Meet Council Candidate Brittney Marschall
Ward: Ward 5
Official Bio:
Brittney moved to Rochester with her husband in 2012. A passionate communicator and advocate for public service, Brittney joined Olmsted County in 2014. In her current role, she is responsible for a wide range of projects that include internal and external communications function, and project development and implementation which have a county-wide impact.
Brittney is the middle child of five and grew up in Lafayette, Indiana. She joined the United States Marine Corps straight out of high school and spend four years in Logistics traveling from the United States to Japan, Thailand, Korea, and Iraq.
Brittney and her husband have five children. Two boys together (7 and 3 years old) and three children from her husband's previous marriage (16, 15 and 13 years old). In her free time, she is spending time with her family and friends, running a local 5K, volunteering or becoming a YouTube expert on a house project.
Currently, Brittney is working on her Master's Degree in Communications and graduates on August 4, 2018. She also serves as Co-Chair for a grassroots organization called More Women on the Move and serves on the Mayo Clinic Community Engaged Research Advisory Board and SALUTE.
Your key platforms
Focus on High Quality Services- For our community to thrive, we must focus on efficient delivery and accessibility of vital services including transportation, affordable housing and public safety.
Build Excellence in City Government - I will promote openness of City actions and create an environment for all residents that rewards excellence, encourages innovation and welcomes participation in government processes.
Create a Future We All Benefit From- We can create a bright and sustainable future for all by addressing affordable housing and transportation challenges, energy independence, protecting natural resources, and fostering economic vitality.
Why should your ward vote for you?
I am ready to be your voice for Ward 5 because I believe that we all want something similar for our city and community. I believe that we want a safe, vibrant and welcoming community for all and I am ready to represent you in those views. As your representative on the City Council, I pledge to work for and with you on issues that are affecting our community by providing leadership with a fresh perspective that gets results.
What do you envision for the future of Rochester?
With all the expected growth and change in Rochester, I think it’s important that our future includes retaining aspects of our community that have made this home for so many, as well as new opportunities for the future generations we hope will make Rochester home. I envision maintaining our beautiful neighborhoods and revitalizing those that could be tremendous opportunities for new families, creating a diverse and interesting downtown experience and preserving our “big small town“ feel, while being the kind of place visitors leave pleasantly surprised by their experience.
What are your connections to The Mayo Clinic? How do you plan to work with The Mayo Clinic?
My husband works for Mayo Clinic as a Personal Care Assistant. The Clinic has provided world-class healthcare for generations, has been an incredible employer for our region and our state, and they have excellent leadership that is constantly addressing how to best provide care. It is the city’s job to be a good partner and support their goals by creating a vibrant, welcoming community that can help Mayo attract and retain the best talent and make the patient experience world class as well.
What are your connections to the DMC? How do you plan to work with the DMC?
While I have followed the DMC initiative since its inception, I have no direct connection beyond being one of the citizens in this community that will benefit from the incredible investment and opportunity. We have an obligation to show that as a city we can be good stewards of so much state taxpayer money. This means investments in things that are beneficial to all like transit, housing and our public infrastructure. Minnesotans committed this money because they have great pride in the Mayo Clinic and are hoping that the city can work in cooperation toward the goal of sustainable, forward-thinking growth that will give the clinic and its employees a permanent home to be proud of.
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?
I believe we should be proud of the unique architectural and landscape heritage that Rochester has to offer to our citizens and visitors. Our audience may or not be aware that the City of Rochester has a Heritage Preservation Commission that is charged with the responsibility of facilitating the preservation of Rochester’s Heritage. I would encourage that we listen to the research and recommendations of this commission.
Favorite Rochester Moment?
Making Rochester my home in 2012. It was the best thing I could have done for my family and being part of this community has been so rewarding.
What’s one thing you want the Rochester community to know about you?
I am tenacious. My path in life has brought me through many turning points. Most people wouldn’t expect that I am a veteran, let alone a Marine. That experience changed my life for the better. I met my husband and we had two beautiful children together and in the process, I gained three other wonderful and beautiful children. I, like many others, have been challenged--whether financially strained, emotionally tired or looking for new opportunity--we all bring to the table our perspectives and experiences and I promise to honor those.
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