David Junker

Name: David Junker
Public Office Sought: Stillwater City Council - Ward 2
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-755-3644
Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook page:
Candidate Bio
I am currently the Ward 2 City Council Member for the City of Stillwater. I have been on the Council for 10 years. I am currently the Council rep for the Historical Preservation and Parking Commissions. I have also been on the Planning and Parks Commission, along with the Joint Board Commission between Stillwater and Stillwater Township. I am a former President of the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce. I am a former long time banker and a Director of Franchise Re-Sales in the fitness business. Since January of 2020 I have retired.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
How would you characterize the business climate in Stillwater and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
COVID 19 has changed all of our lives since mid March of 2020 and the business climate in Stillwater. I have worked hard on the City Council since March to get creative with ways for businesses to enhance revenue due to closing of businesses for a few months and re-opening with less than 100% capacity. One example in Stillwater is we approved outdoor patio’s for businesses on our City street parking spaces, this increased each business foot print and allowed for more opportunity to help with sales and improve profits. Businesses in Stillwater are a major supporter of the great quality of life we have in Stillwater. With the opening of our old bridge as a pedestrian and biking path on June 1st in our downtown district we are seeing more people which should lead to help our business climate in this district.
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, Stillwater?
We currently do not have an Economic Development person or team at the City of Stillwater, we work very closely with Washington County’s Economic team with attracting and retaining jobs. It is crucial we in Stillwater continue to make Stillwater a year- round business community for jobs, particularly in our downtown district. I am very pro business and I look for ways to solicit new business while retaining our existing businesses.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Stillwater (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 Stillwater and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I would leave these issues to the individual businesses to provide.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
With regards to public safety I and the City work very closely with our Police and Fire Chiefs through-out the year to provide quality public safety. We have very limited tracks of land within the City for larger housing developments, however I am looking at in-fill area’s and other ways to increase housing stock along with affordable housing. I do work with Washington County on the bigger picture of public transportation between Stillwater and the Twin Cities.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
We have some large river front properties we the City own. These are a priority for me to develop these into great amenities for our residents and guests. These properties will be more passive in nature and public use. There is great potential for kayaking, canoeing, nature and bird watching and enjoying the scenic St Croix River. Due to many issues both on the expense side and revenue side from COVID 19 the 2021 City budget will need a lot of discussion amongst City Council leaders and Department Heads in planning in all aspects of next years budget. We have been working on this since March of 2020 adjusting and tweaking City issues due to COVID 19.
What will you do to expand Stillwater’s tax base?
The City of Stillwater currently does not have a lot of undeveloped land to expand our tax base with. We are currently looking at annexing in some land for a 36 acre mixed use purpose to include housing, retail and other businesses. We are also looking at a large hospital and mixed use on another parcel of land to create jobs and tax base.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
In my 10 years on the City Council I have mostly worked on the area’s of: our housing, streets, businesses, public safety and parks and recreation to maintain a great quality city within our school district. The school district has developed and retained an educated workforce.
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 am very open to having potential discussions with shared services with other entities.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Stillwater?
I am pro minority and women owned businesses in Stillwater.
What further policies can Stillwater adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
As a life long resident of Stillwater I have been very active on many boards, commissions and City Council. I am very approachable and I respect the great history we have in Stillwater along with listening to the many great idea’s in ways to improve and help make Stillwater a great City to live and work in. I do my research and homework on issues before I make decisions on. It has always been an honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Stillwater.
Public Office Sought: Stillwater City Council - Ward 2
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-755-3644
Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook page:
Candidate Bio
I am currently the Ward 2 City Council Member for the City of Stillwater. I have been on the Council for 10 years. I am currently the Council rep for the Historical Preservation and Parking Commissions. I have also been on the Planning and Parks Commission, along with the Joint Board Commission between Stillwater and Stillwater Township. I am a former President of the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce. I am a former long time banker and a Director of Franchise Re-Sales in the fitness business. Since January of 2020 I have retired.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
- Providing a safe community with great police and fire protection. Quality parks, trails, roads and other amenities to residents.
- Strong fair annual budget. Providing great city services, while keeping taxes in line
- Keeping our business climate strong
How would you characterize the business climate in Stillwater and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
COVID 19 has changed all of our lives since mid March of 2020 and the business climate in Stillwater. I have worked hard on the City Council since March to get creative with ways for businesses to enhance revenue due to closing of businesses for a few months and re-opening with less than 100% capacity. One example in Stillwater is we approved outdoor patio’s for businesses on our City street parking spaces, this increased each business foot print and allowed for more opportunity to help with sales and improve profits. Businesses in Stillwater are a major supporter of the great quality of life we have in Stillwater. With the opening of our old bridge as a pedestrian and biking path on June 1st in our downtown district we are seeing more people which should lead to help our business climate in this district.
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, Stillwater?
We currently do not have an Economic Development person or team at the City of Stillwater, we work very closely with Washington County’s Economic team with attracting and retaining jobs. It is crucial we in Stillwater continue to make Stillwater a year- round business community for jobs, particularly in our downtown district. I am very pro business and I look for ways to solicit new business while retaining our existing businesses.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Stillwater (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 Stillwater and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I would leave these issues to the individual businesses to provide.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
With regards to public safety I and the City work very closely with our Police and Fire Chiefs through-out the year to provide quality public safety. We have very limited tracks of land within the City for larger housing developments, however I am looking at in-fill area’s and other ways to increase housing stock along with affordable housing. I do work with Washington County on the bigger picture of public transportation between Stillwater and the Twin Cities.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
We have some large river front properties we the City own. These are a priority for me to develop these into great amenities for our residents and guests. These properties will be more passive in nature and public use. There is great potential for kayaking, canoeing, nature and bird watching and enjoying the scenic St Croix River. Due to many issues both on the expense side and revenue side from COVID 19 the 2021 City budget will need a lot of discussion amongst City Council leaders and Department Heads in planning in all aspects of next years budget. We have been working on this since March of 2020 adjusting and tweaking City issues due to COVID 19.
What will you do to expand Stillwater’s tax base?
The City of Stillwater currently does not have a lot of undeveloped land to expand our tax base with. We are currently looking at annexing in some land for a 36 acre mixed use purpose to include housing, retail and other businesses. We are also looking at a large hospital and mixed use on another parcel of land to create jobs and tax base.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
In my 10 years on the City Council I have mostly worked on the area’s of: our housing, streets, businesses, public safety and parks and recreation to maintain a great quality city within our school district. The school district has developed and retained an educated workforce.
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 am very open to having potential discussions with shared services with other entities.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Stillwater?
I am pro minority and women owned businesses in Stillwater.
What further policies can Stillwater adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
As a life long resident of Stillwater I have been very active on many boards, commissions and City Council. I am very approachable and I respect the great history we have in Stillwater along with listening to the many great idea’s in ways to improve and help make Stillwater a great City to live and work in. I do my research and homework on issues before I make decisions on. It has always been an honor and privilege to serve the citizens of Stillwater.