Candidates for two seats on the Columbia Heights City Council met for a public forum Oct. 12. Sean Broom, Connie Buesgens, Nick Novitsy, and incumbent Bobby Williams answered questions posed by Northeaster moderator Margo Ashmore, and in writing from forum attendees.
To view the entire council forum, click here.
The event also featured mayoral candidates Donna Schmitt and Gary Peterson, who answered questions in a separate timeframe. To view the entire mayor forum, click here.
Candidates gave introductions, and spoke on top priorities in their campaign.
Broom has worked as a public servant in several capacities. He has been a policy aide for the City of Minneapolis, an assistant for a member of congress, and campaigned for the construction of the Heights library. He stated that he wants to see Heights turn into a safer and more vibrant community, and said his top priority if elected will be simply to listen more than he talks, valuing collaboration with the community and other council members for the sake of progress.
Buesgens has made “cleaning up our living room (referring to Central Avenue)” a major point of her campaign. She has been a community activist and volunteer for years, and served on the planning and zoning committee. Central is Columbia Heights’ major thoroughfare, and Buesgens stated that maintaining and improving it would be her top priority if elected. One idea would be a task force to keep litter and natural refuse to a minimum. She also talked on bringing more small businesses to the corridor.
Novitsky is a community activist, and wants to bring a younger generation into politics, stating “it’s time we step up as well.” He said the apparent lack of younger voices in the city’s political process was dismaying, and providing better information and participation options to the public was his top priority, whether through more vigorous public meeting schedules, or even engaging businesses and organizations directly if it came down to it.
“I would start with hitting up public groups like. . .the Lions Club, attend their meetings and reach out. When you start something like that, it will take off,” Novitsky said.
Incumbent Williams stated that he plans on running to stay on the council for at least as long as Mayor Peterson is in office in order to continue the work they have done together so far. He spoke on promoting peace in the city, keeping true to the accolades of “All-America City” and the “City of Peace” initiatives. Williams spoke about the transformations he’s seen the city undergo during his tenure in office, specifically citing the areas around Huset Park, and Sarna’s restaurant. He said he’d love to see the same happen at the soon-to-be site of Hy-Vee, which will be replacing the former Rainbow on Central.
Many of the subjects touched on throughout the forum came back to what to do about Central Avenue, specifically on the zoning of the corridor and bringing in fresh businesses. Broom stated that Columbia Heights has a reputation amongst some businesses of being hard to work with.
“On attitudes around conducting business in Heights: we need to change that,” Broom said. “40th and Central can be 50th and France for Columbia Heights.”
All candidates were in agreement about revamping the zoning for the thoroughfare to bring in more variety, especially now that Hy-Vee will be bringing in shoppers from outside the city. Buesgens brought up that stormwater flooding needs to be addressed as well.
Public input throughout the forum was encouraged, and Ashmore took written audience questions. The candidates discussed how public opinion can be used in the future, and how it can be sought by the next generation of elected officials. Broom thought that social media was an underutilized tool, but also acknowledged that personal communication was just as valuable, and that he would go door-to-door to get it if necessary.
Discussion on public opinion segued into the upcoming comprehensive plan that the Metropolitan Council requires, the public’s participation in the planning, and what the Metropolitan Council provides. Broom said that Heights’ public transit, sewage, and park system are all resources gained through the Met Council, and that it is an advantageous partnership to have. Williams agreed that the Met Council has a lot of resources available, and that Heights needs public input in the plan. Buesgens likes that the Council operates on a regional basis, which allows for better data gathering. The resources at their disposal can be used to engage the community at large. Novitsky brought up the more frontal approach of directly getting feedback from businesses on what they would like to see happen in the comprehensive plan.
An audience-submitted question asked the candidates what they thought about a possible Point of Sale ordinance. In some cities homeowners need to bring a home up to city codes before being allowed to sell it. In others, like Minneapolis, a buyer can agree to do required repairs within a certain period after their purchase. An ordinance for Heights was shouted down previously, but could be revived.
Three of the four candidates were open to the idea, with Williams being disappointed that it didn’t pass last time, and Broom and Buesgens being open to the idea of mandated inspections, but cautious about making sure the city had the resources to enforce it before committing to passing the law. Novitsky said it should be on individuals to pursue an inspection themselves before buying a home.
Candidates were asked about their background in race relations and any formal training in diversity or white privilege. All four candidates said they have experienced cultures throughout the world. Broom, Buesgens, and Novitsky have had formal diversity training through their jobs. Buesgens has lived all throughout the U.S. and has traveled as far as China and Peru, and spent time living in Panama as well.
“One thing I’ve learned is not to assume,” she said.
Williams stated he has had over 60 years of training by immersion in the world, citing journeys to Ukraine and Nigeria as some of his favorites. Broom has also lived in a variety of locations during his early life, where he grew up traveling between army bases as an “army brat,” a lifestyle he said fosters understanding of others through exposure to a variety of cultures.
The mayoral candidates were also questioned regarding their training and experience in race relations.
“I don’t think I need it,” said Peterson. “I was brought up properly.” He went on to cite his experience as mayor and his work with Heights as the “City of Peace.”
Schmitt received formal training through her job, and has taken a police-level course in diversity as well.
Public safety was another topic at the front of candidates’ concerns. Novitsky is a proponent of a “know your neighbor” approach to make safer streets. Programs that bring neighborhoods closer together, he said, would help to make a safer community. He cited National Night Out, and hopes to encourage more similar events.
Williams praised the city’s current police chief and his actions fighting drug trade in Heights. Heroin is a growing concern in the city, and Williams believes addressing the rising threat is the first step towards a safer community.
Broom agreed with the previous statements, and expanded on them, bringing the physical design of the streets themselves into the discussion. He promoted construction of more boulevard-style streets to create avenues that were usable for more kinds of traffic than just cars. Pedestrian and bicycle traffic and a more park-like structure would not only encourage more community interaction, but also ease traffic danger. Buesgens agreed; said that traffic safety is a big part of her plan for a safer city, and also discussed having more accessible options for citizens to use when dealing with concerns on public safety.
With the exception of Williams, the candidates all hope to hold office for one or two terms before passing the position on to the next generation. Williams said he had thought about retiring but is so impressed with the mayor’s accomplishments he would stay longer.
“I know the city well now. . .This city’s going to be a different place in four years, and there’s a lot to do,” Williams said.
The forum drew to a close with a challenge to the candidates who were asked to show off an example of something creative or that shows how they recharge for the task at hand.
Broom, offering a cell phone photo, talked about raising his daughter and the influence she’s had on his life. Buesgens is an avid gardener, but was unable to bring her entire garden into the council chambers for the audience, so she fell back onto her other hobby: quilting. With 120 pieces in each section, she’s been working on one for eight years. Novitsky also couldn’t bring his favorite pastime into city hall, but he encouraged the audience to look up his demolition derby videos on YouTube; he drives car #64. Williams talked about his granddaughter, and a song would sing to get ready for the day, inviting the audience to sing along with him.
The Columbia Heights city council has four seats, plus the mayor’s seat. Two council seats are up for election, as is the mayor’s position. Any Heights voters who cannot make it to vote on November 8 are encouraged to visit the Anoka County website for more information about casting an absentee ballot in advance. More information can be found on page 9.