John Hakes
Name: John Hakes
Public Office Sought: Shoreview City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-486-8778
Address: 245 Lilac Lane, Shoreview, MN 55126
Campaign Website: www.johnhakes.com
Twitter: @johnhakes
Facebook Page: John Hakes for Shoreview City Council
One of the most important qualities a council member can bring to proceedings is objectivity.
I hold two degrees in fields where objectivity is a cornerstone: accounting and mass communications. The bulk of my working career has been spent as a financial auditor, a job where people need continually push past their biases and assumptions to discover the facts of a situation.
Being objective translates to keeping an open mind for allowing respective parties to present their cases. Staying objective would be top priority in deliberations as an elected council member.
Please visit the campaign website listed above for additional biographical information.
(Note: My professional licensure status is currently CPA-Inactive in the state of Minnesota.)
1. Why are you running for public office?
I‘ve been a recreational runner of 10ks & half marathons throughout my life, but as they get tougher to do, I’m looking for more things to run for.
Seriously, taking action to help community is an important value of mine. Most of my contributions have been in the form of volunteerism and advocacy. I enjoy the spirit of people collectively trying to make the world a better place.
While council members, too, are all about quality-of-life, his or her primary role is to decide matters brought before the council by staff & interested parties. I have acquired an applied public policy degree and served on area boards to qualify me for a council position.
I’m running for office because gaining a council seat would best weave my interests in helping others, accommodating good causes and analyzing policy questions.
2. Please list any endorsements you have received
The Shoreview council race is one in which organizations let non-partisan candidates run on their own merits.
It is important that an at-large candidate represent people in all parts of the city. A set of statements from one voter from each of Shoreview’s six precincts can be found at: http://johnhakes.com/.
Here is one such statement:
“John is a well-informed resident of our city and its history, strategic planning, and vision. His previous experience and strong public service record will serve him well in addressing challenges and seizing opportunities which will positively impact our city. I’m convinced he will work collaboratively and effectively with our mayor, other council members & administrators, and Shoreview residents.”
Karlind Moller--Shoreview Precinct 1
3. What is the biggest challenge facing your city and how would you address it?
Shoreview enjoys a ‘good problem to have’ of being in growth mode population-wise, despite lacking physical room to expand. As ‘baby boomers continue transitioning to senior-living options, their homes are quickly acquired by families with children.
Along with this growth, Shoreview is undergoing a suburban renewal at construction sites and on city roads.
While the revitalization is healthy, careful master planning, cross-governmental communication, and proactive listening to stakeholders will be needed to ensure this growth & change is accomplished as agreeably as possible.
4. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
5. How would you characterize the business climate in your city? What, if anything, would you do to improve it?
Shoreview’s business climate is strong. One measure of this is how well professionals like developers and real estate agents are able to work with the city. Members from each group have told me City Staff is easy to work with, are progressive and employ common sense.
The City seems to employ an appropriate amount of persuasion in courting businesses without dictating decisions to development firms.
We benefit from a quality economic development teams in Shoreview, to be sure, but the extent to which citizen input is taken into account is impressive, too.
When Rainbow Foods closed its doors, I gathered & shared the information that likely made the installation of a left-hand turn lane an accepted part of an eventual deal with a new grocer, which turned out to be Kowalski’s Markets.
--------------------
The item that would improve the business climate most would be the addition of a fresh food restaurant.
6. Should local government be actively involved in attracting and retaining jobs? Why or why not? If so, please describe the role of local government in this process.
Providing a climate conducive to businesses keeping/adding jobs is important for the people employed, livability for residents and the city’s tax base. This is yet another area in which Shoreview performs well.
7. What do you think should be the top transportation-related priority of the East Metro?
A top priority should be ensuring the transportation grid can accommodate a population that is increasing in density. There are many road & bridge projects in progress that already seem to support this objective. Apparently, any form of light-rail system is unlikely in this region, so the future is bright for rapid transit by bus.
Beyond the question of appropriate regional transportation, a city government should do all it can to respond to the needs & concerns of its citizens around transportation routes. Shoreview is largely a city of major thoroughfares and cozy cul-de-sacs. By working closely with its governmental partners, more transportation concerns can be met.
8. Many communities and government entities in the East Metro collaborate to provide services to their residents in an effort to operate more efficiently and cost effectively. Do you believe there are additional opportunities to deliver public services more efficiently in your community and if so, please explain?
I am not aware of additional opportunities for Shoreview to collaborate more effectively than it already does in contracting for public safety services, offering a curbside recycling program, and budgeting for future infrastructure improvements.
9. Do you believe there are any services that are not currently provided by your city or the county but should be and, if so, what please describe the services?
I don’t believe additional services are necessary in the City of Shoreview.
10. Do you believe there are any services that are currently provided by your city or the county that should be cut back or eliminated and, if so, please explain?
I don’t believe there are services to be cut back in the City of Shoreview.
11. Is there anything else you would like to share?
Thank you to the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce for developing this illuminating questionnaire.
It would be the privilege of a lifetime to serve the residents of Shoreview as a council member.
If you live in Shoreview, I ask for your vote.
Public Office Sought: Shoreview City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-486-8778
Address: 245 Lilac Lane, Shoreview, MN 55126
Campaign Website: www.johnhakes.com
Twitter: @johnhakes
Facebook Page: John Hakes for Shoreview City Council
One of the most important qualities a council member can bring to proceedings is objectivity.
I hold two degrees in fields where objectivity is a cornerstone: accounting and mass communications. The bulk of my working career has been spent as a financial auditor, a job where people need continually push past their biases and assumptions to discover the facts of a situation.
Being objective translates to keeping an open mind for allowing respective parties to present their cases. Staying objective would be top priority in deliberations as an elected council member.
Please visit the campaign website listed above for additional biographical information.
(Note: My professional licensure status is currently CPA-Inactive in the state of Minnesota.)
1. Why are you running for public office?
I‘ve been a recreational runner of 10ks & half marathons throughout my life, but as they get tougher to do, I’m looking for more things to run for.
Seriously, taking action to help community is an important value of mine. Most of my contributions have been in the form of volunteerism and advocacy. I enjoy the spirit of people collectively trying to make the world a better place.
While council members, too, are all about quality-of-life, his or her primary role is to decide matters brought before the council by staff & interested parties. I have acquired an applied public policy degree and served on area boards to qualify me for a council position.
I’m running for office because gaining a council seat would best weave my interests in helping others, accommodating good causes and analyzing policy questions.
2. Please list any endorsements you have received
The Shoreview council race is one in which organizations let non-partisan candidates run on their own merits.
It is important that an at-large candidate represent people in all parts of the city. A set of statements from one voter from each of Shoreview’s six precincts can be found at: http://johnhakes.com/.
Here is one such statement:
“John is a well-informed resident of our city and its history, strategic planning, and vision. His previous experience and strong public service record will serve him well in addressing challenges and seizing opportunities which will positively impact our city. I’m convinced he will work collaboratively and effectively with our mayor, other council members & administrators, and Shoreview residents.”
Karlind Moller--Shoreview Precinct 1
3. What is the biggest challenge facing your city and how would you address it?
Shoreview enjoys a ‘good problem to have’ of being in growth mode population-wise, despite lacking physical room to expand. As ‘baby boomers continue transitioning to senior-living options, their homes are quickly acquired by families with children.
Along with this growth, Shoreview is undergoing a suburban renewal at construction sites and on city roads.
While the revitalization is healthy, careful master planning, cross-governmental communication, and proactive listening to stakeholders will be needed to ensure this growth & change is accomplished as agreeably as possible.
4. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
- Stewardship of public resources: The City of Shoreview has several strong financial indicators, to the credit of its Finance Department. In addition to these, it has funds allotted for a long-term capital improvement program that is rare for a local government.
In addition to many ongoing construction projects in the city, there may be plans to expand the Shoreview Commons area. Given the severe weather patterns of late, our city has had extra challenges thrown at its existing infrastructure.
Were I to become a council member, I would urge the City to continuing accumulating funds for addressing future ‘rainy days.’ - Meeting ‘senior sector’ needs: Shoreview is such a nice place people often stay for life. While most seniors have health care for their bodies, many need social connection and cognitive supports.
In cooperation with long-term care providers, anchor institutions like Northeast Youth & Family Services and Ramsey County Libraries, and the Metropolitan Council, the city should strive to keep Shoreview as senior-friendly as possible. - Public safety: Shoreview is blessed by two sterling emergency services organizations in the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office and Lake Johanna Fire Department. Adept as they are, our community is experiencing some transitional growth and transportation bottlenecks that are stressing our residents and creating more risk.
As a 2016 graduate of two phenomenal ‘Citizens Academies’ hosted by the Ramsey County Sheriff Department and City of Shoreview, I would advance resident awareness about these programs to keep more people safe.
5. How would you characterize the business climate in your city? What, if anything, would you do to improve it?
Shoreview’s business climate is strong. One measure of this is how well professionals like developers and real estate agents are able to work with the city. Members from each group have told me City Staff is easy to work with, are progressive and employ common sense.
The City seems to employ an appropriate amount of persuasion in courting businesses without dictating decisions to development firms.
We benefit from a quality economic development teams in Shoreview, to be sure, but the extent to which citizen input is taken into account is impressive, too.
When Rainbow Foods closed its doors, I gathered & shared the information that likely made the installation of a left-hand turn lane an accepted part of an eventual deal with a new grocer, which turned out to be Kowalski’s Markets.
--------------------
The item that would improve the business climate most would be the addition of a fresh food restaurant.
6. Should local government be actively involved in attracting and retaining jobs? Why or why not? If so, please describe the role of local government in this process.
Providing a climate conducive to businesses keeping/adding jobs is important for the people employed, livability for residents and the city’s tax base. This is yet another area in which Shoreview performs well.
7. What do you think should be the top transportation-related priority of the East Metro?
A top priority should be ensuring the transportation grid can accommodate a population that is increasing in density. There are many road & bridge projects in progress that already seem to support this objective. Apparently, any form of light-rail system is unlikely in this region, so the future is bright for rapid transit by bus.
Beyond the question of appropriate regional transportation, a city government should do all it can to respond to the needs & concerns of its citizens around transportation routes. Shoreview is largely a city of major thoroughfares and cozy cul-de-sacs. By working closely with its governmental partners, more transportation concerns can be met.
8. Many communities and government entities in the East Metro collaborate to provide services to their residents in an effort to operate more efficiently and cost effectively. Do you believe there are additional opportunities to deliver public services more efficiently in your community and if so, please explain?
I am not aware of additional opportunities for Shoreview to collaborate more effectively than it already does in contracting for public safety services, offering a curbside recycling program, and budgeting for future infrastructure improvements.
9. Do you believe there are any services that are not currently provided by your city or the county but should be and, if so, what please describe the services?
I don’t believe additional services are necessary in the City of Shoreview.
10. Do you believe there are any services that are currently provided by your city or the county that should be cut back or eliminated and, if so, please explain?
I don’t believe there are services to be cut back in the City of Shoreview.
11. Is there anything else you would like to share?
Thank you to the Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce for developing this illuminating questionnaire.
It would be the privilege of a lifetime to serve the residents of Shoreview as a council member.
If you live in Shoreview, I ask for your vote.