HARRISON - After serving multiple years on the city of Harrison's planning and zoning commission, Kayleen Walker is running for a four-year position on the City Council.

"Currently our City Council is primarily made up of business owners," Walker said. "I feel that the residents need to have better representation on the council and I intend to do just that."

The 43-year-old has lived in downtown Harrison for 11 years. "I do hear all the concerns residents have, and I answer numerous questions every year from tourists visiting Harrison."

She said she's running because she believes Harrison is "a unique, small, family town with values, and I want to maintain those values by protecting the direction that Harrison chooses to grow."

Unfortunately, she said, past decisions by the council led to lawsuits and unforeseen expenses.

"In the past, I voted against the Powderhorn development, seeing it for what it truly was. I have no problem speaking up and voicing my opinion when I feel a public issue may not have the residents' best interests at heart."

She added, "I have lost friends because I elected to vote for this city and not for large development."

She said she's not always against development, "just development that would change Harrison forever and take away that small-town feeling."

Walker is one of four people running for three seats on the council with four-year terms.

She has volunteered hundreds of hours working for the city, and regularly attends council meetings.

She and her husband made the decision long ago that she would be a stay-at-home mom.

"Our youngest is now 12. I recently went back to college and am currently attending NIC," she said. "I am so thankful that my family was able to flourish because I stayed at home."

If elected, she would work to develop downtown to better serve tourists, the business district and residents.

"Better parking solutions must be addressed and noise ordinances need to be enforced," she said. "Businesses need the ability to prosper when Harrison is so busy during the summer, yet our residents need to be able to maintain their standard of small-town living.

"Our city campground is our money-maker for the city. We currently own a substantial amount of lakefront that is not being utilized for tent camping. Funding must be located so the city could improve its current campground and expand our tent area."

• Candidates Joe Cornell, Mark Wagner and Jordan Hall declined to participate for this series.