Carver Is Growing Fast. So Why Don’t Residents Know Their Mayor? | Courtney Johnson

Carver, Minnesota is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Twin Cities metro, but many residents don’t know who their mayor is. Mayor Courtney Johnson joins me on Living In Carver County to talk about local news, civic engagement, and keeping a growing community connected. It started at an open house I was hosting in Carver. Courtney had stopped in while dropping off campaign flyers. As she was leaving, two Carver residents came in, and neither of them recognized her. That’s surprising, because she’s one of the most visible mayors in Carver County. So we talked about why. Courtney is running for her fourth term and, for the first time, has no opponent. She’s also the new President of the League of Minnesota Cities, which gives her a view of what’s happening in communities across the state. We talk about Carver’s growth from about 7,500 residents today to a projected 19,000 by 2050, how the mayor and city council divide the work, and what Carver lost when the Chaska Herald stopped publishing. She walks through how Carver reaches residents now: council meetings livestreamed on YouTube since 2019, a monthly newsletter mailed with every utility bill, the Carver app, mayor’s office hours during Steamboat Days, and small dinners at her own kitchen table. She also explains why she stays off the community Facebook page and what a quiet, busy, young-family community means for local government. For anyone buying a home in Carver, Chaska, Victoria, Chanhassen, or Waconia, there’s practical advice here too. Before you buy, stop by City Hall and ask to see the future land use map. That cornfield behind the house won’t stay a cornfield forever. And yes, we answer the Trader Joe’s question. Chapters 0:00 Welcome and the open house story 1:33 Being recognized (and not recognized) around town 3:17 Carver’s growth: 7,500 people today, nearly 19,000 by 2050 5:45 Leading the League of Minnesota Cities 8:36 How the mayor and council actually work in Carver 11:25 Life after the Chaska Herald 13:50 How Carver keeps residents informed now 16:13 Community Facebook groups and misinformation 17:56 Young families and quiet engagement 20:25 Listening sessions on the Public Services facility 24:03 Running unopposed for the first time 25:59 Welcoming new neighbors in the Enclave and Summerfield 28:19 What homebuyers should ask City Hall before they buy 32:19 The Trader Joe’s question 33:29 One thing every resident can do Courtney’s one wish for every resident is to read the city newsletter. You can find past issues here: https://cityofcarver.com/Archive.aspx... Living In Carver County is an insider’s conversation with the people who make Carver County a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Connecting friends, building community. Substack: https://HelloIamGregAnderson.substack... LinkedIn:   / gregoryranderson   #CarverMN #CarverCounty #LivingInCarverCounty Carver MN, City of Carver, Carver Minnesota mayor, Courtney Johnson, Carver County, Living In Carver County, League of Minnesota Cities, Chaska Herald, local news, civic engagement, Carver MN growth, Enclave Carver MN, Summerfield Carver, moving to Carver MN, Carver County real estate, Chaska MN, Victoria MN, Chanhassen MN, Waconia MN, Twin Cities suburbs, Steamboat Days