Golden Valley City Council Race: A Voter's Guide

Election day in Golden Valley is this Tuesday, Nov. 8, and if you missed the at the on Oct. 26, you can still learn what each of the candidates running for Golden Valley City Council has to say.

Patch has created this guide to give you as much information about where the candidates stand and what they envision for Golden Valley's future.

To learn about the mayoral race, visit .

To learn more about the candidates themselves, you can read Patch's profiles of four candidates by clicking on their name:

The four candidates provided answers to the same questions Patch sent each of them, and we're posting those answers, without editing, below. We required all answers to be 100 words or less.

We are posting the answers in alphabetical order of the candidates' last names.

What makes you the best candidate for this position?

Joanie Clausen:
Golden Valley is lucky to have four candidates for City Council who love the community. Three of us have been involved with the city, but I have been around the longest. I would bring a new face with new ideas and a new perspective to the council. I'm a team player, and I understand the importance of communication, customer service, and I support citizen input and community participation. I own a Golden Valley small business, and I have an understanding of finances. I want to ensure Golden Valley remains a high quality-of-life city.

Mike Freiberg:
My experience, Golden Valley roots, and responsiveness to residents make me uniquely qualified to serve on the City Council for another four years. My parents moved to Golden Valley in 1976, and I’ve been on the Council for the last eight years. I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished during my service on the council. We kept our current water system. We adopted a domestic partnership registry and a strong smoke-free law. We updated the city’s comprehensive plan—its 10-year vision for the future. Throughout my service on the council, I’ve made responding to residents a top priority.

Greg Keivit:
What I offer is to evaluate every decision, from budget line items to large-scale projects, with a few basic criteria: Does this enhance the neighborhood and the city? Do the neighbors want this? Is this the best way to use these resources (personal, financial, space, equipment) at this time? Have we considered all the options? Will this project work in the distant future? Can we afford it? If we spend these resources now do we reduce resources for future projects?

I want to be sure that the city is using your tax dollars in the best possible way.

Blair Tremere:
I have broad experience with and knowledge of local government, drawn from appointed and elected roles. My professional community development expertise will contribute to sound policy decisions. 

Community involvement through active volunteer work provides current awareness of  Golden Valley’s rich human resources. I am a charter member of both the Envision Golden Valley Connection Project Executive Board and of the newly founded Golden Valley Community Foundation Board.

My experiences have afforded me the ability to understand the impacts the decisions other units of government have upon the City.

I am dedicated to serving the people of Golden Valley.

What are the three most important issues facing Golden Valley, and how would you address each one if you were elected? 

Clausen:

• 1) I see the budget and spending as the number one issue in this years election. During these difficult economic times, it is more important than ever, that Golden Valley is fiscally responsible. We should not burden our citizens with unnecessary expenses. I want to continue offering the high level of services that Golden Valley has become accustomed to, but if the economy continues as it has in the past 2 years, we may have to look at priorities and evaluate city programs. Before making purchases or starting new projects, we must evaluate cost, and how necessary the purchase or project is needed.
• 2) Accountability of Services is an issue I would like addressed. Our top management should be accountable for better supervision and evaluation of employees and the jobs that they perform. We must learn by our mistakes and make sure the same mistakes are not made again. Mistakes must be evaluated and new procedures or policies set in place when needed. If necessary, new training should be provided.
• 3) Better communication is needed between the citizens of Golden Valley and City Hall. I support citizen input and community participation. By working respectfully together, we can develop common sense practical solutions to our city's problems. Communication is the key to success in any relationship.

Freiberg:

• First, even though we are in a difficult fiscal position, the city should continue to provide a high level of service—whether the services are plowing the sidewalks during the winter, supporting civic activities, or planning for the future. 
• Second, I want to make sure city government continues to be responsive to residents’ concerns, whether they involve zoning decisions, park programming, or civic engagement. 
• Third, I want to see the city continue to advance social justice, whether it’s through progressive policies like the domestic partnership registry or supporting the work of the city’s Human Rights Commission.

Keivit:

• 1) Continued Financial Stability—The city must question every expense it incurs. Does an outlay make the most sense now or can it wait? Is the option the most affordable? Have all options been researched? Will this outlay reduce or eliminate funds for other projects? By diligently assessing budgeting and expenses we can continue to provide those important items (infrastructure, safety, recreation) that add so much to the quality of our living here.
• 2) Most of us want homes close to neighbors and services and where there is a pride of ownership that keeps surrounding homes well maintained. There is also a need for more than nice houses. Things like apartments, senior housing, stores and shops all contribute to the community.
  
  I want to concentrate on maintaining our housing stock in a way that adds to the neighborhood and adds to the community. We need to take hard looks at when and where we add multiple residence housing and other non-housing services and include the affected neighborhood's input in these decisions.
• 3) Regardless of the origin of the project or the funding I think it's important that we determine not only the usefulness of the project now but make sure the project will solve the problem for the future.
  
  If a major project is being undertaken I think we need to be certain that the plan includes a long term look to assure that we are anticipating future needs near that project and that those future needs are built into the plan.

Tremere:

• 1) The primary issue is how we citizens, through the city council, preserve and improve Golden Valley’s quality of life through prudent use of available resources.
  
  All policy decisions should be tied to that. I would keep the council mindful that the city is a creation of the State,  enabled to perform certain functions, and thus, council members should refrain from behaving as a state legislator. I would advocate a review of city programs, policies, and ordinances by the council itself with appropriate assistance from citizen  advisors to determine which are current, relevant, and affordable.
• 2)  Another important issue is the ongoing maintenance of our sense of security and confidence in city governance.  
  
  I would advocate and support the following: 
  • use of proven best practices in all departments, using available technology and contemporary personnel training;
  • increased participation in the Neighborhood Watch program with ongoing education and recruitment;
  • discovery and implementation of innovative ways to build confidence in our land use plans and regulations;
  • simplification of procedures for obtaining permits and licenses.  I would prioritize programs and spending using findings  from the council’s across-the-board review. 
  
  
• 3)  A third issue is the need to encourage awareness and to implement the Envision Golden Valley principles.
  
  I would actively promote the adoption of benchmarks to measure the progress of realizing the goals contained in the Vision statement. This was borne from extensive and thorough public involvement and should be respected. I would insist that major policy decisions and proposed new programs be tied to the Envision principles. I would support efforts to increase volunteer involvement; and I would propose the evaluation of  the mission statements and performance of  all advisory commissions and boards.

Is there anything else you want voters to know about you as they head to the voting booth?

Joanie Clausen (clausenforcouncil.com):

I have been campaigning door-to-door for the past 7 weeks, talking with residents about their neighborhoods, concerns and what they like about Golden Valley. If you have any doubts about my work ethic and commitment, my perseverance, involvement and my love for people and this community should speak for itself.

If elected, I will listen to your concerns, help improve communication and make sure your tax dollars are spent wisely.

Please vote November 8th, for Joanie Clausen. A vote for me, is a vote for you! Let's make a real difference at City Hall.

Mike Freiberg (www.mikefreiberg.com):
I believe that the city has functioned well since I’ve been on the Council, but like any organization, it is always appropriate to seek out ways to improve things. 

Making government both more responsive and more efficient may seem like contradictory goals, but I believe we can do both.

Greg Keivit (KeivitForCouncil.blogspot.com):
It is important to me that our infrastructure continues to be maintained at the highest level; that our public safety has the best manpower, training and equipment to protect our health and safety; that the value of our homes is being protected by appropriate zoning and inspection; that new projects make sense now and in the distant future; and that our tax dollars are being spent the most sensible way possible. If these things are important to you please vote for me November 8th.

Blair Tremere (www.blairtremere.com):
I believe that effective government depends upon capable citizens serving their community through a variety of opportunities, including elective office. I have an obligation to contribute my public affairs experience, skills, and knowledge to preserving and improving our quality of  life.

I am retired from my government career and have dedicated much of my personal time to community volunteer activities. I follow public governance through information and events. I enjoy visiting with citizens in both private settings and in the public arena. I always have been a proponent of non-partisan politics in local government. Learn more at www.blairtremere.com.