James Gribble
Name: James Gribble
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-303-8306
Campaign Website: na
Twitter handle: na
Facebook Page: na
Candidate Bio
I've worked in Washington for over 30 years seeing firsthand the needs of our residents, and also many innovative solutions that have been quite effective. I also served for 30 years in the Coast Guard focusing on assisting those in need and mitigating future disasters. I have served on a Federal Grant Management board for the metropolitan area for several years ensuring that money was spent wisely. I also served on the board of an industry-sponsored environmental response group. I volunteer with Scandia on the Tourism and Wastewater committees. I volunteer with The Vermilion Lake association on water quality issues, cleanups, and spring hatchery work, as well as assist the Scandia Marine Lions wherever I can. I have a Bachelor of Science from Bemidji State as well as a Master's degree in Leadership from the University of St Thomas. Scandia has been a great home for 24 years, and I feel compelled to help keep things simple, yet positive for future generations.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I offer innovative yet practical thinking. I have no agenda other than to keep Scandia the great place it is, and to face the changes that will come with thoughtful and purposeful decisions.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
First off, we need to be sure that we have an informed community, and that we (Council) do not only hear a vocal minority.
Second, any expenditures above regular operations (read special projects) be spelled out and the cost basis defined both as a gross amount – my least preferred, and any impact on our property tax.
In relation to using the state's economic outlook as any type of a guide, I am not a fan. Our State’s administration spent 18 billion dollars yet the most notable things we got out of it was a tax increase and new state flag that was changed after the designer (Andrew Prekker) submitted it.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in Scandia?
Our infrastructure needs to be maintained and at the same time, residents need to understand that our rural nature means we have limited funding to improve/update things. We are doing well with the internet expansion and other issues. We have to balance the services we provide with the tax base we have.
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?
In general, at the local ( Scandia) level, the government should stay out of the way of business, and similarly, if a business needs significant help to continue operations, are they providing the consumer what they want? I support Scandia’s business and encourage others to do the same.
How would you characterize the business climate in Scandia and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in Scandia?
Scandia should ensure that potential businesses receive quick turnaround on questions or permitting ( which they do) and possibly invest in a modest community development program. Scandia does not have a Chamber of Commerce and this is an area where Scandia could improve.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
The Sheriff’s Office does a great job in responding to our needs. I would like to see a bit more emphasis on quality-of-life issues, - using problem-solving rather than pure enforcement actions. Sometimes enforcement is the answer, but not always. I would also like to see some additional information in the monthly reports the Sheriff’s Office provides as part of our service contract.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
I would like to see more flexibility in building permitting and certificate of occupancy, mainly on single-family dwellings. It’s very difficult for a young couple to start small and build sweat equity in a home with the system we have in place. Even a rehab of an old home requires significant permitting that may be prohibitive for a person to undertake on a budget. The small house craze that is going on reflects my feeling well.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
Scandia has a good road system and they are well maintained for the most part. Washington County offers a ride program for those who need a lift. I walk several miles along one of the busiest roads in Scandia and find it fine.
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?
Scandia did a great job in using the COVID funds in such a way that will help us in the future. Using a federal emergency handout for anything beyond necessities would have been foolish.
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?
All this seems like a bad idea. To pay tax to have a bureaucracy skim money off the top to operate a program for something we should be responsible for ourselves, well that would breed dependency only to smother self-reliance and personal freedom.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-303-8306
Campaign Website: na
Twitter handle: na
Facebook Page: na
Candidate Bio
I've worked in Washington for over 30 years seeing firsthand the needs of our residents, and also many innovative solutions that have been quite effective. I also served for 30 years in the Coast Guard focusing on assisting those in need and mitigating future disasters. I have served on a Federal Grant Management board for the metropolitan area for several years ensuring that money was spent wisely. I also served on the board of an industry-sponsored environmental response group. I volunteer with Scandia on the Tourism and Wastewater committees. I volunteer with The Vermilion Lake association on water quality issues, cleanups, and spring hatchery work, as well as assist the Scandia Marine Lions wherever I can. I have a Bachelor of Science from Bemidji State as well as a Master's degree in Leadership from the University of St Thomas. Scandia has been a great home for 24 years, and I feel compelled to help keep things simple, yet positive for future generations.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I offer innovative yet practical thinking. I have no agenda other than to keep Scandia the great place it is, and to face the changes that will come with thoughtful and purposeful decisions.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? How might these priorities be affected by the state's projected economic outlook?
First off, we need to be sure that we have an informed community, and that we (Council) do not only hear a vocal minority.
Second, any expenditures above regular operations (read special projects) be spelled out and the cost basis defined both as a gross amount – my least preferred, and any impact on our property tax.
In relation to using the state's economic outlook as any type of a guide, I am not a fan. Our State’s administration spent 18 billion dollars yet the most notable things we got out of it was a tax increase and new state flag that was changed after the designer (Andrew Prekker) submitted it.
What do you consider the biggest challenge and conversely, the biggest opportunity in Scandia?
Our infrastructure needs to be maintained and at the same time, residents need to understand that our rural nature means we have limited funding to improve/update things. We are doing well with the internet expansion and other issues. We have to balance the services we provide with the tax base we have.
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?
In general, at the local ( Scandia) level, the government should stay out of the way of business, and similarly, if a business needs significant help to continue operations, are they providing the consumer what they want? I support Scandia’s business and encourage others to do the same.
How would you characterize the business climate in Scandia and what role do you think the city should have in attracting and retaining jobs and new businesses in Scandia?
Scandia should ensure that potential businesses receive quick turnaround on questions or permitting ( which they do) and possibly invest in a modest community development program. Scandia does not have a Chamber of Commerce and this is an area where Scandia could improve.
What are your strategies to address public safety challenges in your community?
The Sheriff’s Office does a great job in responding to our needs. I would like to see a bit more emphasis on quality-of-life issues, - using problem-solving rather than pure enforcement actions. Sometimes enforcement is the answer, but not always. I would also like to see some additional information in the monthly reports the Sheriff’s Office provides as part of our service contract.
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability?
I would like to see more flexibility in building permitting and certificate of occupancy, mainly on single-family dwellings. It’s very difficult for a young couple to start small and build sweat equity in a home with the system we have in place. Even a rehab of an old home requires significant permitting that may be prohibitive for a person to undertake on a budget. The small house craze that is going on reflects my feeling well.
How would you work to improve transportation options in your community, including improved safety for transit riders, pedestrian/bike, and drivers alike?
Scandia has a good road system and they are well maintained for the most part. Washington County offers a ride program for those who need a lift. I walk several miles along one of the busiest roads in Scandia and find it fine.
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?
Scandia did a great job in using the COVID funds in such a way that will help us in the future. Using a federal emergency handout for anything beyond necessities would have been foolish.
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?
All this seems like a bad idea. To pay tax to have a bureaucracy skim money off the top to operate a program for something we should be responsible for ourselves, well that would breed dependency only to smother self-reliance and personal freedom.