Paul Gremmels 

Running unopposed for Pope County District 1

(Includes Minnewaska, White Bear Lake Townships and the City of Starbuck.))

Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications.  

I am a 1981 graduate of Glenwood High School. Six years of honorable service to the United States Marine Corps. Four-year BA degree from the University of Minnesota. Thirty-two years with United Parcel Service (UPS) and twenty-two years as a Teamsters Steward.

Why are you running for office?  What are your personal priorities, if elected?

I am running for office to represent the constituents of my District. I have never believed that personal priorities should affect the decisions of a public servant.

How does your experience and/or background prepare you for the decision-making needed to be an effective county commissioner?  

At a young age, in the Marines, I was called upon to make difficult decisions in often arduous environments. I also successfully moved through academia and conversely worked for one of the largest corporations (UPS) in the world while being a Labor representative for the Teamsters Union. These experiences gave me a diverse outlook on decision making and leadership principles. I also became financially independent in my personal life. Like other hard-working people, who have “balanced their own checkbooks” it has caused me to be a fiscal conservative with a keen eye toward wasteful expenditures and developed a simple income-outgo financial principle.   

List two county issues that you consider most important and what you plan to do about them.  

I don’t believe that we can single out any “two” issues as the “most important.” Because, if any one person or group has a problem, that problem is very important to them. Overall, a look at the County’s budget and where the money goes quickly tells us that infrastructure is a key issue. I believe, in order to maintain our quality of life in this community, that it is important to have good roads, safe schools, quality healthcare and well trained and supported emergency services and law enforcement.  

Why should voters cast their vote for you?  

One criticism that I have received is that I have never worked in County Government. Frankly, I see this as an asset not a detriment, as I owe no single person, department or entity–anything. I also believe my life experiences have more than prepared me for this work. Although I am running unopposed, I would very much appreciate your vote of confidence. Thank you for your time.