I have bit my tounge or keyboard long enough but now I need to respond.

What is behind Mr. Windchitl's run?
Could it be that Mr. Rohe defeated Mark's ex-wife Joyce in the Ward 4 election in 2000.

Why would someone come out of nowhere, has had not interest in city politics to run at this time? Has not paid his dues serving on a commission or anything!

Is this what we want in our next Mayor? Can he lead the City with no experience? Whats his vision? WE have a very inexperienced City Council right now and we as reasonable thinking citizens that care about Chaska would turn the Mayorship over to someone with no experience.

it also comes down to old vs new in Chaska. I guess there is a group of people that just cannot accept anyone that was not born and raised here to be Mayor. It's laughable..but sadly true.

Debbie,

I got a call this morning letting me know of your questions. There will be three debates two of them the first week of December they should be televised so I urge all Citizens of Chaska to watch or attend in person to get an informed view of each candidate.

First, I want to say I hope that all of this negative retoric on this web site will stop. Questions like yours are great and that is why I am responding directly.

It takes a lot to put your name on the line and run for political office and I commend Mark for taking that step. I hope that others that are thinking about running will sign up and we can have a great debate on who is most qualified to be the Mayor and lead the City.

To be Mayor requires someone that will be able to articulate the vision and goals of the City of Chaska.

As I stated in my ad this week Experience does matter. When I was first elected to the City Council in 2000 it took at least a year to really understand how the process works and to develop a relationship with Staff and fellow councilmembers.

I believe in these uncertain economic times we need a Mayor who can hit the ground running for Chaska after January 19th.

This individual will have to mount another campaign within 7 months of taking office and I think that it would not be beneficial to the City to have someone in the role of Mayor that would have to learn the job of being on the Council, how the process works at the same time trying to solve critical issues like downtown and the budget, plus think about running another election.

We need leadership and experience and that is what I can bring to the position.

Of course most people know me from proudly serving on the City Council for 8 years.

To answer your questions above.

Chaska is definitely in our home and blood. I have coached Chaska Girls basketball for the past 6 years. Involved with the CAYBBA in house program and then having the opportunity to caoch the traveling squad.
What a great group of girls and it was a priviledge to Coach all of them.

Spending all of those years wearing the purple and gold and rooting Chaska on to victories really turns your blood purple!

Having Children currently in the District 112 system helps to give me insight to what is going on at the school level and in the community staying current on what is important to Chaska families.

If you have been in our home you will find Chaska Bricks, a replica of the art at the Community Center and an acutal Chaska Brick Mold in our family room and a ton of American Flags!

From a volunteer basis through the years I have been involved with the following.

8 Years Chaska City Councilmember
Chaska Rotary
United Way (I was one of the youngest loaned executives to United Way)
Chaska Chamber of Commerce Served on the Golf Committee and other Various Committees for the Chamber
Board of Education for St. Johns
Chairman and Commissioner of Southwest Transit.
Infocomm Manufacturers Council
District 112 Community Education Council
Chaska Economic Development Authority Commissioner
Mayor's Mass Transit Commission
Boardmember of the Chaska Area Youth Basketball Association
20-30 Club

Leadership:

I have worked my way up through the sales ranks over the past 24 years to become a Director of Sales for a large company overseeing employees based around the United States.
My position requires a strong leader and one that can work on building a Strategic Plan and budget for my division.

My employees look to me for leadership and to empower them to be successful.

As stated above I have served on several boards and have been a strong voice on each board.

I was elected to be the Chairman of Southwest Transit by my peers on the board which inculded the Mayor of Chanhassen, a former Mayor of Eden Prairie, a current Chaska City Councilmember, A current Eden Prairie Councilmember. I think that is a good indication of my leadership that this group of elected officials from our sister Cities in the area chose me to lead the Southwest Transit organization.

As a councilmember I was a consistent leading voice at meetings and work sessions.

I am prepared and ready to lead Chaska as Mayor if the people give me this honored opportunity.

I hope that this answers your questions. Thanks for being active and involved in your community.

Sincerely,

Jay W Rohe

Thanks Jay for a direct reply.

But "Best Suburban Center in Minnesota" doesn't have quite the same ring as "Best Small Town in Minnesota."

We moved to Chaska from Apple Valley because of a job change. I have lived in three TC suburbs now, and this is by far the best, most comfortable place, largely because of the small-town feel. Between the concerts in the park, the Memorial Day parade, the fantastic schools, and the people at the Community Center who greet me and my children by name, I can't imagine wanting to live anywhere else. I wish there was a place online where I could get more information about both candidates. I don't know enough about either of them to feel I can make an informed decision.

Toricia,

I do have a Web site set up at www.jayrohe.com.

You can also reach me at 952-361-6865.
Please feel free to contact me as I would welcome your thoughts on Chaska.

Chaska is a great community and is the Best Small Town in Minnesota!

Jay