Just two years after a write-in campaign was needed to fill a second Albertville City Council seat (Walter Hudson), there is a full field for this year’s cabinet. Two council seats are up for election, and four men have filed to run, including incumbent John Vetsch, who did not submit answers to this survey. Aaron Cocking, Paul Turpin and Jeremy Dominick round out the field in the race for council.
Brad Cedergren and incumbent Jillian Hendrickson are in a re-match from the 2014 election for the city’s Mayoral position.
Here’s a look at the candidates:
MAYOR of ALBERTVILLE
Brad Cedergren
Age: 41
Family: My wife, Lynn, and I were married in 2004 and we have four children: daughters Hannah (11) and Ellianah (6 months) and sons Noah (7) and Micah (3).
Years in Albertville 9
Background:
I was born and raised in Minnesota and I graduated from Elk River High School in 1993. I joined the US Navy in 1993, where I spent four years on Active Duty and four years in the Navy Reserves. In 2002, I transferred into the Minnesota Army National Guard and was deployed in 2011 to Kuwait and Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn as a Battalion Chaplain. As a Chaplain, I ran chapel operations and provided ministry for forward deployed Soldiers in Iraq. In 2014, I retired from the military as a Captain. We have been members of Living Word Christian Center in Brooklyn Park for over 15 years and have enjoyed being involved in various outreaches and ministry opportunities there.
I have a Bachelor’s degree in Visual Communication and a Masters of Divinity in Pastoral Care. My professional background is in Marketing and Advertising, Software Engineering, and Business Development. I currently work for an agricultural insurance company in Maple Grove and, along with my wife, own Forte Music Academy in Albertville.
My daughter, Hannah, was Junior Miss Albertville 2012-2013 and my son, Noah, is currently serving with the Albertville Royalty as Junior Commodore. Our family has continuously supported the Royalty program through sponsorship as well as in our hearts. We have also sponsored Albertville Friendly City Days through our business.
Why are you running for mayor/city council member?
Taking an active role in my community has always been an important part of my life. I spent 20 years serving our country and now desire to serve my community. I currently serve on the St. Michael/Albertville VFW as the Post Chaplain and am a member of the Crow River Thunder motorcycle club. I am a Constitutional Conservative, fiscally-conservative, and believe in limited government powers and individual rights and liberties. As a business owner, I know how businesses operate and what prevents them from growing. I also know what attracts businesses to a community and what pushes them away.
How, specifically would you like Albertville to grow into the next decade and what is the city’s role in promoting that growth?
Albertville is a great community with great residents and great businesses, but we are one of the highest taxed cities within Wright County. We have a lot of debt that needs to be reduced and we do not have the businesses that are needed to equally distribute taxes, nor are we attracting many new businesses to help do so. As a result, we either need to spend less or make more. We have numerous open vacancies within our business spaces and several other areas that need to be developed. We need to create incentives for businesses to open within our community versus a neighboring community.
I would like to see the city’s industrial park area expanded through attracting new industrial businesses as well as encouraging growth of existing industrial businesses. I would also like to see our vacancies in Albertville Crossing reduced as well as the vacant properties along CR-19 developed. The city can begin to see this expansion through providing incentives for new businesses and growing businesses and not standing in the way of development efforts. There also needs to be active solicitation and collaboration through the I-94 West Chamber of Commerce as well as the state Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED).
We need to take a serious look at our budget and eliminate unnecessary spending. Both of these will allow us to work on paying down the city’s debt, and work towards adding amenities and facilities important to our growing community. With these measures in place, our community will be a very desirable place for new businesses and in order to continue the efforts of the I-94 Coalition, we need to work closely with our elected State Officials to ensure that project keeps moving forward in order to handle to increase in traffic.
What is your position on the school district’s proposed bond referendum for 2017?
In a school district that has been fighting for equality in funding for our students, there needs to be priorities in what the School Board is trying to accomplish. We are already losing teachers to neighboring districts for our nearly $10,000 salary shortcomings, yet the school board has decided that new sports facilities should be built instead of retaining our quality educators. We are also seeing business after business close their doors, and new businesses reluctant to open theirs, due to the high tax burden in our city. Once the funding for our students is resolved and the teachers receive competitive pay, then we can look at adding or improving our sports facilities, but we must never put the education of our children in second place.
Residents are often concerned about keeping taxes low and the city’s budget flat. What’s the best way to do that while combating rising costs?
In order to reduce the tax burden on residents within our city we need to increase the number of people and businesses who are paying taxes. With only 4 square miles, and approaching capacity for the number of available residential lots, we must be strategic on how that happens. We need to ensure that the available commercial properties are no longer sitting vacant and barriers are removed for homeowners looking to improve existing properties.
Another issue is the increase in crime within our community. We have one of the closest large shopping centers south of St. Cloud and through continued support of the Wright County Sheriff’s Department, Community Crime Awareness groups and training, and through working with area businesses that provide entertainment and enrichment for our youth, I believe we can reduce the amount of crime in our community and be well prepared for any major incidents that we may face without needing to drastically increase law enforcement spending. We do, however, need to ensure that we are budgeting for expanding services needed with a growing community.
How can the city play a larger role in supporting local business and growth?
Local businesses are the backbone to any community and supporting these businesses is paramount to attracting new businesses and retaining existing businesses. The city needs to ensure that the appreciation of its local businesses is evident in the support that it provides. Efforts to support our local businesses should be put into place to welcome them as an important part of our community.
All of these efforts will require trust in the City Council. I will ensure, through transparency and commitment of the entire City Council and Staff, that members of this community are given a voice and their opinions are heard. I will work closely with the rest of the council on issues of importance and keeping this community a great place for all of our residents and I will put our city and the wants of the residents in front of my own personal agendas.
Jillian Hendrickson
Age: 33
Family: Married to Ryan Hendrickson, Two Daughters, Emilie, 3 & Hannah, 1
Years in Albertville: 10 years in Albertville
Background:
My name is Jillian Hendrickson and I am seeking reelection as Mayor of Albertville.
Reelected as Mayor I will continue provide sound leadership to the Albertville community. I became a resident of Albertville 10 years ago and was blessed to have met my husband Ryan in town and we married in 2012. We now have 2 daughters; Emilie & Hannah and we are members of St. Albert’s Catholic Church. We are deeply rooted in this community. My education includes an international business degree from St. Norbert College, minors in communication and leadership, with a Master’s in Business Administration through SCSU. Professionally, I work as a Professional Cardiology Healthcare Representative. My hobbies include reading and spending time with my family in the outdoors. Thank you for your continued confidence in my leadership as I ask for your vote on November 8th.
Why are you running for mayor/city council member?
I am seeking a third term as Mayor of Albertville with plans to sustain the continued advancements of our community. My vision remains focused on our community’s future: to enhance our “Friendly City” motto by maintaining essential services, limiting tax burdens on our residents, and stimulating economic growth. Supporting our local businesses and encouraging new development will remain imperative throughout my tenure. It is my goal to see projects complement our Albertville community.
These past few years I’ve addressed several concerns facing our community. I will continue to partner with neighboring cities on collaborative efforts to save money and deliver more efficient services. I look forward to continuing to partner with neighboring cities to cut costs and work proactively on transportation.
If reelected I will continue to provide leadership to city council by seeking input from the community with a goal to represent the best interests of Albertville.
How, specifically would you like Albertville to grow into the next decade and what is the city’s role in promoting that growth?
I supported and encouraged the city to work closely with Old Castle Glass, Fraser Steel, and Mold Tech in the industrial park on completing expansion projects over the last two years. These businesses are substantial assets to our community and it is essential Albertville sustains these and looks to build out the remaining industrial lots within our community. There is a lot of anticipation regarding the future “Mall of Entertainment” proposed in our Northwest quadrant of Albertville. I will encourage the council and planning commission to work closely with staff to ensure a positive outcome for residents and businesses. It is my goal to see projects and future expansions complement our Albertville community as we continue to encourage future growth. As a leader in the community I will continue to explore different avenues the city can take to promote responsible growth while limiting tax burdens.
Most importantly Albertville has a formalized vision, and expansion of our freeway and an additional eastbound ramp onto I-94 remains a key goal. I sit on the I-94 Collation, a board comprised of city leaders and Chambers of Commerce working to bring awareness to federal and state officials regarding the essential need for six lanes on I-94. I will continue to support interstate access through its future phases, as these efforts are essential in filling the remaining store fronts within our community.
What is your position on the school district’s proposed bond referendum for 2017?
STMA school district’s proposed bond referendum isn’t an issue city councils’ have voting authority on, however as a resident of Albertville and current Mayor I have been following the process fairly closely. I am pleased the bond referendum will be brought forward to the voters and it will, if passed, be paid for upwards of 40% by state dollars. Our community is one of the fastest growing in the state, the 2017 proposed bond referendum is a good thing regardless as it encourages busy families to engage in the needs and wants of the community. I compliment the residents and leaders who volunteered free time to sit on an Advisory Task Force. These folks were asked to review, identify and recommend urgent and necessary needs of the district. Their formal proposal has my full support. As a mother of two young children, one already receiving services from the district, I believe in a continued investment for our youth.
Residents are often concerned about keeping taxes low and the city’s budget flat. What’s the best way to do that while combating rising costs?
As a resident, I am concerned with keeping our taxes low and competitive. It is worrisome not knowing what each taxing entity plans to roll out in the coming year. Electing strong leadership to council, those who are willing put time into reviewing the budget and plan ahead to set future councils up for success is imperative. I take our annual budgeting process very seriously. I encourage council to ask questions, review our audit and speak to residents and business owners. During my tenure as Mayor, Albertville’s council has been responsible with paying debt down, sustaining the best credit rating possible and pursuing essential service projects, i.e. road repairs that have fallen behind during the recession. It is essential the council continues to plan for the future so to keep the city’s budget relatively flat in years to come.
How can the city play a larger role in supporting local business and growth?
Past councils, including those I have been honored to serve on, have done an admirable job placing us on a sustainable course. The best way for the city to foster growth is to ensure services are provided as needed, and paid for with well managed budgets and levies. Our best tool for encouraging growth is continuing to perform those essential tasks well. Aside from that, we can offer tax incentives to promising developments, as we have in the past.
Beyond those basics, we should continue to modernize the city’s web presence and maintain productive relationships with area citizen groups such as the I-94 West Chamber, Rotary Club, FYCC, and many others.
ALBERTVILLE CITY COUNCIL
Paul Turpin
Age: 48
Family: Married with 4 children.
Years in Albertville: 15
Background: Management, Business owner, Sales, Marketing.
Why are you running for mayor/city council member?
My wife and I have enjoyed raising our family here for the last 15 years; so much that we encouraged my parents and siblings to move here as well. Maintaining the “small town feel” that we all moved here for, as we grow has motivated me to run for office. I feel it is our civic duty to assist in planning for the future of our city with fresh points of view as well as maintaining what we all love about our community.
How, specifically would you like Albertville to grow into the next decade and what is the city’s role in promoting that growth?
I would like to see Albertville maintain its “small town feel” while raising the bar on our amenities. I believe we all want things like a community center, additional parks, walking paths, and great restaurants to eat in. The city’s role in this is long term planning with budgets, and keeping an inviting business atmosphere for new and existing business.
What is your position on the school district’s proposed bond referendum for 2017?
I have given great thought to this, discussing with friends, family, and the citizens of Albertville as I have been meeting them door to door. I have heard many opinions on both sides with valid concerns. While it is a large sum of money, and we have a large debt load currently, I feel the new classrooms and security are needs. The new sports facilities are more of a want with a bit of a need mixed in. What I am for is the fact that each and every citizen will be able to vote on it and have their voice heard.
Residents are often concerned about keeping taxes low and the city’s budget flat. What’s the best way to do that while combating rising costs?
As we all do with our personal lives, it is important to balance needs with wants. I believe we need to make the tough choices and remember our duty is to balance the budget while maintaining the level of basic expectations our community has.
How can the city play a larger role in supporting local business and growth?
With a town that is only 4 square miles there is only so much room for growth. I believe we need to focus on maintaining a pro-business environment encouraging our current business`s to stay, as well as being open to new business. Keeping taxes low and “red tape” to a minimum is key in my opinion.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I would just like to say that I love this community and enjoy living here; I cannot imagine raising my family anyplace else. We have such a great balance of “small town living” while not being too far from “The Big City”. I will continue to be involved in the community whether it’s with the Lions, on the City Council, or supporting local business.
I ask for your vote on November 8th and your trust to do the right thing for our community.
Jeremy Dominick
Age: 39
Family: Wife (Krystal) and 3 daughters ages 17, 8 and 4
Years in Albertville: We built our 1st home in the area in 2007 and bought our 2nd just 3 years ago, we love it here and plan to stay long term
Background: Vice Chairman of the Planning and Zoning commission for the city of Albertville, Sr Engineer for Optum Technology and many Forbes 100 companies along the way. In my prior career before I discovered my passion for technology, I worked in sales and marketing in the financial sector where I worked with clients that ranged from global company executives to small business owners, I have a great deal of experience in promoting business growth, utilizing demographic data, forecasting and creating sound financial plans to achieve positive growth in all economic climates. My unique background and diverse experiences will allow me to be uniquely successful in representing the community and running the city like a business as it should be.
Why are you running for mayor/city council member?
I am running to serve my community on the city council because I feel Albertville residents want a greater amount of transparency that isn’t currently there, greater accountability of how funds are used and to help lower our individual tax burden. Albertville is only four square miles and as such we are limited in the total tax revenue we’ll be able to generate. We need to maximize the use of space we have to continue being a destination community.
How, specifically would you like Albertville to grow into the next decade and what is the city’s role in promoting that growth?
Being landlocked at four square miles presents its share of challenges. I feel however, Albertville has a lot to offer to young families looking to place roots, with many residential lots still available, our resident tax base can continue to grow. Attracting young families takes many things: great schools, community amenities, and reasonable taxes. We already have a fantastic school system, the mall, great parks and a golf course are a few of the luxuries people want, but others have voiced a want for a community center, pools and such. To bring those to our community we need to grow our tax base beyond residential. Being land locked our residential growth will be limited so we must look at encouraging business to plant roots. We have many empty store fronts, and even more undeveloped commercial properties. Businesses want to build where young families reside, they want a local workforce, they want traffic if they are a storefront, and they, too, care about taxes.
What is you position on the school district’s proposed bond referendum for 2017?
I am glad to see a very comprehensive proposal has been created that caters to a larger subset of the community than what was initially proposed and has been offered to the people for a vote.
Residents are often concerned about keeping taxes low and the city’s budget flat. What’s the best way to do that while combating rising costs?
I think residents and business alike share this concern and its valid. When a city is landlocked as we are, we have to be creative in how we continue to attract both residents and business to help share the tax load. Both want different things so we have to balance the wants/needs of each to maximize their growth potentials. Knowing what attracts each is only part of the task. Actively promoting us as the place to live, work and do business takes energy and the will to go out and do it.
Having council members with the passion and mindset to achieve these is a great start.
How can the city play a larger role in supporting local business and growth?
Many of our local business rely on a healthy, thriving community to support their growth, helping to promote good business practices, offering incentives and growing our residential population can help growth. Additionally adding more business to help spread the tax load will benefit all and the more we grow, the better it gets.
Our city needs people with passion, with the energy and motivation to go out and actively promote our city to business leaders, to make connections with the right people and actively encourage business to come here. Our current way of sitting back and hoping business takes an interest in us has left us with empty store fronts and vacant lots. We are hungry, but instead of waiting for dinner to come to us, we need to go out and hunt for it.
Anything else you’d like to add?
It comes down to this. Do you want to go with the status quo by electing a person to sit on a board to fill their spare time attending meetings and sharing their opinion? Or someone who will represent your wants and needs with passion for our community, who will help improve our community by actively working hard to grow our tax base, who will continue to be active in the community and provide more transparency, will be your voice on the council and really listen to your concerns?
I am that guy; I have the energy, the passion and vision. I already volunteer here, work on community projects and start give back initiatives. If you want to see our great little city be its best, I am here to help make that happen
Aaron Cocking
Age: 34
Family: Wife – Kristie, 2 daughters Natalie (11) and Reagan (9)
Years in Albertville – Moved to Albertville in June 2013
Background: I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Public Administration. Following graduation, Kristie and I moved to Minnesota, where I got a job working for the Minnesota Senate. During my career in the Minnesota Senate I held a number of different positions, including Committee Administrator for the Senate Commerce Committee. I left the Senate in 2012 and took a job working for the Minnesota Association of Farm Mutual Insurance Companies, where I currently serve as President and Chief Executive Officer. I also actively serve on the board of Building Without Borders, which is a non-profit organization that builds homes for people living in poverty in the Dominican Republic. We have built 15 homes in the past two years and I will be leading a group down at the end of November to build number 16. In my spare time I like to golf, hunt, fish, and read.
Why are you running for mayor/city council member?
I am running to serve the people of Albertville. Working in and around state government for the past 12 years, I have been able to develop a great deal of knowledge, skills, and relationships that I want to put to use for the people of this community. When I was encouraged to run for city council by community leaders, I met with city staff to find out what issues would be facing Albertville in the next four years. Two of them that specifically jumped out at me were the push to finish the third lane of 94 from 241 to Albertville and the need to do something about our wastewater treatment plant. Both of those will require working with the state officials and legislators and is something I am well equipped to assist with. Besides those issues, I also possess the common sense and logic to work through any other issues that comes up.
How, specifically would you like Albertville to grow into the next decade and what is the city’s role in promoting that growth?
One of the things that drew us to Albertville was the small town feel. Both my wife and I grew up in Iowa and we liked being in close proximity to corn and bean fields and being able to see a silo from our bedroom window. We also like being close to the amenities afforded by a large metropolitan area, such as the orchestra, theater, and sports teams, not to mention all the wonderful restaurants. I want to see the growth of Albertville done in a thoughtful and purposeful way. A great example of this is the Mall of Entertainment. I am not necessarily opposed to the Mall of Entertainment based on what I have heard so far, but I don’t want this area to become the Minnesota Dells, with all the billboards and tourist traps that welcome you in Wisconsin. I also want to make sure that the traffic that is generated does not adversely affect the local community. I think the city’s role in any growth is deciding what they want in the next 10 years and being diligent about promoting that to the businesses and industry that will make it happen.
What is you position on the school district’s proposed bond referendum for 2017?
As I have knocked on doors throughout our city, this is one of the questions I hear over and over again. I am supportive of the proposed referendum for a couple of reasons. The first is that I like that it is a referendum. This allows the people who would be paying it a chance to say “yes, we are OK paying more” or “no, we don’t want to be taxed more to pay for it.” Additionally, with the equalization aid we would receive from the state, we are able to get more bang for our buck. I consider myself a fiscal conservative and have a number of issues with the reckless way the state and federal government spend our money. I don’t feel that is the case in this circumstance. Hockey, and sports in general, are important to our community. A second sheet of ice is needed to help relieve the congestion I have been told surrounds the use of the current arena. I am also supportive because it is not extravagant. The architect described the ice arena as a workhorse and not a show-horse. I think that is an important distinction for people who may be undecided at this time. The additional classroom space is also critical for our growing district. In addition, being able to locate the sports facilities on the high school grounds is important for parents like us who would prefer our kids not have to travel to get to sports practice. Although I am supportive, I do have an issue with the timing of the referendum taking place in February. I would have liked to see the referendum voted on at the general election.
Residents are often concerned about keeping taxes low and the city’s budget flat. What’s the best way to do that while combating rising costs?
The best way to do this is with growth. One of the benefits of having so much undeveloped property in the city is the opportunity to grow and to expand the tax capacity of the city without property taxes being increased on individual homeowners. One of the misconceptions people often have when reading about their tax levy is that a 2.9% levy increase will mean a 2.9% increase in their individual property taxes. Property taxes don’t operate the same way as an income tax rate. You could raise the levy and actually have individual property taxes decrease. I want to keep taxes as low as possible, while providing the services that people in this city expect. We want good roads, including roads plowed in a timely manner in the winter. We want a good fire department to provide fire protection for our homes and businesses. We want good and clean parks for people to visit. All of that can be accomplished by thoughtful growth and good stewardship of our residents’ tax dollars.
How can the city play a larger role in supporting local business and growth?
I think the biggest thing the city can do is making sure that the roads businesses need to drive on are in good shape, that their customers can reach them easily, and that the city is responsive to their needs in a timely manner. In the end, the government doesn’t create or sustain growth; businesses do. If a business comes to the city with a request, the city should do what it can to help them. I want to see our local businesses thrive. I think the more we can strengthen the community aspect of Albertville, the more we can encourage people to shop local to help our businesses. When all is said and done, the city can be a supportive partner with our many successful businesses, both ones that are here and ones that are yet to come.
Anything else you’d like to add?
As I have met with people across the city of Albertville, one of the things I have consistently said is that politics is about working together to get things done. In the end, politics is a relationship business. You work with others and listen to people to do what is best for your constituents. Albertville has around 7,000 residents, and a 5-person council. I have built a career based on listening to what people need and then advocating for them. I want to do that now for the people of Albertville. If I am fortunate enough to get elected, I want people to know that I want to listen to them and advocate for them. I didn’t get into this race because I have a bone to pick or an ax to grind about anything happening in this city right now. I am running to serve. I humbly ask for your vote on November 8th.