3 Questions for the Candidates (updated!)
Save The Rookery asked all three candidates for the Rochester Township Board of Supervisors the same set of questions to inform voters prior to the election to be held at Rochester Township Hall on Tuesday, March 14, 5-8PM. Click here for more voting information on the Township website. Below are the candidates’ answers to those questions posted in the order we received the responses.
The questions:
1. Save The Rookery believes that wildlife and natural areas provide important health and enjoyment benefits to township residents and all life connected via air, water, and land. Do you agree? Why or why not?
2. When deciding how to vote on issues where current residents’ expressed desires conflict with developer's desires, especially in relation to preserving natural areas and wildlife corridors, what will you take into consideration as you make your decision?
3. What is your motivation for running for this position? What do you hope to accomplish?
Candidates’ responses:
Michael Melford (Seat 4 candidate):
1. I strongly agree which is why I am running for Township Supervisor. We must live in balance with nature and take into consideration not only development but the impact on the air, water, land, birds, and animals. We are not here alone.
2. We can not stop development however we can always look for a Win-Win solution. I am one of those current residents who is looking to do as much as possible to preserving natural areas and wildlife corridors.
3. Having witnessed the course that was taken by the board in regard to Pavillion Estates and the Great Blue Heron Rookery I am highly motivated to strike a new balance on the board. I’ve been to many board meetings over the past two years I’ve seen that development is the driving force without regard to the environment. You can read more about me at my campaign website, electmelford.com.
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Jeff Orth (Seat 3 candidate):
The first question:
I agree with the statement.
At my home property, I enjoy the many deer, turkey, and pheasants that pass through the back yard on a daily basis. I do enjoy the wildlife and embrace the opportunity to have guests at my home see the deer, turkey, and pheasants strolling though the back yard.
The second question:
Most new developments that have been brought forward in the Rochester Township have been opposed to varying degrees by the existing neighbors. Often times the opposition is rooted in concerns over traffic congestion and issues pertaining to safety. In these situations, traffic studies have been performed. These studies can determine the need for various traffic mitigation strategies. Examples would include additional stop signs, reduced speed limits, installation of turning lanes and possibly installation of guard rails.
More recently, wildlife corridors and provisions for green space have become key elements of the developers agreement with the Township.
Townships in Minnesota have legal resources through a statewide association called MATS (Minnesota Association of Townships). Additionally, Townships will reach out to Attorneys who specialize in Township legal issues. These attorneys are used to assist the Township to follow the rule of law in scenarios where conflicts develop.
The third question:
My motivation for running is to simply give back to the community. As the senior Board Member, I have legacy knowledge of Township operations that span over 30 years.
As a community leader, I embrace a calm and collected type of servant based leadership. The Rochester Township Board has worked hard to provide a very high level of road maintenance to SW Rochester and also keep the tax burden to the residents as low and reasonable as possible.
We currently have three full time road maintenance staff that we share with Cascade Township and our part time Rochester Township Clerk Randy Staver. As a business person, I have a great deal of experience leading large teams of employees.
The TCPA (Township Planning and Zoning) is headquartered in the Rochester Town Hall. This entity was formed over 25 years ago to assist Townships in meeting the needs of Township Residents in obtaining permits and also in planning and zoning. I believe the TCPA should continue in operation in serving the needs of Rochester Township residents.
Other issues Rochester Township faces:
1. Aging developments that are due for blacktop overlays and road design improvements.
2. Issues with speeding in some cases requiring installation of speed detection devices.
3. Costs of bituminous (black top) increasing at double digit rates. This impacts the budget negatively.
4. Maintaining a fleet of snowplow trucks and equipment to insure the roads are plowed in a timely fashion.
5. While often not understood--maintaining the Township Right of Way (ROW) free of obstacles to provide safe roads for citizens.
6. Performing blacktop overlays to Township Roads in an appropriate timeframe and optimize summer maintenance (seal coating and crack filling) thus avoiding costly premature black top road failures.
Thank you for your time and interest in the Rochester Township.
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Brian Zmolek (Seat 4 candidate):
We did not receive a response from Mr. Zmolek.
