Tell us about yourself.
I am originally from Warroad, Minn., and moved to Caledonia in 2013 with my wife Alissa (Klug) Peterson. We have three young children. I attended flight school at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Fla., where I earned a commercial pilot certificate and a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management. I have worked as a flight instructor for Delta Air Lines since 2008. I am also a member of the Red Baron Flyers.
Why are you running for office?
I am running for city council because I want to have a positive impact on the community where my children will grow up. I would also like to improve transparency and keep the community better informed by explaining the issues facing Caledonia in a newsletter format.
What do you hope to accomplish if you get elected?
First, Caledonia is in the process of developing a 10-year capital improvement plan and is facing budget shortfalls. Value engineering promotes the substitution of materials and methods with less expensive alternatives, without sacrificing functionality. This is the key to cost-effective infrastructure. Our community needs to plan large projects accordingly.
Second, I would focus on encouraging community growth. I feel the best way to attract new businesses is to first prioritize support for the ones you already have. We need to continue to incentivize local businesses to expand and improve through EDA loans or other funding sources.