Page Title

CANDIDATES INVERVIEWED FOR COMMITTEES

ALL VACANCIES NOW FILLED IN VICTORIA

Candidates for the Victoria Park and Recreation Committee and the Victoria Business Development Committee were interviewed at a 5:30 p.m. workshop on Monday, March 12th. Six candidates were present in a round table format; four were applicants for Park and Rec, two for the BDC.

"Both committees have significant roles in the community," said Administrator Don Uram. "There are a lot of things going on in Victoria and they have a lot of support." He asked each of the candidates three questions: Why are you interested in the position? What is your experience and qualifications? What is your vision for Victoria?

Mike Heuer, who was interested in Park and Rec, moved to the Rhapsody neighborhood almost two years ago, has two young kids, would like to help shape their future and sees this is a good opportunity. He has a degree in marketing, working in finance, and could help with marketing activities. He'd like to expand the parks that are currently here and help other neighborhoods get parks. He thinks soccer fields and track fields are currently lacking in Victoria and that the trails are kind of sporadic.

Gayle Anthony Davis, interested in the Business Development Committee, moved to Victoria in 2012 and he'd like to see it grow so his family can shop closer to home. He is a mechanical engineer, has experience on several projects, and could help businesses spend money wisely. He is a younger member of the community who would like to bring in more retail businesses and keep people local for business, expanding on what Victoria currently has.

Julie Stiller was interested in Park and Rec, has three children, lives in the Tristan Heights neighborhood of Victoria, and travels to many different areas enjoying the outdoors. They use the Victoria Recreation Center quite often, also the trails, and is interested in expanding the parks. She said there are identity problems living in Tristan Heights, that they get snowplowing and water through Chanhassen, have an Excelsior mailing address, and would like to feel part of Victoria. It's a little bit strange, she said.

Noel Stiller, also a resident at Tristan Heights, was interested in the BDC, said he is fairly new to Victoria but has been a Carver County resident since 1977. He and his wife are business owners in Minnetonka, and he also works with insurance and mortgages. He'd like to keep downtown Victoria healthy without selling out to the chains. He would look at bringing an industrial park here to expand the tax base.

Christie Lodge, interested in Park and Rec, is a resident in the South Lake Virginia Shores neighborhood, has five kids ages 16 to 21, has been a resident of Victoria since 1994, and sees this as an opportunity to participate more locally. She worked in sales and marketing, is able to build solutions, and understands that cities are being pressured to do more with less. She'd like to establish Victoria as a benchmark instead of the other way around, to see Victoria as a destination, where people can attend their sports activities and then enjoy the restaurants here, for example.

Carrie Botten, interested in Park and Rec, moved to the Lakebridge neighborhood four years ago, has three young children, would improve not just parks but also the recreation side. She has a business degree, is now home full time and is an expert in multi-tasking. She definitely feels separated from Victoria, since Lakebridge is not connected to trails and their kids don't even get to attend Victoria Elementary School.

***

Councilmembers also asked some questions of the candidates. A collage of their responses: "There are good activities to bring residents to downtown Victoria; there could be more. There could be billboards posted outside of Victoria that are advertising Victoria. It would be nice if kids could get work experience in Victoria. The parks in Victoria are great. It would be nice to have soccer fields and flag football in Victoria. Good activities are needed for children so that they don't turn to bad activities. Families with kids need activities. Victoria has provided safe and good parks. Seems we need to work closer with developers for the expansions of parks."

Regarding the work of the BDC and Park and Rec, Mayor Mary Thun stated, "Council relies on committees to do the heavy lifting. If something isn't understandable to you, it's not understandable to us either."

Said Councilmember Tom Strigel, "One thing you'll find as you get involved is that there's always more opportunity to get involved."

Said Councilmember Kim Roden, "Ninety percent of the time, Council follows recommendations of the committees, and the majority of what we do is unanimous. Don't be concerned about the occasional 3-2 votes."

Click here to continue “an imipressive group of people.”

Drs. Dungey, Menser & Associates

Victoria and Waconia. 952-443-2816