Jennifer Kimlinger
Name: Jennifer Kimlinger
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-402-4225
Campaign Website: www.KimlingerforCouncil.com
Twitter Handle:
Facebook Page: KimlingerForCouncil
Candidate Bio
I have been a resident of Oakdale since I purchased my first house in 2001. My daughter, Jordan is currently in college studying aviation. We have a silver lab, Koda who is very much a spoiled member of our family.
I graduated from the University of Minnesota. Prior to that, I graduated from St. Bernard's High School, where I played volleyball and softball. Raised in family businesses, I am the General Manager at a local small business and in 2015, I started my photography company. My volunteer experience as President of my Home Owners Association Board as well as the President of my daughter's Home and School Association has given me parliamentary procedure experience. All of this has prepared me for this next chapter.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I am an enthusiastic, organized, and hardworking collaborator, focusing on results to bring unified goals and successful outcomes to organizations. I highly value integrity and responsibility.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
My top three priorities for serving on the Oakdale City Council would be; strong support for public safety departments, fiscal responsibility to the tax payers, and listening to residents’ concerns.
At the forefront of any government should be public safety. Residents need to feel safe and welcomed in the community in which they reside. Fiscal accountability is as important as safety. As a City Council Member, one has to be accountable to those they represent, using money wisely and avoiding wasteful spending. Listening and engaging with my fellow residents is an integral part in making decisions for the city. Listening to others and having knowledge of the issues is key to making sound decisions for the best interest for the City of Oakdale.
What is the biggest challenge facing Oakdale right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
Oakdale is currently expanding, I believe public safety is one of the most important roles of any government. Ensuring that we have sufficient public safety resources to promote full staffing in our police and fire departments is necessary to provide a safe and healthy community. It is important to allocate funds for regular training and essential equipment needed for public safety workers to fully function in their positions.
With the expansion, comes the potential for more businesses to come to Oakdale. This is a great opportunity for Oakdale.
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?
Government needs to provide essential infrastructure and services, and promote and attract business development to guarantee a strong local economy. Planning for the future requires a balance of fiscal responsibility while providing for the community. City members need to work together to create comprehensive plans for economic growth that enhance the quality of life for residents and businesses.
I support the area Chamber of Commerce for the work that they do to attract and aid in the business climate in our local city as well as in the areas around the State.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
The growth of our city will require more trained public safety workers. Also, we need to ensure our roads can safely handle the increases traffic flow. Oakdale needs to continue to monitor the water safety and proactively address any issues.
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?
Let the private sector work without government interference. I live in the south corridor of Oakdale, there is quite a bit of housing development happening already. From speaking with residents, there is a desire to have more single family homes developed in Oakdale. I am opposed to rent control.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
Make sure infrastructure is at the highest quality. I live within a couple of blocks to the Gold Line, safety measures have been taken into account with regards to the Gold Line. In the southeast part of Oakdale, there are walking path and paths for cyclists.
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?
Stick to the core functions of city government. Prioritize public safety, public health and strong local economy. A strong local economy will attract more residents and businesses to our city. This will increase our tax base.
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?
Nothing is more important than public safety. Local police departments know specific areas in our city where more resources are needed and what those resources should be. Infrastructure would be another key area. Local public works have a better pulse on what areas needs to be modified for the residents. Quality water and proper sewage control allows city government to proactively address any issues.
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?
I am in favor of full transparency for all levels of government. Everything should be available to the people of Oakdale. For example, all of my contact information is available and I welcome opportunities to engage with and hear from the residents.
Email: [email protected]
Campaign Phone: 651-402-4225
Campaign Website: www.KimlingerforCouncil.com
Twitter Handle:
Facebook Page: KimlingerForCouncil
Candidate Bio
I have been a resident of Oakdale since I purchased my first house in 2001. My daughter, Jordan is currently in college studying aviation. We have a silver lab, Koda who is very much a spoiled member of our family.
I graduated from the University of Minnesota. Prior to that, I graduated from St. Bernard's High School, where I played volleyball and softball. Raised in family businesses, I am the General Manager at a local small business and in 2015, I started my photography company. My volunteer experience as President of my Home Owners Association Board as well as the President of my daughter's Home and School Association has given me parliamentary procedure experience. All of this has prepared me for this next chapter.
What style of leadership would you bring to this position?
I am an enthusiastic, organized, and hardworking collaborator, focusing on results to bring unified goals and successful outcomes to organizations. I highly value integrity and responsibility.
What are your top three priorities if elected, and how might they be affected by growing uncertainty around state and federal funding?
My top three priorities for serving on the Oakdale City Council would be; strong support for public safety departments, fiscal responsibility to the tax payers, and listening to residents’ concerns.
At the forefront of any government should be public safety. Residents need to feel safe and welcomed in the community in which they reside. Fiscal accountability is as important as safety. As a City Council Member, one has to be accountable to those they represent, using money wisely and avoiding wasteful spending. Listening and engaging with my fellow residents is an integral part in making decisions for the city. Listening to others and having knowledge of the issues is key to making sound decisions for the best interest for the City of Oakdale.
What is the biggest challenge facing Oakdale right now, and where do you see the greatest opportunity?
Oakdale is currently expanding, I believe public safety is one of the most important roles of any government. Ensuring that we have sufficient public safety resources to promote full staffing in our police and fire departments is necessary to provide a safe and healthy community. It is important to allocate funds for regular training and essential equipment needed for public safety workers to fully function in their positions.
With the expansion, comes the potential for more businesses to come to Oakdale. This is a great opportunity for Oakdale.
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?
Government needs to provide essential infrastructure and services, and promote and attract business development to guarantee a strong local economy. Planning for the future requires a balance of fiscal responsibility while providing for the community. City members need to work together to create comprehensive plans for economic growth that enhance the quality of life for residents and businesses.
I support the area Chamber of Commerce for the work that they do to attract and aid in the business climate in our local city as well as in the areas around the State.
What do you view as the most pressing public safety challenges in your community, and how would you address them?
The growth of our city will require more trained public safety workers. Also, we need to ensure our roads can safely handle the increases traffic flow. Oakdale needs to continue to monitor the water safety and proactively address any issues.
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?
Let the private sector work without government interference. I live in the south corridor of Oakdale, there is quite a bit of housing development happening already. From speaking with residents, there is a desire to have more single family homes developed in Oakdale. I am opposed to rent control.
How would you improve transportation infrastructure and safety for drivers, transit riders, cyclists, and pedestrians in your community?
Make sure infrastructure is at the highest quality. I live within a couple of blocks to the Gold Line, safety measures have been taken into account with regards to the Gold Line. In the southeast part of Oakdale, there are walking path and paths for cyclists.
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?
Stick to the core functions of city government. Prioritize public safety, public health and strong local economy. A strong local economy will attract more residents and businesses to our city. This will increase our tax base.
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?
Nothing is more important than public safety. Local police departments know specific areas in our city where more resources are needed and what those resources should be. Infrastructure would be another key area. Local public works have a better pulse on what areas needs to be modified for the residents. Quality water and proper sewage control allows city government to proactively address any issues.
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?
I am in favor of full transparency for all levels of government. Everything should be available to the people of Oakdale. For example, all of my contact information is available and I welcome opportunities to engage with and hear from the residents.