Pam Bakken
Name: Pam Bakken
Public Office Sought: South St. Paul City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-274-2409
Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ElectPamBakken
Candidate Bio
My husband and I committed to South St. Paul 25 years ago. Chris has taught at South St. Paul High School for 30 years. We have put down roots here, raising our 6 children as they have worked their way through school. While I have a personal commitment to this city, I also have owned and operated a small business (in-home daycare) for 16 years. Furthermore, I have held several volunteer positions within the school district. I was president of the Early Childhood Program, I was a member of the Show Choir Parent Booster Club, and I volunteered for the football and basketball Booster Clubs. Most recently, I held the position of PTA President at Lincoln Center Elementary for 4 years. I helped put together a budget, recruited volunteers, and organized events such as Family Fun Night, STEAM night, as well as various fundraisers. During my years in South St. Paul, I have led with passion, partnered with various organizations, and worked with a diverse volunteer base. I feel these skills will serve me well as a South St. Paul City Council Member.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
My top 3 priorities if elected would be to continue to build strong relationships with our current business owners, to support our school district, which is the heart of our city, and finally to help foster a city-wide environment where our citizens’ voices are heard.
How would you characterize the business climate in South St. Paul and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
While we all figure out a new way forward during this pandemic, I think that our business owners need to be assured of their importance to our city and that the city values their vital role here. As a business owner myself, I have a vested interest in the quality of life here because that only benefits my success.
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, South St. Paul?
When a city has excellent relationships with its business owners, I feel they are our biggest champions for attracting new businesses to town. As the city allows businesses that want to expand to do so, it is natural that more jobs will be retained and created. One of the greatest partnerships a city can have is with its business owners.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in South St. Paul (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 South St. Paul and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
South St Paul has always been a great city to earn a wage. I would support the Economic Development Authority efforts in this area to attract employers who share the same views to good paying jobs and be ready to stand behind the city staff as it’s implemented in our business community.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
I plan to work with the existing council members to gather all the facts and work together to make the best decision possible with business owners and the citizens of South St. Paul in mind.
Public Safety: I believe we have a dedicated community police department that has transparent policies and decorated officers.
Housing: I understand the housing policy and the current plan already in place. I will support the continuation and protection of single-family homes. I would support high and medium income projects because I see it lacking in options.
Transportation: I would support plans which would give more access to movement within our city if deemed necessary.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
My goal is to be fiscally responsible and to work to understand the trust the public would be putting in me to handle the finances in a responsible manner. My commitment to the citizens is that I will do my homework and offer my best effort to work with the entire council to make the best decision for the city. I would reduce costs where possible and invest in vital infrastructures with the right plan.
What will you do to expand South St. Paul’s tax base?
From what I see our city is primarily built out, so the tax base of the future is around the re-development of currently occupied properties. I would support the expansion of the city’s Industrial Two Zone where willing property owners are interested in re-development. I also see the airport as a revenue stream that could very well be used to increase revenues.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
Again South St. Paul sees education as vital to its DNA, and it is why my husband teaches. I love our schools and I love Packer Pride. My goal is to continue to support this commitment of life-long learning and partner with businesses that want our workforce AND want to train them.
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 am not aware of any services I would want to cut back or eliminate. However, I am open to listening to all new ideas. I am proud of our city for the autonomy we have had in the past and have been able to continue. Like anything, it evolves and new technologies provide efficiencies that may provide the opportunities for cost reductions. I would seek out opportunities.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in South St. Paul?
The role of the city council is to support all business owners and foster a supportive business environment. As a female business owner, I would like to promote diverse types of businesses that may not fit in the traditional mold. My business operates without a storefront. Thinking outside of the box of a traditional business model may help open up opportunities to women and minorities that may have otherwise seemed impossible.
What further policies can South St. Paul adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
I would want to offer support to our business owners within the city to help them continue to operate through this unprecedented time, making every attempt to allow for movement within existing policies to continue operations. This should be our top priority.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I pledge to listen to our citizens and business owners, to learn as much as I can, and to always attempt to make the best possible decisions for our city as a whole. I love South St. Paul. I am committed to South St. Paul and I want to see us thrive. We are better together.
I ask you for your vote. My name is Pam Bakken and I am running for South St. Paul City Council.
Public Office Sought: South St. Paul City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-274-2409
Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ElectPamBakken
Candidate Bio
My husband and I committed to South St. Paul 25 years ago. Chris has taught at South St. Paul High School for 30 years. We have put down roots here, raising our 6 children as they have worked their way through school. While I have a personal commitment to this city, I also have owned and operated a small business (in-home daycare) for 16 years. Furthermore, I have held several volunteer positions within the school district. I was president of the Early Childhood Program, I was a member of the Show Choir Parent Booster Club, and I volunteered for the football and basketball Booster Clubs. Most recently, I held the position of PTA President at Lincoln Center Elementary for 4 years. I helped put together a budget, recruited volunteers, and organized events such as Family Fun Night, STEAM night, as well as various fundraisers. During my years in South St. Paul, I have led with passion, partnered with various organizations, and worked with a diverse volunteer base. I feel these skills will serve me well as a South St. Paul City Council Member.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
My top 3 priorities if elected would be to continue to build strong relationships with our current business owners, to support our school district, which is the heart of our city, and finally to help foster a city-wide environment where our citizens’ voices are heard.
How would you characterize the business climate in South St. Paul and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
While we all figure out a new way forward during this pandemic, I think that our business owners need to be assured of their importance to our city and that the city values their vital role here. As a business owner myself, I have a vested interest in the quality of life here because that only benefits my success.
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, South St. Paul?
When a city has excellent relationships with its business owners, I feel they are our biggest champions for attracting new businesses to town. As the city allows businesses that want to expand to do so, it is natural that more jobs will be retained and created. One of the greatest partnerships a city can have is with its business owners.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in South St. Paul (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 South St. Paul and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
South St Paul has always been a great city to earn a wage. I would support the Economic Development Authority efforts in this area to attract employers who share the same views to good paying jobs and be ready to stand behind the city staff as it’s implemented in our business community.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
I plan to work with the existing council members to gather all the facts and work together to make the best decision possible with business owners and the citizens of South St. Paul in mind.
Public Safety: I believe we have a dedicated community police department that has transparent policies and decorated officers.
Housing: I understand the housing policy and the current plan already in place. I will support the continuation and protection of single-family homes. I would support high and medium income projects because I see it lacking in options.
Transportation: I would support plans which would give more access to movement within our city if deemed necessary.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
My goal is to be fiscally responsible and to work to understand the trust the public would be putting in me to handle the finances in a responsible manner. My commitment to the citizens is that I will do my homework and offer my best effort to work with the entire council to make the best decision for the city. I would reduce costs where possible and invest in vital infrastructures with the right plan.
What will you do to expand South St. Paul’s tax base?
From what I see our city is primarily built out, so the tax base of the future is around the re-development of currently occupied properties. I would support the expansion of the city’s Industrial Two Zone where willing property owners are interested in re-development. I also see the airport as a revenue stream that could very well be used to increase revenues.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
Again South St. Paul sees education as vital to its DNA, and it is why my husband teaches. I love our schools and I love Packer Pride. My goal is to continue to support this commitment of life-long learning and partner with businesses that want our workforce AND want to train them.
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 am not aware of any services I would want to cut back or eliminate. However, I am open to listening to all new ideas. I am proud of our city for the autonomy we have had in the past and have been able to continue. Like anything, it evolves and new technologies provide efficiencies that may provide the opportunities for cost reductions. I would seek out opportunities.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in South St. Paul?
The role of the city council is to support all business owners and foster a supportive business environment. As a female business owner, I would like to promote diverse types of businesses that may not fit in the traditional mold. My business operates without a storefront. Thinking outside of the box of a traditional business model may help open up opportunities to women and minorities that may have otherwise seemed impossible.
What further policies can South St. Paul adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
I would want to offer support to our business owners within the city to help them continue to operate through this unprecedented time, making every attempt to allow for movement within existing policies to continue operations. This should be our top priority.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I pledge to listen to our citizens and business owners, to learn as much as I can, and to always attempt to make the best possible decisions for our city as a whole. I love South St. Paul. I am committed to South St. Paul and I want to see us thrive. We are better together.
I ask you for your vote. My name is Pam Bakken and I am running for South St. Paul City Council.