Dear Minot:
It’s been a year since I had the honor of being elected as mayor of Minot. The time has gone by quickly, and I’ve come to understand more than ever that this part-time job is a full-time commitment to the residents of this community.
This year has also been a learning experience every day. Sometimes the lessons happen during large-scale public events or meetings. Other times, the lessons are absorbed during a quick one-on-one visit with a resident at a restaurant or simply in passing while I’m out in the community.
The top 10 things I’ve learned since becoming mayor a year ago:
I’ve learned to be a better listener. That doesn’t mean everyone who shares their thoughts with me or with members of the council always gets what they want. The system doesn’t work that way. As elected officials, it’s our job to listen to everyone’s opinion, but it’s also our duty to do what we believe is best for the entire community, not just the segment that happened to speak the loudest on a particular subject.
I’ve learned that there will always be disagreements among residents, City employees, and members of the City Council. But that’s a good thing. Healthy and respectful disagreement forces us to defend our position by presenting factual information, not by simply relying on our opinion.
I’ve learned that everyone wants Minot to keep improving, but they might have different views on how that should happen. The Council’s vision for Minot’s future might not match the vision of every resident, and that’s OK. Productive differences of opinion and differing visions for our future spur discussion, and that serves to make us a stronger community.
I’ve learned that working together with our community partners pays dividends for our future. Think of what our community has accomplished just in the past year: With help from our legislators, City staff, and supportive state partners, we’ve worked hard to secure a steady stream of funding for our flood control project and the Northwest Area Water Supply project. Those are major victories for our community. And think of the facilities that opened in 2023: a new Trinity Hospital, a new City Hall, and the Magic City Discovery Center, to name just a few. By this time next year, we’ll have even more new accomplishments to share. Minot is changing to meet the demands of the future.
I’ve learned that the infrastructure needs of our community are vast. As our community’s infrastructure system ages, it’s up to us to decide how we approach the problems. How should we adjust our annual budget to pay for water and sewer line repairs and replacements? How much should we invest annually to maintain and improve our road system? Everyone deserves quality water, sewer, and storm sewer systems, and roads that are maintained year round. But with a limited budget and a short construction season, City staff members are constantly prioritizing projects to insure that our city’s immediate and long-term needs are being met.
I’ve learned our municipal government works best when residents are positively involved. It’s certainly easier not to get involved or to simply watch and toss unwarranted or factually incorrect criticism from afar, but that doesn’t help our community move forward. I urge all residents to be engaged in what’s happening in Minot, whether or not you agree with the Council’s decisions. My only request is this: Keep the discussion civil, respectful, and on topic.
I’ve learned that meeting people might be the best part of being mayor. Everywhere I go, whether it’s a fourth-grade classroom, a speaking engagement at Minot Air Force Base, a local reading conference, or simply enjoying a Hot Tots game on warm summer night, I’m always amazed at the number of people who stop me to share their thoughts, to reminisce about the “good old days,” or to tell me that they remember me when I was just a kid. I treasure all of these interactions, and they will stay with me long after my service as mayor has ended.
I’ve learned that being mayor is even more of an honor than I thought before taking office. The responsibility of representing our great city on the local, state, national, and international levels can be daunting, but it’s a privilege that I do not take lightly. I’m very aware that only a select group of people have ever been elected mayor of Minot, and I am committed to serving this community to the best of my ability.
I’ve learned that I couldn’t be your mayor without the support of my family and friends. If it takes a village to raise a child, then it certainly also takes a village to be raise a mayor, so to speak. In order to serve successfully in public office, sacrifices must be made. There are a lot of hours away from home, and some missed special days for family members, but my support system has been amazing. I thank you all for the roles you play in both my private life and in my life as mayor.
I’ve learned that Minot’s future is brighter than ever. I believe that with all my heart. We live in a great community that prides itself on taking care of our friends and neighbors. I don’t ever want us to forget about the amazing accomplishments we’ve witnessed in the past few years. There is much more greatness on our horizon.
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