McKenzie County Farmer - Latest News

By M.K. French
Farmer Staff Writer

 Move over, seasoned politicians - Watford City’s got a bright future, and it may just be wearing a pair of roller blades. With a winning smile, a head chock-full of ideas, and a gavel-banging arm, local student Leo Samuelson traded in those pesky textbooks for a day of mayoral prowess, proving that even the littlest leaders can have the biggest impact. Selected from Miss. Andersen’s brainy bunch at Badlands Elementary during City Government Week, young Samuelson’s enthusiasm and insight offered a fresh, adorably profound look at leadership - all through the bright eyes of a third grader.

When news of his victory reached him, our newly appointed Mayor Samuelson was, in his own words, “Shocked and then really excited.” And what prompted this brave soul to throw his hat (or rather, essay) into the ring? The answer, friends, is pure, unadulterated ambition: “We had to but I really wanted to win.” His winning manifesto, a.k.a. his essay, outlined “why I would be a good mayor, things I like about Watford and things I would change about Watford.” Clearly, a platform we can all get behind.
The day itself was a whirlwind of civic splendor, but one moment stood out above the rest. “Banging the gavel at the council meeting and calling roll call,” Leo declared with the authority of a seasoned politician. You can almost hear the echoes of his small, but mighty fist, bringing order to the chambers!

Of course, no mayoral day is complete without a suitably impressive commute. “Yes I had fun,” Leo reported about his ride-along with SRO Wellen. However, he did offer a candid assessment of the official vehicle: “It was cramped in there. There is lots of stuff in there.” A valuable insight into the challenges of law enforcement, folks.

And then came the moment of truth: sharing the podium with the actual Mayor Riely. “I was shy and nervous to read my essay and but it was a lot of fun,” Leo confessed. But even in the face of such high-stakes public speaking, our young leader persevered. And what wisdom did he glean from this august assembly? “They help make decisions about how to spend money,” a keen observation that would make any economist proud.

The hometown crowd was abuzz with pride. “They were proud of me and happy I had achieved my goal to be the honorary mayor,” Leo shared, basking in the warm glow of community support. So, what are the burning issues on Mayor Samuelson’s agenda? First and foremost, a matter of grave importance: “The RRC.” But beyond recreation, there are more pressing concerns. If given the reins for a full year, Leo would tackle the city’s most pressing crisis: “Fix our water. It tastes terrible. It comes from Williston.” A bold stance, and one that resonates with many a parched citizen.

When he’s not busy shaping municipal policy, Mayor Samuelson enjoys the finer things in Watford City life: “Go to the RRC to play hockey, got to the parks and the skate park on my roller blades.” And his vision for a better tomorrow extends to his peers. “Clean up days to clean up trash,” he proposes, a simple yet elegant solution to beautify our streets.

While his time in office was fleeting, the lessons learned will undoubtedly last a lifetime. And what are the perks of being a third grader? “Lots of field trips,” of course! And his favorite subject? None other than “Math,” proving that even a future mayor needs a solid foundation in numbers.

And finally, every great leader needs a great superpower. Leo’s choice? “Super speed. I could help catch the bad guys really fast.” A noble ambition, indeed. Leo Samuelson’s day as Honorary Mayor was more than just a fun school project. It was a heartwarming reminder that even the youngest among us possess a keen understanding of our community and a genuine desire to make it better.

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