Susan (Sue) Gliva
Name: Susan (Sue) Gliva
Public Office Sought: Inver Grove Heights City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651.260.4800
Website: N/A
Twitter handle: @SueGforIGH
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SueGforIGH
Candidate Bio
I am a 30-year resident of Inver Grove Heights who believes in giving back and being involved in the community.
Most recently I served on our local Inver Grove Heights Community Schools Board of Education where I was actively involved in the Finance, Policy, and Personnel committees. I also became part of the IGH business community in 2015 when my husband and I became part owners in a local IGH restaurant where we have employed local residents including current and former Simley high school students.
I have 25+ years of experience in accounting and finance with various roles in Fortune 500 companies as well as currently being the Financial Controller of a small business in a neighboring community (previously owned by my family) with 40+ employees. Raising three grown children, I have also spent countless volunteer hours being the treasurer for local athletic clubs and have led many fund-raising activities.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Smart, intentional, business development across the city.
Consistent/timely street repair and proactive maintenance plans for infrastructure to avoid costly surprises in the future.
Fiscal responsibility - provide a fresh look at the City’s budget to explore areas for potential savings and also for opportunities to invest in order to make necessary improvements.
How would you characterize the business climate in Inver Grove Heights and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
The business climate in Inver Grove Heights has a huge opportunity for improvement if a smart, intentional, growth plan is put into place. New commerce will not only provide jobs, but it allows residents the opportunity to purchase products and services in their own community.
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, Inver Grove Heights?
The City along with the local chamber of commerce and potentially other interested parties should have one cohesive marketing plan to promote IGH and the City needs to act as a service center for both potential developers and current businesses. A “not so business-friendly” perception needs to evolve to one that is customer service-focused and one that works to find solutions.
For me personally, I have joined the local chamber of commerce to better understand how the chamber and the City can better work together and to also keep well-informed of the local issues and opportunities in the business community.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Inver Grove 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 Inver Grove Heights and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I believe those running the businesses have the most knowledge regarding decisions to be made on any employment-related proposals. It is in their best interest to balance employee pay and benefits while providing quality products or services to customers.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
Public safety is very important for a community in order to function and prosper. As a City we need to ensure our Police and Fire Depts. are appropriately funded, properly trained, and their policies and procedures are routinely reviewed.
Housing concerns will need to be addressed as business development plans are being formed and should take into consideration a wide range of housing needs from those wanting to upsize or downsize, apartment living, or senior living.
Transportation issues will need to be part of a long-range plan that may involve City, County, and State leaders along with community members.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
It is the City’s responsibility to put taxpayer dollars to the best use possible. Just as I did when I served on the Finance Committee on our IGH School Board, I will review the City’s annual budget, ask questions, analyze current spending and ensure we are appropriately making wise investments. Along with all of this, making sure the proper cash reserves are maintained for an unforeseen economic downturn.
What will you do to expand Inver Grove Heights’ tax base?
To expand the tax base, I would advocate for much needed new business development in IGH and with that would come necessary residential growth.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
As a former IGH school board member, I know the great effort that the Tri-District collaboration of IGH, South St. Paul, and West St. Paul-Mendota Heights school districts put into career and college-readiness. There are a few IGH businesses that have developed internships/on-the-job training for high school students while they are also earning class credits and exploring different job interests. I would work on promoting that program with our IGH business community as it is a great opportunity for businesses to hire and train a Simley high school graduate.
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 currently do not know of any services that should be cut back or eliminated and the process in doing so would take careful thought and community involvement before making that decision.
However, while serving on the IGH School Board we collaborated with neighboring school districts to provide a more robust Career and College Readiness program so I would be in favor of exploring opportunities to partner with other neighboring communities or entities for better programming services or to promote fiscal responsibility.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Inver Grove Heights?
The City Council could encourage collaboration with local chambers of commerce or other non-profits specializing in providing tools, support, and incentive programs for potential new minority and women-owned businesses.
What further policies can Inver Grove Heights adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic is ever-changing. The most efficient thing to do as a City is stay informed and be prepared in order to implement the necessary changes as quickly as possible as new guidance is released at the State level.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I love our IGH community and that is why I want to make it even better. I will take a practical, common-sense approach to the issues at hand and in the decisions to be made. I am up for the challenge and would be honored to gain your support.
Public Office Sought: Inver Grove Heights City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651.260.4800
Website: N/A
Twitter handle: @SueGforIGH
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SueGforIGH
Candidate Bio
I am a 30-year resident of Inver Grove Heights who believes in giving back and being involved in the community.
Most recently I served on our local Inver Grove Heights Community Schools Board of Education where I was actively involved in the Finance, Policy, and Personnel committees. I also became part of the IGH business community in 2015 when my husband and I became part owners in a local IGH restaurant where we have employed local residents including current and former Simley high school students.
I have 25+ years of experience in accounting and finance with various roles in Fortune 500 companies as well as currently being the Financial Controller of a small business in a neighboring community (previously owned by my family) with 40+ employees. Raising three grown children, I have also spent countless volunteer hours being the treasurer for local athletic clubs and have led many fund-raising activities.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Smart, intentional, business development across the city.
Consistent/timely street repair and proactive maintenance plans for infrastructure to avoid costly surprises in the future.
Fiscal responsibility - provide a fresh look at the City’s budget to explore areas for potential savings and also for opportunities to invest in order to make necessary improvements.
How would you characterize the business climate in Inver Grove Heights and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
The business climate in Inver Grove Heights has a huge opportunity for improvement if a smart, intentional, growth plan is put into place. New commerce will not only provide jobs, but it allows residents the opportunity to purchase products and services in their own community.
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, Inver Grove Heights?
The City along with the local chamber of commerce and potentially other interested parties should have one cohesive marketing plan to promote IGH and the City needs to act as a service center for both potential developers and current businesses. A “not so business-friendly” perception needs to evolve to one that is customer service-focused and one that works to find solutions.
For me personally, I have joined the local chamber of commerce to better understand how the chamber and the City can better work together and to also keep well-informed of the local issues and opportunities in the business community.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Inver Grove 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 Inver Grove Heights and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
I believe those running the businesses have the most knowledge regarding decisions to be made on any employment-related proposals. It is in their best interest to balance employee pay and benefits while providing quality products or services to customers.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
Public safety is very important for a community in order to function and prosper. As a City we need to ensure our Police and Fire Depts. are appropriately funded, properly trained, and their policies and procedures are routinely reviewed.
Housing concerns will need to be addressed as business development plans are being formed and should take into consideration a wide range of housing needs from those wanting to upsize or downsize, apartment living, or senior living.
Transportation issues will need to be part of a long-range plan that may involve City, County, and State leaders along with community members.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
It is the City’s responsibility to put taxpayer dollars to the best use possible. Just as I did when I served on the Finance Committee on our IGH School Board, I will review the City’s annual budget, ask questions, analyze current spending and ensure we are appropriately making wise investments. Along with all of this, making sure the proper cash reserves are maintained for an unforeseen economic downturn.
What will you do to expand Inver Grove Heights’ tax base?
To expand the tax base, I would advocate for much needed new business development in IGH and with that would come necessary residential growth.
How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
As a former IGH school board member, I know the great effort that the Tri-District collaboration of IGH, South St. Paul, and West St. Paul-Mendota Heights school districts put into career and college-readiness. There are a few IGH businesses that have developed internships/on-the-job training for high school students while they are also earning class credits and exploring different job interests. I would work on promoting that program with our IGH business community as it is a great opportunity for businesses to hire and train a Simley high school graduate.
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 currently do not know of any services that should be cut back or eliminated and the process in doing so would take careful thought and community involvement before making that decision.
However, while serving on the IGH School Board we collaborated with neighboring school districts to provide a more robust Career and College Readiness program so I would be in favor of exploring opportunities to partner with other neighboring communities or entities for better programming services or to promote fiscal responsibility.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Inver Grove Heights?
The City Council could encourage collaboration with local chambers of commerce or other non-profits specializing in providing tools, support, and incentive programs for potential new minority and women-owned businesses.
What further policies can Inver Grove Heights adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Information regarding the COVID-19 pandemic is ever-changing. The most efficient thing to do as a City is stay informed and be prepared in order to implement the necessary changes as quickly as possible as new guidance is released at the State level.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I love our IGH community and that is why I want to make it even better. I will take a practical, common-sense approach to the issues at hand and in the decisions to be made. I am up for the challenge and would be honored to gain your support.