It's About Our Community

Trying to convince people that you're trying to make your community a better place can be difficult.  Too often, people take a cynical view of individuals who seek elected office.  It's easy to understand why.  Public officials may try to benefit themselves or serve some personal need.  I get that.  Some people, though, run for office because they genuinely care for their community and want to improve it.  They may choose to do so because it makes them feel good or because they want to leave their mark on their community in a positive way.  It's about the recognition of doing what's right.

I began this journey a long time ago.  I've wanted to leave my mark on St. Cloud in a good way - to help our people have opportunities to get a good-paying job.  To make our neighborhoods safer, and provide kids (like we all were) opportunities to be active and be safe.  To improve the livability of St. Cloud for those who live here already or who may want to live here.  In 2001, while still in college, I decided to run for mayor.  My effort was poor and my showing (4th place out of 6) was to be expected.  I still have a binder filled with ideas and proposals that I sometimes peek at to remind myself of what I had been thinking about at the time.  While the ideas and proposals have changed, the purpose behind them has not.  Namely, let's make St. Cloud a better place for everyone.

In 2007, I tried unsuccessfully to get elected to the city council.  While my effort was a bit better, it was still lacking and the result expected.  I would be lying if I said I wasn't discouraged.  However, with a desire to still serve my community, I was offered an opportunity to serve on the planning commission.  It has been a great and enjoyable experience that has allowed me to learn about new initiatives and ideas.  It has provided me with a better understanding of city policy and planning while allowing me a chance to influence the direction of St. Cloud to improve our quality of life.  Most importantly, it has given me the confidence to once again seek elected office and work to make St. Cloud a better place.  If I'm unsuccessful in this attempt, I'll continue to work hard as a planning commissioner.

This blog post is not intended to criticize other candidates or question their motives.  I suspect each feels much like I do.  This election is about our quality of life.  This election is about choosing candidates who want to improve St. Cloud by working with others in our community to hear their ideas and input - be those from Democrats or Republicans.  It's about electing a candidate who has learned from previous experiences that nothing good ever comes easy, you have to keep working at it, and that the result of the efforts is positive impact on our community.

Your time is valuable, and I appreciate your reading this post and the others I've made.  I ask for your vote on Tuesday, November 6th.

Thank you very much.


Jake