Dale Howey
Name: Dale Howey
Public Office Sought: Roseville City Council
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 612-327-8138
Campaign Website: howey4roseville.org
Twitter handle: https://twitter.com/DaleHowey1
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Howey4Roseville-100306372736842
Candidate Bio
As a Roseville citizen for more than 30 years, I have been involved in Roseville’s schools as a parent, I have closely observed the workings of the Roseville City Council, and I have been an advocate for a greener future through a variety of groups. I am an Air Force veteran and the owner of a small business, each of which have given me experience in leadership, collaboration, and setting ambitious yet reachable goals. I will bring to the City Council my dedication to addressing climate change, my commitment to making life even better in Roseville, and my mission to make housing affordable and safe for residents.
I have attained a 125 percent generation of solar power off our house utilizing solar, geothermal, solar thermal, air source heat pumps, and systems management. My business teams up with the city of Minneapolis to provide affordable inner city housing that is top quality, and includes many eco amenities like garden spaces, free wi fi, and eco friendly soaps to name a few. We have provided car purchase incentives, bike purchase and recycling incentives to our residents.
I know we can develop systems on a city level giving our residents the opportunity to rise above the status quo and lead a more sustainable world effort. Our children deserve no less and we cannot leave them with a mess that we create by kicking the problem down the road. Let’s make the future of Roseville even brighter.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
First, I would work with the mayor, other council members, and the city manager, to seek a plan for energy independence for Roseville. We have made some steps in this direction and I believe we can do more. I aspire for our city to be a leader in solar and other renewable energy sources as well as green initiatives like waste reduction.
Secondly, I would work with all stakeholders to continue the wonderful work on our bicycle paths without spending taxpayers’ money unnecessarily. There are many opportunities that I have been researching to do bike lanes on a budget without expensive infrastructure costs.
Thirdly, we must invest in environmentally friendly education and outreach programs for our youth, in partnership with local schools and youth organizations.
How would you characterize the business climate in Roseville and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
We have the highest per capita retail floor space in the state so I would say we are doing great. We are a major hub as a shopping and recreation destination with our parks adding to the traffic businesses enjoy. With a large selection of local businesses and eateries to choose from, residents needn’t travel far and can support our local tax base as well. I see many amazing opportunities to continue a vibrant and continuing high standard of living 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, Roseville?
As a small business owner, one of the main issues I face is organizational challenges and red tape to get efficient energy sources for my properties. I believe we can assist or develop systems to assist and attract small businesses to Roseville by organizing the paperwork and local providers of clean energy and technology and streamlining the process. We can do this at all levels and provide resource pages and information to residents to encourage them to reduce their carbon footprint.
We can explore ways to provide incentives to businesses and citizens to make the move more affordable and attractive as well. I have worked with the centers for energy and environment and I believe we can learn from other models of how we can achieve better results for business, thereby reducing overall energy costs and increasing operational efficiency for their bottom line. Those types of collaborations will keep businesses from leaving, and attracting new businesses as well.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address the labor shortage?
I saw what can be done when I was stationed in Germany as a translator. I had intimate knowledge of their apprenticeship programs, in which hands-on training in partnership with businesses fostered a work ethic to improve the quality of workers — people that businesses eventually hired after completion of the program. I believe we can team up with the local high schools, and bring businesses to them to recruit apprentices to assist them in whatever capacity they have. We may also, from a partnership of educators and business people, develop coursework to get the businesses the skilled, eager workers they need, while avoiding the high cost of college, as well as encouraging students pursuing higher education to attend area and regional colleges and universities.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals in Roseville (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 Roseville and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I absolutely would support a $15 minimum wage, a mandatory scheduling notice (as that would impact child care and employees’ other obligations). I also would seek to wrap all paid time off in an accrual manner, and have a full 3 weeks paid time off. As a small business owner, I have an insight into the nuances that affect customer service as well as the demands on businesses. I would solicit feedback and potential solutions from all affected parties, seeking to avoid adverse effects. The approach would have to be somewhat flexible and would rely on collaboration with business people. Otherwise, these are difficult questions to answer without the input from all parties involved. My experience with problem solving and listening to all sides and collaborating to come up with creative solutions will be the starting point for any issue.
Public safety and rising crime rates are of serious concern to the business community and residents. What strategies or policies would you propose to address public safety issues facing your community?
I think we need to reach out to the public to reinvigorate the neighborhood watch program, to assist the elderly in making their homes more secure, and an education effort to let people know what to look for as far as suspicious behavior. As a Minneapolis landlord, I have had to deal with my share of crime on my properties. Better locks, security cameras, and motion sensor lighting have been instrumental in making our communities we serve safer.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address housing issues facing your community?
As a real estate investor in Minneapolis, I deal with housing issues every day. There may be a market correction in housing prices but currently they are too high for many people, including young people and people working at minimum wage jobs. We need housing that is affordable so that people who work in Roseville can afford to live in Roseville.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address transportation issues facing your community? Have your strategies or views changed on transportation since we’ve seen shifts in road use, public transportation use, work-from-home models, etc. due to the pandemic?
To combat climate catastrophe, we need choices in transportation. We must provide safe walking and bikeways, public transit, and clear wayfinding so people can get to all the great businesses in Roseville.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
We must fund more choices in our transportation (see above). Also, our businesses, schools, and manufacturing entities need resources to offset costs to transition to clean energy, and a circular economy. Our city must steward smart, environmentally friendly development for businesses, residents, and our future citizens.
What will you do to expand Roseville’s tax base?
I would encourage our city manager and team to seek new businesses and expansions that are carbon-neutral and even environmentally friendly. Research supports that eco-friendly businesses lead to the creation of new, green jobs, and these workers also will need affordable, solar-powered homes to live in, and pay taxes on.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
As a parent, I have been involved in our local schools, including building relationships with the school board. My older child will be in her first year of college this fall; my younger child attends Roseville Area High School. I have always taken a deep interest in their education and am proud of how well they took advantage of the benefits our excellent school district offers them. Because I am deeply concerned about the future for our children — all our children — I will strive to find avenues of training in work skills, leadership, and stewardship of the planet, all of which can lead to fulfilling, meaningful work that pays a decent wage.
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?
Every event I have been to, comments were about how happy people were with Roseville services. I would be willing to look at all and any services, to assign priorities where people want them , and to use the resources we have to make them happen. We have to operate on a budget, and to agree on what gets spent. What needs cutting back on are our carbon emissions, to reduce wear and tear on the roads, and to build a garbage and recycling collection system that is fair to all parties. It will not be easy but it must be done. I do not have a plan in my pocket; I think everyone needs to come to the table to make this happen so that we have less pollution and fewer road repairs.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Roseville?
I would like to see the City Council take a strong and appropriate role in encouraging women and Black, indigenous, and people of color establish businesses in our city. They live here and work here; they may need help finding financing or gaining business advice, which I believe all citizens of Roseville would support.
What further policies can Roseville adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
I look forward to working with members of the Chamber, with the City Manager, and with the Mayor of Roseville to foster trust among residents and visitors that all necessary precautions are being taken to keep our schools, institutions, and businesses clean and welcoming to all people — and not welcoming to viruses!
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I would support and continue the good work that the fire and police departments have implemented, improving their standards and practices. I applaud the equity and inclusion partnerships the city has forged, and will continue to support those. I believe we need to continue to engage the youth in our city to be leaders, support formation of block clubs, and identify families in crisis, so neighbors can come to their aid.
Public Office Sought: Roseville City Council
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 612-327-8138
Campaign Website: howey4roseville.org
Twitter handle: https://twitter.com/DaleHowey1
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Howey4Roseville-100306372736842
Candidate Bio
As a Roseville citizen for more than 30 years, I have been involved in Roseville’s schools as a parent, I have closely observed the workings of the Roseville City Council, and I have been an advocate for a greener future through a variety of groups. I am an Air Force veteran and the owner of a small business, each of which have given me experience in leadership, collaboration, and setting ambitious yet reachable goals. I will bring to the City Council my dedication to addressing climate change, my commitment to making life even better in Roseville, and my mission to make housing affordable and safe for residents.
I have attained a 125 percent generation of solar power off our house utilizing solar, geothermal, solar thermal, air source heat pumps, and systems management. My business teams up with the city of Minneapolis to provide affordable inner city housing that is top quality, and includes many eco amenities like garden spaces, free wi fi, and eco friendly soaps to name a few. We have provided car purchase incentives, bike purchase and recycling incentives to our residents.
I know we can develop systems on a city level giving our residents the opportunity to rise above the status quo and lead a more sustainable world effort. Our children deserve no less and we cannot leave them with a mess that we create by kicking the problem down the road. Let’s make the future of Roseville even brighter.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
First, I would work with the mayor, other council members, and the city manager, to seek a plan for energy independence for Roseville. We have made some steps in this direction and I believe we can do more. I aspire for our city to be a leader in solar and other renewable energy sources as well as green initiatives like waste reduction.
Secondly, I would work with all stakeholders to continue the wonderful work on our bicycle paths without spending taxpayers’ money unnecessarily. There are many opportunities that I have been researching to do bike lanes on a budget without expensive infrastructure costs.
Thirdly, we must invest in environmentally friendly education and outreach programs for our youth, in partnership with local schools and youth organizations.
How would you characterize the business climate in Roseville and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
We have the highest per capita retail floor space in the state so I would say we are doing great. We are a major hub as a shopping and recreation destination with our parks adding to the traffic businesses enjoy. With a large selection of local businesses and eateries to choose from, residents needn’t travel far and can support our local tax base as well. I see many amazing opportunities to continue a vibrant and continuing high standard of living 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, Roseville?
As a small business owner, one of the main issues I face is organizational challenges and red tape to get efficient energy sources for my properties. I believe we can assist or develop systems to assist and attract small businesses to Roseville by organizing the paperwork and local providers of clean energy and technology and streamlining the process. We can do this at all levels and provide resource pages and information to residents to encourage them to reduce their carbon footprint.
We can explore ways to provide incentives to businesses and citizens to make the move more affordable and attractive as well. I have worked with the centers for energy and environment and I believe we can learn from other models of how we can achieve better results for business, thereby reducing overall energy costs and increasing operational efficiency for their bottom line. Those types of collaborations will keep businesses from leaving, and attracting new businesses as well.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address the labor shortage?
I saw what can be done when I was stationed in Germany as a translator. I had intimate knowledge of their apprenticeship programs, in which hands-on training in partnership with businesses fostered a work ethic to improve the quality of workers — people that businesses eventually hired after completion of the program. I believe we can team up with the local high schools, and bring businesses to them to recruit apprentices to assist them in whatever capacity they have. We may also, from a partnership of educators and business people, develop coursework to get the businesses the skilled, eager workers they need, while avoiding the high cost of college, as well as encouraging students pursuing higher education to attend area and regional colleges and universities.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals in Roseville (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 Roseville and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I absolutely would support a $15 minimum wage, a mandatory scheduling notice (as that would impact child care and employees’ other obligations). I also would seek to wrap all paid time off in an accrual manner, and have a full 3 weeks paid time off. As a small business owner, I have an insight into the nuances that affect customer service as well as the demands on businesses. I would solicit feedback and potential solutions from all affected parties, seeking to avoid adverse effects. The approach would have to be somewhat flexible and would rely on collaboration with business people. Otherwise, these are difficult questions to answer without the input from all parties involved. My experience with problem solving and listening to all sides and collaborating to come up with creative solutions will be the starting point for any issue.
Public safety and rising crime rates are of serious concern to the business community and residents. What strategies or policies would you propose to address public safety issues facing your community?
I think we need to reach out to the public to reinvigorate the neighborhood watch program, to assist the elderly in making their homes more secure, and an education effort to let people know what to look for as far as suspicious behavior. As a Minneapolis landlord, I have had to deal with my share of crime on my properties. Better locks, security cameras, and motion sensor lighting have been instrumental in making our communities we serve safer.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address housing issues facing your community?
As a real estate investor in Minneapolis, I deal with housing issues every day. There may be a market correction in housing prices but currently they are too high for many people, including young people and people working at minimum wage jobs. We need housing that is affordable so that people who work in Roseville can afford to live in Roseville.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address transportation issues facing your community? Have your strategies or views changed on transportation since we’ve seen shifts in road use, public transportation use, work-from-home models, etc. due to the pandemic?
To combat climate catastrophe, we need choices in transportation. We must provide safe walking and bikeways, public transit, and clear wayfinding so people can get to all the great businesses in Roseville.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
We must fund more choices in our transportation (see above). Also, our businesses, schools, and manufacturing entities need resources to offset costs to transition to clean energy, and a circular economy. Our city must steward smart, environmentally friendly development for businesses, residents, and our future citizens.
What will you do to expand Roseville’s tax base?
I would encourage our city manager and team to seek new businesses and expansions that are carbon-neutral and even environmentally friendly. Research supports that eco-friendly businesses lead to the creation of new, green jobs, and these workers also will need affordable, solar-powered homes to live in, and pay taxes on.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
As a parent, I have been involved in our local schools, including building relationships with the school board. My older child will be in her first year of college this fall; my younger child attends Roseville Area High School. I have always taken a deep interest in their education and am proud of how well they took advantage of the benefits our excellent school district offers them. Because I am deeply concerned about the future for our children — all our children — I will strive to find avenues of training in work skills, leadership, and stewardship of the planet, all of which can lead to fulfilling, meaningful work that pays a decent wage.
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?
Every event I have been to, comments were about how happy people were with Roseville services. I would be willing to look at all and any services, to assign priorities where people want them , and to use the resources we have to make them happen. We have to operate on a budget, and to agree on what gets spent. What needs cutting back on are our carbon emissions, to reduce wear and tear on the roads, and to build a garbage and recycling collection system that is fair to all parties. It will not be easy but it must be done. I do not have a plan in my pocket; I think everyone needs to come to the table to make this happen so that we have less pollution and fewer road repairs.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Roseville?
I would like to see the City Council take a strong and appropriate role in encouraging women and Black, indigenous, and people of color establish businesses in our city. They live here and work here; they may need help finding financing or gaining business advice, which I believe all citizens of Roseville would support.
What further policies can Roseville adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
I look forward to working with members of the Chamber, with the City Manager, and with the Mayor of Roseville to foster trust among residents and visitors that all necessary precautions are being taken to keep our schools, institutions, and businesses clean and welcoming to all people — and not welcoming to viruses!
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I would support and continue the good work that the fire and police departments have implemented, improving their standards and practices. I applaud the equity and inclusion partnerships the city has forged, and will continue to support those. I believe we need to continue to engage the youth in our city to be leaders, support formation of block clubs, and identify families in crisis, so neighbors can come to their aid.