Perception - the ability to see, hear, or become aware of something through the senses. Why define this? Because in recent years, Minot has suffered its own version of "death by a thousand paper cuts." A string of small controversies, missteps, and failed projects, none of which are catastrophic on their own, have slowly eroded public confidence. When residents keep seeing the same names in the headlines, hearing whispers of scandal, and catching the smell of something fishy, it leaves a bad taste in the mouth. It builds a quiet, uneasy feeling that something just isn’t right.
So why do many people actively perceive Minot so poorly? It’s not just one thing, it never is. But a pattern has emerged in Minot, one that’s increasingly hard to ignore. When candidates for high-level positions start backing out, numerous projects are delayed, taxes seemingly stay high despite active effort to reduce them, and small things like early voting are overlooked, it raises more than eyebrows. It reinforces a creeping perception: something in Minot isn’t working the way it should.
In May, seasoned law enforcement veteran Dr. Richard Rosell withdrew from consideration as Minot’s next police chief. In a blunt email, he warned of political interference and internal “malcontents” that would undercut his leadership before it began. He said the job would be “a waste all around for me.”
Rosell’s exit might seem like an isolated event, but it fits into a larger pattern of perception problems. Can Minot attract serious, qualified candidates to lead its institutions? Or is the city’s internal climate, marked by turnover, tension, and headline-making dysfunction, creating a reputation that drives people away before they even get started?
Let’s better contextualize how someone from the outside might view Minot in a less-than-favorable light. Aside from being a town of less than 50,000 in the middle of North Dakota, in Minot’s case specifically, several developments in recent years may be contributing to perception of volatility.
The city hasn’t seen a mayor win reelection since 2010, reflecting over a decade of political turnover. In 2020, the forced resignation of City Manager Tom Barry, following concerns about his management style and internal morale, became a highly public and contentious episode. That same year, the controversial LGBTQ flag-raising at the old City Hall drew national attention.
Added to this, of course, is the downtown parking garage fiasco, delays and setbacks with the Broadway Circle project, the public unraveling of EPIC Companies’ local developments, and not to mention that whoever becomes the next chief may soon be working with a new city manager, all feeding into Minot’s persistent air of discontent
Just this year alone, an external investigation into the Minot Police Department’s leadership environment led to the departure of former Chief John Klug. The report confirmed internal conflict, toxicity, and dissatisfaction, ultimately triggering a search for new leadership. The process of which has also become part of the public record. City Manager Harold Stewart initially recommended appointing an outside interim chief followed by the city seeking another external candidate for the permanent role, both moves aimed at bringing in leadership more removed from the department’s internal conflicts.
Oh yeah, not to mention the reason we're even having to elect a new mayor right now.
All of this dysfunction doesn’t just affect policy or leadership, it affects the people. And nowhere is that clearer than at the ballot box. So, top this all off with Minot's abysmal voter turnout to the recent Park Board election and a pretty clear picture begins to emerge. These can add up to at least roughly explain why those looking from the outside in may have some negative notion towards Minot, but why has that outside perception translated into such deep apathy here at home? Why are so many Minoters tuning out instead of stepping up?
Well, voters frequently feel their voices aren't heard. Arguments can be made to the contrary across the board, but like everything in this article perception turns to reality. They see everyday issues that are affected by both local and national trends take a toll on their daily life. Even if Minot voters refuse to go to the polls, they feel that their complaints fall on deaf ears. The mindset really boils down to "It is what it is".
The August election could cost over $7.50 a vote if only 2,000 people make it to the polls. People want to talk about a waste of money, and this is the cheapest possible election that could be held. It doesn't even include early voting. At the April 21 meeting, the city council approved the special election for August 5th, but no one, not city staff or council members, seemed to realize, there was no early voting included.
Tuesday night’s mayoral debate at the Mouse River Players Theater made clear just how aware the candidates are of Minot’s perception problem. Whether it was Josiah Royce calling for “our elected leaders to be shepherds, not rulers,” Rob Fuller pledging to stop "rubber-stamping" anything from city hall, Paul Pitner defending city staff from what he described as public “beration,” or Mark Jantzer leaning on his quiet experience to guide the city forward, the common thread was trust—how to earn it, where it’s been lost, and whether Minot can rebuild it. If nothing else, the debate showed that perception isn’t just a "buzzword" in this election. It’s, frankly, the very thing on the ballot.
Now, Minot has the chance to elect someone to the highest position in the city for a 10 month trial run to see if they're up to the task of leading the city for the remainder of the decade. What does Minot want in their next leader? Can that person bring Minot together and help change some public notions on how the city operates, or will they just be the next in line to help turn the public's perception away from their local government?
So, if the perception of Minot is its reality, what happens when someone asks themselves: "Why not Minot"?
Over the past five years, or really since the flood, it feels like we’ve lived more in the “Tragic Magic” than in the Magic City.
Now’s the time to elect someone who can help bring the Magic back to Minot.
