Community Questions. Clear Priorities.
Experience, fiscal responsibility, practical decisions, and a stronger citizen voice.
What Are You Passionate About?
I’m passionate about accountable government that puts citizens first.
Residents deserve to understand the long-term cost of city decisions and have confidence their tax dollars are being used responsibly.
That means carefully evaluating how we provide city services—whether through city employees or outside professionals—and choosing the approach that provides the best service and value. It also means transparency about the long-term financial commitments we make.
While City Council cannot change state law on its own, it can lead by example and advocate for improvements at the county and state levels. I want Chanhassen to make informed, responsible decisions that protect residents and strengthen our community for the future.
Citizen Interests First
We need to have citizen priority. The interests and perspectives of our residents should never be secondary to a broader “public interest” as defined by regulatory agencies. Many regulatory entities use the public interest as their guiding principle, so we need to rebalance our decision-making to ensure that the interests of Chanhassen citizens remain the primary focus.
Understand Long-Term Costs
We need better understanding and communication of the long-term costs associated with public employment, including pensions, benefits, and other obligations that can persist for decades after someone has left public service. Pensions create a layering of base costs that government cannot easily change. For example, even when a municipality says it wants to hold the line on taxes, there is already built-in growth in government taxation, particularly property taxation, which is beginning to burden citizens.
Protect and Prioritize Our Water
Water is a changing resource as land use changes and needs evolve. Decisions about water use and where it is used should be citizen-led and citizen priority. Citizens should have far greater input into how we sustain and restore our waters for the uses people actually value. Most current priorities focus on recreational and aesthetic uses. We no longer use our lakes for water supply — those needs have shifted to pumping systems from aquifers. If we are concerned about how citizens actually use their water and what they do in and on it, then those interests should come before regulatory interests.
Chanhassen, a community we’re proud to call home.
Six Questions
Why are you running for City Council?
Citizens encouraged me to run. After 40 years of observing and engaging with state, regional, county, and municipal government, I believe I can bring valuable experience to the Council. I want decisions affecting Chanhassen residents to be transparent, balanced, and respectful of their freedoms, opportunities, and voice in local government.
What is your long-term vision for Chanhassen?
As Chanhassen evolves, we must balance growth with fiscal responsibility and preserve what residents value about our community. That means prioritizing essential services, considering the cumulative burden of taxation, and restoring meaningful citizen participation in decisions shaping Chanhassen’s future.
How will you engage Chanhassen residents in shaping our future?
As Chanhassen’s Comprehensive Plan is being developed, residents should have a meaningful voice in the decisions that will shape our community for years to come. For more than 30 years, I have practiced local government and administrative law and litigation. My work on behalf of citizens and local governments has given me unique insight into the challenges facing our municipal, county, regional, and state leadership. It takes courage to address difficulties and experience to consider solutions. I will bring both while serving Chanhassen.
How should local government address rising property taxes?
Fiscal responsibility requires looking beyond the city levy to the combined burden of city, county, school, regional, state, and other taxes. I support transparent planning, meaningful citizen participation, careful timing of expenditures, and full consideration of borrowing and long-term liabilities.
How should Chanhassen approach data centers and major development?
Major projects should be evaluated for long-term benefits and consequences — not simply immediate economic development or tax revenue. Infrastructure, energy and water use, land use, environmental impacts, and effects on residents all matter. We must ask who sets the priorities, who benefits, and who bears the costs and consequences.
How should Chanhassen protect its water and natural resources?
Clean water takes leadership. We can support growth while protecting the places that make our community special. With thoughtful planning, strong standards, and measurable results, we can leave our lakes, streams, and natural resources healthier for the next generation.
Community Questions
What role should multi-unit residential development play in Chanhassen?
Multi-unit housing is lawful, but every proposal should be evaluated for its specific impacts on fire protection, water, sewer, safety, infrastructure, and surrounding neighborhoods. The City should clearly identify those impacts, disclose them to residents, and respond appropriately.
Would you support changing 1190–1200 Lyman Boulevard from residential to commercial?
This is an important land-use decision for the 2050 Comprehensive Plan. Any decision should consider environmental impacts, traffic, neighborhood character, market conditions, and the requirements of the governing authorities.
How would you approach completion of the Avienda project?
Existing approvals and property rights must be respected. The City should examine developer and performance bonds, enforcement provisions, financing assumptions, and public subsidies carefully so taxpayers are protected from unnecessary long-term risk.
What should City policy be for public restrooms, locker rooms, and recreational sports?
Sex-designated facilities should remain separated by biological sex, with Male, Female, and Either options so individuals can choose appropriately for their protection and values. City-sponsored sports should preserve the protections and opportunities established for women’s athletics.
How would you work to keep property taxes stable?
Property taxes must be considered comprehensively. Residents face a combined burden from multiple taxing authorities, so focusing on a single levy will not solve the problem. I support bringing citizens into a broader discussion of the total property-tax burden and potential solutions.
Would you support a local sales tax increase?
No. I do not support a local sales tax increase.
When would you support tax increment financing (TIF)?
Only in truly exceptional circumstances. Any public investment should include appropriate bonding, covenants, and other protections to secure taxpayers against default.
How would you approach state and federal funding?
Outside funding can be useful, but its long-term implications must be understood. Some mechanisms shift costs into the future or contribute to debt and funding shortfalls. The City should carefully evaluate those consequences before committing taxpayers.
How would you improve Highway 5 access and connectivity?
Highway 5 improvements should be evaluated carefully for costs, funding sources, long-term obligations, safety, and impacts on residents.
What qualities and priorities matter in the Carver County Sheriff?
I am inclined to support Pat Barry, while recognizing that ultimately this is a community decision.
How would you approach retail licensing and business development?
Each proposal should be evaluated on its merits. As a 40-year small-business owner, I strongly support small businesses and the opportunities they provide families and individual owners. I am skeptical of government financing and unnecessary government involvement in private business.
What is your position on marijuana-related retail in Chanhassen?
State law limits the City’s ability to impose an outright ban. Even so, when considering the effects on families, residents, and individual users, I see substantial potential for long-term harm and little community benefit.