Election 2022: 5 People Running for 2 Cold Spring Council Seats

COLD SPRING -- There are five candidates running for two seats on the Cold Spring City Council. Mike Fall, Stephanie Ferguson, Ryan Hennen, Thomas LeGassa and Paul Waletzko are all vying for a chance to serve their community.

MIKE FALL:

Mike Fall is one of two incumbents in this race. He says he's been civically involved all his life serving on school and church boards and was mayor for a small town in Northern Minnesota.

Fall views his forward thinking approach as a strength he can bring to the council.

I think people get into a rut and it's hard to think out of the box. I'm solution oriented, I try to look forward as opposed to backwards and figure out what we can do to make this community a better place for future generations.

Fall says some of his top priorities include improving the city's infrastructure, more trail development and community beautification.

He says he enjoys engaging with the community and values their opinions and concerns.

STEPHANIE FERGUSON:

Stephanie Ferguson has lived in Cold Spring for about four years and has wanted to get more involved in the community.

She says her experience as a business owner would be a great addition to the council, understanding how to tackle the challenges that may arise.

Ferguson says one of her top priorities is around affordable housing.

I would love to see us have more affordable housing, especially for your graduates from high school. There is lots of different employment in this area so we need to look at how we can keep our young people and attract others to our community.

Ferguson says the city's population is growing in diversity and feels that  should be embraced and celebrated more.

This is her second attempt to be on the city council, after applying to fill a vacant council seat back in May now held by Hennen.

RYAN HENNEN:

Ryan Hennen is the other incumbent in this race. He was appointed to the council back in May.

Prior to his time on the council he served on the planning commission for six years. He currently works for Stearns County as a county surveyor.

Hennen says he like to see development projects move forward in a more timely manner.

I want to be responsible with how we spend our money, but I don't just want to keep pushing projects down the road and leave the responsibility to future councils.

Hennen says he wants represent the city the best way he can, including being a voice for residents who feel excluded in the community.

He says he's excited to see what happens with the police and fire station, which he expects should have a clear direction in the next few months.

THOMAS LEGASSA:

Thomas LeGassa moved to Cold Spring roughly 12 years ago for retirement. He says throughout his life he's own four successful businesses as well as worked for large corporations such as Target and Shopko.

He says he wants to be an advocate for the business community.

I'm very acclimated to the business world. I would be out recruiting for new businesses and helping the existing businesses that we have in town with any of their concerns.

LeGassa currently serves on the planning commission and the park board, but wanted to get move involved in the community.

He says the city council is the voice of the people and if elected, he will work hard to make sure that voice is heard.

LeGassa previously applied to be on the city council following a vacant council seat back in May now held by Hennen.

PAUL WALETZKO:

Paul Waletzko grew up in the Twin Cities but fell in love with the small town feel Cold Spring offers when he moved to town three years ago.

He says he has a passion for the community and would like to see an increased effort in community outreach.

One thing I grew up with and want to bring to Cold Spring is more community based activities. I want to bring residents and families together because I feel that builds a very strong community.

Waletzko says their needs to be more involvement with the school district when it comes to community engagement.

He says schools are a big reason why families move to certain communities and there has been some disconnect between the school district and city in recent years.

Waletzko previously applied to fill a vacant council seat back in May, a seat currently held by Hennen.