Biographic information. Tell us about yourself.
I’ve lived on Riviera Lane for the past eight years with my wife, Erin, who is a neonatal nurse practitioner at the U of M Masonic Children’s Hospital, and our two children who attended Minnewashta Elementary and now attend MMW. With over 18 years of experience managing large-scale, complex urban infrastructure projects, I currently serve as the Transit Director for MnDOT, where I’m able to pursue my passions for project management and transportation. I hold a Master of Architecture from Syracuse University and a BA in Metropolitan Studies from New York University. My public service includes terms as a Park Commissioner, Planning Commissioner, and briefly as an appointed City Councilmember. I’ve also contributed to the community by coaching Tonka United soccer for eight years and mentoring with VANTAGE Minnetonka for three years. In my free time, I’m an avid baseball fan and enjoy traveling.
Describe the skills you have that will make you a good Shorewood councilmember.
- How have you demonstrated those skills in the past?
- I listen to people. Listening is an essential skill in representative democracy. I’ve taken the time to hear people’s concerns, understand their beliefs, and represent their voices in decisions that affect our community. Whether it’s during public meetings or one-on-one conversations, I’ve listened carefully and fought on the dais to ensure their perspectives are reflected in the decisions we make. In my short time as a City Councilmember, I listened to parents on Strawberry Lane who fought for a sidewalk, residents of Birch Bluff who wanted a narrower street, and environmentalists who pushed for Shorewood to uphold its Bee Safe Resolution, and then fought on the dais on their behalf. I was the only “no” vote against salary increases to reflect community concerns about government spending and accountability.
- I am a collaborator who fosters strong relationships. Building connections with others is essential for effective teamwork and community engagement. Strong working relationships will promote a culture where diverse councilmembers can work toward common goals while leveraging each member’s strengths. In my time on the Council and Planning Commission, I’ve found myself on the minority side of many 4-1 decisions. Although my position did not prevail, I maintained positive relationships and, more importantly, encouraged critical dialogue and fostered an environment where differing opinions were openly explored. It’s essential we strive to understand the full picture of an issue and engage in open debates, regardless of the outcome, as this demonstrates transparency and accountability in democratic decision-making.
- I’m a critical and strategic thinker. When issues have come before Council or Planning Commission, I have taken the time to rigorously analyze issues while taking into account big picture, long term views. For instance, I researched the Constitution and explored how other cities handle residential picketing before solidifying my position and voting against the restriction to residential picketing. When the recent cannabis ordinance was discussed at the Planning Commission, I advocated for more stringent language and common-sense regulations to locate cannabis businesses further away from the high school. My commitment to principled positions has allowed me to make challenging decisions on issues, as demonstrated by my voting record described above, even when those decisions are unpopular, which is a key indicator of strong leadership.
If elected you will serve for 4 years. What do you see as the top 5 challenges or opportunities for the council to address during that time?
- Managing city debt while funding public works and infrastructure improvements
- Improving communication and transparency with residents
- Expanding and improving the quality of city water
- Preserving Shorewood’s rural character amid future pressures of the development of our high-density parcels
- Retaining and developing city staff
What policies would you propose to address your priorities? Be specific.
- Expanding our city water system. In recent years, we’ve taken on too much debt, seen rising taxes, and are stuck in a cycle where expanding our city water system is necessary to keep utility costs low, yet the implementation cost is prohibitive. Shorewood’s capital improvement plan needs to be backed by a strong financial management strategy that does not rely solely on levies as its foundation. The CIP should be informed by the strategic timing of debt, the exploration of diverse funding sources and alternate project delivery strategies. By moving from a reactive approach to proactive, thorough planning and innovative funding, we can better address our infrastructure needs. This includes finding ways to encourage greater participation in our city water system by those who have access but choose not to hook up. Through increased awareness, incentive programs, contractor education and support, and by ensuring superior water quality, we can reduce utility costs and make our water system more sustainable.
- We need to adopt a more collaborative and proactive approach to developing our open parcels, particularly those high-density ones which will more greatly impact our city. The Council, Planning Commission, city staff, and residents should take the initiative in envisioning the potential of key parcels. Instead of merely reacting to proposals from developers, we should have a shared vision. Currently, we place too much reliance on developers’ creativity—or sometimes their lack of it—leading to projects that often fail to reflect our vision of Shorewood’s character.
You are asking to represent the citizens of Shorewood and if elected, will be one of the public faces of the city. How would you describe the top 3 things about Shorewood that makes it a great place to live?
- Shorewood has a great quality of life thanks to a combination of factors that, when combined, make it rival any city in the state: excellent schools, easy highway access to jobs, nearby lakes, low crime, trails, great parks, and a vibrant selection of local restaurants and shops.
- Despite its proximity to two major US cities, Shorewood maintains a charming rural character, with access to trails, parks and lakes.
- A sense of community based on residents who are passionate and dedicated to Shorewood.
What sets you apart from the other candidates?
What sets me apart is my extensive experience in urban infrastructure and project management, particularly in scoping, budgeting, and stakeholder management. This expertise is critical and timely for addressing the city’s financial and infrastructure challenges. My background complements the incumbent councilmembers and mayoral candidates. As noted above, diverse skills are important to tackle the wide range of issues the Council must consider, leading to better decision-making. With my prior service on the Park Commission, Planning Commission, and as a City Councilmember, I understand how the city operates and can hit the ground running.
Candidate website: https://www.natgorham.com
