Waite Park Mayor Highlights Growth, Community Connection in State of the City Address

(KNSI) – The state of the city of Waite Park is one of connectedness and growth together.

That was the message during first-term Mayor Ken Schmitt’s address on Wednesday. After the speech, he spoke with KNSI News and highlighted what he and the staff are doing to keep plugged into the community. “I have gone to just about all of the homeowners’ associations and sat down and opened talks with them, answer questions, give them information. And then our biggest thing is when we got the monthly e- newsletter going out so people can know what’s going on.”

He says the newsletter has been huge in letting people in on what’s happening. Schmitt says they’re also rolling out the red carpet to anyone wanting to break ground in the city. “We did do a forum to bring in developers and property owners to see what their concerns are, and told them, bring us projects. We will work with you.”

During the state of the city, Schmitt highlighted the new government center, police department and fire hall, $47 million in commercial construction, and big road projects on 2nd Avenue North, 3rd Street North, Great Oak Drive, and the County Road 137 Bridge over Highway 15.

The event was held at the local Pizza Ranch due to rain. It was initially scheduled at The Ledge Amphitheatre.

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