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Hardwick Mayor race
1.) List experiences that will be helpful in fulfilling the position’s duties if you win the Nov. 8 general election.
2.) What do you think are the primary challenges facing your community and how will you lead your city through these challenges.
Janyce A. Baustian is seeking election to the mayor position in Hardwick, a job she was appointed to a year ago at the resignation of John Javner.
Baustian has been a Hardwick resident for 46 years, where she and her late husband, Howard, raised their sons, Tony and Don. She has five grandsons.
1.) My life experiences as wife, mother, grandmother and nurse are helpful. I’m now retired so I have more time available. I have served on the city council and as mayor in the past.
2.) I think our biggest challenge is money available for infrastructure as well as operating expenses. We need to address upkeep of deteriorating buildings and lots.
I hope to encourage community pride and partnership in cleaning up our city. We are seeking grants and funding so we can get the most “bang for our buck.”
We may not have a lot of businesses left, but we have a fantastic fire department, first responders, park, campground, and most of all, people who care about each other and our community.
Willy Baker is challenging Janyce Baustian for the position of mayor of the city of Hardwick. He and his wife, Misty, and 9-year-old daughter Makayla have lived in Hardwick for the past four years.
1.) Some experiences that are beneficial to performing the duties of mayor include working well with others to accomplish goals as a team. I work extremely hard at every task or job I set out to do.
I have also attended the last six city council meetings so I am well aware of the concerns and projects the city of Hardwick is currently involved in. My past farming, teaching and many years in the customer service industry will also aid in the ability to lead the community.
The citizens of Hardwick need an energetic, hardworking leader that values the opinion of every resident in the community, and I am the right candidate for the job.
2.) The biggest challenge the city of Hardwick is currently undertaking is the repair of our failing city streets. As mayor I will work closely with the contractors and paving company to ensure the work is completed timely and as cost-effectively as possible.
The residents of the community will be responsible for the majority of funding needed for this project. I will do my very best to ensure the job is done correctly while also trying to keep the cost down for the local taxpayer.
Thank you for your time and I look forward to proudly serving the city of Hardwick as your mayor.
Beaver Creek Mayor Race
Cathy Schroeder is challenging incumbent Mayer Jamie Dysthe to lead the city of Beaver Creek.
Schroeder has lived in Beaver Creek for six years with her husband, LeRoy. The couple has five children: Brenda (Wade) Jepsen, Dale Meyer, Jason Meyer, Lisa (Tim) Kauk and Leslie Schroeder.
1.) I have worked with the public for many years, and I have come to know a lot of residents of Beaver Creek. I have heard a lot of the concerns that they have and I plan to address them and get them solved.
2.) I want to see our town grow and I am open to the challenges and expectations that will face me as mayor. I hope that if anyone has concerns that they can talk to me and these concerns will be brought up to the city council. We as a team will take on what is best to help our town grow and prosper.
Jamie Dysthe is currently mayor of Beaver Creek, having been appointed to the position after the death of elected mayor Caroline DeBoer. Dysthe has lived in Beaver Creek since 1999 with wife Laurie and two children, Alex, 10, and Ericka, 13.
1.) I have been on the city council for 11 years; mayor or acting mayor for several years. In that capacity I have dealt with Federal Emergency Management Agency officials twice in time of need. Taxes in Beaver Creek are on the decline for several years.
2.) I will use my past 12 years of experience to continue to benefit the wonderful community of Beaver Creek. My family and friends all live in this great community.
Luverne North Ward Alderman Race
Dan Nath is seeking election to the city of Luverne North Ward alderman seat being vacated by Esther Frakes. Nath and his wife, Colleen, have lived on Brandenburg Street in Luverne for 19 years. The couple has three grown children and five grand children.
1.) I have been attending the council meetings hoping to be familiar with the current concerns of the council.
I retired from the Luverne Fire Department in 2013 and was the fire chief.
I’ve served as instructor for Minnesota West Technical College in the fire services.
I attended the Blandin Foundation Community Service retreat.
I have served on boards and committees including Blue Mound Area Theatre group, Luverne Music Boosters, Rock County ARMER Radio implementation team, Rock County Fire Chiefs, Southwest Fire Department Association, Southwest ARMER Radio and Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association.
2.) Economic Development: Luverne needs to continually be promoting new businesses and supporting our existing businesses. The city of Luverne has done a tremendous job looking for ways to encourage businesses to locate here or to enhance the services provided to all.
Positive community growth: Luverne enjoys strong community support. This can be seen throughout the many service organizations we can participate in and activities that we can enjoy all year long. Recently I have participated in or supported the Kids Against Hunger food drive, the Tri-State Band Festival, and the development of the green space at Rotary Park and on Main St. and Highway 75.
Fiscal responsibility: Luverne is very responsible with the way that the funds are distributed. I am familiar with the process followed and we are very fortunate to have the personnel that we do watching out for our best interests. I feel I would be able to provide my vision of using the funds available to the best advantage for the people of Luverne.
Communication: I would strive to make myself available to always answer questions. I know I cannot have all of the answers, but I will strive to find them and get back to you with my findings.
Larry Lanphere is seeking election to the Luverne City Council North Ward seat being vacated by retiring council member Esther Frakes.
Lanphere moved to Cashin Drive in Luverne earlier this year and is married to Jane Wildung since 2008. The couple previously lived in the South Ward. He has two daughters, Lisa, a corrections agent, and Lori (Scott) Kruger, an accountant. The couple has three grandchildren.
1.) I understand the state of Minnesota and the region by living in this area for over 30 years.
My career was in radio advertising sales/management, for the last 16 years at WNAX Radio. In that capacity I learned to understand the huge impact that agriculture has on rural communities. Agriculture is our county’s biggest industry and in making decisions the ag economy must be taken into consideration.
While in Worthington, I was part of the committee that founded the Convention & Visitors Bureau and I serve on the Luverne CVB.
I have been actively involved in the organization of recent local projects such as Honor Flight Southwest Minnesota (treasurer), Take 16 Brewing Co. (on the organizational board), Luverne Hotel Partners, Rock River Beer Fest, Rock River Water Trail, Fourth of July and a few others.
I have built relationships with local and regional elected officials that will offer a foundation for my work if elected to the Council.
2.) I believe that the City needs to continue their role in leadership in supporting the redevelopment of property for retail/industrial businesses (such as Sharkey’s TIF District and the façade improvement program).
I believe affordable, safe and adequate housing options are keys to growth, and city government should work to make them available.
I strongly believe that we must make cost-effective investments in our infrastructure (water, sewer, electric and streets) to support the needs of residents and businesses to keep costs low.
Overregulation by the state and feds makes it hard for small communities to succeed. I would advocate for more local control.
Creating a healthy living environment is important and we should evaluate projects as to our city’s long-term benefit (such as Luverne LOOP, Luverne Aquatic & Fitness Center and other city amenities).