Lake City mayor’s contest draws 3

Talk about it

LAKE CITY — Three people want the Lake City mayoral seat: Katie Himanga, Jerry Dunbar, and Andrew Webster.

Himanga, the incumbent, was elected mayor in 2004. She previously served on the Lake City Recreation Commission and the Environmental Commission in New Hope, Minn.

Himanga said her main accomplishments this past term include retention of Federal Mogul jobs, reopening the City Hall ballroom for public use, and support of the Chart the Course effort to bring the Minnesota Design Team to Lake City.

Himanga credits success of Chart the Course to the citizens.

“If not for the leadership of an outstanding group of community volunteers, the idea of bringing the Minnesota Design Team to Lake City would be just that — an idea,” Himanga said. “Chart the Course volunteers stepped to the helm and steered the planning process in a way that brought together ideas from hundreds of Lake City residents, workers, property owners, and visitors. I’m proud to work with citizens who are passionate about the future of their community.”

She added, “With a little synergy and a lot of hard work, we can make all that has been envisioned a reality. I look forward to being part of that process.”

Dunbar is senior buyer for Hearth & Home Technologies.

A lifelong Lake City resident, Dunbar said he is running for mayor to provide team leadership to the City Council and staff with respect and common sense, as well as fulfilling a commitment to help citizens manage growth in a positive direction, while continuing to make Lake City a great place to live and one that citizens can be proud to call home.

“Having a wealth of experience and dedication to the community, I would welcome the opportunity and consider it an honor to serve as mayor of Lake City,” he said.

Dunbar said there are many issues that need to be addressed, but first and foremost is to restore trust, respect, credibility, and unity within the council and staff, which must be done as a team effort.

“From there we can move forward identifying the challenges, as well as opportunities, that lie before us and develop an action timeline ranked by priority of importance,” he said.

“The city is a multimillion-dollar business and needs to be run as such.”

Webster owns Necessary Complications, a strategic planning, marketing and public relations firm.

He said he is running for mayor because he’s proud of the community and would like to continue his civic contributions beyond his current role as Planning Commission chairman and former chairman of the Utility Board.

Webster said he would restore respect and dignity to the mayor’s position, and work hand in hand with the council to implement opportunities currently identified by citizens.

“The next mayor needs to re-establish an environment where they represent all citizens,” he said.

“They need to be a facilitator, to listen and take into consideration all sides of each issue, get the right people talking to each other and help the City Council provide clear direction to city staff without micro-managing.”

Webster is active in Kiwanis, Chart the Course, and a former president of the Lake City Rotary.

Council elections

Seven candidates filed for three City Council positions. Incumbents Marylou Waltman and Dawn Heitman will seek re-election. Keith Draz is not seeking re-election.

Others who filed for council seats are Wendell W. Noble, Andru Peters, Deidre Fiesche, Mark Spence, and Willard Bremer.

A primary election will be held Sept. 9 to eliminate one candidate each from the mayoral and council races.

Tags: news, mayor, lake, city