Gary Severson
Name: Gary Severson
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651.243.0996
Campaign Website:
Twitter handle: SeversonOakdale
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/61564570735417/
Candidate Bio
A few things about my experience and accomplishments:
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I would bring a collaborative style of leadership to the Council. Seeking the best ideas and input from all stakeholders, regardless of their viewpoint, before making a decision on what is best for the community as a whole.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in Oakdale?
The biggest challenge facing Oakdale today is division amongst ourselves. As a society we have become too divided and entrenched in our positions. Many of our politicians seem to find “winning” more important than doing what is best for our society. As a result, we have lost focus on working together, despite our differences, to find solutions that benefit all.
The biggest opportunity for our city is its people and our sense of community. We can utilize the diversity of our community and ideas and our resourcefulness to find the best solution to any problem.
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges whether they be education, housing, or workforce development. Do you feel the outcomes of the 2023-2024 legislative session positively or negatively impacted that collaboration and our state's business climate?
There are areas where the business community is better equipped to tackle issues or collaborate with government to resolve issues. In the areas of education and workforce development, for example, the business community are the best source to identify the skills they need workers to have in order to be successful.
Additional taxes and regulations place added burdens on our business community and take away resources that businesses could otherwise use to retain and train staff and create new jobs. There must be a balance between regulation and taxation and assisting business and creating a thriving business environment.
How would you characterize the business climate in Oakdale and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in Oakdale?
The feedback we have received from local businesses at the Economic Development Commission has been positive. If we maintain the city as a great and safe place to live and work, then jobs, workers and customers will want to come here. This benefits everyone. We must continue to be open, responsive and active listeners to our local businesses.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
Strong support and funding of our local police department by city leadership as well as promoting education and awareness to our residents. All of us can contribute to making our city a safe place to be.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
This is a significant challenge as little open land remains for new development. The city should be open to differing types of housing, including multifamily and lower cost “starter” homes and consider housing issues when rezoning or redevelopment issues present themselves.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
I would solicit ideas from our Parks Commission, Public Works department and law enforcement about how best to address transportation and safety issues.
Cities have addressed many ongoing needs with temporary, federal COVID relief dollars, what are your plans to ensure fiscal stability as these federal, one-time funds run out?
I believe it was unwise to use temporary COVID relief dollars to build new programs at the state level. This will create a problem once these dollars are used. Our tax burdens are already too high, so once the funding is gone, leaders will have to prioritize where best to use the tax revenue remaining. Some programs, whether old or new, will need to end.
Uber/Lyft wages and proposed childcare subsidies funded by local property taxes are just a few areas where local units of government are wading into policy debates that may be best suited at the state. Please articulate the different scopes of work between state and local government (City/County). Are there specific areas of policy that the city should lead on in lieu of the state or county government?
These types of issues are best handled by state or federal governments. City governments should focus only on core local functions, such as public safety, streets, parks and maintaining a friendly business environment. Local property taxes should be used only for these core types of functions.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651.243.0996
Campaign Website:
Twitter handle: SeversonOakdale
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/61564570735417/
Candidate Bio
A few things about my experience and accomplishments:
- Oakdale homeowner for 35 years
- Graduate of the University of Minnesota in Economics
- Appointed Commissioner to the Oakdale Economic Development Commission and Washington County Parks and Open Space Commission
- Served on the Endowment Fund Committee and as a Sunday School teacher at the Woodbury United Methodist Church
- I understand the operations and challenges faced by public entities as I have worked exclusively with Minnesota public entities for 15 years
- Raised in a farming community in Southern Minnesota with small town values such as respect for others, personal responsibility, pride in your community and helping your neighbor. I was taught that we can disagree but still be friends and have mutual respect for one another.
- I believe that elected officials must be responsible stewards of tax dollars and prioritize spending to limit the tax burden on citizens and business.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I would bring a collaborative style of leadership to the Council. Seeking the best ideas and input from all stakeholders, regardless of their viewpoint, before making a decision on what is best for the community as a whole.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
- Affordability is a concern for all of us. Fiscal responsibility and the efficient use of tax dollars to help make living in Oakdale affordable should be a highest priority.
- Strong support for Local Law Enforcement and Public Safety to keep our community safe. We must be supportive of law enforcement to help deter crime and send a message that crime will not be tolerated in our city.
- Focus on the core responsibilities of local government – Law Enforcement and Public Safety, Streets and Parks and fostering a healthy, friendly business environment. Social issues are best left to the state and federal governments to address.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in Oakdale?
The biggest challenge facing Oakdale today is division amongst ourselves. As a society we have become too divided and entrenched in our positions. Many of our politicians seem to find “winning” more important than doing what is best for our society. As a result, we have lost focus on working together, despite our differences, to find solutions that benefit all.
The biggest opportunity for our city is its people and our sense of community. We can utilize the diversity of our community and ideas and our resourcefulness to find the best solution to any problem.
Please characterize your perspective on the ideal collaboration between government and the business community when it comes to tackling challenges whether they be education, housing, or workforce development. Do you feel the outcomes of the 2023-2024 legislative session positively or negatively impacted that collaboration and our state's business climate?
There are areas where the business community is better equipped to tackle issues or collaborate with government to resolve issues. In the areas of education and workforce development, for example, the business community are the best source to identify the skills they need workers to have in order to be successful.
Additional taxes and regulations place added burdens on our business community and take away resources that businesses could otherwise use to retain and train staff and create new jobs. There must be a balance between regulation and taxation and assisting business and creating a thriving business environment.
How would you characterize the business climate in Oakdale and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in Oakdale?
The feedback we have received from local businesses at the Economic Development Commission has been positive. If we maintain the city as a great and safe place to live and work, then jobs, workers and customers will want to come here. This benefits everyone. We must continue to be open, responsive and active listeners to our local businesses.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
Strong support and funding of our local police department by city leadership as well as promoting education and awareness to our residents. All of us can contribute to making our city a safe place to be.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
This is a significant challenge as little open land remains for new development. The city should be open to differing types of housing, including multifamily and lower cost “starter” homes and consider housing issues when rezoning or redevelopment issues present themselves.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
I would solicit ideas from our Parks Commission, Public Works department and law enforcement about how best to address transportation and safety issues.
Cities have addressed many ongoing needs with temporary, federal COVID relief dollars, what are your plans to ensure fiscal stability as these federal, one-time funds run out?
I believe it was unwise to use temporary COVID relief dollars to build new programs at the state level. This will create a problem once these dollars are used. Our tax burdens are already too high, so once the funding is gone, leaders will have to prioritize where best to use the tax revenue remaining. Some programs, whether old or new, will need to end.
Uber/Lyft wages and proposed childcare subsidies funded by local property taxes are just a few areas where local units of government are wading into policy debates that may be best suited at the state. Please articulate the different scopes of work between state and local government (City/County). Are there specific areas of policy that the city should lead on in lieu of the state or county government?
These types of issues are best handled by state or federal governments. City governments should focus only on core local functions, such as public safety, streets, parks and maintaining a friendly business environment. Local property taxes should be used only for these core types of functions.