Tom Newland
Name: Tom Newland
Public Office Sought: Blaine City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 612-961-1811
Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook page: Tom Newland for Blaine City Council
Candidate Bio
As a 40-year resident of the area, a business owner for 27 years, and my active participation in the community with the SBM Fire Department, the Blaine Park Board, the Blaine Public Safety Association, Blaine’s Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Committee, the MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce, the Panther Foundation, and other organizations, I will bring a broad base of experience and knowledge to the City Council through years of service to the residents and businesses of Blaine. My interest and involvement within the city is deep and continues to this day.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
The city has done an excellent job of managing its growth. Focus on the core services of Blaine lends clarity to its future. Safety services with a strong commitment to Police and Fire, water and sewer (critical infrastructure services), and roads and street maintenance are three priorities that all will agree are vital to Blaine’s sustenance and growth as a city.
How would you characterize the business climate in Blaine and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
Blaine has a solid business base of retail and commercial/industrial business that cross an array of categories. A diverse mixture of businesses is vital to the sustainability of the city as a self-standing entity within the metropolitan area.
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, Blaine?
The city has a strong commitment to economic development, and redevelopment, that has a proven record of working for Blaine. Continued commitment to these initiatives is vital to Blaine’s growth.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Blaine (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 Blaine and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
City mandates for business should focus on basic, accepted code directives for the safety of staff and customers, and not be an unwelcome and intrusive participant in employer/employee relations. Wages and benefits need to remain as business tools to attract and retain a flexible workforce as directed by the free market of supply and demand.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
Safety Services through Police and Fire are a core service for local government. Code enforcement and zoning ordinances work in harmony with Safety Services for both business and residential properties. Safe, affordable housing and transportation are vital to a vibrant workforce. Blaine has limited, yet effective, involvement in the latter two broader issues.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
The core services of: safety services through Police and Fire, water and sewer infrastructure, and roads and street maintenance are the top three critical uses of Blaine’s budget that everyone will agree are priorities.
What will you do to expand Blaine’s tax base?
Diversification of housing and business make the tax base less volatile to market fluctuations. Continuation of the Blaine’s past practices is prudent with modifications, as needed, through thoughtful deliberation.
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 co-founder of the Blaine Business Council, educational representation through the three school districts within the city has been an integral participatory link to both business and local government at Business Council meetings. Businesses are able to hear directly from schools, and schools from businesses, to share thoughts on how the challenges of current and future workforce needs are met. City government may serve as a catalyst for these communications, however the private sector and schools are able to nurture better synergy together with limited governmental involvement.
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?
The SBM Fire Department is a shining example of cooperation with the three adjacent cities to share this critical public service for the benefit of tax payers. Services currently offered to residents by businesses are best left to the private sector. Golf courses and banquet/meeting facilities are examples of business models that are well served by the public through private, not public, ownership.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Blaine?
The city should favor all business development equally, without favoritism. Blaine does not have the resources to segment one interest group at the expense of others.
What further policies can Blaine adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Flexibility has already been shown by the city to allow businesses to modify outdoor dining limits to the benefit of both restaurants and guests. Business requests for temporary signage have also been enacted by the city. Working together on solutions to current and future challenges will bring positive benefits to everyone.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Blaine remains a healthy city for both businesses and residents. Wholesale revisions to city government are neither needed nor welcomed. Blaine’s future is bright and the path forward is sound. Thank you.
Public Office Sought: Blaine City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 612-961-1811
Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook page: Tom Newland for Blaine City Council
Candidate Bio
As a 40-year resident of the area, a business owner for 27 years, and my active participation in the community with the SBM Fire Department, the Blaine Park Board, the Blaine Public Safety Association, Blaine’s Beyond the Yellow Ribbon Committee, the MetroNorth Chamber of Commerce, the Panther Foundation, and other organizations, I will bring a broad base of experience and knowledge to the City Council through years of service to the residents and businesses of Blaine. My interest and involvement within the city is deep and continues to this day.
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
The city has done an excellent job of managing its growth. Focus on the core services of Blaine lends clarity to its future. Safety services with a strong commitment to Police and Fire, water and sewer (critical infrastructure services), and roads and street maintenance are three priorities that all will agree are vital to Blaine’s sustenance and growth as a city.
How would you characterize the business climate in Blaine and what is the role of businesses supporting quality of life issues in the community?
Blaine has a solid business base of retail and commercial/industrial business that cross an array of categories. A diverse mixture of businesses is vital to the sustainability of the city as a self-standing entity within the metropolitan area.
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, Blaine?
The city has a strong commitment to economic development, and redevelopment, that has a proven record of working for Blaine. Continued commitment to these initiatives is vital to Blaine’s growth.
Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Blaine (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 Blaine and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
City mandates for business should focus on basic, accepted code directives for the safety of staff and customers, and not be an unwelcome and intrusive participant in employer/employee relations. Wages and benefits need to remain as business tools to attract and retain a flexible workforce as directed by the free market of supply and demand.
What are your strategies to address public safety, housing, and transportation issues facing your community?
Safety Services through Police and Fire are a core service for local government. Code enforcement and zoning ordinances work in harmony with Safety Services for both business and residential properties. Safe, affordable housing and transportation are vital to a vibrant workforce. Blaine has limited, yet effective, involvement in the latter two broader issues.
What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
The core services of: safety services through Police and Fire, water and sewer infrastructure, and roads and street maintenance are the top three critical uses of Blaine’s budget that everyone will agree are priorities.
What will you do to expand Blaine’s tax base?
Diversification of housing and business make the tax base less volatile to market fluctuations. Continuation of the Blaine’s past practices is prudent with modifications, as needed, through thoughtful deliberation.
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 co-founder of the Blaine Business Council, educational representation through the three school districts within the city has been an integral participatory link to both business and local government at Business Council meetings. Businesses are able to hear directly from schools, and schools from businesses, to share thoughts on how the challenges of current and future workforce needs are met. City government may serve as a catalyst for these communications, however the private sector and schools are able to nurture better synergy together with limited governmental involvement.
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?
The SBM Fire Department is a shining example of cooperation with the three adjacent cities to share this critical public service for the benefit of tax payers. Services currently offered to residents by businesses are best left to the private sector. Golf courses and banquet/meeting facilities are examples of business models that are well served by the public through private, not public, ownership.
What is the role of the City Council in fostering increased minority- and women-owned businesses in Blaine?
The city should favor all business development equally, without favoritism. Blaine does not have the resources to segment one interest group at the expense of others.
What further policies can Blaine adopt to help the business community recover from the COVID-19 pandemic?
Flexibility has already been shown by the city to allow businesses to modify outdoor dining limits to the benefit of both restaurants and guests. Business requests for temporary signage have also been enacted by the city. Working together on solutions to current and future challenges will bring positive benefits to everyone.
Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Blaine remains a healthy city for both businesses and residents. Wholesale revisions to city government are neither needed nor welcomed. Blaine’s future is bright and the path forward is sound. Thank you.