The Sun Post reached out to candidates to compile this voter\u2019s guide in advance of the general election. Responses from the candidates are below.<\/p>\n
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Gretchen Enger<\/p>\n
Gretchen Enger<\/p>\n
Current occupation<\/p>\n
UX Consultant.<\/p>\n
Education and prior experience<\/p>\n
Bachelor of Arts; Vice Chair, Brooklyn Center Finance Commission; Charter Commission member; former Housing Commission Chair; longtime Brooklyn Center resident.<\/p>\n
What is one thing Brooklyn Center is doing particularly well right now, and what is one thing the city needs to improve?\u00a0<\/p>\n
One thing Brooklyn Center is doing well is taking a longer-term approach to its finances. The new Financial Management Plan gives us a roadmap for future staffing, capital needs, debt and other costs instead of looking at each year’s budget in isolation. Where we need to improve is applying that same long-term thinking to our decisions. Whether it’s a new program, development project or city investment, we need to understand the long-term costs and how we’ll measure success. Partnerships and new approaches can move Brooklyn Center forward, but they need clear goals, realistic expectations and measurable results.<\/p>\n
Efforts to reform, update or otherwise change Brooklyn Center’s approach to public safety have seen varying degrees of success in recent years. How do you view the current sate of law enforcement in the city, and is there anything you would work to further change?<\/p>\n
Public safety is my top priority. Brooklyn Center has made important changes, including Expanded Response for certain behavioral health calls and Metro Transit police presence at the transit hub to help address crime in the surrounding business district. I support having different tools for different situations while making sure our police and fire departments have the staffing and resources they need. We also need accountability. Are people getting connected to help? Is it reducing demand on police? Are residents and businesses safer? What does it cost? If something is working, we should build on it. If it isn’t, we should be willing to change course.<\/p>\n
What unique strengths or perspectives do you believe you would bring to the Brooklyn Center City Council?\u00a0<\/p>\n
I don’t come to the table with my mind already made up. I listen, ask questions, look at the facts and consider the impact before deciding. After losing this race by just 12 votes in 2024, I kept showing up \u2014 serving on city commissions, attending Council meetings and digging deeper into how our city works and spends residents’ money. I’ll bring that preparation, independence and accountability to the Council. I’ll ask hard questions, listen to different perspectives and work with people I don’t always agree with to make decisions that benefit Brooklyn Center.<\/p>\n
What is the best way for voters to contact you?<\/p>\n
gretchen4council@gmail.com<\/a><\/p>\n Dan Jerzak<\/p>\n Dan Jerzak<\/p>\n Current occupation<\/p>\n Retired Building Inspector\/Crime Prevention Specialist and sitting Brooklyn Center Council Member.<\/p>\n Education and prior experience<\/p>\n College graduate, 17-year Brooklyn Center City Employee, past Charter Commission Member, Council Liaison to 252 task force, Crime Prevention Committee.<\/p>\n What is one thing Brooklyn Center is doing particularly well right now, and what is one thing the city needs to improve?<\/p>\n Brooklyn Center has made steady progress in focusing limited resources on services that are required, essential, or most important to residents.<\/p>\n We need to improve by growing and diversifying our tax base. We rely too heavily on residential property taxes. Attracting responsible commercial investment and supporting business growth will be critical to easing that burden. Brooklyn Center is in a strong position to attract new investment with available development land and recent state funding for infrastructure. We need to take advantage of these opportunities.<\/p>\n Efforts to reform, update or otherwise change Brooklyn Center’s approach to public safety have seen varying degrees of success in recent years. How do you view the current sate of law enforcement in the city, and is there anything you would work to further change?<\/p>\n Public safety is essential, and our approach must continue to evolve. Brooklyn Center has invested in officer recruitment, retention, training, technology, community engagement, and alternative responses for people experiencing mental health crises.<\/p>\n I support continuing that work while making sure our police and fire departments have the resources they need. I also believe we should make better use of County and State services and explore more regional partnerships. Crime and mental health crises don’t stop at city borders.<\/p>\n Our goal should be simple: residents and businesses must feel safe, and people should get the right response when they need help.<\/p>\n What unique strengths or perspectives do you believe you would bring to the Brooklyn Center City Council?<\/p>\n I bring a perspective that comes from seeing Brooklyn Center government from both sides. I spent 17 years working for the city in several roles, served on the Charter Commission, and am completing my first four-year term on the City Council.<\/p>\n I understand how city departments operate, how policy and ordinances move from ideas to action, and where the process works \u2014 and where it doesn’t.<\/p>\n That experience allows me to ask informed questions and make difficult decisions when necessary. I base my decisions on facts, data, and what I believe is best for Brooklyn Center, even when the decision isn’t popular.<\/p>\n What is the best way for voters to contact you?<\/p>\n dan@danjerzak.com<\/a><\/p>\n Nahid Khan<\/p>\n Nahid Khan<\/p>\n Current occupation<\/p>\n Independent researcher, scholar, writer, consultant.<\/p>\n Education and prior experience<\/p>\n B.A., Mass Communication-Journalism\/Library and Information Science, Purdue University; M.A., then Ph.D. studies in Mass Communication, Religious Studies and Museum Studies, University of Minnesota.<\/p>\n What is one thing Brooklyn Center is doing particularly well right now, and what is one thing the city needs to improve?\u00a0<\/p>\n Our parks, recreational facilities and environmental resources are used and valued by our residents and people elsewhere who attend our fairs and festivals. They provide an excellent foundation for renewing our City for the 21st century.<\/p>\n Improved quality of life in our City begins with a well-informed population. Our Communications and Community Engagement staff must be rebuilt and programming expanded to meet diverse stakeholder needs. Our City web site must serve people with varying levels of access, literacy, education and civic knowledge. Email, phone text and social media sign ups should be simpler and include videos and multiple languages.<\/p>\n Efforts to reform, update or otherwise change Brooklyn Center’s approach to public safety have seen varying degrees of success in recent years. How do you view the current sate of law enforcement in the city, and is there anything you would work to further change?<\/p>\n The City of Brooklyn Center\u2019s Office of Community Prevention, Health and Safety has expanded community-based safety and violence prevention work through an alternative “Enhanced Response” approach. Using mental health professionals, social workers, and de-escalation methodologies reduces police workloads, allowing officers to focus where their training is most relevant.<\/p>\n While funding shortages currently limit staff and hours for this program, the City has over $1 million allocated for around 10 police officer positions that have gone unfilled for years due to a lack of candidates. Reallocating this money could fund additional Enhanced Response staff and retain City positions facing budget cuts.<\/p>\n What unique strengths or perspectives do you believe you would bring to the Brooklyn Center City Council?<\/p>\n As a 31-year city resident, I\u2019ve listened to your concerns through neighborly conversations, community events, city meetings, news coverage and social media discussions. You\u2019ve taught me that true government is about serving everyone with humility to support a good life for all: whether homeowners or tenants.<\/p>\n I bring a unique and broad range of analytical abilities from the humanities, social sciences, and education to the City Council. My 40+ years of experience spans journalism, library science, arts education, and multi-cultural and interfaith collaborations. This background will shape well-rounded Council decisions focused on investing in our People \u2014 our city\u2019s greatest asset.<\/p>\n What is the best way for voters to contact you?<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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