2025 Summer Source - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

A MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR Page 2 The Source | Summer 2025 Lakeelmo.gov As Lake Elmo celebrates its hundredthanniversary in September, Mayor CharlesCadenhead took a moment to share updatesand reflections from City Hall. There are many thingshappening in the city rightnow—community events,state and federalgovernment affairs,development, and roadimprovements. Yet,throughout it all, the mayorfocuses on what mattersmost to residents andbusiness owners. One of the mayor's most important and long-standing projects, along withthe council, is addressing PFAS and waterquality in Lake Elmo. While water issues affectevery city, the 3M settlement fund has providedLake Elmo with an opportunity to identify theeffects of PFAS in water systems and to makeimprovements by adding water treatmentfacilities to the city’s water supply. Ensuring safe drinking water for residentsremains the top priority. City engineers havebeen installing water treatment facilities to meetsafety standards and are working to comply withstate and federal drinking water regulations. Thecity has also led the way in testing innovativetechnology to destroy and eliminate PFAS fromdrinking water, playing a key role in advancingthis technology nationwide. Another project the mayor is proud of is therecent purchase of 77 acres of land south ofSunfish Lake Park. This site can be utilized as amajor community activity center. Cadenhead andthe council are excited to work with architectsthis fall to develop design options, explorefunding sources, and involve the community inshaping the project’s development in 2026. When asked how he handles challenges asmayor, Cadenhead said the key is guiding thecouncil toward resolution on city issues. Becausethe council is uneven—comprising four a quote I once heard, “You have yourway. I have my way. As for the rightway, the correct way, and the onlyway, it does not exist.” (FriedrichNietzsche.) “We all have differentapproaches, and we should embracethat—it’s why we have a city council.” Cadenhead believes his role hasbeen essential in shaping Lake Elmo’sfuture. “Our community was foundedon strong values, hard work, andneighbors looking out for oneanother. As we navigate our 40–50-year comprehensive plan, our goal atthe City is to manage growththoughtfully and move forwardtogether, respecting the traditionsand character that make thiscommunity so special,” he said. Cadenhead is a busy man. He laughswhen he recalls residents who think“Mayor” is his only job; he’s also afull-time engineer. When he is notworking, Cadenhead enjoys spendingtime with his family, attending Gopherfootball games, hunting in the fall withhis dog Harley, and credits his wife ashis inspiration: “She inspires meevery day to try and be a betterperson, and to put my next stepforward.” members and the mayor—aresolution is always reached butunderstanding and respecting eachother’s opinions matter most. Practicingactive listeninghas beencrucial inunderstandingthe core issuesthe councilfaces.Cadenheadsaid, “At theend of the day Itry to maintainthe thought of