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.

Start Over

Voter Guide

Waite Park City Mayor {_getChooseLabel(this.selections.length)}

The mayor is usually the head of the city and may represent the city in front of other government bodies. They also can preside at council meetings and appoint city workers. A mayor usually has a role in proposing a city budget which influences services provided to residents and can veto ordinances proposed by the city council.Voting in local elections is important - learn more here: Why Vote for Mayor

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

    Mike Linquist
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Kenneth Schmitt
    (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)

If elected, what strategies will you use to ensure transparency, accountability and ethical conduct in city government under your leadership? (500 characters)

How will you engage with residents to solicit feedback, involve them in decision-making processes, and ensure their voices are heard? (500 characters)

How will you approach public safety and community policing to ensure the well-being of all residents? (500 characters)

{_btnLabelFor(compare1, _isInSelection(compare1))}
{_btnLabelFor(compare2, _isInSelection(compare2))}
As a resident of Waite Park for 50 years I have been involved in city affairs for most of those 50 years. I was involved in the police department and rescue squad for 22 years as a volunteer. Involved in many civic activities such as past President of the SpassTag Festival for 4 years ,Planning commission,Park Board.Worked with Waite Park Babe Ruth as a coach,St.Cloud youth hockey as a coach team manager. Organized groups to help build Lions Park play area and also help to finish the warming house at Riverside Park. I have served on the city council for the past 24 years. I have worked hard for the citizens and I can see what chances need to be worked on to make the council more efficient in the decision making process. Much more
1. Make sure the council has the proper information in plenty of time prior to the decision making time. Last minute information is not good for proper debate and decisions. No more rubber stamping! 2. To work with our planning department to get our comprehensive plan and strategic plan for new development of housing and business development started 3. Work with administration to assure information is received in adequate time so council can make proper decisions
Being open with present administration is most important. There are some changes that need to be done. Sometimes small changes are the hardest to get done but are necessary to maintain to working relationship with all council and employes of the city.
This is a very hard question that we continue to work on. I would like to see our video problem fixed. We are working with this as we speak. Social media is another way we can work together on this seems to be the best way to communicate with the citizens and also mailings. We do have a city Webpage where information is available to citizens and businesses. Try to engage with citizens and business community and promote involvement within the city.
We are working hard with our Police and Fire Departments to maintain and recruit new people for those jobs its difficult put we will maintain a high level of safety for our citizens at all times.!!!!
My strong commitment to the community and work experience has enhanced my desire to seek the position of Mayor. I have managed businesses over 30 years, overseeing employees, and preparing budgets. Over 40 years volunteered in the community including Cub Scouts as treasurer, and pack leader; Boy Scouts as treasurer, assistant scout master, Christmas dinner; assisting my three sons and others to Eagle Scout status; Festival committee and 10 year president; coached Babe Ruth baseball; officer, fundraising chair local fishing club; Lions Club; City Parks Board for over 17 years (projects completed Park Pavilion, Rivers Edge Park, Splash Pad, Healthy Living Trail and Pickle Ball); Planning Commission two years; and City Council five years.
To enhance communications with the citizens so they are up to date and aware of happenings in the City. To better market the City to promote growth. The City has great amenities to advance new business and housing within the City. To improve interaction with current and future businesses and developers to grow the City. I have the tools to work with the citizens and city staff to improve communications within the City, further citizen awareness, and work toward continued growth of the City.
To ensure transparency, accountability and ethical conduct under my leadership, I believe having open and frank discussions with each department to make sure the leaders of the City follow ethical policies to enhance City progress. Working together the leaders and the citizens can voice their concerns and work toward the common goal of a valued community. We will make sure the leaders have the resources and tools necessary to do their jobs.
I believe one way to approach community harmony is to develop an email alert system so citizens can follow what is happening in the City. I would like to have periodic public meetings such as “coffee with the mayor” to meet with community associations.
Public safety is priority number one for our City. We need to work to have the best fire and police protection through open discussions and thoughtful dialog on how we can constantly improve our systems. These departments need to be given resources to keep, attract and retain our public safety employees. We can do that through budget review, think tank sessions, and maintain open communication.
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.