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Interview with Nancy Tyra Lukens - Mayorial Candidate for Eden Prairie City Council
 1. Will you seek an Eden Prairie council seat in 2010?
YES, Mayor
2. Will you seek to be reelected as an Eden Prairie council member in 2010? NA
3. Will you seek to be reelected Mayor of Eden Prairie in 2010?
Yes.
4. What political organizations or local groups, such as Zero Expansion, the Taxpayers Alliance, etc. will or have supported your candidacy?
I have not and will not seek any endorsements.
5. Have you started fundraising yet?
Fundraising is underway.
6. What qualifications and background do you bring to the elected position you seek?
12 years on the EP City Council, of which 5 years were as mayor
MBA Finance, U of MN
16 years service on Southwest Transit Board and Suburban Transit Association
Hennepin County Capital Budgeting Task Force
Eden Prairie Foundation, currently President
Municipal Legislative Commission 5 years
Mayor¹s Regional Housing Task Force
SW LRT Policy Advisory Committee, 2002-2010
7. Tell us why you are running for office.
I am deeply committed to keeping Eden Prairie on track as one of the best places to live in the US. In order to do this we must reinvest in our community. Doing so is difficult at a time when resources are even more precious than usual. I believe my experience and my knowledge of local government puts me in a good position to make intelligent choices when determining where those resources should go. In addition, the recent crisis of confidence in the Council and the concurrent bad work environment at City Hall make me want to get back into office and attempt to bring back integrity and good working relationships with city staff.
8. If elected how will you best represent your constituents, including those who might not vote for you?
I believe the best decisions are made when all opinions are given consideration. I am available to listen by phone, in person, mail or email.
9. If you have run in other elections have you identified your positions with a particular political party or ideology?
No.
10. If you are elected will your council vote always represent a compromise, or will you vote to support the majority consensus?
That is a tough one and I believe has to be addressed on a case by case basis. I have been in city government long enough to know that there are times when the majority may want something that cannot legally be done. And there are times when compromise is not possible. However, if an undue hardship can be avoided through compromise, that is a good thing.
Interview with Eden Prairie Council Candidate Member Sherry Butcher Wickstrom for Nov 2010 Election
 1. Will you seek an Eden Prairie council seat in 2010?
Yes, I am running for the City Council.
2. Will you seek to be reelected as an Eden Prairie council member in 2010?
I am seeking a new seat on the City Council.
3. Will you seek to be reelected Mayor of Eden Prairie in 2010?
No
4. What political organizations or local groups, such as Zero Expansion, the Taxpayers Alliance, etc. will or have supported your candidacy?
In the past I have been endorsed by the Eden Prairie Chamber of Commerce, the Eden Prairie News and the Sun Current newspapers.
5. Have you started fundraising yet?
Our campaign is up and running with great community involvement and enthusiasm.
6. What qualifications and background do you bring to the elected position you seek?
I have served the city of Eden Prairie in a number of ways, first as a Commissioner on the Heritage Preservation Commission for five years and as a City Council Member for twelve years. I have served in leadership positions as a Trustee for the Minnesota League of Cities Insurance Trust and as a member of the Democratic Governance Committee for the National League of Cities. This experience has helped me to understand the complexities of government and the necessity of sound policies and good decision making in public office.
In my position as Executive Director of Professional Training at Anoka Ramsey Community College , I work with businesses and organizations every day, helping them to grow, increase productivity and strengthen their bottom line. Through programs my division has created we have helped businesses save hundreds of thousands of dollars to their organizations and helped them to stay strong operationally during these difficult financial times. I also work with many dislocated workers who have been hit hard by the great recession we are experiencing. I know the importance of helping people finding work and keeping it.
The combinations of these sets of experiences provide a base of understanding that is valuable when leading a city through difficult economic times.
7. Tell us why you are running for office.
For three reasons:
1. Experience
Now more than ever our city needs strong leaders with experience to navigate through these difficult financial times. I have the experience and understanding of the complexities of the many operations of city government. I also understand that to maintain the current quality of life we need to balance our continued investment in our infrastructure, parks and trails and police with an appropriate level of funding. Keeping our city on track as one of the great communities in the United States is a commitment that I have had in the past and will continue in the future.
2. Innovation (better ways of doing our work)
I am also running because much of what I do in my profession career can be effectively applied to city governance. Every day I work with businesses to help strengthen their operations through innovation and creativity. An organization’s successful operation in our world today requires new and different ways of thinking and more efficient and effective approaches to doing work better. These are the value-added practices that I am committed to every day in my work with organizations and businesses and I believe this is the right leadership approach for the times.
3. ROI
I am running for Eden Prairie City Council because I am committed to making sure that citizens receive the best value for their investment in living in the city. It is a time to carefully watch spending and make certain that residents receive the highest yield for our dollars spend. Whether it is our city’s infrastructure, parks and trails, or the city water plant, all investments must provide a strong ROI.
8. If elected how will you best represent your constituents, including those who might not vote for you?
In my past service on the City Council I have tried to make decisions for the greater good of the whole community, and not just for the benefit of a small group of people, a special interest group, or a political party. I consider the residents of Eden Prairie to be my “party” and I will continue to view each issue that comes before the Council with an open and independent mind and make decisions based on the needs of the entire community.
9. If you have run in other elections have you identified your positions with a particular political party or ideology?
I am committed to running my campaigns from a nonpartisan perspective. I will continue to be neutral and open-minded and make decisions based on the overall good of the entire community and not a political party or special interest group. In Eden Prairie everyone’s voice matters
10. If you are elected will your council vote always represent a compromise, or will you vote to support the majority consensus?
My approach to leadership is one of consensus building and cooperation, and leading a shared vision of the community. This doesn’t mean that all parties must agree all of the time. Quite the contrary, constructive disagreement or creative tension is an important part of decision making.
Interview with Eden Prairie Council Candidate Member Kathy Nelson for Nov 2010 Election
 1. Will you seek an Eden Prairie council seat in 2010?
Yes
2. Will you seek to be reelected as an Eden Prairie council member in 2010?
Yes
3. Will you seek to be reelected Mayor of Eden Prairie in 2010?
Does not apply-
4. What political organizations or local groups, such as Zero Expansion, the Taxpayers Alliance, etc. will or have supported your candidacy?
I was endorsed by the Eden Prairie Sun Current newspaper, when I ran for election to the Council four years ago. During the last campaign I attended all forums that I was invited to. I had individual support after these forums from people belonging to Zero Expansion, Senior’s organizations, and neighborhood groups. In addition, I had help from friends and people in Eden Prairie that I had worked together with on other community projects and committees.
I don’t believe that the City Council should be a partisan race, so I did not seek endorsement from a political party. I do not plan to seek political party endorsement in 2010 either.
5. Have you started fundraising yet?
No I have not. I would welcome contributions however.
6. What qualifications and background do you bring to the elected position you seek?
I have served on the City Council for four years. During this time I have done background research on a wide variety of issues. I have talked with many local residents and business owners about their problems and concerns. I answer emails from concerned citizens. I listen to people and take their problems seriously.
I have met with many groups including PROP and the PROP Shop, EP School Board, Eden Prairie Chamber, Eden Prairie Historical Society, senior groups, immigrant organizations and neighborhood groups concerned about the airport and airport noise, environmental concerns and roads and street lighting near their homes. These groups have given me a wide amount of information and background about issues and concerns for the City.
I represent Eden Prairie on the Eden Prairie Foundation Board and the SW Light Rail Transit policy committee. I have gained a background in transit and transportation needs of Eden Prairie.
Before being elected to the City Council I served for six years on The Planning Commission, as well as on Task Forces for the Major Center Area and Housing. I also served on school committees and was a room parent. My family and I have lived in Eden Prairie for 17 years.
I have a B.A. in Communications from the University of Minnesota. I also have certificates in Emergency Management from Hennepin Tech. The emergency management background has served me well in understand the City’s needs during times like the expected flu epidemic this fall.
7. Tell us why you are running for office.
Being able to make a difference for the City of Eden Prairie is important to me. I enjoy the people I meet, and the challenges that are brought to the Council. Ensuring quality services, excellent police and fire protection, and well maintained parks and streets are important to work for.
8. If elected how will you best represent your constituents, including those who might not vote for you?
I do my homework about issues brought before the Council. When running for office I promised to work hard, and I do. I listen to individuals who contact me, and make an attempt to visit with as many groups as possible. I take all the input I get and put it together with research and common sense to try to produce sensible long-term policy for the City, that keeps Eden Prairie a great place to live and do business.
9. If you have run in other elections have you identified your positions with a particular political party or ideology?
10. If you are elected will your council vote always represent a compromise, or will you vote to support the majority consensus?
I vote in favor of those resolutions and principles I support, and against those I disagree with, not just with the majority. However, many times I work hard for a compromise, that will get the most of what I believe will benefit Eden Prairie, and still be able to get the three votes needed to pass. In the long run, I always try to do what is best for the community when I vote.
Interview with Eden Prairie Council Candidate Member Donna Azarian for Nov 2010 Election-
 1. Will you seek an Eden Prairie council seat in 2010?
Yes
2. Will you seek to be reelected as an Eden Prairie council member in 2010?
Not applicable
3. Will you seek to be reelected Mayor of Eden Prairie in 2010?
Not applicable.
4. What political organizations or local groups, such as Zero Expansion, the Taxpayers Alliance, etc. will or have supported your candidacy?
I plan to seek the endorsement of the Eden Prairie Republican Party but I have no endorsements as yet.
5. Have you started fundraising yet?
I have received some unsolicited donations for my campaign, but I am also keeping in mind that these are very tough economic times for all citizens. If people want to voluntarily donate to my campaign, then fine. Otherwise, I will not ask people to give money to my campaign as we are all feeling the effects of the economy.
6. What qualifications and background do you bring to the elected position you seek?
I have been a department head at KMSP-TV and Time Warner Cable, where I managed the sales research departments at both companies. I had budgets to adhere to and many times, I had to trim budgets to eliminate excess spending, while still being able to increase revenue for my employers. I am also an inventor and solo small business owner, and I have learned how to do a lot for as little money as possible. I am also responsible for my family's household budget, where I manage our personal finances. It is important not to spend more money than you have and to avoid debt.
7. Tell us why you are running for office.
I have lived in Eden Prairie for 17 years and I want to help make a difference in our community. We have a lot to be proud in Eden Prairie, including our ranking as the #1 place to live in the USA. I also have seen the impact of the economy on some of my friends and neighbors, with some losing their jobs and homes. We need to start stimulating the economy, and the answer is not by spending more money that we don’t have. We need to be smarter in how money is invested and encourage small business and give them every opportunity to grow and create more jobs for those in need. We need to attract new businesses to Eden Prairie and also keep the ones that are already here.
8. If elected how will you best represent your constituents, including those who might not vote for you?
Talking to people and keeping the lines of communication open is the best way to represent constituents, and listen to all points of view. We are all neighbors and we all live in the same community and despite our political values, we all want the same thing, a nice place to live and raise our families and enjoy the great recreation the City of Eden Prairie has to offer. In addition, I would strive to keep taxes low and be smart about how money is spent while keeping our quality of life.
9. If you have run in other elections have you identified your positions with a particular political party or ideology?
I have never run in any other elections. This is my first election. I have been involved in the Senate District Republican Party Executive Committee for almost two years, serving as the secretary. I also have served as a state delegate at the Republican State Convention in May. I believe in avoiding debt and living within your means.
10. If you are elected will your council vote always represent a compromise, or will you vote to support the majority consensus?
I will vote with what I feel will help the citizens of Eden Prairie the most and what will be most beneficial to all of our lives and our pocket.
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Paulsen 
Bonoff 
Duckstad- 
Meyerhoffer- 
Young (potentially to replace Molnau)