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Mounds View City Council March 25, 2024 <br />Regular Meeting Page 6 <br /> <br />also a member of the Lions and has helped with Festival in the Park and the Police Foundation over <br />the years. <br />He most recently volunteered at the Community Center for the 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Gary is <br />a guy who cares deeply about this community and has given countless hours of time for absolutely <br />nothing. Has Gary said some things over the years that could have had a little more polish on them? <br />Sure, we all have, but do we really think that a person who lives in this community, serves this <br />community, and is as dedicated to the community as Gary; has bad intentions for this city? <br />You may not agree with his vision, but do you think it’s coming from a place with bad intentions, or <br />do you think that he truly believes that he is doing what he thinks is best for the community he lives <br />in, serves in, and is invested in? I want you all to really think about this. <br />Next, I will move on to Councilmember Gunn. She grew up in this area, raised her children here, and <br />has been involved with most groups and organizations in the city at some point in time or another. By <br />the time her term is finished, she will be the longest-serving elected official in the history of this city. <br />When you think about Sherry, you think about her working at Irondale with either you or your <br />children. <br />There is a resident I have gotten to know who says Sherry is like a second mother to her. She, like <br />Gary, donates countless hours of time every year to this city and its people. I saw Sherry on trunk or <br />treat night at the community center, serving punch and water by herself while 1100 people walked <br />through the building that night with a smile on their faces, she was purely enjoying the joy in the <br />room. <br />Does this sound like someone who hates you and wants to be some type of maniacal overlord of the <br />city, or do you think maybe she does what she thinks is best for the city because she cares about this <br />community and its people? I want you to really think about this. <br />On to Councilmember Cermak, she, like the other 2 councilmembers, has been a long-term resident, <br />raised her family here, and put in endless hours of donated time into this community. Theresa ran the <br />festival in the park for 25 years for literally nothing other than the joy of doing it. I can tell you that <br />the event is a lot of work, and it literally takes a year to plan, and she did it year after year after year <br />after year. <br />She is active in the Police Foundation and has been since its inception, and she prides herself on <br />working collaboratively on many of their events. In a conversation with her just the other day, she <br />was already talking about the Daddy-Daughter Dance for next year. <br />Do you really think that someone who has been involved with the city for close to 30 years and who <br />is already thinking about the next Daddy Daughter Dance wants to leave the city in a worse place <br />than she found it? Or do you think she may care about this community and is doing what she thinks <br />is best? I want you to really think about this. <br />Then there is me, the newcomer, who has lived here for almost 11 years. I am raising my two <br />children here, and both of my parents moved here. That’s right, my whole family lives here right <br />now. You have elected me twice in the last 2 years, most recently giving me the privilege and honor <br />of serving as Mayor, and I am so humbled and grateful for the opportunity. <br />I have been on the Festival in the Park Committee for the last 3 years. I was on the board of the <br />Alano in town for two years, serving as Vice President and President. I once volunteered to fill in as <br />Santa for the Police Foundation. <br />I publish my version of the minutes of every meeting for you all to read. I post our agendas and <br />packets for you all to see. I engage with you on social media, and I am out there every week with an <br />open invitation to talk to you about whatever is on your mind and act on what I can. <br />I have spoken with many of you at all times of the day and night to make sure I am doing the best I <br />can to represent you. I most recently responded to a resident at 2 a.m., and they replied to me with a <br />surprise thank you.