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GOOD NEIGHBOR.    TEAM PLAYER.    SKILLED LEADER.

Dear Neighbor,

I am thrilled to share with you that I am running to serve our community as Rochester City Council President. With a deep understanding of city-wide issues and a dedication to public service, I seek to bring my experience, skills and empathy to help Rochester grow as a community where everyone can thrive.


As a long-time resident of our vibrant and resilient city, I have witnessed firsthand Rochester’s incredible growth and potential. I believe I am uniquely qualified to help guide our city’s future and ensure that the rising tide lifts all boats.

 

My experience includes:
 

  • Rochester neighborhood association leader: Championed safe and pedestrian-friendly streets and neighbor-to-neighbor civic engagement.

  • Chair of the Rochester Planning and Zoning Commission: Promote vibrant neighborhoods and sustainable development featuring affordable housing, retail and transit-oriented development

  • Rochester-area representative on the Metropolitan Airports Commission: Oversee the sustainability goals and $1 billion capital improvement budget for Minnesota's hub airport.

  • Former liaison to neighborhoods and local officials on behalf of Mayo Clinic: Fostered a culture of transparency and two-way communications between the City’s largest employer and city residents.

  • Board member of United Way of Olmsted County: Gained valuable insight into the critical needs and challenges facing our community. 

 

With my record of skilled leadership, and my commitment to collaboration between city residents and local government, I ask for your vote. I will work hand in hand with City residents, businesses, and local leaders to pave the way to a future where mutual respect and mutual

success will flourish.


I am eager to hear your thoughts and concerns about Rochester’s
future. Please reach out to me at info@neighborsforrandy.com
or text/call me at 507-271-1233.


All my best,

​

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DONATE
VOLUNTEER
ENDORSEMENTS

Mayor Kim Norton
Current City Council President Brooke Carlson

Former City Council Member Nick Campion

Former City Council Member Mary Petersson

State Senator Liz Boldon 

State Rep. Tina Liebling 

State Rep. Kim Hicks

State Rep. Andy Smith 

Moms Demand Action – Every Town for Gun SafetyFaith in MinnesotaSierra ClubLGBTQ+ Victory FundIron Workers Local #512Plumbers and Pipefitters Local #6IBEW Local #343 

  • Mayor Kim Norton

  • Current City Council President Brooke Carlson

  • Former City Council Member Nick Campion

  • Former City Council Member Mary Petersson

  • State Senator Liz Boldon 

  • State Rep. Tina Liebling 

  • State Rep. Kim Hicks

  • State Rep. Andy Smith 

  • Moms Demand Action – Every Town for Gun Safety

  • Faith in Minnesota

  • Sierra Club

  • LGBTQ+ Victory Fund

  • Iron Workers Local #512

  • Plumbers and Pipefitters Local #6

  • IBEW Local #343 

I am proud and honored to have received endorsements from the following leaders and organizations in our local community:

KEY PRIORITIES
BUILD DIVERSE ECONOMY
Rochester greatly benefits from serving as home to our world-renowned medical institution. However, it's imperative that we explore avenues to diversify our economy, embracing sectors such as biotechnology, manufacturing, agriculture, higher education, and small businesses. We must continue to support these employers and promote policies that bring a broader base of businesses to Rochester. Together, we can create a more diverse economy with livable wage jobs for everyone.
PROMOTE SMART GROWTH
As Rochester grows, we must prioritize development opportunities within our current growth plan on vacant parcels before expanding outward. By promoting so-called “in-fill” development, we will expand our tax base by building mixed-use walkable neighborhoods featuring traditional and affordable housing and integrated retail. This will also ensure that Rochester does not spread out with unchecked sprawl, which adds both costly taxpayer-supported sewer lines and infrastructure and longer commute times.
LEAD AN EFFECTIVE CITY COUNCIL
Our City Council needs to operate with efficiency and effectiveness to encourage everyone is working towards putting people first as we navigate the opportunities and challenges that accompany our city's growth. As City Council President, I will use my experience as a skilled leader to foster robust civic engagement and ensure that the entire City Council works towards a shared vision with clear long-term goals and a strong balance between council governance and administrative operations.
PRIORITIZE CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY
As the City of Rochester, we need to do our part to meet Minnesota’s goal of achieving 100% carbon free energy by 2040. We all play an important role in this effort. To reduce our family’s carbon footprint, we took advantage of public incentives to install solar panels on our roof and planted a native prairie rain garden.  As a member of the Metropolitan Airports Commission, I chair the committee that adopted the airport’s multifaceted sustainability plan. From this experience, I know that sustainability can be achieved while fostering a strong economy.  I will take this personal commitment to helping Rochester meet its sustainability goals, so that our city can be a leader in addressing this significant challenge impacting all of us, individuals and businesses alike.
PARTNER WITH THE SCHOOLS AND THE COUNTY
I will strive to strengthen the partnership between the city and Rochester Public Schools to ensure our strong thriving economy is matched by a stable school district that provides best in class education to our youth and future workforce. At the county level, the city and county must work in lock step—along with our nonprofit and private sector partners--to address the needs of our unhoused citizens and build and increase access to affordable housing.
SECURE AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Safe and secure shelter is a basic human right.  I grew up in public housing in the 1970s. Some years later, my parents were able to pull together a nest egg, buy a home, and finally achieve this American dream. I will advocate for policies that remove barriers and increase incentives to build and access both owner-occupied and rental housing to help families and individuals prosper and add to our thriving local economy.
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