Brett Olson
Name: Brett Olson
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone:
Campaign Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/people/Brett-Olson-for-Stillwater-Ward-1/61591441487355/
Candidate Bio
My main focus is being stewards for our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren — ensuring Stillwater stays safe, strong and beautiful for generations. Every decision: Will this make Stillwater better for them? I spent over 20 years as an auto executive starting in sales and working up into finance, management and upper management — CEO and General Manager positions operating large franchise dealerships to record profits. I also spent several years in construction with business plan, training program, role-playing and follow-up, again extremely successful. I have owned several small businesses including a large vending business, art gallery and framing, small dealership, window company and construction. I retired and worked as a small business consultant for the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota. I have been referred to as a Renaissance man with exemplary leadership — managing through recognition, preparing the business plan, execution and follow-up. I am extremely skilled in innovation, implementation, execution, negotiation and persuasion with focus on highest integrity always. I am a father, grandfather, great-grandfather and 20-year Stillwater resident.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
Renaissance man leadership. Exemplary leadership focused on managing through recognition, preparing the plan and business plan, execution and follow-up. Extremely skilled in negotiation and persuasion. I am The Implementer — details, planning, execution. Stewardship leadership: every decision — will this make Stillwater better for our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren? Highest integrity always.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
My main focus as stewards for our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren is to keep Stillwater safe, strong and beautiful for generations. My top three priorities: 1) Public Safety — safe streets for kids and seniors. 2) Fiscal responsibility — justify every dollar, budget conservatively if state/federal funds are uncertain, focus on core services. 3) Transportation until at least 10pm for veterans, seniors and disabled — right now Metro Mobility ends at 6:45pm weekdays, 4pm weekends, stranding people after dinner.
What is the biggest challenge facing Stillwater right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
Challenge is balancing growth, rising taxes, and keeping character while being good stewards for future generations. Opportunity is Stillwater itself — historic downtown, river, small business spirit.
How would you characterize the business climate in Stillwater, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
Strong but fragile. As a CEO/GM to record profits and small business owner and BBB consultant, I know both sides. High rents, taxes, workforce shortage, permitting delays. City should be partner not obstacle.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
Speeding, property crime, adequate police/fire/EMS staffing, and safe evening transportation for seniors and veterans. A safe city is a stewardship issue — will our grandchildren be safe walking here?
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability, and how do you view the role of rent control policies in that process?
Need workforce housing via sensible infill, no rent control.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
Fix roads/sidewalks first, then extend Metro Mobility to at least 10pm for veterans/seniors/disabled, promote Transit Link and Metro Move, request Metro Micro pilot like Woodbury.
Residential property owners across the region are feeling significant strain from rising property tax bills. How would you approach balancing fiscal responsibility with the demand for services when setting the city levy?
Justify every dollar, needs vs wants, competitive bidding.
What are the two or three issues where you believe city government is best positioned to lead — and why the city rather than the state or county?
What does real taxpayer transparency look like to you, and what specific steps would you take to achieve it — both in terms of financial reporting and public engagement?
Plain-language budget online, explain votes, Ward 1 listening sessions
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone:
Campaign Website:
Twitter handle:
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/people/Brett-Olson-for-Stillwater-Ward-1/61591441487355/
Candidate Bio
My main focus is being stewards for our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren — ensuring Stillwater stays safe, strong and beautiful for generations. Every decision: Will this make Stillwater better for them? I spent over 20 years as an auto executive starting in sales and working up into finance, management and upper management — CEO and General Manager positions operating large franchise dealerships to record profits. I also spent several years in construction with business plan, training program, role-playing and follow-up, again extremely successful. I have owned several small businesses including a large vending business, art gallery and framing, small dealership, window company and construction. I retired and worked as a small business consultant for the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota. I have been referred to as a Renaissance man with exemplary leadership — managing through recognition, preparing the business plan, execution and follow-up. I am extremely skilled in innovation, implementation, execution, negotiation and persuasion with focus on highest integrity always. I am a father, grandfather, great-grandfather and 20-year Stillwater resident.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
Renaissance man leadership. Exemplary leadership focused on managing through recognition, preparing the plan and business plan, execution and follow-up. Extremely skilled in negotiation and persuasion. I am The Implementer — details, planning, execution. Stewardship leadership: every decision — will this make Stillwater better for our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren? Highest integrity always.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
My main focus as stewards for our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren is to keep Stillwater safe, strong and beautiful for generations. My top three priorities: 1) Public Safety — safe streets for kids and seniors. 2) Fiscal responsibility — justify every dollar, budget conservatively if state/federal funds are uncertain, focus on core services. 3) Transportation until at least 10pm for veterans, seniors and disabled — right now Metro Mobility ends at 6:45pm weekdays, 4pm weekends, stranding people after dinner.
What is the biggest challenge facing Stillwater right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
Challenge is balancing growth, rising taxes, and keeping character while being good stewards for future generations. Opportunity is Stillwater itself — historic downtown, river, small business spirit.
How would you characterize the business climate in Stillwater, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
Strong but fragile. As a CEO/GM to record profits and small business owner and BBB consultant, I know both sides. High rents, taxes, workforce shortage, permitting delays. City should be partner not obstacle.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
Speeding, property crime, adequate police/fire/EMS staffing, and safe evening transportation for seniors and veterans. A safe city is a stewardship issue — will our grandchildren be safe walking here?
What ideas do you have to address housing shortages and affordability, and how do you view the role of rent control policies in that process?
Need workforce housing via sensible infill, no rent control.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
Fix roads/sidewalks first, then extend Metro Mobility to at least 10pm for veterans/seniors/disabled, promote Transit Link and Metro Move, request Metro Micro pilot like Woodbury.
Residential property owners across the region are feeling significant strain from rising property tax bills. How would you approach balancing fiscal responsibility with the demand for services when setting the city levy?
Justify every dollar, needs vs wants, competitive bidding.
What are the two or three issues where you believe city government is best positioned to lead — and why the city rather than the state or county?
What does real taxpayer transparency look like to you, and what specific steps would you take to achieve it — both in terms of financial reporting and public engagement?
Plain-language budget online, explain votes, Ward 1 listening sessions