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

Detroit Lakes 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

    Ronald Zeman
    (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 2182348206
I have lived in Detroit Lakes for over fifty years and i have been very community minded being a volunteer for many organizations such as Chamber president, Chairman of Detroit lakes United Way, current chairman of Detroit Lakes Housing Authority, charter member of Detroit lakes Heart Walk, past president of Breakfast Rotary club, voted Rotarian of the year three times, i have served on the coiy council for twenty years, i have served as vice mayor for 18 years, voted outstanding advocate for North west Minnesota by American cancer society, charter member of Polar Fest, and also initiated the Polar Plunge fund raising program that has raised many dollars for the Boys and Girls club youth activities.
Housing for all income levels of families, this also includes affordable housing!! I feel a real need to do away with our new residential/ business zoning. I strongly believe that neighborhoods should be a place to raise families not gas stations or restaurants or any other businesses. I also feel that 150 unit apartment houses are too large to be in family neighborhoods. I also support public safety with our excellent police dept and Fire Dept. I also support keeping our roads up to date.
I am very reachable to the citizens of Detroit Lakes, not only in My Ward 1 but for all people in Detroit Lakes. I have a reputation as a council member that I am at just about every public meeting and public hearing that our city council has. With me being at the majority of all meetings for Detroit Lakes I hear the concerns and issues of the tax payers at these meetings. Every year I attend Legislative action days in StPaul to visit with our State Representatives and State Senators .
With me being on the council for 20 years many of our citizens know that I am not shy to speak up for the tax payer , I also represent you the tax payers at our city council meetings and I represent your view and thoughts. I take my work on the council very seriously. I represent you at all levels of city government, you pay the bills for our city to operate. I’m concerned about our needs of the city and that we will replace something only because it is worn out or if new save our city money.
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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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