Jun 05, 2008 - 04:07:15 CDT
Four people are campaigning for election to two seats on the Mandan Parks and Recreation board - two incumbents, two challengers. Voters will make their choices on Tuesday.Wanda Knoll and Bruce Brucker are completing their first terms and want to remain a part of the park district's decision-making process. Kevin Kautzmann and Kevin Allan are looking to be elected to a public office for the first time.
Allan is employed by the University of Mary as director of Career and Testing Services. He was born and raised in Mandan. His wife, Nora, is a U.S. Army reservist deployed to Fort Bliss, Texas. The couple have two young children.
Brucker is a lifelong resident of Mandan and is employed by the Tesoro refinery. He and his wife, Robin, have two grown sons.
Kautzmann has lived in Mandan for 38 years, the past 19 employed by Ressler Chevrolet as a service professional. His wife, Julie, is a teacher in the Mandan School District and they have two school-age children.
Knoll is a long-time Mandan resident. She and her husband, Bud, have two grown children and a grandchild. Knoll is service adviser at Mandan's Corral Sales and a sales clerk at Kohl's in Bismarck.
The candidates were asked to respond to three questions. Here are their comments.
Do you support a new Mandan events center? What role should the park district play in the events center if built?
Knoll: "I'm not sure I support the events center completely. Yes, it would be a great opportunity for Mandan, but, with some of our current issues right now, I'm not sure if this is the right time for an events center."
An investment from private investors and commitments from other venues are needed before the pursuing the facility, Knoll said. If the center became a reality, it could take off some of the pressure being put on the park district's Community Center to host certain activities.
Kautzmann: "I am in support of the Mandan events center as long as it does not result in increased tax for Mandan residents. The public-private partnership that is being proposed has many issues to be worked out with the current events center committee."
The Mandan community needs to proceed vigilantly, Kautzmann said. He said he would like to see the the park district managing the operations along with other organizations being involved in promoting events.
Brucker: "One role the park district should play, if the events center becomes a reality, is to support it in all capacities. Coordination is essential for the success of both facilities (Community Center and events center). The park district should not be in competition with the events center. If it does become reality, the Community Center can truly be used as a recreational facility."
Brucker said he is in support of an events facility, but also maintains it cannot raise property taxes.
Allan: "At this point, I have not formulated an opinion one way or another on the proposed events center. I think more information needs to be gathered and public opinion solicited before any decision can be made. I do think the city of Mandan needs something to help generate tax revenue. So if a particular project is economically sound and will generate revenue for the city, I would be in favor of it."
The park district's role will be dependent of the events center's scope, Allan said. He said that the Bismarck Civic Center is managed by the city and sees the Mandan park district's role as minimal.
In what areas does the parks and recreation district need to improve and/or expand?
Kautzmann: "The park board has met the needs of our growing community. Future needs that have been expressed are expanding Dacotah Centennial Park, improving our current Frisbee golf courses to meet tournament requirements, public board access and continued evaluation of city park equipment."
Brucker: "Open and active communication with the citizens and user groups is essential and needs to continue. Open communication with the public is important when setting the five-year strategic plan, and I believe the park district has been very effective in this area. The past four years our capital improvement projects have been completed on or under budget."
By year-end, another section of the district's trail system will be completed, Brucker said. This leaves a final section, which when completed, will tie together the Mandan and Bismarck trail systems.
Allan: "In looking to the future, without a doubt the park board and community need to look very seriously at updating and/or expanding the Community Center. Some possible areas of expansion to consider include an indoor walking track, several basketball courts, and racquetball/tennis courts. Each would add diversity to the services offered and also generate revenue. In addition, to be competitive with other local vendors, the fitness center hours need to be expanded."
Other additions could include a pet park, upgrading of horseshoe facilities, soccer fields, a disc golf course and implementation of a boat ramp located on Mandan's side of the river, Allan said.
Knoll: "The park board has some excellent facilities and programs. In 2009, we will be bringing to Mandan the men's 40 and over regional softball tournament. The golf courses saw an average of 45,000 rounds played and we just finished remodeling the fitness center at the Community Center. We will have to continue to improve and remodel locker rooms, bathrooms and the main hall to update the Community Center."
As demands and programs change, the board will need to look at adjusting and maintaining the budget to allow more programs to create interest for our youth and keep them involved, according to Knoll. As the city grows the park district will have to consider building more facilities to accommodate it.
What role does the park district need to play in Mandan's quality of life?
Brucker: "The park district needs to continue its proactive approach with the community. The park district is a leader in the community in improving the quality of life and promoting family activities. Programs and activities should be affordable to all. The park district will continue to meet or exceed citizens' expectations within budget. This is accomplished by a diligent and dedicated staff."
Kautzmann: "The park district is just one entity that makes decisions that affect our community. It is important that we work as a team with the other entities (city commission, school board and county commission) to assure continuity in planning for the future, to provide our residents with the best Mandan can offer with the least amount of spending."
Allan: "As part of its mission statement, the expressed goal of the park board is to improve the quality of life for Mandan community members and its visitors. To ensure that this goal is met, the park board needs to strive to offer a wide variety of affordable activities, clean public parks/shelters, updated recreational facilities, and a trail system to facilitate usage by many different user groups. By striving to provide these services to the community, the park board can assist individuals and families to achieve the proper work/life balance."
Knoll: "We need to provide the best recreation opportunities that we can to all the user groups, citizens and visitors so they will want to visit and continue to live and raise their families here."
(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel.) @bismarcktribune.com
Community Center wrote on Jun 6, 2008 1:33 AM:
haze wrote on Jun 5, 2008 8:35 PM:
KEVIN KAUTZMANN wrote on Jun 5, 2008 7:22 AM:
Thank you,
Kevin Kautzmann "
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