Three candidates are running for two seats on the Marine on St. Croix City Council in November’s election.
General information about the Nov. 3, 2026, election is online at twincities.com/news/politics/elections including information on candidates for races in Ramsey, Dakota and Washington counties.
To find out what’s on your ballot, where to vote and other election information, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s elections page at sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting.
City Council (Elect 2)
Mike Lammi (candidate did not submit responses)
Age: 66
What would your top priorities be if elected?
Preservation of town’s historic identity by continuing to work with community organizations. Manage village infrastructure by maintaining & updating the Capital Improvement Plan, & determining how to fund municipal maintenance without overburdening residents. Be fiscally responsible in managing the City budget. Build Council decorum and governance. Support public safety to ensure the safety of our community.
What qualifies you to hold this position?
Our community deserves council members that serve their constituents with humility, are decisive, and work effectively as part of a team, all qualities I possess. I worked at the Security State Bank of Marine for 30 years retiring as Sr Vice President. Being part of the bank’s management team, and a lender guiding customers, I have a strong financial background and knowledge, am an effective leader and collaborator, and have deep ties to many individuals, organizations and businesses in the community. I am a long-time resident and volunteer in the community, including 20 years on the EMS squad, Treasurer of the Restoration Society, & as an Election Judge. I have built strong relationships with many community members & have been at their front door in times of need. I have learned to listen, empathize, and use good judgement when it matters most.
What do you think is the primary role of government?
Represent Constituents. Discuss with and learn what is important to people. Review current laws, policies & regulations to determine how and what can be done to address issues. Take action. Follow up with constituents and keep them informed of updates & status of concerns and questions.
How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you?
Be respectful to all people. Listen thoroughly to their opinions and comments. Everyone has a right to voice their opinion. There is no right or wrong opinion. I would research the pros & cons of both opinions and learn from that research.
Age: 48
What would your top priorities be if elected?
My top priorities would be responsible long-term planning, protecting Marine’s land, water and historic character, and strengthening our community through transparency and meaningful public engagement. Growth is inevitable, but how we grow is a choice. I want us to approach the Comprehensive Plan thoughtfully, using research, data and community input to guide decisions about development, infrastructure, housing and the future of our village. Fiscal responsibility is equally important. I believe in protecting essential services, maintaining our infrastructure and understanding the long-term costs of our decisions. Sometimes investing wisely today prevents much greater expenses tomorrow. As a Dakota woman, I carry the Seven Generations philosophy into my work. I believe we have a responsibility not only to our neighbors today, but to the land, water and generations who will come after us. Above all, I want residents to feel heard and respected. People may not always agree with every decision I make, but they should always understand why I made it. My goal is to help Marine move forward intentionally while protecting what makes Marine, Marine.
What qualifies you to hold this position?
I am a small business owner and community builder with sixteen years of experience cultivating relationships in the St. Croix River Valley. As co-owner of Brookside Bar & Grill, I help manage a team of 20 to 35 employees, depending on the season. My responsibilities include staffing, budgets, operations, problem-solving, conflict resolution and making difficult decisions that affect people’s livelihoods. Beyond my business, I am a writer, artist and educator who has created programs that bring people together, foster understanding and strengthen community relationships. I am a bridge builder. I know how to listen, ask questions, collaborate and take responsibility for my decisions. I also know that leadership doesn’t mean having all the answers. It means being willing to do the homework, seek out expertise and make thoughtful decisions. My guiding values are truth, transparency and community. As a Dakota woman, I also bring a Seven Generations philosophy to leadership, considering how the decisions we make today will affect those who come long after us. I believe these experiences, relationships and values have prepared me to serve Marine on St. Croix with integrity, accountability and love for this community.
What do you think is the primary role of government?
I believe the primary role of government is to serve the people, protect the common good, and be accountable to the community it represents. For me, good government begins with listening. It means providing essential services, being responsible with public resources, protecting individual rights, and making decisions that are fair, transparent, and grounded in research and community input. As a Dakota woman, I believe our responsibilities extend beyond ourselves. We have obligations to our neighbors, our land and water, and the generations who will come after us. Government should recognize those shared responsibilities while respecting individual rights. I don’t believe leadership is about controlling people or having all the answers. It is about creating the conditions for a community to thrive, working collaboratively, and making thoughtful decisions in service to the whole. People may not always agree with every decision their government makes, but they should always understand why that decision was made. To me, government is not about power. It is about service, stewardship, and responsibility to one another.
How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you?
I begin by listening. Really listening. Not just waiting for my turn to speak, but trying to understand where someone is coming from and what experiences have shaped their perspective. I believe there is wisdom in different points of view. As a Dakota woman, my teachings remind me that there are many ways to approach a problem, and that we can learn something from one another even when we disagree. I ask questions, do my homework, and try to find the common ground beneath our differences. I don’t have to agree with someone to respect them, and I don’t expect everyone to agree with me. As a business owner, I’ve learned that sometimes the most important conversations are the uncomfortable ones. They require humility, patience, and a willingness to admit when I might be wrong. At the end of the day, we’re still neighbors. We still share this community, this land, and this water. I believe we owe it to one another to listen with respect, remain curious, and remember that our relationships are bigger than our disagreements.
Website or contact information: Rosettapeters.com Or [email protected].