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.

  • Learn where candidates running for office in your community stand on the issues.
  • Build your ballot before voting. Print or email the information to use as a reference when you actually vote.

We do not save your information; it will be lost when you leave this page. Only candidates that appear on your ballot will be listed. Additional information may be available for your area so be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page for other voters’ guides.

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Voter Guide

Belle Plaine City Council Member {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

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

Click a candidate icon to find more information about the candidate. To compare two candidates, click the "compare" button. To start over, click a candidate icon.

  • Candidate picture

    Cary Coop
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Brady Hartmann
    (NP)

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    Michael O'Donnell
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Luke Otto
    (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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Contact Phone 612-964-1008
Campaign Email carygcoop@gmail.com
I feel with my experience, drive for progress, and energy, I am the best candidate for this position. I have experienced many forms of development and growth. Finance issues are important. With the city's AA bond rating, we are in good position for future planning and growth. Budget control is important, and the 2025 budget with its 4% growth is well within municipal inflation rates. Working with the community and city staff, we have a swimming pool with free swim for residents twice a week. Such an amenity is unknown in the Metro area. Recent growth has resulted in new restaurants, merchandise stores, gas station, and downtown stores. With recent improvements, we are bringing downtown to greater prosperity.
My first priority is continued growth of the city's business and industrial base. Growth will provide jobs and property tax relief. My second priority is bringing parks, trails, and amenities to the people of Belle Plaine. Parks and trails provide inexpensive activity time for families. The third priority is effective public safety - police, fire, and ambulance.
Part of the council job is talking to community members - whether individually, in groups, or in neighborhoods. The second aspect of the council job is to create a welcoming environment for all - whether they have lived in town all their lives or are new to the community. Finally, it is important to be open to new ideas and up-to-date methods and technologies for communication. Much misunderstanding can be eliminated with proper and respectful city/citizen communication.
Currently, city meetings are recorded and on the city website. The city also has a Facebook page and a newsletter. Public hearings are posted throughout the community. Major decisions, ordinance changes, and constructions are communicated throughout the community or with letters to affected neighborhoods. Such communications are invitations to public hearings before the city council - whether personally or in writing.
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Powered by League of Women Voters Education Fund

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.

VOTE411 is brought to you by the League of Women Voters Education Fund and League of Women Voters of Minnesota Education Fund. The League of Women Voters does not support or oppose any political party or candidate for office.