Just three candidates will appear on Tuesday's primary election ballot for two seats on the Grand Forks County Commission.
So, unless there are major write-in campaigns, which as yet have been unnoticed, all three likely will advance to the general election in November.
Candidates are: Incumbents John Schmisek and Cynthia Pic, and challenger Cory Solem.
Schmisek and Pic are seeking their second four-year terms.
John Schmisek
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Schmisek, 65, retired four years ago as director of finance and administrative services for the city of Grand Forks. He is a Grand Forks resident.
He currently is serving as commission chairman. He also serves on the Base Realigment Impact Committee, is co-chair of the Community Base Enhancement Group and is a board member with the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corp.
One of his goals as a commissioner has been to complete the county's job description and wage study, which he was instrumental in initiating, and to establish a formal organizational chart.
"This is a key document, so everyone knows who is responsible for what," he said. "It is an accountability piece to show how the county works."
Cynthia Pic
Pic, 48, is community services director at Tri-valley Opportunity Council, Inc., a private, non-profit community action agency in Crookston. The Niagara, N.D., resident also is co-owner of West-Pic Travel and Tours.
Pic has served on a variety of local and state boards in various fields, including economic development, health, early childhood, faith-based organizations, emergency services, social services, water boards and more.
She said economic development is the biggest issue facing Grand Forks County.
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"Economic development can drive the success of a region," she said. "Better employment opportunities can improve people's well-being, which can, and will, improve the communities."
Corey Solem
Solem, 29, is a sales representative at Gaffaney's of Grand Forks. The lifelong Grand Forks resident and UND graduate serves on the local Farmers Market board and as secretary for BNI, as well as an executive with the Phi Kappa Phi fraternity.
He also is seeking a position on the Grand Forks School Board.
Solem said economic development and a lack of good-paying jobs are the county's biggest challenges.
"Grand Forks continues to have the highest cost of living-to-pay ratio in the state," he said. "We need to bring in good paying jobs to keep our best and brightest in the county. I would aggressively market the Grand Forks area to businesses looking to expand their operations."
Reach Bonham at (701) 780-1110; (800) 477-6572, ext. 110; or send email to kbonham@gfherald.com .
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