Jonathan Weber
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Name: Jonathan Weber
Public Office Sought: Inver Grove Heights Mayor
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651.775.5793
Website: www.weberigh.com
Twitter handle:
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Jonathan-Weber-for-Inver-Grove-Heights-Mayor-619280148434037/
Candidate Bio
Reliable, honest, loyal and resourceful are defining characteristics of who I am. With over 20 years of business experience, my passion originates from being an entrepreneur who is committed to creative problem solving and thoughtful leadership aiding me both personally and professionally to be the best father, son, husband, brother, friend, neighbor, business owner, and leader I can be. I take great pride in all things I am involved in, specifically within my current role as an IGH Planning Commissioner serving our community these past two years. This experience has allowed me to expand my servant leadership philosophies, which enrich lives, builds better organizations and ultimately contributes to the creation of a more just and caring community.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Residential and Business Development.
Safe Schools and Safe Environments for our citizens.
Health of our City and its Citizens.
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?
As a city we need to work with developers to increase our neighborhood presence and help generate growth to our businesses. We also need to work closely with business property owners to help fill empty space and promote growth.
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?
We have experienced triple digit growth in with Healthcare & Social Assistance, Manufacturing, Retailing representing roughly 40% of our industry. We want to continue this momentum by working with businesses to create an environment that people can enjoy and feel good about coming to. We as a city need to create an environment that family would love to come visit and plant their roots in. IGH is a wonderful city to live in and we need to show people looking in Dakota County what we have to offer.
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?
Minimum wage is a state level issue. I do feel that with the rising costs of living and specifically health care for families, we need to make sure that people are earning a fair wage to account for these additional costs. By looking at the bigger picture and working with our local businesses we can come to a solution that would benefit all. Small businesses are finding it more difficult to attract qualified workers due to costs and wages, there is a balance we just need to work together to find it.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
This is a major part of what I am interested in. I believe we live in a very safe city, with a low crime rate. I believe our police department does a very good job at what they do. I will work closely with our Police Chief to make sure they have the staff and tools they need to effectively protect us. Our fire department and medical services are working hard to increase their coverage area with our new firehouse and duty crews. I look forward to working with them to make sure their response times are rapid and safe.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
At this time I do not feel I can effectively comment on this. Once voted in I will be looking at the city budget and working with staff to make sure that we are well balanced and making sure every dollar spent is in the most cost-efficient way.
What will you do to expand Inver Grove Heights’ tax base?
In working with future developers of both commercial and residential area. I will work hard to increase residential development and in turn attract commercial development. By working with developers of both we can increase the tax base and increase the attractiveness of the city.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
With two young children education is a major concern of mine. These children are our future, I will review our national test scores and compare them to our neighboring cities, I will also work with the school boards to make sure that we are creating safe and creative environments for our children.
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?
I do not feel we have any services that the city provides that need to be cut back or eliminated. I do see with new development that we will have lots of new opportunities and work together with neighboring cities to share services.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Inver Grove Heights?
As a city we can encourage growth and support any business owners. I would love to work with individuals who want to start their own business and as a city and Mayor I would love to assist with that. I currently work in a family owned business and we have had many challenges over the years and I would hope that thru those challenges I could help people who what to start their own businesses work thru challenges and succeed.
What further policies can Inver Grove Heights adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
As an active individual in youth sports I have had to think and work quickly during the pandemic. We as a city could greatly support the business community in rapidly deploying a marketing campaign showing how and why we would work together to make sure our environment is safe for individuals. I would hope to support all of our local businesses and make sure there is a great supply chain for anything to keep them open and supporting our community.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Public Office Sought: Inver Grove Heights Mayor
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651.775.5793
Website: www.weberigh.com
Twitter handle:
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Jonathan-Weber-for-Inver-Grove-Heights-Mayor-619280148434037/
Candidate Bio
Reliable, honest, loyal and resourceful are defining characteristics of who I am. With over 20 years of business experience, my passion originates from being an entrepreneur who is committed to creative problem solving and thoughtful leadership aiding me both personally and professionally to be the best father, son, husband, brother, friend, neighbor, business owner, and leader I can be. I take great pride in all things I am involved in, specifically within my current role as an IGH Planning Commissioner serving our community these past two years. This experience has allowed me to expand my servant leadership philosophies, which enrich lives, builds better organizations and ultimately contributes to the creation of a more just and caring community.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Residential and Business Development.
Safe Schools and Safe Environments for our citizens.
Health of our City and its Citizens.
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?
As a city we need to work with developers to increase our neighborhood presence and help generate growth to our businesses. We also need to work closely with business property owners to help fill empty space and promote growth.
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?
We have experienced triple digit growth in with Healthcare & Social Assistance, Manufacturing, Retailing representing roughly 40% of our industry. We want to continue this momentum by working with businesses to create an environment that people can enjoy and feel good about coming to. We as a city need to create an environment that family would love to come visit and plant their roots in. IGH is a wonderful city to live in and we need to show people looking in Dakota County what we have to offer.
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?
Minimum wage is a state level issue. I do feel that with the rising costs of living and specifically health care for families, we need to make sure that people are earning a fair wage to account for these additional costs. By looking at the bigger picture and working with our local businesses we can come to a solution that would benefit all. Small businesses are finding it more difficult to attract qualified workers due to costs and wages, there is a balance we just need to work together to find it.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
This is a major part of what I am interested in. I believe we live in a very safe city, with a low crime rate. I believe our police department does a very good job at what they do. I will work closely with our Police Chief to make sure they have the staff and tools they need to effectively protect us. Our fire department and medical services are working hard to increase their coverage area with our new firehouse and duty crews. I look forward to working with them to make sure their response times are rapid and safe.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
At this time I do not feel I can effectively comment on this. Once voted in I will be looking at the city budget and working with staff to make sure that we are well balanced and making sure every dollar spent is in the most cost-efficient way.
What will you do to expand Inver Grove Heights’ tax base?
In working with future developers of both commercial and residential area. I will work hard to increase residential development and in turn attract commercial development. By working with developers of both we can increase the tax base and increase the attractiveness of the city.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
With two young children education is a major concern of mine. These children are our future, I will review our national test scores and compare them to our neighboring cities, I will also work with the school boards to make sure that we are creating safe and creative environments for our children.
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?
I do not feel we have any services that the city provides that need to be cut back or eliminated. I do see with new development that we will have lots of new opportunities and work together with neighboring cities to share services.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Inver Grove Heights?
As a city we can encourage growth and support any business owners. I would love to work with individuals who want to start their own business and as a city and Mayor I would love to assist with that. I currently work in a family owned business and we have had many challenges over the years and I would hope that thru those challenges I could help people who what to start their own businesses work thru challenges and succeed.
What further policies can Inver Grove Heights adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
As an active individual in youth sports I have had to think and work quickly during the pandemic. We as a city could greatly support the business community in rapidly deploying a marketing campaign showing how and why we would work together to make sure our environment is safe for individuals. I would hope to support all of our local businesses and make sure there is a great supply chain for anything to keep them open and supporting our community.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?