Candidates for Mandan Mayor Get Ready for Election | Video

Joel Porter | 6/11/2012

Two challengers are on the ballot to lead the city of Mandan. City Commissioner Dot Frank and newcomer Arlyn Van Beek are both campaigning for the post being vacated by Tim Helbling.

For the past few weeks, mayoral lawn signs have been easy to spot when cruising through the neighborhoods in Mandan.

"I`ve been able to meet quite a few new people as well as revisit those that I met two years ago knocking on doors when I ran for city commission," Frank said.

Frank has some company in the race. Van Beek tallied the required signatures, including support from his neighbors, to get his name on the ballot.

"We only had one candidate stepping up and wanting to run for mayor. So, we`re a better city than that. So I said, `You know what? Let`s give our people a choice, let`s put another person in there.`"

In a city where residents are certainly not shy when it comes to voicing their concerns, both Frank and Van Beek agree one issue keeps appearing again and again.

"Property taxes," Van Beek said.

Van Beek says the answer to lowering property taxes is to attract more business to Mandan. The longtime grocery store manager says if elected, that`s one of the first issues he`d like to address.

"We have 18,000 residents that are looking for retail space and looking for retail shops in Mandan. So I think that`d be a big help to offset our property taxes and I think that`ll help us grow into the future."

Frank says growth has been a continuous discussion item at the meetings. With land now at a premium, she says one challenge will be addressing future construction.

"In particular, residential. We have a real shortage in our community, and that`s something that the community is going to have to take a look at in the forefront."

Both are passionate challengers vying for voter support by Tuesday evening.

Van Beek formerly managed Central Market in Mandan.

Frank works for the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce.

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