Laliberte, Etten Looking Forward To Serving on Council

Roseville's two newly-elected City Council members said they are looking forward to taking office in January.

Winning election Tuesday night to two four-year terms were Lisa Laliberte  and Jason Etten. Laliberte led the field of four candidates, receiving 7,870 or 28.3 percent of the total votes. Etten was second with 7,370 or 26.5 percent of the vote.

Losing were Karen Schaffer. who received 6,886 votes or 24.76 percent of the total, and Bill Hoffman, who got 5,560 or 19.9 percent of all votes cast.

The fall Council campaign was marked by a bevy of issues including proposed property tax increases, discussion about organized trash hauling in Roseville, bonding for the construction of a new city fire station and public park improvements and how the candidates feel about a recent council decision to approve a Wal-Mart store in the Twin Lakes neighborhood.

Laliberte said that while the City Council decision to OK bonding of the fire station and park improvement projects without a voter referendum was a hot-button topic, "I didn't make that the cornerstone of my campaign."

Although Laliberte led a field of seven candidates in Roseville's primary election this past summer, she said she didn't have any idea how the general election would turn out. However, Laliberte said she worked hard during the campaign.

"Then, it was up to the voters to decide if I was someone who they felt could represent them," Laliberte said. "I am grateful and thankful that the people have put their trust in me."

Etten echoed similar sentiments. "It is amazing and humbling to take this next step to serve Roseville as a City Council member," he said. "I look forward to working with Lisa LaLiberte, the others on the City Council, citizens and city staff.
 
"There will be a lot of work ahead as I prepare to become a Council member in January," Etten continued. "I promise to be a thoughtful and honest public servant who is thinking about the people of Roseville when making decisions.  I will work for a vibrant future for our city."

Meanwhile, Hoffman was philosophical about his defeat and gratified to get as strong of a vote, as he did.

"I was a long shot and a relative unknown," Hoffman said. "I talked about the things that I thought were important," he said, alluding to rising city taxes and the Council's recent vote to approve bonding for the new fire station and first phase of capital  park improvements without a voter referendum. 

Want to  keep abreast of Roseville news and information? Please subscribe to our newletter that  will be sent to your email account. Also, _like us on Facebook and follow us _on Twitter_