Local candidates participated in the “Becker Meet the Candidates” event hosted by the Becker Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Oct. 24 at Becker High School.  The TLC room was filled with more than 50 people who came to hear from Becker’s Mayoral candidates, those running for City Council, and Becker School Board nominees. 

Mayoral Race

Mayor Tracy Bertram and challenger Mark Kolbinger were both present to answer questions that were submitted by community members prior to the event.  Moderator Troy Felton, a chamber member, introduced the candidates and asked them for an opening statement. 

Both candidates emphasized their ties to the community.  Kolbinger, a lifelong resident of Becker shared his qualifications with the audience.  He is a former city council member and has been an reporter for the past 25 years.  In the early 2000s he served on the Transportation Study Committee and spent seven years as the chairperson of the now defunct Police Advisory Committee.  Kolbinger noted that because of those experiences, he has a unique perspective on the issues facing everyday citizens, issues he heard directly from area residents.  

“Hearing those stories was what motivated me to run for the mayor position,” Kolbinger said. “I think we are at a really important junction in our city.” 

Kolbinger has also worked with Sherburne County on the Community Corrections Advisory Committee and served as chair of the Substance Use Prevention Coalition.  A self-proclaimed fiscal conservative, he promises to find opportunities in the city budget to lower taxes.

Mayor Bertram explained that after 30 years of residency, Becker has become her home.   She is a risk analyst for United Health Care and works for the Minnesota State High School League as both an official for girl’s gymnastics, sitting on advisory and award committees.  She is the Director of the Central MN Girls Gymnastics Association and the scheduler.  In 2018, Bertram received the Distinguished Service Award honoring her decades of service and commitment to officiating.

Bertram highlighted her accomplishments over the past 16 years, as both a council member and as Mayor for the past eight years.   As President of the MN Mayors Association, she learned many lessons from Mayors across the state that she was able to bring back to Becker.  Recently, the city completed a $20M bond project for the installation of the infrastructure that will result in two 300-acre data centers that will help replenish the loss in the tax base from the decommissioning of the Sherco plant.  The city has also received Transitional Energy Aid from the state and has received $4M for the planned interchange at Hwy. 10 and 25. 

The candidates had similar views regarding questions about supporting local law enforcement and improving health access.  They did differ on the current renovation and addition to Becker City Hall/Police Station project.  Bertram voiced her support for the project, stating that no meaningful renovations had been made to the space in over 30 years even though the city has grown.  Kolbinger said he was not sure about his support because plans for the project have not been made public and have been made without adequate public input.  He also expressed concerns over the cost of the project. 

They were asked what steps they would take to attract new business and create job opportunities in Becker.  Kolbinger conceded that the current council has done a good job attracting new business, but expressed concerns about the lack of focus on retaining current businesses.  After touting the attraction of Kwik Trip, Dueling Brews, Dairy Queen, and 1 Layer Technologies, Bertram rebutted Kolbinger’s claim that she has not done enough to promote business retention by pointing out that she regularly meets with local business leaders through “Monday Morning Coffee” meetings.  She also mentioned that work is being done with Sherburne County to address daycare shortages in the area to help families and local businesses retain and attract employees.

Closing Remarks

Mayor Bertram began her closing remarks by thanking city staff for the work that they do and attempted to answer a question she has been asking herself lately, “Why do I want to continue to be the mayor?”  Bertram’s answer was because she loves serving the people of Becker and loves doing the job.  “I’ve shown you what I can do.  The last eight years, we have lots of achievements.  We have growth along First St.  We have residential growth.  We have a climate and a culture here in Becker that is positive and people are wanting to move here.”

Bertram concluded by saying, “A leader is not what you claim to be, but what you demonstrate to be.  I hope I’ve demonstrated that I’m a great leader here in Becker and I hope to continue.”

Kolbinger admitted that he is the underdog, but he believes he is offering a different vision for people.  

“I’m a change candidate,” he said.  “I’m a fiscal conservative with a proven track record of holding our city levy down, while we can still grow and do the things that people have come to expect from us.” 

Kolbinger wants to bring people together and said, “If you’re looking for someone who’s visible and accessible and is willing to talk with people face to face, I think I’m your candidate.”

City Council

Current City Council members Becky Olmsheid and Mike Doering were present to answer questions.  Three candidates will appear on the ballot and residents can choose two candidates to elect, so the remarks from Olmsheid and Doering were not confrontational, rather more informative.  Greg Lindbom, the other candidate on the ballot, did not appear or submit any comments for the event. 

The council members were asked to name their top three priorities.  Olmsheid responded by saying that she believes that they are already working on her top three.  She is for growing the Becker Police Department, creating more community events that bring people together, and is proud of the work that she has contributed in transforming Pebble Creek Golf Course from a negative to a positive. 

Doering’s priorities begin with simplifying and rewriting city ordinances to make them easier for everyone to understand.  That helps to promote and grow business, a second priority, particularly by expanding the industrial park.  Doering also sees the need to build more housing, apartments and single-family homes. 

Both candidates were asked about transparency.  Both believed the council has been transparent.  Doering invited people to show up for meetings.  He believes that it’s not that people don’t know, it’s that they’re not interested.  In closing remarks, Olmsheid mentioned that she is always willing to answer a phone call or email and said, “We live here and we’re doing the best we can to improve our community.”

Doering closed by thanking city employees and staff and promised to apply common sense to every situation that comes before the council. 

School Board

Connie Robinson was the only school board candidate present for the Meet the Candidates forum.  Troy Berning and Ryan Hubbard both submitted statements and answers to the two questions presented during the event.  All three of the candidates in their statements expressed the need to be fiscally responsible and the need to prepare students for what comes next.  Robinson in her statements expressed concerns about how unfunded mandates coming down from the state affect the district.  She hoped to keep the educational focus on the basics - giving students the tools they need to go out into the world and make decisions. 

A video featuring the entirety of the Becker Meet the Candidates Event has been posted on the Becker Chamber’s Facebook page.  The event lasted a little more than an hour.