I’m a local mom with two teenage daughters.  When I talk with friends about issues that affect us, we seem to focus on common problems: out-of-control health care costs, the frightening growth of meth use and availability in Carver County, sky-high property taxes and elected officials seeming to not listen to our problems. It’s time for a change.

I have known Laura Helmer only a few years, most recently as President of the Friends of the Chanhassen Library, and as I get to know her better, I see what a caring and intelligent person she really is.  She works very hard and is tireless when she wants to accomplish something.   She volunteers many hours to causes she believes in, and I’ve seen her many times get a diverse group of people to work together with positive results.

Laura is dedicated to doing what’s best for our community and has the communication skills and passion we need to represent us and make our community a safer place to call home.  I plan to vote for Laura Helmer on November 7^th.

Nadia Janson
Chanhassen

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What do you want in your elected officials?

I want someone who will listen to me, someone who is responsive, even if she disagrees with every word I have to say.

I observed State Senate candidate Laura Helmer in action at the Carver County Fair in August. She greeted everyone who walked by her booth and visited with those who stopped. Several had questions about specific issues. Laura was an attentive listener, making notes to herself and offering her views, but always engaging in two-sided discussion. She definitely left people with a good impression and convinced them of her moderate, reasoned approach.

For example, Laura is an advocate of healthcare as a basic right. She also knows that consumers, businesses and government are all being hit hard – too hard – by healthcare cost increases that far outpace the state’s economy and worker’s wages. Laura is committed to finding innovative ways to provide more Minnesotans with quality, affordable health care while at the same time practicing sound fiscal policies and responsible government spending.

While I value an elected official who shares my views, I can respect an elected official who will listen thoughtfully to what I have to say even if her views are different. For the past four years, I have considered myself completely unrepresented in the State Senate. I want that to change. That’s why I will be voting for Laura Helmer for State Senate in District 34 on November 7.

Judy Monn
Chanhassen

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When you vote, do you strictly vote for one party or another?  I’ve never met anyone who agrees 100% with a political party’s platform.  On a national level, it’s sometimes hard to feel like we have any power over decision-making.  But on a local or state level, we should be able to access our candidates and our voice should be heard.

When it comes to local government, it’s important to find out how a candidate is going to vote on issues that matter to you.  The decisions made in St. Paul directly affect your day to day life—things like public safety, and transportation.   I care about things like creating more boating safety laws, limiting cell phone use by teenage drivers, and I don’t want my taxes to keep creeping up without accountability for how those dollars are being spent.

How do we know if a candidate is really voting for the things we want, or if the candidate is just feeding us a line?  When will a candidate do what their district wants or do what the party wants-either party?  I found it’s actually very easy to do.  You can talk to the candidates—either in person, or by sending them an e-mail.  You can go to their websites.  More important than anything, your state senator should be accessible to you.  You can go to http://www.leg.state.mn.us/lrl/issues/ratings.asp to find voting records for incumbents.

I’ve done my research, and I’ve talked to the candidates.  Laura Helmer listened to my concerns, and she tried to understand not just what I was saying, but why.  She is devoted to CarverCounty and she wants to talk to as many people out here as possible to better represent us.  Your vote in November is going to determine who will be making the decisions that affect us every day.  Don’t vote without knowing the individual for whom you are voting.  Election day will be here in no time and I encourage you to do your own research and to talk to the people who will ultimately be your voice in St. Paul.

Christie Callahan