Paul Blaszak
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.
I have been Mayor of Foley since 2000, Chair of the Economic Development Authority since it's inception and member of Foley Planning Commission since 1998, along with several other committees and boards. Graduated from Foley High School, St. Cloud Technical College, and lifetime resident of Foley. Along with being a Senior Staff Accountant and Accounting Supervisor at Pleasureland RV and Truck Center for the past 19 years.
What experience do you have that prepares you for public office?
Over the past eight years as Mayor I have been instrumental in the growth and progress in the city of Foley. Along with most recently the McDonald's Restaurant Project, Jimmy's Pizza and Family Dollar. Since 2000 I have been involved in 37 new or relocated businesses in the city of Foley. This experience along with being Senior Staff Accountant and Accounting Supervisor at Pleasureland RV and Truck Center for the past 19 years show my fiscal responsibility, buiness minded approach to operating government as a business to make the best financial decisions for the community as a whole and not the idea that government operates on an endless bag of money. We have been faced with several challenges with cuts in Local Government Aid and are faced with levy limits through all of this your city taxes have remained low with very little increase due to the addtional business and increased property values. Pubic Safety has always been a top priority to me as Mayor from safe water, sewer disposal, fire protection and law enforcement all of these items are of major concern and will continue to be a top priority to me as we move into difficult financial times.
Why did you decide to run for this office?
Over the past eight years as Mayor I have made my decision based on what I have felt is best for the community from street and infrastruction projects to fire and public work purchases to employee and neighborhood disputes. I feel my accounting background along with my knowledge of city operations make me the best candidate for the office of Mayor for the City of Foley. If you agree that the City of Foley is moving in the right direction and want to continue to see Foley grow and prosper with expanded and updated infratstructure, expanded business opportunities, and updated amenities with being able to keep your taxes low by being fiscally responsible polease vote to re-elect me as your mayor.
Top three issues you would tackle, if elected
As always we are faced with responsibility of spending the taxpayer's money wisely for projects that benefit our community as a whole. We are currently working on expanding our fresh water supply with several test wells in progress along with being able to find the best possible solution to disposal of our waste water from several options of expanded holding ponds, mechanical plants or buying capacity from other communities. Balancing both of the items with continuing to expand our business base with planning for MN Highway 23 expansion to 4 lanes to our community are the top three issues we are currently facings.