Mike McGill, who has been Dellwood mayor since 2018, is running unopposed. Five candidates are running for the two open seats on the council: Mila Cooper, Rylan Juran, Catherine Nicholson, Melissa Peltier and Karen Quaday. Council members Deb Christopherson and Scott St. Martin both decided not to seek re-election.

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.

Mila Cooper

Answers not provided.

Rylan Juran

Answers not provided.

Catherine Nicholson

Age: 69

Catherine Nicholson (Courtesy of the candidate)

What would your top priorities be if elected? My goals are to preserve the beauty of Dellwood, protect and enhance the safety of its residents and protect Dellwood’s financial integrity. Having worked with the city council recently, I feel that transparency and openness in city council conversations and actions need to be improved. Issues need to be brought to the citizens for their opinions and perspectives. Besides contacting constituents when they are affected by city actions, there needs to be visible agendas during meetings and council members need to be identified by name. Dellwood residents need to be appraised of the Around the Lake Trail options and pros and cons of each. Additionally, working with MNDOT, Washington County, the watershed districts and the conservation district should all be part of the solution in resolving the layout of the trail through Dellwood. We also need to think of the safety of the trail users. But most of all, the concerns and safety of Dellwood residents should be preeminent. There are other issues of concern, as highway road ownership transfers from state to county to city are road salt use, water quality, lake level and even dead tree removal.

What qualifies you to hold this position? I have been an involved resident of Dellwood for 35 years, always looking for ways to serve citizens, and to protect native wildlife and vegetation. For 6 years I represented Dellwood on the White Bear Lake Conservation District. Historically, I have a unique background that prepares me to help my community. I believe in representative democracy and was elected student body president of my college. Professionally, I worked for Cargill, Inc. in sales, which means I can talk to anybody. I also worked for MNDOT as an environmental planner, a background that should be of help if attempting to resolve the around the lake trail issue. I also worked for the State of Minnesota in recycling, waste management and government relations. As a parent, I have driven many miles on Minnesota and Dellwood roads and volunteered numerous hours, including creating a beautification effort for the children’s school that involved the lower school students digging and learning to garden during recess. As a volunteer, I have been a member of the Saint Paul Garden Club for over 30 years and as a past president I focused on the rehabilitation of Saint Paul’s Rice Park and on East Side beautification efforts. I also serve as the Honorary Consul from Costa Rica to Minnesota.

What do you think is the primary role of government? I feel the purpose of government is to protect the safety and furtherance of the community by administering rules and creating opportunities that allow members of the community to peacefully live with each other.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? I try to put myself in the other person’s shoes and try to understand their perspective and come to an agreeable resolution for both parties, if possible. To acknowledge their perspective and try to provide examples so that they can see my perspective too.

Website or contact information: Cltnicholson@gmail.com

Melissa Peltier

Answers not provided.

Karen Quaday

Age: 65

What would your top priorities be if elected? My priorities are safety, fiscal responsibility and transparency. Safety of our neighbors is critically important including everything from property security to personal well-being. With a limited budget, the city council must prioritize projects that provide maximum value to all residents. Maintaining our roads, managing the bike trail project, and working on the diseased ash trees are just a few examples of major expenses that will impact all residents that the city council must review.

What qualifies you to hold this position? After working as an emergency physician in a Level 1 Trauma center, I am an experienced leader with strong organizational and teamwork skills as well as comprehensive problem-solving. As a hospice and palliative care doctor, I must be a good listener and communicator to help people in some of their darkest times.

What do you think is the primary role of government? To keep citizens safe and provide common services such as road maintenance. The government should always look to the best interests of its people.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you? I listen well and I respectfully ask questions until I understand.

Website or contact information: Quaday@comcast.net

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