The Newsleaders
  • Login
  • Register
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Sartell – St. Stephen
    • St. Joseph
    • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Column
    • Editorial
    • Letter to the Editor
  • Community
    • Calendar
    • Citizen Spotlight
    • Criers
    • People
  • Notices
    • Funerals/Visitations
    • Obituary
    • Police Blotter
    • Public Notices
    • Support Groups
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Submissions
  • Archives
    • Sartell-St. Stephen Archive
    • St. Joseph Archive
  • Advertise With Us
    • Print Advertising
    • Digital Advertising
    • 2021 Promotions
    • Pay My Invoice
The Newsleaders
No Result
View All Result

PineCone Pet Hospital MillerCarlin Serving all of central Minnesota locations!

Albany: 320-845-2035
Holdingford: 320-746-9994
St. Cloud: 320-252-7004
Upsala: 320-573-6234
Toll-free: 1-800-644-4058
Collegeville Stearns Bank
Home News 2020 election

Beniek wants to give back, be a voice for the city

October 6, 2020
in 2020 election, News, Print Sartell - St. Stephen, St. Joseph
0
Beniek wants to give back, be a voice for the city

contributed photo Kelly Beniek

0
SHARES
0
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

by Dennis Dalman

news@thenewsleaders.com

Kelly Beniek, candidate for St. Joseph City Council, doesn’t define achievements in terms of trophies and paper certificates; instead, she considers her achievements as deeply personal gratifications involving herself, her children and her family.

She believes her roles as woman, wife, mother and grandmother give her the voice and insights to be a good council member. Beniek, who is retired, is married and the mother of three grown children and two grandchildren. She attended technical college for two years.

“Every decision made for a community comes from different points of view,” she said. “We need to be open to all points of view to make a good decision for all.”

Beniek is one of six candidates vying for two four-year terms on the council – the two seats now held by Troy Goracke and Bob Loso, who have both filed for re-election. The other candidates, including Beniek, are Carmie Mick, Paul Orvis and Mike Osterman. The winners will be determined in the Nov. 3 election.

The St. Joseph Newsleader asked the candidates about many issues. The following are Beniek’s reponses:

City challenges

Striking a proper balance in a rapidly growing St. Joseph, she said.

“I believe we need to have the right ratio of population to growth of business,” Beniek said. “I would approach these challenges as a team . . . You will never make everyone happy, but we can all come to the table to have the right conversations and make the best choices for our community.”

Virus crisis

St. Joseph is doing the best it can, she said.

“The virus crisis is new for everyone, and as information becomes available, we should work together to adjust accordingly for each situation for the health and safety of the city.”

Community center

“I would love to hear more from the community on their thoughts about adding amenities (to a center or elsewhere in the city),” Beniek said. “I would love to see more family-based involvement and to be able to get out and meet more neighbors in the community setting. I love events like the Art Crawl. Walking business to business and meeting the owners was very refreshing. It is interesting to see how they impact us and what we do to support them.”

Strengths, weaknesses

Beniek said for 24 years she has experienced in the city the strengths of creativity, focus and flexibility. Transparency and community involvement are areas where St. Joseph could do better, she added.

“I believe there is a place and a voice for everyone to be more involved,” she said.

Other issues

Safety and security are two of her top concerns, Beniek noted.

“I also care about the balance of residents along with businesses, One can’t prosper and have success without the other. We have to ensure St. Joseph can accommodate, protect and offer opportunities while keeping safety a priority for everyone.”

Achievements

“If raising three independent children who contribute to their communities, families and neighbors is an accomplishment, then I have achieved a commendable accomplishment,” she said. “If running a household alongside my husband is an achievement, then the award is ours to hold, and if being able to assist my children with daycare for our grandchildren, then the honor is cherished for generations.”

Other comments

Beniek, an “empty-nester” now, said she decided to run for city council to give back and be a voice for the community.

At first, 24 years ago, Beniek did not want to move to the small city of St. Joseph.

“However, my husband did (want to move here),” she added. “So I gave him a chance and rented a small home on Minnesota Street. This wonderful little town accepted us with such a warming hug that I really couldn’t see us leaving. So we stayed and have loved it here ever since. I have seen a lot of change and would like to be part of the city’s growth into the future without losing that ‘warm hug.’ I guess we will see what the votes tell us. See you at the polls!”

contributed photo
Kelly Beniek

 

Previous Post

Preppernau: Strong relationships forge excellent education

Next Post

Mick touts business, people skills in bid to become council member

Next Post
Mick touts business, people skills in bid to become council member

Mick touts business, people skills in bid to become council member

Please login to join discussion

CMCU Twitter Follow us on
Twitter
for the latest news!
Facebook Follow us on Facebook
for the latest news!
calendar Click here
to view our
calendar
of events!

Go Fund Me # 1 Thank You
Newsleader
Supporters!
Elizabeth Brunsvold
Cultural Connections
Jim Berg & Mary Kruger
Mary & John Davis
Sandy Denne
Bobbi & David Gouker
James & marry Graeve
Juliana Howard
Julia Joplin
Linda Kmitch
M. Molus
Sheila Nahan
Go Fund Me # 2 Thank You
Newsleader
Supporters!

Peggy & Michael Roske
Judy Scheuerell
Geraldine Schwab
James Stotko
James Towler
Anna Trobec
Kaye Wenker
Ellen Wahlstrom
Leona Wieland
Jeanie Wilkens
GAGEN & VASUGI RAMANATHAN
Go Fund Me # 3 Thank You
Newsleader
Supporters!
Nicole Borg
Erica Karger-Gatzow
Dane & Lori Listug-Lunde
Nadine Martin
Doris Minnerath
Merry Mund
Marilyn Peitso
Stephen Schwanke
Dianne Tuff
Dale Zacher
Private Donors

Search

No Result
View All Result

Categories

Recent Posts

  • Funeral for Marilyn ‘Lynn’ P. Borgert, 86 & Eugene ‘Gene’ J. Borgert, 89
  • 6 candidates selected for Sartell-St. Stephen superintendent
  • Kluesner appointed to St. Joseph City Council
  • Wood sentenced for killing two children
  • A list of school superintendent finalists expected March 1

City Links

Sartell
St. Joseph
St. Stephen

School District Links

Sartell-St. Stephen school district
St. Cloud school district

Chamber Links

Sartell Chamber
St. Joseph Chamber

Community

Calendar

Citizen Spotlight

Criers

People

Notices

Funerals/Visitions

Obituary

Police Blotter

Public Notices

Support Groups

About Us

Contact Us

News Tips

Submissions

Advertise With Us

Print Advertising

Digital Advertising

2021 Promotions

Local Advertising Rates

National Advertising Rates

© 2021 Newleaders

No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • Sartell – St. Stephen
    • St. Joseph
    • Sports
  • Opinion
    • Column
    • Editorial
    • Letter to the Editor
  • Community
    • Calendar
    • Citizen Spotlight
    • Criers
    • People
  • Notices
    • Funerals/Visitations
    • Obituary
    • Police Blotter
    • Public Notices
    • Support Groups
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Submissions
  • Archives
    • Sartell-St. Stephen Archive
    • St. Joseph Archive
  • Advertise With Us
    • Print Advertising
    • Digital Advertising
    • 2021 Promotions
    • Pay My Invoice

© 2021 Newleaders

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In