Meet Mayoral Candidate Kim Norton
Website: http://www.kimnorton.org/
Official Bio:
I served for 10 years in the Minnesota House of Representatives and 8 years on the Rochester School Board. Before that, I worked in the private sector and in early childhood/special education. I have served on the boards of, and volunteered for, multiple community non-profit agencies. I am married to Randy Stone, mother/step-mother of five grown children and a proud grandma, too. I hold a Master’s Degree from the University of Minnesota ‘s Humphrey School of Public Affairs, with a focus on leadership and energy policy.
Your key platforms
*Effective and transparent city government (http://www.kimnorton.org/issues/#ISS0)
*Thriving and resilient economy with opportunities for all (http://www.kimnorton.org/issues/#ISS1)
*Smart and sustainable city development and transit plans that support strong, inclusive neighborhoods with affordable housing (http://www.kimnorton.org/issues/#ISS3)
Why should Rochester vote for you as our mayor?
Because experience matters. Our city faces important decisions, and the choices we make together will impact our quality of life for years. As a public servant in both the State Legislature and on the Rochester School Board, I learned how to build bridges and I excel at helping groups reach fair and consensus-driven decisions. As Mayor, I will work hard to allow all voices in our community to feel heard and understood.
What do you envision for the future of Rochester?
During this time of renewal and growth, we must create a comprehensive city plan that serves us now and into the future. Cities that are thoughtfully designed can be exciting and comfortable places for people to live, work and visit. I have researched best practices for sustainable city design and energy policy solutions, and I will push for smart, sustainable growth. My hope is that beyond our "city for health" designation we can be a "healthy city" for all. Our community is currently centered around the health and service industries. But to preserve our economic stability into the future, we must have a diverse economy driven by a variety of businesses and a well-trained workforce.
What are your connections to The Mayo Clinic? How do you plan to work with The Mayo Clinic?
I have never been an employee of Mayo Clinic, but they are my healthcare provider. My husband will be retiring next year after a career as a psychiatric social worker.
There have been many interactions with Mayo that have occurred over the course of my 25+ years in Rochester. I worked with developmental pediatricians and others as part of my job in early childhood special education. As a school board member, there were occasions to approve collaboration and partnerships with Mayo Clinic on a special health related projects. Mayo was one of many financial supporters of RAMSP, a non-profit math-science organization I worked for years ago and very likely donated to other non-profits whose boards I have served on or worked for. More recently my experience has been as a legislator working with their lobbyists on health related issues or on specific policy concerns or needs. I have worked well with all the Mayo Clinic legislative staff, carried legislation at their request, as well as legislation of my own.
I have no concerns about my ability to work with Mayo Clinic and look forward to the opportunity. I understand their importance to our community and also understand that there is an equally important community to represent whose needs and concerns must come to bear in decision-making. The use of consensus and collaboration will help assure outcomes that are good for the entire community and I'm prepared for that challenge!
What are your connections to the DMC? How do you plan to work with the DMC?
As a state legislator for Rochester when the DMC economic development initiative was first introduced, I worked diligently to ensure that local officials had the ultimate say in what happens in our community. That experience gave me a deep understanding about how critical this project is for our city and we were able to access the resources we need to build an infrastructure to support anticipated growth in our community.
My top priority for the DMC initiative is to ensure that the project works for and benefits the people who live in this community while meeting the needs of patients and visitors that come to our community for care. As Mayor, I would sit on the DMCC Board and be able to ask needed questions and guide future development. Part of that focus would be to assure increased and improved community spaces; focus on sustainability and livability; assure reliable transit and adequate public parking; and address our housing needs.
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?
Cities in transition and redevelopment are faced with the challenge of preserving the old and making way for the new. There has been considerable frustration surrounding the handling of some of our cities older and potentially historic buildings.The City Council has attempted to set in place some standards for the Historic Preservation Committee, appointed to assist with the designations, but there is still work needing to be done in that area so the process works better. I will work with council members and the community to improve the process. Care must be used in making designations for buildings where the owner is not seeking such status. Programs, resources and funding must be in place to assist with preservation and in support of imposed changes. I am interested in the creation of a historic district within in our city that recognizes and preserves some of our community’s heritage and charm.
Favorite Rochester Moment?
It's the people! There have been and continue to be fun events (Rochesterfest, Down By The Riverside, Thursdays on First, New Years Eve Parties, Fourth of July...) and interesting places (Mayo Clinic, Mayo Home, Plummer House, Art Center, Stone Barn...) in Rochester, but ultimately what I love is the diverse and interesting people that live here.
What’s one thing you want the Rochester community to know about you?
I love this community, would be honored to be its Mayor and would do what I can to have it be a place we all proudly call our home.
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