New Year, New Leadership
On January 6, 2025, the city swore in a new mayor and 2 new city council members. In the next few issues, we'll introduce each of these leaders through short interviews. We are excited to share their insights and keep you connected with the leaders of our city!
Meet your new Mayor
What is your favorite thing about living in Chaska?
Well, I love the small-town feel. We're a close community where our neighbors know each other, and we have a lot of wonderful community events. I also love the trails – being able to bike most places around Chaska.
What motivated you to get involved with city government?
Initially, it was over a ball field being planned in my neighborhood that had lights. What kept me going was joining a city commission. I got involved and really got to learn about the different aspects of the city, and it was very fun to have that touch point with other people that live in the community. When the special election for the Ward 2 Council Member seat happened in 2019, I decided that would be a really exciting opportunity. And I love it.
What are your plans for promoting economic growth and job creation in the city?
I think we have really good growth. The industrial parks in Southwest Chaska are going to be coming online. Those bring jobs and additional tax base that are beneficial for the residents.
Really working with our economic partnerships like the Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Business Alliance is going to be key. They can't wave a magic wand and make everything happen for the businesses, but they're a really good partner to have. I want all the businesses to feel like Chaska is a place where they can thrive.
I think it is important to communicate to the residents that they have a part in it too. It's about supporting your hometown and maybe instead of buying from online retailers, you go into your local shop. Everybody has to work together to make the pieces fit.
What is the one thing you wish people knew about Chaska?
We have it all. You know? Some people probably don't know that.
We have a thriving town that has diversity of housing, a ton of amenities, and city staff who care and have pride in what they do for a living. We have a welcoming community. We have wonderful organizations and businesses that call Chaska their home.
Our slogan is to be the best small town in Minnesota. I want to lean into that and say that we want that hometown feel where people feel like they're welcome and that they have a lot of amenities here where they can shop, eat, play and work.
And what we don't have, let's work to get it done.
