Lerew Kaas
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Name: Lerew Kaas
Public Office Sought: Farmington City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-605-1856
Website:
Twitter handle: Lerew_Kaas
Facebook page: Lerew Kaas
Candidate Bio
I worked as a Page in the Minnesota House of Representatives High School Page Program. I served as a student member on the ISD 192 School Board. This past spring, I interned at the White House in the Office of Presidential Correspondence. I am a lifelong resident of Farmington. Both my parents have been long time private business owners in Farmington. This has provided me great insight into the partnership required between business and community here. I am currently seeking my Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Minor in Economics.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Making certain our tax rates do not rise. Eliminating Farmington’s debt. Attracting new residents and businesses to promote economic expansion.
How would you characterize the business climate in Farmington and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
The business climate in Farmington is not where I would like to see it today. We have great potential in our city for new and current business. Farmington must attract more business, and retain current businesses. Farmington must assure a positive infrastructure for welcoming new business, and maintain support for our current business owners. We need to establish and keep relationships between Farmington’s current business owners and the city, to better understand the needs and wants of businesses in Farmington.
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, Farmington?
We need to implement better business infrastructure. Transportation is problematic due to lack of public transportation to commute to employment and retail. Public transportation is not something the city currently has the resources for, we need to work with the county and the state to make that happen.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Farmington (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 Farmington and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I do not see a current need for more specific employment-related proposals in the City of Farmington. If the citizens addressed a need and a want for such issues, the city would need to review ways to implement requests. Before enacting any new policies, The city needs to address the current employees, and the business owners directly affected by these ordinances. We will create city proposals that are inclusive and helpful to everyone.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
Farmington’s public safety departments accounted for a large amount of our city’s budget. Farmington is one of the safest communities in the state. I think that this is an amazing feat and it is a good representation of Farmington. Transportation is a big issue in Farmington. Farmington is currently the end of the line for public transportation. We need to look at the possibility of working with the county and the state, to address the citizens needs for public transportation.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
To eliminate Farmington’s debt and reduce our budget, without raising the tax rate on our citizens. We have very high taxes here in Farmington. The city has done a great job prohibiting a rise in tax rates. We must try to reduce the heavy tax burden on our residents. Over the years, the city has done a great job at cutting the budget and reducing the spending and that is the right course of action that we need to continue to work towards.
What will you do to expand Farmington tax base?
To expand Farmington’s tax base, we need more residents, and we need more businesses. Farmington’s population is growing rapidly. I will help promote new business within the city, and business retention. New residents equate new business growth as well as current business prosperity.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
The City Council and the Farmington School Board must work together, and have an open line of communication. The city should work closely with the schools to ensure the students receive the best education. The school district does a great job, but the city must continue to maintain a positive relationship. There used to be an intergovernmental committee between the City Council and the Farmington School Board. We could visit re-implementing this committee again.
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 in all the current services Farmington employs for our residents. Farmington does a fantastic job reducing wasteful spending on unnecessary services.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Farmington?
The city must engage the community to actively pursue and promote diversity in Farmington. We must emphasize Farmington’s cultural diversity, and be more inviting to all potential business owners and residents. We must also do more as a City Council, to retain these new businesses and residents.
What further policies can Farmington adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
The safety of our citizens needs to be our top priority. The City must retain communication with these businesses, to ascertain their needs and provide assistance in order to help them remain open. The city currently has a grant program in place that is set up to assist our local businesses who are struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Public Office Sought: Farmington City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-605-1856
Website:
Twitter handle: Lerew_Kaas
Facebook page: Lerew Kaas
Candidate Bio
I worked as a Page in the Minnesota House of Representatives High School Page Program. I served as a student member on the ISD 192 School Board. This past spring, I interned at the White House in the Office of Presidential Correspondence. I am a lifelong resident of Farmington. Both my parents have been long time private business owners in Farmington. This has provided me great insight into the partnership required between business and community here. I am currently seeking my Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, Minor in Economics.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Making certain our tax rates do not rise. Eliminating Farmington’s debt. Attracting new residents and businesses to promote economic expansion.
How would you characterize the business climate in Farmington and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
The business climate in Farmington is not where I would like to see it today. We have great potential in our city for new and current business. Farmington must attract more business, and retain current businesses. Farmington must assure a positive infrastructure for welcoming new business, and maintain support for our current business owners. We need to establish and keep relationships between Farmington’s current business owners and the city, to better understand the needs and wants of businesses in Farmington.
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, Farmington?
We need to implement better business infrastructure. Transportation is problematic due to lack of public transportation to commute to employment and retail. Public transportation is not something the city currently has the resources for, we need to work with the county and the state to make that happen.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Farmington (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 Farmington and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I do not see a current need for more specific employment-related proposals in the City of Farmington. If the citizens addressed a need and a want for such issues, the city would need to review ways to implement requests. Before enacting any new policies, The city needs to address the current employees, and the business owners directly affected by these ordinances. We will create city proposals that are inclusive and helpful to everyone.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
Farmington’s public safety departments accounted for a large amount of our city’s budget. Farmington is one of the safest communities in the state. I think that this is an amazing feat and it is a good representation of Farmington. Transportation is a big issue in Farmington. Farmington is currently the end of the line for public transportation. We need to look at the possibility of working with the county and the state, to address the citizens needs for public transportation.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
To eliminate Farmington’s debt and reduce our budget, without raising the tax rate on our citizens. We have very high taxes here in Farmington. The city has done a great job prohibiting a rise in tax rates. We must try to reduce the heavy tax burden on our residents. Over the years, the city has done a great job at cutting the budget and reducing the spending and that is the right course of action that we need to continue to work towards.
What will you do to expand Farmington tax base?
To expand Farmington’s tax base, we need more residents, and we need more businesses. Farmington’s population is growing rapidly. I will help promote new business within the city, and business retention. New residents equate new business growth as well as current business prosperity.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
The City Council and the Farmington School Board must work together, and have an open line of communication. The city should work closely with the schools to ensure the students receive the best education. The school district does a great job, but the city must continue to maintain a positive relationship. There used to be an intergovernmental committee between the City Council and the Farmington School Board. We could visit re-implementing this committee again.
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 in all the current services Farmington employs for our residents. Farmington does a fantastic job reducing wasteful spending on unnecessary services.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Farmington?
The city must engage the community to actively pursue and promote diversity in Farmington. We must emphasize Farmington’s cultural diversity, and be more inviting to all potential business owners and residents. We must also do more as a City Council, to retain these new businesses and residents.
What further policies can Farmington adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
The safety of our citizens needs to be our top priority. The City must retain communication with these businesses, to ascertain their needs and provide assistance in order to help them remain open. The city currently has a grant program in place that is set up to assist our local businesses who are struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?