Election 2012: Mark Gaylord, Mayor of Excelsior

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Share something most people don’t know about you.

My family and I have lived in Excelsior for ten years in a historic home we remodeled. We moved to Excelsior for the casual lakeside living, friendly business community and walkable, porch oriented neighborhoods.

For the past seven years I’ve been a member of the planning commissions, with the last three as chairman.

What sorts of thoughts come to mind when you think of Lake Minnetonka?

A summer evening boat cruise around big island.  

Are invasive species a local, state or federal issue? Or is it a mix? Describe your views.

Invasive species are an individual issue, like most issues we face. We all have a personal responsibility to solve problems, no matter what the issue may be.

What is the most common issue people talk with you about? What do you tell them?

The most common issue I’ve heard during the campaign is who will be the grocer for the Mason Motors site. The developer has stated that the grocer will be announced when property has completed the financial transaction, so we’ll all have to wait until the developer discloses the information.

How do you feel about the current property tax levels? What about school district taxes (understanding the city council has no control over them)?

Everyone would agree that property taxes are high, maybe too high.  

However, property taxes are complex, and when you factor the county, school board and city take similar percentages and the state takes a small percentage from the total tax, you begin to understand it takes a lot to keep our services funded.  

Excelsior has its second year of a zero tax levy, so we have been very diligent in our local effort to control taxes.   

If the funding were available, what projects—either shovel ready or on the drawing board—would you advocate dedicating it to?

If funding were available, we should invest in our public parks and city infrastructure.

Are you satisfied with the public safety services being provided to city residents?

Excelsior residents are fortunate having South Lake Minnetonka Police Department and the Excelsior Fire District as a shared public service.  

Our public safety provides a high level of service to every resident and business owner at a low cost, factoring that it would cost a lot more if we did not use a shared service model.  

How would you encourage the average citizen to become more engaged in local government?

Our local government is run by a small set of dedicated staff, elected officials and volunteers. I would like to see more people get involved as we will have a better opportunity to serve the greater community with more problem solving capability.  

We all have busy lives, but we all need to be part of the solution.  

Open forum. Why should voters cast their ballot for you this November?

I have played an active role in shaping  the forward process of Excelsior as a planning commissioner by changing ordinances to foster growth of the City of Excelsior, and have learned a great deal of how the city operates.  

During my tenure as a planning commissioner, I have developed working relationships with the city staff, council members and our current Mayor, Nick Ruehl. I’m privileged to be in a position to continue the leadership of Excelsior to make it a vibrant location for businesses, residents, and a destination for our extended community of South Lake Minnetonka.