Cords challenges current mayor in Owatonna
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Editor’s Note: In the Oct. 21 Voter’s Guide, the Steele County Times inadvertently left out the Owatonna Mayor’s race. Below are the responses we received from both candidates, Ethan Cords and incumbent mayor Thomas Kuntz. We apologize that this did not get into the print edition.
Ethan Cords
PERSONAL BACKGROUND/WORK EXPERIENCE:
I graduated from the Owatonna High School in 2015. I have managerial experience from working in a grocery store. Since 2016, I have served on the Owatonna Human Rights Commission. I have been extremely successful at trading cryptocurrency, bullion, stock options and other assets. I am currently launching a start-up corporation that will focus on electric vehicles and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
IDENTIFY THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE FACING THE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY/JURISDICTION YOU’RE RUNNING FOR, AND PROVIDE SPECIFIC DIRECTION ON HOW YOU WOULD IMPLEMENT AND EFFECT CHANGE WITH IT:
There are many important issues facing us, ranging from the ever-growing city budget to a lack of affordable housing. However, I believe the biggest issue our community faces is attracting and retaining young professionals and recent college graduates. I would focus on creating policy and incentives geared towards attracting new, innovative and high growth companies in order to attract these young professionals to our community while simultaneously creating great new opportunities for current residents.
WHY DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THE JOB:
I love Owatonna and will do everything I can to help the community thrive long into the future. I might be young, but I have great experience in business, financial markets and city government. During my time on the Human Rights Commission, we have had many citizens come voice their concerns and we always try our best to help. As Mayor, I will continue to let the citizens speak their concerns over the issues that are important to them.
WHAT HAS INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST TO RUN FOR OFFICE:
A few people had reached out to me, telling me to run for office and I decided to run. I want to stay as involved as possible with the community and help steer Owatonna towards a more prosperous future.
WHAT GOALS DO YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IN OFFICE:
1. Begin the electrification of the city’s vehicle fleet to cut costs. From personal experience, this is a fantastic financial move.2. Work with the county and the private sector to improve traffic flow through and around the city. There are many simple, cost effective changes we should make quickly to improve traffic in town.3. Make Owatonna a destination for families, businesses and workers.4. Protect the historic character and charm of our downtown, while working with business owners and residents to improve the overall experience of our downtown.5. Create new programs to help facilitate new growth in residential housing.6. Create new programs to attract high wage employers and innovative new companies.7. Improve representation on the various city boards and commissions to better reflect our community.8. Work with the school district to have long term planning for future school improvement and maintenance projects. A good community can’t grow without a good school, so all sides need to come together to form a single vision.
WHAT STRATEGIES WOULD YOU IMPLEMENT TO MAKE SURE SOMETHING GETS DONE WHILE IN OFFICE:
In addition to hearing out the residents of Owatonna, I would work with the private sector and other government agencies to create cost effective solutions to issues we face and ensure all community stakeholders have a shared vision. I would also implement cost cutting strategies by adopting new technologies. Replacing the old and worn down city fleet vehicles with electric vehicles will save significant amounts of fuel and maintenance expenses without sacrificing performance or reliability. Once the pandemic is over, I’d also like to host more community forums to hear directly from the citizens about what issues are most important to them.
WHAT IS SOMETHING IN YOUR PAST THAT HAS MOST PREPARED YOU TO RUN FOR OFFICE AND SERVE THE PUBLIC:
I believe my time spent on the Human Rights Commission, an appointed office, has prepared me for elected office, but my great experience in asset trading and business finances gives me credibility and good perspective to deliver a good government without running over budget.
Thomas Kuntz
Incumbent Mayor
PERSONAL BACKGROUND/WORK EXPERIENCE:
Eight years in the United States Air Force and 30+ years working at the Owatonna Public Utilities including general manager during the last five years.
IDENTIFY THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE FACING THE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY/JURISDICTION YOU’RE RUNNING FOR, AND PROVIDE SPECIFIC DIRECTION ON HOW YOU WOULD IMPLEMENT AND EFFECT CHANGE WITH IT:
The number one issue facing Owatonna is the COVID pandemic and how it affects the Owatonna community. How do we aid our small businesses along with our factories to ensure they all survive during these difficult times? The City of Owatonna’s Economic Development Committee has put in place grant applications, the Chamber has issued dollars collected to aid businesses and our factories have stepped up to provide equipment and material to put safeguards in place to protect the workers and customers. Along with these challenges, how do we protect the taxpayer and maintain a realistic budget for the City of Owatonna? We are looking at a forecast of an 8% tax capacity but limiting our levy increase to 3% or less.
WHY DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THE JOB:
My 16 years as Mayor of Owatonna has provided me with a proven track record. My connections with the State and Federal Government and other industry officials provides great assistance when requiring help from these agencies.
WHAT HAS INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST TO RUN FOR OFFICE:
It is a true pleasure to represent such a great community and help it grow today and into the future, such as helping complete projects that have been in the works like the completion of Highway 14, the building of a new Owatonna High School and many more.
WHAT GOALS DO YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH IN OFFICE:
Continue to grow jobs within our community. Expand our industry creating new jobs. The expansion of our wastewater treatment plant to meet the city needs for the next 30 years. Develop a street scape plan for our downtown area. Continue to build homes and apartment
complexes. Bring a new hotel to our downtown area. Expand our minority community to assist in filling the 600+ jobs that are open within our community.
WHAT STRATEGIES WOULD YOU IMPLEMENT TO MAKE SURE SOMETHING GETS DONE WHILE IN OFFICE:
We have a great council and city staff who are very forward thinking. As a complete team, we will continue to grow Owatonna and ensure positive changes happen within our community.
WHAT IS SOMETHING IN YOUR PAST THAT HAS MOST PREPARED YOU TO RUN FOR OFFICE AND SERVE THE PUBLIC:
My past 16 years as Mayor serving the great community of Owatonna has prepared me for the next four years.