2022 Candidate Survey
Describe your personal experience with skateboarding.
I am not a skateboarder and my son, Jonathan, has helped advocate for a skate park since he was 13 or 14. He is 37 now and he is still skateboarding here in St. Cloud. In fact, his wife, Amie, has recently decided to try skateboarding. She competed in snowboarding when she was a teen, and she is picking it up quickly. I have been advocating for more skate parks in my tenure in the legislature. St. Cloud's newest Skate Park has been and continue to be a great success. In fact, Jonathan is thinking that we need to look into a smaller park for the littler kids and I believe there would be room for one next to the new park. There have been a couple events there this year and it has been great to see that. A friend of Jon's, Kyle, has opened a skate shop, Prodigy, not far from the park. I love the culture and I really appreciate the interaction between the skaters and how they help each other out, especially the little ones. I have stopped by several times to watch Jon and crew.
Can you do a kick flip?
No
Do the communities you would represent have quality, accessible, visible skateboarding spaces?
Yes, St. Cloud does. I have heard nothing regarding building a park in Waite Park or St. Augusta.
Do you see the connection between skateboarding and social, racial, gender, and economic equity? If so, please share a few thoughts.
Absolutely. It is so amazing. I am very encouraged at the number of girls/women I am seeing now. They are good!
How will you support youth and community health with new ideas and infrastructure?
I will continue to advocate in the legislature and personally as the gains are tremendous for the community.
Will you support fully funding the Minnesota Skate Park Grant Program (SF2502/HF2876) in the 2023 Legislative session and beyond?
Absolutely. This needs to happen. I know Rep. John Thompson carried a bill this last session for St. Paul, and I chatted with him about it briefly. I believe I may have signed on as well. I have seen the benefits for so many years and cities need to pay attention to how skateparks work to retain our young folks.