Nygard wants a chance to give city new vision

Glen Nygard would like to see a new vision for the city of Brainerd and one way to accomplish that is by filing for a seat on the city council.

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Nygard filed for the Ward 2 seat Friday currently held by Kelly Bevans, who earlier filed for another term. Jan Lambert also filed for the same seat.

Nygard, 69, has not held public office before, but the former Baxter resident ran for a seat on the Baxter City Council in 2000. Nygard's bid was unsuccessful.

Nygard, who has lived in the Brainerd lakes area since 1982, said he has always promoted the area. He said he has had progressive ideas for the city and for that reason many residents told Nygard he should run for a seat on the Brainerd City Council.

"A new vision is needed for the great city of Brainerd," said Nygard. "The city needs to develop a 10-year plan for its streets and sewer."

Nygard wants to promote clean and safe neighborhoods and parks and he would like to restore downtown Brainerd.

Nygard said there are a few things that don't sit well with him on the current city council. He does not believe that elected officials should do business with the city and they need to work together better.

"What I've seen in the city council meetings is that they are dealing with items on a crisis basis instead of working together," said Nygard. "They are not working together as a council. ... I see more fighting."

Nygard is a retired air traffic controller and works part time at Anoka County Airport. Nygard said the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport is one of the finest airports in the area and he would like to see another airline serving the airport.

Nygard's educational background includes two years at Inver Hills Community College and air traffic control schools in Oklahoma City and Olathe, Kan.

Nygard is married to Cari, who is a piano teacher in the area.

Jeff Czeczok, who filed Thursday for the at-large seat, said the city needs more elected officials who are interested in representing the citizens rather than being loved by the citizens.

"It's obvious to me that so many elected officials are afraid," Czeczok said. "They don't want to make waves. They don't want to rock the boat. I think the status quo needs to be changed and I want to be part of the solution."

Czeczok, 43, wants to see more accountability from the elected officials and city staff.

"There are too many occurrences and problems that happen for citizens and they are blown off," he said. "They are put on the back burner. It's time to end that."

He wants to see city ordinances, particularly the housing maintenance code, strictly enforced.

"They have to be enforced fairly. They have to be enforced equally."

Czeczok said he wants to see the city's unsightly locations cleaned up even though he personally can't see them because he's blind. He doesn't consider his blindness a problem.

"I see it as more of an asset," he said. "It makes me a better listener. I'm not distracted."

Czeczok, who has been unemployed for the past six years, said he has been a city watchdog. He also has served on the Brainerd Transportation Committee.

"I'll continue to be an active watchdog when I'm elected," he said. "Only, I'll be an active watchdog with a voice and a vote."

He formerly was a volunteer at St. Francis School and has raised money for the American Diabetes Association.

"I felt it's time for me to either put up or shut up," Czeczok said. "I've done a lot of criticizing and it's time for me to throw my hat in there. I think many people aren't going to like what I have to say. ... I'm not out to make friends. I'm out to do a job for the city of Brainerd and the people who live here."

JENNIFER STOCKINGER can be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.

MIKE O'ROURKE can be reached at mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5860.