Stillwater City Council – Twin Cities

Two people are running for the Stillwater City Council Ward 2 seat: Lindsay Belland and Sirid Kellermann; Dave Junker, former councilor, has decided not to stand for re-election.

In the battle for the Ward 3 seat, incumbent Larry Odebrecht faces a challenge from Ed Nelsen.

General information about the elections of November 5, 2024 is available online at twincities.com/news/politics/elections including candidate information for races in Ramsey, Dakota and Washington counties.

To find out what’s on your ballot, where to vote, and other election information, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s elections page at sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting.

Stillwater City Council Division 2

Lindsay Belland

Answers not provided.

Sirid Kellermann

Age: 54

What would be your top priorities if elected? (1) LIVING NEIGHBORHOOD (safer streets, less traffic, more people- versus car-oriented experiences); (2) SMART GROWTH (climate resilience in the public and private sectors; working with the state and county on affordable housing solutions so people can live where they work and enjoy a better quality of life); (3) ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (Provide clean water by addressing PFAS pollution, encourage greater biodiversity, explore innovative economic growth opportunities that celebrate our beautiful natural resources.)

What makes you suitable for this position? Over the past 25 years I have worked with many clients on hundreds of projects. I start as an unknown outsider, but quickly gain trust and credibility. That’s because I focus on creating value and making others shine. I am empathetic, yet direct. I listen and ask questions. I do my homework and prepare. I frame problems in new ways. And I will do the same as Stillwater’s newest city council member. While we celebrate Stillwater’s rich history, we cannot ignore issues of social inequality, climate change and endangered natural resources. Like other cities, Stillwater can drive innovative solutions thanks to its community of engaged residents, dedicated public servants and passionate business leaders. It would be an honor to work with all of them to make this possible.

What do you think is the most important role of government? Government’s primary role is to provide services that enable all residents to thrive and prosper – by ensuring public safety, responding to community needs, guiding intentional economic development, and protecting and preserving of natural resources.

How do you work to understand and learn from opinions that differ from your own and from people who disagree with you? After years of working in teams to tackle challenging problems that often have several possible approaches and more than one solution, I have learned that disagreements and disagreements often arise from different people framing the same problem in different ways. Understanding the perspectives of others helps me stay open-minded and aware of my own biases. I also try to identify similarities rather than highlight differences. I’m comfortable in relationships where we “agree to disagree” in a respectful, mutually appreciative way.

Website or contact details: https://www.progressforstillwater.com

Stillwater City Council Division 3

Ed Nelsen

Answers not provided.

Larry Odebrecht

Answers not provided.