|
Century Wine & Spirits On Century Blvd. * 952-401-WINE |
|
Excelsior Farmer’s Market Open Thursdays 2 to 6 p.m. |
|
V & S Jewelry Mound * 952-472-3233 |
|
Crow River Clock Repair Watertown * 952-955-1192 |
|
952-442-4411 |
|
Crossroads Medical Centers, P.A. Chaska 448-2050 Shakopee 496-6700 Prior Lake 447-1700 |
|
ABC Family Chiropractic 952-443-3710 |
|
Weinzierl Jewelers |
|
Waconia 952-442-2885 |
|
Buying or Selling Victoria? Call Nan Emmer. 612-702-2020 |
|
Headlines and bylines |
|
Front Page Feature Story |
|
From the Editor |
|
Addie’s Drawing |
|
Letters to the Editor |
|
Victoria Moments |
|
Hook Line & Sinker |
|
Calendar of Events |
|
Click here to Advertise |
|
the Gazette |
|
Return to Home Page |
|
Order paper Gazette |
|
Notes and Quotes |
|
The Scoop at City Hall |
|
Home Page |
|
The Victoria GAZETTE |
|
September 2010 |
|
Candidates Continued |
|
4) What is your formal education and how did it prepare you for today? “I graduated from Waconia High School and have degrees rom Minnesota State University-Mankato and Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. I have also attended other institutions for classes, including Luther Seminary and the University of St. Thomas. “The purpose of education is to teach and refine critical thinking, to create an awareness and openness to new and innovative ideas, and to develop a sensitivity and openness to people and cultures that might be different than one is comfortable with. These are traits that I believe contribute to being a good elected official.” 5) What is your work experience and how can it help you serve the City of Victoria? “I worked in student financial aid both at Drake and 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. “My career has afforded me many opportunities to work with a variety of people who have had a range of agendas and needs. The people of Victoria also have a range of agendas and needs. It is incumbent that elected officials are able to work with all types of agendas and ideas while at the same time balance the needs of individuals with the needs of the entire community.” 6) What are some of your various memberships and why have you chosen those memberships? “I have served on a number of state and county committees and commissions involving the environment and education -- two things that I support and of which I have some knowledge. “I am currently in my fourth year serving on the Minnesota Orchestra volunteer board (WAMSO) and in 2011, I am co-chairing one of WAMSO’s major fundraising events. Music affords me quiet reflective time.” 7) What are your favorite leisure activities and hobbies and why do you enjoy them? “I downhill ski. It’s challenging and one of the only times I can become very frightened! For exercise, I ride bike and walk a lot. I love to read, but I rarely have time to read an entire book. And I make time for friends -- to keep me real and focused.” 8) What are you going to give up so you can attend and prepare for city council and committee meetings and workshops? “Since I am the current Mayor (2006-2010) and have served as a Victoria City Councilmember for four years (2003-2006), I don’t think I will need to ‘give up’ any more. I have reached a somewhat healthy balance in my life.” 9) What are the latest movies you’ve seen and enjoyed? “I haven’t been to a theater in quite a while. I did re-watch the ‘Bridges of Madison County.’ It’s one of my favorites because of the incredible acting. My dad and I used to watch World War II movies together. He would explain to me what the movies conveniently left out. For fun, I enjoy light movies such as ‘The Proposal’ with Sandra Bullock. In ‘The Proposal,’ the Alaskan landscape was awesome.” 10) Name a couple of your favorite books or authors and why you like them. “As I said above, I rarely have time to read a whole book from cover to cover. I do favor political biographies, any kind. One of my favorite authors and political commentators is Doris Kearns Goodwin. I was recently given the book Generation Ageless by J. Walker Smith and Ann Clurman, which is about baby boomers ‘aging’ and how it will be like no other aging. I am finding some of their ideas pretty intriguing.” 11) What are your personal goals in life? “My goal has always been to be successful in whatever I do and to be considerate and thoughtful of those with whom I work.” 12) Victoria continues to do remarkably well as a residential community with a small central business district, better than many cities with a substantial commercial and industrial tax base. Why do you believe this is so? “We have some very committed business owners, and I believe the residents of Victoria take pride in their community and try to support local business whenever they can. As a business community, we need to continually give our residents opportunities and reasons to support our businesses. “The size of Victoria offers businesses many opportunities to have a say in how our community is governed -- through the Business Development Committee, the Victoria Business Owners Association, and through the Chamber of Commerce. I believe the City Council has been very supportive of current and new businesses. “Over the next couple of years, I have a goal to bring at least another half dozen businesses to Victoria. The City has financial tools to help; grants and other financial assistance should continually be sought. By increasing business opportunities in Victoria, we will help maintain and increase the value of our homes and continue to keep our property taxes at the same or lower level.”
|
