Six people are vying for two spots on the city council; city council members Noah Her and Jake Ingebrigtson are not running. The candidates include former Oakdale Mayor and former Washington County Commissioner Bill Pulkrabek along with Kari Moore, Raffi Paulino, Juan Santos Esquivel, Gary Severson and Christopher Thewis.

General information about the Nov. 5, 2024, election is online at twincities.com/news/politics/elections including information on candidates 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.

Kari Moore

Age: 47

What would your top priorities be if elected? My top priorities would truly come from the residents. I’m hesitant to commit to “top priorities” today because tomorrow I could hear from a resident with a significant concern that I will want to champion. For example, until a recent city council workshop, I might have generally included “public safety” in my top priorities, but after listening to our Police Chief speak specifically about retention and recruitment of police officers, I wouldn’t have been so committed to learning more about retention strategies for police officers. I am committed to allocating the resources necessary to implement our Parks Plan Update. And related to both our policing and our parks, I want to see progress made in the Tanners Lake neighborhood.

What qualifies you to hold this position? I’m currently serving on the Oakdale Parks and Recreation Commission and I am the Executive Director for a local chamber of commerce. I care deeply about the quality of life for our residents and our businesses.

What do you think is the primary role of government? The primary role of government is to ensure our general health, wealth, and safety by passing and enforcing laws (ordinances) and delivering services.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? Understanding differing opinions is all about active listening and empathy. I generally begin by asking questions to clarify and explore their perspectives. By considering the context and experiences that shape those beliefs, I can learn a lot. It’s also important to reflect on my own biases and be open to change. This helps me grow and fosters more meaningful conversations, even with those who disagree with me. I’m comfortable with disagreement, I lean hard into compromise, I am respectful, and I am humble enough to know that I don’t know everything, so I believe that I can successfully engage with people that disagree with me so we can problem solve and move forward together.

Website or contact information: karimoore4oakdalecitycouncil@gmail.com

Raffi Paulino

Answers not provided.

Bill Pulkrabek

Answers not provided.

Juan Santos Esquivel

Age: 63

What would your top priorities be if elected? Public Safety, Fiscally responsible and Representation of residents.

What qualifies you to hold this position? Oakdale resident for 24 years

What do you think is the primary role of government?Protect the rights of the people, including rights to life, freedom and property.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you?As a council member, I am elected to represent the community’s concerns and facilitate a good quality of life. My opinion is minimal or not at all when it comes to their concerns.

Website or contact information: https://www.juanforoakdale.com

Gary Severson

Age: 61

Gary Severson (Courtesy of the candidate)

What would your top priorities be if elected? My top priorities would be: affordability and the efficient use of taxpayer funds; safety and strong support for law enforcement, fire and public safety functions; maintaining city government focus on traditional local government functions such streets, parks and utilities and supporting a friendly business environment.

What qualifies you to hold this position? I have been an Oakdale homeowner for 35 years and raised my family here. I would like to see Oakdale continue to be an affordable, safe and well maintained place to raise a family and operate a business for generations to come. I hold a degree in Economics from the University of Minnesota and currently serve as an appointed Commissioner of the Oakdale Economic Development Commission and the Washington County Parks and Open Space Commission. I have also served in leadership positions at my Church. I have worked with local public entities for more than 15 years and understand their operations and the challenges they face. As a former small business owner, I know the hard work and dedication needed to succeed. I was raised in a small farming community in southern Minnesota with small town values such as respect for others, personal responsibility, pride in your community and helping your neighbor and would bring those values to the City Council.

What do you think is the primary role of government? The primary role of local city government is to provide services to its citizens that are most efficiently provided by a local public entity, such as law enforcement, fire and public safety, maintenance of infrastructure such as roads, parks and public spaces and sewer and water utilities. Local government entities should enhance the lives of its residents and provide a safe, welcoming environment to raise a family. It is not the role of city government to address larger social issues such as setting minimum wages for certain groups or transferring income from one group to another. These types of issues are better addressed on a state or federal level.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? Our culture has become so politically divided and the focus of our leaders seems to have become more on scoring political points rather than doing what is best for our people. I understand that my life experience may be far different from others and that these experiences shape our opinions. I recognize that my beliefs may not always be right and that the best outcomes are those built by consensus from differing perspectives and life experiences. We may not always agree, but we must always respect one another.

Website or contact information: Facebook: Severson for Oakdale City Council

Christopher Thewis

Age: 33

Chris Thewis (Courtesy of the candidate)

What would your top priorities be if elected? My top three priorities if elected would be community engagement and collaboration to strengthen public safety, affordable housing and inclusive development, and fiscal responsibility.

What qualifies you to hold this position? The combination of my leadership experience, dedication to public service, and ability to manage complex systems effectively qualifies me to hold a position on the city council. As a Marine Corps Veteran, I have developed strong discipline, commitment, and leadership skills that are essential for any public servant. In my current role as an administrator for a residential facility, I oversee the care of 64 residents, manage over 100 staff members, and direct the facility’s budget, which has sharpened my skills in financial oversight, team management, and decision-making. All skills and experience that is easily transferable to the City Council position.

What do you think is the primary role of government? To serve and protect the well being of it’s citizens. This involves ensuring inclusive public safety, providing essential services like infrastructure, healthcare, and education. Government also plays a critical role in creating an infrastructure that reflects the values and needs of the community it serves.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? I believe that understanding opinions different from my own is essential to effective leadership and problem-solving. In my current role managing a large residential facility, I frequently engage with a diverse range of residents, staff, and stakeholders, each with their own perspectives and concerns. To learn from differing opinions, I make it a point to actively listen and ask questions to understand the underlying values and experiences that shape someone’s viewpoint. I approach disagreements with an open mind, recognizing that differing perspectives often bring valuable insights or solutions that I may not have considered. It’s not about proving who’s right but about finding common ground and collaborative ways forward. I also reflect on these conversations to identify areas where I can grow or adjust my approach. At the end of the day, I believe that disagreement is an opportunity for growth, and by fostering respectful dialogue, I can make more informed, inclusive decisions that truly benefit the entire community.

Website or contact information: http://www.facebook.com/people/Chris-Thewis-for-Oakdale-City-Council

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