FAIRMONT — In the Nov. 3 general election, Fairmont residents will choose between two candidates for the “at-large” position on the City Council. Incumbent Tom Hawkins, who is seeking a second four-year term, is being challenged by Fairmont native Michele Miller.

The city is divided into four wards, and residents of those individual wards vote exclusively for their sector’s council representative. The fifth council seat — the at-large position — represents the entire city, so all registered voters may cast a ballot in this race.

Hawkins believes he has earned a second term based on completed and ongoing initiatives. He was behind re-establishing the Charter Commission after it was dormant for almost 17 years, and initiated adoption of the administrative citation process that allows many code violations to be handled civilly instead of criminally, a process, he says, that is more efficient and elicits better compliance.

“As the at-large councilor, I get bombarded with emails, calls and visits for issues of constituents. People learned they could count on me. I believe I always followed through to get concerns resolved,” Hawkins said.

He says he is not afraid to make what he calls “hard but necessary decisions” about leadership issues in the city, which resulted in new city leadership that is improving efficiencies and focused on customer service.

Looking to the future, Hawkins plans to work on housing and downtown revitalization projects, which have just begun, by working with economic development, housing, business and grassroots leaders.

“There are so many opportunities to combine housing and downtown revitalization as there are opportunities to utilize our existing roads, utilities and buildings downtown as well as around the city. This is much more cost-effective than constructing new infrastructure,” he said.

To encourage this new development, Hawkins proposes a review of the city’s zoning code and zoning map, the enforcement of the city’s building code and how growing communities interpret the state’s building code.

Hawkins grew up in Sherburn, earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from St. Cloud State University and moved to Fairmont more than 30 years ago after purchasing the Chevrolet dealership. He and his wife, Kate, have three sons and four grandchildren. He attends Fairmont Baptist Church.

Hawkins has served on numerous local committees over the years, including boards for the hospital, Chamber of Commerce, Presentation College, Fairmont Booster Club, Fairmont Area Foundation, Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center and 1590 Economic Development Committee.

Michele Miller’s family roots have been entrenched in Fairmont for more than a century. In 1949, her grandparents established Kahler Electric, a business she now helps run.

She hopes to unite the council to focus on growing Fairmont by promoting its many amenities.

“Fairmont is a beautiful city with many things to offer people of all ages. We have a museum, lakes, parks, trails, golfing, the Aquatic Park, racetrack, arts venues and great schools,” Miller said.

“Unfortunately, the last couple of years we have witnessed a City Council that is divided, focused on personal agendas serving the interest of a few over the majority. City employees have been harassed, costing Fairmont taxpayers thousands of dollars.”

She says it is imperative that the council collaborate with other groups in business and government to build a strong local economy. Attracting more industrial and commercial businesses would increase tax revenue, which could be used to improve roads and infrastructure while drawing new residents. Part of this endeavor would involve examining regulations and codes that residents and businesses have told her stifle the city’s growth.

“Our city deserves strong and effective leadership. It is time the City Council works together to spend city funds wisely, improve roads and infrastructure, build trust back with city employees and support residents and local businesses as we react to and recover from the pandemic. Being fiscally responsible with taxpayer dollars is imperative,” Miller said.

A 1991 graduate of Fairmont High School, Miller earned a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in human resources and has spent 27 years in the business community, with 23 of those years in management or human resources positions.

For the past five years, she has held a full-time position with her parents and sister in the family business, Kahler Electric Co. of Fairmont. In addition, she has been teaching human resource courses at Rasmussen College, helping others learn about recruitment, retention and training skills.

Miller joined the Fairmont Fire Department Auxiliary in 2003, actively supporting the firefighters and volunteering at local events and community outreach opportunities.