Charles (Chuck) Dougherty
Name: Charles (Chuck) Dougherty
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-491-0419
Campaign Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/doughertyforoph
Candidate Bio
I have been, along with my wife Judy, involved in the hospitality business in the Valley since purchasing the Rivertown Inn Bed & Breakfast in 1987. In 1993 we purchased a historic home in Oak Park Heights, renovated and opened our second B & B, the Cover Park Manor. In 1994, purchased the historic Lumber Exchange Building in downtown Stillwater. In 1995, the Water Street Inn, Charlie’s Restaurant & Irish Pub and Conference Center opened.
Currently serve on the Oak Park Heights City Council.
One of the organizers and on the Board of Summer Tuesday, and Stillwater’s Harvest Fest.
I’m involved with a number of organizations; founded and served as President of Minnesota Bed & Breakfast Association, past Treasurer of the Inns of the Valley, member of Stillwater Lions Club and Solanus Casey Council 1632 of the Knights of Columbus. Served on the Parks and Planning Commissions for Oak Park Heights, I also have been active in a number of Stillwater Chamber committees over the years including serving as President and Treasurer, currently serving on the Board as VP. I have been on the Board of the Convention and Visitors Bureau since it formed in 2008.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
Ever since I have been on the Council I do my research as we approach new issues. I read through all the information, talk with city staff and go to the affected community to hear what our neighbors are thinking. I always understand that we are servants to our community and we must do what is best for everyone.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
The closing of the King Coal Plant, working to come up with a plan to minimize the effects that the tax base loss will have on our residents.
Keep working to maintain and improve our parks and trails and that they are accessible to all.
Keep working to keep taxes low.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in Oak Park Heights?
The biggest challenge: The closing of the King Planet and losing that tax base.
Opportunity: We are a well-run City, we budget wisely, we have money in our accounts and will not have any debt after 2028 when the City Hall bond will be paid off
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?
Being a private business owner, I bring a perspective to the government and business community. I understand what it means to work with government to develop property.
Affordable housing is an issue, Oak Park Heights is basically built out. As land comes up for redevelopment it is something we will need to look at.
As for the 2023 – 2024 legislative session, it is too soon to tell
How would you characterize the business climate in Oak Park Heights and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in Oak Park Heights?
We have a very positive business climate as our commercial areas are full. We work with business owners when they do have a project to help them meet the requirement for the space they are looking at and help them move their project along.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
Since I’ve been on the Council we have hired a new Police Chief, we have reorganized the department and added one more officer to the force. I will always support our police department and help improve the safety of our citizens.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
As stated, we are basically built out. If a developer comes in with a good plan, I would be supportive.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
At this time, we have no transit in our town, I’m hoping we can work with the County to fix that. Having served on the Parks & Trails Commission before I was elected to council, and as the council representative to the Commission, I support our trail system last year I worked to setup a trail maintenance fund to make sure our trails are maintained and repair on an ongoing basis.
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?
I realize that they are a one-time funds, and not develop programs that are going to be ongoing.
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?
Though these are issues facing our residents, these are things that should be handled by both the State and Federal Governments. I have and will continue to work with other elected officials to see what can be done.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-491-0419
Campaign Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/doughertyforoph
Candidate Bio
I have been, along with my wife Judy, involved in the hospitality business in the Valley since purchasing the Rivertown Inn Bed & Breakfast in 1987. In 1993 we purchased a historic home in Oak Park Heights, renovated and opened our second B & B, the Cover Park Manor. In 1994, purchased the historic Lumber Exchange Building in downtown Stillwater. In 1995, the Water Street Inn, Charlie’s Restaurant & Irish Pub and Conference Center opened.
Currently serve on the Oak Park Heights City Council.
One of the organizers and on the Board of Summer Tuesday, and Stillwater’s Harvest Fest.
I’m involved with a number of organizations; founded and served as President of Minnesota Bed & Breakfast Association, past Treasurer of the Inns of the Valley, member of Stillwater Lions Club and Solanus Casey Council 1632 of the Knights of Columbus. Served on the Parks and Planning Commissions for Oak Park Heights, I also have been active in a number of Stillwater Chamber committees over the years including serving as President and Treasurer, currently serving on the Board as VP. I have been on the Board of the Convention and Visitors Bureau since it formed in 2008.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
Ever since I have been on the Council I do my research as we approach new issues. I read through all the information, talk with city staff and go to the affected community to hear what our neighbors are thinking. I always understand that we are servants to our community and we must do what is best for everyone.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
The closing of the King Coal Plant, working to come up with a plan to minimize the effects that the tax base loss will have on our residents.
Keep working to maintain and improve our parks and trails and that they are accessible to all.
Keep working to keep taxes low.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in Oak Park Heights?
The biggest challenge: The closing of the King Planet and losing that tax base.
Opportunity: We are a well-run City, we budget wisely, we have money in our accounts and will not have any debt after 2028 when the City Hall bond will be paid off
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?
Being a private business owner, I bring a perspective to the government and business community. I understand what it means to work with government to develop property.
Affordable housing is an issue, Oak Park Heights is basically built out. As land comes up for redevelopment it is something we will need to look at.
As for the 2023 – 2024 legislative session, it is too soon to tell
How would you characterize the business climate in Oak Park Heights and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in Oak Park Heights?
We have a very positive business climate as our commercial areas are full. We work with business owners when they do have a project to help them meet the requirement for the space they are looking at and help them move their project along.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
Since I’ve been on the Council we have hired a new Police Chief, we have reorganized the department and added one more officer to the force. I will always support our police department and help improve the safety of our citizens.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
As stated, we are basically built out. If a developer comes in with a good plan, I would be supportive.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
At this time, we have no transit in our town, I’m hoping we can work with the County to fix that. Having served on the Parks & Trails Commission before I was elected to council, and as the council representative to the Commission, I support our trail system last year I worked to setup a trail maintenance fund to make sure our trails are maintained and repair on an ongoing basis.
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?
I realize that they are a one-time funds, and not develop programs that are going to be ongoing.
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?
Though these are issues facing our residents, these are things that should be handled by both the State and Federal Governments. I have and will continue to work with other elected officials to see what can be done.