Coon Rapids City Council Member Ward 5
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.mn.gov/) to find specific candidate contact information.
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Brian Armstrong
(NP)
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Thomas Huling
(NP)
Why are you the best candidate for this position? (750 characters)
If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (500 characters)
How do you plan to engage with and represent all members of our diverse community?(500 characters)
What steps will you take to ensure transparency and accountability in city government? (500 characters)
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As an attorney working as a public defender, I've made a career out of public service. As the father of two young children, I have a personal stake in the long-term future of this city. I'm ready to bring a fresh perspective and long-term vision on day one. I want my children – and everyone else’s – to grow up in a vibrant, welcoming community where they can play, learn, and grow into successful adults. I also want to make sure our city supports people at every stage of life, helping residents live comfortably, work successfully, and age gracefully. I will actively seek out opportunities to further improve those opportunities for everyone in Coon Rapids.
1. Encourage development and re-development in Coon Rapids, including both housing and new retail space. We currently face a housing shortage and a high retail vacancy rate.
2. Encourage the development of long-term planning for maintenance of city facilities. Planning ahead saves money in the long term.
3. Increase opportunities for civic engagement and welcome new residents and people of diverse backgrounds to our community.
The engagement piece is most important. Representation is about listening first (I know that very well from my day job). But you can't listen if people don't feel welcome to speak up in the first place. As a councilmember, I'll work to expand direct outreach to all community members, regardless of background. I'll also work to create a welcoming environment, ensuring that all community members know their perspective is valued and respected.
Once again, this is about engagement. As a councilmember, I will never dodge a constituent's question, and if I don't immediately know the answer, I will seek one out. One more immediate change I'd support is making available attendance records and minutes for city council work sessions. Most decisions are made at these sessions, which are open to the public, but (unlike formal council meetings) are not recorded.
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