Rick Youngmark (Cannon Falls City Council, Minnesota, candidate 2024)

Rick Youngmark

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Nonpartisan

Candidate, Cannon Falls City Council

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Air Force

Years of service

1972 - 1986

Personal

Birthplace

Montevideo, Minn.

Profession

Retired

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Rick Youngmark ran for election to the Cannon Falls City Council in Minnesota. He was on the ballot in the general election on November 5, 2024.^[source]

Youngmark completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Rick Youngmark provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on September 30, 2024:

• Birth place: Montevideo, Minnesota
• High school: St. James High School
• Associate: Winona Area Vocational and Technical College, 1981
• Military service: United States Air Force, 1972-1986
• Gender: Male
• Profession: Retired
• Incumbent officeholder: No

Elections

General election

General election for Cannon Falls City Council (2 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for Cannon Falls City Council on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	Anthijuan Beeks Sr. (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Steven Carlsen (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Chad Johnson (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Laura Kronenberger (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Chris Nobach (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Rick Youngmark (Nonpartisan)
	Submit photo	Lisa Zimmerman (Nonpartisan)

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	Incumbency information for this election was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Youngmark in this election.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Rick Youngmark completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Youngmark's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a married retired Dad/Grandpa with 2 sons and 4 beautiful grandchildren. I have lived in Cannon Falls for 24 years. I am active in the community and my church, volunteering in both.

I grew up near Faribault, MN and graduated from St. James High School. I am also a graduate of the Air frame and Power-plant program at Winona Technical College in Winona, MN. I served in the United States Air Force being stationed in North Dakota, Montana, Florida, and Idaho. I also served in temporary duties in England, Italy, Germany, Iceland, Denmark and Alaska.

I like to camp, especially with my family. I also enjoy hunting and fishing. I am a Veteran and volunteer to help with Veteran funerals at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.. 

My wife and I recently celebrated our 50th anniversary by going on a sunset dinner cruise on Lake Superior with friends. We enjoy camping on Lake Superior and even did the circle tour around Lake Superior on motorcycle covering 2400 miles in 11 days camping in a tent at state and provincial parks. We also enjoy camping in southern Minnesota as well as close to home in Cannon Falls.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• As a member of the city council, I want the people in the community to feel like they are being heard. Communication is important including allowing conversations during the 3 minute time period allowed to the public before a meeting. It is important that people be included in decisions about the community.
• I want to involve more citizens on committees. It is important for our citizens to have input in what is going on in the city. It seems like our committees have had less and less community members on them and have become heavy with council input.
• I would like to help to bring in more businesses to the city to offer our residents more job opportunities. 'The last census revealed only a growth of 135 people over a 10 year period. I believe bringing more businesses, thus more job opportunities would increase our population. That would benefit not only current businesses but also our school which has seen a decline in enrollment.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about making sure the residents of Cannon Falls are heard. Over the years, I have attended many city council meetings and have been frustrated when residents bring up issues and there is no discussion. Ultimately it seems like many issues are dropped that are brought up and nothing gets done about the concerns. Many residents are frustrated and don't feel like their best interests are in some of the current council's decisions.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

This office helps to make a better community in our state and legal system.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My dad is who I look up to. He was an honest man that would help anyone out that needed it. He was very mechanically inclined and worked with me to built a go-cart, mini-bike, a boat, a riding lawn mower and a dune buggy

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Constitution of the United States

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Transparency and honesty are important as well as the ability to make decisions that are in the city's best interest.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I care about people and making this city a better place for everyone.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I believe the core responsibilities are to listen to the residents of the community. We don't always have to agree but it is important to listen so residents feel they are heard. Healthy discussions over decisions and topics need to be encouraged.

What legacy would you like to leave?

That I helped to make the world a better place for my grandchildren.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I was in a one room schoolhouse when we heard that President Kennedy had been shot. School was dismissed early that day. I was in elementary school at the time.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was baling hay since the age of 14 and once I got my driver's license I also worked at the Evergreen Knoll Supper Club washing dishes. I did both of these jobs until my family moved right before beginning my senior year of high school.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Bible because it is God's word.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Innagoddadivida

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

The city council is over the city administrator and it is the duty of the council to do their ow research and give direction to the city administration.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

No, sometimes I think a fresh new perspective can help.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Honesty and integrity

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the local government?

It gives a voice to the residents of our city.

Tell us your favorite joke.

You don't want to hear my favorite joke...LOL.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

We need to be wise in spending our city's tax dollars and be financially transparent in all the council does.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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