Minnesota and North Dakota Voter's Guide

Forum Communications Co., in collaboration with the League of Women Voters of Minnesota and of North Dakota, is providing this voter guide to help keep you informed ahead of the 2024 election.

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Voter Guide

Hastings City Council Member Ward 1

As local legislators who sometimes have executive power, council members can propose ordinances, set administrative policy, and authorize the budget proposed by the mayor. They oversee all city activities, including city services, programs, licensing, and public safety. Mayoral appointments to city government typically require council approval.Voting in local elections is important - learn more here: Why Vote for City Council

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  • Candidate picture

    DawnMarie Vihrachoff
    (NP)

Biographical Information

Why are you the best candidate for this position? (750 characters)

If elected, what will your top three priorities be and why? (500 characters)

How do you plan to engage with and represent all members of our diverse community?(500 characters)

What steps will you take to ensure transparency and accountability in city government? (500 characters)

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Campaign Website http://dawnmarieforhastings.com
Contact Phone 651-587-7458
Facebook (Full URL) http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559837173232
Campaign Email dawnmarieforhastings@gmail.com
I’m running for city council because I care a whole lot about my neighbors and I love my Rivertown community. My family and I have called Hastings home for nearly two decades. I’m a busy mom, a dedicated community volunteer and an aunt to 13 nieces (you should see my Christmas shopping list!). As a non-profit leader, I’ve worked for 20+ years at managing budgets, people, programs and planning while helping organizations raise money to do good in this world. I’m a passionate problem-solver who loves to brainstorm, build consensus and believes that the role of elected officials is to always show up, listen more and talk less.
#1 Everyone in Hastings needs access to safe water; the contamination of our water supply with forever chemicals (PFAS) keeps me up at night. #2 Hastings has 37 public parks and miles of trails and I want to ensure that these stay accessible, safe and maintained for all in our community to enjoy. #3 Prioritizing investment in our aging infrastructure to ensure growth for our businesses and to promote Hastings as a wonderful place for people to move to, live, raise a family, work and retire.
I love that Hastings communicates with our 8,963 households through a weekly city email, mailed newsletters, an active social media presence and city staff and elected officials that encourage public participation in meetings, commissions, activities and prioritize resident’s feedback to strengthen and grow our community. Showing up, listening with an open mind, asking tough questions and compromising are central to me engaging with and representing my community well. Let’s do this, Hastings!
I believe that the role of good government is to serve, help and be a resource for its residents. Transparency and accountability occur through good, clear communications (see above), prioritizing public feedback and working together to build a stronger community with shared goals. I think it’s ok to say “I don’t know” to questions and issues provided the next thing said is “but I’ll figure it out and get back to you.” Above all, I believe that we all do better when we all do better.
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The League of Women Voters of Minnesota and North Dakota crafted the questions sent to the candidates in the Spring of 2024. They reached out to candidates based on contact information in their public candidate filings. Candidates with email addresses were invited and reminded with emails. Candidates with only mailing addresses were sent a letter. Candidates with phone numbers received a phone call as well.

Candidate responses are published as they responded and have not been edited, except when responses were longer than the given character limit. In those cases, the responses are truncated.

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