Colin Paulsen kicks off campaign for Watertown mayor  (Audio)

February 10, 2021
Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.–Colin Paulsen kicked off his campaign for Watertown mayor Tuesday night with a, “meet and greet event” at North Shore Chophouse and Banquet Hall.

The former assistant city engineer spoke with KWAT News about why he left his old job, and why he’s now running for mayor…

Paulsen didn’t mince words, saying Mayor Sarah Caron has created a “toxic” work environment that has created low employee morale.

He says developers are frustrated with City Hall too….

Paulsen is a 2008 graduate of Watertown High School who’s currently employed as a project operations superintendent at J & J Earthworks Incorporated.

He says one of his primary goals as mayor will be to improve employee morale and retain the good workers the city now has. He says too many good ones have left…

The City Council recently agreed to purchase the Wells Fargo Bank building downtown, with an eye toward renovating it into a new City Hall. The cost of purchasing the building and renovating it could be in the neighborhood of four million dollars. Paulsen believes it’s a failed idea…

Paulsen is one of three announced candidates for mayor. The others are incumbent Mayor Sarah Caron and current City Council President Adam Lalim.

Candidates can begin collecting petition signatures to ensure a place on the ballot on April 6th. The deadline to file those petitions with City Hall is 5:00 p.m. May 7th.

Election Day is June 15th.