Blaine Mayor – Local Decision 2016

In 2016, residents of Blaine will elect a mayor to serve a four year term. You can learn more about the candidates below, or watch their debate.

JASON KING:

About: As a proud father of two boys, ages 10 and 8, attending DaVinci Academy, and a loving husband to his wife Stacy of 19 years, Jason King is a 42yr old business leader with 20 years’ experience in the low voltage / security integration industry. Jason is senior sales leader for All State Communications, based in Sauk Rapids. Jason grew up in rural Odessa, MO, and attended the University of Central Missouri.

Jason’s experience as a business leader who always had to work within an established budget and make tough decisions, along with his current role as Blaine City Councilmember, Ward 3, makes him uniquely qualified to serve as the Mayor of Blaine. Mr. King has extensive experience managing people, and establishing a clear vision that people can get behind.

Jason is an avid runner and cyclist, and enjoys all the natural beauty that Blaine has to offer. Jason sees Blaine as a wonderful city in which to raise a family, or to retire. Jason believes that we should maintain fantastic city services, while keeping taxes low, and ensuring our streets are safe, and able to accommodate current and future traffic volumes.

Important Issues: Keeping taxes low yet maximizing those tax dollars for the residents of Blaine is paramount. Mr. King strives to attract more local career level jobs to the area so that Blaine does not have to simply be a bedroom community, but can be a great place to both live and work, which will also increase the overall tax base to reduce the burden on individual homeowners.

As a six year coach in the Blaine sports programs, Jason understands the need for additional multi-purpose court space in Blaine, and that the Senior Center needs to be expanded and modernized. However, there are very large funding issues facing the City, such as the proposed Community Center, and a new water treatment plant. Both of which require significant operational funding. Additionally, our residential traffic safety must be paramount. Jason also finds it very important that the Met Council be transformed to be represented by elected officials to ensure people are not taxed without representation.

Goals if Elected: To keep taxes as low as possible while providing excellent City services. To limit the reach of government. Mr. King would also propose to establish term limits on both the position of Mayor and City Council to give government back to the people. Jason will also be a strong advocate for our police department, and work to hire 2 new officers dedicated to residential traffic enforcement. Jason will work hard with our partners, such as Anoka County, and the National Sports Center. Jason will also work hard for the long term planning of getting much needed fixes to clean up and open up Highway 65.

Endorsements: None Listed.

TOM RYAN:

About: Tom Ryan has had 20 years experience as Mayor of Blaine. He has been a resident of Blaine for 47 years. He has been married for 49 years, has 4 daughters, 12 grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild. He is a member of Sgt. John Rice VFW, a member of St. Timothy’s Catholic Church. He has 10 years experience on Blaine City Council, past member of Planning & Zoning Commission, 27 year member of Teamsters Local #120. Served 3 years U.S. Army, he is a disabled Veteran. He is Past President of Highway 35W Corridor Coalition, Chairman of Highway 65 Task Force, Blaine Joint Law Enforcement Governance Commission, President of Yellow Ribbon for Veterans and is a Member of North Metro Mayors Association.

Important Issues: Tom’s important issues are to keep taxes low while providing extraordinary customer service to Blaine residents, businesses and guests.

The population went from 39,000 to over 63,000 (+24,000). Employment went from just under 11,000 to 21, 766. (+10,766 jobs) from 1990-2015. (25 years) Taxable Market Value in 1990 = $973,910,840. Taxable Market Value in 2016 = $5,641,619,283. For those keeping score, that’s an increase of about $4.7 Billion (about 480% increase)

Goals if Elected: Drill 3 new wells, making sure water quality adheres to the high health standards, to plan and design a 500 acre environmental park and green space, and seek to grow & attract good Blaine jobs (example: Infinite Campus.)

Add 2 police officers to creat a new Traffic Safety Department.

Advocate for out outstanding Fire Department

Endorsements: None Listed.