Patrick Watson
Name: Patrick Watson
Public Office Sought: Mendota Heights Mayor
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651.800.1060
Website: www.watsonformendotaheights.com
Twitter handle: None
Facebook page: @watsonformendotaheights
Candidate Bio
My wife Nicole and I have lived in Mendota Heights for 14 years with our sons. Professionally, I have spent the last 20 years actively working in regulatory affairs for the private sector in the fields of hazardous materials and workplace safety. My familiarity with local and state government, team building, active listening, respectful communication, as well as an ability to put complex regulations into easily understandable language, puts me at a unique advantage in this campaign for mayor.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Transparency. Our City Government is very reactive to its residents. It should be proactive. Proactive notifications. Notices about construction. Getting out into the community and meeting residents where they are instead of requiring them to come to City Hall to interact with their government.
Infrastructure. Keeping our amenities and natural spaces at the forefront of budgeting and maintenance. Timely use of monies and resources, adapted to the specific needs at the right time.
Environment. Both our natural environment, and our community environment go hand in hand. We have a commitment to our natural environment in our Comprehensive Plan. We need to make sure we fully honor it, and not just pay lip service. We have projects and plans that are currently falling too squarely on the backs of dedicated volunteers...and, though volunteer and resident cooperation is critical, we can’t have them as the sole effective means of maintaining our natural spaces. As we look towards the next generation of Mendota Heights residents making their homes here, we need to determine if we’ll be a city with the courage to embrace them and their needs, or whether we’ll watch them go down the road to one that is more welcoming.
How would you characterize the business climate in Mendota Heights and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
Inflexible. We’re still clinging to a business model of the 70’s and 80’s. We need to work with local businesses, property owners, and the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce to determine what they need, and how we can work with them to accomplish that. When we get a business that wants to move into our city, and it’s one that our residents are demanding, we should absolutely be welcoming to them!
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, Mendota Heights?
We need to make sure that our city remains attractive for the employers with operations here. That means amenities for which the new normal workplace and our residents are going to be looking.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Mendota Heights (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 Mendota Heights and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I would need to understand the specific impacts on our employers and residents. This would be an area where I’d consult with subject matter experts to flesh out a path forward.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
Mendota Heights is lucky to have a responsive and respectful Chief of Police, Kelly McCarthy. Chief McCarthy is well versed on the demands of modern policing, and through her humanity, humor and social media, has helped to build a strong reputation for the Mendota Heights Police Department. I will continue to support our Chief and the Department!
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
Prioritize and make sure that we’re following timely recommendations for spend on projects.
What will you do to expand Mendota Height’s tax base?
Mendota Heights is nearly fully developed. By maintaining our current high quality of housing stock, and encouraging respectful remodeling and additions, we can make sure our tax base stays intact and a variety of housing options of high quality. By meeting the different needs of the business community post-Covid, we can also attract and retain vibrant businesses and professionals to our community.
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 want to reopen and reinvigorate the relationship between the city and District 197. I’d do this by exploring a new institutional zoning for schools and churches to allow them common improvements without the need for a lengthy and expensive variance and approval process. I’d also commit to regular communication with the School Board and Superintendent, as well as residents and educators as to how the City can work with the District and individual schools within 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 remain open to all conversations regarding areas for improvement or potential cost savings. The people of Mendota Heights deserve to be involved in those conversations as well.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
My friends and neighbors know that I’m a person of integrity and ethics. If elected, I commit to reaching out via regular listening sessions across multiple platforms and spaces. I want to meet Mendota Heights residents where they are, and not just at City Hall, or when campaigning for office. I want to hear their concerns, hear their ideas, answer their questions and direct them appropriately. I want to serve this community we love!
Public Office Sought: Mendota Heights Mayor
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651.800.1060
Website: www.watsonformendotaheights.com
Twitter handle: None
Facebook page: @watsonformendotaheights
Candidate Bio
My wife Nicole and I have lived in Mendota Heights for 14 years with our sons. Professionally, I have spent the last 20 years actively working in regulatory affairs for the private sector in the fields of hazardous materials and workplace safety. My familiarity with local and state government, team building, active listening, respectful communication, as well as an ability to put complex regulations into easily understandable language, puts me at a unique advantage in this campaign for mayor.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Transparency. Our City Government is very reactive to its residents. It should be proactive. Proactive notifications. Notices about construction. Getting out into the community and meeting residents where they are instead of requiring them to come to City Hall to interact with their government.
Infrastructure. Keeping our amenities and natural spaces at the forefront of budgeting and maintenance. Timely use of monies and resources, adapted to the specific needs at the right time.
Environment. Both our natural environment, and our community environment go hand in hand. We have a commitment to our natural environment in our Comprehensive Plan. We need to make sure we fully honor it, and not just pay lip service. We have projects and plans that are currently falling too squarely on the backs of dedicated volunteers...and, though volunteer and resident cooperation is critical, we can’t have them as the sole effective means of maintaining our natural spaces. As we look towards the next generation of Mendota Heights residents making their homes here, we need to determine if we’ll be a city with the courage to embrace them and their needs, or whether we’ll watch them go down the road to one that is more welcoming.
How would you characterize the business climate in Mendota Heights and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
Inflexible. We’re still clinging to a business model of the 70’s and 80’s. We need to work with local businesses, property owners, and the Dakota County Regional Chamber of Commerce to determine what they need, and how we can work with them to accomplish that. When we get a business that wants to move into our city, and it’s one that our residents are demanding, we should absolutely be welcoming to them!
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, Mendota Heights?
We need to make sure that our city remains attractive for the employers with operations here. That means amenities for which the new normal workplace and our residents are going to be looking.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Mendota Heights (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 Mendota Heights and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I would need to understand the specific impacts on our employers and residents. This would be an area where I’d consult with subject matter experts to flesh out a path forward.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
Mendota Heights is lucky to have a responsive and respectful Chief of Police, Kelly McCarthy. Chief McCarthy is well versed on the demands of modern policing, and through her humanity, humor and social media, has helped to build a strong reputation for the Mendota Heights Police Department. I will continue to support our Chief and the Department!
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
Prioritize and make sure that we’re following timely recommendations for spend on projects.
What will you do to expand Mendota Height’s tax base?
Mendota Heights is nearly fully developed. By maintaining our current high quality of housing stock, and encouraging respectful remodeling and additions, we can make sure our tax base stays intact and a variety of housing options of high quality. By meeting the different needs of the business community post-Covid, we can also attract and retain vibrant businesses and professionals to our community.
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 want to reopen and reinvigorate the relationship between the city and District 197. I’d do this by exploring a new institutional zoning for schools and churches to allow them common improvements without the need for a lengthy and expensive variance and approval process. I’d also commit to regular communication with the School Board and Superintendent, as well as residents and educators as to how the City can work with the District and individual schools within 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 remain open to all conversations regarding areas for improvement or potential cost savings. The people of Mendota Heights deserve to be involved in those conversations as well.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
My friends and neighbors know that I’m a person of integrity and ethics. If elected, I commit to reaching out via regular listening sessions across multiple platforms and spaces. I want to meet Mendota Heights residents where they are, and not just at City Hall, or when campaigning for office. I want to hear their concerns, hear their ideas, answer their questions and direct them appropriately. I want to serve this community we love!