Three candidates vie for Huron City Commission seat

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HURON — For only the second time in the past six years, the residents of Huron will be able to cast ballots to elect a representative to the Huron City Commission. Current commissioner Doug Kludt has opted to not seek re-election and a trio of candidates are seeking voter approval to replace him on the city’s governing board.

Election Day is April 13, with polls open at Huron Arena from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Early voting is available now at both the city’s Finanance office at City Hall, and at the Huron High School Business office, on the east side, second floor, of Huron Arena. Hours vary for both the city and school district early voting spots.

The Plainsman submitted identical questionnaires to the candidates, presented here in alphabetical order and rotating for each question.

Plainsman: Tell us a bit about yourself, your connection to Huron and your motivation to seek a seat on the Huron City Commission?

Bridget Carr: I am originally from Carmel, Indiana and met my husband, Josh in Chicago. He grew up in Miller and is part of a large family of chiropractic physicians. We moved to Huron in 2009 when Josh joined the practice as a chiropractor. My background originally as an LPN and now as the financial administrator for Carr Chiropractic, as well as my leadership involvement with various organizations throughout the community would make me a great asset to the Huron City Commission. The motivation for me to seek a seat on the Huron City Commission comes from a drive to see progress within our wonderful community and to ensure that Huron continues to be a great place to raise a family.

Sarah Rogers: I participated in Leadership Huron. And, I’ve given presentations to variety of local organizations including the English as second language students at Cornerstone Career Learning Center- educating them on city ordinances. I am a woman of faith, I am a wife and mother, I am a co-worker and a friend to many in this community and want to do what is best for our city. My law enforcement career will be ending in a few short weeks but my desire to serve the people of Huron is unending. Huron is a blue collar, working-class community and I see a need for a conservative voice to be represented on the city level and have always believed that if you see a need, fill it. That is what I would like to do.

Drew Weinreis: Huron is my home town. I have deep roots in Huron and I’m very proud to live here. It’s the place I went to school, graduated from and began my career in.  I started my career with Dakotaland Federal Credit Union in 2012 and currently serve as the Development Specialist for our Member Service Department.  Giving back to our community has been some of the most meaningful work I have ever done. I serve or have served with the Huron Chamber Ambassadors, was the Board Chair of Huron Junior Achievement, and sit on the Board of Directors for the Center for Independence. One of my main reasons for wanting to run for local office was to inspire the next generation of Huron residents to get involved in local government and Business. Second was to be a strong voice for all citizens and taxpayers and Third is to continue to help grow our Community.

Plainsman: Is there a project that you see as being most important to you, should you be elected?

Rogers: A major project I see for our city would be our current infrastructure — sidewalks and streets need repair to the point where it is a public safety concerns. My plan would be to use city crews to fix the existing issues as city funds become available, creating no need for new taxes and lessening the burden on homeowners.  Because I don’t like to see a project go unfinished, I would also like to see the Third Street dam project through to completion. This project, once finished, will provide safer fishing access which is something important to so many in this city. There are also extensive plans for improving the Izaak Walton Range which will bring in a variety of shooting sports and archery events to the community (for 4-H and a variety of other organizations); it will also provide public access for target practice. This project will be beneficial to the community by bringing visitors to our city. I support fiscally responsible city involvement on current and future projects as long as that involvement does not create hardship nor increase taxes.

Weinreis: I think we should continue to work with our local organizations, and city to come up with smart solutions to help revitalize our downtown, and to also create new fun opportunities for our youth and next generation of Huron residents to have a better quality of life in Huron, whether that be more outdoor activities or recreational activities.

Carr: Obviously, one of the bigger projects that will be occurring within the next couple of years will be Highway 37/Dakota Avenue. I want to support our current local small businesses in the downtown area thru this transition time and generate some opportunities for other business whether new or existing to move into the downtown area. The other area that I see of importance is in regards to ordinances. I have been approached a couple different times on unbalanced reinforcement of ordinances. I would like to see the ordinances enforced the same across the board.

Plainsman: As the area continues to slowly emerge from the cloud of the COVID pandemic, what should be city government’s role moving forward?

Weinreis: Our City Government cannot fix the magnitude of the challenges of COVID-19 all on its own.  Recovery from the crisis should be shared across all levels of government.  We the people also need to help do our part as well.

Carr: We need to continue to monitor the safety of the citizens of Huron. We also need to continue communication with HRMC and all medical providers to make sure they are able to adequately take care of COVID and non-COVID related illnesses as we still are in a global pandemic. I also believe the city government’s role is to continue to track local numbers and respond appropriately if a spike occurs. We must be aware of the CDC guidelines and remember that we ultimately need to protect the citizens of this community.

Rogers: We are at a point in the pandemic that the city should start removing itself and allowing people and businesses to make their own decisions as to what is best for themselves. I believe the citizens should be able to take personal responsibility for their health and individuals should have the freedom to choose what’s best for themselves, their families, and their businesses.

Plainsman: Is there anything specifically you wish to tell the voters about yourself as a commission member?

Carr: The citizens of Huron are essential to creating the successful, thriving community that we choose to call home. I want to serve as the next Huron City Commissioner to be a voice for our citizens and let them know that they are fairly represented by their elected officials.

Rogers: Things that I expect from a commissioner is that they are responsible, honest, trustworthy, authentic, approachable, dependable, polite yet firm, and committed to doing a job well done for the people of this city. This is what I expect and this is what the people of Huron can expect from me, if I am elected as city commissioner.

Weinreis: I am problem solver; when I see an issue I want to jump in and find solutions.  I will bring innovative solutions to the challenges that Huron may face. We also need to think outside the box. We need to get creative with how to serve our City and the needs we have without raising our tax rate, and/or reducing our services we receive in our Community.  I look forward if elected to be a strong voice for every citizen and tax paper of our Community.