Candidates Nisswa Mayor – Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce

Nisswa Mayor

All candidates listed above were contacted by the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce for participation in this Voting Guide. Responses received from our questionnaire are published exactly as submitted, with no additional editing. Please note that candidates marked with * did not respond.

John Ryan

Political Office: Mayor of Nisswa
Political Party: Independent
Age: 57
Family: Wife and Son
Occupation: Retired Law Enforcement/Grounds Supervisor Grand View Lodge
Contact: letstalknisswa@gmail.com

What are three words that define you as a candidate?

Honesty, Questioning, Decisive

What are your priorities as they relate to our local business community?

We need to maintain our status as a tourist destination, as well as attract additional businesses that will provide jobs that support our growing population. One area we will need to grow is support jobs for our retirement population.

If elected, how would you engage the business community when weighing your decisions?

Just because a Business owner is not a resident dose not mean their needs and ideas are not valuable. Our business community is a vital artery. We will engage, and value their input. Businesses and residents both have a place at the table. We all need to work together.

In your opinion, what has been the (city’s, county’s or state’s) greatest success in encouraging business growth or eliminating barriers? What could be strengthened or improved?

Nisswa's infrastructure and Planning and Zoning are areas critical to our success. We need to continue our street improvements plan and simplify where possible our permitting process. The challenge will be to maintain a strong defense of our environmental assets which draw so many to our community.

Why should people vote for you?

Having 30 years of law Enforcement experience taught me that every voice has merit. Just because we may not agree we will respectfully discuss and solve problems. Elected officials serve the people of the community including those who don't vote for them. This is not my community, it's our community.