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Mounds View City Council March 25, 2024 Regular Meeting Page 6 1 He most recently volunteered at the Community Center for the 3-on-3 basketball tournament. Gary is 2 a guy who cares deeply about this community and has given countless hours of time for absolutely 3 nothing. Has Gary said some things over the years that could have had a little more polish on them? 4 Sure, we all have, but do we really think that a person who lives in this community, serves this 5 community, and is as dedicated to the community as Gary; has bad intentions for this city? 6 You may not agree with his vision, but do you think it's coming from a place with bad intentions, or 7 do you think that he truly believes that he is doing what he thinks is best for the community he lives 8 in, serves in, and is invested in? I want you all to really think about this. 9 Next, I will move on to Councilmember Gunn. She grew up in this area, raised her children here, and 10 has been involved with most groups and organizations in the city at some point in time or another. By 11 the time her term is finished, she will be the longest -serving elected official in the history of this city. 12 When you think about Sherry, you think about her working at Irondale with either you or your 13 children. 14 There is a resident I have gotten to know who says Sherry is like a second mother to her. She, like 15 Gary, donates countless hours of time every year to this city and its people. I saw Sherry on trunk or 16 treat night at the community center, serving punch and water by herself while 1100 people walked 17 through the building that night with a smile on their faces, she was purely enjoying the joy in the 18 room. 19 Does this sound like someone who hates you and wants to be some type of maniacal overlord of the 20 city, or do you think maybe she does what she thinks is best for the city because she cares about this 21 community and its people? I want you to really think about this. 22 On to Councilmember Cermak, she, like the other 2 councilmembers, has been a long-term resident, 23 raised her family here, and put in endless hours of donated time into this community. Theresa ran the 24 festival in the park for 25 years for literally nothing other than the joy of doing it. I can tell you that 25 the event is a lot of work, and it literally takes a year to plan, and she did it year after year after year 26 after year. 27 She is active in the Police Foundation and has been since its inception, and she prides herself on 28 working collaboratively on many of their events. In a conversation with her just the other day, she 29 was already talking about the Daddy -Daughter Dance for next year. 30 Do you really think that someone who has been involved with the city for close to 30 years and who 31 is already thinking about the next Daddy Daughter Dance wants to leave the city in a worse place 32 than she found it? Or do you think she may care about this community and is doing what she thinks 33 is best? I want you to really think about this. 34 Then there is me, the newcomer, who has lived here for almost 11 years. I am raising my two 35 children here, and both of my parents moved here. That's right, my whole family lives here right 36 now. You have elected me twice in the last 2 years, most recently giving me the privilege and honor 37 of serving as Mayor, and I am so humbled and grateful for the opportunity. 38 I have been on the Festival in the Park Committee for the last 3 years. I was on the board of the 39 Alano in town for two years, serving as Vice President and President. I once volunteered to fill in as 40 Santa for the Police Foundation. 41 I publish my version of the minutes of every meeting for you all to read. I post our agendas and 42 packets for you all to see. I engage with you on social media, and I am out there every week with an 43 open invitation to talk to you about whatever is on your mind and act on what I can. 44 I have spoken with many of you at all times of the day and night to make sure I am doing the best 1 45 can to represent you. I most recently responded to a resident at 2 a.m., and they replied to me with a 46 surprise thank you.