FUTURE FOR
BLAIR
My approach to City government is based on four main principles
Responsible and Respectful City Government
This means anticipating problems when we can and solving them when we can’t. It means being accountable, planning carefully, and making sure the City is a good caretaker of its finances. We will work to make sure our representatives and staff address the public with clarity, accountability, transparency and respect.
Teamwork and Asset Building
The assets of the City of Blair include facilities and infrastructure, but the most important asset is our people. We need to be constantly looking for ways to make the City of Blair a good employer and to find and keep the best people to serve the people of Blair. Teamwork means working with all community stakeholders; our citizens, our schools, our business community, and our churches and philanthropic organizations.
Community Investment
I intend to encourage focusing on those investments which make Blair a better place to live, work, and play. It’s time to think of investment as more than just money. We will look for ways to invest in our kids, in our people, and in Blair.
Hometown Pride and Problem Solving
Pride is more than appreciating what you have…it is working every day to maintain it and make it better. Blair is not a place where we wait around for others to solve our problems. It’s a place where we roll up our sleeves and get things done.
MEET MINDY RUMP
Born at Memorial Community Hospital to Bob and Candy Suverkrubbe, Mindy spent her first years on Park Street. She attended Blair schools and showed interest in local government early in life, serving on student council and attending Close Up in Washington D.C. As a middle school student, Mindy even invited former mayor M. Stanley Jensen to join her for school lunch as a community leader. After earning a teaching degree at UNL and teaching in the Chicago area, Mindy and her husband Marty Rump made a conscious choice to move back to Blair to raise their two sons. Mindy began teaching music enrichment and preschool and is owner/director and teacher at Washington Street Preschool.
Mindy has been active in the Blair community her entire life and has seen first-hand the positive influence volunteers can have in the community. Mindy has had the opportunity to see the City from many perspectives; as a student, a parent, a volunteer, a business owner, and as a member of the City Council. Mindy knows that it takes hard work and cooperation to get things done and is uniquely qualified to represent the people of Blair.
Mindy’s Objectives as Mayor:
Follow Through
to complete valuable City projects that are underway, including Generations Park, City Water Plant upgrades, the truck route, and a comprehensive street maintenance program.
Collaborate
with the business community, schools, and citizens of Blair to determine priorities and best paths forward. The City can seldom solve major problems on its own. The biggest issues that have faced Blair, from Covid response to Dana College to housing availability, require collaboration between multiple stakeholders. My constant question will be, ‘What is the best way that the City can help?’
Safeguard
the dollars of Blair citizens. As a member of the finance committee, I have a good understanding of Blair’s budgetary requirements. Financing the operations of the City is not as easy as ‘don’t raise property taxes’. Financing comes from multiple sources, including property tax, sales tax revenue, bond issues, water and sewer rates, government grants, etc. Being a responsible caretaker means making sure the City’s budget and expenditures have proper balance while meeting the needs of the people of Blair.
Listen
to my constituents, the people of Blair. As a member of City Council, I tried to never approach a problem with a personal agenda or pre-formed opinion. My answer is almost always, ‘what can the City do to help?’
WHAT CAN THE CITY DO TO HELP?
My first duty is to be the best representative I can be for this town that I am so proud of. That means representing Blair and that means representing you at all times. Representing you means standing and acting as your voice. Whether acting as a City Council representative or as mayor, this means that I don’t have a personal agenda. It means that I plan to listen to your concerns, look for a reasonable path forward, and find ways to solve problems together. My question will always be ‘what can the City do to help?’
