As local legislators who sometimes have executive power, council members can propose ordinances, set administrative policy, and authorize the budget proposed by the mayor. They oversee all city activities, including city services, programs, licensing, and public safety. Mayoral appointments to city government typically require council approval.Learn more here: https://www.lwv.org/blog/voting-local-matters-why-vote-city-councilUse the MN Secretary of State’s Candidate Filing page (https://candidates.sos.state.mn.us/) to find specific candidate contact information.Watch the candidate forum for this race, recorded on June 25, 2026.
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I will focus on community-driven, transparent decisions about spending public money, thereby working with city staff to be responsive to public concerns. Priorities should be to balance manageable property tax increases with thoughtful investments in Northfield, from improving parks and climate sustainability, enhancing the downtown business district to developing shovel-ready residential and commercial sites. Such investments enhance Northfield's livability, balancing present and future needs.
Caring about Northfield's livability, we need to be creative about ways to we use city resources to grow our tax base, develop affordable housing, and invest in the future. I will engage developers and city staff around barriers that limit affordable housing and emphasize public-private partnerships to find new ways to incentivize the construction of a variety of housing options. We might rethink regulative structures while pushing the city to be more active in leading residential development.
Building off my experiences on the Northfield Park Board and the Friends of Way Park, I care about listening and learning from those I represent. I don't pretend to have all the answers and think that a diversity of views helps us work together to come up with the best possible solutions to the problems we face. As a college professor, I'm a pragmatic problem-solver, one who works to build consensus around solutions to local issues. I will work to ensure that the voices of Northfield are heard.
On the one hand, city staff works hard to keep Northfield a vibrant community; on the other hand, the city hasn't always been responsive to citizen concerns and/or communicated effectively about the design, need and vision for infrastructure projects (ex. bike lanes). I see a councilor's role as asking hard questions of the city and holding staff accountable to justify the larger vision behind policy choices. There should be clear and thoughtful oversight of the staff on the part of the council.
Northfield's tax levy jumped 15.8% in 2025 and nearly 10% again in 2026 — that's not sustainable. My approach is simple: needs before wants, and every line item has to justify itself. I'll push back on big spending commitments made without real public input. We don't have a revenue problem. We have a spending problem.
When property taxes spike 10-15% a year, landlords raise rents and home prices follow. You can't solve affordability while making ownership more expensive. Northfield needs to get spending under control, reduce the tax burden, and let housing become attainable again without adding more costly city programs.
I'll hold regular open office hours, maintain a website and active social media, and actually show up — at community events, neighborhood meetings, wherever people are. You'll be able to reach me directly and get real answers.
I'm still learning the full structure, and I'll be honest about that. What I do know is the council sets policy direction — staff carries it out. Too many residents feel decisions are already made before the public ever hears about them. I'll ask hard questions publicly and make sure your voice is more than just a comment period at the end of a done deal.
