Candidate Profile: Claudia Johnston-Madison

Editor's Note: Each day this week, St. Louis Park Patch will profile one of the five people competing for two seats on the City Council this year. Absentee voting in the 2011 city election begins Friday. A primary for one seat is Aug. 9, with the general election for both seats Nov. 8.

This isn’t the first time Claudia Johnston-Madison has run for St. Louis Park City Council, but her motivating factor hasn't really changed.

“I think I have something to contribute,” said Johnston-Madison, who has lived in St. Louis Park for 22 years. “I like getting involved in the community.”

Two years ago, Johnston-Madison—who is up against Tim Brausen and Jake Spano for an at-large spot this year—lost to Anne Mavity in the Ward Two race. Johnston-Madison called that race “hectic” and “hard fought,” but also educational.

“It was a really good learning experience,” she said. “I think it’ll help me this time around.”

Johnston-Madison’s civic involvement in St. Louis Park goes much deeper than one failed bid for council, however. She has chaired the Minikahda Vista Neighborhood Association since 2000, has been on the St. Louis Park Planning Commission since 2004 and got involved with the Project Management Team for the freight rail relocation study.

The issue of a potential freight rail reroute through St. Louis Park is one of the most important to Johnston-Madison, and the candidate said she supported the council’s 6-1 decision earlier this month to pass a resolution .

Other transportation issues also are key to Johnston-Madison. She wants to create better north-south access through St. Louis Park and develop solid plans for the frontage roads near Minnesota Highway 100 before the state proceeds with a proposed reconstruction project.

“We’re an old city, and we don’t have a lot of north-south and east-west roads,” Johnston-Madison said. “We really need to do something about that, especially if we’re going to encourage development.”

Johnston-Madison has spent a decade working for the health care company Medica, currently focusing on provider contracts. When not working, she said she enjoys getting together with family in the area at least monthly. And Johnston-Madison also recently bought a pair of used skis, with plans of taking up cross-country skiing this winter for the first time in her life.

But perhaps her biggest hobby is collecting antiques. Her most cherished possession is a 1932 Sessions mantle clock, though Johnston-Madison has plenty of other pieces as well.

“My husband says, ‘The next thing we do is add on to the house,’” she said with a laugh.