With the Mandan City Commission faced with a dramatic change following June's election, two men are campaigning to lead the way as mayor.

Newcomer Rick Parkes and longtime elected public official Tim Helbling will vie for the position being vacated by Mayor Ken LaMont. Three commission seats are up for election, including that of mayor, and only Sandra Tibke is seeking re-election as longtime commissioner Dan Ulmer also decided to step aside.

Parkes, born in Minneapolis is a 38-year resident of Mandan who has worked for the Tesoro refinery for the past 29 years. His wife, Kathy, has twice run for the city commission. He has master's degrees in business administration and management.

"The citizens of Mandan want their voices heard, and with all of us working together to 'Meet in the Middle,'" I can envision nothing but opportunity for Mandan," Parkes said. "With my background in strategic planning and Mandan currently without one, we can set a plan in motion that uses responsible spending to enable current and future businesses and residents a viable future with decreased taxes as a major goal."

Parkes is a charter member of the Bismarck-Mandan Ridin' Lions and is recipient of the Lions International Melvin Jones Humanitarian award. He also is a member of the Mandan Progress Organization.

Mandan native Helbling has spent the last 10 years on the Mandan City Commission. He was re-elected two years ago, and prior to that, spent eight years on the Mandan Park Board. He is part-owner and general manager of Corral Sales, a business he has been a part of since 1978. He and his wife Susan have three children.

Helbling had tried to recruit Mandan business members to run for mayor, but had little success. He cited anonymous criticism of commissioners in the comment section of the Tribune's Web site as a major deterrent to the recruitment effort.

"Another reason I've decided to run is that the commission has made so many huge decisions that cost so many dollars that a major change over of the community could cost the community dearly," Helbling said. "I enjoy being a city commissioner and like the challenge."

If Helbling loses, he will retain his commission seat, which runs another two years. Should he win, the commission will have three options to fill the vacated commission seat, according to city administrator Jim Neubauer.

The city commission could appoint someone to fill the position for the rest of the term, a special election can be held, or an election for the position can be held during the November general election.

Running for commissioner in the June municipal election are Tibke, Gerald "Jerry" Serhienko, Thomas Jackson and Steve Thilomony.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@bismarcktribune.com.)