultant for RBC Wealth Management (20 years); Part-time guest services team lead for Minnesota Twins (five years)
Years lived in the city: I’ve lived in New Hope ever since I moved here from Texas in January 1998, so 17 years this coming January.
Community involvement: I do a lot of volunteering with a variety of groups throughout the year. I have been a member of the New Hope Lions for five years now and am currently serving my 2nd term as the President. I also volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and Children’s Hospitals & Clinics.
Contact info: 763-537-8984; bigdaddylouis69@gmail.com
Why are you seeking election to the New Hope City Council?
I have been getting more active in the community via the New Hope Lions Club and thought about doing something to get more involved and be meaningful for the community.
I thought that being part of the city council would help me achieve that. I don’t have any political experience or background so I am at a bit of a disadvantage, but I am not letting that stop me from running.
What are the top two or three priorities for the City of New Hope in the coming year and how would you address them?
My number one priority is Public Safety, specifically the New Hope Police Department. I feel that we have a great group of men and women working for us in the Police Department and I want to try and make sure that we keep it that way.
Why do we keep losing good officers to other communities? Over the last few years, we have lost good officers to other communities at an alarming rate, but yet those same communities are not losing the same number of officers. Is it due to pay and benefits? Or is it due to something internal at the department?
We also need to make sure that we are promoting and encouraging qualified officers for positions within the department and that we are following state law guidelines that are in place to do so. We also need to make sure the officers are properly trained and qualified with respect to homicides and investigations so that they are following proper procedure with regards to gathering evidence and not allowing criminals back on the streets due to errors made or lack of follow up during a case.
These things will require us to review and monitor the process of promotions and the actions of the personnel board and police chief when they do them as well as reviewing the staff we have available for investigations for their experience and training to make sure our best officers are on the job at hand.
I also would like to see more businesses coming to New Hope and less multi-person dwellings, apartment complexes going up. I feel that we are at capacity for apartment complexes and to keep allowing them to go up and not bring any businesses to help support them is not helping New Hope in the long run.
What would you like to see included in the City Center project?
I honestly don’t know just yet. The Hy-Vee store is a good addition, and I would love to get more well-known shops and businesses involved in it as well.
Daniel Stauner
Stauner
Address: 8424 Meadow Lake Rd. E.
Age: 65
Family: Spouse Diane. One grown son living in Ohio
Education: BA in History and Economics, University of Wisconsin; JD, Hamline University.
Occupation: Attorney
Years in city: 25
Community Involvement: Founding member of the Meadow Lake Neighborhood Association; service on the Basset Creek Watershed Management Commission, the Shingle Creek Watershed Commission and the West Metro Fire District Board.
Contact info: dstauner@ci.new-hope.mn.us; 763-536-1415
Why are you seeking election to the New Hope City Council?
I have a blend of skills and experience that allows me to make a significant contribution to better government.
What are the top two or three priorities for the City of New Hope in the coming year and how would you address them?
Three priorities not in order of importance.
1. Redevelopment of 42nd Avenue, east of Winnetka. We need to develop a vision for the future of this area. We have the opportunity to acquire some parcels of land in the area that can be the cornerstone of a larger, more comprehensive project rather than doing redevelopment piecemeal.
2. We need to improve the communication between the council and the citizen commissions. We need to spend more time discussing city issues with the commissioners. In particular, the Citizens Advisory Commission and the Human Rights Commission are under utilized resources. Both need to be more involved in the discussion of future redevelopment and the changes that will bring to our city.
3. City Hall is in need of major repairs and renovations. We need to carefully analyze our options and the costs and benefits of each. That includes continuing to investigate the possible savings in both construction costs and operating costs that might come from a joint facility with Robbinsdale School District 281.
What would you like to see included in the City Center project?
Hy-Vee is the City Center project. What goes in there will be determined by the needs and desires of Hy-Vee. As stated above, we need to focus on the 42nd Avenue corridor.