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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. Do you support a community swimming pool? Why or why not? If so, what kind (indoor, outdoor, or aquatic park) do you support? I do support a community swimming pool, and I think that I have been somewhat instrumental in reviving the pool issue. I am not actively supporting any option. A community-based committee is in place to work out the best plan. The school district has requested help from the city in providing the community with recreational facilities (i.e. ball fields, tennis courts, etc.). What additional recreational opportunities can the city provide? I've suggested some ideas to some school officials. Recreational facilities have also come up as part of our comprehensive plan discussions. Again, there is a community-based group working through this system. What can the city government do to support housing offerings in the city (both affordable and upscale rental units)? The orderly annexation agreement has finally provided room for the city to provide space for all types of housing. The city - through the Economic Development Authority of Paynesville (EDAP) and joint efforts of developers and other entities - has been focusing its efforts on housing lately. Those efforts have paid off as seen in the increased number of units built in the city lately, especially the number of first-time home buyer eligible units. EDAP has also been looking into an essential function bond program to help its affordable housing efforts. This is one area where a lack of adequate staff may be a problem to effectively let us get in and explore the aspects of both the problem of lack of affordable housing and the effects of providing it.

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. Do you support a community swimming pool? Why or why not? If so, what kind (indoor, outdoor, or aquatic park) do you support? I would support a community swimming pool if the taxpayers had a chance to vote on the issue and approved it. A community pool could draw a lot of people of all ages. I also think the voters should decide on the type of facility they would like. Cost factors for each type and other necessary information concerning upkeep and future expenses should be presented to the voters. The school district has requested help from the city in providing the community with recreational facilities (i.e. ball fields, tennis courts, etc.). What additional recreational opportunities can the city provide? The city is approached at times for financial help with special projects. The most recent was a request for the funds for additional seating at the softball and baseball fields. These ball fields are used to the full capacity from spring through fall. I think it would be reasonable to consider these special requests. I do not think the city should be involved with regular maintenance or upkeep of school district property. What can the city government do to support housing offerings in the city (both affordable and upscale rental units)? For the past couple of years, the city has given Tri-CAP some funding for lot purchases in the city. The amount is forgiven if the homeowner lives in the house for a specific number of years. With the other programs that are available today, through the county HRA and such, housing can be affordable if a person wants to take the time to pursue it. Concerning upscale rental units, the city offers incentives. The city now works with a project that has assessments deferred until project completion.

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. Do you support a community swimming pool? Why or why not? If so, what kind (indoor, outdoor, or aquatic park) do you support? Absolutely, we are a growing community and we need to continually keep adding things to entertain and keep people entertained. I feel we've needed a pool for a long time. My preference would be for an aquatic park, but I don't feel it would be economically feasible at this time. The school district has requested help from the city in providing the community with recreational facilities (i.e. ball fields, tennis courts, etc.). What additional recreational opportunities can the city provide? There are many areas we could help with - junior high sports, school plays, marching band to name a few - but only as the funds allow and without a tax increase of any size. What can the city government do to support housing offerings in the city (both affordable and upscale rental units)? We are already working with Tri-CAP (Future to Homes Program) on affordable rentals.

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. Do you support a community swimming pool? Why or why not? If so, what kind (indoor, outdoor, or aquatic park) do you support? I think that a community swimming pool is a wonderful idea. In 1994, I worked with a group of citizens who had a vision for a facility in Paynesville. The time was not quite right then, but I believe that it is today. With broad-based community support, this vision can become a reality. If the consensus of the area residents is that they would like an indoor facility and they would be willing to provide the extra annual support such a facility would need, I would support that. However, information that has been gathered from several sources indicates that the best facility for both entertainment value and financial value would be an aquatic park with amenities for all ages, from toddlers right up to seniors. The school district has requested help from the city in providing the community with recreational facilities (i.e. ball fields, tennis courts, etc.). What additional recreational opportunities can the city provide? It is good that we have not duplicated efforts in providing athletic venues for area residents. The school has created and maintained wonderful fields and courts for all to use. The school system has requested funds from the city in the past to help in the current needs for those fields. It seems reasonable that the city continues to help with funds for the school district when city residents are utilizing them. The city has received a budget request from the district for the coming year, and it will be considered carefully. What can the city government do to support housing offerings in the city (both affordable and upscale rental units)? Paynesville has understood the need for affordable housing. Through work done by the Economic Development Authority and the city council, we have encouraged healthy development and also provided funds for programs that have encouraged families to settle in Paynesville. It is a great place to live and raise a family, and I will support programs that will make that feasible for familes of varying levels of income.

Part I of the city council and mayor candidate profiles (10/09/02).
Part II of the city council and mayor candidate profiles (10/16/02).

(Editor's Note: Profiles of the four council candidates for the city of Paynesville will conclude next week.)