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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1979 10-17 Council hopefuls tackle the issues THE REVIEW In an effort to serve the city of Maplewood, the Review asked the four candidates for city council to respond to a questionnaire. Here are the questions: 1. What recommendation made by the Citizens Wage Committee deserves priority and why? 2. Comment on the future of development in Maplewood. L. 3. What is the answer to low income and 't senior citizen housing in Maplewood? 4. Why do you want to be elected to the council? site for their new practice facility? Such 4` additions to the community would be nonpolluting, contributing members to our quality of life. Gary 3. The answer is to plan for it and at- tract it. Our present lot ordinances are Bastian sufficient to allow development of Iow • income housing in any area of Maplewood.The concern the council must have is its placement within existing lof -: residential areas. We must avoid the tendency to allow development of low income housing in one area. 1. Of the 15 identifiable recom- Senior citizen housing is a must. Our mendations made by the wage corn- parents and grandparents should not be mittee,nine could be resolved by enacting forced to leave the community when they a comprehensive personnel management are unable to maintain or afford their own policy to govern our 112 city employees. I homes. Our seniors are good neighbors, am convinced that a strong personnel but the council must guarantee that such management policy is a vital ingredient developments will always remain for the to the effectiveness and productivity of all seniors in the years ahead. city employees. 4. I believe my background and ex- The policy the council would work for perience in government finance can help would provide quality and timely per- the council deal with problems it will face sonnei services in a cost effective man- as we enter a period of fiscal uncertainty ner. It would set standards of work force and economic belt-tightening. performance,allow for open competition, The make-up of the city council must be insure selection and promotion by merit assured an infusion of new ideas and an and guarantee that non-performers and independence from all the special interest sub-standard employees are removed governing the city. Your next two city from the city payroll. council representatives must be able to Two other' recommendations deserve work with all concerns and be able to comment.I do not believe that the health respond to the needs of all areas of the and safety of the citizens of Maplewood city. I believe that I can offer the new would be served by transferring our ideas,offer the independence from the old police dispatching unit to the Ramsey guard and offer the responsiveness people County Sheriff's office. Finally, I believe are asking for from their elected officials. there is a real need for a commission to advise the council on personnel and economic issues. It would function in a manner similar to the parks and recreation,human rights and housing and Fran redevelopment bodies that serve ' Maplewood presently. Juker 2.Development in Maplewood must be . encouraged. We need expanding com- mercial and residential tax base. We must not allow fragment development that was so common several years ago. I have special concerns about 1.The report of the wage committee has preserving open space for our future park already been submitted to the council and and recreational needs. However, special manager. I did also submit a minority attention must be given to avoiding taking report. I think the issues are too corn- too much property off the tax rolls. plicated to resolve without further in- We need to attract all sizes of corn- vestigation of the facts.If anyone wants to mercial developments, especially in the read my minority report,it is available in mall area. Why shouldn't Maplewood be the office (city hall). as attractie as Woodbury and Arden Hills 2. The use of remaining open land is a to the large insurance companies or the big problem, that needs study. Open Minnesota Vikings when searching for a space expensive to acquire and future development should be controlled so that which the council proceeds is that they there is area involvement where rarely, if ever, "ask why before saying developments are being considered, so aye." I will thoroughly investigate and that a balanced use is made of land. come up with a practical conclusion to all 3. The position of people on fixed in- council matters. comes is tragic. This is really a national problem because of inflation.The city has a responsibility to enable our citizens o to live in our community by providing range of housing costs. Some must be located close to shopping, doctors and transperasho dfnotdbeyforced out of WaS iUIC widowers should homes,since in many cases this triggers a sharp decline in their emotional, mental 3 and physical condition. 4. My interest in Maplewood has been long standing and I have been active in community concerns, and feel that I can be effective on the council in wise use of t.The wage committee was initiated by limited tax dollars. Maplewood is one the council with a charge—"The intent of c ao unit, ins and needs ton ing and act as this committee shall be to assure the a instead of thinking as isolated taxpayer and the council that it is neighborhoods. receiving what it is paying for. Good government at a reasonable and fair cost without excess personnel or excessive ` salaries." At this time when people are • . concerned with inflated living costs and taxes, I feel this is a high priority issue lc David x and should not be downgraded. Narog ` 2. The development, still to come, in �p..T,; `;, \ Maplewood will be quite extensive. We have a planning commission and a � � �-�'{ comprehensive land plan. In addition we t. Most important of the general must look into the future of all areas recommendations made by the corn- where development will occur and at- mittee deals with percentage raises for tempt to project what future growth can employees. As stated in the wage com- be expected and when. Then sit down to mittee report, "Employees in the high attempt to evaluate such improvements salary bracket will receive a very sub- as water towers, sewers, storm sewers, stantial raise, but the lower salaried holding ponds,parks,etc. Then arrive at employee receives just enough to make an estimated amount of money needed for ends meet." For example, a seven per- these services.My plan would be to have cent increase of a$12,000 yearly salary is a public works fund. This would be $840,where as a seven percent increase of financed by the savings derived from a $25,000 salary is $1,750. A straight, more careful spending of the city budget. across-the-board dollar increase is the only fair approach to raises. 3.I favor low income and senior citizen 2. The future development in housing in Maplewood. With proper Maplewood will only reach its growth planning and proper location, access to potential when the city councilnf buses,stores,shops and parks. Buildings acknowledges the recommendations of to be used should be compatible and the Design Reviewsn Boarddrealizesed the Plan- suitable to the general area. As a recent strang Commission, and that retiree I understand some of the problems t straight ent must regarding all facets ofe of living on a fixed income and dealing t development be given to the with inflation. residents. 3. The Maplewood city council should actively approach participation in a program that makes available money at 4.The progress of the city of Maplewood has been an important concern of mine Forlow interestxamprates city ofhoSt. Paulg purposes.i (and my family)for many years.My four example, the of St. has in on the Dist. 622 board has the past and presently offers such low yearsearn onminsighteDisinto2schoolce boar has ent interest loans to senior citizens who are on and financing of local governments. This senior incomes. This type of financingw-icmfoe included levy limitations, evaluation of citizens and low-income the entire local structure and job sh 4. With m households my past experienceyuld be investd. as a evaluations. My belief in open govern- Maplewood city employee (engineering ment and the open process is needed on department) and after serving on the the council at this time.I have been asked citizens wage committee,one very strong by citizens to run for the seat because objection I have to the current manner in they were not being heard.