There are four Cannon Falls City Council seats up for election this fall: a pair of two-year terms and a pair of four-year terms. Running for the two-year terms are current city council members Chad Johnson and Lisa Zimmerman, as well as newcomer Jim Hoffman. Running for the four-year terms are Steve Carlsen, David Alvstad and current city council member Diane Johnson.
The Cannon Falls Beacon sent out identical questionnaires to all the Cannon Falls City Council and mayor candidates. Here are Steve Carlsen's responses:
Steve Carlsen
Name: Steve Carlsen
Address: 315 Stoughton St. East
Family: The Carlsen Family
Education: BA - Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA - Political Science/ Marymount University, Arlington, VA.
Occupation: Receptionist at Cannon Rivers Senior Living in Cannon Falls.
Political Experience: High School Student Government President, Legislative Analyst for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, DC,;United Nations intern, New York City.
Any site/social media where voters can learn more about you: https://www.facebook.com/steve.carlsen.106; https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-carlsen-7153a1b5; https://goo.gl/photos/pN4CpL9JFeLz3rHv7.
What prompted/inspired you to run for this position? This is my third attempt. The first was in 2018, second in 2024. Our property taxes are too high. They have tripled in the 20 years that I have been here. We need more efficient spending habits – more accountability.
What do you believe are the major issues facing the city? With property taxes going up every year, that is retarding economic growth and making life more difficult for everyone in a town of only 4,200 people.
What do you wish to accomplish if you are elected? I see waste in our budget. Also, in the 20 years I’ve lived here, I have not seen one new business established in our industrial park. More business growth would (or should) fuel lower property taxes.
What do you believe are some strengths of the city? Cannon Falls has a small town feel, which I like. The churches and people are friendly here and I find that very appealing. A great family town too.
What do you think you would bring to the position? Accountability, honesty, integrity, attention to detail and experience. In my lifetime, I have had the honor of working for the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, the United Nations, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the Department of the Navy (I’m a Navy veteran). I have seen how our government can work, but I’ve also seen how your government can waste your tax dollars. We have a fiduciary responsibility to spend their money wisely, as if it were our own, because in reality, it is. It is rude to keep raising our property taxes every year by a couple hundred dollars. That’s less money for you and your family. Thank you very much for your support.
Have you worked or volunteered for the city previously? Not for Cannon Falls specifically, but for Big Brother/Little Brother; The United Nations; Adopt a Highway; The Naval Enlisted Reserve Association; The American University in Washington, DC; Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, PA, etc.