Incumbent John Murzyn has served on the Columbia Heights City Council since 2014. If re-elected, this former city employee would serve his third term on the council.
Why are you running for city council?
I love what I am doing! I like to help people when they need help. I worked for the city for 38 years and it’s my way of giving back.
What have you learned about the city council?
I listen to the people. I return their phone calls. I try to talk to the people before I make decisions. I try to make the best decisions so it works for the city and residents.
Do you think the 2023 city budget takes sufficient account of inflation costs for the next year?
We try to keep the budget as low as possible so we don’t have to raise taxes. With the cost of everything going up, we try to keep spending to the minimum that we need to keep the city moving.
Does the city have resources to assist residents who might have to relocate because of double-digit rent increases?
Anoka County has programs to help with renting and things like electric bills.
How might the city assist in the creation of more affordable housing?
We have already met our comprehensive plan goals. I would like to see more house builders in the Heights.
The city has removed the ash trees on public property. What, is being done about ash trees on private property?
We have been letting homeowners know about the process for getting their trees down.
What would be the best use for the former Fairview-Columbia Park Clinic building at 4000 Central?
I would like to see some small businesses going in, maybe a Minute Clinic like the one in Hilltop to help people. I would really like to see that building fill up.
What should be done about redeveloping the empty strip mall on 37th and Stinson?
We’ve got our feelers out for different businesses to come in, but nothing’s happening yet.
Please list the top three issues you think need to be addressed in Columbia Heights.
1. Getting Central Avenue so it’s safer, more lighting, more semaphores from 53rd to 37th. Thirty miles an hour instead of back and forth between 30 and 40. Slow down the traffic. 2. Get the Rainbow site up and going. We’ve had three grocery stores interested – but I’m not giving out any names. 3. Keeping taxes as low as possible for residents of Columbia Heights. Getting more single-family houses built so you don’t have big corporate monsters coming in and owning two or three houses in a block.
What do you think are the Columbia Heights community’s strengths, and as a council member, how can you leverage them?
We have good residents, safe police and fire departments and our public works team is awesome. They get the job done.
How do you plan on engaging members of the community, especially those who do not speak English?
I’ve never run into someone who didn’t speak English. A lot have broken English, but I slow down communication with them so I can understand and answer their questions. Sometimes, I’ll call on one of our police officers from a different culture to help translate.
What needs to be done to reduce traffic-related deaths and injuries along Central Avenue?
I’m working to get Central Avenue changed. So many pedestrians have been hit [by vehicular traffic]. We’re working with MnDOT and Metro Transit. We’ve been giving them a lot of input. I want more lighting. I want to see more semaphores.
Coverage for all Columbia Heights City Council candidates can be found at these respective links: Rachel James, John Murzyn, Nick Novitsky, and Justice Spriggs.
Below: John Murzyn. (Provided photo)
