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.

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Voter Guide

Orono 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.mn.gov/) to find specific candidate contact information.Watch a candidate forum for this race recorded on September 22, 2026.

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

    Maggie Arends
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Jon Schwingler
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Scott Wellman
    (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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I offer a combination of deep roots in Orono and practical leadership experience. I grew up here, graduated from Orono High School, returned to raise my family, and have served as an election judge since 2010. I co-own and operate two optical businesses employing about 25 people, where I manage budgets, personnel, compliance, negotiations, and long-term planning. My degree in International Political Economy strengthened my ability to examine complex issues from multiple perspectives. I would bring careful preparation, sound judgment, fiscal discipline, and a willingness to listen before making decisions.
My top priorities would be: 1) responsible budgeting that protects essential services while respecting taxpayers; 2) preserving Lake Minnetonka, wetlands, open space, and Orono's distinct semi-rural and lakeside character; and 3) transparent, responsive government that gives residents clear information and meaningful opportunities to be heard. These priorities support both the city's long-term financial health and the qualities that make Orono a special place to live.
Orono includes lakeshore neighborhoods, rural areas, established neighborhoods, and residents with different needs and perspectives. I would engage through open meetings, neighborhood conversations, community events, and direct communication. I would listen before reaching conclusions, seek input from people less likely to attend formal meetings, and explain how resident input affected my decisions. Representation means considering the city as a whole, not only its most vocal participants.
I would prepare thoroughly, ask clear questions in public meetings, explain the reasoning behind my votes, and support timely access to agendas, meeting materials, minutes, budgets, and project information. I would disclose conflicts and recuse myself when required, follow open-meeting and public-records laws, and insist that major decisions identify costs, funding sources, alternatives, and expected outcomes. Accountability also means revisiting decisions when results differ from projections.
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Campaign Website http://www.scott4orono.com
Facebook (Full URL) http://www.facebook.com/scott4orono
Campaign Email scott4orono@yahoo.com
Orono is exploring what the community wants for its environment and future, as reflected in initiatives such as the Orono Comprehensive Plan 2050, while navigating some rapid changes.

Some of those changes are driven by technologies ranging from the use of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) to evolving cybersecurity threats. These developments bring both opportunities and risks that require thoughtful, balanced consideration.

I would bring a distinctive perspective to the Council in discussions about these developments, blending a personal appreciation for Orono’s natural environment with professional experience managing staff and working in cybersecurity (I’m CISSP certified).
1. Maintain thoughtful assessment of requests: give proposals due consideration while protecting what Orono is.

2. Consider IT precautions: this might include reviewing the Flock contract (beyond the ALPR audit) and/or supporting an independent cybersecurity risk assessment (especially given recent attacks on nearby towns).

3. Streamlining processes: give fair consideration of variance requests while exploring ways to improve consistency and reduce repetition in the current process.
The City Council represents the residents and interests of the city and are elected to make decisions on their behalf. I believe responsible stewardship of that trust begins with listening and learning what residents value and desire. I would use several methods to do just that— including giving careful attention to staff and other speakers at Council meetings, reviewing emails and other correspondence in a timely fashion, and thoughtfully analyzing input such as the National Community Survey.
The National Community Survey reports that Orono has a higher than national average perception that local government is open and transparent to the public, with 66% rating it as excellent or good.

However, I would like to see that number even higher.

Before making changes, however, I would like to explore ways to better understand what is driving the 34% who rated it fair or poor— listening to their concerns and learning where they perceive shortcomings in this area.
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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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