[Todd Corbo]
husband the community's resources and assure the burden of taxes -- at least the city's portion -- are fairly determined and value is received for all dollars expended.  4) To implement solutions to community-wide issues.
What has prepared you to be a leader in the City of Victoria?  1) An engaged citizen of this community.  2) Principled leadership.  3) Leadership experience in the business world.  As a consultant to small, medium, and large companies, I have firsthand experience on the value and use of the dollar and the impact of local policies on businesses and individu-als.  4) Breadth of life experience.  Education -JD, MBA, BS; military 17 years, formerly as a Combat Engineer in the U.S. Army Reserves; extensive national and international travel.
In what ways would you continue the strides and successes made under the leadership of Mayor Mary?  My wife and I have really enjoyed Victoria and the community of people we live around.  We were attracted to this area due to its close-ness to the best of all worlds, namely the natural beauty of this state (arboretum, parks, lakes, farms, fields), the proximity to amenities of a large metropolitan area, and the sense of community so evident when you spend time in Victoria.
These attributes didn't just happen.  They were a result of the past leadership of this community.  I want to help guide the growth of Victoria to assure these values are maintained for ourselves and generations to come.  I want to help assure that Victoria's future growth is economically sound while minimizing the tax burdens on the common homeowner.  I believe creating community in which to raise a family, and all the necessary infrastructure to support this, is not incompatible with controlling and minimizing tax burdens.
What projects would you hope to initiate in the city in the next five years?  1) A voice in public policy decisions for newer citizens of Victoria.  2) Thoroughly thought out, controlled, and properly im-plemented annexation of portions of cer-tain adjacent townships.  3) Public library.  4) Support school district in locating school(s) in Victoria.
Who are your heroes or mentors?  Abraham Lincoln, the personification of a principled man.  He stood for something while most others bowed down to nega-tive pressure.  He persevered and pre-vailed.  Finally, even through the darkest of hours, he had a sense of humor.

Gordon Simanton
375 Highway 7
Excelsior, Minnesota 55331
Family:  Wife, Jennifer.  Children, Jessica and Drew.
Occupation:  Small business owner.
Victoria resident:  16 years.
Why would you want to sacrifice family and personal time for hours of city council work and meetings?  Since I was appointed to the city council in March of this year, I have been involved in the planning, designing, and implementation of the field house and the future annexa-tion of the Laketown Township.  Both of these projects have required a significant time commitment; however, to be in-olved with what I consider to be a pivotal point in the city's future is an exciting challenge and an opportunity I welcome.
In addition, with a new mayor and two open seats on the city council coming up for re-election, I think continuing my current role with the city would provide continuity and stability to the city council.
As you see it, what is the purpose of city government?  Good schools, good roads, safe and vibrant community.
What has prepared you to be a leader in the City of Victoria?  I was on the Vic-toria Planning Commission four years and chaired this commission for the last two years.  My involvement on this commis-sion has provided me with a good grasp of city issues from a historical perspective. 
In addition, I have been involved this past year as a councilmember in the field house development, as well as the master planning for the water, sewer, and road infrastructure that will be required with the future annexation of the Laketown Township.
In what ways would you continue the strides and successes made under the leadership of Mayor Mary?  First, I would like to take the opportunity commend Mary Meuwissen for the splendid leader-ship she has displayed as the mayor of Victoria.  She has dedicated countless hours toward meetings and special sessions, coupled with a boundless energy as she guided this city through uncharted waters and unprecedented growth for the last eight years. 
Some projects that Mary initiated that I would like to champion are to continue the development of the field house to some day be a full fledge community center, complete the downtown redevel-opment projects, and maintain a balance between residential, commercial, and rural settings within the community.
What projects would you hope to initiate in the city in the next five years?  Future annexation of the Laketown Town-ship, grade school, attracting commercial and industrial businesses, high speed internet access.
Who are your heroes or mentors?  Joshua Chamberlain, a civil war general, was responsible for defending Little Round Top, the Union's vital far left flank at the Battle of Gettysburg.  On the second day of battle, his division ran out of ammunition.  He summoned his men and explained to them they had two choices:  they could wait or they could make the enemy believe they had no chance ...
So he ordered them to mount an offensive charge down the hill at the enemy, with no ammunition.  The enemy was so surprised at this maneuver, they retreated!  General Chamberlain was able to hold his position until reinforcements and supplies arrived the next day.
This story is an excellent example of grace under pressure, thinking outside the box, and taking the opportunity to do the unexpected.



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