In 2024, Ham Lake voters will elect two city council members to four-year terms. The candidates are:
About the candidate: Dave Draeger, proud American, moved to our beloved “Pork Pond” almost 10 years ago and Minnesota about 25 years ago. I’ve have worked as a juvenile correctional officer for Hennepin County for almost 2 decades. I’m a law and order kind of guy with a sense of humor that specializes in cleaning up messes created by out of date or not enforced policies.
I’m a Patriotic, freedom loving husband of 20 years with a wife and 3 kids a dog, 2 cats and 18 chickens and a tons of fresh eggs.
Important Issues: Did not respond.
Goals if Elected: My goal is to keep Ham Lake the rural feeling town that we all moved to.
- Make sure the developers are being responsible with their developments. Not just making money running and leaving us to deal with the aftermath. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
- Hold city hall accountable for their plans and approvals and make sure they are all on the same page.
- Encourage and promote small local businesses.
- Make sure city ordinances are up to date and in compliance with county and state codes as well as their implementation.
- Helping the city clean up past issues that have left citizens with a mess they didn’t create.
Endorsements: None listed.
Connect with Me: Did not respond.
Candidate Interview:
About the candidate: My name is Andrew Hallberg, I am running for Ham Lake City Council. From a house on East Lake Netta drive, to a horse farm on Bunker and Lexington, to my current home on Crosstown Blvd., I have called Ham Lake home for the better part of 35 years. The pride I take in both the history and future of this city was developed from a generational passion passed down from my grandfather and great grandfather, both who started businesses in this community dating back to the 1920’s. In the past 15 years I have had a hand in two startup small businesses in Ham Lake, both which catered to local residents. For the past nine years I have been a sales manager at Hallberg Marine in Wyoming MN, a family business that has been around since 1959. Playing football and wrestling in high school and college, helped develop a love for staying busy and active. I coached wrestling at Andover High School from 2014 to 2021, and am excited for another opportunity to be involved in this community.
Important Issues: I see government spending as being one of the most important issues. Money is tight for everyone. As a city, it is our duty and obligation to spend money wisely in the greatest interest of our citizens. As a tax payer there are few things more defeating than working the better part of our lives just to watch someone at the government level spend it foolishly and frivolously.
Goals if Elected: Ham Lake has become an example of what responsible governing should look like. In a world where debt and deficits are the norm, I want to make sure that our city continues to run responsibly. By the people and for the people, local government should be welcoming and familiar to its citizens. I am confident that I can bring that atmosphere to our city. I want our city to run against the stream and toward common sense. Members of this community should be met by ears ready to listen and an openness to find solutions. I know that you cannot make everybody happy, and there will be issues that come to me that I may not agree with, but I can promise the people of this city that I will view those issues with an open mind.
Endorsements:
Gary Kirkeide- Council Member
Mike Van Kirk- Former Ham Lake Mayor
Connect with Me:
Email: andrewhallberg37@gmail.com
Candidate Interview:
About the candidate: Did not respond.
Important Issues: Did not respond.
Goals if Elected: Did not respond.
Endorsements: Did not respond.
Connect with Me: Did not respond.
Candidate Interview: Did not participate.
