Nonpartisan
Candidate Questionnaire
What motivated you to run for the Fargo City Commission? (100 words max)
I believe Fargo is in a very tough economic situation and I think I am uniquely qualified to get us back on track as a city.
What personal, professional, or community experiences have best prepared you to serve as a Fargo City Commissioner? (100 words max)
I am a life long resident of Fargo. I graduated from Shanley, NDSU, and retired from the NDANG in 2024. I have lived in every part of Fargo, north, central, and South, which gives me an understanding of the needs of the entire city. Finally, I was a Fargo City Commissioner from 2015-2022 which means I understand the job.
If elected as City Commissioner, what would be your top three priorities for the City of Fargo, and why? (100 words max)
1) Balance the budget and eliminate debt by ending unnecessary spending and focusing on the NEEDS of Fargo while rejecting the WANTS - If we don't get our finical house in order soon, their will be severe consequences for the next generation.
2) End all special assessments - The main driver of our 1.3B of debt is specials.
3) Dramatically reduce all incentives and replace that erratic system with a low, sustainable, and predictable tax rate that meets the needs of all residents and businesses - Having a taxing system that is fair and low across the board will boost our economy.
Looking ahead five years, what do you see as the most significant opportunities and challenges facing Fargo? (100 words max)
The biggest challenge/opportunity is growth. Growth for the sake of growth is irresponsible. We need to grow with purpose and intention. This means recognizing that not all "Investments" are good "investments". Parking ramps, convention centers, performing arts centers, multi decade incentives, and ever expanding assessments we are told are all "investments" in our future. All of those are completely reckless and cause nothing but ballooning debt and expanding budgets. Fargo must focus on the NEEDS of our city first, perform the core roles of local government well, and then invest where it benefits our residents.
What strategies or initiatives would you support to attract, retain, and expand businesses in Fargo? Please include your perspective on the role of local incentives in economic development. (100 words max)
Having a low, sustainable, and predictable tax rate while eliminating incentives and assessments would absolutely attract and retain businesses in Fargo. Imagine if Fargo was the only city in the region without assessments...where would you grow?
Workforce availability remains one of the most significant challenges facing employers across the region. What role can the City play in supporting workforce attraction, retention, and development? (100 words max)
Same answer as above. People wont want to live here if we tax them out of their homes.
In 2023, F-M Metro COG conducted a study of the metro area’s housing market that identified the need for 16,400 housing units across the region by 2033. What policies or tools can the City of Fargo use to support the development of attainable, market-rate housing in Fargo? (100 words max)
Get out of the way. Fargo should not play the bank (assessments). If you want lower home prices, get government as far away as possible.
How critical is public safety to the vibrancy and vitality of our community, and what approaches would you support to strengthen public safety in Fargo? (100 words max)
Public safety is obviously central to the viability of any city. This is what I mean when I say we need to focus on NEEDS over WANTS. Would a convention center be great? Yes. However, having a fun convention center that loses money every year while we have high crime and not enough firemen is irresponsible.
Do you support or oppose transitioning to a ward-based commission system? Please explain your position. (100 words max)
Fargo has outgrown the Commission style of government. We are the biggest city in the country by far with this style of government. North Fargo is different than south. Downtown isn't the same as the southwest portion of town. We have different needs and we need a government that represents all people. Yes on Wards!