My top priorities are being responsible to the taxpayers, being visible, and accountable and making sure there are opportunities for all ages and levels while being fiscally responsible. I have young kids, and I am active in the community. I also go through the same struggles as other young families do. I know if we create opportunities here in Mandan, we can encourage more of our great younger generations to stay right here.
Ultimately, the legislators put the 3% cap on property tax increases, but just like you and me, they want to pay less taxes. So, to fit that into what's best for everyone, expenses need to be critically examined, at and self-audits need to be conducted in a manner in which it constantly looks on how the park district can be more efficient, and effective. Just like we do in our own homes and businesses.
Running two small businesses but also working for a very large business, gives me a great understanding on how each operates. While the park districts budget is rather large, it needs to be treated like our personal finances. I provide a very broad background, with working construction in college, the military, private companies and self employment.
Our facilities are wonderful as a whole. I want to ensure we keep that standard up and also add to the facilities while ensuring user groups collaborate to use them more effectively. I know the pool at the Mandan Brave Center is a hot-button topic, and I will ensure the user groups are heard while backing a common-sense solution. Indoor soccer is also a major issue I hear from constituents, and I am prepared to look at that and see where we can get moving on that.
I support the use of our facilities to all age groups, abilities and skill levels. Not everyone is going to be the "best" but as part of the park district I want to see everyone enjoy the experience. I also know not everyone is interested in every activity and there's activity's that I don't even know about that we could offer or help facilitate. When I am elected you can be sure I will listen and be a proponent if needed to make to make accommodations to get more use out of our facilities.
Campaign Phone Number
7012269633
Our facilities are the heart of our community, these spaces play an important role in community health. My top priority is to ensure that these spaces are well-maintained and accessible while being fiscally responsible. If elected to another term, I would strive to remain open-mined, accessible and approachable to the users of our facilities and programs. It is my commitment to be transparent, trustworthy and considerate to all points of view while making decisions.
The biggest challenge will be navigating the new Property Tax law that limits the amount that Park Districts, School Districts and Cities can increase property taxes. This law was signed in May of 2025 and caps the annual maximum increase at 3%. Increases in health care premiums and cost of living wage increases for Park District staff will require for additional revenue options such as grants and sponsorships to allow us to operate and grow.
First and foremost, Fiscal responsibility. This needs to be more than a buzzword. We are in the midst of an uncertain economy with costs rising and wages not keeping up. We need to work hard to provide high-quality recreation options with limited tax dollars. I will commit to being a good steward of the community’s money, making decisions based on data and research. Additionally, I will bring patience, transparency, accountability and a commitment to attend all budgeting meetings.
Our top need is an indoor pool. The existing pool at the Brave Center is owned by the school district and operated by the Park district and is nearing the end of its functional life. This pool is utilized by many groups including the High School, Park District, Mandan Marlins Swim Club and the public. We need to work closely with all stakeholders to make the best decision on a plan for the existing pool and any potential new facility.
Providing recreation opportunities to people of all abilities and in all stages of life is an extremely important mission and something that is worth striving for. We need to consider the needs of all of our users when we are making plans and decisions. We need to ask the general public and user groups to help identify any gaps in our programming and facilities and to bring forward any issues or new ideas on how to better serve our residents.
Endorsements
No Endorsements
Campaign Phone Number
701-667-9420
My top priority is ensuring that Mandan Park & Recreation serves everyone in our community, from age 0 to 100. That means providing safe, accessible, and inclusive parks and programs that meet the needs of all our residents. I want to continue to improve our facilities, expand opportunities for youth and families, and create spaces where people of all ages can gather, be active, and enjoy our community.
The biggest challenge facing the Mandan Park District is balancing the need to maintain facilities while continuing to grow with our community. To address this, we need to be thoughtful and collaborative, partnering with sports groups, community organizations, and residents to ensure we address their needs and desires equally. With thoughtful planning and investment, we can maintain existing facilities while continuing to expand recreational opportunities in our community.
I bring a disciplined approach to budgeting shaped by more than 30 years of business ownership. I understand the importance of balancing investment with long-term sustainability—knowing when to move forward and when to be cautious. I rely on reviewing past and current financial data to understand how resources are being used and where priorities lie. This approach helps ensure responsible decisions that reflect how our community uses and values its parks and programs.
oth our parks and our facilities must continually improve, because if we are not improving, we are falling behind. Any improvement should be made with the whole community in mind, not just individual interests. Our focus should always be on what strengthens participation, access, and value for everyone who uses our parks and programs.
One word, “listen.” We need to hear what all our residents want not just specific groups, but the broader public. We should also pay attention to how our parks and facilities are being used and not used to understand where improvements are needed. By combining community feedback with real data, we can make informed decisions that improve accessibility and help more people use and enjoy Mandan’s parks and facilities.
Campaign Phone Number
7012143218
Fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers of Mandan. Our success with the recent park district project has come from having partnerships with our local business community and user groups. Another priority is to keep our quality parks in great shape so we continue to be one of the top park districts in the state.
One of our biggest challenges is keeping up with our growing population and the development of park facilities and programs, and retaining quality managers and staff to oversee them. We have a large number of full and part-time employees, and as with almost every department within the city of Mandan, we compete with Bismarck for staff. Therefore, we need to take care of the managers and employees with competitive salaries and benefits in order to keep them on our staff.
One of the most important values I bring is leadership through collaboration. I understand that the best decisions are made when people work together, listen to different perspectives, and stay focused on what is best for the community as a whole. My experience has taught me how to build relationships, encourage productive discussions, and find common ground even when opinions differ. I also bring experience, dependability, and a long-standing commitment to service within Mandan.
Overall, our Mandan parks and facilities are in great shape. Our facilities manager and staff do a really nice job of general maintenance. Upgrades to Mandan Parks and Recreation facilities are discussed annually, and improvements are done as needed and as the budget allows. Many of the improvements also involve partnerships with the user groups.
Ensuring accessibility means creating parks and facilities that every resident can enjoy safely and comfortably. I support continued improvements to ADA accessibility, inclusive playgrounds, accessible trails, seating, restrooms, and recreation programs for all ages and abilities. Listening to residents, especially seniors and individuals with disabilities, will help guide future upgrades so Mandan parks remain welcoming, inclusive, and accessible for everyone.
