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

Centerville City Council Member at Large {_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. Learn more here: https://www.lwv.org/blog/voting-local-matters-why-vote-city-councilUse the MN Secretary of State’s Candidate Filing page (https://candidates.sos.state.mn.us/) to find specific candidate contact information.

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

    Russ Koski
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    David Kubat
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Garland Port
    (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 Email koskiruss@gmail.com
As a 30 year resident of Centerville, I try to give back to the community. I have served on the Centerville City Council for 7 1/2 years, deputy mayor for three years, P&Z Commission liaison and alternate representative to the North Metro Telecommunications Commission. I have attended the LMC conference and workshops. I attend Anoka County Government events, learning of county plans and how they affect Centerville while building relationships with local government decision makers.

I have volunteered for the City of Centerville Fete des Lacs festival parade for seventeen years.

It has been my honor to serve on the Centennial Fire District Steering Committee for the past six years, three times as chairperson.
Keep public safety in the forefront of the city council and staff. Be open to all options as we plan and prepare for the city’s future needs. As public safety is approximately half of the city’s budget, it is key to maintain a high level of service. Work to guide change, growth and development that adds to and enhances our city and its character. Attract businesses to strengthen the tax base. The costs of maintaining a high standard of public safety, quality streets and parks continue to rise.
I am a proponent of citizen participation. Elected officials should serve as good stewards to the tax payers. I encourage residents to participation on committees, commissions and meetings. I have proposed “town hall” type events. This is a good platform to meet residents and business owners, to share thoughts, concerns and ideas. I feel this is a good way to involve the public in the decision-making process. Building relationships within the community is important.
Continue to encourage residents to participate in city government. Attending meetings and participating on committees is a path to transparency. Continue to explore new communication avenues, using social media, websites, etc. I welcome public input via email, phone calls and personal visits.
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I bring a fresh perspective and a commitment to protecting Centerville’s small-town charm. I'm focused on implementing zoning policies that prevent high-density development, preserving the character of our neighborhoods. My platform prioritizes maintaining quality of life, improving public safety, and enhancing our parks so families can enjoy them for years to come. By advocating for thoughtful, community-driven growth, I’ll work to ensure that Centerville remains a place where residents feel safe, connected, and proud, while prioritizing transparency and sustainability.
My top three priorities are: preserving Centerville’s small-town character by enforcing zoning policies that prevent high-density development, enhancing public safety to ensure a secure environment for all residents, and improving our parks to create more recreational spaces for families. These priorities reflect my commitment to maintaining the quality of life we all value, while ensuring our community grows in a way that is sustainable, safe, and beneficial to future generations.
I plan to engage with Centerville’s diverse community by being present at local events, listening to residents’ concerns directly, and building relationships through one-on-one conversations. I will stay connected by visiting neighborhoods and ensuring open lines of communication through accessible channels like email and phone. My goal is to represent all voices, ensuring everyone feels heard and included in decisions that impact our town’s future.
I will ensure transparency and accountability by making key information accessible to the public, including budgets, plans, and decisions. I’ll advocate for clear communication from city leadership, providing regular updates through the city’s website and newsletters. I’ll also push for resident involvement in important decisions, encouraging feedback and input. My goal is to create a city government that operates openly and is accountable to the community it serves.
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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.

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.