The League of Women Voters hosted the final debate for the 2014 election season on Thursday October 23.

I started the debate by thanking my opponent, Joe Selton, for the positive and issues-based race we have had.  I am pleased this campaign has been largely free of the personal attacks and name calling that has been seen in other races this year, and I am pleased our debate kept up that tone.  Joe and I are both people who care about Crystal, but just have different ideas about how to get the work done.

I believe I have the right mix of experience and fresh perspective that is required to move Crystal forward, and I believe my focus on actually listening to and engaging citizens sets me apart.  I hope that you agree, and that I can earn your vote on November 4.

Time flew by, and I was really kind of bummed that I didn’t get to answer a question that was asked of the other candidates.  The question was “What are your ‘out of the box’ ideas for Crystal.”

I have two, and they are patterned on the recent “un-session” in the legislature.

First I think we should have an ordinance commission, which would be focused on repealing and/or re-writing old city ordinances.  We have more lines in our city code than we have residents, and we have some pretty laughable ordinances on the books.  There’s a whole section on regulating fortune tellers. Really. We should modernize our city code with the help of interested citizens.

The second is based on Governor Dayton’s 2014 executive order that the government communicate with the citizens in plain language.  That idea was mocked by some as unnecessary or silly, but I actually liked it.  I received a letter from the city a few weeks ago that pertained to the Gaulke Pond home development. I received the letter because I live close to the proposed development, so it’s the same letter that my neighbors received.  Despite the fact that I am on the planning commission, and relatively well informed about the details of the project, I had no idea what the point of the letter was. When the city communicates, we should do so in the easiest to understand way possible- and leave off the legal speak and other mumbo jumbo.

I was on “NW City Politics” earlier this month, which is a local program about politics and policy that airs on Northwest Community Television.  The episode originally aired on October 15, and included interviews with four local candidates from other cities.  My interview is excerpted below.

Thanks to host and producer Juanita Hoffe for the opportunity!

Check out my candidate profile for 12 News!

Script:

Hi, my name is Jeff Kolb and I am asking for your vote for Crystal City Council in the November election.

I’m a husband, a father, a small business owner, and a first time candidate for political office.

I got in this race because I think Crystal is a great place to live, work, and shop, but I also know there are things we could do better.

I have really enjoyed getting out and talking to so many neighbors during this campaign and learning what you think are the priorities for our city. If I haven’t made it to your house yet, I’ll most likely be by soon!

I hope to earn your vote in November. To find out more about me and where I stand, please visit www.kolbforcrystal.com or call me at 612 – 314 – 5652.

Thank you.