Bob's answers to the Northeaster Newspaper

Bob's answers to the Northeaster Newspaper, August 9th, 2006 Edition

I still believe what I wrote when I Ran for Columbia Heights' City Council, except the City Council went over the top in building housing, particular condos. Condos in the past have taken much longer to recover their value than single family homes. What was the real agenda of the City Council in helping to create the foreclosure problem? What could have been avoided by the City Council, we the Citizens' of Columbia Heights will now have to shoulder. I will make sure that the City Council exists to protect the property, rights, and liberty of its Citizens.

Why are you running?

My voice and others like me are not being heard. While I am not angry, there is an agenda to increase the size of the City government with cost considered to be unimportant. Politicians wanting to get reelected, create a sense of progress by luring developers with TIF money. TIF is like a mortgage that our children will have to pay so we can have a benefit now. The City encouraged and funded development will that provide more than the market can handle and cause a drop in property values and rents. Citizens will not be able to maintain their property causing a decline. This can be avoided even now. Doing this will keep our schools strong and one of the best kept secretes in the Cities.

What do you see as the top two key issues facing the city at this time?

What does Columbia Heights want to be? Others running for office seem to think that the City isn’t good enough for them. They want a coffee shop and art studio on every corner. I think the City is about affordable homes, low taxes, quiet neighborhoods, low crime, owner run businesses, and small non-invasive government. While the City should encourage development, it should not dictate what is built.

What are your qualifications for this job?

I have a belief in civic duty combined with a strong conviction on the relationship of City government to its citizens. I am fully aware that when government acts to “help” a situation, that there will be unintended consequences. I will bring out these consequences during discussions. My sense of fairness will help to keep citizens from being taken advantage of through the City’s use of eminent domain (government taking of private property). At the same time, make sure that the City is fulfilling its obligations to provide services to its citizens. As a graduate Civil Engineer from the U of M, I have special knowledge in this area. Having been to the School of Architecture, I also understand development.

prepared and paid for by the Bob Odden Campaign for Mayor