Minnetonka City Council Candidate: Thom Lien

Editor's note: This week we feature candidates running for the Minnetonka City Council in the . Four days this week, we will feature two of the eight candidates, according to alphabetical order of their last names.

The election will fill the vacant City Council Member, At Large Seat B, left vacant when former Council Member Amber Greves resigned the position in December.

THOM LIEN

Minnetonka Patch: What qualifications do you have that will make you an effective Minnetonka City Council member?

Thom Lien: I believe being an effective city council member requires constant engagement in the service of the people and their needs. Learning the needs of the constituents means always making time for them and listening to them. I have strong leadership skills that will allow me to take people's concerns and transform them into planning and decision-making for the City of Minnetonka. 

I believe that everybody's opinion is important and should be considered equally, whether it's a big issue or a small one. I will take the time to advocate for all of these concerns and work to keep Minnetonka a desirable place to live. 

Patch: What is the biggest issue for the city of Minnetonka? Why?

Lien: In a recent survey, when the residents of Minnetonka were asked what could be improved in the city, the number one answer was "nothing." I'm sure that's not the thinking of every resident but if most think that, then the biggest issue is keeping that true for the long term. As a city council member, I will use forward-thinking to address and resolve issues before they become a burden on our community and change its ideal living environment. 

Another issue is providing resources for the ever changing demographics of Minnetonka. As some of our residents continue to get older and more people of retirement age move into Minnetonka, its fastest growing demographic, we need to make sure we have enough resources in place for them including housing and recreation as well as health and emergency services. While doing that, we want to make sure the area is also welcoming to other families such as those ones looking to buy their first home to more affluent ones looking to expand their living needs. Looking at these areas in a long term view is incredibly important. 

Patch: What is current Minnetonka leadership doing well? What could be better?

Lien: The current Minnetonka leadership has allowed for a quality of life that is unmatched by most cities. Not only has it managed to keep the 2012 property tax increase to less than 1 percent, it has done it while still providing quality police, fire, park and trail services. While there will always be challenges in maintaining natural resources and providing room for growth and development, I believe the city leadership wants to keep the city filled with all its natural beauty while still finding room for expansion. 

Patch: How will you get input from your constituents?

Lien: I will always be available to the people of Minnetonka. Constituent input and concern is the main focus of this position, to help and involve the residents with decision-making of their city. I can be reached via email at thom.lien@hotmail.com and will return all email inquiries in a speedy manner to resolve and answer any questions about me or what is going on in their government. As seat B is an at-large position, I am aware of the number of inquiries this will involve but have the time and energy to help everyone with it, be a question of public process or an issue they think is of concern to the city. 

Patch: Give us a brief background of yourself. 

Lien: I am relatively new to Minnetonka, but it does not feel like it. My wife, Jin, and 4-year-old son and I relocated here from Seattle, Washington. She is a native of Minnetonka where most of her large immediate family still lives, so I was welcomed to this beautiful place with open arms. 

I ran a small business in Seattle for many years so I know what it's like to be held accountable and make people happy by providing them with what they want. I plan on taking this same approach of giving the people what they want to this city council position and providing them with the best possible for this city now and in the future. 

I also am running my campaign on the smallest budget possible. I am making my own signs and information pamphlets because I believe too much money is spent on things of this sort. I don't want to waste money that could be spent on other areas and will also take this same philosophy to the city council seat with me. 

Minnetonka is a beautiful city and unlike most in this country, and I will do everything I can to keep it this way for future generations. Thank you for taking the time to read about me and some of what I stand for and desire. I hope I am able to serve you in the future.