Patricia "Trish" Timmons
Name: Patricia "Trish" Timmons
Public Office Sought: Maplewood City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone:
Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook page: @patriciatimmonsformaplewoodmn
Candidate Bio
I am a seasoned business professional working for one of the world’s largest financial firms in the world. My various positions have helped me hone my communication, leadership, problem solving and strategic thinking skills.
I previously served on the Elko New Market City Council. During my years of service, I participated in the below committees/boards:
*Scott County Human Resource Board
*I35 Coalition
*Scott County 50 X 30
*Scott County Workforce Readiness
*Metropolitan Valley Transit Authority Board
I am also proud to be an AARP volunteer and a member of the Loyal Order of Moose.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
* Community safety
* Community revitalization and development
* Transparency of government
How would you characterize the business climate in Maplewood and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
While I am not fully versed in the current state of business in the city, I believe it is important to ensure there is diversification. This is critical in providing a variety of employment opportunities.
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, Maplewood?
The city plays a crucial role in attracting and retaining jobs. To retain and attract new business we must have an easy and efficient process for getting the business into our community. This includes clear and concise information that is readily available, helpful city staff, and a council willing to think creatively. We need to be open to all types of businesses. A diverse labor force is also needed. This means diverse housing and accessible transportation.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address the labor shortage?
I would be open to discussing any policy. My support would be determined by the facts provided from all parties.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Maplewood (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 Maplewood and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
My support for any proposal would always be determined upon the facts provided. This information would typically come from various city experts as well as conversations with the impacted parties/businesses.
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?
I strongly believe in Community Oriented Policing (COP). This focuses on building working and trusting relationships with community members. It is critical that our police department foster positive community interactions. They should be a community partner. The focus should be on prevention rather than reaction. Consistent review of call volumes to analyze high crime areas would assist in directing personnel to those locations. Determination if there are policies or city code changes that would more readily allow for non-police action such as fines or other deterrents.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address housing issues facing your community?
*Incentivize new construction of affordable housing
*Take advantage of recent government grants and vouchers
*Actively participate in the National League of Cities “House America Initiative”
*Take advantage of affordable housing trusts
*Redevelopment and revitalization
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?
The impacts of the pandemic are still being felt. Many more people continue to work from home and there are many businesses that have permanently closed. A review of any prior gathered data should be completed. We need to reassess impacts as they are today and into the foreseeable future.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
*Public safety (Police, Fire, EMT)
*Affordable housing
*Attraction of new business
What will you do to expand Maplewood’s tax base?
*Assess potential for land monetization
*Ensure our process for interested business is streamlined and user friendly.
*Encourage new business
*Encourage new more “compact” housing (IE- apartments or smaller more densely packed homes)
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 was previously part of the Scott County initiative to have 50% of its workforce living within Scott County by 2030. I was specifically part of the Workforce readiness committee. This committee was comprised of local officials, school principals/superintendents, and local business representatives and owners. I would like to see something like this convened for our city.
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 a reduction in services should be the last choice. I am not aware of any shared service opportunities, but this could certainly be reviewed.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Maplewood?
*Complete a review of city laws and policies to ensure they are equitable.
*Foster the creation of a Minority-serving institution (MSI) business center.
*Compile a list of equitable lenders to assist in the financing process.
What further policies can Maplewood adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
I am not sure policies are the answer for assisting with this. Ensuring we are communicating and working with our business communities to understand their challenges will allow to assess how we as a city can best assist.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I can commit to the community that I will be a fair and resolute council member. It would truly be an honor to be able to collaborate with the community and ensure we all have great place to call home.
Public Office Sought: Maplewood City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone:
Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook page: @patriciatimmonsformaplewoodmn
Candidate Bio
I am a seasoned business professional working for one of the world’s largest financial firms in the world. My various positions have helped me hone my communication, leadership, problem solving and strategic thinking skills.
I previously served on the Elko New Market City Council. During my years of service, I participated in the below committees/boards:
*Scott County Human Resource Board
*I35 Coalition
*Scott County 50 X 30
*Scott County Workforce Readiness
*Metropolitan Valley Transit Authority Board
I am also proud to be an AARP volunteer and a member of the Loyal Order of Moose.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
* Community safety
* Community revitalization and development
* Transparency of government
How would you characterize the business climate in Maplewood and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
While I am not fully versed in the current state of business in the city, I believe it is important to ensure there is diversification. This is critical in providing a variety of employment opportunities.
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, Maplewood?
The city plays a crucial role in attracting and retaining jobs. To retain and attract new business we must have an easy and efficient process for getting the business into our community. This includes clear and concise information that is readily available, helpful city staff, and a council willing to think creatively. We need to be open to all types of businesses. A diverse labor force is also needed. This means diverse housing and accessible transportation.
What policies, if any, would you support to help employers address the labor shortage?
I would be open to discussing any policy. My support would be determined by the facts provided from all parties.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Maplewood (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 Maplewood and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
My support for any proposal would always be determined upon the facts provided. This information would typically come from various city experts as well as conversations with the impacted parties/businesses.
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?
I strongly believe in Community Oriented Policing (COP). This focuses on building working and trusting relationships with community members. It is critical that our police department foster positive community interactions. They should be a community partner. The focus should be on prevention rather than reaction. Consistent review of call volumes to analyze high crime areas would assist in directing personnel to those locations. Determination if there are policies or city code changes that would more readily allow for non-police action such as fines or other deterrents.
What strategies or policies would you propose to address housing issues facing your community?
*Incentivize new construction of affordable housing
*Take advantage of recent government grants and vouchers
*Actively participate in the National League of Cities “House America Initiative”
*Take advantage of affordable housing trusts
*Redevelopment and revitalization
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?
The impacts of the pandemic are still being felt. Many more people continue to work from home and there are many businesses that have permanently closed. A review of any prior gathered data should be completed. We need to reassess impacts as they are today and into the foreseeable future.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
*Public safety (Police, Fire, EMT)
*Affordable housing
*Attraction of new business
What will you do to expand Maplewood’s tax base?
*Assess potential for land monetization
*Ensure our process for interested business is streamlined and user friendly.
*Encourage new business
*Encourage new more “compact” housing (IE- apartments or smaller more densely packed homes)
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 was previously part of the Scott County initiative to have 50% of its workforce living within Scott County by 2030. I was specifically part of the Workforce readiness committee. This committee was comprised of local officials, school principals/superintendents, and local business representatives and owners. I would like to see something like this convened for our city.
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 a reduction in services should be the last choice. I am not aware of any shared service opportunities, but this could certainly be reviewed.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Maplewood?
*Complete a review of city laws and policies to ensure they are equitable.
*Foster the creation of a Minority-serving institution (MSI) business center.
*Compile a list of equitable lenders to assist in the financing process.
What further policies can Maplewood adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
I am not sure policies are the answer for assisting with this. Ensuring we are communicating and working with our business communities to understand their challenges will allow to assess how we as a city can best assist.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I can commit to the community that I will be a fair and resolute council member. It would truly be an honor to be able to collaborate with the community and ensure we all have great place to call home.