Thank you to all who voted in the November 4, 2008 Eagan City Council special election. The need for active citizen involvement in the public decision-making process is especially important at the local level. Your support of both candidates reflects your commitment to the future of Eagan and its residents. I appreciate the support I received in the election, and I'm grateful to be able to continue my efforts to serve the citizens of Eagan as a member of the city council.
As do all of the city council members, I welcome your input on issues of importance to all of us as we seek to assure that Eagan continues to be a great place in which to live and work. You may contact me at ghansen@cityofeagan.com or citycouncil@cityofeagan.com. Gary Hansen
My positions on the issues: - Providing high quality services while maintaining an affordable tax base. Eagan residents and businesses have been fortunate to enjoy a lower tax burden relative to other communities in the Twin Cities area. Cost-effective operations have enabled the city to maintain an affordable tax base. Slower growth in the future will challenge the city's ability to support high quality services. Eagan must be diligent in continuing to maintain cost-effective operations and management practices, including coordinated and consolidated efforts with other communities and the county.
- Supporting the lifestyle needs of an aging population. Eagan's residents are maturing along with the city. The population of seniors in Eagan is projected to more than triple within the next twenty years. In order to meet their growing needs, we must be able to provide for a range of housinmg options, age-appropriate wellness and health care services, expanded senior ride programs and othe transportation options, effective public safety and emergency services, and tax relief for older adults living on limited incomes.
- Assuring availability of an appropriate mix of housing to meet our community needs. Eagan has a good mix of housing types, but affordable quality housing is needed for younger individuals and families that are just starting out, as well as long-time residents seeking housing options more suited to their needs. We need to continue to make progess in assuring housing availability for all income levels.
- Supporting the technology needs of residents and businesses. Telecommunications infrastructure and services are important to Eagan's residents and to future economic development within the city. Eagan has evaluated the availability of broadband services for residents and businesses and fiber optic networks and telecommunications services necessary to support the needs of the city's current and prospective large technology corporate citizens. The results of this evaluation should be utilized to support the private sector in order to assure that the technology needs of residents and businesses are met.
- Protecting open space and clean water. Public surveys and opinions expressed by Eagan residents with whom I have visited reinforce our desire to preserve green and open space, protect the quality of our lakes and ponds, and provide for parks and trail systems for the enjoyment of all of our citizens.
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