Three council candidates uncontested, two want to be Staples mayor

Age: 36.

Address: 232 Park Road.

Position sought: City council seat.

Occupation: Transportation planner for the Region Five Development Commission.

Education: Bachelor's degree in technology education from St. Cloud State University.

Civic/community involvement: Forest and Beautification Board, trails subcommittee, Ducks Unlimited, Staples Host Lions, youth football coordinator, Staples EDA.

Why are you running? "My goal is to utilize my education, personal and work experience to become an integral component of the future Staples. With the Highway 10 realignment, the potential railroad overpass, new hospital facility, the possible relocation of city offices and the renovation of the depot, the city of Staples will see more changes in the next five years than it has in recent memory. Staples will need leadership with a clear vision of the future; leadership that will consider current as well as future needs in ensuring that Staples remains a vibrant community while maintaining its high quality of life."

Roy Miles

Age: 56.

Address: 915 Third Ave. N.E.

Position sought: Four-year term on the city council.

Occupation: Minister at Assembly of God in Staples.

Education: Degree in pastoral studies at North Central University in Minneapolis.

Civic/community involvement: Chairman of the Water and Light Board and was elected to three terms on the Staples City Council in the 1990s.

Why are you running? "I'm running because I've served before and feel I can serve the community again. I enjoyed being on the council in the past and the way it looks now, it's a good thing I did run or there wouldn't have been enough seats filled. I've served on many church boards, chaired different committees so I have experience in that area. I kind of enjoy the service."

Joel Quance

Age: 45.

Address: 500 Fourth St. S.W.

Position sought: A second term on the city council.

Occupation: Master copier technician with Ikon Office Solutions.

Education: Graduate of Staples High School; four years construction and electrician training at Wadena Technical College.

Civic/community involvement: Nine years on the Staples Planning and Zoning Commission, seven as chairman; and more than 20 years as an American Red Cross water safety, lifeguard and instructor trainer.

Why are you running? "I didn't know if I should or shouldn't. I guess there's many difficult things I see in Staples future and I'd really like to play an active part in getting them done, like the Highway 10 project, a north-south overpass of the railroad tracks, a bowling alley, a movie theater, the hospital expansion and drainage issues in the city. From what I hear from quite few of my supporters I'm more apt to listen to what the taxpayer wants than what may be politically correct. I tend to watch out for those things."

Mayoral race

Two people, Bruce Nelsen and Richard Crosno, are vying for the Staples mayoral seat but neither could be reached to discuss their candidacy.