November 8 can’t get here fast enough for some. Some would tend to argue Nov. 9 — the day after — is the date most anticipated — when the 2016 election is put to bed.

 

And with a Presidential election as part of the ticket, polling places are expected to be crammed full with  voters.

 

Whether you are a Hillary fan or a Trump fan — or a fan of neither — it’s so important for all citizens of this great country to get out and vote in this and every election.

 

The national election is, of course, an incredibly important election that could make or break this country. Locally, there are several races that too, could have an inherent impact on the direction your city or state will head.

 

In this week’s Citizen-Tribune, we’ll break down the local individual candidates and the issues they are sanctioning.

 

In the City of Becker, it’s hard not to be aware of the significance of the upcoming mayoral and council seat voting.

 

Three seats are open on the local school board.

 

Incumbent Jerome “Lefty” Kleis is fighting for his mayoral seat with Tracy Bertram. 

 

Kleis is adamant about selling the Pebble Creek Golf Course, bringing the Sherburne County Fair to Becker and retaining businesses currently residing in the city.

 

Bertram wants to attract more businesses to the industrial park, construct a new well and water tower to the east of Becker and finish trail system in the city starting at Co. Rd. 24.

 

Michael Doering, Dennis Rzeszotarski and Todd Hanrahan are vying for two open seats.

 

Doering thinks the overall budget for the city is too large and wants to reduce the budget. He also wants to expand the industrial park and create a service road there.

 

Rzeszotarski feels he can bring his military leadership skills to council and is interested in focusing on bringing new business into the industrial park.

 

Hanrahan says he’d like to stay on as council member so he can help with the “unfinished business with Sherco” and wants to help make the First Street corridor more appealing.

 

District 3 - County Commissioner

For County Commissioner in District 3, Incumbent John Riebel is taking on Tim Dolan.

 

Riebel wants to insure the quality of life in Sherburne County does not become a casualty of our past fast growth or the current slow growth. He is adamant about economic development, a balanced budget and wants to better explain to residents what specific services really cost and why they are provided from mandates (state or federal).

 

Dolan wants to implement policies, technologies, relationships and best practices that allow Sherburne County government to operate leaner and more conveniently for the citizens and businesses it serves. Dolan hopes that “by the time my daughter graduates high school in 2021, Sherburne County is known statewide for its commitment to making it easy to start, expand, or relocate a business.

 

For board members at Becker Schools, Lori Molus, Connie Robinson and Jason Kindred are running for three open seats.

 

A constitutional amendment removing lawmakers’ power to set their own pay is also on the ballot to be answered “yes” or “no”.

 

Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisors are on the ballot  for District 1 (Michael Schroeder and Sharon Kolstad), District 3 (Larry Goenner) and District 5 (Roger Nelson).

 

The race between GOP candidate Tom Emmer and DFL candidate David Snyder for the U.S. Representative seat is on your ballot as well as the race for District 15 State Senator between Andrew Mathews (GOP) and Chilah Brown (DFL).

 

GOP candidate Jim Newberger is looking to retain his seat as state representative for District 15B. He is being challenged by DFL candidate Karla Scapanski. (

 

And, of course, the race for president and vice-president will be on the ballot and the choices are: Donald Trump and Mike Pence (GOP), Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine (DFL), Darrell Castle and Scott Bradley (Constitution Party), Alyson Kennedy and Osborne Hart (Socialist Workers Party), Jill Stein and Howie Hawkins (Green Party), ''Rocky'' Roque De La Fuente and Michael Steinberg (American Delta Party), Evan McMullin and Nathan Johnson (Independence), Gary Johnson and William Weld (Libertarian Party) and Dan R. Vacek and Mark Elworth, Jr. (Legal Marijuana Now).

 

Judicial Offices are also on the ballot 26 of the 27 races being unchallenged by incumbents.

 

For those in Becker City, the voting booths will be located at Becker City Hall at 12060 Sherburne Ave. 

 

For citizens in local townships (Palmer, Santiago, etc.), proceed to your own township halls between 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to register and/or vote.