Kim Erickson
Name: Kim Erickson
Public Office Sought: Grant City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 612 242 5057
Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook page:
Candidate Bio
I have experience with management of a farm, finances and advertising. I have supported Lakeview Hospital thru volunteer work as a low-income patient advocate and assistant. I also have worked in fundraising.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
How would you characterize the business climate in Grant and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
The two most prominent businesses are based on agriculture and hobby farms.
These businesses supply the community with locally grown produce, and contribute to a more close ‘nit community.
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, Grant?
I promote the retaining of local jobs and businesses. The city has a responsibility to protect local businesses from outside influences.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Grant (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 Grant and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I do not support special city employment rules and ordinances. I believe those decisions should stay within our state legislature and our city does not need any impose any additional mandates on our local businesses.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
I don’t believe there are any transportation or public safety issues. We are protected by Washington County Sherriff Department, and look to continue that relationship. Grant is a highly sought-after city to settle down in. I would look for ways to be innovative in keeping our rural character and keep city water and sewer out of Grant. I would encourage the development of affordable homes while achieving these goals.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
My priorities for the budget would be to invest in the existing infrastructure and develop a solid long-term plan to prevent infrastructure from failing. I would seek out community input in and public safety.
What will you do to expand Grants’ tax base?
I would look to approve innovative and logical business expansion that fits the rural character of Grant. Businesses that could bring extra tax revenue to the city to help fix infrastructure issues, but not businesses that would burden or disrupt the rural, peaceful character of life in Grant.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
I would promote a healthy working relationship with local schools and businesses to ensure they have the proper resources to produce the next generation of skilled workers. I would also cooperate with the school districts when they ask for assistance in providing safe routes to school and also support mental health initiatives.
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 believe we should explore partnering with a nearby municipality to give all Grant residents better access to high speed internet. The current mayor (Huber), has served as city cable commissioner for many years and has been afforded the best high-speed internet service. Many of our residents have internet speeds that resemble dial up speeds from the 1990’s, and this has to be corrected for our residents.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Grant?
The Grant City Council should fully support businesses regardless of race or gender affiliation. I would support women and minority owned businesses in Grant.
What further policies can Inver Grove Heights adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
The City of Grant was given money by the federal government under the CARES Act. The city chose to spend it on laptops and electronic devices for the city council and planning commission. I would make it a number one priority to support our local business community through a need basis grant program.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I will work hard to earn your trust and be a good steward of the citizens tax dollars. I will make it my mission to keep Grant a rural gem in the Twin Cities. I will assist in developing long term plans that will keep our infrastructure strong and sound.
Public Office Sought: Grant City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 612 242 5057
Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook page:
Candidate Bio
I have experience with management of a farm, finances and advertising. I have supported Lakeview Hospital thru volunteer work as a low-income patient advocate and assistant. I also have worked in fundraising.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
- preserve the rural character of Grant,
- improve long term infrastructure planning to keep roads and properties safe, and not burden our property owners with excessive tax assessments
- ensure commercial businesses are placed in zoning areas that keep our rural character intact
How would you characterize the business climate in Grant and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
The two most prominent businesses are based on agriculture and hobby farms.
These businesses supply the community with locally grown produce, and contribute to a more close ‘nit community.
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, Grant?
I promote the retaining of local jobs and businesses. The city has a responsibility to protect local businesses from outside influences.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Grant (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 Grant and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I do not support special city employment rules and ordinances. I believe those decisions should stay within our state legislature and our city does not need any impose any additional mandates on our local businesses.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
I don’t believe there are any transportation or public safety issues. We are protected by Washington County Sherriff Department, and look to continue that relationship. Grant is a highly sought-after city to settle down in. I would look for ways to be innovative in keeping our rural character and keep city water and sewer out of Grant. I would encourage the development of affordable homes while achieving these goals.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
My priorities for the budget would be to invest in the existing infrastructure and develop a solid long-term plan to prevent infrastructure from failing. I would seek out community input in and public safety.
What will you do to expand Grants’ tax base?
I would look to approve innovative and logical business expansion that fits the rural character of Grant. Businesses that could bring extra tax revenue to the city to help fix infrastructure issues, but not businesses that would burden or disrupt the rural, peaceful character of life in Grant.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
I would promote a healthy working relationship with local schools and businesses to ensure they have the proper resources to produce the next generation of skilled workers. I would also cooperate with the school districts when they ask for assistance in providing safe routes to school and also support mental health initiatives.
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 believe we should explore partnering with a nearby municipality to give all Grant residents better access to high speed internet. The current mayor (Huber), has served as city cable commissioner for many years and has been afforded the best high-speed internet service. Many of our residents have internet speeds that resemble dial up speeds from the 1990’s, and this has to be corrected for our residents.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Grant?
The Grant City Council should fully support businesses regardless of race or gender affiliation. I would support women and minority owned businesses in Grant.
What further policies can Inver Grove Heights adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
The City of Grant was given money by the federal government under the CARES Act. The city chose to spend it on laptops and electronic devices for the city council and planning commission. I would make it a number one priority to support our local business community through a need basis grant program.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I will work hard to earn your trust and be a good steward of the citizens tax dollars. I will make it my mission to keep Grant a rural gem in the Twin Cities. I will assist in developing long term plans that will keep our infrastructure strong and sound.