Mary Behr Kleinberg

Name: Mary Behr Kleinberg
Public Office Sought: Lilydale City Council
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: NA
Campaign Website: NA
Twitter handle: NA
Facebook Page: NA
Candidate Bio
I have a lifetime of experience that qualifies me for serving on the Lilydale City Council. I grew up in South St. Paul, graduated from Brady High School in West St. Paul and St. Catherine University in St. Paul. I lived and worked in the Highland Park area of St. Paul where my husband and I raised our two daughters. We have enjoyed living in Lilydale since 2019. My roots are in Dakota county and the surrounding area, and I appreciate what the community of Lilydale has to offer. I want to contribute to the community and continue the good work of the city council.
My work experience is long and varied. I spent many years in education.
While working at St. Catherine University I earned a Master of Arts degree in Holistic Health Studies.
In my “retirement,” I work part time for a senior moving service. I help seniors sort, pack, and unpack their belongings.
I possess the following characteristics and attributes that would make me an ideal council member: approachable, good listener, committed, organized, team player
well-developed interpersonal and communication skills
common sense and integrity strategic thinker have the time, interest, and enthusiasm
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
I want to work to protect the health and wellbeing of the citizens of Lilydale.
I want to be engaged in the development of the bluff area left vacant with the closing of Diamond Jim’s Shopping Center. I want to ensure the development of the bluff preserves and protects the integrity of the bluff area and the river below.
Lastly, we live in a divided world. I would like to work to bring people together and work for the common good.
How would you characterize the business climate in Lilydale and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
We have a strong and small business community in Lilydale. I would encourage the reopening of the former Snap fitness location closed due to the pandemic. I would also encourage mixed use development of the former Diamond Jim’s Shopping Center.
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, Lilydale?
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address the labor shortage?
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals in Lilydale (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 Lilydale and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I would need to look at and understand each proposal before taking any action. But I do believe strongly in providing employees with a living wage.
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?
Lilydale is patrolled by the Mendota Heights Police Department; I support their continued involvement in ensuring a safe environment for the citizens of Lilydale.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address housing issues facing your community?
Lilydale has a limited amount of space to develop. I support a well thought out development plan that improves the quality of life in Lilydale. We need to be mindful of the effects of development on how it impacts the bluff and the river below, and traffic on MN Highway 13.
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?
I would like to see a shuttle service made available for people living in the various communities in Lilydale. A shuttle that would pick up and drop off people at their communities and bring them to various locations in the area. I want people to engage in activities in the surrounding areas where they cannot walk to.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
I want the budget to meet the needs of the residents and businesses of the city and to be balanced.
What will you do to expand Lilydale’s tax base?
I would support well thought out development at the former Diamond Jim’s Shopping Center which would increase the City’s tax base.
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 believe strongly in education, and I would support all efforts to develop and retain an educated workforce. I would also promote any efforts that would create a partnership with the residents of Lilydale and local schools.
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?
At this time, I’m not aware of services that need to be cut back or eliminated. I will be open to learning about any opportunities that will best serve the citizens of Lilydale.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women- owned businesses in Lilydale?
I believe the City of Lilydale should make every effort to promote increased minority and women owned businesses. I believe that diversity only increases the richness of a community.
What further policies can Lilydale adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I look forward to the opportunity to serve the citizens of Lilydale for the next four years.
Public Office Sought: Lilydale City Council
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: NA
Campaign Website: NA
Twitter handle: NA
Facebook Page: NA
Candidate Bio
I have a lifetime of experience that qualifies me for serving on the Lilydale City Council. I grew up in South St. Paul, graduated from Brady High School in West St. Paul and St. Catherine University in St. Paul. I lived and worked in the Highland Park area of St. Paul where my husband and I raised our two daughters. We have enjoyed living in Lilydale since 2019. My roots are in Dakota county and the surrounding area, and I appreciate what the community of Lilydale has to offer. I want to contribute to the community and continue the good work of the city council.
My work experience is long and varied. I spent many years in education.
While working at St. Catherine University I earned a Master of Arts degree in Holistic Health Studies.
In my “retirement,” I work part time for a senior moving service. I help seniors sort, pack, and unpack their belongings.
I possess the following characteristics and attributes that would make me an ideal council member: approachable, good listener, committed, organized, team player
well-developed interpersonal and communication skills
common sense and integrity strategic thinker have the time, interest, and enthusiasm
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
I want to work to protect the health and wellbeing of the citizens of Lilydale.
I want to be engaged in the development of the bluff area left vacant with the closing of Diamond Jim’s Shopping Center. I want to ensure the development of the bluff preserves and protects the integrity of the bluff area and the river below.
Lastly, we live in a divided world. I would like to work to bring people together and work for the common good.
How would you characterize the business climate in Lilydale and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
We have a strong and small business community in Lilydale. I would encourage the reopening of the former Snap fitness location closed due to the pandemic. I would also encourage mixed use development of the former Diamond Jim’s Shopping Center.
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, Lilydale?
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address the labor shortage?
Do you support any specific employment-related proposals in Lilydale (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 Lilydale and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I would need to look at and understand each proposal before taking any action. But I do believe strongly in providing employees with a living wage.
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?
Lilydale is patrolled by the Mendota Heights Police Department; I support their continued involvement in ensuring a safe environment for the citizens of Lilydale.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address housing issues facing your community?
Lilydale has a limited amount of space to develop. I support a well thought out development plan that improves the quality of life in Lilydale. We need to be mindful of the effects of development on how it impacts the bluff and the river below, and traffic on MN Highway 13.
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?
I would like to see a shuttle service made available for people living in the various communities in Lilydale. A shuttle that would pick up and drop off people at their communities and bring them to various locations in the area. I want people to engage in activities in the surrounding areas where they cannot walk to.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
I want the budget to meet the needs of the residents and businesses of the city and to be balanced.
What will you do to expand Lilydale’s tax base?
I would support well thought out development at the former Diamond Jim’s Shopping Center which would increase the City’s tax base.
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 believe strongly in education, and I would support all efforts to develop and retain an educated workforce. I would also promote any efforts that would create a partnership with the residents of Lilydale and local schools.
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?
At this time, I’m not aware of services that need to be cut back or eliminated. I will be open to learning about any opportunities that will best serve the citizens of Lilydale.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women- owned businesses in Lilydale?
I believe the City of Lilydale should make every effort to promote increased minority and women owned businesses. I believe that diversity only increases the richness of a community.
What further policies can Lilydale adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I look forward to the opportunity to serve the citizens of Lilydale for the next four years.