James Gribble
No Photo Submitted
Name: James Gribble
Public Office Sought: Scandia City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651 303-8306
Website: n/a
Twitter handle: n/a
Facebook page: n/a
Candidate Bio
I worked in public safety across Washington County for 30 years. I am currently an Afternoon shift commander and retire in early 2021.As a supervisor I have skills in management, budgeting, project management and planning.
While working in public safety, I have intimately worked with many residents and understand their needs and concerns.
In 2006 I received a Federal appointment and served eight years on the Area Maritime Security Committee, the last two years as Chair. This committee oversaw the disbursement of federal assistance to local Police, Fire, and EMS organizations as well as coordinating regional training aimed at mitigating all hazards.
I also served three years on the board of Directors for Wacouta Caer, a public/ private non-profit organization focused on being ready and able to respond to environmental disasters in the Washington and Dakota County region.
I have not held local office as I felt it improper to hold office where I worked.
Finally, I hold a Bachelor’s of Science from Bemidji State and Masters from the University of St Thomas
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?
Scandia struggles to develop it business base. This is one area where I feel that the city should increase expenditures. Zoning and other incentives are necessary to entice businesses to this area which has poorly or non-existent infrastructure.
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?
Scandia needs to embrace the new realm of work. With the onset of covid-19 working from home has been recognized as a viable way to do business. Scandia needs to improve its internet service to facilitate this and be more approving of newer more specialized small employers.
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’s employers who are vying for workers are doing a good job of compensating their employees. Given that we are a step away from what many outstate Minnesota, we should follow the actions of the state.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
Scandia’s greatest public safety issue is traffic. The City must work with the County and State to establish safer transitions from the rural roadways into the city center. The transient traffic through the city is moving at greater and greater volume, and speeds are increasing as well. Scandia also needs to look at our EMS responses, which people have complained to me about. Our fire department is quite strong but is in constant search for volunteers, I believe, based largely on the fact that we have few daytime workers in the city.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
Planning in advance to head off looming budget issues. Some of the infrastructure items have been festering and should be addressed sooner, rather than later. Raising taxes to address these issues should be a last resort.
What will you do to expand Scandia's tax base?
Expanding the tax base is secondary to careful spending of tax money. More business would be my primary way to grow the 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?
Scandia is very supporting of the school district, and increasing housing with children is one of the few ways that Scandia will be able to support the schools.
I would like to see Scandia Partner with Washington County for get a small Library.
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?
We partner with neighboring cities on some services and have realized cost savings from these arrangements. We do a good job of providing the needed services.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Scandia?
Scandia needs to increase our business base of all types, and with more and more business so will increased opportunity for minority and women owned businesses.
What further policies can Scandia adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Scania must follow state and county guidelines and encourage others to do the same. Our mobile society demands it.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I look forward to the challenges of being on the council and will do my best to serve all residents of Scandia.
Public Office Sought: Scandia City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651 303-8306
Website: n/a
Twitter handle: n/a
Facebook page: n/a
Candidate Bio
I worked in public safety across Washington County for 30 years. I am currently an Afternoon shift commander and retire in early 2021.As a supervisor I have skills in management, budgeting, project management and planning.
While working in public safety, I have intimately worked with many residents and understand their needs and concerns.
In 2006 I received a Federal appointment and served eight years on the Area Maritime Security Committee, the last two years as Chair. This committee oversaw the disbursement of federal assistance to local Police, Fire, and EMS organizations as well as coordinating regional training aimed at mitigating all hazards.
I also served three years on the board of Directors for Wacouta Caer, a public/ private non-profit organization focused on being ready and able to respond to environmental disasters in the Washington and Dakota County region.
I have not held local office as I felt it improper to hold office where I worked.
Finally, I hold a Bachelor’s of Science from Bemidji State and Masters from the University of St Thomas
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
- Properly chaneling the growth that is comming, ensuring that Scandia does not loose its character and rural freeedoms that brought residents here in the frst place. Many values and family traditions are predicated on open spaces and the ability for outdoor activties. Growth will and should occur, but we need to be cognizant of the impact it will have on our current residents.
- Recognizing that we have neglected or need to improve many aspects of our infrastructure and services. Access to reliable internet has gained attention and is a work in progress, but I also feel the Cities regional septic systems need attention and stable long term plans for their maintenance. Lastly with 4000 people, Scandia needs to recognize the growing need for Fire and EMS Services
- Scandia must operate within budget and that additional ammenities whould be carfully weighed when expending taxpayer dollars.
How would you characterize the business climate in Scandia and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
Scandia struggles to develop it business base. This is one area where I feel that the city should increase expenditures. Zoning and other incentives are necessary to entice businesses to this area which has poorly or non-existent infrastructure.
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?
Scandia needs to embrace the new realm of work. With the onset of covid-19 working from home has been recognized as a viable way to do business. Scandia needs to improve its internet service to facilitate this and be more approving of newer more specialized small employers.
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’s employers who are vying for workers are doing a good job of compensating their employees. Given that we are a step away from what many outstate Minnesota, we should follow the actions of the state.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
Scandia’s greatest public safety issue is traffic. The City must work with the County and State to establish safer transitions from the rural roadways into the city center. The transient traffic through the city is moving at greater and greater volume, and speeds are increasing as well. Scandia also needs to look at our EMS responses, which people have complained to me about. Our fire department is quite strong but is in constant search for volunteers, I believe, based largely on the fact that we have few daytime workers in the city.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
Planning in advance to head off looming budget issues. Some of the infrastructure items have been festering and should be addressed sooner, rather than later. Raising taxes to address these issues should be a last resort.
What will you do to expand Scandia's tax base?
Expanding the tax base is secondary to careful spending of tax money. More business would be my primary way to grow the 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?
Scandia is very supporting of the school district, and increasing housing with children is one of the few ways that Scandia will be able to support the schools.
I would like to see Scandia Partner with Washington County for get a small Library.
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?
We partner with neighboring cities on some services and have realized cost savings from these arrangements. We do a good job of providing the needed services.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Scandia?
Scandia needs to increase our business base of all types, and with more and more business so will increased opportunity for minority and women owned businesses.
What further policies can Scandia adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Scania must follow state and county guidelines and encourage others to do the same. Our mobile society demands it.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I look forward to the challenges of being on the council and will do my best to serve all residents of Scandia.