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

Oak Park Heights 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. 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.A candidate forum for this race is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFQz9J2H0dg. 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

    Chuck Dougherty
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Mike Runk
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Blake Van Denburgh
    (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 Website http://www.facebook.com/doughertyforoph
Contact Phone 651-491-0419
Facebook (Full URL) http://www.facebook.com/doughertyforoph
Campaign Email chuckdoughertyforoph@gmail.com
I have served on the Council for three terms, I understand how our City works and the needs of our residents . I'm proud of the job we have done to get are City to the point it is with financially sound decisions. All our accounts are fully funded, and we have not taken on any debt during my tenure on the Council. We have a big challenge coming up with the closing of the King Plant. I feel I have shown proven leadership to help come up with a solution to the loss for that tax base. Being a private business owner, I bring a business perspective to government and how businesses and government can work together to get things done for our community.
The closing of the King Coal Plant, working to come up with a plan to minimize the effects that the tax base loss will have on our residents. Keep working to maintain and improve our parks and trails and that they are accessible to all. Keep working to keep taxes low.
I'm in the community I live and work here, people can reach out to me at any time. Ever since I have been on the Council I do my research as we approach new issues. I read through all the information, talk with city staff and go to the affected community to hear what our neighbors are thinking. I always understand that we are servants to our community, and we must do what is best for everyone.
I feel my record speaks for itself. I have always been transparent in everything I do for the City. We are an open book as far as accountability goes, we are one of the best run Cities when it comes to money management. The only debt we have is from the building of the City Hall and that will be paid off in 2028.
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Campaign Website http://blakecouncil.com
Campaign Email blake@felizinc.com
I bring a unique combination of deep community involvement, leadership experience, and a forward-thinking approach. With over 25 years of volunteering and leadership roles in organizations like 4-H and the Midwest Poultry Federation, I understand the value of service and commitment to the people I represent. My diverse background in management and sales, along with founding my own consulting company, gives me the skills needed. I am dedicated to replacing lost tax revenue, ensuring responsible land use, and holding corporations accountable, all while focusing on sustainable growth for Oak Park Heights. My ability to listen to diverse perspectives, embrace modern technology separates me from the current board members.
If elected, my top three priorities will be replacing the lost tax revenue from the King Plant by strategically developing new facilities, embracing technology to modernize city services and improve infrastructure, and addressing environmental concerns, particularly PFAS contamination, to protect public health. My focus is on creating a sustainable, forward-thinking community while preserving the values and wellbeing of Oak Park Heights.
I plan to engage with and represent all members of our diverse community by using modern technology that goes beyond platforms like Facebook. I’ll implement interactive tools such as community apps, online forums, and virtual town halls to ensure everyone can easily participate in local decisions. By leveraging these technologies, I’ll make it easier for residents to stay informed, voice their opinions, and get involved in shaping the future of Oak Park Heights, regardless of age or background.
To ensure transparency and accountability in city government, I will implement modern technology and communication tools that provide real-time updates and easy access to information. This includes creating a user-friendly city website with meeting agendas, minutes, and decisions readily available, as well as using online platforms for live-streaming council meetings and hosting interactive Q&A sessions. Using trusted, accessible tools, we foster clear communication.
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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.