Ward: Ward 1

Official Bio:

  • 62 years old
  • Wife Sharon, son Roger 19
  • A lifelong resident of Rochester
  • Mayo High School graduate
  • Rochester Community College graduate
  • Owner of Honest Bike Shop (34 years)
  • Air Force Veteran
  • Member - Disabled American Veterans
  • 1st Ward Council member, 1193 - 1996

Your key platforms 

1. Keeping Rochester affordable

2. Financially sound governance, spending less than we take in and maintaining an AAA bond rating

3. Public safety - maintaining a first-class, full-time fire department and a top quality police department consisting of the finest officers unafraid of doing the jobs they were hired to do.

Why should your ward vote for you?

I am an experienced life-long southside Rochester resident, homeowner, taxpayer, business owner, employer, former 1st Ward council member, consumer of Rochester goods and services. Because of this, I give a d*mn! Furthermore, I am excellent with numbers and a good steward of money.

What do you envision for the future of Rochester?

A strong vibrant community/economy as we have always enjoyed that is safe and well educated that we can afford to live in.

What are your connections to The Mayo Clinic? How do you plan to work with The Mayo Clinic?

My wife has worked for The Mayo Clinic for 36 years and my business has served a lot of Mayo Clinic employees in 34 years of doing business. I appreciate their payroll. Recognizing they are our city's largest taxpayer and the state's largest employer, their needs are to be taken seriously with utmost consideration. They also saved my life once.

What are your connections to the DMC? How do you plan to work with the DMC?

I am a local small business person affected by the impact of DME. Just like the Mayo Clinic as our city's largest taxpayer and the state's largest employer, DME is to be taken seriously and where their plan benefits Rochester and improves the quality of living and long-term goals of Rochester their plan will be implemented.

How would you address the concerns of citizens about the loss of some of the city's older and potentially historic buildings to new development?

Those that can be saved and used cost-effectively and enjoyed we would like to save; however, worn out, outdated wrecks with little or no historical significance should be replaced. Buildings are like automobiles, they do wear out, can become outdated and can outlive their usefulness. This is why the IRS lets us depreciate them.

Favorite Rochester Moment?

After the flood of 1978 (I was here), I witnessed Rochester and those from outside of Rochester pull together like no other time to rebound from disaster. For example, the Amish people came without asking and went from house to house helping people, asking for nothing and no recognition in return.

What’s one thing you want the Rochester community to know about you?

I am a good steward of money and resources. For 34 years, my business has thrived because I have an excellent working knowledge of math and numbers, and I can plan and write a business plan, understand a balance sheet and an income statement. My credit rating is usually over 800. I look to Proverbs 6:6 "Go to the ant thou sluggard, consider its ways and be wise."

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