from the Northfield News Sept. 27, 2000

A vote for Covey will be a vote for consensus building

I had a couple of experiences with city government in the past: I was on the Economic Development Authority for its first two years, and also went to the EDA several years later as head of Northfield Equipment. We received a large loan that allowed our 50-person company to move to a larger manufacturing facility here in town. (I am always proud to say that the loan was paid back, and I hope that the money is being used to good advantage by other businesses!)

On this basis, as a former manufacturing business owner, I heartily support Keith's promise to "do things right". We must build consensus in Northfield and make sure that all voices are heard on issues so better decisions result for all parties. One vote, either in a referendum or in the council chambers, is not enough to take action on large important projects-in any successful business you need strong consensus and everyone must feel that they were heard. Tiny majorities in complex and emotional developments is not enough. A business runs best with an environment of consensus, and so does a city.

I believe that there are no easy answers to development. Developers are essential to Northfield's growth and they should be treated professionally and fairly. Likewise, the needs of all Northfielders must be weighed in the process. But most importantly, since the City has scarce resources of land and environment, we must make the best decisions possible. "No easy answers" means we need somebody with Keith's experience and dedication. Keith ran the Northfield Chamber of Commerce for 3 years and also worked as an architect in town before becoming Mayor and starting his non-academic job at Carleton. That job at Carleton grew and at the time of his retirement, he managed over 80 people and a budget comparable to the City of Northfield budget in size.

He can do the job. In the mid 1970s in his position as mayor of Northfield, he saw the opening of the Highway 19 redirection that also resulted in the Armstrong Road Industrial Park, and the opening of Jefferson Parkway that facilitated the extensive construction in what today is known as Ward 2. Keith does not claim credit for these developments, but he sees them as large events that he was a part of. He also sees them as examples of how strong plans can organize development efficiently and how the community can respond promptly with community consensus to development proposals.

Let's not accept either slow or fast decisions on our future. Let's all demand and expect the best projects done in sensible timeframes. We as citizens have the right to demand this of our leaders. But, we do need a leader, and, someone with proven ability to get things done the right way. Keith is very open and honest, and his record of community service proves that. We have a fantastic wealth of people with experiences and talents in Northfield. I believe Keith can draw motivated people to tough issues and use their talents to best advantage for the city.

I also would like to say a big "thank you" to all who are helping in this campaign -- we have many wonderful volunteers. Our commitment is to give Northfield the chance to hear Keith's message of working together. If you want to learn more about this message, and you have a connection to the Internet, please visit us at www.keithcoveyformayor.com.

There are three candidates running for mayor. Make sure you vote for the one that you think is best. We have deliberately thought of every voter in this race as an individual -- we hope that you take a hard look at Keith as an individual. Look at his consistent record of community service, his professional abilities running a big facilities/construction department, and his ability to lead. And please vote for him.

Dave Machacek is the former president of Northfield Equipment and Manufacturing. He is mayoral candidate Keith Covey's campaign manager.

from the Northfield News Sept. 30, 2000

Planning, balance needed to shape Northfield's growth

"Where do you stand on growth?" That's the question I am asked most often in this election season. My answer: like it or not, Northfield will continue to grow so we must prepare for it by agreeing on a vision and a plan. What will a plan accomplish? When you buy a home, in addition to deciding what you can afford, you ask, "Will it meet my needs? Will the neighborhood be stable? Will my investment be safe? Will my property taxes remain within my ability to pay?" You are making plans and need to know what you can depend on. Everyone -- citizen, business, and industry institutions -- asks similar questions when planning for the future. Everyone deserves to know what he or she can depend on. A plan will accomplish our common goal of balanced, sensible growth. With a plan, we can be proactive and not just reactive.

A citizen task force is working with city staff and consultants to update a plan for Northfield. It will be a tool for setting goals and for efficiently using land, money and time. As an active member of that group, I've asked myself, will the 2001 City Council, with several new members, be able to build community consensus around a new plan? Will it have the vision, skill and determination to stretch beyond "good enough" to truly express the community's aspirations?

I've spent 30 years -- including three as mayor -- guiding groups through growth decisions that meet both individual and common needs. I hope to have the opportunity to continue to contribute my experience to that process as mayor of Northfield.

With a new plan in place, what will be my priorities? Within the vision and framework of the plan, I will work for balanced growth. What does "balanced" mean? Here are four equally important examples: preserving and expanding downtown, attracting and retaining jobs in Northfield, providing housing choices, and protecting the environment.

First, balance means preserving our historic downtown and expanding it as the community grows. Just think what we have here. Downtown is still the center of town, still vital and still "real," a traditional business district with stores, services, cultural attractions, restaurants, lodging and housing.

With the city growing in all directions, it will remain central. Judicious city investments to expand parking and improve public spaces, including the riverfront, will support its vitality. And insisting that renewal and redevelopment meet existing guidelines for extending its multiple use pattern will help it better serve the Northfield area's needs, while also appealing to visitors.

Second, balance means attracting good jobs, which does not happen automatically, to match new residential growth, which seems inevitable. Northfield is drifting towards a "bedroom community" ratio of housing and commercial development. This is not a criticism of commuters, many of whom play active roles in civic and cultural life in Northfield. But we must reverse the pattern of recent years, which has seen employers leave town, taking jobs wit them. We must insure that more residents can both live and work here. How? First, we must encourage and help large and small employers, who are already here, to stay and thrive in Northfield. And we must do what is needed, within our vision and plan, to attract new employers in this challenging new economy.

Third, balance means providing housing choices for young people just starting work, new families struggling to make a better life and older citizens with limited incomes, in addition to those with comfortable means. All contribute to Northfield's vitality. All must be able to live here.

And fourth, balance means being good stewards of our land, air and water as we grow. We must be very proactive to retain and even reclaim green spaces and parks of every kind. This will benefit everyone.

Northfield is at a critical time. We need a vision that is arrived at collectively, a balanced course we can all depend on, and leaders who listen and make decisions openly. As Nov. 7 approaches, become informed, and then take the time to vote. It's an old saying but still true: democracy depends on you.

Keith Covey is the former mayor of Northfield and a candidate for mayor in the Nov. 7 election.

from the Northfield News Oct. 11, 2000

Sense of community vital to Northfield's future

About two years ago, my wife and I moved back to Northfield from New Jersey. The move was one of the best decisions of our lives.

For a young couple with a young child, Northfield offers so much. There is some variety of housing options. The neighborhood that we moved into welcomed us immediately and made us feel very "at home." The sidewalks make it easy to get to all of the parks. And the plentiful parks entertain our daughter and us. When it comes time for school, we know that we have multiple options of good schools to send her to. There is very little traffic, and the downtown has every kind of shop that we would want, from a children's store where we can buy clothes for our daughter, to coffee shops, or one of the local banks for doing our banking. Even our local hardware and grocery stores are within biking distance from our home.

When we were looking for places to move to from New Jersey, I knew to look at Northfield because I grew up here. And while Northfield has grown over the years, the feeling of a close community with wonderful neighborhoods has not changed. Why am I telling you all of this? I am telling you because we care about this community we moved into, and we want it to continue to develop in the right direction.

The upcoming mayoral election will determine the direction of the future of our community. Of the candidates, Keith Covey has the history and leadership to guide our community forward without compromising the terrific characteristics that make this place Northfield.

If Northfield hopes to draw more young families that look forward to living and making their lives here, it needs to learn some lessons from Lakeville and Apple Valley. Bigger is not better. There are many pressures to make Northfield bigger solely for the sake of being bigger, but Keith Covey would help keep Northfield from following that path. His experience leading the Chamber of Commerce, as well as his new work with the Northfield Downtown Development Corporation, show his commitment to working on behalf of the citizens of Northfield to keep our downtown the vital place it needs to be if we want the rest of the town to thrive.

His interest in bringing new business opportunities and jobs to town will help create an environment that is able to support its schools and housing options.

I first met Keith when I was a student interviewing to represent Northfield's Rotary Club as an exchange student. His dedication to the Rotary Club as well as his ability to listen and bring together all sides of an issue prove to me that as mayor he will work with all facets of Northfield to bring about consensus on the issues.

Northfield is a terrific community with wonderful people who have many different talents and opinions.

The trick to keeping Northfield a great place in the future is to find a leader who can utilize the talents of the community and listen to all of the opinions so that the right decisions are made for everyone.

Keith Covey has the skills to lead Northfield in just this way. As you think about the future of Northfield, I hope you think about supporting Keith Covey for mayor.

Christopher Clark works in the External Relations Department at Carleton College.