Mayor plans for the future

The McCarthy Center hosted recently elected Mayor Adam Scepaniak, the first new mayor of St. Joseph in 12 years. This event, which occurred on Wednesday at 6 p.m. was scheduled to be a Q&A event for the student body to get to know Scepaniak.

McCarthy Center student coordinator Evelyn Biederman explained that Scepaniak reached out to the McCarthy Center about doing this event.

“The intended purpose of this event is for Mayor Scepaniak to be able to build the relationship between the college and the town by learning what students would like the future of St. Joseph to look like,” Biederman said. “He would also like for students and people in the community to get to know him on a more personal level and make himself available to the public for questions and concerns.”

The event was structured where students could raise their hands to ask questions, but there was also a cup full of questions that had been previously prepared by McCarthy Center workers. Scepaniak started the event by introducing himself and answering a question from a student about why he wanted to run for mayor. Scepaniak also spent a fair amount of time encouraging students to get involved in the local St. Joseph government. He talked about applying to be a student liaison, which is a new program the St. Joseph government is trying out this year, as well as volunteering and local business opportunities.

“Have an opinion on different topics,” Scepaniak said. “I want to listen to people and be available to them.”

Several questions from the attendees revolved around local businesses. Students asked what Scepaniak hoped to see from small businesses and how to keep the small local feel instead of building “large factories,” as Scepaniak said.

He also emphasized the importance of the baseball fields to community members in St. Joseph.

Another question that came up was about opening a dispensary in St. Joseph. Scepaniak said he is very against big pharmaceutical drugs and has personal experience with this. Scepaniak shared that he has seen positive effects of cannabis as used for medicinal purposes in his personal life as well. He shared that he is looking to open a municipal dispensary in St. Joseph. Scepaniak explained the benefits this will have for the community in terms of revenue and lower taxes, and how that revenue can be used to improve St. Joseph by doing things like creating a metro line to St. Cloud and improving parks. Scepaniak answered questions about the public use of cannabis and how it cannot be used in public spaces, similar to alcohol and open container uses, but it can be used in private spaces unless otherwise specified legally.

Students followed up on the topic of the metro line, and Scepaniak explained that the hope would be a line going to and from the jail center that is being built near Modern Barnyard, as well as potentially to and from St. Cloud State. Scepaniak said this could cost roughly $1 million per year. Scepaniak said that with funds potentially coming from more sources like the colleges and the jail center, this project seems more tenable.

When asked about projects students should be aware of, Scepaniak talked about attending the Day at the Capitol event that CSB+SJU is attending. He mentioned hoping to discuss funding for a YMCA or community center in St. Joseph. He explained that this is an expensive endeavor (about $24 million) but something that he hopes to accomplish at some point.

He also discussed wanting to add roundabouts to make St. Joseph safer.

Biederman shared that she spent about four weeks planning and coordinating this event. She explained that she was able to secure generous donations from KPower Yoga and White Peony Boutique.

Biederman hopes this event will empower students. “I hope that attendees will gain a sense of comfort and confidence in knowing their voice matters and has an impact on the town of St. Joseph,” Biederman said.