News

Candidates answer questions on mayor election for June 12

By Bottineau Courant Staff

05/29/2012

Editorial Note: The Bottineau Courant provided questions for the mayor candidates, Ben Aufforth and Doug Marsden, who are running for the seat on June 12, 2012. The following are the candidates’ answers.
The Bottineau Courant informed the candidates that in the manner they returned their answers to the newspaper was the manner they would go into the paper. All misspelling of words and incorrect grammar was not the responsibility of the Courant, but of the candidates. The newspaper copied and pasted their answers as they were e-mailed to us.
Here are the candidates’ answers.

What is your name?

DOUG: Douglas L. Marsden

BEN: Ben Aufforth

WHAT IS YOUR OCCUPATION IN BOTTINEAU?

DOUG: Business owner  TBA Supply  WE have been with this business since 1968. My brother Troy and myself have owned the business since 1988.

BEN: Farm Laborer

WHAT IS YOUR POLITICAL HISTORY IN THE CITY OF BOTTINEAU?

DOUG: I haved served on the city council since 1980,I was appointed by Mayor Richard Sandness on Mona Marchus’s recomendation. I have been the mayor for the past 10 years, two years left on my current term.   

BEN: I have been a member of the city council for 10 years, past vice president and current president of the city council.

IN 20 WORDS OR LESS, WHY HAVE YOU DECIDED TO RUN FOR THE POSITION OF MAYOR?

DOUG: I am the mayor at this time, the recall petition is why i am on the ballot. Some of the method’s used to have signatures on the petition are suspect in my view.

BEN: Every organization I have been a part of, I have always gotten involved and worked my way to the top.

WHAT IMPACT DO YOU FEEL THE OIL INDUSTRY WILL HAVE ON OUR COMMUNITY IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS AND HOW DO YOU PLAN ON HELPING THE COMMUNITY PLAN FOR, AND ADAPT, TO THESE CHANGES?

DOUG: The city of bottineau is working with the EDC, Wold Eng.,Bottineau co., to prepare for the oil industry. This also helps private developers make the plans they need to make.

BEN: No one can predict what impact the oil industry will have on Bottineau.  We must plan ahead to be ready for any and all changes that will come with the oil industry.

IF ELECTED TO THE POSITION OF MAYOR, DO YOU FEEL THE CITY SHOULD ESTABLISH ITS OWN CITY POLICE FORCE, OR STAY WITH THE COUNTY POLICE FORCE?

DOUG: This is a city council decision.

BEN: I strongly believe the county police force is doing a fine job.  I also feel at this point the city cannot financially support its own police force.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL YOUR ROLE, AS MAYOR OF BOTTINEAU, SHOULD BE IN DEALING WITH THE COUNCIL AND THE COMMITTEES OF THE COUNCIL?

DOUG: Each committee consist of three people, I choose these members from the 8 members and or the mayor who are best suited for each commitee.

BEN: The mayor needs to  lead the council and support the council decisions.  Committees are to look into matters at hand, come up with solutions and present them at the council meetings.  No action shall be taken without council approval.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL YOUR ROLE, AS MAYOR OF BOTTINEAU, SHOULD BE IN DEALING WITH INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS, WORKSHOPS OR CONVENTION THAT CONCERNS EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES WITH THE MAYOR’S POSITION?

DOUG: As mayor I attend as many meetings as possible, I share the information with the council at the monthly or special meetings.

BEN: As the mayor you are representing the city of Bottineau.  I believe it is important to be at informational meetings and events concerning the issues of our city.

WHAT ACTIVE ROLE DO YOU PLAY IN PARTICIPATING IN GROUPS OR ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE NON- COUNCIL RELATED IN OUR COMMUNITY?

DOUG: I served on the bottineau fire dept for 301/2 years, I have coached baseball, helped with blue line hockey, I serve on the mtn. view homes board , I have goal judged hockey for the high school and college for many years.

BEN: 16 years on the Volunteer Bottineau Fire Department, past training officer, training captain and current assistant chief, with the intent on one day being the fire chief.  

AS A MAYOR, DO YOU BELIEVE A MAYOR SHOULD SIT ON OTHER BOARDS THAT HAVE INTERACTION WITH THE CITY COUNCIL?

DOUG: Yes, this is important in my view to understand what is happening in our community.

BEN: Yes, again it is important that the city be represented on boards with issues concerning the city.

AS A MAYOR, DO YOU BELIEVE A MAYOR SHOULD COMMENT ON PRESS COVERAGE AT PUBLIC MEETINGS WHEN THE MAYOR DOES NOT ATTEND THE PUBLIC MEETINGS, AND USES ONLY SECOND HAND INFORMATION FROM OTHERS TO MAKE THE COMMENTS?

DOUG: I only comment on facts,PERIOD

BEN: As the mayor if you cannot attend an event or a meeting, you need to delegate someone to be there in your place.  That person then needs to report to the mayor and council on all comments made during the event.  Press coverage should be dealt with by the individual who attended the event or meeting.

WHEN IT COMES TO CITY FINANCES, WHAT ROLE SHOULD THE MAYOR HAVE IN HIS KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE FUNDS IN THE CITY BUDGET?

DOUG: I have been on the finance committee since 1980, I think that is part of my job .

BEN: The mayor must understand the financial aspect of the city, wholeheartedly.  With money being a main issue in most aspects of city government, the mayor must know where the city stands to prevent undue hardship on its citizens.

IF ELECTED MAYOR, WHAT ARE YOUR TOP FIVE GOALS FOR THE CITY?

DOUG:

1 Naws water system

2 city infrastructure

3 new development  

4 keep a good business climate

5 make this a great place to raise children which it is now 

BEN:

1. I would get the council back to where we were before events of the recent past.  Full council will be aware of all activity, all decisions and all expenditures.
2. Job retention must become a priority.  I see a need to take good care of our dedicated employees.
3. Be proactive concerning growth and expansion.  We must begin preparing now for growth, not waiting to deal with it as it comes to the table.
4. Work in unity with county leadership.  Commissioner districts are a part of the city and leaders should be on he same page in regard to activity, ideas and movement.
5. Maintain a solid financial base while also addressing projects which are beneficial for city advancement.  Proceed with responsible vision.