Solutions for Minnesota!

About Gary

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My father always said, “If all things are equal, people will do the right thing.” It is government’s duty, in its limited ability, to make things equal in issues of conflict where citizens don’t act in their own best interests.

The purpose of government is to improve the human condition for everyone, not just a few, and to help citizens live with pride and confidence.

I have lived in Chanhassen most of my life. My parents Herb and Loretta moved to Chanhassen when I was 3 years old. I went to school at St. Hubert’s and Guardian Angels High School when there were still working farms between Powers Blvd. and downtown Chan. I grew up in Carver Beach on Lotus Lake. I have seen Chanhassen & Chaska grow from sleepy farm communities to thriving suburbs. I have raised in Chanhassen two beautiful children who are now hard working adults, working full time while going to college.

After spending 1 year at Guardian Angels in Chaska, I graduated from Minnetonka High school, Hennepin Technical College, and the University of Minnesota. I have worked most of my career as a pre press technician in the printing industry. Most recently I am a graphic artist, webmaster and IT manager at a member supported non-profit in Edina, the Health Care Compliance Association.

I first became active in politics in 1992. As a motorcyclist I was a member of the Minnesota Motorcycle Riders Association. We were concerned about the real possibility of the state of Minnesota reenacting a mandatory helmet law due to mandates from the federal government that would have slashed highway funding without a law change. The argument against a helmet law made sense to me then and still does now.

In 1976 the last year of the mandatory helmet law there were 86 fatalities and 1560 motorcycle accidents. In 1991 there were 38 fatalities and 1,198 accidents. How did this happen with nearly twice as many motorcycles registered in Minnesota in 1991? Education. In 1982 the Minnesota legislature founded and funded the Minnesota Motorcycle Safety foundation (MMSF), an organization that trains bikers how to ride better and safer. We mandated that any minor who wanted a motorcycle license had to complete the course and we encouraged new adult riders to take the course. MMSF also designed a course for experienced riders.

In 1992 I became a delegate to the state DFL convention and helped place in the party platform a resolution supporting motorcycle safety training instead of a mandatory helmet law that statistically doesn’t reduce the number of accidents or fatalities. The law never changed.

Now I encourage every motorcyclist to wear a helmet and protective clothing, but I will fight for any licensed adult rider to ride without a helmet any day. I'm happy to report that today motorcycle fatalities and accidents are still below 1976.