SPIRIT LAKE - Wayne Harper is a self-proclaimed "numbers guy."

Harper, 67, has been a Spirit Lake resident for 14 years, and is one of three candidates for Spirit Lake mayor. He is semi-retired and works as a bookkeeper and tax preparer.

Harper said his experience would be an asset to the city, and that he would make the city budget easy for citizens to understand.

"I've worked with numbers all my life," he said. "I know the right questions to ask. The clarified numbers will begin showing up on the regular City Council minutes within 90 days of the start of my term. Those minutes are now present on the city's Web page minus any dollar amounts."

Harper said he wants to do whatever is necessary through transparency to keep citizens informed.

"It's an informed citizenry that makes better decisions than any bureaucrat," he said. "I believe the citizens of Spirit Lake have a far better idea of what is needed for the health and well-being of their neighbors than some bureaucrat sitting at a desk.

"True transparency is convenience for the citizenry."

Ideas to improve transparency include exploring broadcasting meetings on a local cable channel, creating a blog and social media accounts, and posting online updates of the budget process and quarterly financial statements.

Harper said he sees himself more as a facilitator with fresh and improved concepts of what a government should be, than a leader.

Ideas Harper would bring to the table include developing a Spirit Lake Community Land Trust to provide affordable housing to residents and a community health clinic.

He would like to see the Parks and Recreation Department establish its own nonprofit "with minimal control from bureaucrats and the city.

"That will allow entrepreneurs and those involved greater flexibility," Harper said.

Harper said it's time for rural America to become self-sufficient and limit government involvement.

"It is the responsibility of government to temporarily provide the necessary help and then get the heck out of the way," he said.

Harper said the city should explore recruiting a medium-sized convention center and motel that would help accommodate tourists, including those who visit Silverwood Theme Park.

"The city should find a way to capitalize on that resource," Harper said.

He also said a museum should be created and a historical district be formed downtown.