the best chaska
Leadership is not a destination; it’s a continued journey. That has been my approach throughout my two terms on the City Council in decision-making, engagement, and continued learning. I have learned a great deal about how our city works, the implications of our budget decisions, and the importance of thoughtful planning for the future. These two terms have uniquely positioned me to help lead Chaska through the next four years as we continue to navigate both opportunities and challenges. Read more about my priorities below.
PEOPLE
This may be the most important one, and I hope you've made it here to read it. The bricks, the river, the downtown—all of it makes Chaska special. But at the end of the day, I am most committed to the people of Chaska. The lived experiences, the stories, the questions, and the concerns. You and your voice should feel welcome, safe, and heard. Advancing your voice and enhancing transparency has been a priority for me since I was first elected. Establishing the "Chaska Today" as an example of coming together and solving for the need for city communication beyond a website or social media.
That is why I seek to serve you on the Chaska City Council. The best is yet to come.
HISTORY
Time and time again, what I hear from residents is that our rich history is what makes Chaska special. I couldn’t agree more. I purchased a 1900 Chaska brick home in 2017 because I love the history that makes our community unique. It’s something I am committed to keeping at the foundation of what we do as Chaska continues to grow. It's important to understand where we've been in shaping how we grow.
FISCAL STEWARDSHIP
Fiscal stewardship is an integral part of good governance. It’s important to balance the needs of a growing community and the very real impact on the taxpayer. As a taxpayer on one income, I understand how much an increase in taxes can weigh on a budget. I have carried this perspective with me in my two terms on the council. I’ve had the opportunity to speak with growing families, seniors on a fixed income, and neighbors who have experienced job loss and those conversations have also shaped those decisions.
As Chaska nears becoming a fully developed city, we will need to continue being thoughtful about how we transition from a community that is growing to one that is fully grown—and begin reinvesting in the community we’ve built.
VIBRANT DOWNTOWN
Growing up in downtown Chaska and then choosing it as my home in adult life paired with being an entrepreneur has made me uniquely positioned to be an advocate, friend, and liaison to our downtown residents and businesses.
I often think of Downtown Chaska as the heartbeat of our community. It is where we gather, shop, and celebrate. I feel really lucky to live a town that is more than roads and buildings but rather a place that feels like a hometown. We have something really special and I am committed to not only advancing that but telling the story of Downtown Chaska and what makes it amazing.
You may have seen me in the video series "Locally Yours". This was partially born out of some videos I had helped make on social media featuring downtown businesses to promote downtown to our community. You can see those over on Youtube.
I have spent my tenure on the council as the council liaison to the Chaska Downtown Business Alliance. I attend every meeting, engage with business owners, and make a conscious effort to spend my dollars here in Chaska. Downtown Chaska is a part of who I am and truly one of my favorite places.
HOUSING
Chaska has a diverse housing stock, I believe that came through careful planning by councils long before me. I am committed to carrying on that thoughtful planning when considering planned developments and working with developers and organizations like the CDA. In my time one the council I have had the pleasure of supporting affordable home projects such as the West Creek Apartments, Chaska Yards, Habitat for Humanity housing and dollars towards land trust homes through the CDA.
I am also committed to ensuring there is housing stock for all. I've demonstrated this when providing feedback to developers on projects to ensure there is a housing mix that supports all phases of life.
Priorities