DISCLAIMER: The opinions expressed in the candidates responses are the sole views of their own. They do not reflect the opinions or views of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce or its members. The candidate statements below do not imply the expression of any endorsement whatsoever by the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce or its members.
Ward 3
Norman Wahl (I)
Why are you running for office, and how does your experience qualify you for the position?
Four years ago I was asked to run for the Rochester City Council to provide the same kind of experienced and thoughtful leadership of my predecessor who was stepping away from the council. These years have been engaging and challenging. In a city the size of Rochester, there is a huge learning curve when it comes to city government. I am grateful for all those who have assisted in that learning over four years. Over my 41 year career as a Lutheran pastor, I have honed skills that have translated effectively into city government. I have led small, medium, and large churches. I have led a staff of 28 people. Most of all, I have listened to countless people of varied opinions and have helped councils come to decisions that would most benefit the people who would live with the decisions.
That is not unlike the job of a councilmember. It has been a privilege to sit with residents, staff, and outside experts in consideration of actions before the council. It is rare that a decision is met with unanimity either on the council or in the community. It is the council’s job to receive all the information and make a decision that will most benefit the people of Rochester. It is an honor to serve as a councilmember.
What are your top two priorities/issues?
The council, appropriately, spends more time on housing than any other single issue. Rochester is not alone in facing the need for all types of housing as people seek to move here for employment and our quality of life. Ward 3 is blessed with growth in all those types of housing—apartments, single family homes for sale and for rent, townhomes, condominiums, and senior housing. Between 2020 and 2025, Olmsted County has reduced the need for affordable housing by 26% according to two Maxfield studies commissioned by the county. While showing that we are on the right track, the studies would indicate we have more work to do. And we will do it.
One of our city priorities is to bring completion to many of the transformational projects underway in Rochester. Few people in Ward 3 and around Rochester, especially downtown businesses and residents, are not inconvenienced by the many construction, road, and bridge projects. We are positioned well to see those projects finally contribute to our lives.
That is especially true of the LINK Bus Rapid Transit which should carry its first riders in August 2027. This will benefit people all over the city, including many in Ward 3 who work downtown and those who will choose to park on the perimeter and ride the BRT.
LaMar Hicks
Why are you running for office, and how does your experience qualify you for the position?
I’m running for Rochester City Council because Ward 3 deserves leadership that listens, unites people, and delivers real results. Our ward is growing fast, and decisions shaping it should reflect what Ward 3 needs, not what’s convenient citywide.
My focus is practical: infrastructure, housing, accessibility, and the public services residents rely on daily. I’ll keep neighbors informed, create space for their voices, and make sure every concern is heard. People thrive when they feel welcome, respected, and confident.
My life has shaped how I lead: with empathy, discipline, and accountability. As a foster parent, I’ve seen how few youth activities and spaces exist, and how that affects families. As a disability advocate, our city must be accessible and inclusive, building accessibility into infrastructure, housing, and transportation.
Coaching football and basketball taught me to build teams, communicate honestly, and push through challenges together.
As a husband and father, I know the concerns of affordability, safe neighborhoods, and opportunity for young people. As a proud Black man, I bring a perspective that helps ensure overlooked voices get a seat at the table. I’m running to be an accessible, accountable council member who earns your trust and works for every Ward 3 residents.
What are your top two priorities/issues?
Road safety and quality park amenities are two of my top priorities for Ward 3 because they determine whether our neighborhoods are safe, connected, and welcoming for everyone.
Every resident—whether walking a child to school, biking to work, using a wheelchair, catching the bus, or driving home—deserves streets built with safety in mind. That means visible crosswalks, reliable sidewalks and bike connections, safer intersections, and traffic-calming measures where speeding puts people at risk.
The intersection of West Frontage Road/Clearwater Road NW and 55th Street NW is one of Ward 3’s most dangerous. It carries heavy traffic, and residents deserve improvements that reduce conflicts, prevent crashes, and make it safer for drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users. The City has already installed traffic signals there, underscoring its importance as a major junction.
Our parks deserve the same attention. Parks are where neighbors gather, children play, and families enjoy the outdoors—yet Ward 3 is the only ward without park shelters. That’s a gap we should close. Shelters offer shade and space for family reunions, birthday parties, neighborhood events, and community programming.
Ward 3 deserves safe streets and parks with the amenities our residents need. I will advocate for investments that deliver both.