Eleven apply for Brainerd council spot

Eleven people have applied for the Brainerd City Council spot left vacant when the council's president Bonnie Cumberland, 67, died in her home earlier this month.

A real estate broker, restaurant owner and barista are among the applicants. Here's a quick list, based on their applications, which I requested from the city, and information in the Brainerd Dispatch.

• JD Berns, 25, nursing staffing at Essentia Health. He hopes to "bridge the huge gap that leaves our community's youth without representation..."
• Howard Brewer, 69, retired. He wants to "follow unfinished business Bonnie Cumberland and I have been working on for several years."
• Jeff Czeczok, 50, unemployed. He says he is "objective, conservative and... [makes] efforts to reresent the viewpoints of the citizens of Brainerd."
• Gabe Johnson, 31, owner of marketing consulting business. He cares "deeply about the future of the city, its businesses and its citizens."
• Susan Hilgart, 54, team leader at Rural MN Concentrated Employment Program. She "would like to be part of growing Brainerd economically..."
• Dolly Matten, 43, real estate agent. “I want to see Brainerd grow as much as the surrounding communities.”
• Shane Meyer, 30, foreman/carpenter for Timberwood Construction and owner of Eye Spy Home Inspections. He wants to "actively take part in bettering our community."
• Amanda Monnier, 29, barista at Coco Moon. She wants to "help bridge the gap between the young and older generations."
• Keith Reidel, 56, a manager at the Brainerd/Crow Wing County airport. He has "a willingness to give back but also to become a part of and be involved in the process."
• Matthew Taylor, 41, co-owner of Sunshine Kitchen and Moonshine Lounge. He says he would "bring a strong business sense and a youthful perspective to the council."
• Dirk Vanderwerker, 59, financial planner. "Having no personal, long-time allegiances to any specific groups in Brainerd, I believe I am able to be circumspect and not play favorites."

The applicants will give short speeches at a special meeting on March 10. The council will then pick the new member by majority vote, according to a memo from the city.

This seat is up for election this year.