KAXE contacted each candidate at least twice to invite them to participate in our Election Guide, using contact information submitted to the Secretary of State's Office.
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KAXE's Election Guide includes contested races in communities with at least 100 people. Visit our full list of who's running for office in Northern Minnesota to see who else will be on the ballot in November.
About this race
The city council is responsible for governing the city, including overseeing administrators, approving a budget and passing city ordinances. Councilors do not have any individual authority and can only exercise power as part of the council.
Ward Heitala and Joseph Vaida are the current council members who occupy the seats up for election. Both are running for reelection.
The winners of the election will begin their four-year terms in January.
Click the tabs below to learn more about the candidates
Incumbent
Age on Election Day: 70
Employment: Retired steelworker/Machinist/Aircraft mechanic
Please share any prior experience and education that you believe qualifies you for office.
"Life" Eisenhower thru Trump. Experienced the events of that time and how our political system handled them. History teaches us a lot.
Why are you running?
Improve the city while keeping the cost-of-living low
Why should voters elect you?
Buit a new playground for kids. Trying to secure funding for infrastructure and housing inprovements. Keeping a low cost of living in town so people can afford to live, while inproving the city
Please describe the roles and responsibilities of the office you are running for.
Council member - vote on issues before the council
Park and Recreation board - supervise parkes and events in the city
Zoneing and Planing commision chair - Issue building permits and insure complience with city regulations
HRA Board Member - Improve housing stock and fight Blight thru programs and policys
Name a public leader you admire and explain why.
Jimmy Carter, his achievements in human rights, peace, and energy conservation. He didn't lie but did the best he could do. His true character came after his presidency where he used action, not just words in his humanitarian work, Right up to his death, December 29th 2024.
What are the three biggest issues your city is facing?
Water supply and sewer replacement
Substandard Housing
lack of growth in the city/aging population
lack of tax base and funding for proposed improvements
Which of those three issues is most important to you, and how would you address it if elected?
Water and sewer replacement project, no one wants substandard water or sewer. This hinders development. Work to secure funding thru State and Federal grants/loans, that makes this project affordable to residents.
What steps, if any, would you take to support or oppose data centers?
Support laws that make NDAs with city officals illegal. Enact rules to make data centers pay their own way (no rate increase for water or electricity by residents) Most important is to let local residents choose if they want one or not in their area. Lets vote on it!
Many Northern Minnesota cities are experiencing tightening budgets. Where would you propose making cuts, if needed?
no cuts are possible with our limited income in the city of McKinley
Incumbent
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
KAXE did not receive a response from this candidate.
Still have questions for the candidates? Contact information for all those who've filed to run for office can be found at candidates.sos.state.mn.us.
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Lorie Shaull/KAXEThe Mesabi Metallics plant, which will source iron from the company's mine in Nashwauk, may begin producing steel as early as 2030. -
Malachy Koons/ContributedThe KAXE Music Team on new releases from The Mary Wallopers, Humbird, Leon Bridges, Julia Jacklin, Jake Bugg, Kelley Smith, and Kings of Leon and Petty's debut as our Pick Of '76. -
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The retired DNR forester gave a walking tour of his forest property as part of a Cass Soil and Water Conservation District forest management event.
