Candidate Profile: Jon Samuelson Shenandoah City Council Pos. 3

Editor's note: Some responses have been edited for clarity.

Montgomery County voters will soon make their decision on local races in the May 1 election.

Jon Samuelson, who is running for Shenandoah City Council Position 3, shared with Patch why he should be elected to represent Shenandoah residents.

Profile: Jon Samuelson

Age (as of Election Day): 75

Position sought: Shenandoah City Council Position 3

Party affiliation: Non-partisan

Family: Jennifer, wife

Previous or current elected or appointed office: Treasurer to City Council of The Village of Minnetonka Beach (Minnesota)

Campaign website: https://jonsamuelson4shenandoa...

Q&A with Samuelson

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

What is your educational background?

St. John's University

What is your occupation?

Retired - Apache Corporation

Why are you seeking elective office?

Love Shenandoah. I want to offer my management consulting and financial skills to keep it the wonderful place it is to live.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Keeping Shenandoah as a desirable city in which to live by:

• Protecting our low tax rate by maximizing sales tax revenues
• Providing a high level of city services for our residents
• Improving code enforcement
• Improving resident safety and crime reduction
• Improving mobility and traffic
• Protecting roadways to not become major thoroughfares for others
• Approaching the remaining land sensibly & methodically
• Promoting renovations & remodeling
• David Memorial area development & traffic
• Prudently dealing with the land on Wellman not part of Shenandoah, with the land trusts, with Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction and annexation

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

We are both qualified to be on the City Council. Our qualifications and skills are different. I happen to be independent and can bring a fresh look at things. My opponent seems to be part of and friends with the current group running the city.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board member or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

We both would be new to the position. The current board has done well but they also tend to think everything is wonderful and there are no problems.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What, if anything, would you have done differently?

Better and more consistent communication

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Financial responsibility and transparency by:

• Analysis of budgets, actuals, variances & the city organization – identifying areas of concern and making recommendations for improvement which is my area of expertise.
• Maximizing sales taxes in commercial areas.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

A long time friend that I first worked with in Minneapolis at Arthur Andersen recently wrote "Because the Houston Chronicle (article in The Villager) was not bragging, just fact. It painted a very realistic picture of you. Because I have known for 50 years how logical, thorough and analytical you are. Because you consistently produce terrific solutions to very complex problems when most mortals would have already given up. Because I know that you are very persuasive when you need to be.”

The best advice ever shared with me was:

You don't know what you don't know!

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My primary objective would be to represent the residents of Shenandoah. I would be a free and independent Management Consultant adding value to the City of Shenandoah.