Five candidates are running for two seats on the Spring Lake Park city council in November’s election. General information about the Nov. 5, 2024, election is online at twincities.com/news/politics/elections including information on candidates for races in Ramsey, Dakota and Washington counties. To find out what’s on your ballot, where to vote and other election information, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s elections page at sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting. Lisa Dircks Lisa Dircks. (Courtesy of the candidate) Age: 55 What would your top priorities be if elected? To maintain our strong, vibrant community by responsibly managing taxpayer dollars so that our core functions are provided for. To plan for future infrastructure maintenance and lifecycle replacement so that our roads and public utilities meet our residents needs To encourage community participation in city government by providing a transparent and accessible government that the community can engage in. What qualifies you to hold this position? I have been in the construction industry for the last 35 years, initially in residential construction then in infrastructure design, and currently in utility coordination and regulatory permitting so I have experience that makes me uniquely suited to help guide the City’s plans for the maintenance and improvement of our core infrastructure. What do you think is the primary role of government? The primary role of government at the local level is to serve it’s residents by providing core City services, guiding budgetary decisions that make taxation transparent and affordable, and developing policies and maintenance and replacement plans that will serve residents into the future. How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? I welcome new ideas! I belive that good government happens when everyones voices are respresented. Different ideas provide insight into peoples need and allow elected officials to craft a plan that serves all residents. Website or contact information: lisadircks.com, facebook.com/DircksforCouncil, 612-386-2496 Barbara Goodboe-Bisschoff (Candidate information note provided) Ryan Hollihan (Candidate information not provided) Eric Julien (Candidate information not provided) Sharon M Weighous Sharon M Weighous. (Courtesy of the candidate) Age: 37 What would your top priorities be if elected? My top priorities are family, education, and community, if we focus on those things other things will fall in line. What qualifies you to hold this position? Have sat on planning and zoning for 3 years , currently sitting on that committee. Also have sat on the board of education as a liaison to the pre-school parents. What do you think is the primary role of government? I believe the primary role of government is to protect its citizens create a good social environment for everyone be a good public service for each and every citizen and to help the economy. How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? Just because I have a different view than someone else does not mean my view is correct and someone else’s is incorrect it means that it opens a dialogue between each other and we could learn from each other. Being open-minded and listening and learning and researching on different opinions or different outlooks is critical to moving forward in a community and Society. Website or contact information: [email protected], 612-479-7506, weighousforcitycouncil.godaddysite.com Related Articles Elections | School board races: ISD 622 North St. Paul-Maplewood-Oakdale School District Elections | Ramsey County races: St. Anthony special election for city council Elections | Ramsey County races: New Brighton Councilmember at large Elections | Ramsey County municipal races: Maplewood councilmember at large Elections | Ramsey County races: Special election for White Bear Township Town supervisor seat B