[0:09] Hey, welcome to the next edition of [0:11] Mayor About Town. I'm Andrew Mullen, [0:13] mayor of Weisetta. Uh the show that [0:15] focuses on the people, places, and [0:17] organizations that make Weisetta [0:19] special. Today's show is about public [0:21] service and meeting some of the leaders [0:24] in our community here. On the show [0:26] today, we have Council Member uh Chef [0:28] Parkill. uh Council Member Ken Sorenson [0:31] and chair of the planning commission and [0:33] park and trails board uh Blake Cameron. [0:36] Uh my first guest today is uh Council [0:39] Member Jeff Parkill. Uh welcome to Mayor [0:41] About Town, Jeff. [0:42] Thank you very much for having me. [0:44] Yeah. So uh you know, we're talking a [0:46] little bit about uh public service and [0:48] uh you know, you you've uh had I think [0:51] over six years of public service here in [0:52] Weisetta. Um, tell me a little bit first [0:55] about you like for those who don't know [0:57] you, give me a little bit of your your [0:58] background. You know, who who is Jeff [1:00] Parkhill? [1:01] So, I uh grew up in Illinois. We lived [1:04] in um Chicago for 20 years. My when I [1:08] got married in 1995, 1994, sorry, Karen. [1:12] Uh I uh um we were in Chicago and I was [1:18] in corporate America and at that time I [1:21] about I started investing in real estate [1:23] on the side in Lincoln Park, a kind of a [1:26] cool area of of Chicago [1:28] and I just started making more money on [1:31] the side doing that than this full-time [1:33] corporate gig. Yeah. And so I switched [1:35] over in 2000 to be a full-time real [1:38] estate developer. [1:39] Okay. And I was doing single family [1:41] high-end single family homes, condo [1:42] conversions, and uh buying multif family [1:45] property. [1:46] Okay. [1:47] And um and then in 2011, uh Karen pulled [1:51] the rug out from under me and we moved [1:53] to Dallas for 5 years. [1:55] Okay. [1:56] So I still had projects back in Chicago [1:58] and um we lived in Dallas for 5 years [2:01] and then came to Minneapolis in 2016. [2:05] Okay. And so, uh, did you why did you [2:07] settle in Weisetta? [2:09] Well, we looked in the city. We were [2:10] kind of thought we were going to be city [2:12] people, but really what brought us out [2:14] to Weisetta was we had friends out here, [2:16] number one, [2:17] that were lifetime friends. And number [2:20] two, um, we couldn't find uh, uh, five [2:24] parking spots at a house in the city [2:26] that we liked. [2:27] Sure. My boys were 16 at the time and we [2:31] had a uh some help at home and so we [2:33] needed five parking spots and there just [2:35] wasn't any place to have that. [2:37] Sure. Sure. [2:38] So So Jeeoff uh I think you're just [2:40] finishing your sixth year of public [2:41] service here in Weisetta. What what drew [2:43] you to public service in the first [2:45] place? And then specifically why did you [2:47] choose to sort of contribute your time [2:49] here in Weisetta? So, I've public [2:53] service or let's just say volunteering [2:55] has been a part of my life all my life. [2:57] And uh my kids were getting to an age [3:00] where they two of them were a little bit [3:02] more self-sufficient. We got to a new [3:05] town Weisetta in 2016 [3:08] and I do real estate development. I work [3:10] out of my house and I was like, I needed [3:12] an outlet. And I started looking around [3:14] and talking to people and I think I got [3:16] to know you a little bit about that time [3:19] and uh there were a few other people [3:21] around [3:22] and I just felt like this was a great [3:24] way for me in the evenings after my wife [3:27] was home and the kids were taken care of [3:30] to come out and volunteer with the [3:32] planning commission. So, there was a a [3:34] one-year stint that opened up because [3:36] somebody left. I got an application and [3:38] filled it out and I got the job. [3:40] Awesome. And then you didn't stop there, [3:42] right? You then uh stepped up one notch [3:45] and and ran for city council. Tell me [3:47] tell me kind of what what motivated you [3:49] to do that. [3:50] So um I enjoyed myself so much on [3:54] planning commission that first year. I [3:56] decided, well, I didn't know how good a [3:59] chance I had to run in 2020 cuz there [4:01] were some really qualified candidates [4:03] running and but I decided that it would [4:06] be a good idea to go out and get my feet [4:08] wet and get my name out there. So, I [4:09] didn't win in 2020, but I was I think I [4:12] got third and out of four. And um so I [4:16] went through that whole process, learned [4:18] the process. I just felt like I had more [4:20] to give than just the real estate side [4:22] of my life. Yeah. and that I could [4:24] actually contribute to [4:26] the business side of running a city. [4:29] You know, over the years, what what are [4:31] some of the highlights for you, you [4:32] know, in the city that you had an [4:34] opportunity to work on? [4:36] Well, clearly, um, uh, Panaway and [4:39] Lakewalk were really incredible [4:42] highlights. Um, just fun projects. I, [4:47] uh, worked on the zoning study task [4:48] force and I learned a lot about the [4:50] zoning code. I looked on I worked on the [4:52] design review board and we went through [4:55] and we went through uh [4:58] what buildings should look like in town [5:01] and then I went on I was on the [5:03] conservancy while I was with um on [5:06] council here last year. I was on the [5:08] dock committee because I am a boater and [5:11] it seemed like there wasn't good [5:12] representation there [5:14] um at least on the design side of the [5:17] docks. They needed some somebody to [5:19] ground them in reality. [5:21] Yeah. Yeah. So, um you know, [5:23] unfortunately, we're losing you here. Um [5:25] you know, you you're stepping down here [5:27] as of as of October. And um moving on, [5:31] you want to tell tell us and the [5:33] community about kind of what what [5:34] changed and and why you made that [5:36] decision? And then and with that, um you [5:39] know, what else would you tell folks out [5:41] there who are thinking about maybe [5:42] volunteering or stepping up and working [5:44] for the city? So tell me why you're [5:46] stepping down and and tell me, you know, [5:48] tell tell the viewers, you know, what's [5:50] going on for you next. [5:52] Well, let me talk first to the viewers [5:54] about [5:55] um volunteering in Weisetta. Even if you [5:58] get out for a digit day or something, [6:01] it's just fun to get to know your [6:02] neighbors. Super super fun to get to [6:05] know your neighbors. It's not hard work. [6:07] It's a great way to build yourself into [6:10] the community. And that's what I was [6:12] trying to do is to get to know some [6:13] people around town cuz we really like it [6:16] here. And we intend to be here long [6:18] term. We're just not going to be [6:20] full-time residents here. And I'm [6:22] stepping down cuz my wife took a job and [6:25] we're going to be based in Utah. And so [6:28] we're going to go to Utah, live there, [6:30] and then she'll commute out of Salt Lake [6:32] City to other places that she needs to [6:34] go. Um, and you know, we have family in [6:38] Utah, so that's another reason. But uh [6:40] the primary reason is um my my wife's [6:43] position. So [6:45] yeah. And and um you know uh appreciate [6:48] your service, Jeeoff. We're going to [6:49] miss you. I know you're not It's just [6:51] sort of goodbye for now because you are [6:53] coming back. [6:54] Yeah. [6:54] And we'll welcome you back with open [6:56] arms and thanks very much for your [6:57] service and thanks for being on the [6:58] show. [6:59] Thank you very much. [7:00] You bet. [7:00] Can I add one more thing? [7:01] You sure can. [7:02] So last night at my uh open house, I I I [7:06] gave a speech and I said a few things. [7:08] What have I learned? um since in in the [7:11] last six years and I just wanted to [7:14] reiterate a couple of those. First of [7:16] all, Weisetta is still charming. It is [7:18] an amazing worldclass city [7:21] but still got that Mayberry feel. And I [7:24] think that's a unique situation where [7:28] world class coexists with close-knit [7:30] community and I just think that's [7:32] special about Weisetta. Decorum is [7:35] another thing. the way we treat each [7:36] other around here for the most part is [7:40] I'm referencing so it's a kind of an [7:42] inside joke here [7:43] uh uh is is alive and well here and it [7:47] made my life as a volunteer so much more [7:51] pleasant and it's hard sometimes when [7:54] people are mad at you to to deal with it [7:57] and um I didn't have that very often. [7:59] Yeah, [8:00] we had make we had to make some tough [8:01] decisions. But anyway, the last thing [8:03] I'd like to say is you're in good hands. [8:06] You've got the Mayor Mullen team. You've [8:08] got a great group. Now you have Dan Cook [8:10] who's going to be taking my place. He's [8:12] an experienced council member and u you [8:16] are you are safe. Your city is going to [8:18] be wellrun for the next three and a half [8:20] years. [8:21] Yeah. Thanks, Jeeoff. [8:22] Yeah. [8:23] All right. We nailed it. That that's a [8:25] mic drop moment right there. [8:26] Right there. My next guest is Ken [8:28] Sorenson, uh, sitting city council [8:31] member, former planning commission [8:33] member. Welcome to the show, Ken. [8:34] Thank you. [8:35] Yeah. So, te tell us a little bit about [8:37] uh you, Ken. Some people may may know [8:39] you, may not, but who is who is Ken? [8:41] Sure. Well, um, I appreciate the chance [8:44] to be here and chat with you, mayor. Um, [8:47] a little bit about me and my background, [8:49] but uh, Sue and I moved here to Weisetta [8:53] nine years ago next month. [8:55] Okay. And we I'm from Iowa, Sue is from [8:58] uh Edina actually, but um we raised our [9:01] four sons in Eden Prairie. [9:03] Okay. [9:03] We lived there for 29 years. Um it was a [9:06] great place to raise a family. Uh kids [9:09] were gone. Um and we had a lot of time [9:12] to think about, you know, where would [9:14] you want to live? I mean, now we have [9:16] the chance to maybe think of things a [9:19] little differently. And um and we ended [9:22] up in downtown Weisetta. And we looked a [9:24] lot. We looked on the lake, we looked [9:26] around the lake, we looked elsewhere. [9:28] But, um, I think that, you know, and [9:31] combined with, um, upcoming retirement [9:33] at that time gave us a chance to really [9:35] think about it. But, um, we it didn't it [9:39] didn't take us long to figure out that [9:40] this would be a great place to live. [9:42] Well, I think you made a great choice. [9:43] I'm a little I'm a little biased. Um, [9:46] so so tell me a little bit about what [9:47] drew you to public service, right? Uh, [9:50] so so and and specifically what drew you [9:52] to public service here in [9:53] Weisetta. Yeah. Um, well, the timing was [9:56] right, but we lived here a couple years [9:58] and then I retired. So, I've been [10:00] retired for about five years and my [10:02] background is more in construction [10:04] development. It has been my entire [10:06] career. [10:07] Yeah. [10:08] Um, so I have a little time on my hands. [10:10] I've always been interested in public [10:12] service a bit, but never had the time to [10:14] really commit myself to it. [10:16] Sure. Um, but with that background and [10:18] kind of getting a flavor for Weissetta [10:21] and what's going on in the community, it [10:24] felt like a good time to maybe start to [10:26] give back a bit and uh looked into it. [10:30] Had the chance to get appointed to the [10:31] planning commission, which I really [10:34] enjoyed. Did that for a number of years. [10:36] A great chance to learn about our [10:38] community [10:39] and and really um get engaged with a lot [10:42] of people here who were so wonderful. uh [10:46] both in city hall um elected officials, [10:49] business community. [10:51] Yeah. [10:52] Uh and and we kind of lived I think [10:55] firsthand [10:57] um what this community is all about. So [10:59] we've we've really enjoyed it. [11:01] Well, and then you you uh were [11:03] appointed, right, to to council first [11:05] and then ran. Tell tell us about that [11:07] next step up when you when you joined [11:09] the council. [11:10] Uh well, actually it was a year ago. [11:12] Okay. uh when a council uh woman uh [11:15] moved out of the community and there was [11:16] an opening. [11:17] Okay. [11:18] Um and I was I got a call from the [11:20] previous mayor and she said, "Well, what [11:24] do you think about filling this seat for [11:26] the next four months?" Because that term [11:27] was up the end of last year. [11:29] Okay. [11:30] You know, and I was um I was honored um [11:34] and uh felt like I could make a [11:37] contribution. I you know, I I knew I [11:40] knew the people well. I had great [11:41] respect for uh the the environment and [11:44] the and the and the individuals. [11:46] Um so I told her I would do it. Um and [11:50] then the next uh conversation was well [11:53] then of course you're going to run for [11:54] the seat then. Right. [11:55] Of course. Of course. [11:56] Which is a four-year deal. Well, I don't [11:58] know about that. [12:00] But um with a lot of contemplation and [12:02] discussion with others, I decided that I [12:05] would run that I would enjoy that. I [12:06] think I could contribute. Um, and the [12:09] way it turned out, um, I ran out of [12:12] pose, so I'm I'm almost a year into my [12:15] four-year term. [12:15] That's amazing. Um, what what would you [12:18] say are some of your favorite things [12:20] you've worked on in in your years of [12:22] public service here in Weisetta? [12:23] Yeah. Um, well, probably going back to [12:26] planning commission days and even the [12:27] last year being on the council. Um [12:32] it's probably the development work and [12:34] the potential development work and [12:36] um just understanding those projects [12:40] uh probably because that's a bit my [12:42] background and and I understand it well [12:45] and they're so important that we do [12:47] development right in this community. uh [12:50] I felt a bit of an obligation and I felt [12:53] um a bit of a responsibility to make [12:56] sure we're very thoughtful about the [12:58] development projects and if you know [13:00] we've had we've had um quite a few and [13:03] we've had some very significant ones. We [13:05] still do. Right. [13:06] Right. [13:07] Um but that part of it I' I've really [13:10] enjoyed. [13:10] Yeah. What would you tell people that [13:12] are, you know, watching this today and [13:15] and thinking, gosh, I I I I might think [13:18] about stepping up and volunteering for [13:20] some something at the city of Weisetta, [13:21] you know, what would you tell folks? [13:22] What's it like and what would motivate [13:25] folks to step up? [13:26] Well, I think I think the first thing [13:28] I'd say is if you're at all interested, [13:32] don't wait, [13:33] right? [13:33] Just do it. Um, I think it's very [13:37] satisfying. It's very rewarding. You [13:39] meet a lot of interesting people. [13:42] I mean, there's nothing better than kind [13:43] of being engaged and part of your [13:45] community, especially this community. [13:48] Yeah. [13:48] Where it's so special and we do so much [13:52] value the small town feel and charm and [13:55] walkability and um [13:58] just to be a part of that and think [13:59] maybe you could help help make sure that [14:02] we stay that way. [14:03] Yeah. [14:04] uh is is is really a good feeling and I [14:07] think there's so many opportunities, [14:09] right, to really get involved in in the [14:11] community here. [14:11] Yep. All these boards and commissions [14:13] and other volunteer opportunities. Yeah. [14:15] Right. Right. And and and that's what we [14:17] need. I mean, I I kind of think our [14:19] role, we're just kind of the voice of [14:22] what we hear in the community and what [14:23] people want. [14:24] Y [14:25] and so it's so important people do get [14:27] engaged, stand up, and I know that's how [14:29] you got involved, mayor, right? Well, of [14:31] course. My wife was sort of upset that I [14:33] kept yelling at the the television in [14:35] the basement. She said, "Sort of put up [14:36] or shut up." So, so, uh, that got out [14:39] there back in 2008. You know, my dad [14:41] once said to me, he's 91 now. He said, [14:43] you know, [14:44] you think about retirement, it's really [14:46] important because it's the last job [14:48] you're going to have. And I would say [14:49] that you're choosing pretty wisely uh in [14:52] in serving, you know, in retirement. And [14:54] and um [14:55] I've really enjoyed getting to know you [14:56] this last nine months. We've kind of [14:58] been in the foxhole in the trenches a [15:00] little bit together on a few. Still are. [15:02] And uh I really appreciate you coming on [15:04] today and um you know, thanks Ken. Good [15:06] to see you. [15:06] Yeah. Yeah. Well, thank you, mayor. And [15:08] and and I would say the same. I think, [15:11] uh people have great respect for your [15:12] enthusiasm and commitment to this [15:15] community. So, um let's just keep [15:17] rolling and make this the best place we [15:19] can. [15:21] Hey, my next guest is Blake Cameron. Uh [15:23] he's actually the chair of the planning [15:24] commission. And I think you also serve [15:26] on the park and trail board, right? [15:27] I do. [15:28] So for those who don't know you, tell [15:30] tell us a little bit about Blake. [15:32] Sure. So um so we've lived in Weisetta [15:35] for 25 years. Um we bought a house in [15:38] Weisetta and got married in the same [15:39] year. [15:39] Okay. [15:40] Raised our kids. Um and we we've just [15:43] loved the city, right? And we've we've [15:45] loved um the things that the city offers [15:48] and the people um and the small town [15:50] feel and charm and appeal of Weisetta. [15:53] Yeah. So, uh, as I said, you're you're [15:56] on currently serving as a chair of the [15:58] planning commission. You also serve on [15:59] the park and trails board. Tell me a [16:01] little bit about, you know, what drew [16:03] you to public service and and [16:04] specifically why did you choose to do [16:06] that here in Weisetta. [16:07] Sure. So, I, you know, I think one of [16:10] the things I was really drawn to, um, [16:13] you know, as my as our kids got older, [16:15] you know, I had I started to have more [16:17] free time. Um, and public service really [16:20] wasn't like something that I'd thought [16:21] about, but I also had a passion for like [16:25] change, right? And and the change that [16:27] we see in the city and the change that [16:29] the city's gone through and for sure [16:30] have seen a lot of change in the 25 [16:32] years that we've lived here. And I, you [16:34] know, one of the things that I believe [16:35] is, you know, change is kind of at least [16:38] at the city level can be generational. [16:39] And so we really only get a chance to do [16:41] it once. [16:42] And so, you know, I I'm far from the [16:45] expert, right? But I thought, you know, [16:47] I can add I want to be able to add my [16:49] voice to that and and impact some of [16:52] that change. [16:52] Yeah, that makes sense. So, you know, uh [16:55] you're kind of in a rare uh sort of [16:57] group here where you're serving on two [16:58] boards. Um tell tell me a little bit [17:01] about kind of what what what your [17:02] favorite things you've been working on [17:03] for park and trails andor planning [17:05] commission. [17:06] Sure. Um, so first with the parks and [17:09] trails board, I think um the coolest [17:11] thing we've been working on is the [17:12] Clappage Park redo. Um, [17:15] putting a moving park down by the [17:18] warming house, making the warming house [17:19] bigger, regrading the ice rink, um, [17:23] putting in the field, right? And we're [17:24] starting to see the uh that work being [17:29] done, right? The the play the play set, [17:31] I think the play equipment comes in in [17:33] the next couple weeks, but the the grass [17:35] looks amazing, right? like the it's [17:37] finally level. The swampiness is gone. I [17:39] think and that's a huge win I think for [17:41] the pe for the for the residents and the [17:43] people who use that park um in the [17:45] summer and the winter. And I think the [17:46] big thing is really making that park [17:48] more of a two season park rather than a [17:51] one season park. Right. Everybody knows [17:52] Clapbridge for ice. [17:54] Um but I think it'd be really cool to be [17:55] able to have it be a summertime park, [17:57] too. [17:57] Yeah. So So told us a little bit about [18:00] your experience in park and trails, but [18:01] you're also the chair of the planning [18:02] commission. what what's that been like [18:04] and and what what has been your [18:05] experience there? [18:07] Planning Commission's been really fun. [18:08] It's been kind of an insight into um the [18:13] the things that are coming to the city, [18:14] right? The changes that are coming and [18:16] and where people want to go and and [18:18] obviously the only things that come in [18:20] front of the planning commission are [18:22] things that need a variance, right? Or [18:24] some sort of modification because they [18:26] fall outside of right the rules, if you [18:28] will, right? So, um, but it's been [18:31] really it's been interesting to see the [18:33] things that the the projects that come [18:34] forward that people that people bring [18:36] forward. Um, it's been really fun to [18:38] interact with different members of the [18:40] community and and and talk and talk to [18:42] people about it. People get people get [18:46] excited about things, right? And [18:48] sometimes in a good way, sometimes in a [18:50] not not good way, but that passion [18:52] that's there, right, means they care [18:54] about they care about their city and [18:55] they care about the area around them. [18:57] And and that's really really fun to see. [18:59] No, I agree. And and you know to our [19:01] friends and neighbors out there that [19:03] that may have had on their list at one [19:04] time or another, hey, maybe maybe I [19:06] should step forward and volunteer for a [19:08] board or a commission, you know, what [19:09] would you tell those folks? I mean, you [19:11] know, we're going to have a a next round [19:13] of appointments here coming up uh [19:15] December, January. You know, what what [19:16] might you tell someone to motivate them [19:18] to step up? [19:19] I would say absolutely right. Like it's [19:21] a it's a worthwhile experience. It's, [19:24] you know, I think a lot a lot of stuff [19:26] is really, it's like one night a month, [19:28] right? And um but it's it's your chance [19:31] to be part of the process and it's your [19:33] chance to um kind of help shape where [19:36] where Wisett is going and the things [19:38] that we're doing. And um you know, if [19:41] you're if it's something that you're [19:42] curious about, you know, I guess I would [19:44] encourage people to just um come take in [19:47] a meeting, right? And I've been talking [19:48] to one of my neighbors who's she's been [19:50] asking me about it and I said like [19:51] listen just like come to a meeting, [19:52] right? That you can you can just sit [19:54] there and watch. It doesn't have to be [19:56] planning. She's really more interested [19:57] in parks and trails, right? But do the [19:59] things that you're interested in that [20:00] you care about and and and you you have [20:03] have meaning for you because then you [20:05] can make more of an impact. [20:06] Makes makes perfect sense. Hey, thanks [20:08] for coming on the show today, Blake. [20:10] It's great to see you. [20:11] For sure. Thanks, Andy. Service. All [20:12] right. Absolutely. All right. [20:15] Hey, thanks for tuning in today. I want [20:16] to give a special shout out to council [20:18] member Jeff Parkill who's stepping down [20:21] here uh in October uh moving to another [20:24] community and we thank him for his years [20:26] of service to our community. I know [20:27] you'll be back and I'll see you when you [20:29] get back pal. Um and you know today's [20:32] show was about uh meeting some of the [20:34] city leaders and really what I hope it [20:37] does is inspire some of you out there uh [20:39] to step forward to volunteer for boards [20:41] and commissions. Uh, as we turn the page [20:44] here to winter, uh, we'll post open [20:46] board and commission positions in [20:48] December. And I really hope that many of [20:50] you watching today would consider [20:51] applying and stepping up and [20:53] volunteering for your community. And [20:54] with that, I'll see you about town. [21:09] [Applause] [21:18] [Music]