My Vision

An Informational 'Flyer' Containing Basically The Same Information Shown Below And Prepared At NO COST TO TAXPAYERS Was Delivered To EVERY RESIDENCE In The City Of Hamburg On Thursday, November 3, 2022. While Some Items Listed MAY Be More Important/Urgent

Than Others. WhiLe The 'Order' In Which The Items Listed Below May Vary Slightly From The Original Document That Was Mailed

Out To Residents, There Is NO PARTICULAR SIGNIFICANCE To The Order In Which Each Item Is Listed.

RESTORE TRUST & INTEGRITY TO

THE HAMBURG MAYOR'S OFFICE !!

I PLEDGED To REDUCE TAXES By CUTTING

UNNECESSARY, WASTEFUL SPENDING By The City,

PROVIDE TRANSPARENCY Of LOCAL GOVERNMENT &

HOLD PUBLIC OFFICIALS TOTALLY ACCOUNTABLE !!

NOBODY Has Been ABLE (Or WANTED) To DO THAT In The PAST 6 YEARS !!

PLEASE CAST YOUR VOTE FOR ME THIS NOVEMBER !!

MY VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF HAMBURG ..........

AS YOUR MAYOR, I will seek the cooperation of the City Council to IMMEDIATELY DIRECT the City and it's lawyers, to work DILIGENTLY and EFFECTIVELY to QUICKLY RESOLVE the current lawsuit against the City in a manner that is FAIR & EQUITABLE to all concerned. This litigation against the City; which has 'dragged on' for far too long (OVER 3+ YEARS !!), has resulted in an UNACCEPTABLE, OBSCENE & BURDENSOME EXPENSE (approximately $80,000.00 !!) to Hamburg Taxpayers. At this point, neither the City, nor the plaintiffs, will EVER be able to 'claim victory', the only real 'winners' of this litigation, are the lawyers !!

AS YOUR MAYOR, I will seek the cooperation of the City Council to IMMEDIATELY RESCIND ALL EMPLOYEE SALARY INCREASES for 2023 approved by the previous City Council. (Raises approved to Fire Department Personnel for 2023 will REMAIN INTACT.)

AS YOUR MAYOR, I will seek the cooperation of the City Council to IMMEDIATELY RESCIND the long standing practice of paying the City Clerk/Treasurer (approximately) $50.00 for each time that he is 'called out' to deal with ANY 'City Business' or perform any required 'City Service' after normal City 'business hours'. Because he is classified as an 'EXEMPT EMPLOYEE' and receives a large salary each month, the City Clerk/Treasurer will be expected to be available 24/7 on an 'on call' basis.

AS YOUR MAYOR, and in accordance with the above, I will seek the cooperation of the City Council to IMMEDIATELY RESCIND the long standing and UNFAIR (to the Employee) practice of requiring the Public Works Employee to be the 'go to person' after 'normal business hours' or anytime that City Hall Administration/Personnel are absent during 'normal business hours'. That 'responsibility' is an obligation and requirement of the City Clerk/Administrator; NOT an 'hourly' employee. The Public Works Employee will, however; be required to be available 24/7 via a cell phone/pager, provided by the City, for matters relating to Sewer/Water/Public Works operation, and will continue to be compensated appropriately when 'called out' after normal business hours; probably as has been the practice in the past.

AS YOUR MAYOR, I will seek the cooperation of the City Council, to require that ALL employees (except the Mayor and City Council members) utilize the City provided 'employee time clocks' to record the daily start and end times of their regularly scheduled work shift AS WELL AS any time that they are required to perform City related duties at times OTHER THAN their scheduled work shifts.

AS YOUR MAYOR, I will seek the cooperation of the City Council, to IMMEDIATELY SEEK an acceptable solution to the exorbitant residential Water/Sewer Utility rates currently paid by the City's residential 'customers' to bring those rates 'more in line' with surrounding communities of comparable size.

AS YOUR MAYOR, I will seek the cooperation of the City Council to IMMEDIATEY DIRECT that, when practical, ALL purchases for goods and/or services required by the City that are reasonably expected to exceed $1,000.00, will REQUIRE the implementation of the 'Competitive Bidding Process' requiring a submission of bids by at least two vendors. Exceptions to this directive may be made when procurement of said goods and/or services is declared and/or is considered URGENT or EMERGENCY in nature and approved by at least two City Officials, or when only a single bid is received.

AS YOUR MAYOR, instead of automatically 'renewing' them year after year without question, I will seek the cooperation of the City Council to IMMEDIATELY REVIEW ALL existing 'contracts' that the City has for legal services, engineering, consulting, etc., to determine if similar services of comparable quality are available from other sources at a LOWER COST TO TAXPAYERS.

AS YOUR MAYOR, instead of 'Carte Blanche' approval, I will seek the cooperation of the City Council to IMMEDIATELY REQUIRE 'LINE ITEM SCRUTINY & REVIEWAL' each month of ALL City expenditures by the ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL.

AS YOUR MAYOR, I will seek the cooperation of the City Council to IMMEDIATELY ASSEMBLE a volunteer 'Citizens Advisory Committee' consisting of four or six or eight (pick a number) City residents representing the 'PULSE OF THE CITY' to meet periodically and share their opinions, thoughts, ideas or suggestions with myself, the City Council and/or other City residents so that the efficiency of the delivery of City services, and the daily, overall 'operation' of the City, can be accomplished in a more 'cost effective' manner.

AS YOUR MAYOR, I will seek the cooperation of the City Council to IMMEDIATELY SEEK to 're-establish' the City's volunteer 'Planning Commission' so that those who 'pay the bills' of the City, will have a 'voice' in the City's future. As it is currently, ONLY the CITY COUNCIL makes that/those 'determination(s)' as to what takes place in the City.

AS YOUR MAYOR, I will seek the cooperation of the City Council to IMMEDIATELY DETERMINE THE FEASABILITY to re-establish an 'Ambulance Station' in the City; thereby greatly REDUCING 'response times' to emergencies in Hamburg and/or the surrounding area; a GREAT BENEFIT to residents in both 'areas'.

AS YOUR MAYOR, I will seek the cooperation of the City Council to IMMEDIATELY SOLICIT the cooperation of the City and the Hamburg Fire/Rescue Department, to 'sponsor ', at minimal or no cost, an annual (or bi-annual) public Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) class (probably held at the Hamburg Community Hall) in an effort to get more citizens of Hamburg, and the surrounding area, trained in CPR.

AS YOUR MAYOR, I will seek the cooperation of the City Council to IMMEDIATELY IMPLEMENT and actively support and participate in Carver County's "COMMUNITIES OF BELONGING" initiative; a concept launched last December that is built around the basis that a community should be a place that welcomes all people and where all people know each other, care about and take care of each other, regardless of what their background or views on various issues.

AS YOUR MAYOR, I will seek the cooperation of the City Council to IMMEDIATELY DETERMINE if any City resident have a unique medical condition(s), but are not 'computer literate', qualify for 'low cost or no cost' prescriptions, medical equipment, devices or services. If no other means exist for them to gain these benefits (no computer access, not computer literate, no relatives with Internet access, etc.), then the City would 'assist' them in securing these benefits if so qualified.

AS YOUR MAYOR, I will seek the cooperation of the City Council to develop a Young People/Senior Citizen 'alliance' intended to 'pair up' the youthful members of our community with Senior Citizens (or others that may need some additional periodic 'help' or assistance) with grass cutting, leaf raking, sidewalk shoveling, addressing Christmas cards and other required tasks, etc.; kind of an informal 'Adopt A Grandparent' sort of 'program'. While there would be no charge to the citizen recipient receiving the 'assistance', as a gesture of appreciation and in lieu of any payment, the City would periodically sponsor a 'pizza party' or other 'event' involving the youths as a gesture of our appreciation, at no cost to the persons involved is providing, or receiving, said assistance.

AS YOUR MAYOR, I will seek the cooperation of the City Council to IMMEDIATELY IMPLEMENT, but NEVER USED, 'LOCAL ACCESS' option/feature called for and as provided in the City's contract with MEDIACOM, thereby allowing City residents the ability to view (and listen to) 'live' City Council Meetings so that the citizens of Hamburg can be fully informed of what is taking place in the City if unable to physically attend City Council and other meetings.

AS YOUR MAYOR, I will seek the cooperation of the City Council to ensure that the Agendas for each regular City Council Meeting are available on the City's Official Website by 4:30PM the Friday preceeding the City Council meeting. Additionally, the written 'Minutes' and audio of each City Council meeting will also be available by 4:30PM the Friday following the City Council meeting.

AS YOUR MAYOR, I will seek the cooperation of the City Council, to continually strive to make as much information regarding what's taking place in the City, available to the public, as possible.

AS YOUR MAYOR, I will seek the cooperation of the City Council to strongly DISCOURAGE the practice of conducting 'closed' City Council meetings; meetings in which the PUBLIC IS NOT ALLOWED TO ATTEND.

AS YOUR MAYOR, the City of Hamburg will CONTINUE to vigorously support the PROFESSIONAL and DEDICATED men and women of the CARVER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, the HAMBURG FIRE/RESCUE DEPARTMENT, the RIDGEVIEW MEDICAL CENTER EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES, and the MINNESOTA STATE PATROL.

AS YOUR MAYOR, the City of Hamburg will vigorously support the CARVER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE "COMMUNITY WATCH PROGRAM" and strongly encourage City residents to be activate participants.

AS YOUR MAYOR, and for the safety of Hamburg residents and visitors, I will seek the cooperation of the City Council to authorize the application of sand as required, to all affected streets during the winter, instead of only applying sand to some intersections in the City as is presently the policy. Further; limited application of salt or other ice melting agent, will be applied as indicated and required to increase resident's safety.

AS YOUR MAYOR, in keeping with my 'PRINCIPLES OF TRANSPARENCY' and with the cooperation of the City Council, the City of Hamburg will HONOR, and PROVIDE, without cost, reasonable requests by City residents for ALL PUBLIC City information (consistent with appropriate, governing Data Practice laws, rules and regulations), including information regarding the work times/days records of ALL City employees, and the general, overall performance of their duties and responsibilities.

AS YOUR MAYOR, and with the cooperation of the City Council, I will establish a 'HAMBURG WELCOMING COMMITTEE' that meets with and welcomes new residents to the City of Hamburg and assists them, if so requested, to establish utility and other City services, learn about Internet/Cable TV options, etc., to help make them IMMEDIATELY feel as a part of our City.

AS YOUR MAYOR, and in cooperation of the City Council, we will address the issue of EXCESSIVE, ONGOING and OUTSTANDING, PAST DUE utility bills of ALL customers; residential and commercial alike. The City accumulating anywhere from FIVE to EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS in PAST DUE UTILITY BILLS EVERY MONTH is TOTALLY

UNACCEPTABLE !!

AS YOUR MAYOR, and with the cooperation of the City Council, the City of Hamburg will explore other options for 'operating' of the Hamburg Community Hall so it doesn't continue to be a 'black hole' for the City of Hamburg. When I was a City Council Member and prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic, it was reported that the Hamburg Community Hall was LOSING $20,000 TAXPAYER DOLLARS EVERY YEAR !! Such a HUGE LOSS, of TAXPAYER DOLLARS, YEAR AFTER YEAR is NOT SUSTAINABLE !! One concept to consider is contracting with an outside 'vendor' to TOTALLY manage the facility and assume TOTAL responsibility for its continued operation and profitability. Other suggestions for ideas from residents are, of course, ALWAYS WELCOME !! We have a lot of 'creative' people in Hamburg; LET'S PUT THAT CREATIVITY TO GOOD USE to benefit OUR City !!

AS YOUR MAYOR, I will NOT routinely vote in matters brought before the City Council; except in the event of an 'unusual matter' or, of course; if there is a "2-2 tie" vote' on a matter being voted on by the City Council.

AS YOUR MAYOR, when a citizen or guest appears before the City Council for whatever reason, I will NOT use the rude and demeaning term as "THE HOT SEAT" when inviting them to appear before the City Council to express their views. Rather, the City will show them the respect that they deserve; regardless of who they are or whatever their concern(s) may be.

AS YOUR MAYOR, I will seek the cooperation of the City Council to TOTALLY ABOLISH the position of 'Deputy' City Clerk. The SAVING OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS by abolishing this UNNEEDED position will be SUBSTANTIAL; not only in eliminating wages paid, but also because TAXPAYERS WILL NOT HAVE TO PAY the MONTHLY MEDICAL INSURANCE PREMIUMS for this position. I will seek to have the 'Deputy' City Clerk position revert back to the 'UTILITY BILLING CLERK' position as it was previously; and initially, intended.

This UNNEEDED position initially began as an individual (Job Title:Utility Billing Clerk) working only a few hours at the beginning of each month to prepare, and send out, the City's utility bills. Slowly, this very necessary Utility Billing Clerk position 'morphed' into a position for which it was never intended; but by NO FAULT OF THE FORMER EMPLOYEE !! The position eventually increased the number of hours worked doing tasks being assigned that really were beyond the scope of the initial position. The position also was a huge, UNNEEDED BURDEN TO TAXPAYERS primarily because of the computerization of the City's utility bills and the EXORBITANT AMOUNT of EXTRA TAXPAYER DOLLARS it cost CITY TAXPAYERS EACH MONTH FOR EIGHT YEARS because of allowing for the convenient 'absences' for the City Clerk/Treasurer, coupled with the City eventually paying for the FULL COST of the MEDICAL INSURANCE PREMIUM for the former employee holding that position until just recently.

Again, as not only a Mayoral candidate concerned about the WASTEFUL and UNNECESSARY SPENDING of TAXPAYER DOLLARS, but ALSO speaking as a resident, I am NOT CRITICAL of the former employee that 'filled' that position; I have NOTHING BUT PRAISE for the work she did; doing so, apparently; under 'UNKNOWN, LESS THAN DESIREABLE WORKING CONDITIONS'.

The position should NEVER have been 'expanded' to what it ended up being. It's the old a 'Frog in a Pot of Water' syndrome. The City Council should have 'caught' what was taking place by the City Clerk/Treasurer and the current Mayor, and HALTED IT in it's 'infancy'. But the City Council didn't 'catch' what was taking place; it MUST NOT BE ALLOWED TO HAPPEN AGAIN !!

AS YOUR MAYOR, I will work in cooperation of the City Council to ensure that employee 'year end pay increases' are not 'automatically given'; they must be EARNED. And, JUSTIFIED.

AS YOUR MAYOR, upon taking Office (if not before) and in an effort to 'Put The Last Six Years Behind Us' and look forward to a NEW and BRIGHTER FUTURE, the information that is currently contained on my Website and associated Webpages about the City of Hamburg, www.HAMBURGMINNESOTA.com, as they appear now, will become, with a few exceptions, pretty much NON-EXISTENT !! It makes MORE sense to me for us to 'turn the page' and "LOOK TO THE FUTURE" instead of "DWELLING ON WHAT'S TAKEN PLACE IN THE PAST" because; what's taken place in the past cannot be reversed or 'taken back'. It can ONLY be LEARNED from.

Reading the (no less than) THREE 'Informational Flyers' that I've mailed to ALL Hamburg residences, at MY OWN PERSONAL EXPENSE, (nobody is 'fronting' me ANY money for my Mayoral campaign !!) as well as reading the massive amount of information contained on my very comprehensive and informative Website about the City of Hamburg, dramatically demonstrates the need for NEW LEADERSHIP of Hamburg's next Mayor; LEADERSHIP that our City so desperately needs. While NO OTHER CANDIDATE has 'come anywhere close' to providing residents with any ideas or concepts about how to help improve the 'quality of life' for Hamburg residents and to reduce the UNNECESSARY and WASTEFUL SPENDING of TAXPAYER DOLLARS, PROVIDE TRANSPARENY of LOCAL GOVERNMENT and HOLD PUBLIC OFFICIALS ACCOUNTABLE, I care enough about Hamburg to have 'spelled out' what leadership and 'fresh ideas' I can bring to the Office of the Hamburg Mayor. I care enough to have taken the time and exert the effort that is necessary, to 'devise a plan' to get Hamburg 'back on track' after six years of our City 'bobbing like a cork in the ocean' because of the POOR LEADERSHIP AT CITY HALL !!

Also, ASK YOURSELF, how many other Candidates have taken the time to design 'mailers' containing information that RESIDENTS NEED TO KNOW about what's been taking place in OUR City for the PAST SIX YEARS !! Even MORE IMPORTANT is how many candidates have actually taken the time to provide City residents with NO LESS THAN THREE 'Informational Flyers' and a very COMPREHENSIVE WEBSITE so that when Hamburg residents go to the polls on Election Day, they'll be armed with PERTINENT, DOCUMENTED INFORMATION that will allow them to make an 'INFORMED DECISION' as to who should lead OUR City for the next four years; based on FACTS, instead of innuendo' and 'bar room gossip'.

The 'points' outlined in "MY VISION" for the City of Hamburg, while flexible; are at least a 'starting point' to provide City residents with a general idea of what we are capable of accomplishing, TOGETHER, for the 566 fine residents that call OUR City THEIR 'home'.

And, if you haven't 'guessed it' by now from reading the 'Informational Flyers' that I've mailed out to you, from visiting my very detailed Website about the City of Hamburg as well from the information contained on this particular Webpage, I'm NOT a ONE MAN BAND !! I respectfully ask that you acknowledge the number of times the above statements and information contain references like,"In cooperation with the City Council ......."

Folks; this Was SUPPOSED To Be A COMBINED EFFORT between the CITY RESIDENTS, the CITY COUNCIL, and the CITY MAYOR to ensure the future prosperity and success of the CITY that ALL of us living here, call 'HOME' !! And If YOU Have Any 'Thoughts And/Or Ideas', PLEASE SEND THEM TO ME At [email protected]. THANKS !!

BE SAFE !!

I LOOKED FORWARD TO RECEIVING YOUR SUPPORT

AT THE POLLS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH !!

If any resident has any questions about the information contained above, or anything else, for that matter, relating to what's

taking place in the City, I ENCOURAGE you to contact me by telephone (612) 460-8212, send me an

E-mail ([email protected]) or by snail-mail (150 Jacob Street).

THANK YOU, ONE AND ALL;

FOR YOUR SUPPORT !!

Sincerely,

RICHARD ODOMS

Candidate for Hamburg Mayor

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