Four candidates will vie for two open seats on the Sauk Rapids City Council this November. They are the following: Merle Gales, Steve Heinen, Nicholas Sauer and Layne Schmitz. Three of the four submitted questionnaires sent out by the Newsleaders. Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 8.
Merle Gales
Please give a brief biographical background: Born and grew up in St. Cloud. Got married to Jan in 1979, moved to Sauk Rapids and have lived in the city 36 years. Have two sons and three grandchildren. Favorite pastimes/hobbies include spending time with grandkids, camping and four-wheeling.
Highlights of your education, jobs you’ve held, memberships, honors received, special skills and knowledge: Graduate of Tech High School. Metropolitan Transit Commission employee for 40 years with numerous recognitions and have played an integral part of many contract negotiations for MTC. Boy Scouts for five years.
Why are you qualified to serve the City of Sauk Rapids? I am a long-time Sauk Rapids resident. Have lived in a variety of neighborhoods in the city. Extended family live in and use the community services, schools and businesses. I have excellent communication skills, a strong supporter of transparency in business, ethics, philosophy; easily approachable. I have a strong desire to serve and work toward a better city for myself, my family, neighbors and fellow residents.
What are the biggest challenges as Sauk Rapids continues to grow? And what are the greatest strengths related to that growth? Challenges are adequate schools and services (police, maintenance, roads, parks and more) to support the growth; becoming and or maintaining a family-friendly and user-accessible city; recognizing a variety of lenses to view issues through to better represent a majority of the demographic make-up of the city. Strengths are stimulating growth of selective demographics when necessary, developing a stronger tax base, opportunity for greater ideas and brainstorming solutions without having to reinvent the wheel.
Which programs and services, if any, would you trim or eliminate entirely if a severe budget crisis should happen? This depends on the economic situation and the origin of the budget crisis – natural vs. economic and more and the need to strive for a balance of budget cuts and provisions for essential services as well as support services. Also, a thorough evaluation with input from many directions would be needed in order to eliminate a program or service even in a time of crisis. Radical, poorly evaluated reactions can be very damaging to many.
What are your thoughts about the school district and city joining forces using primarily sales-tax revenue for the athletic field house at the high school? Are there other amenities possible through partnerships, either private-public ones or with the school district? Further negotiations between city and school district to examine better use of current facilities; further negotiations needed to determine if a field house serves a majority of the city as well as what proportion of sales-tax revenue will be spent and if the city vs. school use will be proportional to the invested dollar. Further discussion is needed with residents to gather ideas for extra sales-tax revenue amenities.
There have been good major downtown developments in recent years. Is there a danger of too much development there, causing density and traffic problems? Traffic problems exist in any city and are usually associated with work shifts as currently evident in bridge usage during early morning and late afternoon. I would like to see city development spread out to include and tie in all parts of the city rather than perpetuate the natural division created by the river and Hwy. 10.
What are Sauk Rapids’ greatest strengths? What are its weaknesses? How would you improve the strengths and eliminate the weaknesses? Strengths: strong schools and education system with high standards; community togetherness – need to maintain and foster growth. Weaknesses: communication, transparency and approachability can always be improved, especially with ever-changing trends and demographics; limited opportunity for residents to support local business and enjoy beautiful nature areas. Strengths and weaknesses will always exist, but through improved open communication, ways to strengthen weaknesses will arise; knowing the strengths of the city or what the city views as vital strengths is crucial in developing and maintaining strengths.
Are taxes in Sauk Rapids too high, too low or just about right? If you think taxes are too high, how could they be reduced? This is an objective question which depends on personal living situation and income, high or low. The city needs to stay comparable with surrounding cities’ taxation and ensure the relationship between city taxation and county taxation is healthy. If the feedback from residents is too high, then a serious evaluation of ex revenue, tax-dollar use and supported programs/services needs to take place, as well as a comparison to similar cities. If too low, then consideration of additional services and programs to further benefit the city should take place to ensure the city is adequately serving its residents. In either situation, communication is key so residents understand the use of tax dollars and the benefits of how thy are spent.
Some neighborhood residents in the city have expressed fears about safety because of multiple thefts and burglaries. What can be done to lessen those fears and ensure residents remain safe and secure? Support the police department so it has the necessary tools and education to successfully support the city. Consider reserve police program or other similar involvement. Enhance community public spaces to foster relationships among residents through frequent contact with neighbors and businesses. More frequent Community Night Out events to build rapport among neighborhoods by inviting other parties into the process.
Are there ways to further enhance the Mississippi River at Sauk Rapids as a recreational and aesthetic shoreline resource for both residents and visitors? Increase low-maintenance parks/green space. Provide easy access for those using the river for recreation, such as kayaking and fishing. Consider eating options with a view of the river, either sit-down dining or cart vendors during good weather. Consider lighting some of the parks. Consider connecting walking paths to various neighborhoods, especially making a safe pedestrian way for those living on the outer parts of town to easily and safely access the river. Consider outdoor events along the river with local vendors like Ladies Night Out.
Feel free to add any other ideas you may have. Work toward being a pedestrian/bike-friendly city with lighted paths and a few intersection crossings in high-traffic areas. Have concerts and movies in the parks with concessions to support local groups. Seek unique, creative ways to make the city attractive to new residents to patronize further dispersing traffic flow through the commercial parts of town and inspiring growth in open areas. Host coffee with a council member or similar meetings to openly brainstorm solutions and discuss issues the residents would like to discuss without the formality of bringing it to a council meeting. See other opportunities for the city to get involved with events held in the city, such as expanding the Sauk Rapids Food Fest, parade and pageant. Evaluate the reputation of the city and ensure it’s on target with goals of the residents.
Steve Heinen
Please give a brief biographical background: Born and raised in Sauk Rapids. Married for 30 years to spouse, Mary. Two adult children, Andy and Nicole. Have been a resident and small-business owner in Sauk Rapids for past 29 years.
Please give highlights of your education, jobs you’ve held, memberships, honors received, special skills and knowledge: Graduated from Sauk Rapids-Rice High School. I worked for our family business while growing up, then worked as a welder for five years until returning to take over the family business in 1987.
I have been a member of the Central Minnesota Builders Association for 28 years. I have been a firearms-safety instructor for 20 years, the last 10 years serving as lead instructor.
Why are you qualified to serve the City of Sauk Rapids? For the City of Sauk Rapids, I have served on its city council for the past four years, and for three years served as its acting mayor. I served on the city’s planning commission for eight years, three of them as chairperson. I have also served on many subcommittees, including the Half-Cent Sales-Tax Committee, the Joint Planning Board, the Area Planning Organization, Land-Use and Development Committee, County State Aide Hwy. 3 and Public Works Committee.
As a lifelong resident and business owner in Sauk Rapids, I believe I can represent the majority of citizens in their concerns. I have shown my ability to work with all levels of city government and the greater Sauk Rapids area. I believe in strong leadership that addresses problems and holds people accountable in finding solutions.
With my extensive experience on the planning commission and city council, I have knowledge and insight into the city’s regulations and comprehensive plan for the future.
What are the biggest challenges as Sauk Rapids continues to grow? And what are the greatest strengths related to that growth? Biggest challenges are attracting new businesses and continuing to replace aging infrastructure. Greatest strengths are increased job opportunities and a vibrant downtown.
Which programs and services, if any, would you trim or eliminate entirely if a severe budget crisis should happen? In my nearly four years serving on the city council, we have worked very hard to be fiscally sound. I believe city services must remain operational during difficult financial hardships for the safety and well-being of all citizens.
What are your thoughts about the school district and city joining forces using primarily sales-tax revenue for the athletic field house at the high school? Are there other amenities possible through partnerships, either private-public ones or with the school district? The City of Sauk Rapids and the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District will need to join forces and use sales-tax revenue for the proposed field house.
There have been good major downtown developments in recent years. Is there a danger of too much development there, causing density and traffic problems? The city has been planning for more development and congestion throughout the past 10 years. Solutions to these concerns started with the bridge project, the Benton Drive reconstruction and now the Second Street Up-the-Hill project. There is still land/space available for future business developments within the city.
What are Sauk Rapids’ greatest strengths? What are its weaknesses? How would you improve the strengths and eliminate the weaknesses? Recent infrastructure improvements and supporting our current businesses are great current strengths. We have to continue planning replacement of infrastructure.
The city’s greatest weakness is attracting new businesses during road-construction projects. We must embrace our small-town culture and continue to support current businesses as we try to attract new businesses.
Are taxes in Sauk Rapids too high, too low or just about right? If you think taxes are too high, how could they be reduced? During the last four years while serving on the city council, we have worked diligently to keep city taxes for our citizens at the same or even lower rate.
Some neighborhood residents in the city have expressed fears about safety because of multiple thefts and burglaries. What can be done to lessen those fears and ensure residents remain safe and secure? Safety for our citizens is always a high priority. During the past two years, the city has worked to add and hire three additional police officers. The city council will continue to work with law enforcement to assess the need of other safety measures or additional officers on an ongoing basis.
Are there ways to further enhance the Mississippi River at Sauk Rapids as a recreational and aesthetic shoreline resource for both residents and visitors? Yes, I would support looking at ways to further enhance the Mississippi River shoreline for our citizens and visitors.
Nicholas Sauer
Please give a brief biographical background: Born and raised on the south side of Sauk Rapids.
Please give highlights of your education, jobs you’ve held, memberships, honors received, special skills and knowledge: Graduated from Sauk Rapids-Rice High School; diploma in graphic communications from St. Cloud Technical and Community College; currently work at Border States Electric and Beaver Island Brewing Co.
Why are you qualified to serve the City of Sauk Rapids? I am rerunning for city council so I bring with me all of the experiences I have had during the last four years. I feel I have built good relationships with the staff and have tried to make it a point to call back anyone who has reached out to me. Throughout the last four years I have also served on the following committees: Recreation Board, Liquor Operation, Chair of Regional Human Rights Joint Powers Board, North Star Corridor Group, Joint Powers Board with School, Half-Cent Sales Tax Committee, and Personal and Finance Committee.
What are the biggest challenges as Sauk Rapids continues to grow and what are the greatest strengths related to that growth? The biggest challenge is our aging infrastructure. Also, I believe we need to not only bring in new businesses to the industrial and business parks but also retain the current ones. One of our greatest strengths is the Up-the-Hill project. This will make travel through town much easier for everyone. It will also help showcase another strength we have – our growing and vibrant downtown.
Which programs and services, if any, would you trim or eliminate entirely if a severe budget crisis should happen? We are always looking for ways to save money at the city. Some of the things we can do and have done include contracting out services to save on overtime and putting off projects or other expenses that can wait another year or so.
What are your thoughts about the school district and city joining forces using primarily sales-tax revenue for the athletic field house at the high school? Are there other amenities possible through partnerships, either private-public ones or with the school district? The field house is a good idea and I do believe some of the residents would benefit from it. The price did come in much higher than what was first proposed and there are still plenty of questions that need to be answered. The field house was also only part of the questions residents voted on which included parks, trails and roads. I would like to have some of those questions answered before putting any more money toward this project.
There have been good major downtown developments in recent years. Is there a danger of too much development there, causing density and traffic problems? I don’t see that being a problem, and I believe there are already signals in place to help alleviate some traffic problems. The yellow turn light on Second and CSAH3 was the first in the area and works very well. The Up-the-Hill project will help move traffic along and there has been talk of adding a right-hand turn lane coming off the bridge.
What are Sauk Rapids’ greatest strengths? What are its weaknesses? How would you improve the strengths and eliminate the weaknesses? Sauk Rapids’ school system is one of its greatest strengths. I know plenty of people who have moved from other cities in the area so their children can be close to the school they attend. Our downtown is also a great strength. I believe our greatest weakness is the perceived notion our city taxes are higher than most area cities.
Are taxes in Sauk Rapids too high, too low or just about right? If you think taxes are too high, how could they be reduced? Everyone would love to not pay any taxes but I think our city tax rate is just about right and we are actually right in the middle when compared to other local cities. Taxes help pay for things like the fire department, public works, community development and the extra police officers who were recently hired. Sauk Rapids residents also pay county and school taxes. These may be a bit higher when compared to other cities, but I do believe we have one of the best school districts in central Minnesota to show for it. We can help reduce our taxes by attracting new businesses to the city. We can also continue to look at the budget and see if there are any departments or programs that can be trimmed.
Some neighborhood residents in the city have expressed fears about safety because of multiple thefts and burglaries. What can be done to lessen those fears and ensure residents remain safe and secure? Communication is the key. Communicate with your neighbors, local law enforcement and both your city and state elected officials. The best thing the residents did was come to the council meeting and let the council know what was going on and the impact it was having on them. Another thing that can be done is for neighbors to start a Neighborhood Watch program. Also, police have already upped patrols in these areas. If you see someone or something that looks out of place, call the police.
Are there ways to further enhance the Mississippi River at Sauk Rapids as a recreational and aesthetic shoreline resource for both residents and visitors? Thankfully St. Cloud was able to get the 2017 Governor’s Fishing Opener. That should help showcase what Sauk Rapids already has when it comes to our parks. The main log building will also be renovated next year. As to further enhance, I believe a large pergola/open shelter could be a great space for the farmers’ market, fitness classes and concerts.
Merle Gales
Steve Heinen
Nicholas Sauer
