Jeff Thompson
Mayor
Jeff Thompson, who turns 50 on election day, was first elected mayor in 1996 and has served for three previous terms. He has served on the city council since 1989. A 1970 graduate of PHS, he earned an associate degree in accounting and is now the finance manager at Valley Industries in Paynesville. He and his wife, Becky, have two children and one grandchild.
Why are you interestedin serving on the city council?
Service and involvement seem to run in the Thompson blood. As long as I can remember, my grandparents and parents have been active in community leadership and service roles. I enjoy the personal and professional relationships that come with being involved in local government. It's a good feeling to be involved in helping a community grow and be successful.
What should be the city's relationship with Paynesville Township?
We must first understand each other's vision of the future, and the community comprehensive plan now under way is key to that understanding. Once we truly understand each other, we can then concentrate on building on our similarities to meet common goals. We can also work off of our differences to fill differing needs, such as urban versus rural housing, still keeping our common vision in mind.
What, specifically, would you do to foster such a relationship with the township?
I'll continue to look for similarities and joint goals such as economic development efforts, recreational needs, and land use concerns. I've recently organized a community roundtable group to look at ways all local entities, including the city and township, can explore ways to build good working relationships.
|
|
Jackie Braun
City Council
Jackie Braun, 47, is a 1973 graduate of Paynesville High School. She is a bookkeeper at Ideal Lumber Company in Litchfield. She lives on Lake Avenue with her husband, John. They have four children.
Why are you interested
in serving on the city council?
My concerns over the street project on Lake Avenue originally prompted me to attend city council meetings. I find the city government very interesting and would like to learn more about it. I feel if I'm going to attend and learn I can volunteer to serve as well.
What should be the city's
relationship with Paynesville Township?
The city and township both benefit by working together. The city and township can accomplish more for a greater amount of the population in the surrounding areas if they share resources and responsibility.
(Editor's Note: Braun's brother, Pat Meagher, is a supervisor for Paynesville Township.)
What, specifically, would you do
to foster such a relationship with the township?
Joint efforts by the city and township would require decisions that have to be made. I would like to see the city and township open to compromise.
|
|
Jean Soine
City Council
Jean Soine, 50, has served on the city council for six years. She is a high school and vocational school graduate and owns Paynesville's Total Entertainment Center. She has served on various city committees and also on the Minnesota Task Force on Cultural Diversity. She and her husband, Paul, have three children and three grandchildren.
Why are you interested
in serving on the city council?
I have enjoyed the last six years. I enjoy being involved in the decision making of our community, and I feel I can represent the retail community and women's point of view. Also, I am easily accessible for people to contact with their thoughts and concerns.
What should be the city's
relationship with Paynesville Township?
We need to keep an active partnership and close working relationship with the township. I feel we have been moving in that direction in recent years. We are all one community with a lot of joint interests.
What, specifically, would you do
to foster such a relationship with the township?
Continue to have township people on city committees. Include them in our discussions and plans for the future plans of Paynesville. |
|
Dennis Zimmerman
City Council
Dennis Zimmerman has served on the city council for seven years, first as an appointee and then being elected twice. He graduated from PHS and from college in 1974. He is currently a software developer for North American Software Associates in Belgrade. He and his wife, Cindy, have two daughters.
Why are you interested
in serving on the city council?
A book that I was reading recently had the following quote: "If we believe in and work for something larger than ourselves...for our families, for the community, for the common good...then every expenditure of emotion will have meaning." It is important to give something back, when we have been blessed with so much. Because of those blessings, I desire another term on the city council.
What should be the city's
relationship with Paynesville Township?
Throughout most of my tenure on the council, we have been able to forge a good working relationship with the township board. Since many aspects of our community transcend political boundaries, it is to everyone's benefit to work together whenever possible. I look forward to continuing this.
What, specifically, would you do
to foster such a relationship with the township?
The hallmark of any relationship is communication and trust. I would like to work at enhancing both with all members of the township board. Our futures are intertwined. We are stronger working together.
|