Wayne Johnson
Name: Wayne Johnson
Public Office Sought: Washington County Commissioner, District 4
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-769-7437
Website: wayneforwashingtoncounty.com
Facebook: Wayne Johnson for Washington County Commissioner District 4
Candidate Bio
1. Why are you running for this seat?
The most basic answer is that I believe I am the right person for the job and I care about what is happening and going to happen. Serving the citizens of Cottage Grove as one of five council members is a privilege that comes with a huge responsibility. I have seen what growth in business and residential can do for and to a community. More opportunity and challenges come with the growth. Balancing the challenges of transportation, water usage, job opportunities and skilled labor availability is going to be needed. We are working on that now at the city level and I believe I can take it to the county level.
2. What is the biggest challenge facing your district and how would you address it?
Growth and all that comes with it. Both good and bad. Our drinking water safety is essential and we are dealing with that with the 3M settlement. However, access to water and disposal of waste water is going to be very important. This is due to growth. Transportation, access to jobs, labor all are connected to growth. I would advocate for discussions with the right people who have addressed this in other communities.
3. What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing Washington County as a whole and how would you address it?
Growth. The increase in population in cities like Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Lake Elmo etc. is creating challenges. Where to people live, how do they get to work, how do they find affordable housing, how do businesses find skilled labor. There is also the homeless issue where people can not find an affordable home even if they are working.
Washington County has many resources to address the above issues. I would be committed to working with them to ensure they continue to provide the best resources and are always looking for a better way to serve. I would also promote looking for ways to address the skilled labor gap for business.
4. What would be your top three priorities if (re-)elected to the Washington County Board of Commissioners?
1) Transportation – Access to jobs from residents outside of the county or from city to city. Also, access to jobs outside of the county by residents.
2) Affordable housing and access to housing.
3) Water supply and waste water treatment. Both will be huge in the coming years.
5. Should county government be actively involved in attracting and retaining jobs? Why or why not? If yes, please describe the role for the county in this process.
Yes to a point. I believe that addressing issues that are a concern of business like transportation and access to skilled labor is a way to address this. The economy is changing, and big box is not as popular. A company may operate out of a home or small office and still generate millions of dollars in revenue. Do they need better roads, or do they need better internet access? What may have worked in the past does not work now. The county can help by listening to what is need now.
6. What role should county government play in economic development, and how should the county work with partner organizations?
I believe the counties role in economic development is transportation, public safety and health. Transportation to ensure that labor can get to work from other places and also shoppers have a way to access stores. A warehouse or manufacturer needs labor. Many of the workers may not live close to the facility. Development of public transit like the Gold Line will be key. Business also need to know they are building in a safe area with proper access to water and sewer. There also may be some programs for incentive with the state or cities.
7. What do you believe are the most essential services provided by county government?
Public Safety and Health are the most essential services provided by county government.
8. Are there any services that the county does not provide that you believe it should?
Not at this time. Some services can be broadened based on need.
9. Are there any services currently provided by the county that you believe should be cut back or eliminated?
Not at this time.
10. How would you characterize the business climate in Washington County? What, if anything, would you do to change it?
The business climate in Washington County is strong, but uneven. Woodbury continues to boom with retail and healthcare. Cottage Grove is growing with residential and some retail and business in the industrial park. Other cities have their own growth. The challenge and change that I would like to see is the reduction of people leaving a city to work somewhere else. How do we create jobs that can keep commuters home or keep them from leaving to shop.
11. Many communities and government entities in the East Metro collaborate to provide services to their residents in an effort operate more efficiently and cost effectively. Do you believe that Washington County uses such partnerships appropriately, and can you identify any specific areas where more sharing of services should be used?
There is a lot of collaboration for public safety and water. SWAT and Emergency Management is an example of communities and county cooperation. Water Shed is another example of cooperation. There is also partnerships with cities regarding road construction and transportation.
12. In your view, what is Washington County’s top transportation priority and how would you advance it?
Mass transportation will be very important for the future of Washington County and communities. The further development of the Gold Line and developing or modifying the current road system will be needed.
13. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I believe I am the best candidate for Washington County Commissioner. We need a commissioner who will represent all citizens of District 4 and not one or two special interests. Labor and business and homeowners working together is the only way for future success.
I have the experience with working with the different departments that make up the budget for the City of Cottage Grove. I serve on several committees working with citizens of Cottage Grove. A continued partnership between the cities and Washington County is key for everyone’s future and I will make sure we have a great partnership moving forward.
I will not state that I am an expert at all the areas that Washington County is involved in. However, I do know how to work with people and seek the information needed to make the best decisions.
Public Office Sought: Washington County Commissioner, District 4
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 651-769-7437
Website: wayneforwashingtoncounty.com
Facebook: Wayne Johnson for Washington County Commissioner District 4
Candidate Bio
- Currently serving on Cottage Grove City Council
- Currently serve as liaison on Public Service Commission which work with the Police, Fire and Public Works departments.
- Currently service as liaison for BYTR (Beyond The Yellow Ribbon) We work with current and formerly deployed service members and their families.
- Currently serving on the Investment Board.
- Currently the liaison for Executive Board for Chamber of Commerce.
- Served 3 years on Planning Commission for Cottage Grove.
- Owner of multiple businesses .
- BS in Accounting
- 20 year resident of Cottage Grove
1. Why are you running for this seat?
The most basic answer is that I believe I am the right person for the job and I care about what is happening and going to happen. Serving the citizens of Cottage Grove as one of five council members is a privilege that comes with a huge responsibility. I have seen what growth in business and residential can do for and to a community. More opportunity and challenges come with the growth. Balancing the challenges of transportation, water usage, job opportunities and skilled labor availability is going to be needed. We are working on that now at the city level and I believe I can take it to the county level.
2. What is the biggest challenge facing your district and how would you address it?
Growth and all that comes with it. Both good and bad. Our drinking water safety is essential and we are dealing with that with the 3M settlement. However, access to water and disposal of waste water is going to be very important. This is due to growth. Transportation, access to jobs, labor all are connected to growth. I would advocate for discussions with the right people who have addressed this in other communities.
3. What do you believe is the biggest challenge facing Washington County as a whole and how would you address it?
Growth. The increase in population in cities like Woodbury, Cottage Grove, Lake Elmo etc. is creating challenges. Where to people live, how do they get to work, how do they find affordable housing, how do businesses find skilled labor. There is also the homeless issue where people can not find an affordable home even if they are working.
Washington County has many resources to address the above issues. I would be committed to working with them to ensure they continue to provide the best resources and are always looking for a better way to serve. I would also promote looking for ways to address the skilled labor gap for business.
4. What would be your top three priorities if (re-)elected to the Washington County Board of Commissioners?
1) Transportation – Access to jobs from residents outside of the county or from city to city. Also, access to jobs outside of the county by residents.
2) Affordable housing and access to housing.
3) Water supply and waste water treatment. Both will be huge in the coming years.
5. Should county government be actively involved in attracting and retaining jobs? Why or why not? If yes, please describe the role for the county in this process.
Yes to a point. I believe that addressing issues that are a concern of business like transportation and access to skilled labor is a way to address this. The economy is changing, and big box is not as popular. A company may operate out of a home or small office and still generate millions of dollars in revenue. Do they need better roads, or do they need better internet access? What may have worked in the past does not work now. The county can help by listening to what is need now.
6. What role should county government play in economic development, and how should the county work with partner organizations?
I believe the counties role in economic development is transportation, public safety and health. Transportation to ensure that labor can get to work from other places and also shoppers have a way to access stores. A warehouse or manufacturer needs labor. Many of the workers may not live close to the facility. Development of public transit like the Gold Line will be key. Business also need to know they are building in a safe area with proper access to water and sewer. There also may be some programs for incentive with the state or cities.
7. What do you believe are the most essential services provided by county government?
Public Safety and Health are the most essential services provided by county government.
8. Are there any services that the county does not provide that you believe it should?
Not at this time. Some services can be broadened based on need.
9. Are there any services currently provided by the county that you believe should be cut back or eliminated?
Not at this time.
10. How would you characterize the business climate in Washington County? What, if anything, would you do to change it?
The business climate in Washington County is strong, but uneven. Woodbury continues to boom with retail and healthcare. Cottage Grove is growing with residential and some retail and business in the industrial park. Other cities have their own growth. The challenge and change that I would like to see is the reduction of people leaving a city to work somewhere else. How do we create jobs that can keep commuters home or keep them from leaving to shop.
11. Many communities and government entities in the East Metro collaborate to provide services to their residents in an effort operate more efficiently and cost effectively. Do you believe that Washington County uses such partnerships appropriately, and can you identify any specific areas where more sharing of services should be used?
There is a lot of collaboration for public safety and water. SWAT and Emergency Management is an example of communities and county cooperation. Water Shed is another example of cooperation. There is also partnerships with cities regarding road construction and transportation.
12. In your view, what is Washington County’s top transportation priority and how would you advance it?
Mass transportation will be very important for the future of Washington County and communities. The further development of the Gold Line and developing or modifying the current road system will be needed.
13. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
I believe I am the best candidate for Washington County Commissioner. We need a commissioner who will represent all citizens of District 4 and not one or two special interests. Labor and business and homeowners working together is the only way for future success.
I have the experience with working with the different departments that make up the budget for the City of Cottage Grove. I serve on several committees working with citizens of Cottage Grove. A continued partnership between the cities and Washington County is key for everyone’s future and I will make sure we have a great partnership moving forward.
I will not state that I am an expert at all the areas that Washington County is involved in. However, I do know how to work with people and seek the information needed to make the best decisions.