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12/13/2019 www.savmn.com/Admin/FormCenter/Submissions/Print/1565 www.savmn.com/Admin/FormCenter/Submissions/Print/1565 1/3 City Council Appointment Process: Applications due Friday, December 13, 2019 by noon. The Mayor & City Council will conduct interviews on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. Appointment of new City Council member at January 14, 2020 City Council meeting. Name* Joe Lofgren Email Address* Address* 2704 31st Ave NE City* St. Anthony Village State* MN Zip Code* 55418 Phone Number* Why are you interested in this opportunity? There are several reasons I want to serve the city of SAV in this capacity. 1) I have a strong inner drive for public service. I am reliable and respectful of differing views. If the current state of our politics is any example for how not to act, I would welcome the opportunity to work with people who think differently than me to find compromise while keeping in mind that we must all work together for the betterment of the residents of St. Anthony, whom we represent. My inner drive for public service began shortly after college when I joined AmeriCorps*VISTA. This experience taught me many useful skills – the most valuable of which was the importance of a higher calling like public service. In fact, that lesson has informed my entire life as I chose a career path working for nonprofit organizations. I currently serve in the role of Development Specialist for the North Memorial Health Foundation, where I work on developing programs and services that otherwise wouldn’t be possible if not for philanthropy. 2) I believe that I can help bridge the gap between the more progressive voices within our city and the more conservative. I personally believe in, and support, our police department, our city management, and our city leaders while also believing that we can do better. This mindset is crucial for paving a path forward. There is no room for complacency when it comes to innovation and reform but that should not be at odds with the established practices that have made our city great and made our city a supremely desirable place for people to live. We must always be striving to be better while acknowledging the successes and good work of the past. 3) I have been a resident for 4.5 years now and plan to live here the rest of my life (I am 34). I have seen firsthand what sets our city apart from many others, having lived in St. Cloud, Duluth, Seattle, and now SAV. I believe that my varied experience living in other cities gives me a unique perspective. In addition to my 4.5 years living in SAV, my mother grew up at a house on 30th and Wilson! So while my own roots maybe don't run as deep as others applying for this position, my family has deep roots in SAV and so does my passion for our community. Print City Council Appointment Application - Submission #1565 Date Submitted: 12/13/2019