The Hills Crescent sent questionnaires to Hills, Beaver Creek and Steen city council candidates, with the intent that their responses will help voters make more informed decisions in the Tuesday, Nov. 5, elections.
In Hills four candidates filed for two four-year council seats:
Wendell Bengtson
Residence: Hills
Spouse and children: Wife, Wilma; daughter, Noreen (Dan) Zarmbinski, Gaylord, MN; son, Brian (Becky) Bengson, Neago, IL.
Occupation: Retired from banking.
Education: 1949 graduate of Colo High School, Colo, Iowa.
Community activities and involvement: Presently finishing my second term on city council. Along with son-in-law, I was responsible for building a spec housing, a duplex on Church Street and a house on Summit.
Qualifications for service: Eight years on the city council, 47 years in commercial banking, the last 22 years in Hills. During such time, I have learned about fiscal responsibility. I believe that knowledge can be applied to City of Hills business.
If elected, what should voters expect you to accomplish during your term as city councilperson? In other words, what important issues face the city?
There is nothing famous about my face or accomplishments in life. I donÕt consider myself a "Dr. Dolittle" either Ñ just do what I can for the betterment of our very fine community.
If I put things in perspective, I see the Rock County Rural Water issue as large.
Just give people what they want and deserve, good local government. I want to be a part of providing the same.
I am confident the council has risen to the challenge of each situation that has presented itself during my two terms. I have been a part of the skills and leadership ability required to accomplish that.
We are your partners, ready to listen to critics, to suggestions and to fill requests if and when possible. All of our meetings are open and public. I see almost none of you. Communication is a key. Join us! Your presence and prayers will be appreciated.
Linus J. Svoboda
Residence: Hills, for 11 years.
Spouse and children: wife, Lisa.
Occupation: Employed by Hutchinson Technology Inc., Sioux Falls, S,D, for 17 years. I am currently a lead technician for a preventive maintenance crew. We setup, modify and maintain production equipment in a computer component manufacturing environment.
Education: Hutchinson Area Vocational Institute, hydraulics and electronics; Eden Prairie Technical Center, electronics; Southeast Technical Institute, machine tool technology.
Community activities and involvement: I take a great interest in the cityÕs management. Prior to being appointed to the council in January, I attended most of the city council meetings for the last seven years.
This year, I was involved with relocating two businesses from South Dakota to Hills, Technical Services, Inc. and Northern Plains Machine.
The last several years I have also helped the bi-annual citywide cleanup.
Qualifications for service: I am currently on the city council. When Jim Jellema was appointed to the mayorÕs position in January 2002, I accepted the appointment to fill his council position. This, along with the years of sitting in on the meetings as a spectator, has kept me current on the functions of city.
If elected, what should voters expect you to accomplish during your term as a city councilperson? In other words, what important issues face the city?
There are presently a couple of larger challenges and opportunities facing the city. The water supply situation is before us now. This month we have a special council meeting to discuss this with concerned parties. The challenge is to determine a course of action and how to pay for it.
Another not so immediate challenge is the future of the Legion building. It is now in need of repairs and we need to gather input from the community to determine the best way to keep a community building available to all of HillsÕ citizens.
One opportunity we are currently exploring is the development of the city owned land west and south of the city apartments by the park. There is room for several lots and we are looking at developing this to attract more homeowners to Hills.
Keith Elbers
Residence: Hills
Spouse and children: Wife, Annette; son, Tyler.
Occupation: Livestock broker for Adams Dougherty Livestock Brokerage Company, for 19 years, self-employed auction company, 14 years, auctioneer for Sioux Falls Stockyards, 10 years.
Education: Graduate of Southwest Christian High School, graduate of Southwest Minnesota Technical College with degree in Ag-business, graduate of Continental School of Auctioneers, many classes of continuing education in both agriculture and auction profession.
Community activities and involvement: Member of the Hills Community Club, member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church Council, member of "In His Service" gospel quartet, volunteer for many school functions.
Qualifications for service: Served on city council in Steen, been in business for nearly 20 years.
If elected what should voters expect you to accomplish during your term as city councilperson? In other words, what important issues face the city?
If elected I would like the people of Hills to know that my voice would be a voice of the people of Hills. I would strive to further enhance economic development in both the business and residential aspects.
David McGuire
David McGuire was mailed a questionnaire, but at press time the Hills Crescent hadnÕt received a response.
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Beaver Creek voters will elect one councilperson for a two-year term. Burdell Willers and Arlyn Gehrke filed for two four-year council seats: