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and wanted this community to be excellent. He stated he was passionate about the role of government in <br />society. <br />Mayor Johnson asked what Mr. Cook believed were the three most important responsibilities a commission <br />member has to the community. <br />Mr. Cook stated the member would have to be willing to listen to the community, listen to the City Council <br />and seek active ways to make the community better. <br />Councilmember Burg asked how Mr. Cook would handle a situation where someone contacted him voicing <br />opposition to an item being discussed at your commission. She questioned if this would change if this person <br />was a family member or close friend. <br />Mr. Cook stated he would listen and take notes on what this individual had to say. He would find out as much <br />as he could about their point of view and would then bring it to his Commission and/or the City Council. He <br />understood that there were a wide variety of opinions out there and all were valid. He hoped to approach this <br />type of situation with a level head in order to hear the person out. <br />Councilmember Jacobsen asked how Mr. Cook would represent himself in the public if there was a policy or <br />ordinance he disagreed with. <br />Mr. Cook stated he would have to abide by it because it was already in place. If he felt there was strong <br />support for the policy being overturned he would proceed through the proper channels. <br />Councilmember Strub stated based on how long Mr. Cook has lived in New Brighton, he questioned what the <br />biggest challenges were for the City. <br />Mr. Cook stated he was not familiar with all of the challenges facing the City. However, he understood <br />Hanson Park was a concern. He stated he would like to see more in the City's parks and knew these were areas <br />of value to the community. He also wanted to see people being treated fairly from a public safety point of <br />view. <br />Mayor Johnson asked which of the following strikes Mr. Cook as the most interesting: land use and variance, <br />economic programs, business retention and redevelopment, impacts of recreation in the community, or the <br />impacts of public safety services. <br />Mr. Cook commented he was most interested in public safety services. His second area of interest would be <br />land use and variances. <br />Mayor Johnson asked if Mr. Cook had any questions for the Council. <br />Mr. Cook questioned what the next steps were for the Council. <br />Mayor Johnson stated the Council would be making decisions on the positions and staff would be in touch. <br />She encouraged Mr. Cook to contact the City with any further questions he may have. She thanked Mr. Cook <br />for coming forward and being willing to serve the City. <br />