Forest Lake Mayor & City Council Candidates Forum 2024
Forest Lake candidate introductions
City budget and fiscal planning
Economic development and downtown revitalization
Infrastructure maintenance (roads, water, sewer)
Hiring a permanent City Administrator
Planning Commission reform
Support for local businesses
Public safety funding
Community engagement and arts programs
Property tax impacts on fixed-income residents
Full Document Analysis
Notable Quotes (3)
first thing I would do is eliminate the Planning Commission
we need to find the right person. If we don't find someone this time that's okay
we need to hire a city administrator and in hiring a city administrator that can create a ripple effect into our community
People (7)
Hannah ValentoCity Council MemberFocuses on 10-year budget planning, economic development, and hiring a city administrator.
1 quote
Focuses on 10-year budget planning, economic development, and hiring a city administrator.
“as a younger female I think younger people need to be more represented”
Explanation of her motivation for seeking reelection.
Bruce AndersonMayoral CandidateProposes eliminating the Planning Commission and reducing city ordinances.
1 quote
Proposes eliminating the Planning Commission and reducing city ordinances.
“you should be able to do whatever you want on your property unless it violates three things”
Describing his philosophy on property rights and land use.
Susan YoungFormer Council MemberEmphasizes community building and leveraging her 12-year council experience.
1 quote
Emphasizes community building and leveraging her 12-year council experience.
“it is my forever home I'm not going anywhere”
Personal connection to Forest Lake.
Blake RobertsCity Council MemberFocuses on business experience, downtown development, and infrastructure.
1 quote
Focuses on business experience, downtown development, and infrastructure.
“the city administrator is essentially the CEO”
Defining the role of the city administrator.
Jesse WagnerPlanning Commission MemberLifelong resident focused on community growth and service.
1 quote
Lifelong resident focused on community growth and service.
“working and living in Forest Lake I've learned many of different things that people would like to see”
Justification for his council candidacy.
Sam HusnikCity Council Member30 years of local government service; liaison to the school board.
1 quote
30 years of local government service; liaison to the school board.
“we've been working on our budget”
Regarding current city administrative and fiscal struggles.
Jeff LorrisonEDA/Planning Commission MemberRetired Washington County Sheriff's Office employee.
1 quote
Retired Washington County Sheriff's Office employee.
“I believe that you need to be in the community to create Community”
Philosophy on public service and volunteerism.
Places Mentioned
Events & Meetings (1)
- Candidate forum session regarding City candidates