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Wayne Neubarth

Victoria 952-443-1910

Tom O’Connell, CPA

Income Tax Preparation. 952-474-6509

Bertas Funeral Home

Chaska * 952-448-2137

CORNERSTONE Insurance Agency

David Barsness * 952-448-5028

Sebenaler Chiropractic Center

Chaska * 952-448-9908

Christ Victorious Lutheran Church

Just south of Victoria * 952-443-2993

Custom New Homes

Victoria * 952-443-2740

5) What are the characteristics of someone who would well represent, in word and action, the people of Victoria? I put a high value on honesty and a belief in the residents of Victoria, a sharing of values and culture with peers on the Council, and working as a team with the City’s staff. I believe that careful listening and thoughtful thinking serve the community well. And although we do have serious business to conduct in Victoria, I think a little common sense doused with some healthy laughter and humor serves the community well.

6) Considering our varied jobs, interests, and family lives, what expectations do you have of the citizens of Victoria? I believe that citizens of any City have a responsibility to their neighbors and community to be considerate, respectful, and open minded. I hope that our citizens will continue to be engaged and ask constructive questions and hold city officials accountable to help keep Victoria as a special place in which people will want to live, work, and play.

7) With the extensive and convenient use of email today that includes dialogue and passing of information and memos among city councilmembers and staff, how do you safeguard, for the people and press of Victoria, transparency and the open meeting rules? I am confident that Victoria’s city government is in compliance with the open meeting laws. All meetings are posted and councilmembers do not send emails discussing positions on issues to come before the Council to the Council at large.

I support council workshops for in-depth discussions of possible courses of actions and welcome the press and all residents who wish to sit in on these discussions. I do not believe that votes on the topic(s) being discussed should occur in workshops but, rather, that the matters come before a regular council meeting with a staff recommended position based on workshop discussion.

8) Within our little downtown area there are several parking lots, some private and some public. There are parking lots behind the Victoria House, next to Schmitty’s, next to Floyd’s, by the Notermann Building, in front and in back of Kleinbank, alongside the 1600 Arboretum Blvd Offices, in front of the Cabin Fever complex, in front of Hi-5. Seldom are they full, never all at the same time. Larger parking lots are being proposed for Fresh Seasons Market and the Creamery Project. There is also on-street parking in downtown Victoria, not to mention the city’s 13.5 acres immediately adjacent to our Central Business District which could become one gigantic parking lot if the Council so wished. Seems we have more parking space than business in Victoria. Is the Victoria City Council’s push to acquire ever more parking a little overdone? Why or why not? The City has an obligation to provide appropriate safe infrastructure to its citizens, and this certainly includes appropriate parking.

I support shared parking and believe that it is a way to maximize use of valuable land in a small, contained, downtown area. I believe that the City should contribute to parking, but I also believe that there is a responsibility on the part of business to share in the cost.

I support realistic parking expectations. I do not believe that it is the responsibility of government to ensure sufficient parking places directly by every business. As Victoria continues to grow economically, we need to take the “risk” of allowing the shared parking concept to work and consistently evaluate the parking situation to ensure a viable business culture.

9) The lofty purpose of government is to protect and promote the dignity of its people. In what ways can Victoria City Government fulfill this lofty purpose? Government must be respectful of one’s individual rights and expect that the masses live within the laws (in the case of cities, ordinances) that promote and enhance the greater good. Neither can be sacrificed for the other.

10) How are you going to find the hours and hours of time necessary to do a good job for us on the Victoria City Council when your plate is already full? Since I currently have the honor of serving Victoria as Mayor, I have already “reorganized” my life to work on behalf of the citizens of Victoria with a “Focus on the Future” and a commitment to work hard for the “Victoria Quality of Life.”

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to respond to these questions and for providing a format to share my thoughts with Victoria residents.

Click here to meet the six candidates

running for two council seats, appearing here in alphabetical order.