Connie Carlson
Name: Connie Carlson
Public Office Sought: Bayport City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-351-9528
Website: NA
Twitter handle: NA
Facebook page: NA
Candidate Bio
I have held many leadership roles in the community and as a Bayport Business owner. Presently on City Council, Croixdale & Bayport Library Boards and trustee at St. Charles Church. Pass member of Community Thread & WMO board and president of St. Charles CCW.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
1. Maintain a flat city budget but keep the services & wonderful amenities we have. 2. Work with the local business to ensure that we retain them during this difficult time. 3. The Land & Water Legacy Project.
How would you characterize the business climate in Bayport and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
Our business climate I feel is very healthy & robust. 5 new businesses have opened up in the past 4 years. The Bayport businesses provide a wide variety of services for our community life. They include restaurants, an ice cream shop, bakery, bars, liquor store, hair salons, childcare, dentists, chiropractors, an artistic shop, auto repair and a gas station.
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, Bayport?
I feel the council plays an important role in retaining our businesses. We need to encourage residents to patronize them and show our support. As a council we have made our 5th Avenue business district more attractive with double hanging flower pots. We also have been in on talks about highway 95’s look after the project is complete. One thing I might bring to a council discussion would be forming a business advisory board.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Bayport (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 Bayport and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
At this time I would have to say no. Might be something a business advisory board would be beneficial to have.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
I think listening to the community about their concerns on these issues is important. The crossing flags on highway 95 were implemented because of residence concern. I think we should meet with the district about safety concerns with the buses & parent pickups on 2nd Ave and 4th Street. We have been in conversation with Community Thread about transportation issues for our residence. So I guess listening to our residence and reaching out to other sources would be my answer.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
To continue to maintain a reasonably flat budget while keeping the great services we have.
What will you do to expand Bayport's tax base?
At this time Bayport tax base is pretty stable. Bayport is close to being built out so not much room in that area. I would encourage our existing home owners to maintain or keep up their investments. As a city we should work hard to retain the businesses we have. There are only a few commercial spaces available for a new businesses to open in Bayport.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
The city of Bayport has an established relationship with our local school and members of the district. We have a beautiful library that is readily available for them to use. Our police department is a supporting resource for them. The city also has help fund the playground and other requests made by the district. I would continue down this path.
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?
None that I can think of at this time. The city already contracts out our building inspector, and is in the process of out sourcing payroll.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Bayport?
I am proud to say that the city of Bayport has at least 6 women owned businesses, a female principal at Anderson Elementary, female directors at our city library and Croixdale retirement home. We also have several businesses that are managed by women. I feel the Bayport businesses are well represented by women. I feel the city would also welcome any minority business owner with open arms and our full support.
What further policies can Bayport adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
I am not sure that we would adopt a specific policy for COVID-19. The city has worked with our businesses during this Covid-19. We worked with them allowing more outdoor seating, provided masks and the signage for the mask mandate put in place by the governor. Chief Laura personally delivered the signs and masks to the businesses. She also met with each business owner/manager and explained the mandate requirements.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I would like them to know that I take my responsibility as a council member seriously. I have always tried to listen with an open mind to all the facts/information and then make an informed decision to the best of my ability. I have realized while serving my past years on the city council that you are never going to make everyone happy, but if you are willing to hear people out with an open mind things seem to go smoother. I would also like to encourage everyone to vote!!
Public Office Sought: Bayport City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-351-9528
Website: NA
Twitter handle: NA
Facebook page: NA
Candidate Bio
I have held many leadership roles in the community and as a Bayport Business owner. Presently on City Council, Croixdale & Bayport Library Boards and trustee at St. Charles Church. Pass member of Community Thread & WMO board and president of St. Charles CCW.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
1. Maintain a flat city budget but keep the services & wonderful amenities we have. 2. Work with the local business to ensure that we retain them during this difficult time. 3. The Land & Water Legacy Project.
How would you characterize the business climate in Bayport and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
Our business climate I feel is very healthy & robust. 5 new businesses have opened up in the past 4 years. The Bayport businesses provide a wide variety of services for our community life. They include restaurants, an ice cream shop, bakery, bars, liquor store, hair salons, childcare, dentists, chiropractors, an artistic shop, auto repair and a gas station.
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, Bayport?
I feel the council plays an important role in retaining our businesses. We need to encourage residents to patronize them and show our support. As a council we have made our 5th Avenue business district more attractive with double hanging flower pots. We also have been in on talks about highway 95’s look after the project is complete. One thing I might bring to a council discussion would be forming a business advisory board.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Bayport (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 Bayport and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
At this time I would have to say no. Might be something a business advisory board would be beneficial to have.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
I think listening to the community about their concerns on these issues is important. The crossing flags on highway 95 were implemented because of residence concern. I think we should meet with the district about safety concerns with the buses & parent pickups on 2nd Ave and 4th Street. We have been in conversation with Community Thread about transportation issues for our residence. So I guess listening to our residence and reaching out to other sources would be my answer.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
To continue to maintain a reasonably flat budget while keeping the great services we have.
What will you do to expand Bayport's tax base?
At this time Bayport tax base is pretty stable. Bayport is close to being built out so not much room in that area. I would encourage our existing home owners to maintain or keep up their investments. As a city we should work hard to retain the businesses we have. There are only a few commercial spaces available for a new businesses to open in Bayport.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
The city of Bayport has an established relationship with our local school and members of the district. We have a beautiful library that is readily available for them to use. Our police department is a supporting resource for them. The city also has help fund the playground and other requests made by the district. I would continue down this path.
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?
None that I can think of at this time. The city already contracts out our building inspector, and is in the process of out sourcing payroll.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Bayport?
I am proud to say that the city of Bayport has at least 6 women owned businesses, a female principal at Anderson Elementary, female directors at our city library and Croixdale retirement home. We also have several businesses that are managed by women. I feel the Bayport businesses are well represented by women. I feel the city would also welcome any minority business owner with open arms and our full support.
What further policies can Bayport adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
I am not sure that we would adopt a specific policy for COVID-19. The city has worked with our businesses during this Covid-19. We worked with them allowing more outdoor seating, provided masks and the signage for the mask mandate put in place by the governor. Chief Laura personally delivered the signs and masks to the businesses. She also met with each business owner/manager and explained the mandate requirements.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I would like them to know that I take my responsibility as a council member seriously. I have always tried to listen with an open mind to all the facts/information and then make an informed decision to the best of my ability. I have realized while serving my past years on the city council that you are never going to make everyone happy, but if you are willing to hear people out with an open mind things seem to go smoother. I would also like to encourage everyone to vote!!