In 2022, three candidates are running in a special election to fill a two-year term on Blaine City Council. The candidates are:
About the Candidate: I am a proud resident of Blaine and a candidate for Blaine City Council, Ward 1. I have spent the past seven years serving on the Blaine Charter Commission. My husband and I settled in Blaine 17 years ago and we have three children, ages 11, 6, and 2.
I am the daughter of immigrants who came to the United States in the late 1960s. My family settled in rural Iowa and I moved to Minnesota to attend St. Catherine University in St. Paul. I earned my Juris Doctor from Mitchell Hamline School of Law.
I am committed to service and community. In addition to being a Blaine Charter Commissioner for 7 years, I served on the Minnesota Judicial Branch Committee for Equality and Justice, St. Paul Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity Commission, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits Board of Directors, and the Alumni Board of Mitchell Hamline School of Law.
As a nonprofit leader, I have spent my entire career empowering communities to learn, grow and succeed together. I am committed to building a safe and inclusive Blaine where everyone is treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.
Important Issues: As your next councilwoman, I will focus on:
- Smart fiscal management of your tax dollars
- A safe community for our kids, including dealing with bullying, mental health, and suicide
- Improved roads and infrastructure, including getting the Highway 65 project funded and completed
- A new Northtown property that gives residents a voice
- Responsible growth and ensuring that the families and businesses in Ward 1 have the support and resources they need to stay, and thrive, in Blaine.
With my 15 years of community service and nonprofit leadership experience, 7 years on the Blaine Charter Commission, law degree, and people-centered approach, I am confident we can create a city where everyone thrives and succeeds. Together, we can strengthen the community that we love and build a Blaine that puts residents first.
Goals if Elected: I love living in Ward 1 because it is the heart and soul of Blaine. We have the National Sports Center, Victory Links Golf Course, Northtown Mall, beautiful parks, great businesses, an upcoming entertainment district, and so much important history. We need to think more strategically about how we can better utilize these amazing places and bring more money into Blaine, without relying heavily on taxpayer money.
My goal is to advocate for Ward 1 residents and give the community an opportunity to share their ideas and input, especially because there is so much potential for redevelopment in Ward 1.
I plan to hold town halls and actively engage with Ward 1 residents. We need to have discussions on proposed projects, funding, community safety, and promote awareness and engagement to help create a stronger community.
Endorsements:
Labor Endorsed- Teamsters Local 120
Connect with Me:
E-Mail: VoteSaroya@gmail.com
Website: www.VoteSaroya.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/VoteSaroya
Instagram: www.instagram.com/VoteSaroya
Candidate Interview:
About the Candidate: I have a B.A from Mankato State University and M.P.A. (Master of Public Administration) from Kent State University. Having served as President of my Townhouse Association I began my service to Blaine leading to my 26 years of service as Ward 1 Blaine City Council. As a resident of Blaine for 38 years I currently serve of the Charter Commissioner and the Senior Advisory Committee.
My professional career culminated as Director of Finance for MN/DOT. While serving as Chair and Vice Chair of the Hwy. 35W Coalition, the planning and funding for the new lanes from Lexington Avenue to 280 was completed. These lanes are now open for traffic. My council duties also included: serving as Chair and Vice Chair of North Metro TV commission, serving as chair of the Metro Cities committee on transportation and general government, working with Mayor Ryan to achieve funding for the New Mary Ann Young Center, leading the council to provide Blaine’s first dog park (Swanson Dog Park).
Important Issues:
- Complete funding for Hwy 65 project
- In these inflationary times to balance taxes, service and infrastructure maintenance
- Continue quality police service by providing proper staffing, equipment and training.
Goals if Elected:
- Meet timeline for Hwy 65 project
- Successfully dealing with citizen needs
- Keep Blaine as low tax, high service city
Endorsements: None listed.
Connect with Me:
Email: DSwanson9136@yahoo.com
Phone: 763-370-2557
Candidate Interview:
About the Candidate: Andrew is a family man who grew up in Blaine and attended Spring Lake Park High School where he met his wife of 8 years, Rachel. They now have two boys ages 4 and 2, Ro and Rayland. He has worked in his family’s business, Walters Recycling and Refuse for the better part of a decade. From driving a garbage truck through college, the University of St Thomas, where he graduated in 3 years and was a member of the football team for 1, to running the Customer Experience Team, and transitioning recently to his role as Director of Operations.
As a volunteer he has served the Panther Foundation on their board, led FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes SLP) and coached high school lacrosse and football. He is a great contributor to all of his networks, by participating in events to support the city, like the Blaine Business Council or Inaugural Mayoral Prayer Breakfast. Andrew loves community involvement and is passionate about making a difference in the community in which he lives and works. Andrew lives in the airport neighborhood and can be found enjoying the outdoors with his wife and boys.
Important Issues: Andrew is passionate about safety in the community and wants to see Blaine lead the County and State in safety initiatives focusing time on a committee level to prioritize energy and resources toward community safety measures.
He wants Blaine to be known as a family friendly and business friendly community that keeps the residents in mind. As a public servant he is excited to share the voice of the city with the council to Be the Best Blaine.
Andrew wants to be a part of the solutions for Blaine’s opportunities for improvement, specifically around the revitalization of Northtown and the City’s Highway 65 congestion problem.
“I think that I bring a unique skill set to the council as a long time resident with enough knowledge and tools to push big projects over the finish line, I have done it in the Public and Private sector and want to assist my local government to do the same.”
Goals if Elected: Support the Mayor and Councils’ mission to Build the Best Blaine, through infrastructure development (Highway 65, Northtown redevelopment, current zoning projects, current commercial and industrial development). Make Blaine a destination, with all its’ great businesses including manufacturing, transportation, small and big box retailers, and an ever-expanding population, Blaine is obviously a desirable place to live. Where we need to do a better job is promoting Blaine as a place people can come to play. We are hosting national events between the 3M championship and USA cup. Our facilities rival the best in the country to enjoy a round of golf, take in a hockey game, eat and drink, there is a lot to do in Blaine. It is no longer a sleepy northern suburb. It is the 10th largest city, with a growing population in volume and diversity. We should continue to capitalize on this through Family and Business Friendly values and Build the Best Blaine.
Endorsements: None listed.
Connect with Me:
Phone: 763-516-7441
Email: tortora.andrew@gmail.com
Candidate Interview:
