I had previously highlighted some differences on issues between the other four candidates and myself. I'd like to expand on that a bit with this post. Specifically, I'd like to point out some visibility and approaches to communication I believe are different between us.
As someone who believes in communicating with constituents and providing information related to where I stand on issues or happenings within the community, my opponents are less open.
Let's review a few.
Email
George Hontos - Yes
Jeff Goerger - Yes
Sonja Berg - Yes
Jake Anderson - Yes (jake@jakeforstcloud.com)
Carol Lewis - Yes
Website
George Hontos - No
Jeff Goerger - No
Sonja Berg - No
Jake Anderson - Yes (jakeforstcloud.com)
Carol Lewis - Yes
Facebook Campaign Page
George Hontos - No
Jeff Goerger - No
Sonja Berg - No
Jake Anderson - Yes (www.facebook.com/jakeforstcloud)
Carol Lewis - No
Twitter Page
George Hontos - No
Jeff Goerger - No
Sonja Berg - No
Jake Anderson - Yes (www.twitter.com/jakeforstcloud)
Carol Lewis - No
Issues / Campaign Blog
George Hontos - No
Jeff Goerger - No
Sonja Berg - No
Jake Anderson - Yes (jakeforstcloud.blogspot.com)
Carol Lewis - No
----
How are folks supposed to know where candidates stand if they can't find out where you actually stand? The League of Women Voter's put together a questionnaire for candidates for St. Cloud City Council and you can see the responses here.
I'll just tell you in advance that I'm the only candidate who completed the survey.
So, you do have a choice this election. Reward those who choose not to share with you where they stand and what they'd like to do, or reward someone like me. Someone who is willing to put in the effort. Someone who is willing to answer questions and put my opinion out there.
It's your choice, St. Cloud.
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Running Government "Like a Business"
At some point or another, you've heard someone say (or perhaps you've said) that we should be running government like a business. We should work to maximize our revenues while minimizing unneeded expenses. The truth is that the government provides services that private sector businesses or non-profits would not. If they did, the cost to the person using them would limit who could use them. But I digress. Instead of focusing on revenues / expenses, though, government can and should operate more like a business in other ways. Namely, through customer service efforts. Every constituent / taxpayer is a customer - treat them like one.
Instead of getting ping-ponged throughout a building through a process that may not be familiar, more should be done to capture a constituent story and have that story follow them. If a person is trying to get a building permit and just happens to go to the wrong department, re-telling their story several times until they talk to the right person is unnecessary and inefficient. In retail, associates are often directed to go the extra mile - including escorting the person to the right area and helping connect them with appropriate staff. Government shouldn't be any different.
Establishing a well-known customer service policy for the city - and putting people first - builds a trust that can't be bought but earned. It also shouldn't be expensive. It really is a matter of setting the policy and enacting it. Technology can assist, but the people and process is much more important.
Instead of getting ping-ponged throughout a building through a process that may not be familiar, more should be done to capture a constituent story and have that story follow them. If a person is trying to get a building permit and just happens to go to the wrong department, re-telling their story several times until they talk to the right person is unnecessary and inefficient. In retail, associates are often directed to go the extra mile - including escorting the person to the right area and helping connect them with appropriate staff. Government shouldn't be any different.
Establishing a well-known customer service policy for the city - and putting people first - builds a trust that can't be bought but earned. It also shouldn't be expensive. It really is a matter of setting the policy and enacting it. Technology can assist, but the people and process is much more important.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Smart Investment in Technology
Technology is often thought of as a saving grace. If an organization purchases a new software package, all the woes will go away. The truth is, any system is made up of three components: people, process, and technology. Unfortunately, people and process are often ignored. It is not surprising when technology is unable to meet the expectations of the folks who authorized the purchase of it.
Software is often purchased to solve individual business needs of an organization without respect to shared business needs. This results in so-called "silo solutions" where multiple solutions meet similar needs at a higher cost (both in the initial purchase and in on-going maintenance). It's like if you're accounting department has the need to create spreadsheets and another department has a need to develop spreadsheets - and IT buys two different spreadsheet programs from two different vendors.
The City of St. Cloud is behind the technology curve. Our current budget situation has definitely exacerbated the situation. There is also a tremendous opportunity with that. I advocate the city look at solutions that can re-purposed or used to address common business needs. This would reduce overall costs and on-going costs while meeting core needs. It would also require that departments discuss with each other their common business needs and problems.
To me, this is how smart investment in technology begins.
Software is often purchased to solve individual business needs of an organization without respect to shared business needs. This results in so-called "silo solutions" where multiple solutions meet similar needs at a higher cost (both in the initial purchase and in on-going maintenance). It's like if you're accounting department has the need to create spreadsheets and another department has a need to develop spreadsheets - and IT buys two different spreadsheet programs from two different vendors.
The City of St. Cloud is behind the technology curve. Our current budget situation has definitely exacerbated the situation. There is also a tremendous opportunity with that. I advocate the city look at solutions that can re-purposed or used to address common business needs. This would reduce overall costs and on-going costs while meeting core needs. It would also require that departments discuss with each other their common business needs and problems.
To me, this is how smart investment in technology begins.
Weakness: Name Recognition
Let's be honest - among the candidates on the ballot in November for City Council, I am the unknown. There are five of us on the ballot, and all of us have been on the ballot in one form or another in the past. The other four candidates have experience, they have successfully campaigned and been elected, and they are known. Some are thought of in much higher regard than others, but all are formidable opponents.
In order to overcome this weakness, I've decided that I need to get my name out there. I will do so by using yard signs, billboards, and - most importantly - door knocking. When venturing through the neighborhoods of St. Cloud, I hope to hear from people about the issues that matter to them. For most, it's about ensuring their neighborhood remains vibrant and livable. It's about keeping a decent job and raising their family. It's about enjoying life.
So, I've started door-knocking, I've begun placing yard signs, and billboards are beginning to appear. I'm not operating on a big budget, but a budget that is like a lot of families. I'm willing to invest my own money into something I believe in. Let's work together to make St. Cloud an even better place to live.
In order to overcome this weakness, I've decided that I need to get my name out there. I will do so by using yard signs, billboards, and - most importantly - door knocking. When venturing through the neighborhoods of St. Cloud, I hope to hear from people about the issues that matter to them. For most, it's about ensuring their neighborhood remains vibrant and livable. It's about keeping a decent job and raising their family. It's about enjoying life.
So, I've started door-knocking, I've begun placing yard signs, and billboards are beginning to appear. I'm not operating on a big budget, but a budget that is like a lot of families. I'm willing to invest my own money into something I believe in. Let's work together to make St. Cloud an even better place to live.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
The "Under-Vote" Strategy
This November, as voters cast their ballots in precincts throughout St. Cloud, they will be presented with five (5) city council candidates for three (3) spots. The top 3 vote-getters will be elected to the council. Each voter can select up to three candidates. This is where I need your help by under-voting.
An under-vote is where you cast fewer votes for an office than you are permitted to cast. So, although you are free to mark up to three, I ask that you only mark my name. If you feel strongly about another candidate, include them as well. Just don't choose a third. It's important because all the votes are totaled.
Traditionally strong vote-getters like George Hontos and Sonja Berg will collect more than enough votes on their own. They will most likely employ a similar strategy with their supporters.
If you have any questions about this, please ask. Thanks!
An under-vote is where you cast fewer votes for an office than you are permitted to cast. So, although you are free to mark up to three, I ask that you only mark my name. If you feel strongly about another candidate, include them as well. Just don't choose a third. It's important because all the votes are totaled.
Traditionally strong vote-getters like George Hontos and Sonja Berg will collect more than enough votes on their own. They will most likely employ a similar strategy with their supporters.
If you have any questions about this, please ask. Thanks!
Differences between Candidates
Today, I thought I'd take a few minutes and post some of the differences between myself and the other candidates. Each of these is based on either City Council or Planning Commission minutes.
- Supported elimination of health benefits for City Council Members (part-time). (5/24/2010)
- George Hontos - No
- Sonja Berg - No
- Jeff Goerger - N/A
- Jake Anderson - Yes
- Carol Lewis - N/A
- Supported building the Skate Park in Heritage Park
- George Hontos - Yes
- Sonja Berg - No
- Jeff Goerger - No (Planning Commission vote)
- Jake Anderson - Yes
- Carol Lewis - N/A
- Supported Complete Streets Policy adoption
- George Hontos - No
- Sonja Berg - Yes
- Jeff Goerger - No
- Jake Anderson - Yes
- Carol Lewis - N/A
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
What Does "Let's Work. Together" Mean?
It sounds cliche for someone to run for office and stress the need to work together. Indeed, if history is any judge, it often turns out to be the furthest thing from the truth.
I believe that working together means engaging in discourse and finding out what others think about a particular issue. It's about finding the consensus to move forward and ensuring that everyone's input counts. It's about moving past ideology and towards pragmatic action. We've got big challenges and tremendous opportunities to address.
That's what "Let's Work. Together" is all about.
I believe that working together means engaging in discourse and finding out what others think about a particular issue. It's about finding the consensus to move forward and ensuring that everyone's input counts. It's about moving past ideology and towards pragmatic action. We've got big challenges and tremendous opportunities to address.
That's what "Let's Work. Together" is all about.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Why I'm Running - Part 2
Growing up here, I heard a lot about economic development and trying to create higher paying jobs in the St. Cloud area. That effort has continued, and the need for higher paying jobs has not decreased.
Providing tax subsidies and other incentives for businesses to relocate or expand are common across our Country. That doesn't make them right, though. We should do more to create favorable permitting and licensing processes while building outstanding educational institutions and a quality of life that is second to none. Businesses are more likely to locate or expand in an area that people want to live and raise a family than simply a community that's willing to offer them a better financial package.
We need to do more to encourage entrepreneurship in St. Cloud. Our community loses a ton of talent and potential when students graduate from our higher ed institutions and leave. What can we do to keep them here, working or starting businesses? That's the conversation we should be having.
Providing tax subsidies and other incentives for businesses to relocate or expand are common across our Country. That doesn't make them right, though. We should do more to create favorable permitting and licensing processes while building outstanding educational institutions and a quality of life that is second to none. Businesses are more likely to locate or expand in an area that people want to live and raise a family than simply a community that's willing to offer them a better financial package.
We need to do more to encourage entrepreneurship in St. Cloud. Our community loses a ton of talent and potential when students graduate from our higher ed institutions and leave. What can we do to keep them here, working or starting businesses? That's the conversation we should be having.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Why I'm Running - Part 1
When I tell people I'm running for St. Cloud City Council, their often react with "good luck". It sometimes seems like an involuntary reaction which is understandable given the state of politics in our Country. That's actually one reason why I'm running - albeit for a local non-partisan office. Local politics is about improving the local community and getting things done through consensus and pragmatism. It's about listening to people's ideas and incorporating them into other's ideas. It's about discourse and conversation. It's about problem-solving.
Each and every one of us in St. Cloud has an inherent interest in improving our quality of life. A good quality of life fosters economic development. A good quality of life increases property values. A good quality of life improves the health of a community. So how do we improve our quality of life? In part, we need to protect and strengthen our core neighborhoods through crime prevention, proactive enforcement of existing ordinances, and placemaking that highlights a neighborhood's uniqueness.
Improving our quality of life also means working proactively with neighborhood groups on their own initiatives and ideas. I don't pretend to know all the answers or have all the ideas - indeed many more people have great ideas. We need to create an atmosphere that allows people to share these ideas and implement them.
I will post more blogs on why I'm running in the future. Thanks for reading this first one!
Take care,
Jake
Each and every one of us in St. Cloud has an inherent interest in improving our quality of life. A good quality of life fosters economic development. A good quality of life increases property values. A good quality of life improves the health of a community. So how do we improve our quality of life? In part, we need to protect and strengthen our core neighborhoods through crime prevention, proactive enforcement of existing ordinances, and placemaking that highlights a neighborhood's uniqueness.
Improving our quality of life also means working proactively with neighborhood groups on their own initiatives and ideas. I don't pretend to know all the answers or have all the ideas - indeed many more people have great ideas. We need to create an atmosphere that allows people to share these ideas and implement them.
I will post more blogs on why I'm running in the future. Thanks for reading this first one!
Take care,
Jake
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