The city elections are next Tuesday, June 11. Three candidates are running for city commissioner. We got to talk to all of the candidates before voters head into the polls.

Joe Knowski

Joe Knowski, 58, is most known for being the former Devils Lake Police Chief. He retired this year. He was first a North Dakota State Trooper for 27 years. He came to Devils Lake in 2000 and was promoted to sergeant of the DLPD. He initially retired in 2017 but wound up staying for the next six and a half years. He now works as a paraprofessional at Devils Lake High School. When asked why he is running Knowski told the Journal, “I want to bring a common sense approach to government. It’s something you don’t see all the time.” He added, “I don’t feel I’m influenced by anyone but myself. I’ve always been able to speak what I believe. I speak my own mind. One important issue for him is the hospital issues with CHI St. Alexius and Altru especially as he gets older. “We need to push the issue. To get where healthcare is important for the elderly. Every time they get something that is mental or physical it always gets transferred to another hospital. We need to be able to take care of our own people. That’s why a lot of older people move away from Devils Lake,” he said. Knowski also added “If I could magically change one thing… it would be generate jobs that could maintain youth here… With healthcare that brings in housing, more positions. Bringing those people that also but I think the healthcare thing is very important to me. Anyone who knows me is I’m fair and open-minded… I’m willing to listen to all sides.”

Lisa Uhlenkamp

Lisa Uhlenkamp, 44, is an assistant VP regional banking manager at Western State Bank. She also served on the Devils Lake Park Board for eight years. She moved to Devils Lake in 2002 from Starkweather. When asked her reason for running, she told the Journal, “I feel the city could use younger blood and a female perspective.” When asked an issue she would like to see improve, she said “I would like to see people in the community take pride in their community. We can clean up our town and just all work together for the betterment of our community.” She describes herself as a “very open and honest person.” She added, “I can take criticism. There are always two sides to a story. I’m always willing to listen and make the best decision for everybody.”

Dale Robbins

Dale Robbins, 60, moved to Devils Lake from Rugby in 2000. He worked for Midco for 36 years and now manages the Encore 301. He serves on the city commission. When he asked why he is running, he told the Journal, “I’ve been on the city commission for three terms. I enjoy doing it. I think I do a good job. I think it’s nice to have someone who has some institutional knowledge,” he said. “We got a new mayor, tax assessor, a couple of new commissioners. I think it would be nice to have someone who knows what we have done in the past. It would be nice to have someone who knows about the past on the commission.” When asked about an issue that is important to him, he said “I don’t think there’s any one issue.” He mentioned that he would like to see completed the commission’s “12-year infrastructure plan to replace water lines, sewer lines, resurface every road.” He also said he wants to keep the “drama” out of the city commission. “We don’t have a lot of turmoil or confrontation. I’d like to keep it that way… We’ve had that in the past and we don’t need fireworks. We have a simple job. Basically we’re volunteers for something that has to be done. He added, “I just think the years I’ve been on the commission I’ve tried to listen. I don’t overreact and I try to do problem solving. I’ve got no agenda. I enjoy it. And I’m always open for suggestions anybody has.”