City Commission candidates answer questions

With the upcoming primary elections drawing ever closer, it’s time to begin hearing from local candidates about the issues that matter to residents of Eddy County.

This is the final in a series of Q&A articles the Transcript has published ahead of the primary elections on Tuesday, June 11, and the New Rockford-Sheyenne School Board elections on Tuesday, June 4.

This week, the New Rockford City Commission candidates were asked to answer relevant questions about themselves, how they’ll handle difficult situations, and about their priorities for city government.

There are five candidates officially running for election to the city commission and who will appear on the ballot on June 11. There are several more candidates, however, who will not be on the ballot.

Justin Ystaas, a sitting city commissioner, as well as George Ritzke and Carter Richter, are all asking New Rockford residents to write in their names for the two-year unexpired term currently held by Dillon Hewitt.

Meanwhile Stu Richter is running unopposed to retain his position as Commission President, and a crowded field of four candidates will be running for one of two 4-year positions currently held by Ystaas and Kelly McKnight.

Those candidates include Jacob Dauenhauer, Larry Kraft, Zachary Fleming and Ben Makay. The top two vote earners among those four candidates will take the two open commission seats.

Below are their responses:

Q: Introduce yourself to voters – what is your background and what experiences and/or skills have prepared you to serve as a city commissioner?

S. Richter: I'm a lifelong resident of New Rockford, and a lifelong farmer in the area. I've been on the city commission for 16 years.

Dauenhauer: Hi, my name is Jacob Dauenhauer. I'm a New Rockford graduate and a local small business owner. I'm happily married and along with that we have four children. My wife Amanda and myself have owned and operated Dauenhauer Diesel for over a decade. With that being said, we've grown to love our small town and care about the community.

Kraft: I was born and raised in New Rockford. I have lived here for 50 of my 69 years. I am interested in how taxpayer money is spent. I want the city to prosper but not on the backs of the taxpayer alone. I'm interested in the process of the city commission meetings. And I believe the meetings need feedback from the taxpayers and public in general. I would ask for the citizen's opinion any time there are possible changes being discussed. I will be honest to the public and my Christian faith will guide all my work as a city commissioner.

Fleming: My name is Zach Fleming and I grew up in rural Eddy County and graduated from NR-S School in 2008. After high school I attended NDSU where I obtained my bachelor’s degree in General Agriculture. I’m married to Lauren, and we have one daughter, Sutton. We are the owners of Rocket Wash. I feel having spent most of my life in New Rockford gives me that connection which drives my passion to want New Rockford to continue to flourish. Collegiate organizations are really what put me into leadership roles, starting with chaplain all the way up to vice president of various organizations.

Makay: My name is Ben Makay. I served in the U.S. Navy as an interior communications electrician. I’m skilled as a project manager and an industrial/commercial residential construction contractor for more than 40 years. I will address issues with a working man’s perspective, along with years of problem-solving experience. New Rockford has been my home for nearly 30 years, where my wife, Gerri, and I have raised our two children, Benjamin and Abby. I’ve volunteered as a coach for youth sports and am an active member of St. John’s Catholic Church. I’ve experienced life in large urban areas and in small communities, and have always appreciated the friendly, relaxed atmosphere of small-town North Dakota. New Rockford offers some unique amenities along with basic services that make it a great place to raise a family.

Ystaas: I have been a resident of New Rockford for the past eight years. I have had a business in town for the same amount of time serving the community, and in that time, trying to improve the community and people’s lives in the surrounding areas. While living here, I have served on the city council for six years and have tackled a number of tough topics. I have always, and will always, vote for the consensus of the community. What the community both feels and believes, also affects myself and my business. I only hope that what I’ve done is what our community has needed. If re-elected, I will do my best to better serve future changes and/or needs.

C. Richter: I'm Carter Richter, employed by Eddy County Road Department. I am a lifelong resident of New Rockford. It's time to throw my two cents' worth in, maybe it will help, maybe it won’t.

Ritzke: I graduated from New Rockford Central High School. After earning a degree in accounting, I was employed as a bookkeeper/office manager for the New Rockford Farmers Union Oil Company/Cenex for 19 years. Before retiring in August of 2021 I served as New Rockford City Auditor for 26 years. During this time I was a member of the Municipal Finance Officer Association of North Dakota, New Rockford Park Board and Tree Board Clerk. As the former city auditor, I am very familiar with the North Dakota Century Code and New Rockford City Ordinances.

Q: Why did you decide to run for a City Commission seat?

S. Richter: I'm running for reelection to hopefully help our staff, but also the new commissioners.

Dauenhauer: Running for the city commission was an easy decision to make. Small communities need people to step up in big ways to ensure the success of the community. Being a business owner has taught me the value of good communication, and I feel like I could contribute to the success of the city.

Kraft: I am running to assure the taxpayers and public in general are heard. I want the public to be informed about how much is spent and how it will or won't benefit the city. I am concerned about the new water system. To me and many others in town it appears we are not getting what we are paying for. We don't seem to be getting straight feedback about the water system or the quality of the water.

Fleming: I decided to run for city commission because I’d like to give back to the community. I think it's important to be involved in any way you can. Fifty years from now I’d really like to see New Rockford be the same strong rural community that it is now.

Makay: I want to bring transparency to our local city government and see that decisions are made with input from community residents.

Ystaas: I have served the community for six years and would like to be a part of the change in the near future and fight for what the residents want and need!

C. Richter: I’m not going to come in like a bull in a china cabinet. People complain about things the city does, maybe I can stop some of the bitching.

Ritzke: After numerous New Rockford residents approached me to run for city commission, I decided that my experience and knowledge would benefit New Rockford residents by running for the position of city commissioner.

Q: What do you believe is the role of the city commission in our community?

S. Richter: I believe our role is to enforce the ordinances that our city has in place, while also being responsible financially with city money, because, in the end, the city is a business, and it needs to be run that way.

Dauenhauer: The city commission in my view has many roles. For starters, the commission votes/decides on all infrastructure-related updates to the town. They are also responsible for thinking outside the box and finding solutions that best fit the needs of the community. Lastly, the commission's biggest role has to be drumming up ideas to attract new businesses to our community. The future of our town depends on having good people in these positions to see continued success in our community.

Kraft: I believe the city commissioner's role is to represent the city and its citizens honestly. I believe we need to be honest and give feedback when asked. If the commissioner isn't sure about something they should admit that they don't have the answer. They should go to the people who do know and ask for advice. They should provide honest and straight answers to the public.

Fleming: I believe a city commissioner's job is to govern the city. It’s important to maintain growth while being fiscally responsible. It’s equally as important to listen to the voices of the people which the commission represents.

Makay: The city commission ideally works as a team to set priorities and make decisions on department operations, doing so in a fiscally responsible manner. Commissioners need to be available to hear the voice and serve the needs of the collective community. We don’t need more rules and regulations.

Ystaas: I feel a city commissioner should be for the people, and not for themselves. You should always vote the consensus of the community and bring up and bring back topics that they would like to change or address.

C. Richter: Govern all business the city acquires.

Ritzke: The role of city commissioners is to serve the residents of New Rockford by listening to their questions, gathering necessary information to make informative decisions, and nurturing positive growth and economic development within the city.

Q: What is your approach to handling controversial and complicated issues?

S. Richter: It is always best to sit down and lay out the pros and cons of any situation, not to jump to any hasty decisions. We as commissioners cannot let personal feelings enter into the equation. It goes back to what is best for our residents and best for our city.

Dauenhauer: Communication can solve 99 percent of all problems. After being in business, you learn in very short order that for success there needs to be a willingness to work together and communicate. I usually carry my phone and I am always approachable. I know there is no such thing as pleasing everybody. However, if we can work together and do what's in the best interest for the community I know we can tackle any issue that arises.

Kraft: If there is a complicated or controversial issue, I will want all the information I can get before I offer my opinion. I want to hear all sides of an issue. I believe to hear all sides we need to do less talking and more listening.

Fleming: I feel keeping an open mind and trying to understand an issue from all sides is important. Taking the time to have a respectful conversation can sometimes go a long way, even if people cannot agree with each other. Unfortunately, sometimes hard choices need to be made that aren’t always favored or necessarily understood.

Makay: Giving fair time to all sides of an issue to gain a clear understanding of the options, with consideration for what is best for the community.

Ystaas: I would like to see more community involvement with people coming to meetings or writing in to one of the commissioners so we can have a more informative meetings about those topics. And as a community, pick the best course of action TOGETHER, to better it and everyone’s lives.

C. Richter: Take care of them one at a time, the best way you know how. I handle controversy very well.

Ritzke: My approach to handling controversial and complicated issues is to gather the facts from all parties involved, research the issue(s) and Century Code to see what options are involved, review these options as a commission and make a decision that would benefit all parties involved.

Q: What do you see as top priorities for the City of New Rockford and why?

S. Richter: We need to keep trying to create new businesses. We also need to try and help businesses fill their open employment positions. We at the city need to hire due to retirement. That's very challenging right now! Our infrastructure is in a good place. We just need to maintain what we have rebuilt, to get the best out of what we all are sacrificing for!

Dauenhauer: In the past five years New Rockford has improved its infrastructure across the board. From the water project to the street improvement project, the city is trending in the right direction. With that being said, taxes and city utility costs have for some people doubled in the past couple years. I'm afraid that there are many people in town that cannot afford the increases that we all have incurred in the past several years. If I'm elected to the city commission, I will work for solutions to help lower operating costs and try to curb taxes from increasing any further.

Kraft: I think that the top priorities for New Rockford should be public safety, schools and job opportunities. I would like to see more businesses move in. I think we need to explore how this can be done without promising that they would get big tax breaks. I also believe that adding more expense to the business owner only costs the citizens more in the long run. I also think we need to protect our senior citizens from being pushed out of their homes due to high property taxes and added utility fees. Many of our senior citizens are on fixed incomes and can't afford to pay for the necessities now.

Fleming: New Rockford has had a lot of growth over the last decade. The town is in good shape with the streets being resurfaced and updates to the municipal water system. We’ve also had quite a few new businesses open their doors in town. I’d really like to focus on the continued improvement of New Rockford and being fiscally responsible.

Makay: 1. Tightening the budget and keeping it in check. Over the past several years, large infrastructure projects have been taken on which have resulted in cost over-runs and more taxes. This affects all residents, many that are on fixed-incomes. 2. Transparency in local government. Give residents an opportunity to voice their opinions rather than stifle legitimate, reasonable concerns. 3. Continue to grow New Rockford by attracting new businesses and encouraging families to become part of our community.

Ystaas: I feel the top priorities of our community are as follows:

1. Airport upgrade

2. Lowering taxes if possible

3. Water plant manager

4. City sewer and lagoon

5. More city involvement with letters and visits to the meetings.

I hope this has helped to get to know me more and why I have voted in the past and/or difficult topics that we have had over the years. I would love to continue to serve you and our community. I would appreciate your vote so I can continue to push our community to be better in the future!

C. Richter: Try to bring new business to town.

Ritzke: In recalling past city commission meetings during my years as city auditor and reading the city meeting minutes to date, the top priorities are: sewer, lagoons, airport, hiring future qualified employees, keeping city finances financially strong and the ongoing water plant issues. The sewer structure and lagoon systems need to be updated to meet the needs of New Rockford residents. City employees are reaching retirement age and requirements for these positions need to be defined and advertised to enable the city commission to hire qualified applicants in a timely manner. The airport is an ongoing project presently being addressed by the city commission. Keeping our city finances financially strong enables our city to flourish in a positive manner. Residents are still concerned about the quality of their drinking water due to the ongoing water plant issues.