Sharon Dewey
Name: Sharon Dewey
Public Office Sought: South Saint Paul City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 763-645-9168
Website: sharondeweyssp.wixsite.com/website
Facebook Page: Sharon Dewey for South St. Paul City Council
Candidate Bio
I possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and graduated with honors. I also acquired a certificate from University of Minnesota – Duluth for completing the Tribal Administration and Governance Program. My leadership development education was acquired through the Bush Foundation’s Native Nation Rebuilder’s Program (Cohort 2), Tiwahe Foundation’s Oyate Network (Cohort 5), and John Maxell courses. Our Bush Foundation training included community organizing workshops, facilitated by Peggy Flanagan of Wellstone Action (currently Minnesota State Representative for District 46A). I was with the U.S. Small Business Administration almost ten years. As a Business Opportunities Specialist, I grew to love economic development and small business development. I previously served an appointment to a term on South St. Paul’s Economic Development Advisory Board. My experience also includes public service to the White Earth Nation. As their Self-Governance Coordinator, I managed a multi-million-dollar contract, promoted the image and well-being of the community, conducted business with the Federal government, and coordinated special projects. My volunteer life consists of involvement in a grass roots organization geared at educating tribal members on the importance of culture, values, governance, and the political system. It also includes 6 years of direct service to a homeless shelter. DEW it!
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in South Saint Paul?
The business climate in South St. Paul is transitioning from it’s youth. Our community recognizes the untapped potential South St. Paul has to offer businesses and the need to move towards developing our economic environment. With an active and productive chamber of commerce, River Heights, a newly created Economic Development Advisory Board (2016), as well as the addition of an energetic Economic Development Division Manager, Ryan Garcia, the foundation has been laid. South St. Paul is currently witnessing new roots and the sprouting of businesses and is eagerly embracing a new story to be added to the annals of our rich history.
2. 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 Saint Paul?
South St. Paul’s strategic plan should have economic development as a critical element. Attracting and retaining jobs would be one sub-element of economic development, as well as a sub-element for soliciting and retaining businesses. Each one would have its own plan of goals, initiatives, partnerships, and budget. We need to be intentional.
3. Would you support hiring a business advocate as a member of the city senior staff, to concentrate on business retention and expansion; new business recruitment; and business impact of proposed regulations on the business climate in South Saint Paul?
South St. Paul has a working relationship with the River Heights Chamber of Commerce. We are also fortunate enough to have an active Economic Development Advisory Council. These two organizations, among others, work together with the dedicated staff of our Economic Development Authority to ensure a healthy business climate in South St. Paul. Further staffing or consultant contracting would have to have a high return on investment taking into account what we currently have in place.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in South Saint Paul? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in South Saint Paul and do you support proposals to mitigate the effects on businesses like a tip credit, a youth wage, a training wage, and/or a phase-in?
Personally, I feel there are other factors that need to be addressed which cause society to believe increasing minimum wage is the solution. Factors that impact the cost-of-living, such as health insurance, housing, transportation and other issues that cause a person to not be able to make ends meet should be analyzed. I’m hesitant to impact businesses, especially small businesses, when their own decisions already result in a natural balance/imbalance.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in South Saint Paul (such as mandatory sick time or scheduling notice)? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in South Saint Paul and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
Based on the examples of mandatory sick time or scheduling notices, I don’t feel this is an area South St. Paul needs to be involved and to do so would be an intrusion on a business’s pursuit of prosperity. I don’t believe in overregulating. Businesses should be communicating their business practices with their potential employees and both have the freedom to make their contracts with each other. Again, natural balance/imbalance will occur as the result of a business’s decisions.
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
Analytics. I believe in community well-being. We need to be healthy and safe. That means healthy living, a healthy environment, low crime, and general safety. Data analysis, along with community input, will help determine at what point we have attained acceptable levels of community well-being.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
I want to see where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going. I want to compare with other cities in our area and take note of the differences. It’s not just a matter of reviewing the data but seeing what the budget does for South St. Paul; meet with the staff, observe the programs, and hear feedback from the community. I don’t want to read about it – I want to be about it!
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
Although both are sources of income for the communities they serve, I wouldn’t consider a cookie cutter approach to taxing all properties similarly, nor within their own categories. Elected officials are servants of a public trust and stewards of a communities finances. With that in mind, taxing is ever at the direction of the community served.
9. What will you do to expand South Saint Paul’s tax base?
This comment is being reserved. I am currently reviewing the city’s financial information.
Workforce development
10. 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’d like to see post-secondary educational institutions provide ala carte educational programming as our region’s demands are made known. New technology, dying skills, and fluctuations in career skills don’t mesh with standard programming. I would love to see South St. Paul businesses stepping up to offer our high school students opportunities to train for future positions.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to South Saint Paul Public Schools?
I trust the School Board and school administrators to manage the institutions to which they’ve been entrusted. The city council’s role is to partner when asked and step in the gap when the need arises.
Other
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
Good question! I see a beautiful city – a small city, with a big town feel. I love it! I’d love to preserve that. Ensuring South St. Paul combats the decline other cities experience will be key. This will take a unified front to accomplish that; it’s not just a governance issue – it’s a community issue!
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Economic development, public safety, and environmental sustainability. I see these three categories as major components of community well-being.
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
South St. Paul has excellent access to Interstate 494 and Highway 52. Local roads are maintained adequately and are updated appropriately. There is major construction currently underway for Southview Blvd. that has had some navigation/timing challenges, but nothing we have been unable to overcome. Public transportation is adequate. Plowing is a challenge for any city and South St. Paul has a plan that works and could possibly benefit from minor improvements. Absent anything else, ensuring pedestrian/vehicle safety is a top priority.
15. Are there any services currently provided by the city that you believe should be cut back or eliminated? Or, are there new opportunities to share services with other entities?
At this time, I will reserve comments because I don’t feel I have enough data to respond. I would rather provide an informed response than portray myself as someone having all the answers. However, answers I will seek!
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Your voice makes all the difference; use it! VOTE! DEW it!
Public Office Sought: South Saint Paul City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 763-645-9168
Website: sharondeweyssp.wixsite.com/website
Facebook Page: Sharon Dewey for South St. Paul City Council
Candidate Bio
I possess a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and graduated with honors. I also acquired a certificate from University of Minnesota – Duluth for completing the Tribal Administration and Governance Program. My leadership development education was acquired through the Bush Foundation’s Native Nation Rebuilder’s Program (Cohort 2), Tiwahe Foundation’s Oyate Network (Cohort 5), and John Maxell courses. Our Bush Foundation training included community organizing workshops, facilitated by Peggy Flanagan of Wellstone Action (currently Minnesota State Representative for District 46A). I was with the U.S. Small Business Administration almost ten years. As a Business Opportunities Specialist, I grew to love economic development and small business development. I previously served an appointment to a term on South St. Paul’s Economic Development Advisory Board. My experience also includes public service to the White Earth Nation. As their Self-Governance Coordinator, I managed a multi-million-dollar contract, promoted the image and well-being of the community, conducted business with the Federal government, and coordinated special projects. My volunteer life consists of involvement in a grass roots organization geared at educating tribal members on the importance of culture, values, governance, and the political system. It also includes 6 years of direct service to a homeless shelter. DEW it!
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in South Saint Paul?
The business climate in South St. Paul is transitioning from it’s youth. Our community recognizes the untapped potential South St. Paul has to offer businesses and the need to move towards developing our economic environment. With an active and productive chamber of commerce, River Heights, a newly created Economic Development Advisory Board (2016), as well as the addition of an energetic Economic Development Division Manager, Ryan Garcia, the foundation has been laid. South St. Paul is currently witnessing new roots and the sprouting of businesses and is eagerly embracing a new story to be added to the annals of our rich history.
2. 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 Saint Paul?
South St. Paul’s strategic plan should have economic development as a critical element. Attracting and retaining jobs would be one sub-element of economic development, as well as a sub-element for soliciting and retaining businesses. Each one would have its own plan of goals, initiatives, partnerships, and budget. We need to be intentional.
3. Would you support hiring a business advocate as a member of the city senior staff, to concentrate on business retention and expansion; new business recruitment; and business impact of proposed regulations on the business climate in South Saint Paul?
South St. Paul has a working relationship with the River Heights Chamber of Commerce. We are also fortunate enough to have an active Economic Development Advisory Council. These two organizations, among others, work together with the dedicated staff of our Economic Development Authority to ensure a healthy business climate in South St. Paul. Further staffing or consultant contracting would have to have a high return on investment taking into account what we currently have in place.
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in South Saint Paul? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in South Saint Paul and do you support proposals to mitigate the effects on businesses like a tip credit, a youth wage, a training wage, and/or a phase-in?
Personally, I feel there are other factors that need to be addressed which cause society to believe increasing minimum wage is the solution. Factors that impact the cost-of-living, such as health insurance, housing, transportation and other issues that cause a person to not be able to make ends meet should be analyzed. I’m hesitant to impact businesses, especially small businesses, when their own decisions already result in a natural balance/imbalance.
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in South Saint Paul (such as mandatory sick time or scheduling notice)? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in South Saint Paul and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
Based on the examples of mandatory sick time or scheduling notices, I don’t feel this is an area South St. Paul needs to be involved and to do so would be an intrusion on a business’s pursuit of prosperity. I don’t believe in overregulating. Businesses should be communicating their business practices with their potential employees and both have the freedom to make their contracts with each other. Again, natural balance/imbalance will occur as the result of a business’s decisions.
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
Analytics. I believe in community well-being. We need to be healthy and safe. That means healthy living, a healthy environment, low crime, and general safety. Data analysis, along with community input, will help determine at what point we have attained acceptable levels of community well-being.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
I want to see where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going. I want to compare with other cities in our area and take note of the differences. It’s not just a matter of reviewing the data but seeing what the budget does for South St. Paul; meet with the staff, observe the programs, and hear feedback from the community. I don’t want to read about it – I want to be about it!
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
Although both are sources of income for the communities they serve, I wouldn’t consider a cookie cutter approach to taxing all properties similarly, nor within their own categories. Elected officials are servants of a public trust and stewards of a communities finances. With that in mind, taxing is ever at the direction of the community served.
9. What will you do to expand South Saint Paul’s tax base?
This comment is being reserved. I am currently reviewing the city’s financial information.
Workforce development
10. 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’d like to see post-secondary educational institutions provide ala carte educational programming as our region’s demands are made known. New technology, dying skills, and fluctuations in career skills don’t mesh with standard programming. I would love to see South St. Paul businesses stepping up to offer our high school students opportunities to train for future positions.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to South Saint Paul Public Schools?
I trust the School Board and school administrators to manage the institutions to which they’ve been entrusted. The city council’s role is to partner when asked and step in the gap when the need arises.
Other
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
Good question! I see a beautiful city – a small city, with a big town feel. I love it! I’d love to preserve that. Ensuring South St. Paul combats the decline other cities experience will be key. This will take a unified front to accomplish that; it’s not just a governance issue – it’s a community issue!
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Economic development, public safety, and environmental sustainability. I see these three categories as major components of community well-being.
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
South St. Paul has excellent access to Interstate 494 and Highway 52. Local roads are maintained adequately and are updated appropriately. There is major construction currently underway for Southview Blvd. that has had some navigation/timing challenges, but nothing we have been unable to overcome. Public transportation is adequate. Plowing is a challenge for any city and South St. Paul has a plan that works and could possibly benefit from minor improvements. Absent anything else, ensuring pedestrian/vehicle safety is a top priority.
15. Are there any services currently provided by the city that you believe should be cut back or eliminated? Or, are there new opportunities to share services with other entities?
At this time, I will reserve comments because I don’t feel I have enough data to respond. I would rather provide an informed response than portray myself as someone having all the answers. However, answers I will seek!
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Your voice makes all the difference; use it! VOTE! DEW it!