Marilyn Patterson
Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.
I am a graduate of Sartell High School and St. Cloud State University with a B.A. degree in Political Science. After graduating from college, I left Minnesota for a time and then returned to the state with my family in 1993. We have been part of the Sauk Rapids community since 2001.
I am employed as the branch manager of the Waite Park Public Library, part of the Great River Regional Library system. Also, I am trained and serve as a mediator through the Institute for Alternative Dispute Resolution at St. Cloud State University.
My husband, Edward, works for the St. Cloud VA Medical Center in facilities management. My son, Adam, is a recent graduate of St. Cloud State University and employed in the mental health field.
What experience do you have that prepares you for public office?
In December 2002, I was appointed to the Sauk Rapids City Council to fill the seat vacated by Connie Driscoll. In 2004, I was elected to the City Council and have now served in this public office for nearly six years. For the last two years, I have been appointed as the acting mayor for the City Council. My experience as a city councilor includes serving on various committees and boards, including the Sauk Rapids/Minden Townships/City of Sauk Rapids Joint Planning Boards. I currently serve as chair of the Minden Township/City of Sauk Rapids Joint Planning Board.
Since its inception, I have been a member of Celebrate Sauk Rapids, a citizen’s group organized through the Initiative Foundation’s Healthy Communities Partnership Program. As part of this committee, I have assisted with community projects including Rapids River Days, a pedestrian safety campaign, and the
founding of the Sauk Rapids Farmers Market. These experiences have expanded my preparation for public office by deepening my awareness of the importance of working together to improve the quality of life in our community.
Why you decided to run for this office.
In serving on the City Council for nearly six years, I have observed and educated myself on the role of mayor and city council in a statutory city. It is essential that whoever serves in the mayor position in Sauk Rapids clearly understands and tactfully executes his or her roles and responsibilities. My decision to run for mayor was based on my desire to bring my understanding of the office to this position—as the presiding officer or chair at Council meetings, to assist in setting a respectful, civil, and inclusive tone among Council members and the public, and, as a member of the Council, to assure that City duties and decisions are properly carried out as prescribed in state statute.
Top three issues you would tackle, if elected.
a) Open and accountable government—continue to speak for and promote good government that is fair and equitable, and creates a civil, inclusive, and welcoming atmosphere that encourages public participation.
b) Sustainability—address how we successfully sustain what we have as a community, including preserving, maintaining and enhancing our neighborhoods and our downtown, while supporting sustainable development and redevelopment. This entails a commitment to fiscal responsibility and an understanding of the interconnection between economic and environmental health.
c) Green policies for Sauk Rapids—advocate for sensible policies and practices that promote energy savings, water conservation, alternative transportation, and green building. Adopting such measures when feasible makes sense financially and environmentally and can help us create a healthy community that meets today’s needs and the needs of future generations.