MEET THE CANDIDATES
Feature
Olmsted County Commissioner
Laurel Podulke-Smith
April Sutor
DISTRICT 1
DISTRICT 3
Why are you running for County Commissioner and how does your experience qualify you for the position? I was elected to the Olmsted County Board in 2022 and chose to serve my community
Why are you running for County Commissioner and how does your experience qualify you for the position? My decades of experience in human and social services gives me a deep understanding
as County Commissioner because I believe in the power of public service to improve the everyday lives of people. I also believe in the responsibility of counties to transform lives. I am a passionate servant leader and bring strong collaborative skills and optimistic thinking to local gov- ernment. With 20 years of experience in education, health- care, community organizing, and neighborhood advocacy, I understand the importance of working together to get things done. Toward this goal I direct my efforts to com- munity building and fostering equity wherever possible. As a community member, I am an avid volunteer and serve on numerous non-profit boards, including Rochester Civic Theatre, Kutzky Park Neighborhood Association, Pamoja Women, and First Homes. Olmsted County residents can count on me to lead with total commitment in a true spirit of collaboration. What are your top two priorities/issues as a candidate for County Commissioner? 2023 was a significant year for Olmsted County. We secured funding for numerous large-scale construction projects, and continue to make progress on soil health ini- tiatives, nitrate remediation, homelessness and housing af- fordability, opioid crisis abatement, innovative solid waste and recycling practices, making a clean energy transition, and more. I look forward to advancing the county’s work in the coming years. Two of my top priorities in 2024 are affordable housing and public safety. As County Commis- sioner, I advocate for the expansion of affordable housing in southeast MN. This includes improving options for safe and healthy housing for BIPOC community members, working families, low-income residents, people with dis- abilities, and senior citizens. As chair of the Dodge-Olmst- ed Community Corrections Joint Powers Board, I support Olmsted County's numerous services and programs that offer meaningful opportunities for justice-involved indi- viduals to improve their lives and lessen the likelihood of returning to the criminal justice system in the future.
of the diverse challenges our community faces. My direct, hands-on experience is unique among board members bringing a perspective others do not possess. Over this time, I’ve worked in collaboration with business, industry, nonprofits, faith communities, government and individuals to successfully address the complex issues of our community, including job training, senior services, youth development, leadership training, and grant writing. I’m very active and involved in the community. In 2020 I received the Mayor’s Medal of Honor for my work with seniors. I will utilize my skills and extensive knowledge to continue to serve the people of Olmsted County and address the pressing issues facing our children and families, working adults and seniors. What are your top two priorities/issues as a candidate for County Commissioner? Affordable housing for first-time home buyers, renters, seniors. For our economy to grow and communities to thrive workers/families need housing. The federal standard, 30% of income for housing, takes collaborative efforts to provide. Our largest gap is smaller, less expensive housing. This would create options for people looking to down size thus putting larger homes on the market. If workers can’t find housing, employers won’t fill openings. When the state closed mental health hospitals placing the burden of care on counties our mental health crisis began in earnest. Counties were ill equipped to handle the issues that followed. Hospitals, jails, shelters, streets now house many of our seriously mentally ill. There are 87 counties in MN and 87 mental health systems. MN needs one coordinated system. A coalition of counties, hospitals, medical associations, law enforcement and others needs to be formed to approach the legislature to develop one mental health system for Minnesotans.
10 | ROCHESTER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ADVANTAGE MAGAZINE — OCTOBER 2024
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