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

Barnesville 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. Learn more here: https://www.lwv.org/blog/voting-local-matters-why-you-should-vote-mayorIf your candidate didn’t fill in the guide below, visit the Secretary of State’s Candidate Filing site to find contact info. If you reach out, ask candidates to complete their Vote411 Voters Guide from the LWVMN!

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

    Shawn Paschke
    (NP)

  • Candidate picture

    Jason Rick
    (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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Facebook (Full URL) http://Facebook.com/MayorJasonRick
Campaign Email fireball7676@yahoo.com
I believe I am the best candidate for Mayor because of my deep roots, experience, and commitment to Barnesville. I have served 7 years as Mayor and 8 years prior as a City Council member, giving me 15 years of dedicated service to our community—and I have never missed a council meeting. I have 32 years of service on our local fire department and 27 years working for a local Barnesville business. I have strong connections with county and state leaders and understand the issues facing our residents. Barnesville has been my lifelong home, where my wife and I raised three sons and are now blessed with six grandchildren. Most importantly, I am accessible to my constituents, return calls, listen to concerns, and work hard to serve our community.
My top three priorities are: Infrastructure: Continue working with state leaders to secure additional funding for long-overdue improvements, building on the $750,000 already set aside. 13th Street: Secure funding to pave our city’s east border. Preliminary engineering is nearly complete, making this project shovel-ready to move forward. Wagner Park Campground: Expand from 44 always-booked sites to 85 full-hookup RV sites to meet demand and bring Barnesville more visitors and economic activity.
I will continue to promote transparency through open portfolio and council meetings, where residents are welcome to attend, ask questions and participate in the dialogue. I will ensure council members have the information needed for thoughtful discussion and sound recommendations. I will emphasize accountability by continuing responsible budgeting, pursuing grants, and careful use of taxpayer dollars. I also donate my city compensation to local community organizations and causes.
I believe being an effective mayor starts with listening. I make myself available by answering calls, returning messages and emails, and making time to meet with residents. I listen to concerns and feedback wherever I encounter people in our community. I also use my Mayor Facebook page to share City information and encourage residents to stay informed, ask questions, and participate in our community and local government.
Public safety will remain one of my top priorities. With my years as a firefighter and first responder, I understand the importance of having well-trained, well-equipped police, fire and ambulance services. I will continue seeking funding for modern equipment, vehicles, and personal protective gear. Our emergency services are active at community events, building relationships with residents, letting them know we are there when needed, and encouraging others to join these vital response teams.
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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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