Ben Cornett
Name: Ben Cornett
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 812-212-2310
Campaign Website: VoteBenCornett.com
Twitter handle: n/a
Facebook Page: n/a
Candidate Bio
I've held diverse leadership roles in military, government agencies, and small business. My approach involves understanding problems comprehensively before leading teams to successful outcomes. I've consistently been recognized for my ability to translate knowledge into results.
I will bring the same approach to governmental leadership making sure that I recognize and understand the problems to have a better approach to solving them. I do this by being willing to ask questions, even in group settings to have a more complete understanding of the issues.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I’ve always employed a "manage by walking around" (MBWA) leadership style. This involves direct engagement with experts in their fields, firsthand observation of issues, and translating these insights into actionable agenda items. My goal is to ensure the council makes well-informed decisions based on a thorough understanding of the challenges at hand.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
My top three priorities are:
These priorities align with preserving Grant's special character, which should remain consistent with Minnesota's general economic outlook.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in Grant?
The challenge and opportunity for Grant lie in balanced development within our current zoning structure. We must grow intelligently, supporting the rural characteristics that make Grant unique while adapting to the development of surrounding areas. This approach will preserve the privacy and space that residents value.
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges whether they be education, housing, or workforce development. Do you feel the outcomes of the 2023-2024 legislative session positively or negatively impacted that collaboration and our state's business climate?
Grant, as a mostly rural residential community, but it does have some small businesses located within its bounds. We must continue to use the land we have wisely, being diligent with our Conditional Use Permits (CUP) allowing for the opportunity for new small businesses to flourish while not doing anything to hurt/damage the existing businesses.
How would you characterize the business climate in Grant and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in Grant?
Grant has a small but important business presence. Our role is to use CUPs effectively to maintain the rural landscape while creating conditions for businesses to thrive. This balanced approach supports both our community character and economic development.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
I will look to maintain our contracts with neighboring communities for 24/7 Police and Fire Safety services. Additionally, we'll work closely with citizens to identify and address local safety concerns, such as traffic hazards or congestion issues.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
To preserve our rural character, I'll consider development proposals that align with existing zoning ordinances. Recent approvals demonstrate our ability to increase housing volume while maintaining density standards, allowing for growth that respects Grant's rural heritage.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
As a rural community, I’ll focus on maintaining high-quality roadways for personal vehicles, which also supports the transportation of goods. This approach ensures both citizen safety and economic stability
Cities have addressed many ongoing needs with temporary, federal COVID relief dollars, what are your plans to ensure fiscal stability as these federal, one-time funds run out?
Maintain a conservative fiscal budget within our normal tax income, prioritizing roadway maintenance and public safety while avoiding unnecessary expenditures. This approach will help sustain Grant's way of life without relying on temporary funding sources.
Uber/Lyft wages and proposed childcare subsidies funded by local property taxes are just a few areas where local units of government are wading into policy debates that may be best suited at the state. Please articulate the different scopes of work between state and local government (City/County). Are there specific areas of policy that the city should lead on in lieu of the state or county government?
As a city council, our focus is on keeping local taxes as low as possible while maintaining essential services. This approach aligns with the reasons many choose to move to Grant, seeking a lower-tax environment with a rural character.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 812-212-2310
Campaign Website: VoteBenCornett.com
Twitter handle: n/a
Facebook Page: n/a
Candidate Bio
I've held diverse leadership roles in military, government agencies, and small business. My approach involves understanding problems comprehensively before leading teams to successful outcomes. I've consistently been recognized for my ability to translate knowledge into results.
I will bring the same approach to governmental leadership making sure that I recognize and understand the problems to have a better approach to solving them. I do this by being willing to ask questions, even in group settings to have a more complete understanding of the issues.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I’ve always employed a "manage by walking around" (MBWA) leadership style. This involves direct engagement with experts in their fields, firsthand observation of issues, and translating these insights into actionable agenda items. My goal is to ensure the council makes well-informed decisions based on a thorough understanding of the challenges at hand.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
My top three priorities are:
- Maintain the rural landscape of Grant, upholding the current zoning ordinances and thus keeping taxes as low as possible for the citizens while providing necessary services.
- Ensure the public safety of Grant ensuring access to the necessities of life (Police, Fire etc.)
- Ensure the city has contracts in place to maintain the transportation means of the city.
These priorities align with preserving Grant's special character, which should remain consistent with Minnesota's general economic outlook.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in Grant?
The challenge and opportunity for Grant lie in balanced development within our current zoning structure. We must grow intelligently, supporting the rural characteristics that make Grant unique while adapting to the development of surrounding areas. This approach will preserve the privacy and space that residents value.
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges whether they be education, housing, or workforce development. Do you feel the outcomes of the 2023-2024 legislative session positively or negatively impacted that collaboration and our state's business climate?
Grant, as a mostly rural residential community, but it does have some small businesses located within its bounds. We must continue to use the land we have wisely, being diligent with our Conditional Use Permits (CUP) allowing for the opportunity for new small businesses to flourish while not doing anything to hurt/damage the existing businesses.
How would you characterize the business climate in Grant and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in Grant?
Grant has a small but important business presence. Our role is to use CUPs effectively to maintain the rural landscape while creating conditions for businesses to thrive. This balanced approach supports both our community character and economic development.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
I will look to maintain our contracts with neighboring communities for 24/7 Police and Fire Safety services. Additionally, we'll work closely with citizens to identify and address local safety concerns, such as traffic hazards or congestion issues.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
To preserve our rural character, I'll consider development proposals that align with existing zoning ordinances. Recent approvals demonstrate our ability to increase housing volume while maintaining density standards, allowing for growth that respects Grant's rural heritage.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
As a rural community, I’ll focus on maintaining high-quality roadways for personal vehicles, which also supports the transportation of goods. This approach ensures both citizen safety and economic stability
Cities have addressed many ongoing needs with temporary, federal COVID relief dollars, what are your plans to ensure fiscal stability as these federal, one-time funds run out?
Maintain a conservative fiscal budget within our normal tax income, prioritizing roadway maintenance and public safety while avoiding unnecessary expenditures. This approach will help sustain Grant's way of life without relying on temporary funding sources.
Uber/Lyft wages and proposed childcare subsidies funded by local property taxes are just a few areas where local units of government are wading into policy debates that may be best suited at the state. Please articulate the different scopes of work between state and local government (City/County). Are there specific areas of policy that the city should lead on in lieu of the state or county government?
As a city council, our focus is on keeping local taxes as low as possible while maintaining essential services. This approach aligns with the reasons many choose to move to Grant, seeking a lower-tax environment with a rural character.