CLICK THE ARROWS TO VIEW CANDIDATE RESPONSES
What more can the city do to strengthen neighborhoods, given rising foreclosure rates?
Sonja Hayden Berg - 1. Support grassroots groups in protecting, improving and maintaining neighborhoods.
2. Enforce city ordinances and implement neighborhood best practices.
3. Protect economic vitality by recruiting high paying jobs.
Jeff Goerger - React quickly to complaints about trash, grass, weeds and properties in disrepair so we can maintain an acceptable quality of life during this housing crisis. We need to remain vigilant. The current market situation will correct itself in time.
George Hontos - We can seek adequate disclosure of lending information to borrowers and focus on education for first-time and low-income buyers. I have actively pursued tougher enforcement of city ordinances related to bad behavior by tenants and bad landlords.
John C. Pederson - We (city council) have reveiwed our abatement process and I believe the city staff is equipped to deal with this increasing concern. I would encourage residents to call the city as soon as they have a concern to start the process for improvement.
Todd Malcolm - The city cannot plan to strengthen neighborhoods in the limited context of a mortgage crisis. Strong neighborhoods are built and maintained over time within the context of a strong city, a fair economy, safe streets, neighbor-to-neighbor communication, schools and many other factors. Communities and neighborhoods need to feel that they are heard and taken seriously by the City Council...
How can the city balance its budget and provide needed services, given inflation and a flat tax base?
Sonja Hayden Berg - 1. Follow financial plan that limits city budget to growth rate.
2. Further cost savings by sharing equipment and services with other jurisdictions.
3. Maintain pressure on the legislature to increase essential local govenment aid.
Jeff Goerger - We have been provided with a budget that is balanced and continues to provide the core services our residents expect. I have been in support of the 5% reduction in the departments budgets and the hiring freeze. The city has to live within its means.
George Hontos - My approach is simple: spend only what we can afford. These are challenging times for everyone when it comes to budgets. The best way to balance the budget is to spend smartly, requiring creativity by city staff and vigilance by council members.
John C. Pederson - In our current economy the city council will need to approve a budget in 2009 that has reduced spending. I would not support reductions in the basic city services we expect like public safety, improved roads and sewer/water services.
Todd Malcolm - Fiscal responsibility, focusing on disciplined long-term planning and a willingness to look at new and different options. Inflation and tax bases fluctuate, leading us to look for short-term fixes which rarely work. We need to review services provided by the city and prioritize those services that are really needed and necessary to maintain the quality of life we now enjoy in St. Cloud...
What role should the city play in keeping St. Cloud one community, given its growing diversity?
Sonja Hayden Berg - 1. Welcome new community members personally and institutionally.
2. City employees need to reflect diversity in the community.
3. Support efforts by Create CommUNITY to enhance the common good and improve relationships.
Jeff Goerger - The city needs to be colorblind when it comes to the delivery of services. All city residents deserve our respect, unless proven otherwise, regardless of our diverse backgrounds.
George Hontos - A sense of community is what transforms a city into a great place to live. The city can support events sponsored by community groups. We can work with the local educational institutions, thirdly the city can support community groups that serve residents.
John C. Pederson - Participation in the many community events the city has available is vital to bringing our city together. These events invite and are open to everyone. Getting involved in our neighborhoods is very important to the development our community.
Todd Malcolm - I believe the question is misleading. It implies that diversity and one community are incompatible or somehow mutually exclusive. Just the opposite is true! ... The city ought to be reaching out to the many diverse communities, not to placate them but to gain from them....
In what area is the city most inefficient or user-unfriendly, and how would you fix it?
Sonja Hayden Berg - 1. We have failed to take advantage of Mississippi River.
2. Connect trails, bike paths and cooidors to surrounding parks, attractions and municipalities.
3. Make greater use of higher education institutions in our area.
Jeff Goerger - I have developed a good working relationship with the city administration and city staff. The greatest need in our community right now is economic development. We have to ensure city government is user friendly to anyone who wants to add to our prosperity.
George Hontos - Striving to improve the city’s responsiveness should be a goal for city employees and the City Council. While I am on the council you have my commitment that I will challenge the city to serve the residents in the most efficient and effective manner.
John C. Pederson - The city could be more efficient with signifcant upgrades in technology. Unfortunately, this is one of the items we simply cannot afford to do at this time with a decreasing buget for 2009.
Todd Malcolm - St. Cloud is generally an efficient and user-friendly city, though there is always room to improve. I believe that we should focus on the following issues: economic development that provides good living-wage jobs, transportation (including expanded commuter bicycle paths and public transit) and a commitment by the city to increase input from neighborhood groups on committees, task forces, boards, departments and has city employees....
