Fredric Contino
Name: Fredric Contino
Public Office Sought: Apple Valley Mayor
Email: rick@continoformayor@com
Campaign Phone: 612-308-4655
Campaign Website: continoformayor.com
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: continoformayor
Candidate Bio
Apple Valley has been my home for almost 30 years. I’ve spent 40 years of progressive advancement in many business environments, both public and private. I am the father of 4 and grandparent of 11. I am involved in several church and philanthropic organizations. I am committing to positive change and increase property values for Apple Valley residents.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Public Safety - Focusing on enforcement and community involvement.
City Development - Attracting best of class commercial investment that keeps the community growing in both jobs and revenue.
Beautification - Developing programs for both city and neighborhood cleanup and beautification that will instill pride in our community.
How would you characterize the business climate in Apple Valley and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
Apple Valley has good business support with a variety of industries represented, but there are opportunities for greater involvement in city quality of life issues. This will require more outreach and a more comprehensive vision.
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, Apple Valley?
The city should be outward bound in its efforts to attract and keep businesses profitable and stable. As Mayor, I would seek new ways to cultivate a strong environment that would include financial support (as justified) for further expansion or relocation to our city. Although Apple Valley does not have an abundance of open land, we can work with current acreage and redevelopment to improve our image as a safe, clean and forward-moving city in which to work or live.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address the labor shortage?
I would work to make the business environment as friendly and simple to do business with, attracting and keeping a robust workforce. I would also act to bring together business and labor to work on how to make Apple Valley a “go to” location for jobseekers.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals in Apple Valley (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 Apple Valley and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I would follow all state and national employment laws applicable to our city. I would also work to make the business environment friendly and easy to do business with, so we could attract a workforce at a fair wage. Exceptions would be in the hands of the employers, given the standing laws are not infringed.
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 will continue to strongly support our public safety organizations. I have their back. Giving them the financial and moral support, they would receive what they need to accomplish their difficult task. I would also continue to support their outreach efforts to bring the community together. As mentioned above, my number one priority is keeping Apple Valley a safe place to live.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address housing issues facing your community?
Apple Valley currently has a various mix of housing options. We support both homeowners and renters and, most recently, have expanded multi-tenant housing in the downtown area. This needs to be managed very closely, as not to exhaust our ability to offer quality city services to all. My goal would be to increase property values based on our quality of life in Apple Valley.
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?
We currently have more than necessary transportation options in Apple Valley. I would continue to monitor these changes and be prepared to make necessary adjustments, as to maximize efficiency. I do not want to waste our tax dollars and would stress monitoring and collaboration or consolidation as appropriate.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
Strong safety of our citizens would be my number one priority, followed by strong commercial development and a continuation of our excellent street maintenance program.
I will work to develop a neighborhood beautification program that engages and involves citizen and city support. Street cleanup and code compliance are keys to making our city a beautiful place to live and work.
What will you do to expand Apple Valley’s tax base?
Move Apple Valley strongly upward as a locally recognized “go to”city. This will improve property values 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?
Work with district school officials to support and coordinate city involvement that will maintain and secure our excellent District 196 school system. District 196 is a strong draw to our community, and I would work to keep the quality of our schools at the top level.
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 will work with the city council and staff to identify any waste and work with our state, district and city administrations. Together we will determine what synergies/savings could be gained with more cooperation and support.
What is the role of the Mayor in fostering increased minority-and women-owned businesses in Apple Valley?
I will follow all federal and state laws and support a zero-discrimination policy towards any group that would affect their opportunities to prosper in Apple Valley. I believe in supporting prosperity for all people.
What further policies can Apple Valley adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Work with local citizen groups and businesses to understand the damages that have occurred and work towards establishing city programs that help those hurt by the pandemic.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I will use my business background and management skills to identify problems, create solutions and eliminate waste. Our current administration and city council has done a good job of keeping the status quo......but the next four years will be critical. Keeping the status quo is not good enough. We must be very diligent in our support of public safety through these difficult times.
I have the background, experience and personal drive to add value with a fresh point of view. I will work with the city council and staff in “Keeping Apple Valley a Great Place to Live.”
Public Office Sought: Apple Valley Mayor
Email: rick@continoformayor@com
Campaign Phone: 612-308-4655
Campaign Website: continoformayor.com
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: continoformayor
Candidate Bio
Apple Valley has been my home for almost 30 years. I’ve spent 40 years of progressive advancement in many business environments, both public and private. I am the father of 4 and grandparent of 11. I am involved in several church and philanthropic organizations. I am committing to positive change and increase property values for Apple Valley residents.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Public Safety - Focusing on enforcement and community involvement.
City Development - Attracting best of class commercial investment that keeps the community growing in both jobs and revenue.
Beautification - Developing programs for both city and neighborhood cleanup and beautification that will instill pride in our community.
How would you characterize the business climate in Apple Valley and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
Apple Valley has good business support with a variety of industries represented, but there are opportunities for greater involvement in city quality of life issues. This will require more outreach and a more comprehensive vision.
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, Apple Valley?
The city should be outward bound in its efforts to attract and keep businesses profitable and stable. As Mayor, I would seek new ways to cultivate a strong environment that would include financial support (as justified) for further expansion or relocation to our city. Although Apple Valley does not have an abundance of open land, we can work with current acreage and redevelopment to improve our image as a safe, clean and forward-moving city in which to work or live.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address the labor shortage?
I would work to make the business environment as friendly and simple to do business with, attracting and keeping a robust workforce. I would also act to bring together business and labor to work on how to make Apple Valley a “go to” location for jobseekers.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals in Apple Valley (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 Apple Valley and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I would follow all state and national employment laws applicable to our city. I would also work to make the business environment friendly and easy to do business with, so we could attract a workforce at a fair wage. Exceptions would be in the hands of the employers, given the standing laws are not infringed.
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 will continue to strongly support our public safety organizations. I have their back. Giving them the financial and moral support, they would receive what they need to accomplish their difficult task. I would also continue to support their outreach efforts to bring the community together. As mentioned above, my number one priority is keeping Apple Valley a safe place to live.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address housing issues facing your community?
Apple Valley currently has a various mix of housing options. We support both homeowners and renters and, most recently, have expanded multi-tenant housing in the downtown area. This needs to be managed very closely, as not to exhaust our ability to offer quality city services to all. My goal would be to increase property values based on our quality of life in Apple Valley.
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?
We currently have more than necessary transportation options in Apple Valley. I would continue to monitor these changes and be prepared to make necessary adjustments, as to maximize efficiency. I do not want to waste our tax dollars and would stress monitoring and collaboration or consolidation as appropriate.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
Strong safety of our citizens would be my number one priority, followed by strong commercial development and a continuation of our excellent street maintenance program.
I will work to develop a neighborhood beautification program that engages and involves citizen and city support. Street cleanup and code compliance are keys to making our city a beautiful place to live and work.
What will you do to expand Apple Valley’s tax base?
Move Apple Valley strongly upward as a locally recognized “go to”city. This will improve property values 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?
Work with district school officials to support and coordinate city involvement that will maintain and secure our excellent District 196 school system. District 196 is a strong draw to our community, and I would work to keep the quality of our schools at the top level.
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 will work with the city council and staff to identify any waste and work with our state, district and city administrations. Together we will determine what synergies/savings could be gained with more cooperation and support.
What is the role of the Mayor in fostering increased minority-and women-owned businesses in Apple Valley?
I will follow all federal and state laws and support a zero-discrimination policy towards any group that would affect their opportunities to prosper in Apple Valley. I believe in supporting prosperity for all people.
What further policies can Apple Valley adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Work with local citizen groups and businesses to understand the damages that have occurred and work towards establishing city programs that help those hurt by the pandemic.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I will use my business background and management skills to identify problems, create solutions and eliminate waste. Our current administration and city council has done a good job of keeping the status quo......but the next four years will be critical. Keeping the status quo is not good enough. We must be very diligent in our support of public safety through these difficult times.
I have the background, experience and personal drive to add value with a fresh point of view. I will work with the city council and staff in “Keeping Apple Valley a Great Place to Live.”