Three File To Run For Hopkins City Council

As of Thursday afternoon, Hopkins has three candidates for the two City Council positions up for election this year. Hopkins Patch talked with the candidates about their qualifications, the issues they’ll focus on and what they’d be like as council members.

Check back with Patch regularly to see information on any other candidates who file before the Aug. 16 filing deadline and to see more-detailed discussions with the candidates about the issues facing Hopkins.

Molly Cummings

Time in Hopkins: 23 years

Education: Some college

Job: Works part time for an accounting firm during tax season

Family: Husband, Sheldon Berg; son; daughter and two grandchildren

Government experience

• Graduated with Hopkins’ first Community Emergency Response Team class
• Attended the Hopkins Citizens Academy twice
• Served on the Park Board, becoming chairwoman in her final year on the board
• Served on the Zoning and Planning Commission and was earlier this year

Other relevant experience

• Volunteered 10 years at the
• Volunteers extensively with —including training two dogs to help the physically disabled, interviewing families who are interested in training dogs and working on the auction committee for the organization’s upcoming fundraiser
• Volunteers at schools and at
• Founded the Avenues Neighborhood Association in 2010 and is the current president

Issues of interest

• Building a strong community: Said the council has got a good start at forging bonds with the diverse groups and would like to continue what they’ve started.
• Encouraging all residents to get involved: Believes that all residents have a stake in their community—whether they’re renters or homeowners. Cummings would like to help them get involved in making Hopkins the best city it can be. “Because I’m so pro-citizen involvement, I think every citizen has a voice and I think every citizen should exercise that voice.”

Biggest challenges facing Hopkins

• Finances: Hopkins faces some of the widespread economic challenges that resulted from the economic downturn. Cummings would like to focus on maximizing partnerships with other entities—such as federal, state and county government.
• Redevelopment

Approach as a city councilwoman: Echoing her emphasis on the importance of citizen involvement, Cummings said she would make sure to consider all voices in a discussion. “I think that one of my really strong suits is my ability to listen to lots of divergent opinions and make a difficult decision that will be the best for the city.”

Jason Gadd

Time in Hopkins: 15 years

Education: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Communications Studies Minor

Job: Owner of , a Web application developer

Family: Wife, Laura Chesney-Gadd

Government experience

• Serves on the Park Board, becoming chairman in 2010

Other relevant experience

• Hopkins Business & Civic Association board member, serving as president from 2006 to 2007
• Member of the Jaycees since 1995, serving as Hopkins president in 1998 and state president in 2009
• Co-founded the Hopkins Marketing Task Force
• Member of the Think Hopkins Marketing Team from 2006 to the present
• Co-founder and event coordinator for the Hopkins Heritage Celebration
• Member of the Friends of the Hopkins Center for the Arts
• Named the Hopkins Business & Civic Association’s person of the year in 2004 and received the Jaycees’ 10 Outstanding Young Minnesotan award in 2006

Issues of interest

• Marketing Hopkins: Wants to continue the Think Hopkins campaign but enhance that marketing by looking at what other cities are doing best.
• Fiscal responsibility: Plans to seek the opinion of diverse groups to makes decisions that are good for both the present and the future.
• Promoting “active citizenship”: Would encourage people to get involve, find people who can affect the areas they’re passionate about and work with civic organizations.
• Economic development: Would encourage new businesses to come to Hopkins and help Hopkins residents understand the businesses available here so they can support the local economy.
• Quality of life: After his experience on the Park Board, he’s more focused on improving quality of life through resources such as parks.

Biggest challenges facing Hopkins

• Economy: Hopkins is a unique position because the state has already phased out the city’s state aid, meaning it no longer has to fear further state cuts.  

Approach as a city councilman: Gadd said he would take a hands-on approach to the position. He would gather research, collect information from various groups and look to see whether there will be further issues. “I like getting out and talking to people,” he added.

Eric Reuben Mullen

Time in Hopkins: Six years

Education: Two-year business degree

Job: Server at in St. Louis Park

Family: Not married, no children

Government experience

• None

Other relevant experience

• Property owner in Hopkins for six years
• Polished his customer service skills in his job
• Was a Boy Scout and learned about local government while with the organization

Issues of interest

• Property taxes and property issues: Interested in digging deeper into property issues and wants to learn more about other issues before making any conclusions. “I don’t have much experience in the whole field,” he said. “I want to kind of get my feet wet.”

Biggest challenges facing Hopkins

• Balance: Feels the community needs to preserve Hopkins' small-town feel while still attracting new businesses and residents.

Approach as a city councilman: Mullen describes himself as a strong leader. He said he’s very approachable and likes talking to people—and representing them. “I’ve got a good voice to be there for other people,” he said, adding that he doesn’t jump to conclusions. “I don’t like to take a side if I don’t have to. I like to listen to all sides.” The 29-year-old said his relative youth would also be an asset because it would offer a new mentality, encourage young people to get involved and perhaps attract more of them to the area.