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

Rothsay 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 Mayor

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  • Candidate picture

    Shane Balken
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Heather Weber
    (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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As a current City Council Member, Rothsay Areawide Economic Development Authority member and a Rothsay Lion, I see the current needs of Rothsay from multiple angles. I believe I am the best candidate for Mayor due to my willingness to put in the work and move things forward. As a small town, Rothsay has limited resources that must be leveraged appropriately to grow our community. We cannot focus on only one area for improvement and expect to thrive. Instead, we must act bigger, grow smartly and plan for the future. Rothsay needs someone leading that plan that is committed, engaged and available.
My priorities will be strategic planning, balanced growth, and proactive fiscal management. We need a long-term strategic plan with realistic goals & measurable outcomes to facilitate balanced growth. We must have a unified plan to strategically grow and improve. To facilitate that goal, we need to have proactive budgeting & fiscal management to ensure taxpayer funds are being used in a way that prioritizes the long-range goals and plans of the City.
I would continue to work with city staff to make sure that city meeting minutes, agendas and ordinances are available to the public online and upon request. I will also prioritize establishing common sense procedures and policies for City work and government functions that ensure oversight of city spending and compliance with applicable laws and governmental standards.
I am available in town almost every evening and weekend, and I am always available and responsive to emails and phone calls. I would also like to establish office hours, at least once a month to be available in person to residents and city staff at city hall, for individuals to ask questions or voice concerns. I would also encourage all residents to become involved by attending city council meetings and participating in various town halls or open forums that occur.
Although we live in a relatively safe community there is also room to improve. Through a positive working relationship with the sheriff’s department, I would strengthen coordination between the city and local law enforcement to make sure that both entities understand the needs of Rothsay. I would also advocate for community involvement in identifying public safety concerns and make sure that residents have access to the resources needed to improve the livability of Rothsay.
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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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