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responsibilities of an advisory commission member to the community. <br />Bruce Knight believed showing up was important, along with speaking your mind and having a sense of <br />purpose to make New Brighton a better place. <br />Councilmember Jacobsen asked why he would be a good person to represent the opinions and concerns of the <br />City. <br />Mr. Knight stated he was a good person because he was average, not especially wealthy or poor or educated. <br />He believed he fit with the mainstream of New Brighton. <br />Councilmember Strub requested Mr. Knight describe his involvement with the New Brighton business <br />community. <br />Mr. Knight stated he does not currently have any involvement with the New Brighton business community, <br />other than his service on the EDC. <br />Councilmember Bauman requested further comment on Mr. Knight's experiences as they relate to economic <br />development. <br />Mr. Knight indicated he serves on the EDC and owned a small business. He stated he moved his business four <br />or five times and employed two to 38 employees. He has experience managing property, buying land and <br />constructing a new building. <br />Mayor Jacobsen questioned what Mr. Knight knew about economic development in New Brighton, in <br />particular the City's successes and challenges. <br />Mr. Knight commented the NBE site was really turning from a lemon into a huge success. He believed that it <br />always a good idea, but market forces turned it into a white elephant into a success. The lesson is there is only <br />so much the government can do, as larger forces were at work. He believed the EDC should be looking at its <br />goals and missions, with a strategic eye on the endeavors of the Council. <br />Mayor Jacobsen discussed the roles of the EDC and asked if Mr. Knight had experience in developing long <br />and short range plans and strategies. <br />Mr. Knight had experience in developing long and short term business plans. He reported he was not well <br />experienced in real estate. He understood the concept, need and how to implement a plan that takes into <br />account projected revenues and expenses. <br />Councilmember Bauman thanked Mr. Knight for attending and for his willingness to serve the City. She asked <br />if he had any questions for the Council. <br />Mr. Knight stated he felt the EDC members were on a different plane or level. He expressed this concern with <br />Chair Zisla and believed further clarity needed to be provided as to the goals and objectives of the EDC. He <br />welcomed the Council to attend an EDC meeting. <br />Mayor Jacobsen reported the Council would be attending the March 18th EDC meeting and some direction <br />would be provided to the EDC. <br />Councilmember Burg asked the first question and wondered what were the three most important