Marcus G. Gibbs
Name: Marcus G. Gibbs
Public Office Sought: Forest Lake City Council
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: (651) 208-7056
Campaign Website: N/A
Twitter handle: N/A
Facebook Page: N/A
Candidate Bio
I have lived in the Forest Lake area for 37 of my 40 years. I was raised in Wyoming, MN and attended Forest Lake Senior High. I graduated in 2000. I have worked with the public in Forest Lake for most of my life. Whether it be a convenience store manager, an assistant manager of a pharmacy or a beverage salesperson. I have probably run across everybody in this great city at one time or another.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
To bring fiscal responsibility to the City of Forest Lake. With the costs of everything skyrocketing, the last thing we need is for your property taxes to rise.
I want to get honest feedback from the citizens on issues that need input from the people that live here. I live a block from Lakeside Park, and I have never had anybody reach out to see what I think about the plans proposed to downtown. It shouldn’t be an investigation for the residents that will be immediately impacted. Especially when what is being done could decrease property value over time.
The main reason why I decided to run for city council is because of the problems that my neighbors and I see with the traffic problem on our street. There have been numerous calls from neighbors, but only temporary fixes have been offered. The permanent fix would be to add two stop signs. This might save a child’s life someday. You would think this would be a no brainer. I realized that this is an issue in many other parts of the city as well. Many of these problem areas need attention.
How would you characterize the business climate in Forest Lake and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
I think the business climate is good but could be better. Staffing for entry level jobs is struggling to keep up with demand. Some of this is due to lack of pay and some is due to an unwillingness of the workforce to hold a job. A business owner shouldn’t have to support quality of life beyond offering honest pay and benefits for the job being done. The market of eligible workers will eventually dictate if the pay and benefits are fair.
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, Forest Lake?
I believe the city should have minimal roles in the business environment. The city should provide good infrastructure and utilities at a fair price. The city should also provide emergency services quickly and efficiently. But the city should not be involved with any minimum wage discussions or special property tax breaks. If everything is fair and reasonable, the businesses will be there and provide jobs.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address the labor shortage?
I would support anything that is not funded by taxpayer dollars. If a business believes they should raise their prices to provide a higher wage to their employees, then that is their choice. And if their good or service is good enough to demand that price people will still pay it.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals in Forest Lake (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 Forest Lake and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
Absolutely not. This would be a classic example of over-stepping.
Public safety and rising crime rates are of serious concern to the business community and residents. What strategies or policies would you propose to address public safety issues facing your community?
For a span of two years, I lived in a community where there was a neighborhood crime watch. It was actually very effective. The citizens are the eyes and ears of law enforcement. It was a great experience, and I made a few good friends while doing it.
This is a very cost-effective way for citizens to feel like they are contributing to the safety of their fellow neighbors. I would like to see the city pay half of the dues for 5 neighborhood crime watch groups to test their effectiveness.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address housing issues facing your community?
Forest Lake has a good mix of housing in the city. Plenty of apartment building from luxury to affordable. Also, many duplexes, townhomes, and rental homes scattered throughout the city. I do not think there is much of a housing issue for our citizens.
One thing I would like to make sure is that our residents have access to any assistance programs that are available to them.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address transportation issues facing your community? Have your strategies or views changed on transportation since we’ve seen shifts in road use, public transportation use, work from home models, etc. due to the pandemic?
We have the Headwaters Transit Center that is serviced by bus to Downtown Minneapolis and Downtown St. Paul. I would like to see the occupancy percentage before I propose more options for transit.
I am happy to see that Midco and the city council is working to get high speed internet to the remaining households that need it. This will give these residents the option to work from home.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
In this economic climate the city should be trying to help the residents by keeping taxes flat or lowering taxes to make the burden of inflation less painful.
What will you do to expand Forest Lake’s tax base?
Fostering growth from businesses or housing is the best way to make this happen. I am opposed to increasing property taxes or taking more from small business.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
Bring back the basics to our public schools. Teach these children the basics about real life situations. Tell them what I wish people taught me when I was in school.
Learn how to create and follow a household budget.
Learn a trade! Learning a trade would have taken my life in a more positive direction.
Have many different types of businesses on board to take on students for internships. Pharmacies, IT companies, pipefitters, electricians and clinics just to name a few.
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 think any service should be cut back or eliminated. But what has always bothered me is why some services are performed by private companies and the people have no choice in the matter. The garbage service is a monopoly that was forced on this city. The cost of the pickups increased, and the customer service is awful. What was in it for those who decided this was a good move?
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Forest Lake?
The role of the council should be to treat all people with fairness. I would like to see the Forest Lake Chamber of Commerce have a tab at the top of their website that helps people find these great businesses easily.
What further policies can Forest Lake adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
I would do everything in my power to not hinder or shut down any businesses. We are very lucky in Forest Lake that these restaurant, salon, retail and hospitality industry owners fought through these forced shutdowns to come out of it prideful and still willing to provide services for our residents. In other parts of the state, many businesses closed and never reopened.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I have lived and worked here for almost all my life. I love this city and I could not think of a better place to raise my children and call home. I graduated from Forest Lake Senior High in 2000 and I hope my kids will do the same in 2034 and 2037. Yes, I know, I got a late start!
Public Office Sought: Forest Lake City Council
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: (651) 208-7056
Campaign Website: N/A
Twitter handle: N/A
Facebook Page: N/A
Candidate Bio
I have lived in the Forest Lake area for 37 of my 40 years. I was raised in Wyoming, MN and attended Forest Lake Senior High. I graduated in 2000. I have worked with the public in Forest Lake for most of my life. Whether it be a convenience store manager, an assistant manager of a pharmacy or a beverage salesperson. I have probably run across everybody in this great city at one time or another.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
To bring fiscal responsibility to the City of Forest Lake. With the costs of everything skyrocketing, the last thing we need is for your property taxes to rise.
I want to get honest feedback from the citizens on issues that need input from the people that live here. I live a block from Lakeside Park, and I have never had anybody reach out to see what I think about the plans proposed to downtown. It shouldn’t be an investigation for the residents that will be immediately impacted. Especially when what is being done could decrease property value over time.
The main reason why I decided to run for city council is because of the problems that my neighbors and I see with the traffic problem on our street. There have been numerous calls from neighbors, but only temporary fixes have been offered. The permanent fix would be to add two stop signs. This might save a child’s life someday. You would think this would be a no brainer. I realized that this is an issue in many other parts of the city as well. Many of these problem areas need attention.
How would you characterize the business climate in Forest Lake and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
I think the business climate is good but could be better. Staffing for entry level jobs is struggling to keep up with demand. Some of this is due to lack of pay and some is due to an unwillingness of the workforce to hold a job. A business owner shouldn’t have to support quality of life beyond offering honest pay and benefits for the job being done. The market of eligible workers will eventually dictate if the pay and benefits are fair.
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, Forest Lake?
I believe the city should have minimal roles in the business environment. The city should provide good infrastructure and utilities at a fair price. The city should also provide emergency services quickly and efficiently. But the city should not be involved with any minimum wage discussions or special property tax breaks. If everything is fair and reasonable, the businesses will be there and provide jobs.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address the labor shortage?
I would support anything that is not funded by taxpayer dollars. If a business believes they should raise their prices to provide a higher wage to their employees, then that is their choice. And if their good or service is good enough to demand that price people will still pay it.
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals in Forest Lake (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 Forest Lake and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
Absolutely not. This would be a classic example of over-stepping.
Public safety and rising crime rates are of serious concern to the business community and residents. What strategies or policies would you propose to address public safety issues facing your community?
For a span of two years, I lived in a community where there was a neighborhood crime watch. It was actually very effective. The citizens are the eyes and ears of law enforcement. It was a great experience, and I made a few good friends while doing it.
This is a very cost-effective way for citizens to feel like they are contributing to the safety of their fellow neighbors. I would like to see the city pay half of the dues for 5 neighborhood crime watch groups to test their effectiveness.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address housing issues facing your community?
Forest Lake has a good mix of housing in the city. Plenty of apartment building from luxury to affordable. Also, many duplexes, townhomes, and rental homes scattered throughout the city. I do not think there is much of a housing issue for our citizens.
One thing I would like to make sure is that our residents have access to any assistance programs that are available to them.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address transportation issues facing your community? Have your strategies or views changed on transportation since we’ve seen shifts in road use, public transportation use, work from home models, etc. due to the pandemic?
We have the Headwaters Transit Center that is serviced by bus to Downtown Minneapolis and Downtown St. Paul. I would like to see the occupancy percentage before I propose more options for transit.
I am happy to see that Midco and the city council is working to get high speed internet to the remaining households that need it. This will give these residents the option to work from home.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
In this economic climate the city should be trying to help the residents by keeping taxes flat or lowering taxes to make the burden of inflation less painful.
What will you do to expand Forest Lake’s tax base?
Fostering growth from businesses or housing is the best way to make this happen. I am opposed to increasing property taxes or taking more from small business.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
Bring back the basics to our public schools. Teach these children the basics about real life situations. Tell them what I wish people taught me when I was in school.
Learn how to create and follow a household budget.
Learn a trade! Learning a trade would have taken my life in a more positive direction.
Have many different types of businesses on board to take on students for internships. Pharmacies, IT companies, pipefitters, electricians and clinics just to name a few.
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 think any service should be cut back or eliminated. But what has always bothered me is why some services are performed by private companies and the people have no choice in the matter. The garbage service is a monopoly that was forced on this city. The cost of the pickups increased, and the customer service is awful. What was in it for those who decided this was a good move?
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Forest Lake?
The role of the council should be to treat all people with fairness. I would like to see the Forest Lake Chamber of Commerce have a tab at the top of their website that helps people find these great businesses easily.
What further policies can Forest Lake adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
I would do everything in my power to not hinder or shut down any businesses. We are very lucky in Forest Lake that these restaurant, salon, retail and hospitality industry owners fought through these forced shutdowns to come out of it prideful and still willing to provide services for our residents. In other parts of the state, many businesses closed and never reopened.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I have lived and worked here for almost all my life. I love this city and I could not think of a better place to raise my children and call home. I graduated from Forest Lake Senior High in 2000 and I hope my kids will do the same in 2034 and 2037. Yes, I know, I got a late start!