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Three candidates have filed for two seats in the New Auburn City Council race.

Candidates are Elizabeth Frahm, Catherine Lorenz, and Bonnie Walker. Lorenz is an incumbent. The other incumbent, Dennis Kuehl, did not file for re-election. Council members serve four year terms of office.

Printed below are the candidates’ responses to a questionnaire from the Gaylord Hub.

FRAHM

Biographical/background information: As a resident of New Auburn for more than 25 years, I continue to make my home in the growing community with my family. My husband Neil and I have two children, Luke and Mickalyn. We selected New Auburn as our permanent home because of the sense of community that we have experienced. We feel strongly about living in a community where they can become involved and feel safe. As an Account Director for a top Fortune 100 company, I am continuously challenged to successfully meet high profile customer demands and needs. My key expertise is utilizing analytical, business, and project management skills. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Ethics and a legal secretary diploma.

Why are you running for City Council? Growing interest in investing for the future of New Auburn, I would like to offer my business knowledge and skills and would like to become a new voice for the community.

What do you see as major issues facing New Auburn? Unfortunately, because of New Auburn’s small size, the residents will continue to be challenged with additional expenses that other area communities may not experience. The upcoming required water and sewer changes are the primary reasons for increased resident rates. Another expense that the New Auburn residents are challenged with is higher tax rates. Unless new businesses begin to thrive in New Auburn, the residents will continue to make up for the financial differences. New Auburn has a lot of potential that needs to be marketed in order to pull in new businesses so that residents can begin to have financial relief.

What qualifications do you have that will help you serve as a council member? With over ten years of experience in business, I have the ability to bring in innovative ideas and carefully put them to the test. Being active in various community projects and activities has allowed me to get to better know community members. Having the strong ability to communicate is one of my strongest qualifications I also feel that “it is one’s own positive will to overcome challenges and welcome change.”

LORENZ

Biographical/background information: I have been a resident of New Auburn for 12+ years. Married, mother of 5. Member of the New Auburn Lions Club, member of Sibley County Economic Development Commission. I have served on many and varied committees, boards and commissions since moving to New Auburn.

Why are you running for City Council? I am running for re-election for quite a few reasons. Since moving to New Auburn, I have been a champion (county and state level) for New Auburn. We have a great community that is growing. We need leaders who will stand and fight for the larger governmental agencies to pay attention to our needs and rights. Our current council and mayor work very well together and great progress has been made in the last four years. I want to continue to work with the other elected officials to complete the projects we have worked so hard to plan and implement.

What do you see as major issues facing New Auburn? New Auburn is facing many. New Auburn faces many challenges today and in the near future. Infrastructure needs are immediate and expensive. Our new treatment plant and water tower will be operational soon. We didn’t have a choice about when to do these projects. The federal government rule was mandatory - but they don’t help us pay for these things. Finding funding is difficult. Our roads all need upgrading. The mayor and council have a plan to do all the streets in town and address storm water problems - we are in the stage now of looking for funding. The street project will be enormous but should greatly improve our community. At the same time we face budget difficulties, fire fighting needs, park needs, and a myriad of “smaller” issues. The goal of our mayor and council is always to improve our quality of life without allowing the financial burdens to overwhelm us as citizens.

What qualifications do you have that will help you serve as a council member? I genuinely care about the people here. The government is the people. Decisions on how best to use tax money and resources should reflect the needs and desires of those people. I have a strong business background and understand fiscal responsibility. I have a vision for New Auburn’s prosperity and take seriously the responsibilities and trust my fellow citizens placed in me by electing me, and will always strive to make wise decisions on their behalf.

WALKER

Biographical/background information: Husband Nick Walker, two children. I have lived in New Auburn on and off since 1976 and moved here permanently 20 years ago. I currently work at Sibley Medical Center & Clinics as a dietary aide.

Why are you running for City Council? I am involved now with various city projects and would like to serve the city and its people as a council person. We have a great town here and I am interested in helping it grow.

What do you see as major issues facing New Auburn? Since we are a growing community, adjusting to the changes of that growth. We have many families moving here and we need to plan for that expansion.

What qualifications do you have that will help you serve as a council member? I have been a member of the City Planning Committee for several years. I have also contributed on several projects in the last 2 years. I believe in the city and its growth potential and would like to be a part of that growth.