FIRST, GIVE A VERY BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF YOUR PAST EXPERIENCES, ESPECIALLY ANY SERVICE ON ELECTED OR APPOINTED GROUPS OR BOARDS.

Experiences: Director of Anesthesia, Lakewood Health System Staples; City Council Member, City of Staples; Vice-President Staples Economic Development Authority; Member, Staples City Hall Task Force; Member, Faith Lutheran Church Finance / Stewardship Committee; Treasurer, Staples Motley Cross Country Runners Club

1. HOW WOULD YOU PERSONALLY PLAN TO REPLACE OR REINSTATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AID (LGA) FUNDS TO CITIES WHICH HAVE BEEN CUT DRASTICALLY THE PAST FEW YEARS?

Try to make it clear to state government that cutting LGA to balance their budget just pushes the burden to local government, especially small towns. We need to let our state elected officials know how unjust our cuts were compared to some of the larger Metro suburbs with substantially higher tax bases. We as a city have dealt with the latest cuts very well by tightening our belts where we could, as evidenced by the three percent levy increase proposed for the 2010 city budget.

2. WHAT IS YOUR VIEW OF THE PROPER ROLE OF THE STAPLES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (EDA)?

I believe the role of the EDA is multi-faceted. It should try and attract and encourage new business growth while sustaining present businesses. It should try and increase city population by increasing job opportunities and attempting to make Staples an attractive place to live with housing in all price ranges.