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cratch a politician and find an extrovert. Not necessarily the kind that is the life of the party. Or the one who has to be the center of attention, but the kind of extrovert who thrives on learning about people, talking about the issues they care about, and finding ways to make the seemingly impossible, possible. St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis is well known for his 1000+ town hall meetings and his open invitation for “Dinner with Strangers,” where the only requirements are that you apply and you can’t be someone he already knows. “Access is key,” Kleis said. “It helps you develop relationships and that makes all the difference.” “You need to go out and meet people and listen to the issues,” Rick Schultz said. Schultz recently stepped down as major of St. Joseph after 14 years in the leadership role. “I love meeting people. I meet and greet. I talk to people. I’m investing in the people of the community and making sure they know they have someone they can talk to.” Scratch a little harder, and you’ll find someone who is deeply committed to public service. Kurt Hunstiger started his public service career in 1995 on the Sauk Rapids Joint Planning Board. His tenure 38
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included work on the Sauk Rapids HRA Board and the St. Cloud Regional Airport Authority. After eight years as mayor, he stepped down in January, completing 30 years in public service. “People who get elected need to remember that not everyone voted for you. Let’s say you got 60 percent of the vote,” Hunstiger said. “But you still have to represent everyone — even those who didn’t vote for you. Their votes count, too.” Waite Park Mayor Rick Miller had over 33 years in public service before retiring in 2024. Miller spent years on the Waite Park police reserve and rescue squad and as a volunteer fire fighter before serving on the Waite Park City Council and as mayor. “We built The Ledge Amphitheater, a new public works building, Riverside Park and the Little League Baseball fields,” Miller said. “I have no regrets, but I’m going to miss knowing what’s going on from an inside perspective. And I’m going to miss the people.” CHANGE IS COMING TO CENTRAL MINNESOTA. Hunstiger, Kleis, Miller and Schultz have a combined history of local public service of more than 120 years. “I think it’s going to be hardest on the city administrators,” Miller said. “Seriously.
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Some of them have hardly worked with anyone else in this role.” “I’m not going anywhere,” Hunstiger said. “I’m staying here in Sauk Rapids. I’ve already told the city council I’ll be watching the agenda. I’m not afraid to talk during the two-minute public hearing sessions.” After a break of several months for travel, Kleis fully expects to become involved at a different level. “I want to engage young people in civic service,” he said. “Politics have become so divisive. I want to find people who want to serve because they are service-driven — not single-issue driven. People who are driven for a broader cause than self-interest. I still strongly believe in service.” “I’ve taken the city as far as I can, or as far as I want to,” St. Joseph’s Schultz said. “It’s time for a new set of eyes and ideas. Don’t get me wrong,” he added. “It’s been a tremendous amount of fun.” When all four mayors look back on their years of services, they agree that they’re going to miss the people, the work, the city staff, the inside knowledge, the successes, and even the challenges. Although their departures are coincidental, in the end their reason for leaving is the same. “It just feels like the right time,” Miller said.