By Anne Holzman
Falcon Heights voters will choose two from a field of four candidates for City Council on November 4.
Current council member Eric Meyer is running for a second four-year term; Melanie Leehy is not running again.
The Bugle asked the candidates about their professional backgrounds and experience; their expectations for the development of the Les Bolstad golf course that will soon be sold by the University of Minnesota; and what other priorities they see for the city in the next four years.
Jeremy Hallowanger is a current member of the city’s Planning Commission. He attended South Dakota State University.
Hallowanger said the golf course development “will have to be environmentally conscious, creating a space that promotes walkability, biking and is pedestrian friendly.” He added it should also offer “spaces that will provide community connectivity.”
Hallowanger cited other priorities as “development of other infrastructure, solving State Fair issues, property taxes.” He would work on “communication efforts to our residents so they don’t feel left in the dark, but also working with our city staff because they are carrying a lot of weight.” His website also lists “fully supported and fully accountable police” and additional environmental interests.
Georgiana May is a retired University of Minnesota biology professor. She is a past member of the Community Engagement Commission and currently serves on the Environment Commission and the State Fair Task Force.
Concerning the golf course, May said she would aim for “sustainable and equitable housing, green spaces for parks, trails and gardens, and high-quality employment in new commercial enterprises.” She seeks “fiscally responsible and sustainable development.”
May said that at the U she had to secure research grants, and she also helped design the new State Fair parking fees.
“I bring extensive experience in identifying and obtaining grants and will work with city staff and Council to obtain these funds,” May said.
Eric Meyer is a current council member and has a master’s degree in advocacy and political leadership from the University of Minnesota.
Regarding the golf course property, Meyer said he seeks “a large swath of greenspace that can be used by all residents, that there’s a mixture of housing with plenty of opportunities for blended families and aging in place, some new places for local business. Above all, it still feels like Falcon Heights.”
Meyer continued, “Property taxes already burden residents. But we still need strategic improvements — boulevard trees, water access at Curtiss Field, a new or expanded community event. It’s about making smart choices, pursuing grants aggressively and being selective about projects.”
Jim Mogen is a real estate attorney who also serves on the city’s Planning Commission and on the city’s Visioning Committee on the golf course sale.
Mogen said the city “needs a mix of uses to bring in new residents, provide options for existing residents and provide a sustainable tax base. We need to provide affordable housing, not just subsidized housing, but also housing options that are flexible.
‘We also need more retail and commercial uses to provide jobs and a stronger tax base.”
Mogen said other priorities would include walkability, “making Larpenteur and Snelling safer for our kids, residents and visitors. Encouraging new retail and commercial options. Ensuring community focused public safety.”
Anne Holzman is a freelance writer who covers Falcon Heights government news for the Bugle.
