HURON – On April 9, Huron voters will go to the voting booth to select a new mayor, with three candidates who each have multiple years serving on the Huron City Commission under their belt. Mark Robish, Drew Weinreis, and Bryan Smith will participate in a public forum on Saturday, March 30, at 9 a.m. in the commission room at City Hall.

The Plainsman sent each a questionnaire, and here are their responses:

Plainsman - Please introduce yourself to voters (personal background, family, career, experience in local government):

Mark Robish: I’ve lived in and around Huron my whole life. I’ve been married to Lori for 37 years. We have four grown children and are very blessed with eight grandchildren. I have worked at NTA Trucking for 33 years as a dispatcher. I spent 14 years as a Huron city commissioner.

Drew Weinreis: I am a lifelong resident of Huron. I enjoy traveling, camping, and spending time with my family and friends. I graduated from Huron High School and was the first student voted by my peers to be on the School Board as a student liaison. I received a tremendous amount of knowledge by attending meetings and having my voice heard by the elected members of the Board. I started my career with Dakotaland FCU in 2012 and currently am the Vice President of Member Services for the organization. I have spent most of my life volunteering for different groups in our community and currently have the privilege to be the President of the Board of Directors for the Center for Independence. I also was elected by the citizens of Huron in 2021 to serve as a City Commissioner. I have served as Public Works Commissioner for two years and now as the Public Safety Commissioner this last year. I feel that my experience in local government and the roles I have served have uniquely positioned me to be the next Mayor.

Bryan Smith: I’m Bryan Smith, born and raised in Huron. After graduating from Huron High School, I attended Lake Area Vo-Tech in Watertown and graduated with an Agri-Business associate degree. From there, I moved to Woonsocket, started my banking career at the local bank, met my wife (Teresa), and had our first child (Emma). We transferred back to Huron from Woonsocket, and shortly after, we had our second daughter (Hannah). Teresa and I are blessed to have a son (William) as well. All our kids are married, and we recently became first-time grandparents! I began working at Dakotaland FCU as Chief Lending Officer, a position I have held since 1997. In 2014, I was elected to be a City Commissioner and continue to serve the city in that capacity. Throughout both careers, I have honed my skills in leadership, personnel management, and serving in key management positions. Both careers have provided the necessary background and training to qualify as Huron’s next Mayor.

You’ve had multiple years working on the city commission. What do you feel that your experience in that role will contribute to your decisions as mayor, were you to be elected?

Weinreis: My experience working on the City Commission for multiple years has given me valuable insight into how our local government operates. It has helped me understand the needs of our community and I have built strong relationships with our employees and stakeholders. If I were elected mayor, I believe this experience would greatly influence my decision-making. I would be able to use my knowledge of local issues, navigate government processes effectively, and collaborate with various groups to bring about positive change. I am excited about the opportunities to make a difference as mayor.

Smith: As a tenured city commissioner, I have experienced challenges and opportunities that have given me different perspectives on managing city government. For most of my time on the commission, I have served as finance commissioner, and I am tasked with managerial and administrative responsibilities similar to the executive responsibilities of the mayor. I rely on department heads and managers to make informed decisions, and I will continue to do so if elected. My career background is in private business, but as a city commissioner, your role is to represent the citizens and work to provide a better life for them. As such, I observe that principle when making decisions that affect the community.

Robish: I have been involved with every department within the city, so I know the dynamics of the operation. Working with the public on city matters was a strength of mine, I feel, being approachable and very involved. I am confident that I can be the voice to link the community together.

Huron has invested in multiple major improvements recently (water treatment facility, solid waste facility, Southtown, etc.). What do you see as the next major investment needed in the city, whether infrastructure or other investment into the community?

Smith: Future investments in the city that I will promote include leadership succession in departments, future development of Southtown for additional housing and retail opportunities, and working with stakeholders to complete a city improvement plan that will identify housing availability, housing quality, and growth opportunities.

Robish: Highway 37 is a real thing happening. It will take a while to complete, but this could be the fact of Huron for a long time. More housing is always needed. We need young professionals to make careers here and can help them get started, especially in careers like child care, HVAC, nursing, and teaching.

Weinreis: I think the next major investment in our community should be focused on revitalizing our downtown area by investing in downtown infrastructure, promoting local businesses, and creating vibrant public spaces. We can attract more visitors, boost economic growth, and create a thriving hub for our community. This investment would enhance the charm and character of our city, while also providing new opportunities for entrepreneurs and fostering a sense of pride among residents. We also need to look at how we can better take care of our roads and sidewalks. Also, I would like to invest more in outdoor recreation activities for families.

You’ve each been part of city leadership during major catastrophes in the city (COVID, derechos, etc.). What is unique about the community of Huron to push through such things, and what did you learn about your own leadership serving during those times?

Robish: This is definitely my strong point. That’s why my slogan is “Leadership that Serves.” Just like so many in our community, I have helped in many different “storms.” Maybe the uniqueness of Huron is how diverse our community is. It creates more patience in all of us but still maintains that caring for each other attitude. I just hope and pray that I showed as much compassion and strength as I received.

Weinreis: Our community of Huron is truly unique in its resilience and strength, especially when faced with two major derecho storms back-to-back. Time and time again, we have come together as neighbors to support and help one another in times of adversity. Our ability to rally together, provide assistance and rebuild after a storm is truly remarkable. It’s this unwavering sense of community and unity that sets us apart and allows us to overcome any challenge that comes our way.

During those challenging times, I learned a great deal about my own leadership abilities. As the Commissioner responsible for creating press releases that ensured the public was properly informed, I realized the importance of clear and timely communication. I learned to be proactive in disseminating information, providing updates, and addressing concerns. It was a valuable lesson in the power of transparency and the impact it can have on fostering trust and confidence within our community. Through these experiences, I grew as a leader and developed a deeper appreciation for the strength and resilience of our community.

Smith: When COVID became a threat to our area, I was assigned to the Beadle County Task Force to represent the City of Huron. At the time, we were unaware of what a true pandemic was since we had not experienced a pandemic of this magnitude, and we had little knowledge of the virus or how to counteract it. 2020 – 2021 had a lasting personal effect on all of us. Our community has experienced highs and lows, but the overwhelming thing is that when the challenges are in front of us, our community rises to meet them. Whether it be COVID, natural disasters, or helping people in need, Huron meets those challenges as a community that embraces them. What COVID taught me is to have grace with people, understanding, and to provide support for those in need.

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In-person absentee voting is currently open at city offices during regular business hours and will continue until the end of business on Monday, April 8.