November 3 is election day, and while the country is focused on one election in particular, the Patriot is excited to highlight some of the candidates running for local office this fall. This week, we are profiling candidates running for township positions.
Editor’s note: Over the next several weeks leading up to the 2020 election, the Patriot will feature candidate profiles of each candidate who participated in our query.
Clearwater Township
Three candidates will be running for Clearwater Twp. positions this fall.
Jacquelynn Mol Sletten
Jacquelynn Mol Sletten is running for Clearwater Township Supervisor C. She is married to Adam Sletten and they have one daughter, Ada. She is a workforce grant and financial aid administrator with a BA and an MA in communication studies, and she is pursuing an EdD in educational leadership.
Communication: “We are only as useful as what we understand. The more we listen to each other the more purposeful we can be in our resolutions. Let’s be mindful of our words and take time to listen to perspectives. Building and maintaining rapport within and outside of our community is key to being a township leader. Let’s commit to rapport by prioritizing relationships.”
Community Engagement: “Collaboration is a strategy to seek out the things we do not yet know. Let’s be sure all stakeholders have a seat at the table so we can be successful in our planning and execution of decisions. To be part of the solution we must be actively engaged in the process. Let’s encourage our neighbors to know more about the township and get involved in our success. We appreciate the people and things that make Clearwater Township a great community. Let’s show our appreciation for this township through our actions.”
John Notsch
John Notsch is running for Supervisor Position B. He has one daughter, and he is semi-retired. He has a BS degree from the University of Minnesota. He has previous government experience in joint planning and zoning.
Growth: “I will continue to work with Lynden Twp. and Clearwater Twp. on the feasibility of establishing a fire dept. separate from the City of Clearwater. At this point we have no impact or representation when determining the fire dept. budget for the year.
“I would work to promote growth within the twp., especially along Hwy. 24. This will help increase our twp. base since the city is annexing most of the commercial properties now in the township which are along CR-24. This may require some modification of existing land use regulations. There would have to be a balance between growth and preservation.”
Community Engagement: “We need to listen to the twp. Residents and address their concerns. Hopefully, we can get more citizens involved in twp. government and decisions that affect all of us.”
Maintenance: “We need to maintain our roads and look at doing chip sealing on some of the high-traffic ones as the budget allows. Judging from the feedback from those residents living on the roads that have already been chip sealed this appears to be what we should be looking at in the future. Chip sealing the gravel roads also saves the twp. on maintenance.”
Budgeting: “We need to continue to control spending and taxes and live within our annual budget while serving all residents.”
Rose Thelen
Rose Thelen will not be running for Supervisor Position C. She had this as a comment: “While it is too late to remove my name from the ballot under MN law, I am suspending my campaign for township supervisor and wholeheartedly endorse Jacquelynn Mol Sletten to succeed me. It has been an immense pleasure to serve the township as a Supervisor for a total of 10 years. However, I am confident that Jacquelynn will make an excellent Supervisor C and I am excited for the new leadership and energy she will bring to the position. Please join me in voting for her.”
Cassie Kenning
Cassie Kenning is running for Clearwater Township Treasurer, but we were unable to reach her for a profile.
Big Lake Township
Four candidates will be running for election in Big Lake Twp.
Bruce Aubol
Bruce Aubol will be running for township supervisor. He is married and has four adult children. He is a high school graduate. His previous government experience includes serving as a former Big Lake School Board member and working as a twp. supervisor since 2012.
Growth: “I will provide guidance for the orderly growth and development of our area.”
Community Engagement: “I will continue to help township residents to resolve compliance issues stemming from their property ownership.”
Maintenance: “I will work to preserve our existing roadways by providing proper assessments and necessary upkeep. I will focus on removal of snow and ice conditions on twp. roads.”
Budgeting: “I will continue to help in setting and maintaining budgets with respect to the area and taxpayer needs.”
Dean Brenteson
Dean Brenteson is running for township supervisor. He has a wife, Gwen, and three sons, two daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren. He has a business management degree, is retired from business development at Veit & Company, a former partner in Brenteson Construction, a project manager at Belair Excavating, and a general superintendent at Imperial Developers. He is a current twp. supervisor and vice chair. He is a representative for CMRP and for BLFD Joint Powers Board. He is on the twp. road committee and the city of Big Lake planning commission.
Community engagement: “I will continue to be a responsible supervisor for Big Lake Twp. and its residents.”
Mark Hedstrom
Mark Hedstrom is running for supervisor seat four. He has been married for 26 years and has two children. He has been employed as a USPS postal carrier and as a BLFD assistant chief, firefighter, and EMT. He graduated from St. Cloud Technical College and served for eight years on the school board.
Communication: “Every resident should have access to their board representatives and meetings with the help of technology. I will aggressively promote and utilize all technology to maximize its ability in the community. It’s important to be transparent in all the board’s actions and keep residents informed on what is going on in their township.”
Community Engagement: “Residents and small businesses need a voice in the decision-making process. Supervisors need to be involved with local community activities and need to be out in the community to see what is needed and how ideas are working. I promise to promote community spirit through local community activities and keep residents’ needs as the main objective. I will promote a positive Township image in the community and surrounding area. I will continue to serve the community to the best of my ability as I did in my roles at the fire station, school board, and other community programs.”
Budgeting: “I will promote an efficient and fiscally responsible local government entity.”
Maintenance: “I will help provide adequate and well-maintained facilities and transportation routes as well as maintain and fully utilize the grounds of the township to showcase what we can offer to current and potential residents and businesses.”
Judy Wilts
Judy Wilts is running for twp. supervisor. She and her husband, Bob, have two grown children, Jamie and Michael. The Wiltses own Bob & Judy’s Farm Market, and Judy Wilts also works as a bakery clerk at Coborn’s. She is a former business analyst at Long Term Care Group. She studied marketing and communications at Bemidji State and the University of Minnesota. She was a planning and zoning clerk for the City of Plymouth, and she served on the Sherburne County Extension Service Committee and on the Big Lake Farmer’s Market Committee.
Communication: “I want to ensure our residents are aware of the services offered and the partnerships we are involved with. I will encourage the board to consider opportunities for those who are interested in becoming more involved via volunteer sub-committees where applicable.”
Growth: “We are a diverse township that includes businesses, farms, residential areas, waterways and wooded areas. Ensure we continue to partner with the Sherburne County Soil & Water Conservation District and County Planning & Zoning office to consider the impact that current and future developments may have on both structural (roads) and natural resources and plan for mitigation. I want to ensure we continue to work with the City of Big Lake in promoting the City/Town Industrial Park as a great place to do business, and continue working with the Sherburne County Economic Development Authority. Both benefit residents within the area via potential job opportunities and an improved tax base. Also, I will continue partnership with the Central Mississippi River Regional Planning Partnership (CMRP) as part of the Framework 2030 collaborate project.”
Budgeting: “I will ensure we are able to continue to provide an appropriate level of service for our residents in regards to town roads, the fire department, and the support & maintenance of township property. We need to be mindful of financial constraints that have been placed on some due to current economic conditions that are outside of their control. Therefore, we need to be diligent about working within our budget.”
Orrock Township
Three candidates are running for office in Orrock Twp.
Gregg Felber
Gregg Felber is running for Orrock Twp. Supervisor. He and his wife, Anne, have one daughter, Catherine. He is currently retired, and he has a BS in sociology criminal justice from Winona State University. He has 25 years of experience in law enforcement.
Community Engagement: “One of the advantages of living in a township is that township government provides only the most basic public services, which allows residents more choice about other services as consumers.”
Budgeting: “I am committed to avoiding unnecessary spending and trying to get the best value for the taxpayer’s dollars.”
Corrie Silverberg
Corrie Silverberg is running for Supervisor Position D. He is married to Kari Silverberg, and they have one daughter, Annika. He is in sales, and he graduated from Buffalo High School. He has served eight years on the Orrock Twp. Board.
Community Engagement: “I will continue to make decisions for the good of the twp., not personal agenda items.”
Budgeting: “I will continue to be fiscally responsible for the citizens of Orrock Twp.”
Maintenance: “I will continue the road maintenance program that was started several years ago.”
Chris Weber
Chris Weber is running for Orrock Twp. Clerk. She and her husband, Louie, have five children, 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. She is an accounting and administrative assistant as well as the part-time deputy clerk of Orrock. She was formerly employed as a business manager at T She has an Associate’s degree in government accounting. She has government experience as a bookkeeper at STMA schools.
Community Engagement: “The Clerk’s duty is not to serve a political or personal agenda, but rather provide and document the township proceedings so that the township supervisors and residents can make well-informed decisions. I will serve the township residents and supervisors with integrity and due diligence. The Orrock community is important to me and I look forward to the opportunity to serve the township and its residents.”
