KROX is continuing its coverage of the upcoming election. Today, we present two candidates for Crookston City Council.
The candidates running for Crookston City Council in Ward 1 are incumbent Kristie Jerde and her opponent, Bishop Jenson. We asked each candidate a series of questions.
Tell us about your family
Jerde – I have lived here for 18 years and I have been married to a local boy, Justin Jerde, and we have two lovely kids, Nora and Will who are six and eight and enjoy the school system here in Crookston.
Jenson –My family does originate from the region, the Polk County area. My Great Grandfather, his name is Olaf Hagen, from Hagen Family Farms out of East Grand Forks. On my mother’s side, we are third-generation born immigrants from the ’60s and ’70s. I’ve been here my entire life as far as the region goes, and my family, for the most part, has been here a dominant portion of our occupied existence. That being said I have a lot of family around and that is a big drive for me and my priorities with the community.
Why are you running?
Jerde – I think that we have come a long ways in the last four years but I think that we have a long ways to go still. Some of the directives I’d really like to see in the next four years are for us to complete the Highway 2 Corridor, I think the downtown is a huge heart of our city and as part of that is really the sidewalks and the aesthetics of the downtown. I would really like to see that through. I think we have a lot of great opportunities with our Economic Development and I think that we need to have good supporters on the City Council to actually push through on some of those initiatives we have going forward and hopefully make our city not just a place to live but also to thrive economically.
Jenson –My main platform I believe in which I am running to try and fill time on or focus on with is the river corridors and their infrastructure. We’ve had a really good time getting the dike systems built around those neighborhoods to protect them for several centuries to come. So, now I feel as a city we have an obligation and a certain expectation to maintain those infrastructures that we did so due diligently protect at one time and bringing those more up to today’s standards of use.
What previous experiences will help you if you win?
Jerde – I have worked in a lot of different areas, especially a non-profit, the University of Minnesota Crookston as well as some other institutions and national non-profit and most recently I worked with a lot of Fortune 500 companies. So, I have a pretty good grasp and understanding of business models and how to be innovative in going forward. I am hoping to bring that expertise here as well.
Jenson– I’ve often found myself in public speaking matters, pretty fluid, I’ve spoken for numerous community oriented groups around like the Kiwanas Club, The Collectors Club, and the Lions Club. I have also participated in student council, I was a DECA Member, in my younger days as well, I went to State in DECA , and I’ve taken a candidacy course in running for campaigns through a North Dakotas Farmers Union Co-op. I feel very comfortable working with the public and being in the public eye that way.
Are there any issues/topics that you are concerned about?
Jerde–I think that a hot topic probably for everyone is really the finances. I think that we have had unfortunately, just several years, and I wouldn’t just say the last four, but probably the last ten where we really haven’t had a good grasp on our finances. I think that bringing in Clifton Larson was a really good piece on our part, not only to help us rectify some of the concerns that we had but also to put in some best practices that needed to be badly implemented in the last couple years.
Jenson–Really just general infrastructure, protecting and overseeing infrastructure going into the future, and making sure that we are planning ahead, instead of trying to clean up a created mess.
Anything you want the voters to know?
Jerde– There are a lot of great candidates out there, and I think that, it’s up to the voters what they want to do. In addition to the work I do here on City Counci,l I also sit as a board member for the board of directors for the Coalition for Greater Minnesota Cities and I think that the work I’m doing here will help me also provide a voice to our area.
Jenson – I feel they will find transparency with me, I sincerely feel like a very transparent candidate and my goal to bring to Crookston is a variety and options, so if Crookston is ready for change, I hope they find me in the change and if they are not, I hope we have a wonderful four years going forward.