Heather Benson
Name: Heather Benson
Public Office Sought: Scandia City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-430-0168
Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook page:
Candidate Bio
I have been working in county government for years. From 1998 to 2012 I served as an Assistant Dakota County Attorney. Since 2012 I have been an Assistant Dakota County Attorney. My practice area has been almost entirely adult felony prosecution. I am energetic and excited about the opportunity to serve the people of Scandia as a member of the city council.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
How would you characterize the business climate in Scandia and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
The business climate is somewhat limited, but has potential to grow as the population grows. I would like to see more businesses that provide goods and services that the people of Scandia currently seek elsewhere.
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 should make Scandia appealing to small businesses that employ members of the community. The city can encourage and retain businesses through modest population growth which would support the businesses, reasonable developmental regulations, and tax incentives.
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?
I would leave these things to federal and state law, and to the business owners themselves.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
public safety- maintain strong relationships with our sheriff’s office and adequately fund necessary fire and EMS services
housing - residential growth is addressed in the city’s newest comprehensive plan, which I would support
transportation - unfortunately at this time public transportation is simply not available in Scandia. I would like to see more accessibility to rideshare services in Scandia.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
To responsibly manage and spend the taxpayers money in a way that ensures the community’s needs are met. Priorities are public safety and other critical services, and looming infrastructure repairs and replacement.
What will you do to expand Scandia's tax base?
Encourage small businesses and thoughtful residential development, while carefully preserving Scandia as a safe, rural 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?
Continue to support our local schools and encourage student involvement in community events.
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?
There is nothing that I am aware of at this time.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Scandia?
I would foster any businesses in Scandia, and I am proud of the large number of existing female-owned businesses in this community.
What further policies can Scandia adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
There is nothing the city council can specifically do as we are bound by the current state restrictions, but we can continue to do everything we can to support and promote these businesses as they recover.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I am excited about the opportunity to work hard for this community and keep it a great place to live, work, and visit!
Public Office Sought: Scandia City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-430-0168
Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook page:
Candidate Bio
I have been working in county government for years. From 1998 to 2012 I served as an Assistant Dakota County Attorney. Since 2012 I have been an Assistant Dakota County Attorney. My practice area has been almost entirely adult felony prosecution. I am energetic and excited about the opportunity to serve the people of Scandia as a member of the city council.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
- continued expansion of quality internet services through partnership with Midco by utilizing options including state and federal grants.
- addressing infrastructure needs, particularly the aging sewer systems in Scandia
- maintaining Scandia as the rural, safe community that it is now, while encouraging small businesses and carefully planned residential growth
How would you characterize the business climate in Scandia and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
The business climate is somewhat limited, but has potential to grow as the population grows. I would like to see more businesses that provide goods and services that the people of Scandia currently seek elsewhere.
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 should make Scandia appealing to small businesses that employ members of the community. The city can encourage and retain businesses through modest population growth which would support the businesses, reasonable developmental regulations, and tax incentives.
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?
I would leave these things to federal and state law, and to the business owners themselves.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
public safety- maintain strong relationships with our sheriff’s office and adequately fund necessary fire and EMS services
housing - residential growth is addressed in the city’s newest comprehensive plan, which I would support
transportation - unfortunately at this time public transportation is simply not available in Scandia. I would like to see more accessibility to rideshare services in Scandia.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
To responsibly manage and spend the taxpayers money in a way that ensures the community’s needs are met. Priorities are public safety and other critical services, and looming infrastructure repairs and replacement.
What will you do to expand Scandia's tax base?
Encourage small businesses and thoughtful residential development, while carefully preserving Scandia as a safe, rural 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?
Continue to support our local schools and encourage student involvement in community events.
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?
There is nothing that I am aware of at this time.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Scandia?
I would foster any businesses in Scandia, and I am proud of the large number of existing female-owned businesses in this community.
What further policies can Scandia adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
There is nothing the city council can specifically do as we are bound by the current state restrictions, but we can continue to do everything we can to support and promote these businesses as they recover.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I am excited about the opportunity to work hard for this community and keep it a great place to live, work, and visit!