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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. MnDOT is studying the Highway 23 corridor in Paynesville, looking at either improving the existing route or building a bypass. What route do you support? Although I do have my own personal opinion, I have not actively supported any of the proposed routes. There is a system in place, involving many people much smarter than I, for determining which route will be selected. I will continue to let that system work in the way it was intended. As a council member, what will you do to bring that route to fruition? When the final route is selected, I will support it fully.

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. MnDOT is studying the Highway 23 corridor in Paynesville, looking at either improving the existing route or building a bypass. What route do you support? A bypass would be my choice. I feel a four-lane highway through the city would divide the community. As a council member, what will you do to bring that route to fruition? The people of the community need to speak up. Do they want a highway going through the center of the city? In the future, the traffic volume will only increase.

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. MnDOT is studying the Highway 23 corridor in Paynesville, looking at either improving the existing route or building a bypass. What route do you support? I'm in favor of a route that goes north of town but comes back close to town. I feel the southern route is too disruptive and would divide the town and the lake. The existing route would divide the town in half and be too dangerous. As a council member, what will you do to bring that route to fruition? Attend meetings to get all the facts and let MnDOT know our preference.

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. MnDOT is studying the Highway 23 corridor in Paynesville, looking at either improving the existing route or building a bypass. What route do you support? Paynesville is at a unique crossroad, quite literally. In working with the initial consultants and following the progress of the other work done, I have come to feel that the north route provides the best opportunities for Paynesville without disrupting existing businesses or development. I have not yet decided whether the "west and north" or the "close-in and north" route are better for the future of Paynesville. In either case, the comprehensive plan that is being done is making sure that good corridors will exist into Paynesville to provide access to travelers who do want to make downtown Paynesville their destination. As a council member, what will you do to bring that route to fruition? I alluded to it in my answer to the last question. I have been involved in the group that has been working on a master plan for Paynesville and the surrounding area. It has been very helpful to work with so many from both the city and the township that care about the area and want to see the entire community stay strong far into the future.

Part I of the city council and mayor candidate profiles (10/09/02).
Part III of the city council and mayor candidate profiles (10/23/02).