Council interviews newest mayoral applicant Jim Heinitz

For three consecutive city council meetings, the Brandon City Council has been deadlocked on the issue of a mayoral appointment.

The three initial candidates are local business owner TJ Cameron, current alderman Jack Parliament and former alderman Chuck Parsons. 

After facing three meetings of failed 3-3 votes for both Parliament and Parsons—with Cameron garnering no council support—the council decided on May 3 to reopen the mayoral application process.

Applications for the reopened process were due May 12, and the process drew one more interested candidate: Jim Heinitz.

During the council’s May 13 briefing meeting, they conducted an informal interview for Heinitz, who gave a detailed rundown of his background. 

He first introduced his wife, Becky, who was present and said they would be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in the coming weeks. 

Heinitz said they moved to Brandon in 1978 after having taught in both Rapid City and Sioux Falls. In 1977, he began running his friend’s mobile home business along with coaching football on the side at Lincoln High School, and in 1981, he went to Augustana College (now University) to take on an assistant football coach role. 

Heinitz was named head coach of the Augustana Vikings in 1984 and remained in that role through the 1992 season. He then went back into business for three years but returned to Augustana for another nine-year coaching stint. In 2016, Augustana named the field at the Kirkeby-Over Stadium after him. 

In 2005, Heinitz was promoted to the Director of Sales role for Furniture Mart USA until 2008 when he became the CEO. He has since retired. 

Heinitz cited his seven-year experience on the Brandon Valley School Board and serves currently on a few other boards, including Furniture Mart USA. 

“I’m a firm believer, obviously, as a coach and CEO as anything being a team effort,” Heinitz said. 

As for why he wants this position, he said the practical side of it is that he has the time and he enjoys the processes.

“But the philosophical side is that I do believe God has given me some gifts that I can use,” Heinitz said. “I believe leadership is a skill that I’m able to demonstrate.” 

After detailing his background, he took questions from the council, starting with alderwoman Dana Clark who asked why he decided to apply now as opposed to when the vacancy was announced the first time. 

“Honestly, when Mr. Lundberg ran, I thought about it, but I didn’t feel like I could make the time commitment,” Heinitz said. “But, I felt like as I’ve watched the processes, there are some skills that I have that maybe I can lend.”

Clark also asked if anyone had solicited him to apply. 

“No,” Heinitz said, “You know, you go to church and people say, ‘Why don’t you run for mayor? You’d be good at this.’ It’s no different than any of you when you ran for council. You were encouraged by others, I’m sure, to seek the positions.”

“Would you plan to run for election then, Jim, when the position was fulfilled as far as the appointment?” Clark then asked.

“I’ll tell you the same thing I told the school board: If I feel I’m a good fit for the job, then I will,” he responded.

Clark also asked Heinitz on any associations with the city employees in terms of “full disclosure.”

Heinitz said that Jamie Steffel, newly appointed police chief, played football for him at Augustana.

“Hi, Coach!” Steffel jokingly chimed in from the back of the council chambers. 

Heinitz said other than knowing some of the golf course employees that he doesn’t have any other city associations. 

Clark asked what Heinitz would be known for if he were to be given the mayoral appointment. 

“Well, I would hope that the first thing that came to mind is, ‘He cared.’ Because I think if you don’t care, it’s very difficult to be successful at anything,” Heinitz said. “I have no self-centered interest in what I might bring other than some leadership and inclusion skills.”

“I would hope that they say, ‘He cared,’ because if that’s all they said, that would be enough,” Heinitz added.

The mayoral candidate also said that he thinks people liked playing for him and working for him because he made sure to let them know they mattered.

He referenced his position with Furniture Mart: “It was a hard job. I was on an airplane every week…and I’m proud to tell you one thing: Everybody knew who I was. I made sure of that. Because if there was one thing I wanted them to know, it was that we appreciated what they did.” 

After Clark wrapped up her round of questions, she asked if any other council members had questions for Heinitz. Parliament noted that he would refrain from asking questions, given he is vying for the same position. Alderman Tim Jorgenson said he had no questions but just a statement. 

“If I were to pass away tomorrow, you would speak for me,” Jorgenson said. “I’ve listened to him speak on other people’s behalf and it’s quite remarkable.”

The council will revisit the mayoral appointment during their Monday night meeting beginning at 6 p.m. in the Council Chambers.