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.

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Voter Guide

Ramsey City Mayor

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 MayorA candidate forum for this race is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYJcnv3iu1A. More MN forums are available at https://www.lwvmn.org/2024-candidate-forums.

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

    Ryan Heineman
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Mark E. Kuzma
    (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)

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I have confidence that the residents of Ramsey can flourish when the government focuses on the essentials that make a city prosper. Our priorities should include improving our roads, ensuring our public safety officials receive top-tier training, and finding innovative ways to generate revenue without increasing the burden on taxpayers. This means expanding recreational opportunities for both youth and adults, offering attractions that are free for residents while attracting visitors from neighboring cities, and collaborating with our state representatives to bring more of our tax dollars back into Ramsey through state and federal support.
My top three priorities are safeguarding individual rights from government overreach, enhancing our roads and trails while maintaining fiscal responsibility, and ensuring our public safety personnel are exceptionally trained and equipped to keep our residents healthy and safe.
I will advocate for televising working sessions to give residents greater insight and context into the issues and solutions being discussed, along with a detailed breakdown of what was covered and who championed specific ideas. Transparency is key—we owe it to our voters to clearly show where we stand, so they can make informed decisions about whether we are the right people to represent them.
During my time on the council, I made it a priority to respond to every email and phone call. As I run for mayor, I continue to uphold that belief that residents must have open access to their representatives. After being elected, I will remain approachable and available, making every effort to engage with the community. In addition to maintaining an active social media presence and website, I encourage residents to attend council meetings or reach out beforehand to share their concerns.
As a former military police officer and law enforcement student, I understand the significant impact community policing can have on a city. I will continue to support our outstanding police department in taking a proactive approach, fostering strong relationships, and empowering all residents to actively engage in creating and advocating for safer communities. Building trust and collaboration is key to ensuring our city remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone.
Campaign Website http://www.mayor-mark.com
Contact Phone 6129653780
Campaign Email markkuzma01@gmail.com
I believe I am the best canadate because I understand our city needs and wants. Being on council for the past 12 years has given me the perspective and experience needed to be an effective leader. I also bring my 42 years of business experience to the table for best practices in budgets, employee matters etc. Beyond the city I have served on a number of boards in leadership capacities as well. As our city continues to grow, having an experienced hand is important in managing our community.
If re-elected I will build a coalition of our community leaders including State and Federal officials to start the conversation about building the Ramsey/ Dayton bridge. Second item I propose to move our old Town Hall over to the river and create a Mississippi Visitors History center. Maintaining our roads, parks, trails and holding our tax levy down is also very important.
Our work sessions are available online and these are open to the public. Our council meetings are televised online by QCTV and these are also open to the public. We publish a quarterly newsletter called the Ramsey Resident. Notices are sent out for special meetings or public hearings as well. I also make myself available for anyone who has an issue on a matter, to meet in person, call or email.
During our council meeting we have Citizen Input where you can come before council and discuss an issue. We hold public hearings, we have commissions that weigh in on issues and provide opinion to council. The city also sends out surveys to get resident feedback. We have staff on hand to work with residents when services are required. Again I am available for meeting in person or discussing on the phone.
I will support our Police by providing the necessary funding for staffing and equipment. Engaging the public with our community survey is helpful in understanding our citizen concerns. Encouraging more neighborhoods to hold Night to Unite gatherings and getting to know your neighbors is a great way to keep our neighborhoods safer.
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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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