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FAIRMONT - Three candidates, Myron "Bruce" Eastlund, Tabitha Johnson and Incumbent Jay Maynard will appear on the ballot Nov. 3 for Fairmont's City Council Ward 1. They were all asked the same four questions and below are their responses. Responses from Ward 3 candidates will be in Friday's edition of the Sentinel.
1. What is your background, and why are you running for city council?
Eastlund: I began working in Fairmont in November of 1975, I had several jobs at the Fairmont Veterinary Clinic where they sold health and nutrition services for Swine, Cattle and Dairy, through mid-1990s. It was here that I learned "If you don't sell customers what they want, you will never have a chance to educate them on what they may need."
In the late 90's I transitioned to overseeing the building of Swine Production Buildings. After that I was involved, recruiting of people for jobs and jobs for people. This gave me the perspective of employees and employers at the same time. I worked for Pat Beemer drilling and repairing water wells, septic system installation, and just plain hard physical work, in the trenches. Retail sales of carpet furniture and bedding at JAKE's Carpet, gave me a view of retail sales, one on one interactions with people who were making on-the-spot decisions.
In 2000 I heard of a possible opening of a Regional Sales Management position with a well-respected supplier of minerals for use in animal feed, Iowa Limestone Company, headquartered in Des Moines, IA. The position was offered to me and I accepted. My territory was North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin.
I called on customers in person, phone, text and email. I always answered my phone, if customers called, I answered, if they were working, I was working. Communicate, communicate, communicate. I put my customers first, yes, they had priority over the company that paid me. Because if customers don't pay my company, my company can't pay me.
My key priority was helping my company understand the needs and changing needs of the customers in my territory, as well as customers in other regions. This principle of understanding the needs of the customer has become a part of me and will continue as council representative of people in Ward 1. And, the citizens Ward 1 are my primary customer, and the overall welfare of the community is another priority. They should not be mutually exclusive but should reinforce each other.
Johnson: I am originally from Ceylon and from there I went to MCW and graduated from Armstrong-Ringsted so Fairmont has always been my stomping grounds. I went to College in Hawaii where I majored in Psychology & Marketing before returning back home. I later got my Cosmetology License and am the owner of Fringe Studio located at Studio 15 Salon in Fairmont. I have been married for 20 years with two boys, age 18 & 19. We moved back from Elk River to St. James in 2012 and then to Fairmont in 2018.
I am running for city council to bring a new fresh perspective to Ward 1 residents and help in the efforts of positive forward movement so Fairmont can not only survive but thrive. I have experience as a chamber director and have served on various boards such as the chamber board, fair board and the Inaugural NorthStar Commuter Rail Board as well as founding, developing or rejuvenating successful clubs, groups and events such as Biz to Biz Networking Groups, SCMN Equine Express Horse Club, Business Expos, Gala's, Polar Plunges, Glows Parade and most recently the Fairmont Football Trading Cards Tackle Cancer Fundraiser. These successes, I feel will help me make strides on positive movement in our efforts to grow Fairmont.
Maynard: I’ve lived and owned a home in Fairmont ever since choosing to move here 25 years ago. I’ve worked for my entire career as an IT technical professional.
I’m running because the city needs responsible leadership, and I’ve provided that since the start of my term in 2023. In that time, I’ve watched as a small, vocal, determined group worked to sow division and create chaos in city government unless they get their way on every detail of how the city is operated. I believe council has a defined role: to set policies and goals for city government and then get out of the way of the people actually doing the work. I will continue to act in accordance with that role, and that’s how I will foster growth and infrastructure, making Fairmont a reliable partner for business and residents.
2. What do you view as the top issue facing Fairmont, and why?
Eastlund: Jobs, manufacturing jobs. Manufacturing jobs bring people and money. When people have money they will move here, and buy or build a home, pay taxes, send children to school, buy utilities, food, et cetera. With companies bringing manufacturing back to the United States of America. We need to open our arms and welcome these companies to Fairmont. Fairmont has a fantastic airport. We are located on a Interstate highway, we have two major railroads, one traverses from Canada to Mexico, the other from the Pacific Ocean and soon to the Atlantic Ocean. We are located near major Electric Power Lines; Natural Gas Lines are nearby. And most of all we have people with fantastic work ethic (we show up for work).
Johnson: The biggest issue Fairmont is facing is its economic development and the building code enforcement mindset. It’s become its own culture in Fairmont and a negative reputation has been developed that is not only known around the state but beyond to other states. It’s absolutely embarrassing when the city of Blue Earth or Sherburn figures out an easy legal way for them to move a business to their town, when that business initially wanted to move to or stay in Fairmont.
We need to evolve and replicate what other towns are doing to grow and thrive or we will continue to deteriorate. It is absolutely imperative that the city of Fairmont’s leadership shifts our mindset and actions to one of collaboration vs competition.
Maynard: The biggest issue facing Fairmont is continuity and consistency in city government. We’ve had five city administrators in the four years I’ve been on council. That does nothing but create chaos. Others call for “cleaning out City Hall.” That’s exactly the wrong thing to do, as it causes uncertainty in those doing business with the city and low morale among city staff. Council doesn’t drive snow plows. Council doesn’t fix power lines. Council doesn’t pave streets. Nor does Council directly supervise those who do. We need dedicated, experienced staff to do those jobs.
What council can do is to create an environment where people want to come to work here. Micromanagement is not the way to achieve that. Once we achieve consistency in city government, the rest will follow, because Fairmont will be a place people want to do business.
3. How would you navigate disagreements among city councilors?
Eastlund: I recently, publicly stated, If any council member suggests tabeling something they should be thrown in jail until the end of their term. After reviewing my (harsh) statement. I went back to understand the reason for tabeling. I believe the reason is that the council or the staff did not have all of the information needed to make the decision. I would prepare, research and make every effort to ensure that that myself and staff have all of the tools and information so that a fully informed decision can be made
Johnson: Just like in any relationship, everyone needs to pick their battles and from there, 1:1 conversations outside the city council meetings need to be held to understand different viewpoints. I am also a big believer in hearing things from the horse’s mouth and that requires effort, outside of the meetings, for city council reps to go and engage in the community by talking to businesses and residents involved in any given issue at hand that may have a strong divide amongst the members.
Let’s not forget the Golden Rule of doing unto others as you want done unto you. In the real working world, everyone has to find a way to have a friendly, cordial and professional relationship at their job or they will eventually be replaced, so every human needs to treat others as they want to be treated, short-term and long term. And at the end of the day, can we have a little fun together. All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy.
Maynard: I have always tried my best to listen to people’s opinions before making a decision. The rest is all of council’s job, not just one of us. We have to get better at putting forth our arguments and then letting the decision stand without endlessly harping on it. I don’t expect to win every vote, and when I don’t, I accept it and move on. All of council should do that.
We should be focusing on finding common ground, keeping debates on topic instead of veering off into old disagreements and personal attacks, and following proper parliamentary procedure designed to keep business on track, productive and respectful.
4. What are your goals if elected this term?
Eastlund: Open Fairmont's doors to manufacturing jobs. Use the LOST funds for what we voted for 10 years ago. From the past ballot question "Shall the City of Fairmont be authorized to impose a local option sales tax of one-half of one percent (½%) for 25 years or until $15,000,000 in revenues have been generated, for the purpose of funding recreational amenities, trails and/or a Fairmont Community Center."
Recreatonal amenities: 1) Maybe a downtown public restroom that is open until after downtown activities and business are closed. 2) These should be citizens ideas, not mine. 3) Cover the lap pool at our water park. Of course, you would need added heated rest rooms and changing.
Trails: 1) Finish them, connect them. Maintain them. 2) Provide restrooms? 3) You tell me what you want/
Community Center: 1) So far around $750,000 of your taxpayer money has been spent on plans. 2) Maybe start small, with a few basics. Like a card table, a deck of cards and a coffee pot. I've seen these in small towns that my travels brought me to. 3) Someone told us what we needed!
Keep in mind that all of these will need to be maintained. Where will those funds come from?
Johnson: Some of my goals are to help shift the attitude and behavior of the city council's working relationships with each other and being more productive at the meetings.
I also want to look into permit reform and shift the mindshift and actions to eliminate or drastically reduce the “No We Can’ts” to “How Can We’s” so we start seeing businesses stay or come to Fairmont and change our reputation to a flexible and progressive community.
I want to see the $10 million actually used towards a Fieldhouse/All Season Sports Arena and ground broke in the building of this facility.
The list goes on and on but here are just a few of my goals.
Maynard: My primary goal is to maintain the stability, fiscal responsibility and professional leadership needed to make Fairmont an attractive place for families to live and businesses to invest. While external economic factors are beyond our control, we can control how well we manage city hall: focusing on essential infrastructure like our streets and utilities, providing our city departments the resources they need to do their jobs and budgeting prudently to protect taxpayers.
By keeping council focused on sound policy rather than internal drama, we create the predictability that allows Fairmont to grow and thrive.