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

Preston 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 forum for this race will be held on October 20, 2026 at 6:00 pm at the Preston Depot Museum and Riverfront Center (map).

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  • Candidate picture

    Melvin Hayner
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Kurt Reicks
    (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 am a “people person” and a problem solver. These are important skills for a city leader who must constantly work with others and may sometimes face tasks that seem insurmountable. I feel as though I have the optimistic outlook needed for dealing with demanding situations. I value honesty, integrity and service. As well as being a business entrepreneur and fishing guide, I recently retired from my 20-year occupation as an Alcohol & Drug Counselor. During those years I worked with adolescents and families and with adults. Counseling and guiding informed many of the skills that make me a great candidate for the position of Mayor. Both of these professions require careful planning, patience and the ability to teach, direct and listen.
First, supporting new business and city growth while still maintaining the small town feel with a commerce plan that supports progress and stability. I will advocate for economic vitality and sustainability. In addition, our natural resources, such as the South Branch of the Root River, require us to be environmentally sensitive & good stewards to preserve those assets that bring tourism to our town. Finally, I will encourage improvement of our existing infrastructures, such as roads & parks.
As far as allowed by city rules, I will encourage the public to attend meetings and will share that which is deemed public information. I will encourage and monitor accurate record keeping of meetings and interactions. Should concerns be brought to my attention, I will make all attempts to follow-up on those concerns and respond to those with questions. If needed, I will ensure concerns and problems are referred to the appropriate entities.
Residents will be encouraged to attend meetings as may be allowed by city law, but also to contact me via phone or e-mail, and to participate in public hearings. I will also work closely with council members who have been elected to speak for their constituents. Scheduled appointments will be considered as appropriate to the situation.
I will support law enforcement by advocating for funding, salaries and equipment as needed and holding criminals accountable in the courts. All of our first responders: police, fire, and EMS deserve to have the resources they need to serve our community. As mayor, I will fight to make sure that all of our front-line guardians have what they need to keep our community safe and healthy.
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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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