Thomas supports a safe and vibrant city, with a tax base supported by successful businesses and a mix of multi-family housing and single-family homes. Thomas also supports the development of walkable mixed-use areas, with commercial and residential rental space in proximity to shared community space. In addition, Thomas supports a well-trained and adequately-resourced local police department to protect people and property. Thomas supports a local tax burden that is sufficient, but no greater than necessary, to maintain Coon Rapids as the vibrant and welcoming community that it is. To that end, Thomas is also in support of the proposed Local Option Sales Tax as a funding mechanism for both a new community center and upgrades to the Coon Rapids Police Department’s facilities; this proposed tax would share the financial burden with those who live in neighboring cities and who also make use of the shopping and amenities that Coon Rapids provides for the entire North Metro area. 

Thomas also believes that Coon Rapids is strong as a city not only because it is growing, but because it is growing in diversity.  Thomas’s young family has been safe and welcome in this community, and he wants nothing less for any other family.  To that end, Thomas opposes the federal government’s recent “immigration enforcement” operations, which have created a climate of fear, violated civil rights, infringed on local control, and resulted in the unjustiable death of a United States citizen. Thomas opposes providing any local assistance in this or any similar operations.