Brad Tabke for Mayor Manifesto

Why I’m running

Shakopee has a tradition of active civic leadership—working to meet community needs head on with a long-term vision for the future. I am running for mayor to rekindle that tradition. Our town must continue to meet the extraordinary potential

Chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

of a growing community 37,000 people strong.  Shakopee is unique in the current national climate; we are fiscally sound, continue to experience growth, have available space for continued business development, strong schools, and a network of parks and resources other communities envy.  To maintain the standard of living Shakopee citizens expect, we need a vision for the future.

As husband of a high school teacher; father of 2 little girls; and Chairman of Shakopee’s Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and Park & Rec Boards, I envision leading a Shakopee that values the future of our children, promotes our business community and embraces our place as a leading community in the Twin Cities.  If you share these values, then I encourage you to support my campaign for Mayor.

Since moving to Shakopee in 2003, I have met and worked with amazing people. People like Mike Baumgartner, President of St. Francis Regional Medical Center who says “Brad is positive, looks to the future, he listens, he gets things done.” Supporters like Karaline Hummel, the Shakopee mother of two young boys, voting for me because “Shakopee needs some positive changes!” And Kevin

My wife Katy and daughters Jean (4 yrs) & Ila (3 mo)

O’Brien, President of Greystone Construction states “I think you are the right person for the job.”  If elected Mayor, I would work tirelessly to set a positive tone and vision for our future.

The future needs of our children cannot be ignored by city leadership.  As a community, we must  plan for responsible use of community resources to encourage the development of our youngest citizens.

The presence of a thriving business sector benefits us all; we see lower property taxes, travel less to meet our needs, and have a wealth of jobs available in our community. It is critically important for city leaders to be active in the pursuit and support of new and existing businesses. Civic leadership lays the foundation which creates a climate favorable to business growth.  As Mayor, I would seek to expand the role of the newly-formed Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) to tap the entrepreneurial minds in our community to help in business development, streamline government processes and increase retention.

Chair of the Chamber of Commerce & Convention & Visitors Bureau Boards

We need a new vision for Shakopee; a vision recognizing our growth in the last decade has turned us into a powerhouse community in the Twin Cities metro.  Shakopee should embrace this role, not run from it. As your mayor, I will be our loudest and brightest spokesman. I will work tirelessly to ensure everyone knows of the great opportunities Shakopee holds for families, tourism, business and development. I will also actively seek additional infrastructure investment in our area, not sit idly by while other city leaders work for those investments in their communities.

Our new vision must create connections within our diverse community while casting aside the notions of old vs. new, east vs. west, town vs. country, in favor of a vision promoting a positive future rather than dwelling on the past.  If elected, I will push for creative solutions to meeting our core values in a fiscally responsible manner.

Because I believe we can accomplish these goals, I am running for mayor November 8. I ask you to run with me.  Run with me to build a community that further values the future of our children.  Run with me to develop and promote our business community.  Run with me to embrace our place as a leading community in the Twin Cities.

Run with me, Shakopee, and vote Brad Tabke for Mayor on November 8. You can also follow at twitter.com/TabkeforMayor or facebook.com/TabkeforMayor Click on the links above to volunteer, donate and learn more.

Thank you and have a wonderful day!

- Brad