John K Murphy
Name: John K Murphy
Public Office Sought: Inver Grove Heights City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-503-3443
Website: NA
Twitter handle: @JohnMurphy1111
Facebook page: John K Murphy or @votemurphy
Candidate Bio
I’ve been a member of the Inver Grove Heights community for over 50 years and I’m running for IGH City Council. I value taking an active role in my community and enjoy making a difference. As an Edward Jones Financial Advisor for 22 years I’ve held a variety of leadership positions and have been acknowledged by my peers for fostering a culture of giving back. I am a 1982 graduate of Simley High School and hold a BA from the University of Minnesota. I have been a member of the Northern Dakota County Chamber (now Dakota County Regional Chamber) and the West St. Paul-Mendota Heights Rotary Club for 10 years and 18 years respectively. I had the privilege of serving as President for both organizations. I’m also a past member of the YMCA Advisory Board and spent 10 years coaching Parks and Rec baseball and softball in IGH.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Residential and business development that benefits Inver Grove Heights long term.
Increased participation and transparency of local government.
An increase in parks and green space.
How would you characterize the business climate in Inver Grove Heights and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
We need a more robust business environment that benefits the citizens of Inver Grove Heights now and in the future. I believe small clusters of retail shops attract families and improve quality of life. Lastly, the process for businesses wanting to enter IGH needs to be streamlined.
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, Inver Grove Heights?
The city has an obligation to be transparent with a well-designed Comprehensive Plan. The city should work with and through organizations like Progress Plus and Grow Minnesota so as to benefit the citizens of IGH long term.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Inver Grove 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 Inver Grove Heights and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I believe in free markets that rest on a level playing field. As such I trust employers, for the most part, will design their businesses in a way that benefits their customers and employees.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
To remain healthy I believe every city needs a balanced and diverse inventory of housing that is based on a long term plan. This balance should take into account neighboring communities as well as current and future housing trends. Any transportation issues should be resolved based on that long-term plan.
For a thriving city to exist citizens need to feel safe. Public safety officials should feel the support of city government and their needs should be addressed in a timely fashion.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
To encourage a long- term approach to fiscal responsibility that utilizes the existing plan and the cities geographical advantages to enhance the budget and prepare for future economic down turns.
What will you do to expand Inver Grove Heights’ tax base?
Use the city’s Comprehensive Plan and a clear approval process to attract new development. We need to balance new housing stock with new retail business to attract both, and add to the city’s budget.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
When possible Inver Grove Heights should partner with the experts at Simley High School, Inver Hills Community College and Dakota County Technical College and use their feedback in our planning process.
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?
At this time I’m unaware of any services that need to be trimmed. However I think it’s important that a city not overspend so as to successfully navigate the inevitable fluctuations in the economy.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Inver Grove Heights?
Simplifying some of the requirements for new business will help attract all future small business owners to our city.
What further policies can Inver Grove Heights adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Continue the process to open as soon as possible, continue to encourage local spending by consumers and within reason allow business to temporarily adapt their business model to the Covid-19 Crisis.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I grew up in Inver Grove Heights and I appreciate its history and culture. However, we have a lot of open space compared to other first ring suburbs. Our city should concentrate on filling that space with new, appropriate housing, new business and more parks for current and future generations. Lastly, just a gentle reminder, decisions are made by those who show up. Please vote in the manner most comfortable for you and your family.
Public Office Sought: Inver Grove Heights City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-503-3443
Website: NA
Twitter handle: @JohnMurphy1111
Facebook page: John K Murphy or @votemurphy
Candidate Bio
I’ve been a member of the Inver Grove Heights community for over 50 years and I’m running for IGH City Council. I value taking an active role in my community and enjoy making a difference. As an Edward Jones Financial Advisor for 22 years I’ve held a variety of leadership positions and have been acknowledged by my peers for fostering a culture of giving back. I am a 1982 graduate of Simley High School and hold a BA from the University of Minnesota. I have been a member of the Northern Dakota County Chamber (now Dakota County Regional Chamber) and the West St. Paul-Mendota Heights Rotary Club for 10 years and 18 years respectively. I had the privilege of serving as President for both organizations. I’m also a past member of the YMCA Advisory Board and spent 10 years coaching Parks and Rec baseball and softball in IGH.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Residential and business development that benefits Inver Grove Heights long term.
Increased participation and transparency of local government.
An increase in parks and green space.
How would you characterize the business climate in Inver Grove Heights and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
We need a more robust business environment that benefits the citizens of Inver Grove Heights now and in the future. I believe small clusters of retail shops attract families and improve quality of life. Lastly, the process for businesses wanting to enter IGH needs to be streamlined.
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, Inver Grove Heights?
The city has an obligation to be transparent with a well-designed Comprehensive Plan. The city should work with and through organizations like Progress Plus and Grow Minnesota so as to benefit the citizens of IGH long term.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Inver Grove 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 Inver Grove Heights and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I believe in free markets that rest on a level playing field. As such I trust employers, for the most part, will design their businesses in a way that benefits their customers and employees.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
To remain healthy I believe every city needs a balanced and diverse inventory of housing that is based on a long term plan. This balance should take into account neighboring communities as well as current and future housing trends. Any transportation issues should be resolved based on that long-term plan.
For a thriving city to exist citizens need to feel safe. Public safety officials should feel the support of city government and their needs should be addressed in a timely fashion.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
To encourage a long- term approach to fiscal responsibility that utilizes the existing plan and the cities geographical advantages to enhance the budget and prepare for future economic down turns.
What will you do to expand Inver Grove Heights’ tax base?
Use the city’s Comprehensive Plan and a clear approval process to attract new development. We need to balance new housing stock with new retail business to attract both, and add to the city’s budget.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
When possible Inver Grove Heights should partner with the experts at Simley High School, Inver Hills Community College and Dakota County Technical College and use their feedback in our planning process.
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?
At this time I’m unaware of any services that need to be trimmed. However I think it’s important that a city not overspend so as to successfully navigate the inevitable fluctuations in the economy.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Inver Grove Heights?
Simplifying some of the requirements for new business will help attract all future small business owners to our city.
What further policies can Inver Grove Heights adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Continue the process to open as soon as possible, continue to encourage local spending by consumers and within reason allow business to temporarily adapt their business model to the Covid-19 Crisis.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I grew up in Inver Grove Heights and I appreciate its history and culture. However, we have a lot of open space compared to other first ring suburbs. Our city should concentrate on filling that space with new, appropriate housing, new business and more parks for current and future generations. Lastly, just a gentle reminder, decisions are made by those who show up. Please vote in the manner most comfortable for you and your family.