Marvin Taylor
Name: Marvin Taylor
Public Office Sought: Washington County Commissioner, District 4
Phone: 612-760-0756
Website: votemarv.org
Facebook: Marv Taylor for Washington County Commissioner
Candidate Bio
I possess the breadth of experience, service, and knowledge needed to be our next Commissioner. I am a husband of a public librarian and father of 3 young boys. For the past 5 years, I have worked as a carpenter in residential construction and remodeling. Currently, in my hometown of Newport, I am the chair of the planning commission and serve as a firefighter. I am a veteran of the Army National Guard, having served 9 years in the infantry.
At the University of Minnesota, I earned a master’s degree in Rhetoric of Scientific and Technical Communication. My thesis was an analysis of the decision of the Reserve Mining Company to dispose of taconite tailings into Lake Superior, which in turn impacted municipal water supplies drawn from the lake. I am also nearing completion of a doctorate in Geography, Environment and Society. My dissertation focuses on changing conceptions of economic development in the history of Minnesota. As a graduate instructor, I taught population geography, a field emphasizing public health concerns.
In my personal life, I am an avid canoer of the Mississippi River and distance runner.
1. Why are you running for this seat?
I am deeply concerned about the political climate in our state and nation. As it stands, our bitterness and divisiveness is threatening to consume our aspirations. Through running, I seek to offer voters an opportunity to elect a commissioner who will work diligently to make constructive political contributions.
2. What is the biggest challenge facing your district and how would you address it?
The most pressing challenge in District 4 is to provide safe drinking water. The district faces dual threats to its drinking water supplies from PFCs and nitrates. The 3M settlement provides resources to respond to the contamination of municipal and private wells with PFCs, but the adequacy of these resources will likely be tested. As county commissioner, I would work with the state and local communities to ensure that the funds are directed towards projects that will ensure our water is safe now and for decades to come.
3. What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing Washington County as a whole and how would you address it?
I expect the largest challenge will be expanding our transportation capacity to meet the increased demand arising from the current wave of residential construction occurring in the county. Major developments are occurring in Lake Elmo (where I am currently framing a house), Woodbury, and Cottage Grove. In Newport, where the population has been flat for decades, ground is being moved for the largest residential development in the city’s history.
A balanced approach to expanding our transportation capacity is necessary. We need investments in our highways and public transportation. The public transportation project that is most urgent for the county is the construction of the Gold Line BRT route. I would work to ensure this route is constructed in a timely and cost-effective manner.
4. What would be your top three priorities if (re-)elected to the Washington County Board of Commissioners?
My top three priorities are: 1) to promote equitable economic development, 2) direct more resources to programs in health and community services and public safety that result in prevention and early intervention, and 3) improve water quality.
5. Should county government be actively involved in attracting and retaining jobs? Why or why not? If yes, please describe the role for the county in this process.
I believe this is a legitimate role for county government but needs to be exercised with diligence. The greatest danger I am concerned with is using one-time financial incentives or subsidies to compete with other locales for particular jobs. My support is much stronger for more general forms of assistance available to all businesses.
6. What role should county government play in economic development, and how should the county work with partner organizations?
I believe the county government should focus on ensuring that critical components for economic development are present throughout the county. By this, I mean the county should focus on providing affordable housing for workers, ensuring the workforce is well educated and healthy, and that our transportation infrastructure is capable of accommodating growth.
7. What do you believe are the most essential services provided by county government?
I believe the most essential services provided by the county are those directed towards our most vulnerable. Health and community services are vital to this end.
8. Are there any services that the county does not provide that you believe it should?
No
9. Are there any services currently provided by the county that you believe should be cut back or eliminated?
No
10. How would you characterize the business climate in Washington County? What, if anything, would you do to change it?
I don’t know how to characterize the business climate of Washington County in general terms. Cities within the county have taken very different approaches to developing (i.e. Lake Elmo’s resistance to growth vs. Woodbury’s embracement of growth). Moreover, there are sharp differences between cities due to their long-term historical evolution (i.e. Stillwater’s early growth vs. Woodbury’s recent growth).
While I appreciate these differences, they have given rise to uneven development across the county. These uneven conditions have made it difficult for businesses in parts of the county to thrive. For instance, there is not a grocery store in Newport or St. Paul Park, despite a combined population of 9,000 residents. Focusing on conditions that are inhibiting business creation or growth in particular locations will be a priority for me.
Many communities and government entities in the East Metro collaborate to provide services to their residents in an effort operate more efficiently and cost effectively. Do you believe that Washington County uses such partnerships appropriately, and can you identify any specific areas where more sharing of services should be used?
As a firefighter, I have come to appreciate how different communities and the county work together to provide emergency response services. While I believe partnerships are critical, I don’t have sufficient knowledge at the present to offer a judgment on whether Washington County’s partnerships are being utilized appropriately.
11. In your view, what is Washington County’s top transportation priority and how would you advance it?
I believe the construction of the Gold Line BRT route is the highest priority, because it marks a new direction for the county in a transportation corridor with the highest need. Working closely with Ramsey County and communities along the line will be crucial to the success of the project.
12. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
No
Public Office Sought: Washington County Commissioner, District 4
Phone: 612-760-0756
Website: votemarv.org
Facebook: Marv Taylor for Washington County Commissioner
Candidate Bio
I possess the breadth of experience, service, and knowledge needed to be our next Commissioner. I am a husband of a public librarian and father of 3 young boys. For the past 5 years, I have worked as a carpenter in residential construction and remodeling. Currently, in my hometown of Newport, I am the chair of the planning commission and serve as a firefighter. I am a veteran of the Army National Guard, having served 9 years in the infantry.
At the University of Minnesota, I earned a master’s degree in Rhetoric of Scientific and Technical Communication. My thesis was an analysis of the decision of the Reserve Mining Company to dispose of taconite tailings into Lake Superior, which in turn impacted municipal water supplies drawn from the lake. I am also nearing completion of a doctorate in Geography, Environment and Society. My dissertation focuses on changing conceptions of economic development in the history of Minnesota. As a graduate instructor, I taught population geography, a field emphasizing public health concerns.
In my personal life, I am an avid canoer of the Mississippi River and distance runner.
1. Why are you running for this seat?
I am deeply concerned about the political climate in our state and nation. As it stands, our bitterness and divisiveness is threatening to consume our aspirations. Through running, I seek to offer voters an opportunity to elect a commissioner who will work diligently to make constructive political contributions.
2. What is the biggest challenge facing your district and how would you address it?
The most pressing challenge in District 4 is to provide safe drinking water. The district faces dual threats to its drinking water supplies from PFCs and nitrates. The 3M settlement provides resources to respond to the contamination of municipal and private wells with PFCs, but the adequacy of these resources will likely be tested. As county commissioner, I would work with the state and local communities to ensure that the funds are directed towards projects that will ensure our water is safe now and for decades to come.
3. What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing Washington County as a whole and how would you address it?
I expect the largest challenge will be expanding our transportation capacity to meet the increased demand arising from the current wave of residential construction occurring in the county. Major developments are occurring in Lake Elmo (where I am currently framing a house), Woodbury, and Cottage Grove. In Newport, where the population has been flat for decades, ground is being moved for the largest residential development in the city’s history.
A balanced approach to expanding our transportation capacity is necessary. We need investments in our highways and public transportation. The public transportation project that is most urgent for the county is the construction of the Gold Line BRT route. I would work to ensure this route is constructed in a timely and cost-effective manner.
4. What would be your top three priorities if (re-)elected to the Washington County Board of Commissioners?
My top three priorities are: 1) to promote equitable economic development, 2) direct more resources to programs in health and community services and public safety that result in prevention and early intervention, and 3) improve water quality.
5. Should county government be actively involved in attracting and retaining jobs? Why or why not? If yes, please describe the role for the county in this process.
I believe this is a legitimate role for county government but needs to be exercised with diligence. The greatest danger I am concerned with is using one-time financial incentives or subsidies to compete with other locales for particular jobs. My support is much stronger for more general forms of assistance available to all businesses.
6. What role should county government play in economic development, and how should the county work with partner organizations?
I believe the county government should focus on ensuring that critical components for economic development are present throughout the county. By this, I mean the county should focus on providing affordable housing for workers, ensuring the workforce is well educated and healthy, and that our transportation infrastructure is capable of accommodating growth.
7. What do you believe are the most essential services provided by county government?
I believe the most essential services provided by the county are those directed towards our most vulnerable. Health and community services are vital to this end.
8. Are there any services that the county does not provide that you believe it should?
No
9. Are there any services currently provided by the county that you believe should be cut back or eliminated?
No
10. How would you characterize the business climate in Washington County? What, if anything, would you do to change it?
I don’t know how to characterize the business climate of Washington County in general terms. Cities within the county have taken very different approaches to developing (i.e. Lake Elmo’s resistance to growth vs. Woodbury’s embracement of growth). Moreover, there are sharp differences between cities due to their long-term historical evolution (i.e. Stillwater’s early growth vs. Woodbury’s recent growth).
While I appreciate these differences, they have given rise to uneven development across the county. These uneven conditions have made it difficult for businesses in parts of the county to thrive. For instance, there is not a grocery store in Newport or St. Paul Park, despite a combined population of 9,000 residents. Focusing on conditions that are inhibiting business creation or growth in particular locations will be a priority for me.
Many communities and government entities in the East Metro collaborate to provide services to their residents in an effort operate more efficiently and cost effectively. Do you believe that Washington County uses such partnerships appropriately, and can you identify any specific areas where more sharing of services should be used?
As a firefighter, I have come to appreciate how different communities and the county work together to provide emergency response services. While I believe partnerships are critical, I don’t have sufficient knowledge at the present to offer a judgment on whether Washington County’s partnerships are being utilized appropriately.
11. In your view, what is Washington County’s top transportation priority and how would you advance it?
I believe the construction of the Gold Line BRT route is the highest priority, because it marks a new direction for the county in a transportation corridor with the highest need. Working closely with Ramsey County and communities along the line will be crucial to the success of the project.
12. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
No