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Edition:
September 02, 2010
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NEWS
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Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Four candidates, two slots in Frazee City Council race Nov. 4
City council forum slated Oct. 17
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Frazee voters will choose between four candidates for two chairs on the Frazee City Council in the Nov. 4 election.
Incumbent Donna Ouart, Bobby Cates, David Lee Jopp and Beth Somerville filed for the four-year positions (current councilman Don Trieglaff did not file).
Here are the responses to a questionnaire from the Frazee-Vergas Forum (Somerville opted not to respond to the questionnaire):
What makes you think you are qualified?
Ouart: I do have experience. In May of 2003 I was appointed to fill the chair for the remaining 17 months of a term of someone who resigned. I was then elected for another four years in the election of November 2004.
Jopp: I have experience working with and reporting on local government. I have served as president of a local Junior Chamber of Commerce (Nisswa) that year Nisswa walked No. 3 in the Parade of Chapters at the State Convention. I have served our country - U.S. Army, Ft Lewis, Wash., honorable discharge. I was the public relations assistant on the Minn. Community College Student Association executive board 1982-83. I work well with others and offer a common sense approach to issues at hand and I listen to what others have to say.
Cates: Of the candidates on the ballot, without a doubt, I am the best qualified. Past experience: In charge of the U.S. Air Force world-wide $500,000,000 annual claims budget for five years and running my own business for the past 22 years.
Why are you seeking this position?
Ouart: I am a candidate again because I feel I am quite "level-headed" in the issues that the city faces. There are projects we have started that are not completed as of yet, and I would like to be part of the decision-making of these....in particular the Swift redevelopment project and the promotion of the Gateway to the Otter Tail. On a more personal note....I think they need a lady on the council!
Jopp: I want to offer a fresh voice and new ideas.
Cates: To serve the community of Frazee and assist with its imminent growth. Our sitting mayor has performed exemplary service at improving our parks and grounds and I look forward to providing the same type of service at improving our community in its growth in obtaining new business and expanding community development.
What are your biggest concerns regarding the city?
Ouart: Having more businesses on main street is a big concern! We need to be an "inviting city" for business and industry . . . I am concerned about the many vacant homes we have in town. I feel more senior housing needs to be addressed as many elderly can't afford to live in their own homes anymore. One concern we recently faced in the last couple years was getting the right department heads in place. I feel very confident we addressed this in a very thoughtful manner and I am sure we made good choices.
Jopp: Empty store fronts, ability to grow our city "smartly."
Cates: Stagnant growth, especially when it comes to new business.
If elected, how will you address those issues?
Ouart: All council members serve on many committees. I believe the first thing is to bring up topics at their respective committee meetings for discussions. Then it is presented to the council. Even though I am not currently on a committee dealing with housing or EDA issues, it is important to have full discussion of topics before decisions are made by the council. Committees I serve on are: Liquor Store, Personnel, Budget/Finance, and I am Frazee's representative on the Western Area City County Org. as a board member. I am also vice-mayor of our city.
Jopp: Real simple, the first thing I will do when elected is listen and learn! Implementation of any idea, big or small, always takes more than one individual to accomplish. I will address any issue head on, no games, no gimmicks, no bull!
Cates: Hard work.
Personal information
Ouart: Roy and I have been married 47 years, and have lived in Frazee all those years. Our son and daughter both are graduates from our local school. We have seven grandchildren. I was a 1958 graduate of Detroit Lakes High School. I retired from the Frazee School system in 2002 after 28 years in the food service department. I am a charter member of the Praise Band at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Frazee. I have had many leadership positions in the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. (from local to national level) over the years.
Jopp: Age 44, wife Aleisa, children David III (wife Jonna), Cassandra, Joshua and Taylar, 7; resident of Frazee nine years. Hometown: Hutchinson, Minn.
Cates: Married to Karen with five children and eight grandchildren. All children are grown as are the grandchildren with the exception of two who are seniors in high school, one in Frazee, the other in Muskogee, Okla. We have lived in Frazee for 10 years, moving up here from Florida to enjoy the snow and the cold. I am originally from Muskogee, where I lived until drafted in November, 1960. I wound up spending 27 years in the U.S. Air Force, the last five in charge of the Air Force claims program. Retired from the USAF in November 1987. Upon retirement from the USAF we returned to Tampa, Fla. where I had met and married Karen. Karen was an LPTA working for the state of Florida when we married. We returned to Florida after USAF retirement for her to continue with the State of Florida for her to become vested in the State of Florida retirement until she retired in 1992. I currently run (own) Resource Protection which I started in 1987 after retiring from the USAF. It is a very successful business. Karen currently is the program director for Neighbor to Neighbor which assists the elderly in maintaining their quality of life.
City council forum slated Oct. 17
A public forum at which candidates for Frazee City Council can answer questions and express their positions has been scheduled for Friday, Oct. 17 in the Frazee city hall council chambers at 7 p.m.
Frazee Area Community Club President Tom Watson said the organization will sponsor the event, with a moderator yet to be named.
Candidates who have filed include: incumbent Donna Ouart, David Jopp, Beth Somerville and Bobby Cates. Two four-year terms are on the ballot for the Nov. 4 election.
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