Jerry Moynagh

Name: Jerry Moynagh
Public Office Sought: Vadnais Heights City Council
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-470-8873
Campaign Websites: https://www.jerrymoynagh.com -OR- https://jerrymoynaghforvadnaisheightscitycouncil.com
Twitter handle: none
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/jerrymoynagh
Candidate Bio
37 years in the financial services industry (both consumer and small business) at the VP level with demonstrated success in analyzing financial statements, guiding businesses through difficult economic environments, helping small businesses grow in sales and profit, showcasing employer or nonprofits, growing responsibility with employer or volunteer activity, assisting client entity with their fiscal responsibility, willingness to volunteer in the Vadnais Heights community -current Vadnais Heights Planning Commission for 4 years (knowledge of real estate and city process), past Vadnais Heights Area Community Foundation Chairman for 6 years ($10,000 in annual grants to foundation mission benefactors), current Vadnais Heights Lions Club for 4 years, 30 year Vadnais Heights resident, negotiating against tough competition, help clientele overcome adversity (Great Recession, other tough economic conditions), dealing with regulatory entities, managing as many as 45 employees, hiring and other employment issues, sale and servicing of financial services products, coordinating and collaborating with other teammates.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? 1) Maximize services, minimize taxes through detailed analyzation of existing budget 2) strong proponent for public safety, including police, fire, and paramedics-look for every opportunity to improve safety and give recognition 3) A more proactive approach in continuing to highlight the beauty of the natural feel of Vadnais Heights. I will do that through the continued improvement of the park and trail system in Vadnais Heights, while at the same time ensuring code enforcement by all residents.
How would you characterize the business climate in Vadnais Heights and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
Strong commercial tax base helps to support residential tax base. The commercial community also supports the quality of life in Vadnais Heights through the strong collaboration with local nonprofits like the Rotary, Lions, VH Area Community Foundation, donating dollars to the end user nonprofits that work directly with the needy, schools, and cultural community benefits.
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, Vadnais Heights?
Collaborate with the VHEDC, government agencies (ie. Ramsey County), mentorship programs, and local schools to assist in training, recruiting, placement, and employment need determination for the community. Having a strong business community and employment opportunities are one way to improve property values, lower taxes, and improve quality of life.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address the labor shortage?
Work to support and improve existing state and county policies through VHEDC collaboration. They are the best barometer to look for labor shortage solutions.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals in Vadnais Heights (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 Vadnais Heights and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
Support through endorsing where and when appropriate and execution of federal, state, or county directives. Again, collaboration with the VHEDC and local governmental agencies will bring light to issues that relate to local businesses.
Public safety and rising crime rates are of serious concern to the business community and residents. What strategies or policies would you propose to address public safety issues facing your community?
Support increased Ramsey County Sheriff budget if necessary, assist in recruiting or recognizing the police, fire, and paramedics. Everyone must be held accountable for their actions. Increased collaboration with both the business community and residents.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address housing issues facing your community?
Careful, strategic growth for housing at all levels to meet Met Council goals for the 2040 Comp Plan. Only a small amount of land remains for future housing development. Using that land for elite improvements in highest and best use is paramount. In cases where redevelopment opportunities exist, look for expert advice on how to best utilize that space in such a way to improve property values and reduce taxes. Any careful and planned development must include further enhancement of the park and trail linking, whenever possible.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address transportation issues facing your community? Have your strategies or views changed on transportation since we’ve seen shifts in road use, public transportation use, work from home models, etc. due to the pandemic?
We must be careful in our analysis of the facts when making decisions that affect future transportation (i.e. Light rail or other options). We must look carefully at all of the key variables that affect current and future transportation use. Those variables include transportation mode utilization, crime prevention, future work location models, employment recruitment for local businesses, reasonable job commuting times, etc. I want people to want to live AND work in Vadnais Heights. How do we make that happen, how do we increase property values and safety, improve city services, and how do we minimize taxes?
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
Fiscal responsibility always, careful prioritizing of critical services, staffing needs, keep vigilance on the 5 year plan, long term infrastructure needs like road maintenance, park maintenance of city assets, sewer and water improvements. Special light placed on the proper maintenance schedule for city property, creating a special image of Vadnais Heights that people are proud to live in. Making sure to minimize the expense, but not at the expense of responsible growth opportunities.
What will you do to expand Vadnais Heights’ tax base?
As mentioned earlier, collaboration with the VHEDC and local governmental agencies to look for new commercial tax base opportunities. At the same time, seize opportunities for elite residential development and redevelopment, when available.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce? Collaborate with the two local school districts and other public and private schools in the city to help provide employment paths for all Vadnais Heights residents. Identify needs, create paths and curriculum that will assist any further post-secondary education, whether college or the trades. Having a wife and daughter who are elementary school teachers in addition to my business background gives me an ideal perspective on how this collaboration could work for everyone. The ONLY way to solve employment issues is through education at some level. It is never too early to assist the identification of successful life paths.
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 are no “sacred cows”. All services current or future must be self-sustaining in the long run. That said, there is a normal schedule for regular analysis of the existing cities programs, many of which are the key backbone of every city. We will look to collaborate with other cities for best practices that we can bring back to see if they will work in Vadnais Heights as well.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Vadnais Heights?
Again collaboration with the VHEDC, existing businesses, mentorship programs, and other assisting nonprofits should help recruitment for all business ownership opportunities that will help to further improve business prospects for all.
What further policies can Vadnais Heights adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
I think there is a general feeling of having too many pandemic policies. Yes, we want to be safe and follow local governmental direction from the experts. I think we will always continue to be more safety conscious going forward. But, I feel we need to have a sense of always moving forward at this point. We need to focus on production, execution, employment, adaptation, jobs, tolerance. I believe that the market and smart business sense will assist us to help OURSELVES in our pandemic recovery.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I look forward to hearing the voters SHARE WITH ME. What do you want the future Vadnais heights to look like?
Public Office Sought: Vadnais Heights City Council
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-470-8873
Campaign Websites: https://www.jerrymoynagh.com -OR- https://jerrymoynaghforvadnaisheightscitycouncil.com
Twitter handle: none
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/jerrymoynagh
Candidate Bio
37 years in the financial services industry (both consumer and small business) at the VP level with demonstrated success in analyzing financial statements, guiding businesses through difficult economic environments, helping small businesses grow in sales and profit, showcasing employer or nonprofits, growing responsibility with employer or volunteer activity, assisting client entity with their fiscal responsibility, willingness to volunteer in the Vadnais Heights community -current Vadnais Heights Planning Commission for 4 years (knowledge of real estate and city process), past Vadnais Heights Area Community Foundation Chairman for 6 years ($10,000 in annual grants to foundation mission benefactors), current Vadnais Heights Lions Club for 4 years, 30 year Vadnais Heights resident, negotiating against tough competition, help clientele overcome adversity (Great Recession, other tough economic conditions), dealing with regulatory entities, managing as many as 45 employees, hiring and other employment issues, sale and servicing of financial services products, coordinating and collaborating with other teammates.
What would be your top three priorities if elected? 1) Maximize services, minimize taxes through detailed analyzation of existing budget 2) strong proponent for public safety, including police, fire, and paramedics-look for every opportunity to improve safety and give recognition 3) A more proactive approach in continuing to highlight the beauty of the natural feel of Vadnais Heights. I will do that through the continued improvement of the park and trail system in Vadnais Heights, while at the same time ensuring code enforcement by all residents.
How would you characterize the business climate in Vadnais Heights and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
Strong commercial tax base helps to support residential tax base. The commercial community also supports the quality of life in Vadnais Heights through the strong collaboration with local nonprofits like the Rotary, Lions, VH Area Community Foundation, donating dollars to the end user nonprofits that work directly with the needy, schools, and cultural community benefits.
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, Vadnais Heights?
Collaborate with the VHEDC, government agencies (ie. Ramsey County), mentorship programs, and local schools to assist in training, recruiting, placement, and employment need determination for the community. Having a strong business community and employment opportunities are one way to improve property values, lower taxes, and improve quality of life.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address the labor shortage?
Work to support and improve existing state and county policies through VHEDC collaboration. They are the best barometer to look for labor shortage solutions.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals in Vadnais Heights (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 Vadnais Heights and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
Support through endorsing where and when appropriate and execution of federal, state, or county directives. Again, collaboration with the VHEDC and local governmental agencies will bring light to issues that relate to local businesses.
Public safety and rising crime rates are of serious concern to the business community and residents. What strategies or policies would you propose to address public safety issues facing your community?
Support increased Ramsey County Sheriff budget if necessary, assist in recruiting or recognizing the police, fire, and paramedics. Everyone must be held accountable for their actions. Increased collaboration with both the business community and residents.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address housing issues facing your community?
Careful, strategic growth for housing at all levels to meet Met Council goals for the 2040 Comp Plan. Only a small amount of land remains for future housing development. Using that land for elite improvements in highest and best use is paramount. In cases where redevelopment opportunities exist, look for expert advice on how to best utilize that space in such a way to improve property values and reduce taxes. Any careful and planned development must include further enhancement of the park and trail linking, whenever possible.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address transportation issues facing your community? Have your strategies or views changed on transportation since we’ve seen shifts in road use, public transportation use, work from home models, etc. due to the pandemic?
We must be careful in our analysis of the facts when making decisions that affect future transportation (i.e. Light rail or other options). We must look carefully at all of the key variables that affect current and future transportation use. Those variables include transportation mode utilization, crime prevention, future work location models, employment recruitment for local businesses, reasonable job commuting times, etc. I want people to want to live AND work in Vadnais Heights. How do we make that happen, how do we increase property values and safety, improve city services, and how do we minimize taxes?
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
Fiscal responsibility always, careful prioritizing of critical services, staffing needs, keep vigilance on the 5 year plan, long term infrastructure needs like road maintenance, park maintenance of city assets, sewer and water improvements. Special light placed on the proper maintenance schedule for city property, creating a special image of Vadnais Heights that people are proud to live in. Making sure to minimize the expense, but not at the expense of responsible growth opportunities.
What will you do to expand Vadnais Heights’ tax base?
As mentioned earlier, collaboration with the VHEDC and local governmental agencies to look for new commercial tax base opportunities. At the same time, seize opportunities for elite residential development and redevelopment, when available.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce? Collaborate with the two local school districts and other public and private schools in the city to help provide employment paths for all Vadnais Heights residents. Identify needs, create paths and curriculum that will assist any further post-secondary education, whether college or the trades. Having a wife and daughter who are elementary school teachers in addition to my business background gives me an ideal perspective on how this collaboration could work for everyone. The ONLY way to solve employment issues is through education at some level. It is never too early to assist the identification of successful life paths.
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 are no “sacred cows”. All services current or future must be self-sustaining in the long run. That said, there is a normal schedule for regular analysis of the existing cities programs, many of which are the key backbone of every city. We will look to collaborate with other cities for best practices that we can bring back to see if they will work in Vadnais Heights as well.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Vadnais Heights?
Again collaboration with the VHEDC, existing businesses, mentorship programs, and other assisting nonprofits should help recruitment for all business ownership opportunities that will help to further improve business prospects for all.
What further policies can Vadnais Heights adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
I think there is a general feeling of having too many pandemic policies. Yes, we want to be safe and follow local governmental direction from the experts. I think we will always continue to be more safety conscious going forward. But, I feel we need to have a sense of always moving forward at this point. We need to focus on production, execution, employment, adaptation, jobs, tolerance. I believe that the market and smart business sense will assist us to help OURSELVES in our pandemic recovery.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I look forward to hearing the voters SHARE WITH ME. What do you want the future Vadnais heights to look like?