Dan Louismet
Name: Dan Louismet
Public Office Sought: White Bear Lake Mayor
Campaign Phone: (651) 295-9951
Campaign Website: danlouismetwbl.com
Twitter Handle: none
Facebook: @DanLouismetWBL
Candidate Bio
I was born and raised here in White Bear Lake. So too was my wife, Molly. We are both lifelong residents of White Bear. Molly and I are blessed to have two beautiful daughters, Frankie (5) and Eden (2). We are proud parishioners of St. Mary’s of the Lake.
I am a 2004 graduate of White Bear High School where I played baseball. I completed my general studies at Century College. I then transferred to the University of Minnesota where I received a bachelor’s degree in political science. Following undergrad, I attended William Mitchell College of Law where I received my Juris Doctor. While in law school, I was a student prosecutor for the City of White Bear Lake where I prosecuted local traffic violations and crimes ranging from speeding tickets to DWIs.
I am a practicing attorney. My past legal experience includes representing cities, law enforcement, and small businesses. My past involvement in the community includes serving on the Parks Commission and coaching T-ball for the school district. I presently serve on the Charter Commission.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
(1) Preserve the history, character, and charm of our city – especially downtown. White Bear Lake is not just another “suburb” but rather a longstanding city with a rich history that is worthy of remembering and preserving for future generations.
(2) Create and maintain an environment where small businesses can thrive. Small business is, and always will be, the backbone of any thriving community. The simplest way to accomplish this is to maintain low property taxes and avoid needless local restrictions that stifle private investment in the community.
(3) Ensure that residents’ voices are heard by their local government. I have observed in recent years a pattern where local officials are not listening to the concerns and wishes of those who live and work in the community. This must change. Local government should always be responsive to those it serves.
How would you characterize the business climate in White Bear Lake and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
White Bear Lake is fortunate in that we have a thriving business community. Residents are spoiled for choice among the many restaurants, salons, banks, grocery stores, and other retail businesses, all providing jobs in our community. Residents also have great opportunities to enjoy the lake which are provided by our local businesses. These businesses and opportunities to recreate are why White Bear Lake is such a sought-after community to live.
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, White Bear Lake?
White Bear Lake enjoys a very low vacancy rate among commercial and retail spaces so the aim is certainly more toward business retention. The city’s role in attracting and retaining businesses is, first and foremost, to maintain low property taxes. Second, the City should strive to minimize local restrictions that stifle investment in the community. The private sector is adept at finding markets. Once a business finds a market and location, a city should serve as a partner, not an obstacle, in facilitating business development and growth.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in White Bear Lake (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 St. Paul and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I do not believe it is the role of local government to regulate wages, paid leave, and other similar employment regulations that have historically been within the purview of the state and federal government. We already have a federal and state minimum wage, among other employee protections; we do not need a local mandate. As an attorney that counsels small businesses in employment and regulatory compliance matters, I know first-hand the burden these regulations can have on small businesses. Adding duplicative local regulations only piles on what has already become a regulatory minefield for many businesses of all sizes.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
Having a strong, active, and engaged police force is essential to public safety. White Bear PD has long enjoyed a great reputation for actively engaging with residents through Manitou Days, Marketfest, National Night Out, Citizen Police Academy, and other community events. Residents of White Bear are fortunate to have this positive interaction. We need to continue these public outreach initiatives while continuing to provide our officers with the resources they need to do their jobs and keep residents safe.
White Bear Lake has historically been a community comprised primarily of single-family homes. That’s one of the reasons people live in, and love, this community. The recent push and long-term plan to “urbanize” White Bear does not align with the history and character of our community. I recognize that multifamily housing may have some place in the long-term future of our community, but where the development is located, and whether it fits with the surrounding area, is critical. Most importantly, those that live, work, and operate businesses near a proposed development site must have an opportunity to voice their opinion.
I oppose the Rush Line coming to White Bear Lake. I believe the projected ridership rate for White Bear Lake residents is overstated, especially now as companies continue remote work, and the claimed benefit to local business is simply unfounded. Even if the data supported a "need" for the Rush Line, the multiple stations needed for this project and the constant bus traffic coming through the city does not fit the small-town character of our community.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
My top budget priority is to restore the city’s fiscal policy to the frugal approach that made White Bear Lake the envy of so many cities across the metro and state. White Bear used to pay cash for capital improvements; now we borrow to fund these projects. For a long time, the city was able to supplement its budget through interest realized from its cash reserves. This interest income has dried-up in recent years due to low interest rates resulting in the City increasing its tax levy and borrowing through municipal bonds. When faced with difficult financial choices, the city, like any business or family, must first look to the expense side of the budget, not just the revenue side.
What will you do to expand White Bear Lake’s tax base?
For many years now, the City has seen the housing stock for older single family homes being torn down and a new home has been built in its place. This has happened in all parts of the city. The new homes are more valuable than the previous home and the tax assessment is then higher resulting in greater tax revenue for the city. The market will be the primary driving force in this process. The city, however, can aid in this process by maintaining a reasonable, and fairly enforced, building code that encourages homeowners to make these significant investments in the community.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
I have had the good fortune to be invited to participate in “career day” at White Bear Lake High School for many years. I saw numerous local businesses that participated in this event in an effort to recruit young people to their industry. The city should encourage events like these, particularly in the trades. An entire generation was brought up to believe that getting a four-year degree was the only path to happiness and prosperity. Meanwhile, many good paying jobs in the trades go unfilled because young people were not exposed to all the opportunities and benefits these industries have to offer. The city, in working with the school district and Century College, should encourage all areas of education after high school.
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 believe there is an opportunity for the White Bear Police Department to patrol White Bear Township, which is currently patrolled by Ramsey County. This would provide revenue to the City, allow the city’s police department to expand, and is a logical highest and best use of local government resources.
What is the role of the Mayor in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in St. Paul?
The mayor, and local government, does not have any role in “fostering increased minority, and woman-owned businesses in White Bear Lake” beyond simply applying the zoning and building code fairly and impartially without regard to gender, race, ethnicity, or religion.
What further policies can White Bear Lake adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
The city has done a good job assisting those businesses hit the hardest by the pandemic and government mandated shutdowns. Facilitating the expansion of outdoor dining space, to name one example, which allowed many local restaurants to serve many more customers than they otherwise would have under the state capacity restrictions, was a necessary measure that I fully support. With the Delta variant causing an increase in positive cases, nobody knows what the next several months has in store. I am sure the federal and state government will not be shy about imposing restriction if they believe it is necessary. Local government need not add to these regulations.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
My family’s roots in this community span four generations. I love that White Bear Lake has a small-town feel yet offers so much by way of restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and recreation. Over the past few years, I have grown increasingly concerned that one day White Bear will turn into a community that I no longer recognize, which would be a shame. I am in this election to preserve that which my family, and so many other families, enjoy about this city. If you share my desire to preserve all that makes White Bear Lake great, then I ask for your vote on November 2.
Public Office Sought: White Bear Lake Mayor
Campaign Phone: (651) 295-9951
Campaign Website: danlouismetwbl.com
Twitter Handle: none
Facebook: @DanLouismetWBL
Candidate Bio
I was born and raised here in White Bear Lake. So too was my wife, Molly. We are both lifelong residents of White Bear. Molly and I are blessed to have two beautiful daughters, Frankie (5) and Eden (2). We are proud parishioners of St. Mary’s of the Lake.
I am a 2004 graduate of White Bear High School where I played baseball. I completed my general studies at Century College. I then transferred to the University of Minnesota where I received a bachelor’s degree in political science. Following undergrad, I attended William Mitchell College of Law where I received my Juris Doctor. While in law school, I was a student prosecutor for the City of White Bear Lake where I prosecuted local traffic violations and crimes ranging from speeding tickets to DWIs.
I am a practicing attorney. My past legal experience includes representing cities, law enforcement, and small businesses. My past involvement in the community includes serving on the Parks Commission and coaching T-ball for the school district. I presently serve on the Charter Commission.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
(1) Preserve the history, character, and charm of our city – especially downtown. White Bear Lake is not just another “suburb” but rather a longstanding city with a rich history that is worthy of remembering and preserving for future generations.
(2) Create and maintain an environment where small businesses can thrive. Small business is, and always will be, the backbone of any thriving community. The simplest way to accomplish this is to maintain low property taxes and avoid needless local restrictions that stifle private investment in the community.
(3) Ensure that residents’ voices are heard by their local government. I have observed in recent years a pattern where local officials are not listening to the concerns and wishes of those who live and work in the community. This must change. Local government should always be responsive to those it serves.
How would you characterize the business climate in White Bear Lake and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
White Bear Lake is fortunate in that we have a thriving business community. Residents are spoiled for choice among the many restaurants, salons, banks, grocery stores, and other retail businesses, all providing jobs in our community. Residents also have great opportunities to enjoy the lake which are provided by our local businesses. These businesses and opportunities to recreate are why White Bear Lake is such a sought-after community to live.
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, White Bear Lake?
White Bear Lake enjoys a very low vacancy rate among commercial and retail spaces so the aim is certainly more toward business retention. The city’s role in attracting and retaining businesses is, first and foremost, to maintain low property taxes. Second, the City should strive to minimize local restrictions that stifle investment in the community. The private sector is adept at finding markets. Once a business finds a market and location, a city should serve as a partner, not an obstacle, in facilitating business development and growth.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in White Bear Lake (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 St. Paul and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I do not believe it is the role of local government to regulate wages, paid leave, and other similar employment regulations that have historically been within the purview of the state and federal government. We already have a federal and state minimum wage, among other employee protections; we do not need a local mandate. As an attorney that counsels small businesses in employment and regulatory compliance matters, I know first-hand the burden these regulations can have on small businesses. Adding duplicative local regulations only piles on what has already become a regulatory minefield for many businesses of all sizes.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
Having a strong, active, and engaged police force is essential to public safety. White Bear PD has long enjoyed a great reputation for actively engaging with residents through Manitou Days, Marketfest, National Night Out, Citizen Police Academy, and other community events. Residents of White Bear are fortunate to have this positive interaction. We need to continue these public outreach initiatives while continuing to provide our officers with the resources they need to do their jobs and keep residents safe.
White Bear Lake has historically been a community comprised primarily of single-family homes. That’s one of the reasons people live in, and love, this community. The recent push and long-term plan to “urbanize” White Bear does not align with the history and character of our community. I recognize that multifamily housing may have some place in the long-term future of our community, but where the development is located, and whether it fits with the surrounding area, is critical. Most importantly, those that live, work, and operate businesses near a proposed development site must have an opportunity to voice their opinion.
I oppose the Rush Line coming to White Bear Lake. I believe the projected ridership rate for White Bear Lake residents is overstated, especially now as companies continue remote work, and the claimed benefit to local business is simply unfounded. Even if the data supported a "need" for the Rush Line, the multiple stations needed for this project and the constant bus traffic coming through the city does not fit the small-town character of our community.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
My top budget priority is to restore the city’s fiscal policy to the frugal approach that made White Bear Lake the envy of so many cities across the metro and state. White Bear used to pay cash for capital improvements; now we borrow to fund these projects. For a long time, the city was able to supplement its budget through interest realized from its cash reserves. This interest income has dried-up in recent years due to low interest rates resulting in the City increasing its tax levy and borrowing through municipal bonds. When faced with difficult financial choices, the city, like any business or family, must first look to the expense side of the budget, not just the revenue side.
What will you do to expand White Bear Lake’s tax base?
For many years now, the City has seen the housing stock for older single family homes being torn down and a new home has been built in its place. This has happened in all parts of the city. The new homes are more valuable than the previous home and the tax assessment is then higher resulting in greater tax revenue for the city. The market will be the primary driving force in this process. The city, however, can aid in this process by maintaining a reasonable, and fairly enforced, building code that encourages homeowners to make these significant investments in the community.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
I have had the good fortune to be invited to participate in “career day” at White Bear Lake High School for many years. I saw numerous local businesses that participated in this event in an effort to recruit young people to their industry. The city should encourage events like these, particularly in the trades. An entire generation was brought up to believe that getting a four-year degree was the only path to happiness and prosperity. Meanwhile, many good paying jobs in the trades go unfilled because young people were not exposed to all the opportunities and benefits these industries have to offer. The city, in working with the school district and Century College, should encourage all areas of education after high school.
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 believe there is an opportunity for the White Bear Police Department to patrol White Bear Township, which is currently patrolled by Ramsey County. This would provide revenue to the City, allow the city’s police department to expand, and is a logical highest and best use of local government resources.
What is the role of the Mayor in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in St. Paul?
The mayor, and local government, does not have any role in “fostering increased minority, and woman-owned businesses in White Bear Lake” beyond simply applying the zoning and building code fairly and impartially without regard to gender, race, ethnicity, or religion.
What further policies can White Bear Lake adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
The city has done a good job assisting those businesses hit the hardest by the pandemic and government mandated shutdowns. Facilitating the expansion of outdoor dining space, to name one example, which allowed many local restaurants to serve many more customers than they otherwise would have under the state capacity restrictions, was a necessary measure that I fully support. With the Delta variant causing an increase in positive cases, nobody knows what the next several months has in store. I am sure the federal and state government will not be shy about imposing restriction if they believe it is necessary. Local government need not add to these regulations.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
My family’s roots in this community span four generations. I love that White Bear Lake has a small-town feel yet offers so much by way of restaurants, shopping, entertainment, and recreation. Over the past few years, I have grown increasingly concerned that one day White Bear will turn into a community that I no longer recognize, which would be a shame. I am in this election to preserve that which my family, and so many other families, enjoy about this city. If you share my desire to preserve all that makes White Bear Lake great, then I ask for your vote on November 2.