MEET THE CANDIDATES
Feature
Rochester City Council (CONT.)
Shaun Palmer
PRESIDENT
Why are you running for City Council President and how does your experience qualify you for the position? It has been a true honor to serve on the Rochester City Council since my election in 2018. Winning re-election in 2022 with 72.5% of the vote is a testament to the trust and support of our community. I am proud to have received endorsements from past presidents of the Rochester City Council, Mr. Hunziker and Mr. Staver, who have both served as council members and then as council president. Their support is a testament to my commitment and capabilities.
I have also held positions as chairperson of the Rochester Olmsted Council of Governments, on the Olmsted County Environmental Commission, and served two terms as President of the Camp Olson YMCA board. These experiences have equipped me to lead the Rochester City Council into a prosperous future.
I have had the experience of listening to the citizens of Rochester; I have consistently voted in the best interest of Rochester, not a particular interest group with a paid lobbyist.
What are your top two priorities/issues as a candidate for City Council President? My main priority is our citizens. I want the Rochester City Council to work together on policies that will meet the needs of all citizens. Bringing back order to the City Council meetings is essential, and I want to ensure that all voices are heard but that we move forward with the policies we determine are best for Rochester. The increased growth that will take place over the next eight years will require leadership with experience in construction and management. I have been in the construction industry for the last 43 years, earning a degree from Winona State University in Construction. I have also been a Union Carpenter in South Florida and a Certified Building official in Minnesota. I have served as a building inspector for Rochester for over 25 years.
These experiences will aid the City Council in making informed decisions about Rochester's future, and they are experiences that my opponent does not have.
As the City of Rochester continues to grow and develop, how do you envision Rochester ten years from now? How can the City Council support that vision? As James J. Hill said, "Great Cities do not happen by accident." I believe Rochester is a great city. One of the things that makes Rochester great is that we constantly strive to improve. Additionally, the different cultures that belong in Rochester are a blessing, and we learn from others how to make Rochester even better. The future will always bring challenges, especially with our city's expansion in the coming years. We have a history of meeting these challenges head-on with an open mind. I envision Rochester as a destination medical community and a place where our citizens want to live and raise their families. I envision a safe and productive city with affordable housing and a vibrant job market. I bring to the Rochester City Council the ability to embrace our past and work hard for the future, which should include everyone.
8 | ROCHESTER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ADVANTAGE MAGAZINE — OCTOBER 2024
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