PRODUCED BY ECHO JOURNAL
A VOTER’S GUIDE TO THE 2020 ELECTION
2020 VOTER’S GUIDE INFORMATION The purpose of the 2020 Voters Guide is to share information about area candidates seeking to serve their communities by being elected to city council, school board, county board, legislative and congressional district seats in the Echo Journal coverage area. This guide concentrates on candidates in contested races, and includes their answers to three questions in hopes of helping voters decide who to cast votes for at the polls Tuesday,
Nov. 3, or via absentee or mail ballots. The Echo Journal reached out to candidates multiple times via email and telephone to receive as many responses as possible. Candidates in each race are listed in alphabetical order. Because of space constraints, only contested area races are included in this guide, and candidates were limited to 75-word answers per question. The two city council candidates for a special election in Manhat-
tan Beach didn’t respond to the Echo Journal, but we included the information they shared with the Brainerd Dispatch. There is no race for another city council seat or the clerk/treasurer seat in that city. Candidates are incumbent Janis Allen for the council seat and Marlene Yurek (currently holds seat via appointment) for clerk/treasurer. There are no contested races in Lake Shore, Backus, Chickamaw Beach or East Gull Lake. Candidates in those cities are:
Lake Shore
Chickamaw Beach
Backus
East Gull Lake
Mayor: Krista Knudsen, curMayor: Murel Backman. rent city council member. Kevin City council (elect 2): Lindsey Egan did not file for re-election. Lindstrom and LeAnn Sand. City council (elect 2): IncumCouncil special election (elect bent Wayne Anderson and Henry 1): Suzanne Henk. Cote. Mayor: Incumbent Dave KavaMayor: Incumbent Kurt Sawnaugh. yer. City council (elect 2): IncumCity council (elect 2): Incumbent Karl Flier and John Wieber bents Tim Bergin and Carol Demgen. (appointed).
Tyler Gardner
James Tayloe
Position sought: Pequot Lakes mayor
What are the top issues your city needs to address? Our zoning rules that seem to be so restrictive need to be looked at. In order to not only attract new business, but encourage current businesses to grow, we need to take a good hard look at not only the rules, but the process as well. This will be especially important with the Heart of the Good Life project getting going. Planning for a future of long-term growth also. How would you address those issues? I will dive into the process of applying for permits to narrow down the core issues that prevent newcomers, and potentially drive out existing businesses who are looking to expand. Then we work together with planning and zoning to come up with A: a better, smoother process or B: a way to adjust or fix the current rules and regulations. Why are you the best candidate? Born and raised in Pequot Lakes, I have deep roots here. I truly believe that our town is an amazing place to raise a family. My goal is to do my part to help Pequot continue its growth for the next generation and those after. I believe in networking to get more of our residents interested in being a part of what happens to and in our city.
Jason Baca
Position sought: Pequot Lakes City Council What are the top issues your city needs to address? The top issues I want to work on as a council member will be to keep taxes from going up any more; I will not vote for any tax increase. We have a projected deficit of 12.5% and I will address that is due to the current economic situation caused by Gov. Walz and COVID-19 related restrictions. I think the spending on the new park and pet projects should stop until economic conditions improve. How would you address those issues? I will ask all wonderful staff to redo their budgets and maintain a 0 percent increase or preferably cutting costs due to the economic situation. I want to reduce commercial taxes and look for ways to increase the retail and small business investments. I feel we have been at a competitive disadvantage since the bypass and we need to support small business. Why are you the best candidate? I am the best candidate because I have 20 years as a small business owner in Pequot and operating without debt the entire time. I will provide low taxes, less regulations, less laws and better property rights for all property owners. I will be the most fiscally conservative council person and will require fiscal accountability in all departments and provide a more competitive opportunity for housing and business growth. I appreciate your vote.
Scott Pederson Position sought: Pequot Lakes City Council
What are the top issues your city needs to address? Economic growth: More businesses (retail, service, manufacturing) and more housing are needed to ensure the financial stability of our town. Streets and parks and neighborhoods need to be maintained and improved to encourage that growth. Property taxes: Our current tax rate is too high. (i.e. Breezy Point, 7% less). Safety: Everyone needs to feel safe in their homes and businesses and when we drive or walk or bike around town. How would you address those issues? To attract business, to keep people in town and encourage others to move to Pequot Lakes the city tax rate must be reduced and become competitive with our neighbors. As a councilor I have consistently opposed increasing the city tax rate and continue to do so. Taxes can be reduced if we spend money wisely and can still maintain and enhance our vital amenities of streets, parks, pedestrian walkways and bicycle paths. Why are you the best candidate? I have the experience of serving on the council. I’ll continue to oppose unnecessary spending even when other councilors have not. I’m a leader who wrote the city policy to get our businesses back open. I’m a strong supporter of our police and support the continued enhancement of businesses and parks. I’m a 25-year resident with kids and grandkids living here and I’ll continue working to make Pequot Lakes the best it can be.
Position sought: Pequot Lakes mayor
Pequot Lakes City Council Mayor: Elect 1 ► Tyler Gardner ► James Tayloe (incumbent) City council: Elect 2 ► Jason Baca ► Pete Clement ► Kent Johnson ► Scott Pederson (incumbent) ► Mimi Swanson (incumbent)
Pete Clement Position sought: Pequot Lakes City Council
What are the top issues your city needs to address? My biggest concern for our city is balancing our quality of life and small town feel with the growth and promotion of business. How would you address those issues? I would support decisions that promote new business while considering the needs of our current business owners all the while maintaining minimal costs to the city and its taxpayers. Why are you the best candidate? I’m the best candidate because I’m a longtime resident of Pequot Lakes. We own a home and a business in the city limits. I was chosen as an interim city council member last winter. I worked for the city for five years as a maintenance worker, which gained me a good working knowledge of the personnel, policies and infrastructure of our town. This along with my pride for Pequot Lakes makes me the best candidate.
What are the top issues your city needs to address? We want our local businesses to continue to provide the products and services that local residents and visitors are looking for. We want our local businesses to thrive. We need to keep city parks, streets and sidewalks clean and safe to make our city welcoming. The city will ensure these things. The city must show support for local business by sharing with visitors and residents what our businesses have to offer. How would you address those issues? I will make it a priority to find out what local business owners are expecting from city services, what they are satisfied with and where they would expect more. Listening to the local businesses is critical. Often the small local businesses are more successful if they work closely with the mayor and city council members. They learn about community changes much quicker and have more opportunity to provide input to city leaders. Why are you the best candidate? Personable, I get along with people, do not expect to have it my way all the time, good listener, willing to collaborate and negotiate on sticky issues, quick learner, lived and worked in city for 16 years, raised my family here, have demonstrated support for schools (my wife works at elementary school), local businesses, residents. Have created relationships with many stakeholders.
Kent Johnson Position sought: Pequot Lakes City Council
What are the top issues your city needs to address? There are many regulations that are preventing businesses from wanting to move into our city. One example is that certain areas of the city require businesses to plant a screen to block 50% of the business. This is just one example of some of the rules that need change. How would you address those issues? The city rules and regulations need to be gone through and see what ones are still needed and which ones need to be removed so that it makes us more attractive to possible businesses. Why are you the best candidate? I’m a fresh new voice. I’m politically neutral in my decisions, meaning I’m here for the betterment of the city and not a group. I want to help the city of Pequot Lakes continue to grow into a thriving community with lots of opportunities for our youth to want to stay here, young couples to want to start families here, older couples to stay youthful here, and vacationers to want to visit here.
Mimi Swanson Position sought: Pequot Lakes City Council
What are the top issues your city needs to address? A. Keep our downtown and small businesses vibrant and encourage local entrepreneurship. Shop local must be our battle cry! Let’s keep our town attractive to tourism and encourage our own residents to come downtown for shopping, dining and family friendly activities. B. Promote Heart of the Good Life. This venture is poised to attract new business, raise new tax dollars for our city and attract new jobs and opportunities for existing citizens and new residents. How would you address those issues? Be visible in the community by asking questions, listening to business people and citizens and continuing to be involved in the community. The city is in the planning stages of erecting a splash park in our city park. I would encourage the acceleration of these plans so our city could enjoy a splash park in early summer 2021. I support and stand behind the Heart of the Good Life, a great business and recreational opportunity. Why are you the best candidate? I am honest, motivated and balanced. I believe that my job is about the people of Pequot Lakes, making their lives better for as many as I can. My first four years of service to the city have provided me with the knowledge and opportunity to do just that. I look forward to another four years to continue the job of ensuring that Pequot Lakes stays smart, sustainable and safe.