Common Policy Questions

Common Questions About Policies

What style of leadership would you bring to this position?

My leadership philosophy is rooted in servant leadership, and it would be the foundation of how I serve as a City Council member. Public office should never be about power, politics, or personal recognition. It should be about listening to residents, understanding their concerns, and making decisions based on what is best for the community, not special interests.

A servant leader must be accessible, transparent, and accountable. Every resident deserves to have a voice in the decisions that shape our city, whether they have called Lakeville home for decades or have just joined our community. Leadership means listening to different perspectives, asking difficult questions, and being willing to stand up for residents when important decisions are being made.

That also means being willing to say no when a development is not in Lakeville’s long-term best interest. I support banning large-scale data centers and commercial water-bottling plants in Lakeville. These facilities can place significant demands on water, energy, infrastructure, and other community resources while potentially shifting costs and long-term risks onto residents. Economic development should strengthen Lakeville—not compromise our water resources, burden taxpayers, or change the character of our community for the benefit of large corporations.

I will lead with integrity, protect taxpayer dollars, support responsible and sustainable growth, strengthen public safety, protect our lakes and watersheds, and preserve the character that makes Lakeville a great place to live. By putting service before self, I will work to earn the trust of residents and make thoughtful decisions that strengthen Lakeville today while protecting it for future generations.

What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?

I am running for Lakeville City Council to put residents first, period.

My campaign is built on three simple principles: Focus on Community First and Fairness for Taxpayers.

I oppose developmentss that consume enormous amounts of electricity, place additional pressure on our infrastructure, and threaten our watersheds while providing limited benefit to our community.

I also believe it's time to end the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) that prevent residents from knowing what their elected officials and city government are doing. Transparency is essential to public trust, and the people of Lakeville deserve an open government that is accountable to its citizens.

I also believe homeowners and working families should not be expected to subsidize large global corporations.

As Lakeville continues to grow, major businesses should pay their fair share for the roads, utilities, and public services their developments require, reducing the burden on local taxpayers. Along with protecting our lakes, wetlands, and groundwater, supporting our police, fire, and emergency responders, investing in our schools, and encouraging responsible growth, I will work every day to preserve the character of Lakeville while ensuring our city remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family. My commitment is straightforward: protect our community, respect taxpayers, and always put Lakeville residents first.

How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?

Transportation is one of the most visible challenges facing Lakeville today. Our city's rapid growth has placed significant pressure on roads, intersections, sidewalks, trails, and transit infrastructure. Before we continue expanding, we need a comprehensive review of our transportation network to identify where improvements are needed today and what investments will be required over the next 20 years. Planning ahead is far less expensive than trying to fix problems after they have become major bottlenecks.

That review should include input from residents across every part of Lakeville because transportation needs vary from neighborhood to neighborhood. We need to evaluate road capacity, traffic flow, sidewalks, bike trails, pedestrian crossings, and regional transit access. We should also work with our regional partners to improve park-and-ride facilities and bus access along the I-35 corridor and Cedar Avenue so commuters have safe, convenient transportation options. Every investment should be guided by safety, accessibility, and long-term value for taxpayers.

Accessibility must be a priority in every transportation decision we make. Sidewalks, trails, intersections, and transit stops should be designed and maintained so they can be safely used by people with disabilities, seniors, families with strollers, and anyone with mobility challenges. That means investing in accessible curb ramps, smooth sidewalks, safe crossing signals, and pathways that connect neighborhoods to parks, schools, businesses, and transit. A truly connected transportation system is one that serves every resident, regardless of age or ability.

Living in Minnesota also means planning for all four seasons. Sidewalks, trails, and bike paths are only useful if they remain safe and accessible during the winter months. As we expand our pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, we must also ensure the city has the equipment, staffing, and resources necessary to clear snow and ice in a timely manner. Winter maintenance should be considered as part of every infrastructure decision so residents, including students walking to school, commuters, seniors, and people with disabilities—can safely use these pathways year-round.

As a parent, this issue is personal. My own children walked to school, and I want future generations to have that same opportunity. Safe sidewalks, connected trails, well-designed crosswalks, and traffic-calming measures near schools should remain a priority as Lakeville grows. Whether someone is driving to work, riding transit, biking on our trails, or walking to school, every resident deserves a transportation system that is safe, reliable, accessible, and built to support the community for decades to come.

What does real taxpayer transparency look like to you, and what specific steps would you take to achieve it — both in terms of financial reporting and public engagement?

Real taxpayer transparency means residents should be able to understand what their city government is doing, how their tax dollars are being spent, and who is influencing major decisions. Transparency should not begin after a decision has already been made. It needs to be part of the process from the beginning.

First, I believe strongly in both the letter and the spirit of Minnesota's Open Meeting Law. City business should be conducted openly whenever required, with adequate notice and meaningful opportunities for residents to understand what is being discussed.

I oppose the use of non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) or unnecessary confidentiality arrangements that prevent the public from knowing about major developments affecting their community. Residents should not learn about a major project only after negotiations have progressed to the point where they feel the decision has already been made.

That is especially important when dealing with large developers and corporations proposing projects that could significantly affect Lakeville's infrastructure, taxes, traffic, water, or natural resources. There should not be a separate process for powerful interests and another process for ordinary residents. Appropriate discussions may sometimes need to occur within legal confidentiality requirements, but major public-policy decisions should be debated openly, and residents deserve to know the potential costs, benefits, incentives, infrastructure demands, and long-term consequences before the City Council acts.

Financial transparency also needs to be understandable. Posting hundreds of pages of budget documents online may technically provide information, but that does not necessarily make government transparent. I would support clear, easy-to-read reporting showing where taxpayer dollars are going, how spending is changing, the cost of major projects, debt obligations, and how proposed spending will affect taxpayers.

Finally, public comment needs to matter. Residents should have meaningful opportunities to speak, ask questions, and provide input before major decisions are made. Public engagement should not simply be a procedural requirement completed at the end of the process.

To me, taxpayer transparency comes down to a simple principle: no surprise agendas, open meetings, no NDAs, no backroom decision-making with major corporations, understandable financial reporting, and genuine opportunities for public comment.

The people of Lakeville are paying the bills, and they deserve a government that conducts the public's business in public.