Page Title

Chanhassen * 952-934-5659

Leuthner Well Company

Victoria * 952-443-2582

Laser and Electrolysis

Chanhassen 952-474-7474

Dine in Downtown Victoria * 952-443-2858

Victoria * 952-443-2022

MACKENTHUN’S Gourmet Meats

Victoria * 952-443-1841

St. Bonifacius * 952-446-1338

Holy Family Catholic High School

Victoria * 952-443-4659

by Sue Orsen

As election time draws near for all of us across the land, we do well to also pay attention to candidates on the home front. Here in Victoria, our mayor is running unopposed for reelection, while six candidates are vying for two other council seats currently held by Kim Roden and Richard Tieden. Kim and Richard want their seats back, just like Mayor Mary Thun. The decision will be made by Victoria voters on Tuesday, November 4th.

In a customary manner, and to assist voters in making good decisions, the Victoria Gazette prepared an identical set of questions for each of the candidates on our home front. It is a generous thing for citizens to step forward to serve in public office. The best thing the rest of us can do is meet them and hear what they have to say as we support an informed democracy at the grass roots level.

Mayor Mary Hershberger Thun

6490 Bayview Place

Resident of Victoria since 1997.

Family: Husband David; stepson Brandon, 31, and his wife Kellie, 30, and of course my golden retriever Sophia, 3.

1) Where are your roots and how did you

come to choose Victoria as a place to live? My husband and I grew up in Waconia. When David’s office moved to Chanhassen, we wanted to be closer to his work and to our elderly parents in Waconia. We simply lucked out in ending up in Victoria.

2) Briefly, what is your educational background and work experience? I have an undergraduate degree from Minnesota State College - Mankato, and my Master’s degree is from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. I worked in student financial aid both at Drake and at the University of Minnesota as an Assistant and Associate Director. Following my 10+ years working on college campuses, I worked at loan guarantee agencies and servicing centers as the Executive Vice President and, finally, as the Chief Operating Officer. I currently provide business services as a partner in RCG Consulting, LLC -- a small business and education consulting firm.

3) City councilmembers seem to get more criticism than accolades. What made you decide to file/refile for such a position? I truly enjoy working with all of Victoria’s residents and neighborhoods as well as looking for ways to maximize Victoria’s potential by working with other organizations, entities, and cities. I want to continue to work with the greater Victoria community to help position our City for a progressive dynamic future.

4) What are your thoughts or suggestions on ways to improve Victoria, and what steps will you take to implement them? My thoughts include, but are not limited to, the following ideas. First, I believe that it is crucial that we continue to position Victoria to take advantage of the economic and progressive opportunities of the future. We need to not be afraid to take calculated risks to ensure responsible growth.

Second, we must continue to build and expand on viable and sustainable partnerships that will help provide cost effective services to Victoria’s citizens.

Third, I continue to support a thriving, active, and energetic Victoria culture. We need to carefully encourage business experiments and new and exploratory ideas.

Fourth, it is imperative to me that we safeguard and promote Victoria’s vast natural resources in a manner that ensures preservation and encourages responsible and practical recreation opportunities. To accomplish this goal, we must strive to make every governing organization that has anything to do with natural resources our partner and friend, and we must actively pursue relationships with other recreation facilities to bring the best of programs and opportunities to our City.

Click here to continue On the Home Front.