Michael Metro (River Falls Common Council District 4, Wisconsin, candidate 2024)

Michael Metro

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Nonpartisan

Candidate, River Falls Common Council District 4

Elections and appointments

Last election

April 2, 2024

Education

High school

Mankato West High School

Bachelor's

Winona State University, 2002

Personal

Birthplace

Fall River, Mass.

Profession

Consultant

Contact

Campaign Facebook

Michael Metro ran for election to the River Falls Common Council District 4 in Wisconsin. He was on the ballot in the general election on April 2, 2024.

Metro completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Michael Metro provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on March 26, 2024:

• Birth date: August 23, 1972
• Birth place: Fall River, Massachusetts
• High school: Mankato West High School
• Bachelor's: Winona State University, 2002
• Gender: Male
• Profession: Consultant
• Incumbent officeholder: No
• Campaign slogan: Lead With Connection!
• Campaign Facebook

Elections

General election

General election for River Falls Common Council District 4

Incumbent Todd Bjerstedt and Michael Metro ran in the general election for River Falls Common Council District 4 on April 2, 2024.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Todd Bjerstedt (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Michael Metro (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Metro in this election.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Michael Metro completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Metro's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Michael Metro

I am Partner to Heidi. Papa to Noah 15, Theo 14, and Ivy 11 Graduate of Winona State University Certified Personal Trainer/Health Coach Director of Strategic Partnerships with When You Lead Coaching and Consulting

We’ve lived in River Falls for nearly 9 years.

Heidi and I have three children one at River Falls High School, one at Meyer Middle and one is at River Falls Public Montessori Elementary 

I love Running, Astronomy, History, Photography, and Raptors. My goal is to build bridges and demonstrate how our community can work together to create equitable and sustainable solutions. This can be done by Engaging in civil conversation and fostering community connection Bringing diverse perspectives to the conversation

A natural curiosity about how to contribute to solutions involving the environment, future planning, and equity in our fantastic town

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• My goal is to lead with curiosity and listen to understand. I believe that effective leaders understand the value in recognizing that they do not have all the answers. Listening to understand allows people to share their experience and then you can ask relevant follow up questions. I recognize that we are all only the sum of our own experiences and there is value in hearing others experiences.
• I believe we are better as collaborative partners. If we are working together in good faith toward a common goal the chances of outcomes that will benefit the community as a whole are significantly higher.
• Community engagement and transparency are key. Identifying opportunities to involve the community in decisions that will impact them is a big part of getting it right.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about equity in public policy. That means ensuring access to affordable housing, consideration of the demographic make up of the community in the future, access to transportation, sustainability, and economic development opportunities.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

This is where the rubber meets the road. In local government you are in the immediate proximity of the people who elected you. There is a different level of accountability when you see someone in the grocery store or at a ball game. The impact of your actions have a direct line to you.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Sum of Us by Heather McGhee. It highlights the plethora of benefits of shared visions and looking toward the collective good. The book illustrates in stark contrast the consequences of viewing policies and resources through a deficit lens. We are seeing the negative impact of approaching governance from a "zero sum" mindset. An inability or unwillingness to collaborate or compromise is harmful to us all. Understanding that we are in this together and looking for solutions that benefit the collective is the only way forward.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Willingness to listen, curiosity, self-reflection, empathy, confidence, humility, and a commitment to representing the District ethically and honestly.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

To listen, learn, and advocate for their constituents. To find SMART solutions to complex problems.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like my legacy to be advocacy. I feel compelled to leave my sphere, my community, and the world a better place. That is done by seeking solutions to problems instead of creating roadblocks and barriers. It also requires the ability to listen to and validate the experiences of others, even those you might not agree with. If we can model that for the generations that come after us then there is still hope for humanity.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

1979 I was 7 years old when the Iranian Revolution happened and I remember watching the drama of the Hostage Crisis play out every night on the news.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My very first job was working at Taughannock Falls State Park in up state New York. It was an awesome summer job between my Sophomore and Junior year of high school.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

None that I am aware of.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

I'm sure it would be helpful and each municipality operates differently. Regardless of prior experience or not, I believe that coming to the office with an open mind and being ready to learn can be an effective strategy.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

As a dedicated advocate for social justice and equity work, I have consistently served as an agent of change in professional and personal spaces. My approach, characterized by leading with curiosity and a commitment to active listening, has developed through diverse roles as a personal trainer, coach, consultant, and activist. I excel in fostering robust connections within and between institutions, organizations, and communities. My skill in facilitating collaborative conversations and identifying partnership opportunities aligns perfectly with the office. I bring a unique blend of skills, including the ability to nurture and communicate shared visions and goals, which is essential for developing connected, collaborative, and productive solutions for our community.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I am in favor of both. Transparency and accountability are the tools by which the community can ensure their elected officials are doing their job.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Candidate

River Falls Common Council District 4

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