Greg Amundson
Name: Greg Amundson
Public Office Sought: Scandia City Council
Email: greg@instatrim.com
Phone: (651) 341-9999
Website: NA
Twitter handle: NA
Facebook page: NA
Candidate Bio
I have been on the Scandia Planning Commission for two years. I have over 25 years in construction and have started (2) successful businesses in Scandia. I enjoy talking with people and try to resolve problems with face to face communication. My goal is always to listen to all and try and do the best for all involved.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Protect Scandia’s traditions and heritage. Find creative ways to attract high quality small businesses to the area. Work towards building housing for young families and also senior living so seniors do not have to leave the area at a certain age.
How would you characterize the business climate in Scandia and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
Business climate is poor and not many opportunities exist for new business. We need housing for young families, improved intranet and also more consistent cell service.
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, Scandia?
The City of Scandia is in the lead position to provide opportunities through rezoning and incentives to attract housing developers and provide commercial zoning for new businesses. In addition, Scandia needs to recognize that home based businesses will play an important role in the future of the Scandia area.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Scandia (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 Scandia and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
Scandia needs to pay competitive wages to city staff and public works staff. Any new business ordinance must take into account the limited housing available for new workers coming to this area.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
Scandia has done very well with public safety and our current fire department is among the best in the area. We do struggle with attracting more volunteer fireman which will continue to be a challenge so we must find ways to add incentives for these positions.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
The city’s budget is a challenge especially with some of the larger problems we have with septic and water solutions. Some of these problems will require levies and or tax increases which I will work to keep at a minimum.
What will you do to expand Scandia's tax base?
We need to expand more small business and housing
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
Again, this all ties into our limited housing for young families
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?
Not at this time.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Scandia?
I believe with expanded business opportunities and more housing for young families we will be able to provide more opportunities for minority and women owned businesses.
What further policies can Scandia adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
None other than what is already in place
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Scandia is a unique place to live and we do not want to lose what we are known for. Our relatives moved here from Sweden and Norway to start a new life and many were successful. We need to protect our traditions and cautiously move forward.
Public Office Sought: Scandia City Council
Email: greg@instatrim.com
Phone: (651) 341-9999
Website: NA
Twitter handle: NA
Facebook page: NA
Candidate Bio
I have been on the Scandia Planning Commission for two years. I have over 25 years in construction and have started (2) successful businesses in Scandia. I enjoy talking with people and try to resolve problems with face to face communication. My goal is always to listen to all and try and do the best for all involved.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Protect Scandia’s traditions and heritage. Find creative ways to attract high quality small businesses to the area. Work towards building housing for young families and also senior living so seniors do not have to leave the area at a certain age.
How would you characterize the business climate in Scandia and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
Business climate is poor and not many opportunities exist for new business. We need housing for young families, improved intranet and also more consistent cell service.
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, Scandia?
The City of Scandia is in the lead position to provide opportunities through rezoning and incentives to attract housing developers and provide commercial zoning for new businesses. In addition, Scandia needs to recognize that home based businesses will play an important role in the future of the Scandia area.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Scandia (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 Scandia and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
Scandia needs to pay competitive wages to city staff and public works staff. Any new business ordinance must take into account the limited housing available for new workers coming to this area.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
Scandia has done very well with public safety and our current fire department is among the best in the area. We do struggle with attracting more volunteer fireman which will continue to be a challenge so we must find ways to add incentives for these positions.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
The city’s budget is a challenge especially with some of the larger problems we have with septic and water solutions. Some of these problems will require levies and or tax increases which I will work to keep at a minimum.
What will you do to expand Scandia's tax base?
We need to expand more small business and housing
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
Again, this all ties into our limited housing for young families
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?
Not at this time.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Scandia?
I believe with expanded business opportunities and more housing for young families we will be able to provide more opportunities for minority and women owned businesses.
What further policies can Scandia adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
None other than what is already in place
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Scandia is a unique place to live and we do not want to lose what we are known for. Our relatives moved here from Sweden and Norway to start a new life and many were successful. We need to protect our traditions and cautiously move forward.