Amber Marie Lewis
Name: Amber Marie Lewis
Public Office Sought: Oakdale City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 218-290-0850
Website: https://alewis4oakdale.blogspot.com
Twitter handle: https://twitter.com/alewis4oakdale
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/alewis4oakdale
Candidate Bio
Hello Oakdale! I am a wife, mother of five young children, part-time ESL teacher, and graduate student, from a modest financial background. As a mother, I feel especially equipped to address the needs of our community because of the significant time that my children and I spend within our city. The choices that the city of Oakdale makes will significantly impact their lives and futures. I will graduate with my Master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University this December. Conflict will always be present, especially in the arena of politics, but as a city we can find constructive ways to engage ideas and find creativity from potential conflicts rather than division. As a City Council member from a modest financial background, I can provide representation and perspective from our lower income residents.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
If elected my top three priorities would be to:
Generate conversations and seek greater involvement between residents and local government and ensure that resident opinions are actively sought for important city decisions.
Facilitate dialogue on the role of policing and community involvement in public safety. It is the responsibility of the police to protect and serve our communities, and as a government of the people, we the people need to be involved in the public safety dialogue. Determine how residents can help to support the important work of public safety within our communities. Support positive changes to relationships between the public and police. A balanced approach is necessary in looking at what our communities need and opening up community conversations on these topics is essential.
Prioritize the maintenance, development, and access to Oakdale’s greenspaces. For families in Oakdale, the infrastructure of local parks, playgrounds, and trails are essential for a high quality of life and strong communities. These are the places where individuals, families, and neighbors gather, enjoy, and experience our city. These are the places where visitors often first experience our city and see the value that we place on ensuring that all Oakdale residents have access to clean, safe recreation activities. I will promote the development of Oakdale’s greenspaces, ensuring they are maintained to the highest standards, and prioritize proposals for improvements.
How would you characterize the business climate in Oakdale and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
I believe that Oakdale has a good business climate, which could be enhanced by encouraging more small and local owned operations. Oakdale has recently seen the establishment of new businesses to add to the many longstanding businesses. Opportunities are present in projects such as the Tanner’s Lake Redevelopment and Willowbrooke Development areas. I have heard comments from residents of the need for a greater variety of some businesses and that is an area where Oakdale may be able to improve. The most important way that the city can improve its business climate is by engaging community members to find out what businesses our community would most value, and then actively engage in bringing them to Oakdale. One idea is to encourage more non-business owners to apply for the Economic Development Commission. Having access to businesses that bring value and diversity to our community is essential to a great quality of life in Oakdale.
What role do you think the City should have in attracting and retaining jobs, and what steps would you take to solicit new businesses to, and retain existing businesses in, Oakdale ?
The city should always be working to attract and retain jobs. The most significant step that I would take in soliciting and retaining businesses to Oakdale, would be improving relationships between business owners and community members. I would seek to encourage more interactions between Oakdale businesses and residents. The Oakdale area Chamber of Commerce has consistently engaged in this kind of activity and I would look to them for ideas and ways to continue to support this growth.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Oakdale (such as minimum wage, sick time, or mandatory scheduling notice)? If so, what steps would you take to understand the impact of an ordinance on the many types of businesses in Oakdale and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
The State and Federal government already place many restrictions on businesses, and as a City Council member I would seek to reduce any restrictions that make it more difficult for local businesses, especially small businesses, to operate.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
I don't want to sound like a broken record but the answer to this question is community, community, community. As a City Council member, I want to have strategies that address public safety, housing, and transportation that arise in large part from conversations with community members. With a population of 28,000, there is so much innovation and creativity within the city of Oakdale. City leaders have a responsibility to seek the knowledge, lived experience, and expertise that resides within our populous before making decisions that will significantly impact our communities. I hope to encourage the city to delve deeper into obtaining citizen opinions by utilizing new avenues of engagement. Social media platforms, hosting resident opinion workshops, and actively contacting neighborhoods most directly affected by proposals are some ideas.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
The city needs to be very thoughtful in handling our residents tax dollars. I would look for ways to use the City’s budget to support necessary functions and add to the quality of life in Oakdale, without further burdening residents.
What will you do to expand Oakdale’s tax base?
Oakdale has been working on new housing and business developments recently that will support the goal of expanding Oakdale’s tax base. I would continue to support development in these areas. Use Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts and other incentives to attract businesses and improve older areas of Oakdale for long term a long-term sustainable tax base.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
Education is the foremost investment that we can make to ensure the future success of Oakdale. I would work to increase partnerships between businesses, trades, local government, and academic institutions to ensure that students have a diverse sampling of experiences and opportunities. I would also like to see more connection between these groups and families with a focus on making sure that students and families are of aware of the opportunities that are available to them.
Are there any services currently provided by the city that you believe should be cut back or eliminated? Are there new opportunities to share services with other entities?
This is an area that I would like to further explore with residents. In my experience Oakdale has done a good job in providing necessary services and reducing excess. They have some great partnerships with Washington County that I would seek to continue. There are a variety of experiences and needs within the City, and resident opinions would be extremely valuable in these areas.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Oakdale ?
The City can make sure that our business climate is open and welcoming to minority and women owned businesses by ensuring that all potential business owners have the information and support that they need.
What further policies can Oakdale adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
As a City we need to be in continual communication with local businesses to assess what they need and to find innovative ways to support them. Ensuring that businesses can continue to stay open and encouraging local consumption are the two most essential factors in the success of Oakdale businesses. In addition, continuing to support them with necessary and responsible temporary financial relief is important. I will support the continuation of programs such as the COVID Recovery Business Loan Program (CRBL).
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
As a City Council member, I want to provide opportunities for residents to know their city leaders and be encouraged to pursue a path of public service, regardless of their background. Increased engagement with city leaders can help to normalize the process of average residents running for local office. I want to ensure that Oakdale residents know the importance of their involvement at the local level of government.
Public Office Sought: Oakdale City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 218-290-0850
Website: https://alewis4oakdale.blogspot.com
Twitter handle: https://twitter.com/alewis4oakdale
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/alewis4oakdale
Candidate Bio
Hello Oakdale! I am a wife, mother of five young children, part-time ESL teacher, and graduate student, from a modest financial background. As a mother, I feel especially equipped to address the needs of our community because of the significant time that my children and I spend within our city. The choices that the city of Oakdale makes will significantly impact their lives and futures. I will graduate with my Master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University this December. Conflict will always be present, especially in the arena of politics, but as a city we can find constructive ways to engage ideas and find creativity from potential conflicts rather than division. As a City Council member from a modest financial background, I can provide representation and perspective from our lower income residents.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
If elected my top three priorities would be to:
Generate conversations and seek greater involvement between residents and local government and ensure that resident opinions are actively sought for important city decisions.
Facilitate dialogue on the role of policing and community involvement in public safety. It is the responsibility of the police to protect and serve our communities, and as a government of the people, we the people need to be involved in the public safety dialogue. Determine how residents can help to support the important work of public safety within our communities. Support positive changes to relationships between the public and police. A balanced approach is necessary in looking at what our communities need and opening up community conversations on these topics is essential.
Prioritize the maintenance, development, and access to Oakdale’s greenspaces. For families in Oakdale, the infrastructure of local parks, playgrounds, and trails are essential for a high quality of life and strong communities. These are the places where individuals, families, and neighbors gather, enjoy, and experience our city. These are the places where visitors often first experience our city and see the value that we place on ensuring that all Oakdale residents have access to clean, safe recreation activities. I will promote the development of Oakdale’s greenspaces, ensuring they are maintained to the highest standards, and prioritize proposals for improvements.
How would you characterize the business climate in Oakdale and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
I believe that Oakdale has a good business climate, which could be enhanced by encouraging more small and local owned operations. Oakdale has recently seen the establishment of new businesses to add to the many longstanding businesses. Opportunities are present in projects such as the Tanner’s Lake Redevelopment and Willowbrooke Development areas. I have heard comments from residents of the need for a greater variety of some businesses and that is an area where Oakdale may be able to improve. The most important way that the city can improve its business climate is by engaging community members to find out what businesses our community would most value, and then actively engage in bringing them to Oakdale. One idea is to encourage more non-business owners to apply for the Economic Development Commission. Having access to businesses that bring value and diversity to our community is essential to a great quality of life in Oakdale.
What role do you think the City should have in attracting and retaining jobs, and what steps would you take to solicit new businesses to, and retain existing businesses in, Oakdale ?
The city should always be working to attract and retain jobs. The most significant step that I would take in soliciting and retaining businesses to Oakdale, would be improving relationships between business owners and community members. I would seek to encourage more interactions between Oakdale businesses and residents. The Oakdale area Chamber of Commerce has consistently engaged in this kind of activity and I would look to them for ideas and ways to continue to support this growth.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Oakdale (such as minimum wage, sick time, or mandatory scheduling notice)? If so, what steps would you take to understand the impact of an ordinance on the many types of businesses in Oakdale and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
The State and Federal government already place many restrictions on businesses, and as a City Council member I would seek to reduce any restrictions that make it more difficult for local businesses, especially small businesses, to operate.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
I don't want to sound like a broken record but the answer to this question is community, community, community. As a City Council member, I want to have strategies that address public safety, housing, and transportation that arise in large part from conversations with community members. With a population of 28,000, there is so much innovation and creativity within the city of Oakdale. City leaders have a responsibility to seek the knowledge, lived experience, and expertise that resides within our populous before making decisions that will significantly impact our communities. I hope to encourage the city to delve deeper into obtaining citizen opinions by utilizing new avenues of engagement. Social media platforms, hosting resident opinion workshops, and actively contacting neighborhoods most directly affected by proposals are some ideas.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
The city needs to be very thoughtful in handling our residents tax dollars. I would look for ways to use the City’s budget to support necessary functions and add to the quality of life in Oakdale, without further burdening residents.
What will you do to expand Oakdale’s tax base?
Oakdale has been working on new housing and business developments recently that will support the goal of expanding Oakdale’s tax base. I would continue to support development in these areas. Use Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts and other incentives to attract businesses and improve older areas of Oakdale for long term a long-term sustainable tax base.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
Education is the foremost investment that we can make to ensure the future success of Oakdale. I would work to increase partnerships between businesses, trades, local government, and academic institutions to ensure that students have a diverse sampling of experiences and opportunities. I would also like to see more connection between these groups and families with a focus on making sure that students and families are of aware of the opportunities that are available to them.
Are there any services currently provided by the city that you believe should be cut back or eliminated? Are there new opportunities to share services with other entities?
This is an area that I would like to further explore with residents. In my experience Oakdale has done a good job in providing necessary services and reducing excess. They have some great partnerships with Washington County that I would seek to continue. There are a variety of experiences and needs within the City, and resident opinions would be extremely valuable in these areas.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Oakdale ?
The City can make sure that our business climate is open and welcoming to minority and women owned businesses by ensuring that all potential business owners have the information and support that they need.
What further policies can Oakdale adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
As a City we need to be in continual communication with local businesses to assess what they need and to find innovative ways to support them. Ensuring that businesses can continue to stay open and encouraging local consumption are the two most essential factors in the success of Oakdale businesses. In addition, continuing to support them with necessary and responsible temporary financial relief is important. I will support the continuation of programs such as the COVID Recovery Business Loan Program (CRBL).
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
As a City Council member, I want to provide opportunities for residents to know their city leaders and be encouraged to pursue a path of public service, regardless of their background. Increased engagement with city leaders can help to normalize the process of average residents running for local office. I want to ensure that Oakdale residents know the importance of their involvement at the local level of government.