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Renee Symanietz
Name: Renee Symanietz (incumbent)
Age: 44-years-old
Family: Two children, Ian and Candyce
Employment: Sales and Marketing, Arvig Communications
Office Sought: Re-Election, City Council
1. Please share your background and previous political experience:
I have served on the city council since 2004, serving two four-year terms. During the past years I have served on several committees including: St Joseph acting mayor; St Joseph Area Chamber of Commerce; Law Enforcement Labor Service Committee; American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees; St Cloud and Waite Park Area chambers of commerce; St Cloud Area Planning Organization; President of the Regional Human Rights Committee; Stearns County League of Cities; League of Minnesota Planning Committee; Nims and FEMA certification; Vice President of Affordable Housing (LCHU); St Cloud Economic Development Partnership; Intergovernmental Area Cities Committee; Downtown Revitalization Committee; Hiring Committee; Joint Township/City Planning Board; Facilities Committee Board (Community Center); Park Board; and Park and Trail Comprehensive Committee
2. What is the city’s biggest issue?
I would consider the biggest issues to be proper implements of the continued growth of the city and fiscal stability.
3. How do you propose to address this issue?
This goal will be achieved by maintaining a long-range plan with an emphasis on community focus. This will insure the city doesn’t grow faster than the infrastructure. Also with rising costs and the struggling economy, the city is working on controlling the budget, working toward minor-to-no increases in taxes. This also will ensure transportation follows the compressive plan. I am continuing to build unity while balancing business and residential growth. This will aid the cities infrastructure.
4. With plans to build a new government center, what would you like to see incorporated into the building?
I currently hold a position on the facilities committee. This committee is making plans on how to design the new community center. How I vision the community center is to center (it) around the public. Events of 250 or less could be held in the community center for weddings, anniversaries, meetings and more. The room could be sectioned off into two rooms for better multi-uses. Also, it could include a kitchen for events needing food catered in for an event. The community center would be open to the public and serve the community in many different ways.
5. What suggestions do you have to improve the city’s downtown landscape and economic development appeal?
The revitalization of downtown is a must, and with the committee already formed along with the EDA, it is very important to have these two entities working toward the beautification of the downtown area. It seems to be very important to receive grant money and involve volunteers to help create ideas on the concept of the downtown area.