City Council Candidates:

PAUL WRIGHT

What are your qualifications for the position?

First and foremost I am a community member of the city of Apple Valley and have been for seven years. I believe regardless of experience we should all serve in some way, shape or form when the opportunity presents itself. I would much rather see people serve short stints in a given area and then move on. I don't believe "experienced" politicians consistently serve the best interests of all of their constituents. I have been in sales the last 15-plus years. I spent the last five years as vice president of sales for a midsized promotional fulfillment company. Within the last month I joined an old friend in a manufacturer's representative firm.

I have a phenomenal wife. Any person will tell you that you are only as strong as your support. I graduated from Richfield High School in 1985. I spent two years at Normandale Community College learning that I was better suited for the work world. I coach my two boys (Jack, 6, and Sammy, 4) in various sports. I am involved with several committees and/or events. ALSAC/ St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.  I also take part in golf tournaments, silent auctions and other fundraising events for ALS, The Joel Laube memorial for Bethany Lutheran College,  Young Life, United Way and Children's Cancer Fund to name a few.

What prompted you to run for office?

I want to serve my community in what ever way I can.  

What are your top priorities if elected?

Fiscal responsibility. To become a fresh, new leader providing a new perspective. To ensure that Apple Valley is as nice a place to live in several years as it is right now and to look for ways to creatively increase city revenue without drastically  increasing property taxes.

THOMAS O'KEEFE

What are your qualifications for the position?

I've never run for political office, but I did run a national nonprofit organization, the National Association of Investment Professionals (NAIP), representing people in the financial services industry. In that position, I gave formal testimony at the federal level which related to employment matters and on the local level related to natural gas pricing and manipulation as well as tax policy.

I also created a think tank related to NAIP called the Financial Services Policy Institute. As a board member of this organization I presented our research to the Minnesota Senate and the Minnesota Public Utility Commission on manipulative natural gas trading and on a variety of other matters.

I was probably best known as the person who initiated the movement to remove Dick Grasso as chairman of the New York Stock Exchange.
Lastly, I have lived in this community for 14 years.

What prompted you to run for office?

As with most people who run for public office, I have a passion for a few particular issues. Mine are renewable energy, political ethics and efficient government.

Building energy use is another area that prompted me to run. As a City Council member, I'm hoping to have some input into the energy of city buildings and create a more stringent permit process and higher standards for building codes.

What are your top priorities if elected?

At this point I have five main priorities, transportation and transit, economic development, infrastructure and safety, housing, and city management.

NATHAN ERICKSON

What are your qualifications for the position?

I understand the importance of serving others. I have founded and currently own two small businesses making customer service the keystone within these companies. From a very young age I have been active in my church and have had the opportunity to travel to various countries helping build schools, medical clinics, churches, and orphanages as well as providing food and medical supplies to people in need. I also have been involved with helping with food distribution in the Twin Cities area. I feel that being a City Council member you have to serve your community and in my life I have made that a priority.  

What prompted you to run for office?

I want to be involved and be of service to my community and offer a fresh new perspective to our local government.

What are your top priorities if elected?

The top priority is just to serve as a voice to my community. I want to listen to the residents of Apple Valley and work for what they want. I want to look at the Cedar/County Road 42 traffic problem and figure out the right direction we should go to relieve the congestion. I also want to review the remaining land of Apple Valley and construct a plan that will be able to create a balance between residential/commercial developments to maintain the quality of residential life that Apple Valley offers.

BOB ERICKSON

What are your qualifications for the position?

I have been active in the city for the past 25 years. I served two years on the Park Committee, seven years on the Planning Commission (the last five years as chair), and the past 16 years as a member of the City Council. I currently serve as a member of the Board of Directors for ALF Ambulance and as vice chair of the Dakota Communications Center Board of the Directors. After 37 years in software development I retired just over two years ago. I now have ample time to dedicate to serving the citizens of Apple Valley as a member of the City Council.

What prompted you to run for office?

I have always been interested in how our city is managed and how services are provided to its citizens. I initially became involved by volunteering my time on the Park Committee and the Planning Commission. When an opportunity to serve on the City Council presented itself, I became a candidate for and was selected to fill a vacancy on the council in early 1991. I have served since that time as an elected member of the City Council.

What are your top priorities if elected?

Public safety and jobs are my top priorities. If you do not feel safe in your community, nothing else matters. I have consistently supported important police and fire budget requests. We must continue to be proactive in policing our community.
Head of household jobs continue to be a priority for the City Council. The competition for these jobs is fierce; every community in the seven-county area is trying to encourage those jobs to locate in their community. The City Council, together with the City Administrator and the City Planning Department must work together in this effort to bring jobs to Apple Valley.

Smart growth has been an integral part of Apple Valley for the 37 years we have lived here. As market conditions and citizen priorities change, we must adapt as well. As an example, when we moved here I don't think one townhouse or condominium existed in Apple Valley. Now townhomes are a key part of the housing stock we offer to our citizens. Condominiums are also gaining favor with our citizens. We must strive to provide housing for all who work in Apple Valley and wish to live here.

JOHN BERGMAN

What are your qualifications for the position?

• Current Apple Valley City Council member.

• Four years on both Dakota County and Apple Valley planning commissions.

• Associate of applied science degree in greenhouse, garden center management from the University of Minnesota.

• Ground operations for Northwest Airlines for 21 years.

• ALF Ambulance Operating Board and Dakota Communications Center alternate.

• MSP Noise Oversight community representative.

• Active with the Apple Valley Chamber of Commerce, Apple Valley Lions Club, Special Olympics.

What prompted you to run for office?

The seat became vacant after Virginia Sterling retired. My past experiences sitting on city and county commissions.

What are your top priorities if elected?

Actively participate in the selection of a community development director, who has strong economic experience focusing on effective and prudent development of remaining open space in Apple Valley. To work cooperatively in recruiting and retaining head of household jobs and revitalization of aging/utilized areas of business and housing. To work on effective and enforceable housing policies to ensure vibrant neighborhoods. To work for the completion of Dakota County Cedar Avenue Corridor. To support solutions and implementation of business and citizen recommendations, minimizing impact on public/personal property. To maintain Apple Valley's quality of life through vigilant attention to budgetary discipline so to retain high bond/fire ratings.

Mayoral Candidates

LANCE HUSTON

What are your qualifications for the position?

• 1994 graduate of the University of St. Thomas with a bachelor's degree in business administration and a minor in psychology.
• Commercial pilot license with multiple ratings and endorsements.

• Has served on the board of directors as treasurer for the Twin Cities Vizsla Club since 2002.

• Active with the local chapter of "Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy."

• Active member of Evangelical Free Church.

• Has been employed as a sales engineer with a Twin Cities company for almost 10 years and formerly owned a small business.

What prompted you to run for office?

You can only sit and complain for so long. You either put up or shut up. Budget issues, taxes and spending are issues. As an elected official you need to spend the money like it really is the taxpayer's money. I just question some of the spending. I think the city has mismanaged the finances.

What are your top priorities if elected?

Finance and taxes, land use and zoning. We should look at more government involvement in land and property use. Abuse of eminent domain is also an issue.

One of the things I would like to see is more information available on the Web site to get people more involved. I'd be willing to take a look at anything, especially if it's a cost savings.I'd like to see more enforcement of our current ordinances, especially nuisance ordinances.

MARY HAMANN-ROLAND

What are your qualifications for the position?

Apple Valley mayor in eighth year, second vice president of the League of Minnesota Cities, treasurer/secretary of the Minnesota Mayor's Association, a registered nurse, general contractor. Endorsed by the Southern Twin Cities Association of Realtors.

What prompted you to run for office?

It is an honor to be mayor for such great people. Over the last eight years, our team has produced high quality results. Apple Valley is a beautiful, safe community. $700 million worth of quality commercial and residential development, 10.333 percent job growth per CNN/Money, and an AA1 credit rating are great results. Moody's of Wall Street expects the city's well managed conservative financial operations to continue. Our future is bright.

What are your top priorities if elected?

Public safety is our priority. In 2007 we'll see the results of the High Performance Partnership, the Dakota Communications Center for public safety, a finalist for 2006 National Award for Municipal Excellence.

Apple Valley has a strong economic future. The GrandStay Hotel, opening in 2007. 500 trade jobs, $1 million of tax revenue and 200 additional jobs will result from $170 million downtown development. The Maus Group's effective land use study and a BioScience Zone will attract high quality jobs. Focus will be on smart growth, and jobs keeping our economy strong. The HIPP partnership will create more cost effective service delivery. AA1 credit rating brings substantial tax savings.

Kelley Central Park, Cobblestone Lake Park and enhanced neighborhood trails and parks will add beautiful connectivity. Scientific water quality management implemented for our ponds and lakes.

(Editor's note: The candidate responses were listed in reverse alphabetical order because they were listed in alphabetical order online last week.)

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