Adams, Bowman running for mayor, six candidates seeking three council seats
Crystal voters will elect their mayor, choosing between incumbent Jim Adams and challenger ReNae Bowman, and city council representatives for Section 1, which includes Wards 1 and 2, and for Ward 3 and Ward 4 in the general election. Therese N. Kiser and Nancy LaRoche are the candidates for Section 1; challenger John Budziszewski and incumbent Casey Peak are the candidates for Ward 3; and incumbent Julie Deshler and challenger Jeffrey Munson are the candidates for Ward 4.
Each of the offices is for four years. Tuesday, Nov. 8 is Election Day and the polls are open from 7 a.m.- 8 p.m. Get more information or find polling places at crystalmn.gov or sos.state.mn.us.
Jim Adams
Address: 5916 29th Place N.
Family: Liz, wife of 28 years, and three college-aged children
Education: Accounting, Economics, Bachelor of Science Business Administration.
Occupation: My wife and I own a residential remodeling business, and operate sober houses for alcoholics and addicts in recovery and transitional houses for people who have come from various stages of homelessness. I also train industrial rescue teams in Technical Rope Rescue.
Years lived in the city: 19
Community/civic organizations involvement: Retired West Metro Firefighter (lieutenant); Past President, West Metro Fire Relief Association; Crystal/New Hope Rotary.
Have you run for any other office in the past? Mayor of Crystal since 2012
Contact information: jim@reelectjimadams.com
ReNae Bowman
Address: 3916 Edgewood Ave. N.
Family: Husband, Joe Selton (married in 2012); blended family: four daughters, two sons-in-law, nine grandchildren. Joe is a great-grandpa with a second great-grandchild on the way.
Education: AAS Marketing, BA Organizational Behavior.
Occupation: LEAN Administrator: Continuous process improvement and training for Aveda Corporation
Years lived in the city: 38 years
Community/civic organizations involvement: Environmental Quality Commission, current member; Master Recycler Composter, Hennepin County; Gov. Dayton’s Local Government Aid Commission, 2012
Have you run for any other office in the past? Mayor, city of Crystal, 2005-2012, Robbinsdale School Board Director, 1997-2001
Contact information: www.mayorbowman.org
Crystal is considering the future of Becker Park, which is in close proximity to a planned light rail station and a burgeoning retail area near Bass Lake Road and County Road 81. Assuming you’re elected, how do you envision the park at the end of your term? 10 or 20 years from now? What possible future improvements should be made to Becker Park, if any?
Adams: Becker Park is unique because it is primarily surrounded by commercial areas instead of residential areas. Assuming the Blue Line Extension is built, it will also be the only park on an LRT line.
Becker Park is also an underutilized asset. We have an opportunity to leverage funding partners to make Becker Park the crown jewel in our park system, and create a destination park that will serve Crystal residents year round.
The plans for Becker Park will be driven by what the community wants, and I’m excited to see what they come up with.
Bowman: It is difficult to talk of Becker Park improvements knowing Crystal hiked property taxes by 8 percent for 2017, my first thought is “how will we pay for it?” Becker Park plays a critical role in softball tournaments, that role must be preserved and maintained. Resident input and planning is critical to the success of any change to Becker Park and the process must be open and fair. As mayor, I will create a Becker Park Improvement Committee to research options for similar-sized spaces in similar locations. How can decisions be made if we don’t know options and costs or if we are clueless to possibilities? That process must be transparent and in-depth. The committee will make recommendations to Crystal residents and council.
There are so many wonderful things that can be done in that space and we must not squander this opportunity to create the best space possible for today and the next 30 years. I will not support a new tax for this project or any park project.
What benefits do you think the Blue Line Extension of light rail transit could bring to Crystal? What drawbacks do you think the Blue Line could bring?
Adams: Now that the Blue Line is entering the engineering stage, the mayor’s primary role is to protect our citizens and advocate for their needs, which is what I am doing as a member of the Blue Line Corridor Management Committee. Right now we are working through the details of visual and sound screening for the properties along the line. This is a regional project, but our local officials need to be advocating for Crystal – nobody else will do that for us.
Bowman: The Blue Line light rail brings fast, easy, affordable and safe access to employment, business and entertainment options throughout the metro area. Development will follow, but Crystal’s current development opportunities will be limited due to lack of land availability. Roads, walkways and plantings can enhance an entire area and government’s role is to facilitate those enhancements.
I support the Blue Line Light Rail and enhancements that can include cab stands: Explore Crystal Station options that might include CarToGo, “green rental bikes” and cabs to enhance resident transport; bus routes: Work closely with MTC to improve access to the Blue Line stations using local “shuttle bus” services from centralized locations or neighborhood pickups; and bikes/walking: Blue Line stations link to bike and walking paths.
If elected, what specific projects or initiatives do you hope to accomplish during your term?
Adams: Since I was first elected four years ago, Crystal has made great progress in the areas of fiscal responsibility and providing government from a citizen’s perspective. I am running again to build on our success, and to keep Crystal moving forward.
By avoiding bonding for the new public works facility, we saved Crystal citizens almost $6 million in unnecessary interest expense, and the $1 million per year tax hikes that would have come with that.
I also led the charge to eliminate the use of special assessments for street maintenance, meaning you won’t be getting a surprise bill from the city for several thousand dollars when you see cracks in your street.
In the past four years we have focused on providing government services from a citizen’s perspective. We have made the government more open and transparent by recording all of our meetings and work sessions and putting them online. We have increased our focus on clear and timely communication and are using social media to bring information to where our citizens are. We have made customer service a top priority – making sure we are treating all residents with respect and how we would want to be treated.
We have made tremendous progress in the past four years, but there’s still work to do, which is why I am asking for your vote again in November.
Bowman: Stabilize city budgets to solve tax revenue issues, start to work on 2018 budget plan in January 2017.
Implement train-whistle quiet zones.
Fix 36th and Regent traffic intersection.
Add the Gary Joselyn Memorial Bee “Garden” at Hagemeister Pond Preserve (A U of M Bee Squad Project).
Invest in dog park improvements.
Prepare city to meet future changes to MPCA’s solid waste laws, rules and standards.
Implement voluntary organic (composting) residential pick-up.
Create and implement recycling and composting programs for businesses, churches and schools to improve recycling and composting numbers for Crystal institutions.
Section 1
Therese N. Kiser
Address: 6901 Valley Pl.
Family: Husband – Randy, two children.
Education: B.A. University of Iowa – Communication and Psychology.
Paralegal Certificate – Philadelphia Paralegal Institute.
A.A.S. – Minneapolis Community and Technical College – Graphic Design
Occupation: Paralegal
Years lived in the city: 23
Community/civic organizations involvement: YES281 Committee – Steering Committee Co-Chair; Project Million Amigos – Board Member; Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy – Board Member and 5K Director
Have you run for any other office in the past? No, I am a first-time candidate.
Contact information: therese@kiser4crystal.com
Nancy LaRoche
Address: 6511 34th Ave. N.
Family: Husband, Walt and adopted dog, Spencer
Education: AA Graphic Design; Radio TV/Broadcasting
Occupation: Graphic Designer
Years lived in the city: 19+
Community/civic organizations involvement: Crystal Park & Recreation Advisory Committee (Chair), Crystal Charter Commission member, Crystal Frolics Committee member.
Have you run for any other office in the past? No
Contact information: http://nancyforcrystal.com
Crystal is considering the future of Becker Park, which is in close proximity to a planned light rail station and a burgeoning retail area near Bass Lake Road and County Road 81. Assuming you’re elected, how do you envision the park at the end of your term? 10 or 20 years from now? What possible future improvements should be made to Becker Park, if any?
Kiser: We can all agree; Becker Park is looking a little tired. Crystal is facing a prime opportunity to redevelop area in light of the construction of the Blue Line Light Rail project. Becker Park can and should serve as a showpiece for our great community.
Becker Park is underutilized. It’s busy relatively few days per year. We need more activities, drawing people to the park. Winter activities – skating, broom ball rinks, to name a few, are non-existent at Becker. More could be done. The park has a great band shell that could be utilized more for programs. The north side of Crystal is lacking in dog park space. A redesign at Becker could include one as they are great community builders.
The park’s proximity to the proposed Blue Line station provides a perfect walkway between the station and the businesses nearby. Several communities are building pedestrian-friendly business districts. It’s a great opportunity.
LaRoche: The Crystal Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, which I serve as the chair of, has been working on a long term vision for Crystal’s entire parks system for the past few years. This process has involved several community meetings around the city. One of the things that has come out of this process is the realization that Becker Park, as it is configured today, is underutilized, especially as compared to our other major parks like Bassett Creek.
I have been very involved in the community discussions about the re-envisioning of Becker Park. There are tremendous opportunities to improve and update the park — including a redesign for year-round use. A green space for multiple family-friendly uses and enhancing Crystal Frolics was widely supported at community meetings. As our community’s needs change, a comprehensive, flexible plan for our parks is a must.
What benefits do you think the Blue Line Extension of light rail transit could bring to Crystal? What drawbacks do you think the Blue Line could bring?
Kiser: There are many benefits that will come with the Blue Line Extension – providing transportation options outside of the bus system for people who do not drive or choose not to drive. Busing options are limited outside of rush hour. Light rail will give non-drivers more options. As some residents age, and young people embrace a more urban life-style, it is a prime opportunity for Crystal to jump on board.
As we have seen in other communities around the metro, light rail generates jobs and business development. Communities, like Hopkins, have embraced light rail. Currently, several high rise multi-family buildings are going up along the proposed SouthWest Line in Hopkins. In turn, Main Street has several new restaurants walking distance from the light rail. Crystal has a great opportunity for to bring much-needed redevelopment to our city.
LaRoche: I think the impact of the Blue Line remains to be seen. Both opponents and proponents of the line feel passionately about the project, and make good points. As a member of the city council, the most important thing you can do is advocate for the citizens of Crystal and provide a forum for their input.
If elected, what specific projects or initiatives do you hope to accomplish during your term?
Kiser: Two initiatives I embrace are having a strategic plan and strong vision for our future and ways to build more community among our residents.
While door knocking these past few months, I talked to many people and learned a great deal. People are happier when they’re connected to the community. I would promote ways to build on this. For example, several people told me a new paved walking path in their neighborhood was a welcome change, allowing their group to meet at Yunger Park; Free Little Libraries are a great, inexpensive addition to any neighborhood. Getting people interacting with others and engaged in the community makes for great neighbors.
LaRoche: Inclusiveness: Our population has shown an increase in cultural diversity, and involvement is needed. The city recently set up a volunteer task force for residents and business owners to volunteer at events or serve on advisory commissions. It’s vital that voices from all communities in Crystal are heard and welcomed.
Prosperity: It’s important to keep taxes and spending in line, to keep Crystal an affordable place to live and do business. I support continued updating of our city code and ordinances, and replacing empty lots with homes and businesses to help generate more income for the city and relieve the tax burden on residents.
Safety: Residents I’ve talked with are pleased with response times, and police/fire are doing a very good job with outreach. Many are concerned with speeding on residential streets and teens out after curfew. Having vibrant activities for youth gives them a place to gather and have fun. Increasing participation in programs like Night to Unite is another way to connect and strengthen neighborhoods in Crystal.
Communication: I have seen improvements by the city to inform residents, especially through social media. Feedback from residents and business is key, and I will be responsive in sharing information and comments in both directions.
Ward 3
John Budziszewski
Address: 5308 47th Ave. N.
Family: Heidi Ripplinger, two children
Education: BA International Relations, University of Minnesota
Occupation: Commercial Banking by day, Newspaper Delivery by night
Years lived in the city: 19 years (1997)
Community/civic organizations involvement: Crystal Human Right Commission, We Can Ride (Therapeutic Horseback Riding), Minnesota Hobby Beekeepers Association
Have you run for any other office in the past? I’ve run for Crystal City Council starting in early 2000, elected in 2010 to Crystal City Council, term 2011 – 2014.
Contact information: VoteJohnBudziszewski.com
Casey Peak
Address: 5236 Georgia Ave. N.
Family: My wife, Pamela Peak, and a son, Ian Ackerman
Occupation: Network engineering
Years lived in the city: 14
Community/civic organizations involvement: Current City Council representative
Have you run for any other office in the past? Crystal City Council
Contact information: CaseyPeak.com
Crystal is considering the future of Becker Park, which is in close proximity to a planned light rail station and a burgeoning retail area near Bass Lake Road and County Road 81. Assuming you’re elected, how do you envision the park at the end of your term? 10 or 20 years from now? What possible future improvements should be made to Becker Park, if any?
Budziszewski: I support the future park improvements for the new Becker Park. It is important that the people of Crystal express their desires for land use and that it is well connected to the light rail station. I will work to incorporate the people’s vision into this park. I have worked on park development previously, I saved Cavanaugh Park.
Peak: Becker Park needs to be reinvisioned as a central park for Crystal. It has a great proximity to business districts. I ask people often why they use or don’t use it. Often I hear people didn’t even know that it had a playground. That playground is hidden so we should move the location so more people become aware of it. Also, we need something that would be a draw. There have been many opinions as to what that would be. I would like to see the structure there get leased to a restaurant or some other business.
What benefits do you think the Blue Line Extension of light rail transit could bring to Crystal? What drawbacks do you think the Blue Line could bring?
Budziszewski: I have said for a long time Crystal has been underserved by public transportation. The connectivity light rail will give us not only to the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport but to other areas of the metropolitan area will give Crystal great credibility as a destination to live and raise a family. No longer will our youth and seniors feel isolated within our borders but connected to schools, shops, and their family. This will become more apparent as time goes on. The only drawback will be change as development increases along the rail line. It could result in longtime business being up rooted or relocated. This type of change can be hard to accept.
Peak: The light rail brings us new ways to revamp our downtown area. It will bring more foot traffic. Many people are very concerned about losing our small town feel however. I share that concern. But we have to remember its the people not the project that make Crystal what it is. One of the ideas we are planning on talking about next year is city beautification around the business district in the area. We have some ambitious goals but they are in their infancy at this point. Contact me to find out more. Another concern of mine is the push for high-density housing. If we as residents wanted that we would have moved to the inner city. But we chose Crystal. Respecting that desire and the needs of the citizens I will continue to fight the introduction of neighborhood disrupting planning at all stages and focus on strengthening our positive traits that we love about our city.
If elected, what specific projects or initiatives do you hope to accomplish during your term?
Budziszewski: If elected, I will promote more projects like the Cavanaugh Senior Living Center. As a former council member, I worked on this project that not only brought residents to our community, but also saved Cavanaugh Park. Current mayor and members of the council tried to undermine the project, claiming cost, parking complaints, land use, and now; try to take credit for it. With the coming of Blue Line Light Rail, we’ll see greater connectivity so more people will want to live in our beautiful city.
I will also propose a long-term solution for the rail crossings at Douglas Drive and West Broadway which will quiet the train whistles. I will also make the intersections safe, less inconvenient to residents and surrounding businesses.
The council will support Black History and Genocide Awareness months, given our current and historical events. This opportunity is ignored by the current mayor and city council, inconceivable.
Current mayor and city council propose an 8-percent tax levy, I disagree, and my greatest priority is to live within our means.
I propose a community apiary, like our community garden, and I will reserve space for our youth so they can participate with the University of Minnesota Bee Lab to learn about our declining honey bees. I think it’s time to promote pollinator gardens.
Peak: Currently I have been working on the Crystal Ball, spearheaded by our community outreach task force. The community outreach group will build awareness and increase the number of activities our community has to offer by gathering information and volunteers that help everyday people get directly involved with their communities. Much more work can be done to preserve and strengthen our city, so I am asking for your support for my reelection. Built on sound principle and practice, I bring new ideas, openness, and an honest mind to the table. This task force is designed to spearhead the need for new volunteers. If you are interested in knowing more please come to our next meeting. You can find this information on the City of Crystal website. To volunteer look under “I Want To…” and choose “Volunteer.”
Ward 4
Julie Deshler
Address: 5643 Zane Ave. N.
Family: Daughter, Kendra, dogs, Zippy and Striper, cat, Alvin
Education: Associate of Arts, Law Enforcement
Occupation: Manager, Uniforms Unlimited
Years in the city: 12
Community/Civic Organizations: Crystal/Robbinsdale/New Hope Rotary Club, Beyond the Yellow Ribbon & Crystal Lions Club
Have you run for any other office in the past? Yes, 2010 to finish a two-year term and again in 2012; Crystal City Council, Ward 4, six years.
Contact information: 612-306-5808
Jeffrey Munson
Address: 5022 53rd Ave. N.
Family: Sherri Munson (wife)
Education: Liberal Arts degree from University of MN
Occupation: REALTOR® with Edina Realty
Years lived in the city: 16
Community/civic organizations involvement: Member of the Crystal Charter Commission
Have you run for any other office in the past? None
Contact information: jeffmunsoncrystalcouncil@gmail.com
Crystal is considering the future of Becker Park, which is in close proximity to a planned light rail station and a burgeoning retail area near Bass Lake Road and County Road 81. Assuming you’re elected, how do you envision the park at the end of your term? 10 or 20 years from now? What possible future improvements should be made to Becker Park, if any?
Deshler: I’d like to see Becker Park more functional, i.e., update the ballfield/open space area so people could play a variety of sports throughout the year, rather than just softball. Update and move the playground area and equipment so it’s more user friendly. Down the road, and, budget permitting, I’d like to see the stage building removed or completely renovated so it would be a more appealing and functional facility. Other possibilities would be adding a promenade area where vendors could set up a “mini market,” update lighting fixtures, and adding a restaurant on the park grounds with outdoor patio seating. I’m looking forward to hearing what other ideas residents have come up with, once the Becker Park Community survey is concluded.
Munson: I think Becker Park has the potential to become a destination place. Book more bands to perform at the amphitheater during the spring and summer months. Find ways to make more use of the basketball court and tennis courts. Hopefully, the Crystal Frolics will continue to use Becker Park for its event. Imagine days where softball games are going on in the day, and people having a picnic as they prepare to hear a band they wanted to see. Imagine that happening many days in the spring and summer.
What benefits do you think the Blue Line Extension of light rail transit could bring to Crystal? What drawbacks do you think the Blue Line could bring?
Deshler: I believe that the proposed light rail will be a big draw for future business and residential redevelopment around the area. I think it will help toward attracting younger families to take a hard look at moving to our Community given the fact that we will have such great transportation options.
Munson: The Blue Line Extension will be a benefit to Crystal by helping to attract new residents to the city. Crystal is already in a great location with easy access to downtown. The extension will further enhance that. More and more people are looking for public transportation to utilize. With the Blue Line Extension Crystal will be a more attractive option when people are looking to move. It also has the potential to attract new businesses to the area, as well as the possibility of bringing more profit to those businesses and the businesses that already exist. Even with the benefits we do need to be careful. We need to work to make sure that trains that run on the track don’t generate too much noise. If trains are too noisy, what ways might we be able to dampen the noise created by the railway and allow the citizens who live nearby to still enjoy their homes.
If elected, what specific projects or initiatives do you hope to accomplish during your term?
Deshler: My number one priority if elected again will be to continue being responsive to our resident’s questions, comments and concerns. Some of my other priorities will be to continuing to make common sense budget decisions, keeping blighted properties in check, encouraging community engagement, helping our military families as needed, through our local Beyond the Yellow Ribbon committee, keeping our city clean and litter free, and making sure that the Bass Lake business area gets a much needed facelift.
Munson: I think the biggest issue facing Crystal right now, and one I would work hard to correct, is the budget. Money is being moved from one fund to another to cover up deficits that shouldn’t exist. Because of this deficit, the city must raise taxes, in my opinion significantly, just to meet the current obligations. I believe that once the budget gets in better shape, the tax increases won’t have to be large, they can be small increments to make sure the employees of the city can receive pay increases. Once the budget is brought into line, and bonds are used intelligently, Crystal can continue to grow and improve. Crystal can do the projects it needs to do, such as improving parks, as well as the ones it would like to do. When we can do this it will make Crystal an even better place to live and grow.