Q&A with candidates

The Eden Prairie News invited all candidates for City Council and mayor to respond by e-mail to a questionnaire abut issues that will affect Eden Prairie. Election Day is Nov. 7.

Eden Prairie City Council

Running for the City Council seats held by Ron Case and Phil Young are: Jon Duckstad, an Eden Prairie Planning Commission member; Nina Mackay, who serves on the Heritage Preservation Commission; Kathy Nelson, who has served on the Planning Commission and the Board of Adjustment and Appeals; Larry Piumbroeck, who is on the Eden Prairie Human Rights and Diversity Commission; Gary Stevens, who has volunteered with several community organizations; and Jeff Strate, who is on the Eden Prairie Human Rights and Diversity Commission and is president of Friends of Birch Island Woods.

Jon Duckstad

Age: 72

Address: 8079 Timber Lake Drive

Family: Wife, Carole Jean; four grown daughters

Employment: Adjunct law professor and attorney

 Q: Why are you running?

I have a deep-seated interest as well as the time and skills, to contribute meaningfully to the community. I believe government at all levels is important. My wide range of previous government experience will enable me to participate helpfully with other members.

 Q: What are the most important issues facing the city of Eden Prairie?

1. How we prepare our budgets. This impacts many of our concerns. We need a more comprehensive way of evaluating priorities as we face the pressure and need to spend more. I support the idea of having a citizen budget task force to help evaluate spending priorities.

2. Are we doing enough to improve the major center area as a magnet for commerce and to make it and its environs the attractive “downtown” that it was hoped to be? As a member of the Planning Commission I know we’re working on it.

3. We need better interaction and communication between the City Council and the business community. We don’t want another loss like Best Buy. I think we’d like to be better informed so we might be able to avoid that kind of surprise.

4. Are we doing enough to bring in contributions and grants to improve our efforts in heritage preservation, the arts and other areas? I think we should explore how we might do it better.

 Q: What expertise, talents, character traits, etc., do you bring to the council?

I am focused and interactive, an attorney with a wide range of experience in local government, mostly in St. Paul and Ramsey County. Currently I am on the Eden Prairie Planning Commission.

In the area of leadership, I was president of the Minnesota State Bar Association, a 16,000-member organization, in 2002 and 2003.

I have been a practicing attorney and a teacher of law, an adjunct professor at William Mitchell College of Law since 1983. I received the Distinguished Alumni Award at Mitchell in 2003 and the Ramsey County District Court Award for Outstanding Leadership in 1998. I have been a commercial pilot and a real-estate appraiser.

In serving in St. Paul, I was a staff attorney on the city attorney’s staff for seven years. I was on the Charter Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, the Safe and Drug Free Schools Advisory Council and the Ramsey County Youth Gang Task Force.

My higher education includes a B.A. from Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, in 1956 and J.D. degree in law from William Mitchell in 1962.

I am an Army veteran. I am married. My wife and I have grown children.

Nina Mackay

Age: 49

Address: 17859 George Moran Drive

Family: Husband, Ian; son, Cameron (14); daughter, Lindsay (11)

Employment: Homemaker

 Q: Why are you running?

I am running for City Council because I’m passionate about Eden Prairie and would like to help our citizens shape its future. Keeping Eden Prairie on the right track and continuing to receive accolades such as the 10th best place in the country to live (Money magazine) Moody’s highest municipal bond rating and one of the best places to raise a family (Parents magazine) will be a challenge I look forward to honoring. I believe in a balanced leadership and feel I can deliver that by listening to citizen concerns and advocating for their needs. Most importantly, I believe in seeking the common ground as the best means to providing solutions for community challenges.

 Q: What are the most important issues facing the city of Eden Prairie?

Many important issues face Eden Prairie today from addressing the needs of changing demographics to dealing with the lack of available land for future planning purposes. Certainly a key opportunity to help address these issues during the next five years will be the development of the downtown center. We will need to factor in designs for walking paths and consider transportation concerns including the potential impact of light rail access. At the same time we will also need to be mindful of preserving open space, remembering that it is an important amenity both for attracting businesses to the community as well as for the enjoyment of those that will live and shop in the area.

The project will have to be a collaborative effort between the public and private sector. This means we must jointly assess when it makes sense for the city to take the lead and when we will need to rely on private businesses to contribute their fair share. If the goal of the downtown center is to connect the community then we need to accommodate citizens as well as businesses providing the opportunity for both to thrive in our city.

 Q: What expertise, talents, character traits, etc., do you bring to the council?

I currently serve on the Heritage Preservation Commission and was a leader on the “Eden Prairie for Parks” referendum committee. I spent six years on the K-12 Advisory Council and currently volunteer in the Eden Prairie schools. I’m the team manager for many youth sports including soccer, volleyball, basketball and softball. I take pride in being fiscally responsible and will seek to use taxpayer dollars efficiently while maintaining quality services. I believe I am forward thinking and will look for innovative approaches to address community issues. Finally, I will contribute my honesty, integrity, perseverance, drive and commitment to the City to help us stay a great place to live, work and dream.

Kathy Nelson

Age: 54

Address: 8983 Preserve Blvd.

Family: Husband, Rick Nelson, two daughters, Kristen and Jennifer

Employment: Homemaker, community volunteer/activist

 Q: Why are you running?

I have a vision for the city. A vital, strong community with green space, trees and flowers. A community that fosters new businesses, and appreciates its existing companies. A safe community with low crime rates. A secure community, that solves problems before they turn into major issues. A community with well-kept streets, trails and parks. A community that quickly plows its streets in winter, has good water and problem-free sewers. A community where there is room for every generation, with excellent schools and senior housing. I will listen and respond when you contact me. I believe in Eden Prairie, and will work to keep it a great community.

Q: What are the most important issues facing the city of Eden Prairie?

Redevelopment, public safety and green space. Eden Prairie has little open land left and is at the beginning of its redevelopment phase. It has started on the right track with the redesign of the Eden Prairie Center. The Center Area and the Golden Triangle are important next steps. What happens during redevelopment will determine city vitality, which in turn affects housing values and our quality of life. I will work to keep Eden Prairie vibrant and prosperous.

To keep Eden Prairie safe we need to maintain a Police Department that has enough officers to keep up with any problems. They also need time to work with neighborhood watch programs, have an officer at the high school and teach identity theft prevention to seniors. Assuring adequate funding to continue this is essential to our quality of life.

More green space is something that comes out with every survey and discussion of what people want. Eden Prairie can get this if we keep planning for it. Green space, trees and flowers keep our city a pleasant place to live and work. Their low cost benefits everyone. More businesses are choosing to add to their landscaping. The city should encourage this.

Q: What expertise, talents, character traits, etc., do you bring to the council?

My husband and I, along with our daughters, have lived in Eden Prairie for 14 years. My daughters graduated from Eden Prairie’s schools. I have a degree in communications and certificates in emergency management. I understand how important communication between the city and residents, business and organizations is.

I have been on the Planning Commission for six years and before that was on the Board of Adjustment and Appeals. I was also on the Center Area Task Force. These committees have given me valuable experience with how the city works. They have shown me the importance of listening to what people really need.

I am a problem solver. I look for ways to provide solutions to problems before they become major issues or hazards. I bring experience in finding win-win situations for both residents and developers from my time on these committees. I do that by listening, considering all sides’ needs, looking for common ground and knowing what’s possible from the city’s point of view.

I work hard, research issues, and seek out other people’s opinions and perspectives. I care about the city, and will take the time to be an active and effective council member.

Larry Piumbroeck

Age: 54

Address: 6255 Wessel Court

Family: Wife, Kathy; daughter, Alison (23); son, Tyler (19)

Employment: Small business co-owner of JB OfficeWorks; part-time bookseller at Barnes & Noble

 Q: Why are you running?

I want to make a positive difference in our community where my family has had the privilege to prosper and raise our children. I want to continue the visionary leadership and fiscal discipline that has made Eden Prairie one of the most livable communities in the country.

At the same time I would like to reshape our city public policy from an “old bottom line” where we judge government, business and social practices as efficient and productive to the extent that they maximize money and power. This old bottom line is not working for our institutions and families. The “new bottom line” that I would advocate is one where government, business and social practices maximize love and caring, ethical and ecological sensitivity and behavior, kindness and generosity and non-violence.

It is my desire to contribute to the debate in Eden Prairie on the issues that impact all of the stakeholders in the success of our city without partisan gridlock that we witness at the State and Federal levels of our government.

To learn more please visit: www.larrypiumbroeck.com.

 Q: What are the most important issues facing the city of Eden Prairie?

Eden Prairie is aging both in terms of development and population. Pressures from property taxes, especially on seniors by rising property taxes and less development revenue will be ongoing challenges to city budgets. Adapting our city to an aging population will require long term planning.

Redevelopment for aging infrastructure, street resurfacing, commercial areas like the Major Center Area study, aging housing stock along with the Metropolitan Council workforce housing requirements are all issues the next city council will debate. We must ask ourselves if we are comfortable with the fact that our own police, fire and teacher employees find it difficult to afford to live in our city.

Eden Prairie is a diverse community and we are continually challenged as to how we meet the call to be a hospitable, welcoming community to new immigrants. Affordable housing, English as a second language and workforce readiness training are all areas we need to talk about in community and take action.

Other issues of no less importance include: Southwest Regional Transit and proposed LRT, Flying Cloud Airport and the monitoring of the “final settlement” with the Metropolitan Airports Commission, City and community impacts on global warming, and young adult non-sports recreational venues, i.e. teen center.

Q: What expertise, talents, character traits, etc., do you bring to the council?

I have 30 years of private sector experience in large corporate environments, technology start-ups and as the co-owner of a small business. I understand leadership, managing budgets, projects and process improvement.

I’m a person of faith and believe strongly in the separation of church, state and science. I believe spiritual values belong in the public sphere and intend on bringing mine with me if I’m fortunate enough to be elected.

I know how to ask the right questions when trying to solve difficult problems. As chairperson for three years and a second-term member of the city of Eden Prairie Human Rights and Diversity Commission I am regularly briefed on the initiatives of the city, school district, police and immigrant communities on the benefits and challenges of ethnic diversity. This inside-out view across departments has helped me to understand the operation of our city and gives me an advantage as a first-term council person.

My formal education is in urban and regional planning where I’ve maintained a passion for public policy and civic involvement. Later this month I will be attending the 22nd Annual Conference on Policy Analysis: Visions for Minnesota’s Future at the University of Minnesota and at my own expense to continue my education.

Gary Stevens

Age: 57

Address: 15504 Lilac Drive

Family: Wife, Marilyn; three children

Employment: Retail Data Systems of Minnesota

 Q: Why are you running?

Eden Prairie will need new leadership in the next few years as it faces the challenges of a maturing community. I believe that with my business background and my wide experience with community organizations, I will be able to provide valuable leadership on the council. Through the organizations I am involved with, I have proven my leadership quality. In every endeavor I have undertaken in the community I have been successful. I want to help the city to be more effective and more efficient. I want to face the tough issues before they become bigger problems. As the faces on the council change, new members will need to step up and lead. I’m ready to accept the challenges ahead. Eden Prairie has been a great place to live, work and raise a family. I’m glad I live here and I want to make sure it stays a great place not only for my generation, but also the next generation.

 Q: What are the most important issues facing the city of Eden Prairie?

Eden Prairie is a wonderful place to live, but just like every other community we have issues. Redevelopment of the Golden Triangle is an issue. I believe that I can effectively help in this area. We must keep existing businesses in that part of the city, as well as encourage a business friendly environment for new businesses.

Eden Prairie needs a downtown. As most people know Eden Prairie was a farming community and as such does not have a downtown. We must look at the MCA study and come up with a solution. Creating a viable, attractive and welcoming downtown will only benefit Eden Prairie and its citizens.

Elderly transportation is also an issue. If someone is homebound and needs to get to a doctor’s appointment right now there is no service that will deliver them directly to their doctor’s door. I believe that we should create or bring in a service that will cater to seniors needs.

As Eden Prairie ages it becomes more and more diverse. Just like any other community, with diversity come issues. I believe community leaders need to be sensitive to these issues and guide the community forward in a positive and rewarding way.

 Q: What expertise, talents, character traits, etc., do you bring to the council?

My wife, Marilyn, and I have been Eden Prairie residents for over 30 years. Our three children, Spencer, Tyler and Ivy were born and all attended our great public school system their entire lives in this community. I have spent 35 years working in the private sector, the last 25 with an Eden Prairie-based company, Retail Data Systems. I have an extensive and sustained record of community service. I have served on the board of directors of a wide variety of different Eden Prairie based organizations. These include: Board member and president of the Eden Prairie Lions Foundation. Board member of the Eden Prairie Foundation. Past President of the Eden Prairie Lions Club. Treasurer of the Eden Prairie Crime Prevention Fund. Council chairman of the Eden Prairie Community Educational Advisory Council. Vice chair and board of directors of Meals on Wheels of Eden Prairie. Board member of the City and School Facilities Use Advisory Committee. Additionally, I have been a coach for the Eden Prairie Boys and Girls Soccer Association, and coach for the Eden Prairie Boys and Girls Basketball Association. These experiences have provided me with a very well rounded viewpoint of this community and its leaders.

Jeff Strate

Age: 62

Address: 15921 Summerhill Drive

Family: Wife, Carol; two children

Employment: Semi-retired television producer and writer.

 Q: Why are you running?

For the past six years, people have urged me to run for the City Council. Instead, I’ve remained in the trenches with the folks who realized that if the hard work of securing what remains of our woodlands and meadows was not done, they would be bulldozed. Open space is not a renewable asset. I am running now because of the timely opportunity to work with our business, manufacturing and retailing sectors and our increasingly diverse and graying population as they make that transition into either a sustainable, cosmopolitan community or another failing one and because critical elements of our open space system still remain in harm’s way.

Q: What are the most important issues facing the city of Eden Prairie?

With the approval of three of the parks referendum questions a year ago many concerns about our parks system are being answered. From what I’ve been hearing around town, the most nagging problems which the city government could deal with include: Keeping life affordable; taxes (state, county and city); keeping kids safe from drugs and other dangers; protecting open spaces from encroachments and development; our immigrant community; homeland security; and figuring out what our responses to global warming should be.

 Q: What expertise, talents, character traits, etc., do you bring to the council?

I have 12 years of city hall experience working with neighborhoods and city staff in response to development and open-space issues and concerns arising from our diverse population. I know the Capitol and the arcania of comprehensive guide plans, urban design and environmental law. I find options where others see dead ends. I expect answers that ring true and don’t mind a little sparring. I am deeply rooted in this corner of Minnesota, but carry on with a perspective that has been enriched by the Third World, the East Coast and a farm in Blue Earth County.