A tree assessment that took place in Tracy last week showed Tracy is home to 1,298 trees on public land, including boulevards — 423 of them, or 33%, are ash trees.

Carpenter estimates that it would cost about $105,000 a year to treat the trees.

The $25,000 paid for counting of the trees ($19,000) and the final report ($3,000). The City will now take another step in its fight against Emerald Ash Borer by applying for a larger grant.

“This will help us apply for the big grant, which will help us decide what to do with (the ash trees),” City Administrator Jeff Carpenter said. “Everybody is going after these grants.”

Other area cities dealing with severe EAB issues include Lake Benton, Marshall and Lamberton. Marshall ($92,860) and Pipestone ($38,500) were also awarded grant monies from the $7 million ReLeaf Grant pot. In all, 50 Minnesota communities received grant monies to help manage for a healthy, resilient canopy in the face of emerald ash borer and other forest health concerns. Recipients included 34 cities, five county organizations, four schools, six nonprofits, and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe.

The invasive emerald ash borer is a small, iridescent green beetle, roughly one-half inch long, that attacks ash trees.

In the adult stage, it nibbles on ash foliage but does not destroy the tree. In its immature larvae stage however, the insect tunnels through and eats an ash tree’s inner bark, preventing the tree from transporting water and nutrients, ultimately killing the tree.

Funded by the Minnesota State Legislature, the ReLeaf program will support tree inventories, plantings, maintenance, pruning, management plans, outreach and wood utilization projects. Projects can occur on public land or low-income residential properties.

Many of the projects funded will focus on replacing lost ash trees with a variety of species to help protect against pests and diseases.

Other projects include removing hazard trees and using that wood for outdoor learning and play spaces. Another project provides scholarships for those pursuing the International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist exam.

“You don’t have to travel several hours north to enjoy fall colors. Some of the most beautiful views are right on our own streets and in neighborhood parks,” Madisson Masucci, DNR urban and community forestry coordinator, said in a news release. “These ReLeaf grants help communities manage and plant a variety of trees so their canopies are resilient and healthy for future generations to enjoy.”

The workshop is from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 3 and Nov. 5 at the museum in downtown Marshall.

Using collage, mixed media, and a variety of found and decorative papers, participants will create unique journal pages inspired by their own memories, experiences, and connections to the community. Each page will become part of a larger collective artwork, bringing individual voices together in one handmade book. Following the workshops, artist SammyJo Miller will assemble and handbind the contributed pages into a finished community junk journal for the museum. No previous art experience is necessary, and all materials are provided. This is a free program, but registration is requested. Register and find details online at www.SJMillerArts.com/events This activity is funded in part with a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council made possible by the voters of Minnesota, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

Come to one workshop or both; each session offers an opportunity to contribute to the community journal.

For more information, contact the Lyon County Museum at 507-537-6580.

Check out the Headlight Hotseat podcast every Saturday at noon!

Over in Balaton, Lakeview Senior Housing will have walkthru trick-or-treating from 3-4 p.m. this Sunday, followed by the Chamber’s Trunk-or-Treat event from 4-5 p.m. downtown.

The public is also invited to a special event at the old Milroy School on Oct. 24 and Oct. 31 that includes hayrides, an indoor haunted trail and S’mores by the campfire. The freewill event, which begins at 5 p.m. on both days, is for all ages, but anyone 15 or under must be accompanied by an adult.

In Tracy, the Chamber is hosting Trunk-or-Treat from 4:305:30 p.m. on Oct. 31 at the Sanford parking lot. Kids are also encouraged to visit Prairie View residents in their costumes.

Natalie wrapped up another season of soccer for the MHS girls team. Of course, soccer is not done in our house. I get daily updates on the National Women’s Soccer League teams, games, trades, announcements, etc. But as far as traveling twoplus hours for most away games, we’ll put that off until next year.

This was an interesting season for Natalie filled with ups and downs. She started with a knee injury that sidelined her playing time. That was extremely frustrating for her after ending last year’s season with a concussion that kept her out of the final two weeks.

She worked her way back and almost made it a month before a tangle with her own teammate left her with a sprained ankle that sidelined her for a week and then limited playing time as she worked her way back.

As a parent, you never want to see your kid get hurt. But as a sports parent, you know it is constantly a possiblity. However, soccer is a completely different beast.

Soccer can be described as a combination of hockey and football, without padding. The only thing soccer players wear are shin gaurds.

So injuries are part of the game. It’s what comes after the injuries that really counts.

This year when the team ran the 5K during tryouts week, Natalie was stuck timing. After her ankle injury she had to focus more on being the “hype” person than the player on the field. In all honesty, for a girl who loves soccer, that sucks. But it is extremely important to the team and builds life skills you don’t get on the field.

She also moved positions a few weeks into the season. After playing defense forever, her coach moved her to striker. In her first game, she got called offsides three times in the first half. It’s a huge change to switch to offense.

She figured it out and ended the season with eight goals. Not bad for a girl who lives for defense.

Now we unpack the soccer wardrobe from the car — tanks tops, shorts, sandals, blankets, sweatshirts, umbrellas, gloves — they really play in any weather. We take time to reflect on the positives of the season and what she wants to work on for next season. She lets her body heal a little bit.

And maybe, just maybe, I might get the smell of soccer cleats out of my van before next season.

But no promises!

I was born and raised in Balaton, Minnesota, where I attended school and developed the strong community values that continue to guide me today. After graduating, I attended Nettleton College in Sioux Falls and earned my Medical Assistant degree. I began my healthcare career at ACMC in Marshall, where I worked for 30 years. Following the transition to Avera, I pursued additional education and earned my Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credential. Today, I serve as the HIM/Coding Manager at Murray County Medical Center, a role that allows me to combine my years of healthcare experience with my passion for ensuring quality patient information management. I am the current Vice-Chair of the Tracy Area School Board and the Vice Chair of the Southwest West Central Service Cooperative Board of Directors.

My husband, Bruce, and I still call Balaton home. We are proud parents of two children, Tyler and Sam, both graduates of Tracy Area High School. Sam, Tyler, and his fiancé Alexus, and their children all reside in Balaton also, and we enjoy spending as much time with them as we can. Our Granddaughter Rory recently started Little Panthers Preschool. Watching her begin this exciting new chapter has been a wonderful reminder of how quickly time passes and how important it is to stay connected to family and community.

2. Although there are no outside challengers for one of the open seats, it’s important to know why you decided to run to keep your seat on the school board. What compelled you to run for another term?

I decided to run for another term on the school board because I believe education is the foundation for everything we do in life. I’ve always felt that if you can read, you can do anything. Reading opens doors to learning, opportunity, and independence, and it provides the skills needed to succeed in whatever path a student chooses.

I believe every child deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances.

We can reduce the amount of waste we create. And before anyone panics, reducing waste does not mean moving to a cabin in the woods and giving up modern conveniences. It simply means being a little more thoughtful about what we buy, what we use, what we reuse and what we throw away. In other words, sometimes the best piece of trash is the piece of trash that we never created in the first place.

When it comes to waste, there is a simple hierarchy that is worth remembering: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Notice that recycling comes third in line. That is not because recycling isn’t important. It is! If we can prevent something from becoming trash in the first place, that’s even better.

Think about it this way. If you don’t buy something you don’t need, there is nothing to throw away. If you use something again, it doesn’t become waste- yet. And if you recycle something correctly, it may get another life as a new product. Aluminum cans could be another aluminum can again. That glass bottle could become another product.

Most of us don’t think much about the size of our garbage can until we discover that we have somehow filled it three days before garbage day. Reducing waste can help keep those garbage cans from becoming overstuffed. Buying only what you need, choosing reusable items when practical, repairing things and finding ways to reuse items can all reduce the amount of material heading to the landfill. And, let’s be honest-nobody has ever looked at an overflowing garbage can and said, “Wow, we really nailed this”!

One of the biggest misconceptions about throwing something away is that it somehow disappears. But garbage doesn’t simply vanish into the mysterious land of “away. It has to be collected, transported and ultimately disposed of properly. Landfills provide an important service for materials that cannot be reused or recycled, but landfill space is a limited resource. This is why reducing the amount of waste we create matters.

If we can recycle an accepted material, that is one more material that can potentially be recovered and made into something new. If we can keep something useful longer, that is one less item that needs to be disposed of.

Before throwing something away, ask yourself: Can I use this again? Maybe that container can hold something else. Maybe I can repair that piece of furniture. Maybe those clothes can be donated. There is a reason why the word reuse comes before recycle.

Of course, recycling remains an important part of waste reduction. When you have an accepted recyclable item, putting it into the proper recycling cart or community recycling drop site gives that material the opportunity to be recovered and use to make new products.

But there is an important catch: not everything is recyclable! Plastic flower pots, nope. Chemical containers? Absolutely not. Random household junk? No way! That broken lawn chair? Trash only. When nonrecyclable items are placed in the recycling stream, they can contaminate the load and create additional problems during sorting and processing.

Small changes add up! Sometimes people think, What difference does one household make? The answer is that one household is where it starts! If one family reduces food waste, that is progress. If another family chooses reusable products, that is progress. If another family donates usable clothing instead of throwing it away, that is progress. Now multiply those small actions by hundreds or thousands of households and suddenly those little choices are not so little anymore.

And finally, remember that life happens. Sometimes things break or sometimes good food goes bad. There are times when those reusable shopping bags are forgotten at home (and we remember them once we are sitting in the checkout line). We have all been there. The goal is to simply make better choices when we can.

So the next time you reach for that garbage can, stop for a second. Take a good look at what you are holding and ask yourself if the item belongs in the recycling cart or should go to the thrift store. Why? Because when it comes to waste reduction, every little bit helps!

Why did you decide to run for a seat on the council?

My decision to run for City Council was a choice I have thought about for a few years since having returned to my childhood home twenty plus years ago to be closer to my father after he had a stroke and moved into a nursing home. As a small town girl and having traveled 48 states as an over the road truckdriver sharing most of that time as a team driver with my husband who passed away a year and a half ago I have seen many communities like ours change over the years and some disappearing because of no interest in city government and community. I feel that now that I have the time to focus on making a change to our community and enhancing what we have to offer. Having been a business owner as well, I felt the need to step in and hopefully add a point of view and some hopefully valuable outlooks on being a member of our business community.

What are some aspects of your town that you would like to see improved?

I think we need to get more involvement between the city and our citizens with listening to our citizens more and being an open and transparent government and helping to bring necessities to our community. I’d like to see us be more proactive in the essence of our small town atmosphere by supporting the Christmas lights in our city park, supporting our local businesses and encouraging improvements and sustainability for the essentials for our community such as groceries and convenience store, and a eating establishment other than our local bar and grill run by the city. We need to attract more younger families to our community to sustain our population. Yes, we are a small and quiet town, but we need to be a safe and growing community as well. I would like to see better policing of our community by law enforcement that is local and available on a full time scale. That adds much value to the safety of our streets and homes.

We are writing to voters in Senate District 15 concerning the two candidates for office, Braxton Seifert and Andrea Boettger.

The most obvious difference between the two is their life’s journey thus far. Life experiences shape goals, attitudes, philosophies, level of compassion, wisdom, and personal growth. These two candidates are worlds apart in their life’s journey.

Braxton Seifert is 21 years old and his web page lists several boards that he serves on and lists his volunteer efforts. He is to be commended for starting his journey working to help others. However, in this brief period, these efforts are insufficient to qualify him for election to the state senate.

His father’s political career and employment in Marshall education institutions give him name recognition. Name recognition is not a substitute for accomplishments; a career in politics should be based on personal merits. He needs more time to earn the honor and privilege of being a state senator Andrea Boettger on the other hand (boettgerformnsenate. com) has an impressive array of accomplishments and experience in public service. This mother of young sons works for the betterment of her community. She is in her second fouryear term as President of the New Ulm City Council (annual budget $29+ million) She serves on regional boards that work for rural towns and cities. She is executive director of operations at Turner Hall, a large Brown County Historical site that has a gymnasium, restaurant, and bar used for many social occasions.

In a September 20th interview with the New Ulm Journal Andrea talks about how decisions made at the state level impact local governments and how their council has had to work to adjust and absorb changes. She cited the effects of the legislative tug- of -war between the metro and out- state areas over funding and regulations. She has experience dealing with these issues at local and regional levels.

She has a record of bipartisan work for those in rural areas. This deserves respect from all people; she has earned the honor of being elected to the office of State Senator from District 15.

ARLEN AND CONNIE KNOTT WALNUT GROVE

I was born in Thailand and raised in the United States. I am Hmong and attended art college. I have lived in Walnut Grove for more than 20 years and have been involved primarily in the Hmong community. Over the years, I have developed a strong connection to the community and understand the importance of listening to people and working together to address their needs and concerns.

Why did you decide to run for a seat on the council?

I decided to re-run for City Council because I want to be more involved in the Walnut Grove community and help address the everyday needs and concerns of our residents. I believe it is important for residents to have a voice in local government and for the city to listen to their concerns. I want to contribute my time and effort to help make decisions that benefit the community and support Walnut Grove’s future.

What are some aspects of your town that you would like to see improved?

My priorities include maintaining the expertise of city staff, addressing housing needs, supporting public safety, and ensuring responsible city spending. I believe it is important to retain knowledgeable city employees because their experience helps keep city services running effectively. I would also like to see continued attention to housing availability and public safety while making sure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. When making decisions, whether they involve city projects or city employees, I believe we should carefully consider the pros and cons, evaluate the impact on residents, and choose the most practical and responsible approach for Walnut Grove.

Ireceived a text from Denny Kronke weeks ago that included a special poem written by Jean Krueger. Because of my busy schedule, the text faded from my memory.

Then he texted me again a couple weeks ago during a football game I was covering in Slayton, so at halftime, I went to my Jeep to ask him what’s up.

He reminded me of the text he sent me that included a special poem, asking again if I could find some room in the paper to run it. I told him I remembered the poem but, thinking back to his initial text, I remembered I had no idea how to present it, how to give it some context.

So, that night, I decided to put it on this page as part of my column, because it has a very special meaning to a lot of people who call, or once called, Garvin home.

Reading Jean Krueger’s poem made me think of Jared Towne, a Garvin native who was a big part of the small group of people who made the new-look park in town a reality by donating time, equipment and money to make it happen.

Garvin is small but means the world to a lot of people, including me. My sister and brother-in-law own a restaurant there, and my great uncles literally helped build Lake Sarah Lutheran Church — I don’t attend as often as I should, but that building means a lot to me.

Garvin also doesn’t have much else to offer, compared to 50 years ago, but there are few towns as small as it is that are home to that many people who truly care about it, its past and what it does has left to offer.

With that said, here is Jean’s poem. If you know Garvin history, it will hit home. If you don’t, read it anyway and think if maybe you can put pen to paper, too, about your small town:

Memories keep calling me back To this old place by the railroad tracks, Where we grew up in the “Good Old Days,” Then we all went our separate ways There’s not much left of this little town The old places have been torn down On Main Street, the sidewalk stayed About 1953 when it was laid The old church still stands in the heart of town 120 years it’s stood its ground The bell still tolls on Sunday morn and they come in to pray I know it will be there when they lay my bones away The ballpark where the kids played ball has seen its final day An old farmer moved to town and took it all away But kids now are just like us, they simply won’t be beat They just take their bats and balls and play out in the street What fun we had on Buttermilk Slough We’d take our sleds and ice skates, too Spend a sunny winter afternoon Playing hockey with a broom Moonshine Grove just out of town had a reputation far and near Some went there to pitch some woo, we went to drink our beer The grove is all gone now, bulldozed to the ground A new home stands stately there with new trees all around There’s something about small-town kids They have a special glue Never mind the circumstance They’re always there for you The people here, although we’re very few We love our home, and love and serve our country, too No, there’s not much left of this old town and what it sued to be But I close my eyes and it’s all there, in my memories You ask, “Where is this place you speak about today?”

It’s my hometown, Garvin, Minnesota, U.S.A.

Why did you decide to run for a seat on the council?

It was a tough decision with my busy schedule if I should run or not. I decided to run because we need to see Walnut Grove survive as a small town. Yes, we are a tourist town, but however you still need businesses to stay here, plus we need to make sure our town is presentable to these tourists and people who want to move here. We need to make sure that this town tries to stay safe for our kids. This town needs to survive; too many small towns are dying out, and this cannot keep happening. The city needs to stay on top of everything to invite more people to bring businesses in and more people to move here.

What are some aspects of your town that you would like to see improved?

There is a large city sewer project that will be started next year, so that is currently on the docket. Our lights downtown and sidewalks need to be replaced at some point and that needs to be talked about more. There are of course always little projects that are needed to get done. The meetings need to be run more smoothly and stay on topic. I want to hear concerns of what others have and take those into consideration. Things need to change again, and this is the time to do it.

I have decided to run for Balaton City Council. I was raised on a farm just 6 miles west of Balaton, attended and graduated from Russell Public School. My wife and I have lived in Balaton for the past 38 years. We raised our three children in Balaton and they graduated from Balaton Public School. I served in the United States Army, I was stationed in a number of military posts in the United States prior to being deployed to South Vietnam. Upon returning home from the military service my wife Ruth and I were married. We farmed with my parents for about 10 years. I attended a twoyear post-secondary school in which I obtained an associate’s degree in accounting. With that education I was employed by the Southwest, West Central Service Cooperative in Marshall, MN. I was then employed by RTR Public Schools as business manager for 27 years, up until my retirement. I have over 30 years of combined experience in governmental account, and business management. I have previously served two nonconsecutive terms on the Balaton City Council.

Why did you decide to run for a seat on the council?

I have decided to run for city council, because I want to be a part of the decision-making process. The city of Balaton will be faced with some very important decision in the near future. The day-to-day operations of running the city of Balaton is only a part of the city council’s responsibility. Developing a plan to finance the replacement of city streets and infrastructure will prove to have challenges of its own. While there is a substantial amount of work ahead. I want to ensure we move forward at a pace that remains financially sustainable for our taxpayers.

I would appreciate your vote on November 3, 2026.

My name is Kimberly Seaton, and I have proudly called Garvin home for the past 18 years. I grew up in the surrounding area and spent much of my younger years in Garvin, making this community a special part of my life long before I became a resident. My husband, Gregory, and I have four sons, and family and community have always been at the center of my life.

I proudly served eight years in the United States Army as a medic, achieving the rank of Sergeant, including a deployment to Afghanistan in 2009–2010. Following my military service, I continued my passion for helping others through emergency medical services, firefighting, and nursing. I earned my Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and later my Registered Nurse (RN) credentials. I currently work as a nurse in Balaton, Minnesota. I have also served my community through our local fire department and ambulance service.

Throughout my life, I have believed that leadership is not about holding a title but about showing up, taking responsibility, and doing what is right, even when it is difficult. My military, healthcare, and community service experiences have taught me the importance of accountability, teamwork, compassion, and standing up for others.

Why did you decide to run for a seat on the council?

I decided to run for Garvin City Council because I genuinely care about this community and the people who call it home. After living here for 18 years, I believe it is important to do more than simply voice concerns. I want to be part of finding solutions and making a positive difference.

Throughout my military career, nursing profession, and years of community service, I have learned that good leadership requires listening, making difficult decisions, being accountable, and putting the needs of others ahead of personal interests. I believe those same principles should guide our local government.

I am not running because I believe everything needs to change. I am running because I believe our community deserves dedicated leadership, open communication, transparency, and a willingness to work together. I want residents to feel that their concerns are heard, their opinions matter, and their elected officials are making decisions in the best interest of the entire community.

Garvin is a small town with a strong sense of community, and I want to help preserve what makes it special while ensuring it remains a place where families can be proud to live for generations to come.

One of my biggest priorities would be improving communication and transparency between city leadership and residents. I believe people deserve to know what is happening in their community, understand how decisions are being made, and feel comfortable bringing concerns or suggestions forward.

I would also like to focus on maintaining and improving our city’s infrastructure, including streets, public spaces, and essential services, while remaining fiscally responsible with taxpayer dollars. Small communities often operate with limited resources, making thoughtful planning and responsible spending especially important.

Another priority is encouraging community involvement and finding ways to bring residents together. I believe a strong community is built when people feel connected, respected, and invested in the future of their town.

Most importantly, I want to see Garvin continue to be a safe, welcoming, and well-maintained community where residents of all ages feel valued. I believe progress does not always mean making big changes. Sometimes it means taking care of what we already have, listening to the people we serve, and making common-sense decisions that benefit everyone.

My goal is simple: to serve Garvin with integrity, accountability, and the same dedication I have brought to my military service, healthcare career, and community involvement.

Although there are no outside challengers for one of the open seats, it’s important to know why you decided to run to keep your seat on the school board. What compelled you to run for another term?

I was compelled to run for another term because I have kids in both the elementary school and high school. I want to show them the importance of being involved in the school and community.

The district is essentially sitting on more than $4.5 million from the construction project? How do you think this money should be spent and why?

I am in favor of spending the money to significantly improve both the elementary and the high school.

Declining enrollments are nothing new to this school district. How can the district keep progressing despite that?

Continuing to make improvements to our school and expanding the district should help with the declining enrollments.

• A TRACY WELLNESS CENTER IS NO LONGER A MERE POSSIBILITY. IT’S A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT and a groundbreaking ceremony for the 7,200 square-foot facility was observed in this year.

“This is a great day,” said Claire Hannasch, chairman of the Sioux Valley Tracy Medical Center Board. “A lot of time and effort has gone into this.”

RWS Joint Ventures of Sanborn is the project developer and will own the building. SVTMC will move its therapy center to the new building and lease space from RWS. The two parties will operate a community wellness center at the site.

The wellness center will be built southeast of the Tracy hospital, facing Fifth Street East. The site is directly south of the Prairie View Healthcare Center.

Hannasch complimented Ron and Warren Gramstad, partners in RWS; and Rick Nordahl, SVTMC chief executive officer; for their perseverance in working out the wellness center agreement. The new center, he said, will be good for both the community and the hospital.

“There are a lot of people who have been supporting this and who are looking forward to it,” Hannasch said.

• Last week’s answer: Tracy voters overwhelmingly supported a $1.5 million swimming pool bond referendum in 2001.

Although there are no outside challengers for one of the open seats, it’s important to know why you decided to run to keep your seat on the school board. What compelled you to run for another term?

The reason I am running for another term on the school board is Tracy is my home, Tracy is my children’s home and there’s a good chance Tracy will be my grandchildren’s home. I think most would agree that our children are the best investment we can make. As a member of the school board, I feel I am investing in our children and the future of this community. We are at a very exciting time with the excess funds we can utilize to make some much needed improvements to our schools, and I think it is important that the right people get involved with this potential project.

The district is essentially sitting on more than $4.5 million from the construction project? How do you think this money should be spent and why?

I think these funds should be reinvested in our schools. We have a taskforce committee in place that will look to not only address immediate needs but also strive for improvements that will benefit us long term. This re-investment signals to our school community that we are committed to providing a top-tier education and that we are responsive to the districts’ evolving needs.

Declining enrollments are nothing new to this school district. How can the district keep progressing despite that?

A very important piece to this is exactly what I addressed in the previous question. By reinvesting these funds into critical improvements, we can create an appealing environment that attracts families, gives faculty a greater sense of pride in their work and encourages student retention. We are surrounded by communities that have either built a new school or made large updates to their buildings. There is some allure to a new space, and we can’t let that be one of the reasons we lose numbers. We must continue to invest and improve the school experience for the students.

Although there are no outside challengers for one of the open seats, it’s important to know why you decided to run to keep your seat on the school board. What compelled you to run for another term?

My family has been involved in education from country school teaching to present. I have an appreciation for education, which is the backbone for everything we do. Its empowering to see people work together to get ahead of the challenges that impact student learning. Although our district has a new look, we all have the best interests in mind when it comes to student learning, community and growth. Its intriguing to see what challenges lie ahead. Knowing the long lasting legacy of our communities, I know we are ready.

The district is essentially sitting on more than $4.5 million from the construction project? How do you think this money should be spent and why?

All students have the constitutional right to a free public education. By upgrading facilities, we can reduce obstacles that compromise the students learning experience. As a district-wide community effort, we would look at what will empower every student to succeed as adults. What this looks like will be determined by the public, and placed in front of the voters.

Declining enrollments are nothing new to this school district. How can the district keep progressing despite that?

To remain competitive we should always look at our opportunities and strengths to be a step ahead. Again, as a district wide community effort, we would evaluate and address why students and families leave. While knowing some reasons for leaving are not preventable, we should address what we can, even if its not a comfortable topic. As a region, promote our strengths so others know we’re here and perhaps choose to be a part of what we have to offer. I would say declining enrollment is not new anywhere, as larger districts also find themselves making tough decisions to remain competitive.

Why did you decide to run for mayor?

I decided to run for mayor because I care about the future of Walnut Grove, and I believe our community has more potential than we’re currently realizing. Small towns like ours don’t thrive by simply maintaining the status quo. They need people willing to bring fresh ideas, ask questions, and put in the work to move things forward.

As a father raising a young family here, I have a personal investment in what Walnut Grove looks like five, ten, and twenty years from now. I want my son and other children growing up here to have opportunities, a strong community, and a reason to someday choose Walnut Grove as the place they raise their own families.

I’m not running because I think I have all the answers. I’m running because I believe good leadership starts with listening, being approachable, and bringing people together to find solutions. I want residents to feel that their opinions matter and that their local government is working for them.

What are some aspects of your town that you would like to see improved?

One of my biggest priorities is making Walnut Grove a community where young families want to move, businesses want to invest, and longtime residents feel proud to call home. I’d like to see a stronger focus on economic development, supporting our existing businesses, attracting new opportunities, and addressing the challenges that come with a small and aging community. We need to be thinking about how to encourage growth rather than simply accepting population decline as inevitable.

I also believe we can improve communication and cooperation between city leadership and residents. People should feel comfortable bringing forward concerns, asking questions, and offering ideas without feeling like their voices won’t be heard. We may not always agree, but we should all be working toward the same goal: a better Walnut Grove.

Finally, I’d like to see us continue improving our public spaces, community amenities, and overall appearance of town. These things matter when it comes to community pride and making a positive impression on visitors and prospective residents.

I don’t believe meaningful progress happens overnight, and I certainly don’t believe one person can accomplish it alone. But with the right attitude, teamwork, and a willingness to embrace new ideas, I believe Walnut Grove has a bright future ahead.

Have you ever been singled out in front of a crowd? Years ago, I don’t even remember what kind of event it was, but I was in a crowd of about fifty people, and the person on stage took several minutes to ask about a dozen of us, one at a time, to introduce ourselves. “Tell us your name, where you are from, and your occupation,” were our instructions.

When she pointed at me, I said, “I am a Pastor and a Federal Prison Guard.” She burst out laughing. She apologized and said she never thought those two occupations could ever go together. It didn’t bother me in the slightest, but later, several people asked me about being laughed at in public. Others evidently thought I should have been either upset or embarrassed by the moment.

Other times in life, being singled out from the crowd can bring a sense of pride, like being given an award or other recognition. With that said, I cannot help but think of the arrest of Jesus Christ. Judas betrayed Christ for money and brought the guards to arrest Him. Matthew 26:47: “And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.”

This wasn’t two patrolmen walking up to your door. “A great multitude.” Judas brought a crowd with him. Imagine the scene: Judas betrays Jesus with a kiss, and now they stand face to face. Here is Judas, with his sword-carrying crowd behind him.

A note on the Greek word for “staves”: it can mean either a plural for a wooden staff (such as a walking stick) or foot-staves, shackles for the feet. Since they were here to arrest Jesus and did not know whether Jesus’ followers would resist, the staves were most likely shackles. This group meant business.

At this point, Jesus says to Judas, “Friend, wherefore art thou come?” (Matthew 26:50). Note that Jesus is addressing Judas, not the crowd. Jesus did not ask, “What are you all doing here?” No. Despite the “great multitude,” he addressed Judas one-on-one.

Judas showing up with the enemies of Jesus was no surprise to Jesus. Just a few hours earlier, Jesus told Judas to do what he had to do, but quickly (John 13:27). Also, Jesus is God, and His death and resurrection were God’s plan for salvation from before creation. Yet, Jesus, standing toe to toe with Judas, asks him what he is doing there.

Although Jesus knows Judas’ eternal fate, He is still attempting to reach Judas’ heart.

Wherefore art thou come; what are you doing here; why are you doing this; do you realize what you are doing? However, as Jesus asks the question, He is trying to get Judas to look into his heart. Many guards and the Apostles are there, yet Jesus speaks to Judas, asking what is going on in his heart. Judas is being singled out from the crowd.

Some call it the heart, some call it the conscience, some say it is the gut, but have you ever been in a church service and felt like the preacher was talking only to you? If you have, your situation isn’t much different from Judas’. I’m not saying you are a traitor condemned for all eternity, but you are someone God is still attempting to reach your heart.

If you are a Christian, God may be trying to clean that heart some. He may be encouraging you to start something good, or call you into a ministry. Whatever it is, He is speaking to you. I’ve seen fingernails turn white as people grip the pew in front of them, refusing God’s call.

Sometimes people tell themselves, “I’ll handle this when I get home.”

Please understand this. When God speaks to someone, He wants a response then. When Moses stood before God at the burning bush, he couldn’t walk back down the hill and finish the conversation there. Neither do we have the privilege of going home and talking to God then.

Many people today will get convicted and tell themselves they will handle the situation when they get home. If God wanted you to do that, you wouldn’t be convicted there at church. Once you arrive home, that is when your heart will begin to get to you. That is when you would start to hear God telling you what He wants you to do. When God talks, He wants a response. If He wanted you to deal with it when you got home, He would start laying it on your heart when you get home.

To the Christian, I ask: what does God want you to do? Is there something He wants you to remove from your life? Is there something He wants you to start doing, or do more often? You know the answer. Have you talked to God about it? Have you yielded to His will, or are you avoiding it by not addressing it? You know, out of sight, out of mind. Since the Holy Spirit lives in your heart, you may push the issue to the rear, but the Holy Spirit will bring it back to the forefront; possibly as you read this paragraph.

To the non-Christian, has God ever convicted you about your eternal state? You are a sinner; we all are. The Scripture explains that only the blood of God’s only begotten Son can wash away your sin. We are not saved by any religious ritual or good works we have done. We are not saved by good in our lives outweighing the bad. We are not on the path of eternal life because we’ve avoided specific heinous sins. We are saved by trusting that the blood of Christ alone can take our sins away. When we truly do that, the Holy Spirit moves into our heart, and our lives change. We no longer want to commit those sins. Yes, we will struggle with some things, but that is where living by faith comes in: we trust God to work in us to clean up our actions and do His work.

Has God dealt with you about salvation? Deal with it now.

I grew up and have spent most of my life on a farm near Ghent. Barb and I raised nine children and now have 16 grandchildren! I raised pigs full time for 25 years; for most of the last 15 years, I have been involved in selling first breeding stock and more recently feed additives to primarily hog farms.

In your eyes, what needs fixing in St. Paul, whether it’s policies or anything else you feel needs improvement?

I believe that our state mandates and restricts our citizens and businesses to far too great an extent. The cost of healthcare, childcare, and virtually everything else is driven higher by the simple fact that we have been reducing the supply of our treasured goods and services by the regulations that our state has been continually adding to our providers.

Summarize your platform.

I would work to free up the creative energy of our families, communities, and businesses to reduce the cost of living and improve the quality of life for all our citizens by reducing the taxes and the regulatory burdens that our state currently imposes upon us.

List two issues that you intend to focus on if elected.

Increasing the supply of healthcare by freeing up providers to do what they do best. Reducing the regulatory burden on all businesses in MN to allow for the creation of more jobs and more affordable goods and services.

Any closing remarks...

I thank everyone that is and will be engaged in this upcoming election and legislative session. I am not an expert in all the challenges that our communities face; I welcome feedback and input from anyone that wants to make our state an even better place to live, work, and grow our families.

I have lived in Hendricks for about half my life. My parents were from northwest MN in Kittson County and were in the Air Force and Civil Service. I grew up in Hawaii, Nebraska, Puerto Rico, and North Dakota. I love learning, have a PhD in biochemistry, and have conducted research in North Dakota, Scotland (UK), U of MN, and SDSU. I taught secondary science for 29 years in Ivanhoe, MN, and Watertown, SD. Retired from research and teaching, I am a church trustee, president of the Hendricks Senior Center, EMT for Hendricks Ambulance, member of the Hospital Foundation Board, and I volunteer at the local nursing home. My wife and I have three children, and we are blessed with seven grandchildren. In research and education, I collaborated with others and had to consider the skills and mindsets of others. I’ve researched and published a number of scientific articles; and written grant proposals. I am a good listener — there is always more to learn. Collaboration, research, writing, and listening are good skills to have in the legislature, and I intend to use them on behalf of the people of District 21A.

In your eyes, what needs fixing in St. Paul, whether it’s policies or anything else you feel needs improvement?

Hyper-partisanship and political antipathy need to be fixed. Replace them with common goals, civility, and cooperation. No one should be quick to stake out a partisan position on any issue. Ask questions, research all aspects of an issue, and be openminded about how others may view the same issue.

Summarize your platform.

People in SW MN have worked hard to build their businesses, improve their farms and ranches, build homes, raise families, and create vibrant communities. I see the good that people do and want to build on that. From volunteer fire departments and volunteer ambulance services to PTOs and volunteering at local nursing homes; there is much that is wonderful about the people and communities here. I am passionate about health care and nursing homes in our area. Medicaid cuts threaten the future of health care in rural MN. EMS services and fire departments are struggling in outstate MN. Agriculture needs stable markets and supply chains.

List two issues you intend to focus on if elected.

My key goal will be to see that the Medicaid funding which the Legislature appropriates is fairly and equitably distributed across the state. Far too many hospitals and nursing facilities have closed or are struggling due to inadequate Medicaid and Medicare compensation. Another important goal will be to have EMS designated as an essential service. I will push strongly for it.

In a couple of weeks, we will hold in America what we call our midterm elections.

We shouldn’t have to remind ourselves of this, but given the current division in America, I think it’s worth noting that, friends, it’s really still only an election.

Oh, I know that increasingly we continue to divide ourselves into political camps, drawing lines of demarcation and vowing to avenge the wrongs of those who differ politically with us.

But in the end, it still is just an election. Regardless of the outcome, whether the balance of political power in Washington swings one way or the other, some will be upset. … After all, the future of America is at stake!

And yet, as we gnash our teeth, God reminds us that there has been a higher power at the helm for millenia. And our current messy state is only one small era in a creation millions of years old.

This isn’t a Pollyannaish view of the difficult set of circumstances that many Americans find themselves living in. This also is not naivete of the power over lives that those in Washington, D.C., wield.

Rather, this is just faith talking, because whether our nation’s Capital is awash in red or blue colors, we each individually still possess the ability to do good right here, right now. And that is what Jesus actually demands of us.

Jesus’ public ministry was practiced during the Roman Empire’s occupation of Judea, and neighboring lands. Jesus was no more enamored with those who governed than many faithful people are today, regardless of how they politically identify.

And yet he went about his public ministry, tending to the daily needs of those he came across as he practiced living out God’s kingdom here on earth.

Those whose fortunes depend on the outcomes of elections want us to believe they have the power to tear us apart or to heal us as a nation. The truth is we are the only ones that possess that mighty power.

We have the ability to befriend our neighbor, to serve at a soup kitchen, to assist our seniors, to lift up a family in poverty, to teach someone a second language, to help someone with tasks around their home they can’t complete.

We can give of our time, our talents and our treasures until our hearts overfill, and no election big or small can stop that.

So let’s stop making this division about those in Washington or other seats of power. And let’s start the healing right next door.

Jesus reminds us that the Greatest Commandment is to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, and also to love our neighbor as yourself. No election can interfere with that. That’s our choice, and I see that as the most vital way of helping us find our way out of darkness. Amen.

I was born and raised in Belview, Minnesota, and have spent my life here in the district. The last 35 years I have lived in Redwood Falls and I have built my business, Scenic City Realty, here. My husband, Corey, and I raised our four children here and are proud grandparents of seven.

As a real estate Owner/ Broker and former President of the Minnesota Realtors, I have worked closely with families, homeowners, and small businesses. That experience has given me a firsthand understanding of the challenges facing rural communities, including rising costs and limited opportunities. As a fifthgeneration resident, I understand the values of this district and the importance of having a practical, commonsense voice in St. Paul.

In your eyes, what needs fixing in St. Paul, whether it’s policies or anything else you feel needs improvement?

St. Paul needs to become more accountable to the people it represents. State government should not assume it knows best how to spend the money earned by hardworking Minnesotans. We need to examine policies that take too much from taxpayers and leave families, farmers, and businesses with less.

My priorities would include reducing fraud, waste, and unnecessary spending, limiting excessive regulations, and providing meaningful tax relief. Rural communities also deserve a stronger voice in decisions involving education, agriculture, housing, and economic development. Government should focus on essential responsibilities, spend carefully, and trust Minnesotans to make decisions for themselves.

Summarize your platform.

My platform is centered on responsible government, taxpayer relief, and stronger rural communities. I support reducing waste and overreach, providing tax and regulatory relief for families and small businesses, expanding affordable homeownership, and strengthening local control in education. Rural Minnesota deserves a meaningful voice in St. Paul, and taxpayers deserve to keep more of what they earn.

List two issues that you intend to focus on if elected.

The first issue I will focus on is affordability. I will support policies that reduce taxes, control spending, and help Minnesotans keep more of their hard-earned money.

The second is rural economic strength. I will support farmers, small businesses, affordable homeownership, and fair funding for rural schools while working to reduce regulations that limit local opportunity.

The week began with a slight change in routine as the ladies gathered Monday morning for Fancy Nails, enjoying music, conversation, and a little pampering. That afternoon, residents embraced the fall season by painting pumpkins and showing off their creativity.

Tuesday afternoon, residents gathered for their traditional game of Bingo, always a favorite at Prairie View.

Wednesday morning, Vicar Angie led Chapel, followed by Catholic Communion led by Jeanine V. Later that afternoon, residents put their knowledge of Scripture to the test with a fun game of Bible Trivia.

Thursday afternoon brought a new dice game called Roll to 31. The residents enjoyed it so much that they quickly declared it a keeper! Friday afternoon, we brought back an old favorite, Fargo. While residents have enjoyed trying new games, there’s always something special about returning to the classics.

Saturday, residents wrapped up the week with another traditional game of Bingo. Congratulations to this week’s Bingo winners, Carol and Vida!

Throughout the week, residents have also been busy filling treat bags and creating decorations for our Halloween photo backdrop. Their hard work and creativity are helping make this year’s celebration extra special.

We invite everyone to stop by Prairie View, grab a treat, and capture a fun memory at our Halloween photo backdrop! We look forward to sharing the Halloween spirit with our families, friends, and community.

I am the only candidate born, raised, educated and that has lived their entire life in the district. My family is six generations deep in this area and I’m proud of the heritage they brought here: work hard, play by the rules and make a better world for the next generation. I own a farm site by Marshall and have two businesses: Silver Dollar Property Company and Silver Dollar Auction Company. I am also a loan officer at Minnwest Bank, a family owned bank that was started right here in the district. I work with families, farmers and small business people on a daily basis – working with them on the high cost of living and helping them with everything from adoptions to purchasing vehicles. I am a member of the Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce, serve as a mentor to youth in the CEO program, am on the Board of the Lyon County Corn & Soybean Growers, an active member of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and am a member of the Shades of the Past Car Club in Marshall.

In your eyes, what needs fixing in St. Paul, whether it’s policies or anything else you feel needs improvement?

Minnesota is a great state and I am very worried about the direction we are taking. Bad policies and out of touch politicians are ruining many of the great things about our wonderful state: record fraud that reaches into the billions which needs to be stopped. We need FULL restitution, plus interest of all money stolen; long prison sentences and when allowed, deportation of fraudsters. We need to reform, change and in some cases, eliminate the wasteful programs to stop the fraud from ever starting. We need to lower the cost of living by repealing expensive mandates & lowering taxes that are driving up the cost of living for our families and businesses. The energy mandates are making everything more expensive; the tax increase all passed on party line votes that jacked up gas taxes, sales taxes, property taxes, business taxes and license tab fees to record levels. I’m disturbed by the gangs, violence, shootings in the metro area and around Minnesota that are a result of policies instituted by one-party control in this state. We did not have this when we were growing up here.

I think that it is very sad that there isn’t more bipartisanship to solve problems – those bad bills all passed by one party – work with both sides to come to some consensus. I remember my father, Republican Representative Marty Seifert working closely with DFL Senator Jim Vickerman of Tracy to solve many issues from agriculture to working on road projects and regional issues. We need to get back to that.

I think that politicians of both parties should get zero pay during any government shut down – something that should never happen regardless. Work to solve issues, balance the budget without raising taxes and get done on time.

Summarize your platform.

*End Fraud and institute welfare reform for non-Minnesotans moving here by the thousands and not expected to work. Billions of dollars are being stolen and wasted could be used to put more money in your pockets and help with rural schools, roads and nursing homes.

*Lower the cost of living by repealing expensive mandates and lower the tax burden.

*Quality Education. Get back to the basics, support our local schools, local control, stop the nonsense of allowing boys playing in girls’ sports and trans dolls being made at the U of M. Focus on literacy and children learning real skills. Pay our teachers properly and put more money in classrooms over the bureaucracy at the Department of Education.

*Lower health care costs – educate more physicians, competition for health insurance to lower premiums, lower or end the provider tax and work with rural hospitals to stabilize funding.

*Exercise common sense. *Work in a bipartisan way to get things done.

List two issues that you intend to focus on if elected.

*Ending fraud. *Lower the cost of living.

That diverse background has prepared me to take on the job of Mayor in Tracy. I’ve seen life from many angles and as a result I have the ability to deal with ambiguity, see opportunities where others find problems, and seek out solutions when confronted with adversity.

In life, I highly value perseverance, a positive outlook, and hard work.

Why did you decide to run for the mayor’s seat?

Civic engagement and volunteering is important to me. I feel strongly that if I have the ability and the opportunity to get involved and help out, that I should do so, without hesitation.

This drive is something I’ve held dear throughout my life, and when my family and I chose to move to Tracy, it was important to me to get involved. I’m a member of Kiwanis, serve on the board at our museum, and am a member of the Planning Commission. I choose to be involved, because I enjoy working with others to make our community a place that we all are proud of.

I chose to run for Mayor, because I believe that I will bring that same energy to the council. I choose to run for Mayor, because I believe in Tracy, and we need a mayor who believes in our town and what it can be.

What, in your eyes, are the mayor’s responsibilities?

In Tracy, the position of Mayor has a unique opportunity. While a big part of their job on paper is to run the meetings for the council, I believe that our Mayor should be the town’s biggest champion.

Someone who believes so strongly in the town that they Our schools play a vital role in helping students discover their strengths, build confidence, and prepare for the future. Serving on the school board gives me the chance to contribute to that mission and advocate for decisions that put students first.

I chose to run again because I care deeply about our community and our schools. If I can help ensure that students have access to quality education, supportive staff, and opportunities to reach their full potential, then I feel I am making a meaningful difference. It is a privilege to serve, and I remain committed to helping provide the best possible educational experience for all students.

The district is essentially sitting on more than $4.5 million from the construction project? How do you think this money should be spent and why?

I would like to see this money invested in ways that ensure we continue to have a vibrant and thriving school environment for our students, staff, and community. Education is constantly evolving, and it is important that we continue to provide opportunities for advanced instruction, technology, and programs that prepare students for success after graduation.

I believe these funds should be used thoughtfully to encourage students to grow in all aspects of their education, academically, socially, and personally. Whether that means expanding educational opportunities, supporting student activities, enhancing school facilities, or providing resources that help students reach their full potential, the focus should remain on benefiting current and future students.

As a school board member, I want to ensure that any decisions made with these funds are centered on student success and help maintain a strong school system that our community can be proud of for years to come.

Declining enrollments are nothing new to this school district. How can the district keep progressing despite that?

I believe the district can continue to progress despite declining enrollment by focusing on the quality of opportunities we provide our students. We need to continue advancing our educational offerings so that students have access to challenging coursework, new technologies, and experiences that prepare them for the future.

It is also important that we continue to recruit and retain the best teachers and staff possible. Our educators have a tremendous impact on student success, and investing in high-quality staff is one of the best investments a district can make.

Finally, we must ensure that all students have opportunities to participate in activities and programs that interest them. Whether a student’s passion is academics, athletics, arts, music, agriculture, or another area, those experiences help them stay engaged, build confidence, and develop important life skills. By continuing to provide strong educational opportunities and a supportive environment, our district can remain successful and attractive to families even as enrollment challenges continue.

The library has reworked its budget based on contributions from Lyon County and the City of Marshall. The reworked budget, including not filling some open positions, still leaves the library short $82,033 for 2027. Concerns from the library board were that $33,000 would be needed for the Cottonwood and Balaton libraries.

According to the Marshall-Lyon County Library agreement entered into between Lyon County, the City of Marshall and the library board in October 2014, the County shall provide no less than $200,000 per year to the Marshall-Lyon County Library. The City of Marshall provides support of the Marshall-Lyon County Library in an amount that is at least equal to twice the County’s annual funding amount per the agreement. For 2027, the library board has requested $880,576 from the City of Marshall.

The Marshall-Lyon County Library is a member of the Regional Library System and provides library services in the communities of Balaton and Cottonwood. Per the agreement, the Marshall-Lyon County Library is responsible to continue operation and maintenance of the library services in the communities of Cottonwood and Balaton. Hours of operation for library services for the citizens of each community shall be no less than 20 hours per week.

Lyon County Administrator Loren Stomberg presented a resolution to the Lyon County Commissioners during the board meeting Tuesday. The resolution called for the additional commitment of one additional dollar for every two dollars the City of Marshall commits in excess of $880,576 to a maximum of $27,333. Stomberg indicated they would find the $27,333 in the current budget.

Discussion varied widely from commissioners on the proposal and the future of the library agreement. Board Chair Todd Draper reiterated that the agreement between the entities requires the Balaton and Cottonwood libraries be staffed at 20 hours per week.

Commissioner Tom Andries disagreed with additional funding for the library.

“We gave them $306,000. As far as I’m concerned, that’s too much,” Andries said. “I am not in favor of adding any more.”

Commissioner Rick Anderson said that last thing the board wanted to do was create an image that the board is against libraries in general.

“We want the five libraries (in the county) to still be able to work together. I think in conversation, we know this agreement will probably go away. And we will probably look at dividing out the MOE (Memorandum of Understanding) somehow. The issues get to be what has to happen in the short time if the contract is nullified. Where the service area has to be, what the cities have to do to get back as a registered library. I would hope with the resolution, if the City of Marshall goes along with it, that this would get us through the one-year contract that would get us where the five libraries can sit down, or at least the three libraries can sit down and we can figure out how we’re going to do this.”

The resolution works, Anderson said, as long as the City of Marshall gets on board with it. Libraries will now have time to meet and figure out the next step.

The contract requires the County to present its commitment amount with a resolution to the library board by Nov. 15. After much discussion and with the absence of Commissioner Paul Graupman, the board tabled the resolution until the Nov. 3, 2026 meeting.

In other board news …

• The board approved a conditional use permit for a new feedlot for Dylan Anderson.

• The board approved the hiring of Gabriel Figueroa as full time jail administrator, effective Aug. 21, 2026, with an annual salary of $100,000.

Why did you decide to run I decided to run for mayor because over the years, many people in our community approached me and encouraged me to step forward. After more than 44 years of calling Tracy home, I feel a strong sense of responsibility to give back to the community that has given so much to me and my family.

My years of military and law enforcement service taught me the importance of honesty, fairness, accountability and listening to others. I believe those same principles are important when serving as mayor. I want to be a mayor who listens to every citizen, treats people with respect and works to bring our community together. Tracy is our home, and I want to help make it a better place for everyone. I will support our police, fire and ambulance services, listen to residents’ concerns and work toward practical solutions for the future of our city.

What, in your eyes, are the mayor’s responsibilities?

Being a mayor is about much more than simply presiding over city council meetings. A mayor should be a leader, a listener and an advocate for the entire community. Minnesota’s League of Cities describes the mayor as having responsibilities that included leading meetings, listening to residents, understanding City projects and helping the community work toward its goals. I believe leadership starts with listening. If elected, I would make myself accessible to every citizen, regardless of their background or whether we agree.

I would work to promote transparency, accountability, responsible spending and respectful communication. I would also work closely with our council, City employees, businesses and emergency services to find practical solutions to the challenges facing Tracy. I cannot promise everyone will agree with every decision, but I can promise to listen, seek the facts, treat people fairly and always put the best interests of Tracy first.

As we all know, small-town downtowns are mostly quiet these days when it comes to retail, at least compared to decades ago. What can Tracy do to get out of that predicament?

I believe Tracy can turn its downtown around, but we need to think beyond simply recruiting another traditional retail store. We need to make downtown Tracy a destination where people want to shop, eat, gather and spend time. One of my first priorities would be promoting and growing the businesses we already have. These business owners have already taken the risk of investing in Tracy. If we help them succeed and expand, their success becomes one of our best recruiting tools for future businesses. I also don’t want to see three new businesses open downtown just to have them close a year later. We need sustainable businesses, not just filled storefronts. That means working with entrepreneurs before they open, understanding what they need to succeed, and helping existing businesses overcome barriers to growth. When current businesses are busy, successful and expanding, future business owners will see Tracy as a community where businesses can thrive. We don’t need to to wait to save downtown Tracy — we need to build on what we already have and create an environment where businesses can succeed for the long term