ELECTION GUIDE: Kettle River City Council

KETTLE RIVER CITY COUNCIL

Miya Kohmetsche (Incumbent)

Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications. (limit 50 words) I am a lifelong resident of Kettle River, former mayor and active member of the community. I truly care about the City and want to continue to be the voice of our citizens to make the best decisions for our future.

What made you decide to run for city council this year?

I am running for the City Council position to use my skills and experience to serve the citizens of Kettle River.

The Kettle River city council has seen more than its share of drama in recent months. How would you try to make the council more functional if elected?

To improve Council functionality, we must operate as a team to reach the best decisions and outcomes possible. I have experience working in a team environment, the sharing of ideas and making hard decisions. My input as a team member will be that which serves the citizens of Kettle River in the best manner possible.

Name one other top issue facing Kettle River and how you would like to see it addressed.

Long term stability is a top issue for me. Ever increasing expenses to keep the city operating is a tremendous challenge. We need to strive to trim unnecessary expenses, increase efficiency, and eliminate in-fighting amongst our members. We need to work towards the common goal of long-term success.

Elaborate on one thing you think the council handled well over the past two years.

The Council has worked well addressing citizen concerns promptly. Our water quality had decreased, and we received complaints from residents. We acted quickly by contacting experts to address the aging water tower. Steps were taken to replace a rusting standpipe to reduce rust and sediment in our water system. The current council also started an annual BBQ to bring the citizens and Council together to strengthen our community.

Why should people vote for you?

I am proud to call our small-town home. Kettle River is more than a town, it is a community. It is a wonderful place to raise children where neighbors can count on one another to lend a hand or keep an eye out for one another. I will work hard to make our town a great place for residents to call home.

Jesse Kemp

Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications.

I am a member of the Lion’s Club. I’m honest. I like to save money. I have many work experiences that make me qualified in many ways, including a bachelor’s degree in teaching. I know how to get things done without spending tons of money.

What made you decide to run for city council this year?

Our town seems to not want to get grants to fix things that would cost us money. I’ve seen them say they would rather get a loan than a grant.

The Kettle River city council has seen more than its share of drama in recent months. How would you try to make the council more functional if elected?

When people have an opinion, people need to listen and not interrupt. It’s that simple. We need greater transparency, so everyone knows how the council is spending money. Also, the council needs to work with local businesses and residents first.

Name one other top issue facing Kettle River and how you would like to see it addressed.

We need to address the infrastructure of our town: the water, the power, the sewer … everything that’s broken in our town before it’s too much. Use grants instead of loans. They took out a loan for the water tower when they could have got a grant. Get what you can, and fix the town. We also need a physical copy of our city code, so people know what we can and can’t do without a permit.

Elaborate on one thing you think the council handled well over the past two years.

I’m not sure. I’m on the fence on what they did right and wrong.

Why should people vote for you?

A change is good. Let’s get out of debt. Help people. Think smarter and pull in better resources to help our town to lower our electric, sewer and cost of living. Lower the taxes.

The Pine Knot News was unable to reach incumbent councilor Elizabeth Mascarenas.