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ROCHESTER CITY COUNCIL
Q: Why are you running for city council and how does your experience qualify you for the position? A: I’ve been a Rochester resident for over 40 years. Living all of it in the Meadow Park area, I know Rochester. Working at a small locally owned restaurant and as a registered nurse. I’ve been an active or passive participant in the Boy scouts, Youth Commission, RN Neighborhood’s, the YMCA, Rochester Track club to name a few. Once the YMCA closed, I felt I could do more for my community and its local residents. I believe my hard-working, driven personality makes me a perfect candidate. I strive to succeed. My twenty-five plus years of nursing experience has fine-tuned my critical thinking skills and taught me how to work in small groups, sometimes in high intensity situations, stay calm, and resolve the issue at hand.
ANDY HEMENWAY WARD 1
Q: What are your top two priorities or issues as a candidate for city council? A: 1. To advocate for the residents of Ward one and Rochester itself. To be fiscally responsible in the decisions made that impact Rochester residents and our city. To think inclusively for all Rochester residents, having an open relationship with everyone and advocating for our small business’ owners inside, and outside the downtown area. 2. As Rochester grows and expands so does our network of streets. Anoth- er priority I have is for safe streets. Whether that be from well maintained and visible roads, bike paths, or sidewalks. Feeling comfortable walking, biking, or driving home from work or school. Or just enjoying the enormous network of recreational trails. We all deserve to feel safe. Safe streets also need well trained and responsive police persons. I will continue to make sure they have the funds they need to keep us safe. As well keeping our park and rec staff and public works staff visible and safe as they keep our roads and parks clean and safe. Q: 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? A: I’m excited for Rochester Future. In 10 years though, my vision of Rochester doesn’t change much. The issues we have now will still be here. If the city continues to grow as predicted, and the slow housing development continues we will still need affordable housing. We can continue to work with contractors, Rochester builders’ association, and Olmsted County to alleviate some of the housing crunch. Vehicular congestion is increasing ALL over, not just downtown, The link system is exciting but it only alleviates conges- tion on a 2.5 mile section of city roads. With commuters estimated to increase by 52,000 by 2040, and most employed people working outside of the downtown area this extra traffic burden falls on them. We need to start looking at increased traffic flow through some of our bordering residential areas. The city council can work with public works, city engineers, and neighborhoods to track and record this flow and devise a plan. And might I mention slower speed limits save lives.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Commissioner Kiscaden is running unopposed in the race for the Olmsted County Commissioner District 6
Advantage Magazine | 13
October 2022
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