Brenda Dietrich
Name: Brenda Dietrich
Public Office Sought: Inver Grove Heights Mayor
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-387-2867
Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook page: Brenda Dietrich@ Inver Grove Heights City Council
Candidate Bio
I've been asked, how have I been preparing for this role in leadership? There is no hard start date, I have been very fortunate to have had great leaders around me, mentors in the community, business owners, Chamber of Commerce Advocates, local and state leaders. They all had challenges, and I learned to be a good listener, to ask questions, to sometimes hear the things that aren't spoken. I have met with non-profit leaders and big business to find out what makes them successful. I have practiced finding a common goal to start with and work a plan from there. I have listened and spoke with residents for the past 10 years being owner of my family business in IGH. I am equipped, I know hard work and am not afraid to face challenges.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
smart business growth, pavement management plan and open communication with city staff, residents and business owners
How would you characterize the business climate in Inver Grove Heights and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
The business climate is stagnant. I am an advocate for smart business growth, and a local business owner myself. Quality of life in Inver Grove Heights can go hand in hand with places to work, play and enjoy in our community.
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, Inver Grove Heights?
When a developer comes to our city with a request they should be given respect and consideration. If perhaps it is not the right fit for the area we could recommend a more suited location instead of saying no. When I was elected onto Council there was a training program in place at city hall for customer service, I have to say I'm surprised that customer service needs to be taught like an academic course, this is something that should be modeled in leadership and naturally occur. We need to treat residents and developers like customers and earn their respect.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Inver Grove Heights (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 Inver Grove Heights and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I strongly feel that any employment-related proposals (minimum wage, sick time or mandatory scheduling notice) need to be addressed at the state level. I do not want cities pitting themselves against one another due to these employment mandates.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
Strategies to addressing public safety, housing and transportation need to involve the community, the specific leaders at the city level and align with Inver Grove Heights Comprehensive plan.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
Priorities for the city budget include spending within our means. Reducing the amount of General Fund expenditures by having these items tied to a specific account. There they can be tracked for sustainability and return on investment. As a business owner in IGH and I am tasked with allocating funds properly every day, as financial restraints and return on investments is always a consideration. I have learned to be adaptable and resourceful or my business would be stagnant or worse, closing up shop. There is indeed only so many financial resources in our city. So we must require more from our paid leaders and elected officials to be fiscally responsible, take calculated risks and use your tax dollars wisely. I expect that if I earn your vote, you will hold my feet to the fire on these issues. You, the residents are my boss.
What will you do to expand Inver Grove Heights’ tax base?
To expand Inver Grove Heights tax base I will continue to advocate for smart business growth in our city and a transparency to developers in fees, how their escrow monies are spent and a linear, concise plan that follows projects from inception to completion.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
At the ground level for education I will continue to mentor students in high school as they prepare for their particular career course. I will also continue to stay in contact with our Tri-District partners and school superintendent on the monthly meetings that we have taken part in for about 5 years.
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?
I support partnering with other entities in our city and neighboring cities to share resources and be fiscally responsible. The decision to cut back or eliminate services would need to be thoroughly vetted by the community as a whole, the appropriate commissions and budget restraints identified.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Inver Grove Heights?
This will need to be addressed at the state level in partnership with the individual cities. Perhaps incentives and clearly defining the goal.
What further policies can Inver Grove Heights adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Any further policies to help recover from the COVID-19 pandemic need to be in tandem with state level discussions.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I was honored to have earned your vote for City Council and ask that you would place your trust in me again as I work to earn the Mayoral seat. Leadership to me is seeing the needs of others and doing something about it.
Public Office Sought: Inver Grove Heights Mayor
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-387-2867
Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook page: Brenda Dietrich@ Inver Grove Heights City Council
Candidate Bio
I've been asked, how have I been preparing for this role in leadership? There is no hard start date, I have been very fortunate to have had great leaders around me, mentors in the community, business owners, Chamber of Commerce Advocates, local and state leaders. They all had challenges, and I learned to be a good listener, to ask questions, to sometimes hear the things that aren't spoken. I have met with non-profit leaders and big business to find out what makes them successful. I have practiced finding a common goal to start with and work a plan from there. I have listened and spoke with residents for the past 10 years being owner of my family business in IGH. I am equipped, I know hard work and am not afraid to face challenges.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
smart business growth, pavement management plan and open communication with city staff, residents and business owners
How would you characterize the business climate in Inver Grove Heights and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
The business climate is stagnant. I am an advocate for smart business growth, and a local business owner myself. Quality of life in Inver Grove Heights can go hand in hand with places to work, play and enjoy in our community.
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, Inver Grove Heights?
When a developer comes to our city with a request they should be given respect and consideration. If perhaps it is not the right fit for the area we could recommend a more suited location instead of saying no. When I was elected onto Council there was a training program in place at city hall for customer service, I have to say I'm surprised that customer service needs to be taught like an academic course, this is something that should be modeled in leadership and naturally occur. We need to treat residents and developers like customers and earn their respect.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Inver Grove Heights (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 Inver Grove Heights and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I strongly feel that any employment-related proposals (minimum wage, sick time or mandatory scheduling notice) need to be addressed at the state level. I do not want cities pitting themselves against one another due to these employment mandates.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
Strategies to addressing public safety, housing and transportation need to involve the community, the specific leaders at the city level and align with Inver Grove Heights Comprehensive plan.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
Priorities for the city budget include spending within our means. Reducing the amount of General Fund expenditures by having these items tied to a specific account. There they can be tracked for sustainability and return on investment. As a business owner in IGH and I am tasked with allocating funds properly every day, as financial restraints and return on investments is always a consideration. I have learned to be adaptable and resourceful or my business would be stagnant or worse, closing up shop. There is indeed only so many financial resources in our city. So we must require more from our paid leaders and elected officials to be fiscally responsible, take calculated risks and use your tax dollars wisely. I expect that if I earn your vote, you will hold my feet to the fire on these issues. You, the residents are my boss.
What will you do to expand Inver Grove Heights’ tax base?
To expand Inver Grove Heights tax base I will continue to advocate for smart business growth in our city and a transparency to developers in fees, how their escrow monies are spent and a linear, concise plan that follows projects from inception to completion.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
At the ground level for education I will continue to mentor students in high school as they prepare for their particular career course. I will also continue to stay in contact with our Tri-District partners and school superintendent on the monthly meetings that we have taken part in for about 5 years.
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?
I support partnering with other entities in our city and neighboring cities to share resources and be fiscally responsible. The decision to cut back or eliminate services would need to be thoroughly vetted by the community as a whole, the appropriate commissions and budget restraints identified.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Inver Grove Heights?
This will need to be addressed at the state level in partnership with the individual cities. Perhaps incentives and clearly defining the goal.
What further policies can Inver Grove Heights adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Any further policies to help recover from the COVID-19 pandemic need to be in tandem with state level discussions.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I was honored to have earned your vote for City Council and ask that you would place your trust in me again as I work to earn the Mayoral seat. Leadership to me is seeing the needs of others and doing something about it.