CITY OF BRAINERD RACES

Robert Fitzsimmons

Age: 51.

Address: 2423 Ridge Drive S.

Position sought: Brainerd City Council Ward 1 seat.

Occupation: Retired, part-time AmeriCorps/Lutheran Social Service providing respite care for elderly.

Education: Graduate Brainerd High School, attended Staples Vocational Technical College, attended College of St. Scholastica, completed military training.

Family: Married, one child.

Candidate Web site: http://citizen-action.org/cgi-bin/mt.cgi.

Why are you running for office?

"Change is needed. I'm the candidate that can help shape the future of Brainerd. My platform is open up city government. Hold myself and city staff accountable to the citizens. I'll be accessible. An alderman that works each day on issues for the citizens of Brainerd. All meetings must be televised, and city Web pages updated keeping you informed. I'll remember the oath of office in each vote I cast. We must 'fix what we have' and have a clear plan for the future. Ignoring basic needs -- police, fire, street, sewer and water -- hasn't been a priority in the past."

What do you think is the most important issue facing the city of Brainerd?

"Continuous uncontrolled spending, decline in cash reserves. The ability to repay what we've spent in the past is priority No. 1. Taxing citizens of Brainerd for poor decisions in the past isn't the answer. A study of assets and liabilities of Brainerd will be made to determine basic city needs. Prioritizing the needs of the city include: Using tax base for growth only, keeping cash reserve to state guidelines and be cautious with taxpayer dollars."

How do you specifically plan to work on that issue?

"The issues are complex. Our sewage treatment plant must be updated. The certification from MPCA is good until 2009. It's working at capacity now and must be expanded for the future. Brainerd Fire Department must meet ISO standards to maintain a rating for insurance needs. The police department needs the proper equipment for effective law enforcement. A comprehensive plan must be followed. Proper funding and using critical path planning for projects is a must."

Ed Shaw

Age: 38.

Address: 726 S. Sixth St.

Position sought: Brainerd City Council Ward 1 seat.

Occupation: Attorney.

Education: Bachelor of arts, St. Lawrence University, Canton, N.Y.; master's degree, political science, University of Wisconsin; law degree, University of Wisconsin.

Why are you running for office?

"Brainerd's government has become a liability, not an asset to our community. While many serve with distinction, too often our council meetings resemble a circus with debates over personal issues and petty feuds between council members. Individuals are chosen for important city commissions based on who they know, not any objective standards or rules. We can do better. I would like to be a new, independent voice on the council. We need city government that is open, functions in a civil manner, and makes important decisions based on what is best for the entire community, not just the well connected."

What do you think is the most important issue facing the city of Brainerd?

"How we will grow and develop. We have a choice between annexing land from nearby townships and Unorganized Territory north of Brainerd, or redeveloping and improving underutilized space within our city limits, including our downtown, other business districts and neighborhoods. We have been too aggressive in annexation, causing higher tax burdens for the owners of existing homes and businesses, traffic congestion and a lower quality of life."

How do you specifically plan to work on that issue?

"While some annexation is appropriate, we need to emphasize maintaining the existing areas of the city. Resources are limited; we cannot fix our streets, maintain our downtown and keep our neighborhoods up while pouring millions of dollars into annexation projects such as Riverside Drive. At the very least, the entire cost of expansion, including sewer and other utilities, should be paid by the property owners who are being annexed and receiving these services."

Lucy Nesheim

Age: 67.

Address: 1702 S. Sixth St.

Position sought: Brainerd City Council Ward 1 seat.

Occupation: Retired owner and operator, Nesheim Bait and Tackle and minnow hatchery for 35 years with husband Frank. Previously employed as chief radiologic technologist at Brainerd Regional Human Services Center.

Education: Registered radiologic technologist. University of Minnesota, St. John's Hospital in St. Paul and Central Lakes College.

Family: Married with four children.

Candidate Web site: http://www.votelucy.com

Why are you running for office?

"I care deeply about the city of Brainerd. We have accomplished many good things. Much more needs to be done. Good communities start with good jobs. If re-elected, I will continue work on economic development issues, help create more jobs, improve our transportation systems and work with crime prevention specialists to revitalize neighborhoods and reduce crime. We need to continue strengthening our police and fire protection and our outstanding park system, while protecting the city's A-3 credit rating. I will continue my hard work to improve and maintain our quality of life for our community."

What do you think is the most important issue facing this city?

"Good-paying jobs. With the closing of several businesses and industries and the down-sizing of many more, there is a need to attract new business and make every effort to retain the ones we have, such as the BRHSC. We need good transportation systems to move our goods to and from market. Tourism also depends heavily on air transportation and highways. Affordable housing is another key issue. Everyone needs an affordable place to live."

How do you specifically plan to work on that issue?

"I will promote economic development by working with local and state agencies to retain and attract business and good-paying jobs so people are able to afford good homes and safe roads. I will continue to serve on the Vision 20/20 Economic Vitality Task Force steering committee, on the Brainerd Economic Development Authority and as the Region 5 Liaison to the North Central Economic Development Association and work with public and private sector leaders."