I have lived in the city of Becker since 1995, have been a business owner for 35 years, and a Becker Chamber member for over 20 years. I have volunteered, throughout the last 23 years, with golf, city, and community events.

 

Besides operating my own business, I have been the office manager of the Becker Chamber for the last five years, working with business members, making sure they feel comfortable, and welcomed, when they start their own business, when they come to town…with support and retention efforts.

 

My previous city council experience was 2011-2014, and learned a lot about what goes into running a city, especially when you have statewide issues that affect your own community.  During those four years, I was involved in all department’s of the City of Becker, helping them progress.

 

If elected, I have a number of issues I would like to address:

 

First and foremost, working with Xcel/Sherco, dealing with the transition from coal to gas, making sure we keep a positive momentum during this process.

Secondly, promoting the industrial park, bringing new manufacturing, new jobs, new family housing developments, and a new tax base to off-set Xcel.

 

Thirdly, continue to support our local amenities: police, fire, community center, golf course, parks and trails, local chamber, local business retention, and local senior center.

 

Fourthly, continue to support the Hwy. 10 Corridor improvement plan and future transportation plans.

 

Finally, a couple issues I will address, that may not be as important, but are on my radar: animal control, street parking of vehicles/trailers, people walking roads vs sidewalks, and if feasible, bringing back “fall” leaf pickup services.

 

Please get out and vote on November 6!

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My choice to run for Becker City Council is based on what I believe I could bring to the table.

 

My career involved me in community decisions as a County Engineer, and gave me 14 years experience in Planning and Programming at Hennepin County Public Works. Much of my career included administrative positions at both County and State levels.

 

Issues that prompted my candidacy; include fiscal management of tax dolloars, accountability of city leaders and city staff, safe transportation within our city noticeable increasing tax levies, administration of enterprise funds, open communication with residents as well and business and industry in Becker, a stable economic foundation for Becker’s future. My philosophy is that there is no problem so difficult that reasonable people cannot sit down and resolve it. Common sense tells us that if something is broken, then fix-it.

 

I’ve frequently asked out city leaders for documentation as to where Becker is headed, and to date, no clear answers have been received.

 

It appears as if accountability, or poor management skills were issues that were not sufficiently addressed.

 

This is real life, and taxpayer’s real money that the city is spending, therefore city leaders need to be held accountable.

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Thank you for allowing me to introduce myself to you and the Citizens of Becker. My name is Troy Cox. I have been a resident of Becker for 40 years. I have a wife and three grown daughters. I have been a Union worker for Laborers Local 563 for 25 years. 

 

I currently hold the title and position of Sargeant Of Arms for Local 563. I have a food concession business based out of Becker. As part of my candidacy I would like to focus on being a liaison between the citizens of Becker and the city, giving the citizens a voice and addressing their issues and concerns and bringing transparency to the city hall. 

 

A major focus for me is the infrastructure of Becker, I would like to see new local businesses fill our business park, maintain relationships with current businesses, and bring housing developing to the city and surrounding areas seeing Becker grow in a positive way. A next major importance to me as city council I would review the city budget and ensure that the money is being allocated properly. 

 

The city council needs a new face, new ideas, new future, if you agree vote Troy Cox for city council.

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My wife Nancy, daughter Brooke, son Jacob and I along with our family dog Rocko have all called Becker home since 2004. My step-son Tyler currently lives in Elk River. 

 

I work as a Senior Software Engineer and Security Champion in the banking/financial industry. I have also worked for the citizens of Becker since 2013 as a councilmember serving on just about every committee we have. 

 

My goal is to thoroughly research every issue as much as necessary, and then make an unbiased decision based on what I feel is best for the city. Some issues are simple while other issues require dozens or even hundreds of hours of time devoted to gathering information.

 

One of our biggest accomplishments as a city has been the significant reduction of our debt. In the past five years every trail, park and street project in the city has been paid for in cash as opposed to bonding.  It is not to say that we would never bond again but we currently have a plan to pay for all our capital purchases with cash.

 

With retirement of the two older Sherco units in the next decade, our main focus as a city has to be continuing to fill up the industrial park. Securing the natural gas plant was a huge win for Becker but now we need to bring in more industry to diversify the tax base and add jobs to the local economy.

 

As humans we will rarely agree on everything but I hope through my strong work ethic and voting record that you feel I have done what is best for the city as a whole, and I ask for your vote this November. Please check out my website RickForBecker.com for more information as you research your candidates this fall.

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My name is Dennis Rzeszotarski. I am 63 years old. I am married. I have two daughters, one son, and three stepsons. I have been a resident of Becker for twenty four years. I am a retired Air Force Master Sargeant, serving over 21 years. At the peak of my military career I was responsible for directing the maintenance, inspection, repair and storage of air-launched missile systems, support and test equipment valued at over 500 million dollars. I led a work force of 120 technicians in six work centers in the largest and busiest munitions organization in Europe.

 

During my military service I was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with a Service Star, Six Good Conduct Medals, Four Air Force Commendation Medals, and the Meritorious Service Medal. I have served my country proudly and feel that I am ready to serve the citizens of Becker equally well. 

 

I am running for city council because I feel we need change. A change in attitude and perception at city hall that will return Becker to being a destination city once again. We need to become resident and business friendly again. If elected I will work with city staff to attract new business to the Becker Industrial Park and Highway 10 – 1st. Street Corridor. I will maintain and open line of communication with all citizens and investigate and respond to their concerns in a timely manner. And, I will bring new, fresh, unbiased opinions to the council, keeping in mind the needs of the citizens and the city.

 

I will be proud to be your next city council member. Vote for change November 6th.

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As a residential building contractor for the past several years, I decided to run for MN house in part because of the massive growth of state government. When our State budget doubled while our country was going thru the 2nd worst recession in our country's history. At the same time we had the ACA forced on us, for many of us, the ACA more than doubled our annual health insurance cost. I will never support socialized medicine. I support free market insurance with safety nets for those with preexisting conditions & limited financial means. 

 

Our out of control Met council, waste billions of dollars on light rail that doesn't have sustainable ridership so we have to subsidise with more of our tax dollars all the while our roads & bridges are left to crumble.

 

Regulations continue to pile on all of our small businesses by state bureaucracies driving up the cost of goods and services.

 

The agiurcultural community has several regulations coming this next year that will have major financial impacts.

 

Our state announced they will be doing a study to address affordable housing, while all of the regulations continue to drive the cost of our housing up. 

I will work to reduce our states budget (going back to single subject bills as required by our states constitution would eliminate pork spending) reduce burdensome regulations. I will fight to uncover all of the waste, FRAUD and abuse. 

 

I will stop the DNR from clear cutting half of the Orrock Sand Dunes. 

 

Vigorously defend the 2nd Amendment and our unborn babies. 

 

I will continue to fight for low cost clean coal & nuclear energy. Work to bring dollars for our roads & bridges, including adding lanes on 94 up to Monticello to ease congestion.

 

I do NOT support sanctuary cities or state status. 

 

I do support school choice.

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My name is Myron Arthur Wilson.  I have been married for 45 years. I have 2 children & 5 grandchildren. I was born & raised in Orrock Township. I own & live on the farm I grew up on; raising chickens & turkeys. 

 

I am pro-life & a strong 2nd amendment supporter.

 

I had a long career in the criminal justice field, including corrections & law enforcement. I am a retired Minnesota State Patrol officer. 

 

I have a commercial pilot license with several add-on ratings. I have taught aviation and have logged thousands of hours of flying.

 

I have been a school board officer and was instrumental in establishing a rural TIF (Tax Increment Financing) district.

 

I wish to represent the district & rural Minnesota. The district is best served with a representative born & raised in our blended rural area.  The values of this area have been ingrained in me since childhood.

I am running as an independent to help bridge the gap between the parties. We need term limits & we need to abolish special interest money. We deserve to know our laws are passed on merit & not due to special interest money.

 

 

• Lower cost of health care. 

 

• We must lower the cost of providing health care so insurances costs can also decrease.  

 

• We must expand free market choices, alternative & traditional options.

 

• Education at lower costs with improved outcomes.

 

• Spending cuts that will result in lower taxes for all. 

 

• Our seniors should not be paying income tax on their Social Security. 

 

• A return to local control for better, less-expensive results; true tort reform.

 

• The economic health of outstate Minnesota 

 

• High speed internet should be available to everyone.

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Karla Scapanski did not respond to our survey.

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This is Dale Powers, candidate for Clear Lake City Council. I want to serve another 4-year term in order to make sure city services are provided to our residents at a low cost. I have been working to get a Northstar Link bus stop in Clear Lake, and doing what I can to bring more business to our community. 

 

If re-elected, I will prioritize getting the city’s two subdivisions (Parkside and Hunter Lake Bluffs) on the path to completion. 

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Kristin Brandt did not respond to our survey.

 

 

 

My name is Zachary Dorholt, I am a Licensed Mental Health Professional currently working at the Coordinated Care Clinic and Jail Medicine program for CentraCare. I am a father of 3 young girls, all of whom will attend our local public schools, and I want nothing more than for them to have the same opportunities I did. 

 

As a mental health professional, I want to make sure our students get the help they need, without putting the burden on teachers. I am also a former legislator who fought, successfully, to increase school funding at the state level, and I want to make sure our district is a good steward of those funds.

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I’m account manager with IVO Networks and also do public address announcing and site management for many Apollo sports.

 

I graduated from Apollo High School in 1984 and am the father of two Apollo graduates and the step-father to three Apollo graduates. I graduated from St. Cloud State University in 1989.

 

I served on the 742 Board from 2011-2014. I have received a 2007 Award of Excellence from the MN Elementary Principals Assoc, a 2009 ISD742 Partners in Education award and a 2009 Achievement in Education Award from the St. Cloud Morning and Central MN Noon Optimist Club. I have served on multiple levy and bond leadership and school design committees. I have also served as the Kennedy Community School PTA Co-President and President.

 

I currently serve as a citizen member for the 742 Board Legislative Committee, the Superintendent’s Ad Hoc Student Activities Committee and the Student Activities Advisory Committee. 

 

I’m active in the community having volunteered with the MN MS Society, SpareKey, Daughters of the American Revolution, Central MN Youth Soccer, Apollo Astronettes and the Lake Wobegon Trail Marathon over the last few years.

 

You can find out more about myself and the issues important to me at peterhamerlinck.com.

 

 

Natalie is uniquely qualfied to serve on the 742 school board – she is an experienced school board member, a former educator, and a parent of students at Westwood Elementary and North Junior High. 

 

She knows that her children are getting a quality education that challenges them academically and allows them grow socially in a diverse environment. Because she and her husband chose 742 for their children, they believe they will be well prepared for college and the real world/workforce! 

 

Natalie believes in our schools, our teachers, and every child that is within our care - and she would love your vote! Feel free to email her at vote@natalieringsmuth.com. 

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I was born in Duluth MN, moved to St Cloud for 8th grade, attended 5 public schools, was in first graduating class at Apollo HS. I’m a 3yr Diploma RN, worked for 41 years in direct patient/resident care in west central MN. Retired and returned to St Cloud in 2016. I have been treasurer on 4 different boards, have participated in fundraising projects. My family started a catering service when I was in HS. I’ve been married 43yrs, have 4 children, 11 grandchildren, 2 step-great grandchildren.

 

As a parent and grand-parent, I am concerned about public education results and limited choice for families. Schools are an extension of the home. One size doesn’t fit all. Students need what works best for them. Students, families, staff, and community resources work together for best results. 

 

Issues that need to be addressed are behavior/discipline, confusion/mental health, graduation standards not met, graduates unprepared for workforce or higher education.

 

I differ from other candidates because I have a Biblical Worldview. I know our founding fathers started the Public School system for all children and published a Bible to be in every school. It was used as a textbook for reading and was useful to know what was right for character training and making wise decisions. The Bible is my guidebook. When making decisions I ask “What does God say? What would Jesus do?” He gave us a free will and we are accountable for our decisions. If you choose right, you’ll be blessed with all God’s promises, choose wrong, have a troubled life.

 

Schools need to be accountable to provide a quality education, academically and socially. Problem solving would include assessment, corrective plan, evaluate results to achieve goal of seeking a job they’ll enjoy for life.

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Larry Hosch did not respond to our survey.

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Les Green did not respond to our survey.

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Good day.  My name is Mike Steckelberg.  I am a candidate for the Becker School Board.  I am an electrical engineer for Great River Energy for 33 years and a resident of the district since 2000.  Before I moved to the Becker area, I was on the school board at Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted for 10 years.  Presently, I am on the District Curriculum Advisory Committee where teachers provide us with a review the current curriculum and recommendations for changes or additions.

 

Education is not about just learning while you’re in school.  It’s about lifelong learning.  I have been blessed with many great teachers who instilled in me a desire to learn new things, who trusted me when what I read books that were not on the ‘standard’ reading list (I love science fiction), and who provided me with skills of how to research new topics.  

 

Education is also changing. I’ve listened to the teachers, other staff, and the administration.  They are the experts on education.  They know what works, what doesn’t and what should change.  The school board’s responsibility is to provide the tools needed by teachers to continue to improve the education offered by public schools.  Notice I said “offered”.  Students have to take the offers in public education to develop skills for lifelong learning.  Take the great opportunity to learn.

 

Education is also for all ages.  There is a growing need for people of all ages in the technical fields.  Technology is changing and acquiring new skills is important.  When I graduated from high school, personal computers were not available.  Now the power of an old supercomputer is in your watch.  What will the future be like?  We don’t know, yet; but that’s why we need to keep learning.

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Aaron Jurek did not respond to our survey.

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Ryan Obermoller did not respond to our survey.

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Mark Swanson did not respond to our survey.

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Randy Bader did not respond to our survey.

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