Christine Fountaine
Name: Christine Fountaine
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-503-3759
Campaign Website: https://www.christinefountainecandidateforoakdalecitycouncil.com
Twitter Handle:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christine-Fountaine-for-Oakdale-City-Council/61592085704280/
Candidate Bio
My family and I moved to Oakdale in 2015, and we truly love living here. I love the small-town feel while still being close to everything we need, the relationships we have with our neighbors, and supporting local businesses whenever I can.
I am a wife, mother, small business owner and healthcare worker with an associate degree in Medical Billing and Coding. My background also includes office management and construction administration. I have served on Unit Council at work and currently volunteer with the Oakdale Summerfest Community Organization (OSCO).
One of the greatest responsibilities I have held was serving as my father's medical and financial guardian until he passed away. That experience taught me a lot about advocacy, trust, difficult decisions and the responsibility that comes with making decisions that affect someone else.
I'm not a politician, and I don't claim to have all the answers. I bring common sense, strong communication skills, a strong work ethic and experience working with others. Most importantly, I care about Oakdale and the people who call it home.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
My leadership style is collaborative. I believe the best decisions come from listening to different perspectives, asking questions and working together toward a solution. I don't believe being elected to City Council suddenly makes one person the expert on everything.
I would remain calm and listen when people bring concerns to me. People deserve the opportunity to express their concerns and ideas and know they are actually being heard. I would listen to different sides, take notes and ask questions before making a decision.
There may not always be an answer right away. Sometimes I may need more information from city staff or the people who work with an issue every day. But once I have the information I need, I am comfortable making a decision and standing behind it.
I also understand I won't be able to please everyone. People may disagree with a decision or even be upset by it, but that doesn't mean their concerns should be dismissed.
I would lead with respect, communication, common sense and a willingness to work with others to find common ground when possible.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
My first priority is protecting the essential services that keep Oakdale safe and functioning—police, fire, public works and our infrastructure. We need to make sure these departments have the staffing, equipment and resources they need while being responsible with taxpayers’ dollars.
My second priority is communication and transparency. Residents may not always agree with City Council decisions, but they deserve to understand why decisions are being made, where their money is going and how they can be part of the conversation.
My third priority is responsible investment in our community. I want us to maintain our parks, trails and green spaces and look at what resources may be missing. I have heard residents talk about wanting more opportunities for our youth. I think that's worth exploring, but before promising a new program or facility, we need to know what already exists, what role the city should play, what it would cost, how it would be staffed and how we would continue paying for it.
With uncertainty in state and federal funding, we have to think beyond getting money for a project today. We also have to ask what happens if that funding isn't there tomorrow and what that could mean for Oakdale taxpayers.
What is the biggest challenge facing Oakdale right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
I believe one of Oakdale's biggest challenges is planning for the future while keeping our community affordable and maintaining the quality-of-life residents value today.
I want Oakdale to continue being a place where people want to live, raise their families, work and stay. When people don't understand or agree with something happening in their city, sometimes the reaction is, “I'm moving.” I would rather see residents ask why, learn more, share their concerns and feel comfortable being part of the conversation, even when we may not all agree.
The city also needs to look beyond what is happening today. What might Oakdale need five, ten or twenty years from now? What will our infrastructure need? What about public safety and community resources? What will those things cost? We can't predict everything, but we can plan for realistic possibilities instead of waiting until something becomes a problem.
Our greatest opportunity is to build on what people already love about Oakdale while planning responsibly for its future.
How would you characterize the business climate in Oakdale, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
As a small business owner, I know that getting a business started is only part of the challenge. Businesses need customers, visibility and a community willing to support them.
I would like to see Oakdale continue attracting a variety of businesses. I would personally love to see more sit-down restaurants, retail and locally owned businesses that give residents more reasons to spend their money here in Oakdale. At the same time, supporting and retaining businesses already here is just as important as attracting new ones.
Oakdale already has economic development resources. I believe we should continue looking at what is working, what challenges our businesses are facing and where the city can realistically help. When it comes to workforce needs, the city doesn't have to create every solution itself. We can help connect businesses with existing educational, county, Chamber and workforce resources.
I also believe growth has to make sense for the area. If development is proposed near a neighborhood, residents' concerns about traffic, safety, noise and infrastructure should be part of the discussion.
I want Oakdale to be a place where businesses want to invest and where residents want to support the businesses in the community where they live.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
I feel safe living in Oakdale, and I want to keep it that way.
For me, that starts with making sure our police and fire departments have the staffing, training, equipment and resources they need to serve residents and respond when we need them.
I also believe public safety needs to be part of how we plan for growth and redevelopment. We need to consider how development could affect traffic, surrounding roads, pedestrians and emergency access before problems develop.
I believe we should rely on the knowledge and experience of our police, fire and city staff when determining where resources are needed. Residents also play an important role because they experience what is happening in their neighborhoods every day.
Public safety doesn't stop at Oakdale's borders. Sometimes solving safety concerns means working with the county, state or a neighboring city. When that happens, Oakdale needs to make sure our residents' concerns are represented.
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?
I believe people at different stages of life should have an opportunity to live and stay in Oakdale. Someone who has lived here for 30 years shouldn't have to leave the community they call home simply because housing costs have become unaffordable. At the same time, a young person or family who wants to make Oakdale home should have a reasonable opportunity to do so.
I don't think there is one simple answer to housing affordability. The city can use planning, zoning, development decisions and partnerships while also considering how those decisions affect existing neighborhoods, infrastructure and taxpayers.
I am not convinced that rent control alone is the answer to housing affordability in Oakdale. Before supporting a rent-control policy, I would need to see that it would actually help residents without creating other problems, such as reducing available housing or discouraging investment and maintenance. Renters are struggling with rising costs matter, but we also have to understand the effects a policy could have on property owners and future housing.
What I do believe strongly is that Oakdale needs housing opportunities for people at different stages of life. We need practical and reliable solutions that give long-time residents a reasonable opportunity to remain here while allowing younger people and families an opportunity to make Oakdale their home.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
I think we need to look at transportation from the perspective of the people using it—whether they are driving, walking, biking or using public transportation.
One area I have wondered about is 40th Street over I-694. The sidewalk ends and there isn't a safe pedestrian connection across the freeway. Instead of assuming I knew the answer, I asked. I learned that Oakdale is already working on plans for a dedicated pedestrian overpass. The city received $3.5 million from the state toward the project and is looking for additional grants and funding to help pay for the rest.
I support that approach. When we have a major infrastructure need, we should plan for it and pursue grants and outside funding when available rather than expecting Oakdale taxpayers to carry the entire cost.
I also asked about Century Avenue/Highway 120 because I have concerns about that roadway. I learned that the section between I-94 and I-694 is currently controlled by MnDOT, with discussions about eventually turning it over to Ramsey and Washington Counties. The roadway needs future improvements, including pedestrian infrastructure, but Oakdale cannot do that alone.
I support transportation planning that safely connects our neighborhoods for people who drive, walk, bike or use public transportation. When a roadway isn't controlled by Oakdale, the city should advocate for our residents and work with the agency responsible for it.
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?
I understand that rising property taxes affect real household and business budgets. For many homeowners, an increase in property taxes can eventually mean an increase in their monthly mortgage escrow payment. I don't take that lightly.
Before asking residents to pay more, I would have questions. Are we using all of the resources available to us? Are there grants or other funding sources? Can something be done in phases? What absolutely needs to be done now and what can wait? And if we wait, will it end up costing taxpayers more later?
At the same time, keeping taxes reasonable can't mean allowing essential services or infrastructure to suffer. Police, fire, public works and the other services residents depend on have to be maintained.
If an increase is truly necessary, residents deserve to know why, what the money is paying for and how it may affect them. They should have opportunities to ask questions and provide input during the budget process.
To me, fiscal responsibility means treating taxpayer money carefully, looking for other options, understanding long-term costs and making the best decision possible with the information available.
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?
Before deciding to run for City Council, I didn't realize how many things people associate with “the city” are controlled by the county, state, school district or another agency. I figured that out by asking questions and bringing up ideas, and it has been one of the biggest things I have learned during this process.
I believe Oakdale is best positioned to lead on our core city services and local infrastructure—police, fire, public works, water and local streets. These are things residents depend on every day and areas where the city understands its own needs.
The city also has an important role in planning and development. Where and how we develop affects neighborhoods, roads, infrastructure, green space, businesses and our future.
The third area is communication with residents. City government is the level of government closest to us. Residents should know what is happening, how they can participate and who they can ask when they have questions.
I've also learned that sometimes leadership means admitting something isn't under Oakdale's control. That doesn't mean we ignore it. It means we figure out who is responsible and work with them.
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?
To me, transparency is more than putting information online. People need to be able to understand it.
Residents should know about significant spending decisions as early as reasonably possible, so they have time to ask questions and understand what is being considered before a final decision is made.
When we're talking about taxpayer money, residents should be able to get answers to some basic questions: How much does this cost? Where is the money coming from? How much is Oakdale paying? Is there grant or outside funding? Are there costs that continue into future years? How does this affect the overall budget and potentially the taxpayer?
I also think council members need to understand those answers. If a resident asks me why we're spending money on something, I want to be able to explain it. If I don't know the answer, I should be willing to find it.
Not everyone has the time or financial background to work through complicated budget documents. Information should be easy to find and explained in terms regular people can understand.
Residents may not always agree with a decision, but they should be able to understand how and why it was made.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-503-3759
Campaign Website: https://www.christinefountainecandidateforoakdalecitycouncil.com
Twitter Handle:
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/people/Christine-Fountaine-for-Oakdale-City-Council/61592085704280/
Candidate Bio
My family and I moved to Oakdale in 2015, and we truly love living here. I love the small-town feel while still being close to everything we need, the relationships we have with our neighbors, and supporting local businesses whenever I can.
I am a wife, mother, small business owner and healthcare worker with an associate degree in Medical Billing and Coding. My background also includes office management and construction administration. I have served on Unit Council at work and currently volunteer with the Oakdale Summerfest Community Organization (OSCO).
One of the greatest responsibilities I have held was serving as my father's medical and financial guardian until he passed away. That experience taught me a lot about advocacy, trust, difficult decisions and the responsibility that comes with making decisions that affect someone else.
I'm not a politician, and I don't claim to have all the answers. I bring common sense, strong communication skills, a strong work ethic and experience working with others. Most importantly, I care about Oakdale and the people who call it home.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
My leadership style is collaborative. I believe the best decisions come from listening to different perspectives, asking questions and working together toward a solution. I don't believe being elected to City Council suddenly makes one person the expert on everything.
I would remain calm and listen when people bring concerns to me. People deserve the opportunity to express their concerns and ideas and know they are actually being heard. I would listen to different sides, take notes and ask questions before making a decision.
There may not always be an answer right away. Sometimes I may need more information from city staff or the people who work with an issue every day. But once I have the information I need, I am comfortable making a decision and standing behind it.
I also understand I won't be able to please everyone. People may disagree with a decision or even be upset by it, but that doesn't mean their concerns should be dismissed.
I would lead with respect, communication, common sense and a willingness to work with others to find common ground when possible.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
My first priority is protecting the essential services that keep Oakdale safe and functioning—police, fire, public works and our infrastructure. We need to make sure these departments have the staffing, equipment and resources they need while being responsible with taxpayers’ dollars.
My second priority is communication and transparency. Residents may not always agree with City Council decisions, but they deserve to understand why decisions are being made, where their money is going and how they can be part of the conversation.
My third priority is responsible investment in our community. I want us to maintain our parks, trails and green spaces and look at what resources may be missing. I have heard residents talk about wanting more opportunities for our youth. I think that's worth exploring, but before promising a new program or facility, we need to know what already exists, what role the city should play, what it would cost, how it would be staffed and how we would continue paying for it.
With uncertainty in state and federal funding, we have to think beyond getting money for a project today. We also have to ask what happens if that funding isn't there tomorrow and what that could mean for Oakdale taxpayers.
What is the biggest challenge facing Oakdale right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
I believe one of Oakdale's biggest challenges is planning for the future while keeping our community affordable and maintaining the quality-of-life residents value today.
I want Oakdale to continue being a place where people want to live, raise their families, work and stay. When people don't understand or agree with something happening in their city, sometimes the reaction is, “I'm moving.” I would rather see residents ask why, learn more, share their concerns and feel comfortable being part of the conversation, even when we may not all agree.
The city also needs to look beyond what is happening today. What might Oakdale need five, ten or twenty years from now? What will our infrastructure need? What about public safety and community resources? What will those things cost? We can't predict everything, but we can plan for realistic possibilities instead of waiting until something becomes a problem.
Our greatest opportunity is to build on what people already love about Oakdale while planning responsibly for its future.
How would you characterize the business climate in Oakdale, and what role should city government play in partnering with the business community to attract jobs, develop the workforce, and address shared challenges?
As a small business owner, I know that getting a business started is only part of the challenge. Businesses need customers, visibility and a community willing to support them.
I would like to see Oakdale continue attracting a variety of businesses. I would personally love to see more sit-down restaurants, retail and locally owned businesses that give residents more reasons to spend their money here in Oakdale. At the same time, supporting and retaining businesses already here is just as important as attracting new ones.
Oakdale already has economic development resources. I believe we should continue looking at what is working, what challenges our businesses are facing and where the city can realistically help. When it comes to workforce needs, the city doesn't have to create every solution itself. We can help connect businesses with existing educational, county, Chamber and workforce resources.
I also believe growth has to make sense for the area. If development is proposed near a neighborhood, residents' concerns about traffic, safety, noise and infrastructure should be part of the discussion.
I want Oakdale to be a place where businesses want to invest and where residents want to support the businesses in the community where they live.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
I feel safe living in Oakdale, and I want to keep it that way.
For me, that starts with making sure our police and fire departments have the staffing, training, equipment and resources they need to serve residents and respond when we need them.
I also believe public safety needs to be part of how we plan for growth and redevelopment. We need to consider how development could affect traffic, surrounding roads, pedestrians and emergency access before problems develop.
I believe we should rely on the knowledge and experience of our police, fire and city staff when determining where resources are needed. Residents also play an important role because they experience what is happening in their neighborhoods every day.
Public safety doesn't stop at Oakdale's borders. Sometimes solving safety concerns means working with the county, state or a neighboring city. When that happens, Oakdale needs to make sure our residents' concerns are represented.
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?
I believe people at different stages of life should have an opportunity to live and stay in Oakdale. Someone who has lived here for 30 years shouldn't have to leave the community they call home simply because housing costs have become unaffordable. At the same time, a young person or family who wants to make Oakdale home should have a reasonable opportunity to do so.
I don't think there is one simple answer to housing affordability. The city can use planning, zoning, development decisions and partnerships while also considering how those decisions affect existing neighborhoods, infrastructure and taxpayers.
I am not convinced that rent control alone is the answer to housing affordability in Oakdale. Before supporting a rent-control policy, I would need to see that it would actually help residents without creating other problems, such as reducing available housing or discouraging investment and maintenance. Renters are struggling with rising costs matter, but we also have to understand the effects a policy could have on property owners and future housing.
What I do believe strongly is that Oakdale needs housing opportunities for people at different stages of life. We need practical and reliable solutions that give long-time residents a reasonable opportunity to remain here while allowing younger people and families an opportunity to make Oakdale their home.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
I think we need to look at transportation from the perspective of the people using it—whether they are driving, walking, biking or using public transportation.
One area I have wondered about is 40th Street over I-694. The sidewalk ends and there isn't a safe pedestrian connection across the freeway. Instead of assuming I knew the answer, I asked. I learned that Oakdale is already working on plans for a dedicated pedestrian overpass. The city received $3.5 million from the state toward the project and is looking for additional grants and funding to help pay for the rest.
I support that approach. When we have a major infrastructure need, we should plan for it and pursue grants and outside funding when available rather than expecting Oakdale taxpayers to carry the entire cost.
I also asked about Century Avenue/Highway 120 because I have concerns about that roadway. I learned that the section between I-94 and I-694 is currently controlled by MnDOT, with discussions about eventually turning it over to Ramsey and Washington Counties. The roadway needs future improvements, including pedestrian infrastructure, but Oakdale cannot do that alone.
I support transportation planning that safely connects our neighborhoods for people who drive, walk, bike or use public transportation. When a roadway isn't controlled by Oakdale, the city should advocate for our residents and work with the agency responsible for it.
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?
I understand that rising property taxes affect real household and business budgets. For many homeowners, an increase in property taxes can eventually mean an increase in their monthly mortgage escrow payment. I don't take that lightly.
Before asking residents to pay more, I would have questions. Are we using all of the resources available to us? Are there grants or other funding sources? Can something be done in phases? What absolutely needs to be done now and what can wait? And if we wait, will it end up costing taxpayers more later?
At the same time, keeping taxes reasonable can't mean allowing essential services or infrastructure to suffer. Police, fire, public works and the other services residents depend on have to be maintained.
If an increase is truly necessary, residents deserve to know why, what the money is paying for and how it may affect them. They should have opportunities to ask questions and provide input during the budget process.
To me, fiscal responsibility means treating taxpayer money carefully, looking for other options, understanding long-term costs and making the best decision possible with the information available.
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?
Before deciding to run for City Council, I didn't realize how many things people associate with “the city” are controlled by the county, state, school district or another agency. I figured that out by asking questions and bringing up ideas, and it has been one of the biggest things I have learned during this process.
I believe Oakdale is best positioned to lead on our core city services and local infrastructure—police, fire, public works, water and local streets. These are things residents depend on every day and areas where the city understands its own needs.
The city also has an important role in planning and development. Where and how we develop affects neighborhoods, roads, infrastructure, green space, businesses and our future.
The third area is communication with residents. City government is the level of government closest to us. Residents should know what is happening, how they can participate and who they can ask when they have questions.
I've also learned that sometimes leadership means admitting something isn't under Oakdale's control. That doesn't mean we ignore it. It means we figure out who is responsible and work with them.
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?
To me, transparency is more than putting information online. People need to be able to understand it.
Residents should know about significant spending decisions as early as reasonably possible, so they have time to ask questions and understand what is being considered before a final decision is made.
When we're talking about taxpayer money, residents should be able to get answers to some basic questions: How much does this cost? Where is the money coming from? How much is Oakdale paying? Is there grant or outside funding? Are there costs that continue into future years? How does this affect the overall budget and potentially the taxpayer?
I also think council members need to understand those answers. If a resident asks me why we're spending money on something, I want to be able to explain it. If I don't know the answer, I should be willing to find it.
Not everyone has the time or financial background to work through complicated budget documents. Information should be easy to find and explained in terms regular people can understand.
Residents may not always agree with a decision, but they should be able to understand how and why it was made.