ELECTION GUIDE: Scanlon Mayor

SCANLON MAYOR

Joshua Kolodge

Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications.

I am 24 years old and have lived in Scanlon for 13 years. I work in the maintenance field. I am not a politician. I am running to try to make a difference in our small city.

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

I want to bring a fresh perspective to a city where there hasn't been much of any change in years. I am tired of the same old, same old when it comes to our city's leadership.

Funding infrastructure (streets, water, sewer) is a challenge. What are your city's biggest needs and how can they be addressed?

The roads within our city are in terrible shape. The infrastructure under the surface is also in need of replacement. Our biggest challenge is the small budget we have to work with. We need to make sure the right things are being taken care of first.

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

I don't think there is enough community involvement in the operation of our city. I want to get out and talk to our citizens and get to know what is on their mind and what they would like to see addressed by the city. I want to encourage people to come to the city council meetings and get involved in the decisions being made.

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

I think the city has kept up on the maintenance of our parks well. The parks are looking better than they have in many years. They have freshened up the landscaping and added new equipment.

Why should people vote for you?

A vote for me is a vote for change. I want to focus on listening to the citizens of our city and working to address the most urgent issues.

Ron Stigers

Briefly summarize your personal background and qualifications.

I am married with two grown daughters and three grandchildren. Retired from the Air Force 27 years and from Carlton County Transportation Department in 2021. I was elected to City Council in 2019 and served on the Planning Commission and Streets Committee. I was appointed acting mayor in 2021.

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

Being an active member on the City Council for the past 4 years, I think I can bring strong leadership that is necessary to fill the mayor's seat.

Funding infrastructure (streets, water, sewer) is a challenge. What are your city's biggest needs and how can they be addressed?

To meet this challenge a plan was developed for maintaining and updating the infrastructure. The city has received additional funding (ARAP) to help update the infrastructure. The City is looking into other sources of income. As a result, the city street surfaces are being improved, underground utilities (both sewer and water) are being replaced as needed with better products, or up to date technologies.

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

I believe that our community needs to have more access to those members elected to city government to express not only their concerns but exchange thoughts to improve the services the city provides. To this cause, I would like to start a scheduled time to gathering and get together with the members of our community and talk about our city, maybe over a cup of coffee.

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

I think we've done the best we can to maintain our infrastructure within the limited budgets and taking advantage of opportunities through our cooperation with government agencies, i.e., Carlton County.

Why should people vote for you?

I believe I've got the leadership skills and community's trust to move the Scanlon forward. Being retired I feel I can commit the time and always be there to meet with residents and business.