Why I Do What I Do: A Legacy of Small Town Grit and Heart

Same building. 50 years apart.

This photo is more than just a piece of family history for me. It’s a story of grit, dreams, and community. The Coast to Coast hardware store in Little Falls, Minnesota was owned by my grandparents, Robert and Shirley Hedburg. They were a young couple—hard-working, hopeful, and determined to build something that mattered—not just for their family, but for their town.

People often ask me why I do what I do at the Chamber and on the City Council. This is why.

I come from a small business family. I’ve seen firsthand the sacrifices and long hours it takes to run a business, to raise a family, and to contribute meaningfully to your community. I watched my grandparents create not just a livelihood, but a place of peace and prosperity—a shining city on a hill, even if it was just a small shop on Main Street.

That legacy lives in me.

If you’ve ever worked with me, you know my heart is in helping families and businesses make their dreams come true. Just like Bob and Shirley starting out, hoping to do a little better than the generation before, trying to make something good for their kids and grandkids—I see that same story play out every day here in Eagle Mountain.

I see it in our small business owners grinding away, showing up rain or shine, giving everything they have to make this community better. I see you, and I’m here for you.

When I’m wondering what needs to be done next, I ask myself:What do I wish existed to help my dad when he was running a business? What would’ve made things easier for my grandparents?

We are building someone’s hometown right now.If not for our own children, then for someone’s children.And I want that hometown to be a place they’re proud of—a place where, when someone asks, “Where are you from?” they can say with pride and excitement,“I’m from Eagle Mountain.”

As your Mayor, I will:

• Be present and engaged in the community, listening and acting on the things we can do better.

• Work with businesses and City Council to remove red tape and make Eagle Mountain a place where businesses can thrive.

• Always remember that it’s the people—families, small businesses, and everyday neighbors—that make this city special.

• Protect what we love about Eagle Mountain so that generations from now, it will still be a special place to call home.

If you believe in Eagle Mountain like I do, and want a Mayor who will fight to build a hometown we can all be proud of—I’d be honored to have your vote.