Minnesota elections 2020: Cottage Grove City Council candidates

COTTAGE GROVE CITY COUNCIL

Nick Cauthen

• Age: 32

• What qualifies you to hold this position?
  I have 5 plus years of corporate leadership experience; where I hired, retained and developed a very diverse team, along with managed company initiatives that employed over 200 team members. I also represent the changing demographics of Cottage Grove being the grandson of a Mexican immigrant and the father of a young family.
• What would your top priorities be if elected?
  Finding where we can drive value in our services so we can lessen the tax burden on our communities families and seniors. Being a advocate for the community while being a servant leader. Building stronger business community.
• What do you think is the primary role of government?
  To protect the public and upholding the will of the people.
• How would you rate Minnesota’s response to the coronavirus? What would you do differently?
  The state was doing the best they could with the very little direction that was given. No matter what would have been decided, 50% of people would have approved and the other 50% would have disproved. Sadly, those are the times we live in.
• Website or contact: cauthenforcgcouncil.com

La Rae Mills 

• Age: 48

• What qualifies you to hold this position?
  I have been a resident of Cottage Grove for 18 years and during that time I served as a pastor, owned and operated my own teaching music business and currently I am a relationship manager where I continue as a teacher and trainer. I listen first and make informed decisions. I am committed, have experience, and demonstrated leadership.
• What would your top priorities be if elected?
  First, I will support our city to continue steady and positive growth which will decrease the City’s Tax rate. Second, I am committed to completing a permanent water contamination solution. Last, I will promote racially diverse hiring and find workable solutions to be a community that is safe and feels safe no matter the color of a person’s skin.
• What do you think is the primary role of government?
  Government developed out of the need to manage society. While we are a great capitalistic nation, government does need to assist with providing community services and assist those in need. When we work together our society is better morally and economically.
• How would you rate Minnesota’s response to the coronavirus? What would you do differently?
  Minnesota’s leaders responded quickly and responsibly with a novel virus pandemic. While hindsight is 20/20, I strongly support the decisions made by our State’s leaders with the information that was available at the time. The coronavirus pandemic is a health issue and not a political issue. It is disheartening that it has become political.
• Website or contact: laraemills.com; laraemills@comcast.net

Justin Olsen

• Age: 50

• What qualifies you to hold this position?
  Accomplished 9 Year Council Member, Volunteer Public Safety Health & Welfare Commissioner for 4 years, Past President of CG Strawberry Fest Committee, Current Board Member for CG Lions Club, Long time CGAA Youth Baseball & Softball Coach, Past Vice-President of the CG Economic Development Authority, CG Resident for 39 years, 1988 Park High Graduate
• What would your top priorities be if elected?
  Sensible growth in our business sector to increase our city’s tax base & create living wage jobs, Fiscal responsibility that perfectly balances our city’s overall tax levy, tax rate, bond rating, & infrastructure needs for the community’s long-term prosperity, Effective management of our Natural Resources to ensure the public health is protected
• What do you think is the primary role of government?
  Providing reliable, high quality local government services to our residents is the primary role of our city council. Ensuring public safety, public works, parks & recreation, community planning & development, information technology, finance and administration are working in unison with the council to meet that objective is absolutely critical.
• How would you rate Minnesota’s response to the coronavirus? What would you do differently?
  There is a balancing act between state government response to the current global pandemic & resident response. Government’s guidance, in partnership with the CDC & scientific community, has been very clear. I may have issued indoor mask usage & sanitation guidance for public spaces sooner to allow small businesses to reopen safely but more quickly.
• Website or contact: olsenforcottagegrove.com