Candidates Pequot Lakes Mayor – Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce

Pequot Lakes 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.

Tyler Gardner

Political Office: Mayor
Age: 35
Family: wife and 4 kids
Occupation: Garbologist

What are three words that define you as a candidate?

Passionate, Honest, Personable

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

Seeing our businesses (old and new) thrive. Working together with Planning and Zoning to encourage newcomers to WANT to be in Pequot Lakes. Do what it takes to get more businesses involved in the city happenings.

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

I will reach out to not only business owners, but their employees as well, to understand how each person is affected by certain decisions. I will strongly encourage our business community to go to Council meetings and be involved in the processes whenever possible.

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?

I think the City has room for improvement in this department. We need to work harder to come up with plans to encourage growth of existing businesses, as well as new business. We need to welcome them with ease of process.

Why should people vote for you?

I have spent the majority of my life in Pequot Lakes, coming and going a few times after high school in pursuit of "greener grass". I have such a heart for our community and want to do my part to give back to the City that gave me so much.

James Tayloe

Political Office: Mayor of Pequot Lakes
Age: 42
Family: Wife Christa Tayloe Daughter Jordyn Tayloe
Occupation: Plant Manager

What are three words that define you as a candidate?

Fair Consistent collaborative

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

We want our local businesses to continue to provide the products and services that local residents and visitors are looking for. We want our local businesses to thrive. We need to keep city parks, streets and sidewalks clean and safe to make our city welcoming

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

Work closely with Pequot Lakes Chamber of Commerce Community Action of Pequot Lakes as well as the individual businesses

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?

The Heart of the Good Life project that is shovel ready What could be improved is limiting some of the rules and regulations businesses have to overcome

Why should people vote for you?

I am open and consistent with my decisions I work well with people involved in projects and I listen to the community