Tom Ingemann
Name: Tom Ingemann
Public Office Sought: Newport City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 612-419-4680
Candidate Bio
Former City Council member - 15 years
Planning Commission member 8 years, Planning Commission Chair 3 years
Newport Fire Department member 42 years, Assistant Fire Chief 30 years
Fire Examiner for Minnesota Fire Certification Board 30 years
Resident of the City of Newport 45 years
Married 45 years, 2 adult sons, 4 grandchildren
Retired Service Manager QWEST Communications 40 years
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Newport?
Newport is a small community, with easy access from St Paul, Minneapolis, and the International Airport. It is located at the intersection of US Highway 61 and Interstate 494. It is an ideal location for a new business to locate. It is the home of Bailey Nurseries. Newport is very business friendly.
2. 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, Newport?
The City works with the business community to enhance the existing businesses, and to work with those that are thinking of locating in the city.
3. Would you support hiring a business advocate as a member of the city senior staff, to concentrate on business retention and expansion; new business recruitment; and business impact of proposed regulations on the business climate in Newport?
No
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in Newport? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Newport and do you support proposals to mitigate the effects on businesses like a tip credit, a youth wage, a training wage, and/or a phase-in?
Newport is a small community, and I believe the existing businesses already pay living wages
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Newport (such as mandatory sick time or scheduling notice)? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Newport and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
No, see answer to number 5
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
The Washington County Sheriff’s department provides police, and Newport has a very fine and very well trained Fire Department. Emergency medical services are provided by Cottage Grove EMS.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
Maintain the excellent credit rating that the City currently has, provide the best public services at the best most economical cost.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
Newport is mostly residential, which is where most of the tax base comes from. The business community is growing, which helps greatly with the tax base, and by increasing businesses, it helps reduce the amount that has to be provided from the residential base.
9. What will you do to expand Newport’s tax base?
Work to grow the business community.
Workforce development
10. How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
The City works with the School district on many things, but that is one item that is beyond their influence.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to Newport Public Schools?
Ensure they have what is needed from the City.
Other
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
Maintain the best possible services to the citizens at the lowest possible cost. Work with the residents of the City to determine what is expected, and needed, and how much they are willing to pay for it. Listed to the concerns of the citizens of the City.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Build a new city hall/ fire department building. The present City Hall is not ADA compliant at this time, and the Fire Hall is in need of serious up grade.
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
Bus service
15. Are there any services currently provided by the city that you believe should be cut back or eliminated? Or, are there new opportunities to share services with other entities?
No
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Vote in the November election.
Public Office Sought: Newport City Council
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 612-419-4680
Candidate Bio
Former City Council member - 15 years
Planning Commission member 8 years, Planning Commission Chair 3 years
Newport Fire Department member 42 years, Assistant Fire Chief 30 years
Fire Examiner for Minnesota Fire Certification Board 30 years
Resident of the City of Newport 45 years
Married 45 years, 2 adult sons, 4 grandchildren
Retired Service Manager QWEST Communications 40 years
Business climate
1. How would you characterize the business climate in Newport?
Newport is a small community, with easy access from St Paul, Minneapolis, and the International Airport. It is located at the intersection of US Highway 61 and Interstate 494. It is an ideal location for a new business to locate. It is the home of Bailey Nurseries. Newport is very business friendly.
2. 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, Newport?
The City works with the business community to enhance the existing businesses, and to work with those that are thinking of locating in the city.
3. Would you support hiring a business advocate as a member of the city senior staff, to concentrate on business retention and expansion; new business recruitment; and business impact of proposed regulations on the business climate in Newport?
No
4. Do you support an increase to the minimum wage in Newport? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Newport and do you support proposals to mitigate the effects on businesses like a tip credit, a youth wage, a training wage, and/or a phase-in?
Newport is a small community, and I believe the existing businesses already pay living wages
5. Do you support any other specific employment-related proposals in Newport (such as mandatory sick time or scheduling notice)? If so, what specific steps would you take to understand the impact of an increase on the many types of businesses in Newport and how would you define any exceptions to those policies?
No, see answer to number 5
Public safety
6. What is your strategy to address public safety concerns?
The Washington County Sheriff’s department provides police, and Newport has a very fine and very well trained Fire Department. Emergency medical services are provided by Cottage Grove EMS.
Budget
7. What are your priorities for the City’s budget?
Maintain the excellent credit rating that the City currently has, provide the best public services at the best most economical cost.
8. How do you view the relationship between commercial and residential property taxes?
Newport is mostly residential, which is where most of the tax base comes from. The business community is growing, which helps greatly with the tax base, and by increasing businesses, it helps reduce the amount that has to be provided from the residential base.
9. What will you do to expand Newport’s tax base?
Work to grow the business community.
Workforce development
10. How will you work with K-12 and post-secondary educational institutions and businesses to ensure our region develops and retains an educated workforce?
The City works with the School district on many things, but that is one item that is beyond their influence.
11. What do you see as the city council’s role with regard to Newport Public Schools?
Ensure they have what is needed from the City.
Other
12. What is the biggest challenge facing the city and how would you address it?
Maintain the best possible services to the citizens at the lowest possible cost. Work with the residents of the City to determine what is expected, and needed, and how much they are willing to pay for it. Listed to the concerns of the citizens of the City.
13. What would be your top three priorities if elected?
Build a new city hall/ fire department building. The present City Hall is not ADA compliant at this time, and the Fire Hall is in need of serious up grade.
14. What do you think should be the city’s top transportation related priority?
Bus service
15. Are there any services currently provided by the city that you believe should be cut back or eliminated? Or, are there new opportunities to share services with other entities?
No
16. Is there anything else you would like to share with voters not covered above?
Vote in the November election.