Thanks to Bisanz Brothers for their support.
In the West St. Paul municipal election this year the mayor and three City Council members are on the ballot. We’ve asked the candidates a series of questions to see where they stand on the issues. We’ll share one question and the responses at a time leading up to the general election on November 5. See our 2024 voter’s guide for more.
Previously we asked about candidates’ top issues, the budget, housing, a community center, and what sets a candidate apart. This time we’re talking about how to make West St. Paul better.
How will you make West St. Paul better? What are your biggest, grandest, greatest ideas? What specific strategies or policies can you put in place to create positive change?
Here are the candidates’ responses:
Candidates for Mayor
This is an uncontested race.
Dave Napier
(no campaign site)
Dave Napier did not respond to our questionnaire.
Candidates for City Council Ward 1
Doug Fromm
Honestly, I really want to hear about the great ideas that residents of West St. Paul have and bring those to our City Council and Staff. Some of these ideas include a public/private partnership to help bring a venue similar to what we had with Dunham’s—a place that serves food/beverages and hosts various community events year round. Another idea that several residents I have spoken with have mentioned is starting to bury more utility lines underground. I hope to hear many more constituent ideas in the near future!
I would also work with my fellow council members and staff to actively engage renters and underrepresented communities to find out what ideas they have to help make West St. Paul a better place to live. I want all residents of our city to have a voice in our community.
Andrew Rydlund
(no campaign site)
Andrew Rydlund did not respond to our questionnaire.
Candidates for City Council Ward 2
This is an uncontested race.
Robyn Gulley
West St. Paul is a great place to live with things for everyone. We also have conveniences that draw nearby people to our business corridors, and we have charm—small businesses, parks, and trails for walking and biking.
What we are missing are things that are truly unique to West St. Paul that can draw people to our community. We are in progress on a number of projects that should begin to fill this need—for example, in the coming years we expect to have a new public pavilion with space for music and gathering and a reimagined Smith Avenue that highlights all of its charm and makes way for more small businesses. We’re also working on a systemwide park plan that will allow us to reimagine what we want our parks to be for our community. I want these things and more—I want us to be a great place to live and a place that people want to visit.
Candidates for City Council Ward 3
Lisa Eng-Sarne
I am really looking forward to the unique, fun, and somewhat quirky personality of who we are coming out in our parks, public spaces, and programming. This city is full of creative people that often go to work in St. Paul or Minneapolis during the day, sharing their big bright visions, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing those people and visions reflected right here at home. We see this with the wave of public art that started two years ago when we adjusted code to allow for public murals. On one of the first days of work for our new parks director, I stuck my head in his cubicle and said, “you know what would be fun? If we had a slide at the art park in the shape of a taco.” And I’m not saying we’re getting a taco slide, but I can see us placemaking and establishing who we are in our public places. We’re working to make West St. Paul better by engaging with the community to see what they really want and then planning around it. I am present for this engagement, I’m listening, and I make sure there are chances throughout a process where I’m available for feedback. I ensure it is easy to find me and this helps create informed and positive change in West St. Paul.
Anthony Smith
(no campaign site)
Anthony Smith did not respond to our questionnaire.
Vote on November 5
The general election is on Tuesday, November 5. Learn more about where and how to vote. You can also vote early with an absentee ballot, either by mail or by stopping at the Dakota County offices.
See our 2024 voter’s guide for more on the candidates and other races.
Thank you to the candidates for taking the time to respond to our questions.
This local election coverage only happens thanks to the support of our members. Consider joining West St. Paul Reader to ensure local election coverage continues. Membership starts at just $3 per month.
