Waseca’s mayor race 2022

The Pioneer mailed a questionnaire to all candidates for Waseca City Council and Mayor, to be published on a first come, first served basis. Gary Conrath and Matthew Petsinger are both candidates for mayor. Kevin Chindlund has withdrawn his name consideration and Randy Zimmerman did not return his candidate questionaire gi 

Name: Gary Conrath

Age: 67

Family (spouse, children): Wife; Rhonda. Children; Jeremy, Ted, Jessica, and Josh.

How long have you lived in the area?

I was born in St. Peter and moved into the City of Waseca at 3 months old. My whole school career was right here in Waseca. I’m from the Class of ’73. I have lived here ever since, and there is no other place I would rather live.

What is your occupation or profession?

Retired after working 44 years as a Waseca Utility employee and 42 years on the Waseca Fire Department

Have you held a city government position in the past? If so, what?

I have been connected to Waseca since infancy and raised my family here. I have held many different roles within the community: 10 years on the Waseca School Board, 12 years as the Fire Chief, 18 years as Asst. Chief prior to that, was on the MN State Fire Board, and I have been part of the Waseca County Fair Board.

What do you consider the most important part of the job?

Listening to the people of this fine community and what they feel this community needs. Also, taking into consideration everyone’s opinion into account when having to make decisions for the greater good of the taxpayers and families of this community.

What particular strengths or experience do you bring to the position that you believe will help you do a good job?

The two biggest strengths that I can bring is the knowledge I have of this fine community and the passion I have to see the community sustain what we have and grow for generations to come. I believe that all the time I have spent within the community in various roles will help me within this role as well.

When the city decided the need for Public Safety departments to combine for more space for the departments and cost effectiveness for the community, I volunteered to help in overseeing the revitalization of a grocery store building that was not only sitting empty but was centrally located for both departments to share. This was one of my proudest achievements to give back not only to the departments (Police and Fire) but to this fine community that I love so much.

What do you feel are the city’s most important concerns at this time?

I would like property taxes to remain manageable, attract new businesses and help to revitalize existing properties as I helped in doing with the Public Safety building, fix existing infrastructure concerns and build new homes that will help continue Waseca’s progression into the future. Trying to ensure that Waseca is as business friendly as we can be through the use of possible tax incentives allowable by law, to provide the ease of opening a business with as little government interference as possible.

I feel that we may need to aggressively increase our forward thinking to see areas that we can compete with out neighboring community and their amenities, to sustain those amenities we already have, and attain new amenities to help aid progression of Waseca into the future. We can do this; we have been here before and we can do it again!

Name: Matthew R. Petsinger

Age: 44

Family: Wife Becky, 3 kids, Michael, Mitchell, and Matilyn

How long have you lived in the area? I grew up in the area my entire life, returning and buying a home here in 2018. In 2020 my family purchased two main street buildings and moved downtown.

What is your occupation or profession? Small Business Owner/American Family Insurance Agent, wrestling coach.

Have you held a city government position in the past? No. I am a currently Sacred Heart School Board Member. I have served on the Waseca Wrestling Club board. I am the chair of the non-profit group That One Place Athletics.

What do you consider the most important part of this job? Moving the town forward in the right direction. Keeping taxes low. Listening to the citizens of Waseca.

What particular strengths or experience do you bring to the position, that you believe will help you do a good job? When we’re told we can’t do something I like to find a way to get it done. I grew up here, but I have experience from outside the area I bring with me. I graduated with an association of the arts from MSU Mankato and earned my Bachelors in Businesses Management from William Penn. I’ve worked in nearly every rung of the economical ladder beginning as a jogger at Brown Printing. I was a school bus driver, wrestling coach, and now a small businesses owner.

What do you feel are the city’s most important concerns at this time?

You’re always told, if you want change get involved. I want to see Waseca and the people here grow and succeed.

Issues which need addressed:

-Residential, commercial and economic growth and development

-An aging population 

-Budget

-Fiscal responsibility