The Hurricane Katrina tragedy at New Orleans was devastating to say the least and it should be a wake up call for the government at all levels. Although Minnesota does not need to worry about hurricanes, I will work hard to ensure that Minnesota has an updated disaster readiness plan for natural disasters to include tornados, blizzards, and widespread power outages. Alternative sources of energy and published evacuation plans need to be in place particularly for large metropolitan areas. I believe that a Minnesota disaster readiness plan at the state and local level should be accessible via the web to any interested Minnesota citizen at any time and this readiness plan needs to be updated on a regular basis. The first responder for any disaster should lie exclusively with state and local governments and not the federal government in response to any kind of natural disaster. In light of the recent natural disasters throughout the US, a state readiness plan is essential.

As a former corporate pilot who used global navigation system (GPS) navigation extensively throughout the US, I've seen firsthand the amazing reliability and precise accuracy of GPS. Some GPS systems have a margin of error within a few feet. Not only is GPS popular in the world of aviation, the technology has proliferated into many other areas including the hunting and fishing industries, automotive, and yes . . .  even in the criminal justice system.

I will actively support the use of GPS criminal tracking devices that monitor the whereabouts of sexual predators. I also support using online web based technologies for Minnesota citizens to logon to a free website to find the exact location of sexual predators 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Communities thrive when businesses, investors, and local/state government officials work together. Vibrant economic development should always be on the minds of community and state elected officials. Oftentimes, economic development and transportation go hand in hand.

As an active member of the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce, I have developed an even greater appreciation of the importance of economic development. It is imperative not only to attract new businesses into Central Minnesota, but to create and maintain an economic climate that is favorable to existing businesses as well. I think an additional justification for North Star has been made by recent escalating fuel prices. I also support the expansion of the St. Cloud Regional Airport including additional airline service.

Americans owe the men and women who serve in the US armed forces a debt of gratitude for the sacrifice they make for freedom we enjoy and also for liberating other countries from brutal dictators and tyranny. Members of the armed forces are often away from loved ones and the families left behind are left to deal with economic hardship and loneliness.

As a faculty member in the Department of Aviation at St. Cloud State University, several of my students are in the Minnesota National Guard. I am deeply thankful for their service, and I make a conscious effort to go out of my way to help them through my classes by allowing them to take exams early or complete assignments oversees when appropriate. If elected, I will support initiatives that are favorable to active members in the military and veterans.