Nathan Strobel has filed to run for the Brainerd City Council Ward 3 seat currently held by Council President Gary Scheeler.
Strobel, 40, is running for city council because he'd like the city to get its debt under control. The city keeps adding more projects, he said, and he'd like to see them focus more on improving snow removal.
"I just want snow removal to be better so I can get to work and make the money I need to pay the taxes that the city needs to run," Strobel said.
He cited the city's 2014 acquisition of the hydro dam previously operated by Wausau Paper, as well as the current Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport utility extension project, as two expenditures he didn't support. He'd prefer the city to put more money into streets and snow removal, as well as bringing back the full-time firefighters to the Brainerd Fire Department.
"They were cut, I'm assuming, because they didn't have the money to do it," Strobel said. "I'd rearrange the budget so we can bring that back."
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The city's budget has continued to rise despite the fact spending on important items has decreased, he said.
"You have to rearrange your priorities so then you're able to have the things that you need," Strobel said. "So I think we just need to rearrange our priorities so we can start putting more money into things that we need."
Strobel is different from other candidates because he's willing to listen to concerns from residents, he said. He'd prioritize working on their issues and not his own, he said.
Some of Strobel's strengths include his willingness to balance budgets, he said. He balances his own budget, so he feels he could bring that experience to balancing the city's budget.
One of Strobel's top concerns for Ward 3 is housing, he said. He's noticed a lot of people having trouble maintaining their homes, which is partially due to the high taxes.
"It's hard to balance your budget when the government wants so much of your paycheck," Strobel said.
If elected, Strobel said the first thing he would do is make sure city staff have equipment they need to handle snow removal.
"So nobody has to call into work because they can't make it to work because of snow, because they're stuck in town," Strobel said.
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Strobel was looking at the city's budgets, which prompted him to run for city council. He noticed the city was spending less money on things it should be spending money on, he said.
Voters should choose Strobel because he'll focus on improving the city's streets so residents can get to work, he said.
Strobel was born in Brainerd and lived in the area most of his life. He served in the Army National Guard and has worked in security at Grand Casino Mille Lacs for 14 years. He lives at 1021 14th Ave. NE.
Strobel is a Brainerd High School graduate and has an 8-year-old son. This is his first time running for public office.
SPENSER BICKETT may be reached at 218-855-5859 or spenser.bickett@brainerddispatch.com . Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/spenserbickett .
