Minnesota elections 2022: Arden Hills races

Pioneer Press elections team, Pioneer Press
·8 min read

ARDEN HILLS RACES

MAYOR

David Grant

  • Age: 65

  • What qualifies you to hold this position? As mayor for the past 12 years, I know Arden Hills. I have added trails, businesses, jobs, and held the line on city taxes. My MBA provides a framework to plan and evaluate city operations. Budgeting for infrastructure and capital improvements is made annually. I partner with other government units for cost savings. I value listening to residents.

  • What would your top priorities be if elected? Development of TCAAP to provide diverse housing choices, employment, amenities and a diversified tax base. Ensure ongoing property tax revenue covers costs. Keep city taxes low while adding trails and enhancing and maintaining city services. Maintain our unique and inclusive neighborhoods. Improving our aging sewer and water infrastructure.

  • What do you think is the primary role of government? Serve the diverse needs of residents including; police and fire, providing quality streets, sewer, water, parks, trails and recreational programs. This requires extensive financial planning for future expenditures to ensure adequate funding for repairs, replacement, or cost increases. Expand public and private partnerships for cost savings.

  • Website or contact: ReelectMayorDavidGrant.com

Gregg Larson

  • Age: 74

  • What qualifies you to hold this position? City Planning Commission, 5 years; City Council, 9 years; administrative responsibilities for clinical trial network in 35 countries at the U of MN School of Public Health; leadership of public and non-profit organizations, including the MN Board of Assessors and the boards of the Lake Johanna Fire Department and the MN Charities Review Council.

  • What would your top priorities be if elected? Negotiate a compromise agreement between the City and Ramsey County that moves the TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons project forward and protects the fiscal and public good interests of the City; complete key, safe trail connections that residents want without having to wait decades; and build more transparency and public participation in City governance.

  • What do you think is the primary role of government? City government provides essential services for residents: public safety, including law enforcement and fire protection; public works, including capital improvements and maintenance of streets, utility, and park/trails infrastructure; and administration of zoning, licenses, and permits. City government should be transparent and fiscally prudent.

  • Website or contact: advanceardenhills.com

CITY COUNCIL (ELECT 2)

Emily Rousseau

  • Age: 39

  • What qualifies you to hold this position? I use my MBA in the private sector as a Legal Privacy Manager. Previously, I was the Data Practices Compliance Officer at the Minneapolis Park Board. I value the private rights of citizens and government openness. I analyze laws and develop enterprise policies and strategies. I have extensive experience with committees and want to develop ours.

  • What would your top priorities be if elected? To move Rice Creek Commons forward, to improve communication, and to build up and support our committees. Rice Creek Commons is an incredible opportunity for economic development. However, it is a big project and our community needs to be provided with information, given more opportunities to provide input, and receive guidance from our committees.

  • What do you think is the primary role of government? Government establishes written rules for society. At a local government level “rules” are policies and ordinances. They should be based on the well-being of residents and reflect their input and available resources. Local government also plays a critical role for providing public works, parks, and services such as public safety and snow removal.

  • Website or contact: https://www.advanceardenhills.com/

Tena Monson

  • Age: 36

  • What qualifies you to hold this position? As a renewable energy developer for the last 9 years, I have extensive experience working with cities, townships, counties, and state boards across the country. This provides me with the skill set needed to progress large projects, like TCAAP, forward. My energy expertise will provide a foundation of sustainability for TCAAP and other city efforts.

  • What would your top priorities be if elected? My top priority is to break the stalemate with the County on TCAAP/Rice Creek Commons. The development is an important growth engine for the city and would provide jobs, housing, and commercial opportunities, from retail shops to restaurants. It is the future of Arden Hills. Another priority is to connect and provide safe walking trails.

  • What do you think is the primary role of government? I believe the primary role is to provide and maintain public services and safety. As work becomes more remote, providing public amenities that make life more comfortable is becoming a larger role for the government. This includes attracting jobs and businesses, finding ways to provide a variety of housing options and safe trails for use.

  • Website or contact: www.advanceardenhills.com

Fran Holmes

  • Age: No response given

  • What qualifies you to hold this position? As a 16 year Council member, I am the most experienced and the best qualified. I have enjoyed working with the residents to make our City an even better place to live. My accomplishments have resulted in proactive planning decisions that have led to dynamic retail growth and commercial expansion, while improving the quality of life for residents.

  • What would your top priorities be if elected? Keeping taxes one of the lowest in the metro area by advancing business growth; Achieving a Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP) development that fits Arden Hills’ vision and budget; Providing quality amenities by enhancing our parks and adding trails for a more walkable/bike-friendly community; and Focusing on environmentally sustainable practices.

  • What do you think is the primary role of government? My primary role is to reach decisions by listening to residents, discussing consequences, and doing what is best for the City. My leadership effectively ensures that Arden Hills remains a City where all are welcome to live here, be part of the community, and prosper. My decisions promote residents’ visions and values to move Arden Hills forward.

  • Website or contact: franholmesforardenhills.com

Steve Scott

  • Age: 70

  • What qualifies you to hold this position? I am actively engaged in our community events and committed to living up to the highest expectations of representing the office. With six years of council experience, I have a track record of positions I have supported or opposed. I listen respectfully and will continue to advocate for an inclusive community in which to live, work and play.

  • What would your top priorities be if elected? It is no secret that crime is a rising concern in our normally quiet suburbs. Providing for public safety will always be my top priority. I will also strive to maintain the city’s infrastructure and proactively maintain or replace our aging infrastructure before it become an emergency crisis and disrupts service to our residents or businesss.

  • What do you think is the primary role of government? The primary role of local government besides providing for basic utility, safety, transportation and recreational services is to provide an open platform for citizen engagement while formulating policies and ordinances which enhance the quality of life issues for all.

  • Website or contact: scottforardenhills.com

CITY COUNCIL (SPECIAL ELECTION)

Tom Fabel

  • Age: 76

  • What qualifies you to hold this position? My long legal career included service as a Deputy Attorney General, a Hennepin County prosecutor, an adjunct law professor, a tribal judge, and a Deputy Mayor for the City of St. Paul. These experiences assure that I will be a wise and flexible negotiator, qualities now absent from the Arden Hills City Council, causing the deadlock on TCAAP.

  • What would your top priorities be if elected? Securing a just and equitable agreement with Ramsey County for TCAAP development, assuring much needed housing along with parkland, commerce and employment opportunities. Increasing fiscal responsibility by recovering the public investment in TCAAP while increasing the tax base to support additional improvements and public safety.

  • What do you think is the primary role of government? Local government must assure public safety, which has been a focus during much of my career. Another role is land use regulation, which must be flexible to accommodate new development opportunities and changing needs, while protecting neighborhood integrity.

  • Website or contact: Advanceardenhills.com, tom.fabel@gmail.com

David Radziej

  • Age: 61

  • What qualifies you to hold this position? In January 2022 I was selected to fill the open seat on the City Council. I am a graduate of Mankato State with three majors – Construction Mgmt., Finance, and Int’l Bus. Volunteered time to the city since 2012, serving on the Economic Development and Finance Councils, plus various ad-hoc planning groups on the development of Rice Creek Commons.

  • What would your top priorities be if elected? My goals are to develop Rice Creek Commons (TCAAP) while protecting the City’s property taxpayers. Work with Ramsey County Sheriff’s Officers to protect our citizens and do what I can to build a new Fire Station in Arden Hills with the cooperation of North Oaks and Shoreview as all three cities contract with Lake Johanna Fire Department.

  • What do you think is the primary role of government? Maintaining the infrastructure of our community – safety of our citizens. I do support moving us all forward and I tell others that Arden Hills – We are open for business. Come and enjoy the 20 miles of paved trails, 7 lakes, 14 parks in addition to fortune 500 companies and 2 outstanding Universities.

  • Website or contact: Call/text 651-356-5928