By Lori Ehde
Council Chambers in Luverne City Hall were crowded with interested residents Tuesday night when local candidates met for a public forum.
Mayor
Mayoral candidates Bill Weber and Glen Gust were first in the hot seat.
In his opening statement, Gust said his first priority, if elected, would be to retain existing business and attract new ones to Luverne. His second priority would be to lower taxes. "I would encourage department heads to save money, not blow it at the end of the business cycle – the old ‘spend it or lose it’ mentality," Gust said.
In closing, he said he wants to restore "respect and accountability" to City Hall. "Instead of being locked up like Fort Knox, I will have an open-door policy," Gust said.
Weber’s opening statements focused on proud moments in Luverne leadership – particularly with regard to economic growth. He referred to the closing of IBP and the short time it took city leaders to attract Gold’n Plump.
He pointed to the fact that Luverne’s tax rate is lower than nearly all other cities in the state. "That’s because of the leadership of our City Council and all involved in city services," Weber said.
Many of the questions posed to the mayoral candidates dealt with what they would do to encourage growth and to improve the business climate in Luverne.
Gust said he’d improve city employees’ image, for starters. "We need to offer customer service. When people come to Luverne, they need to feel welcome," he said. "I’ve been door knocking … and we do hear a lot of comments about how rude some our City Hall people are. If I were mayor, everyone in City Hall would go to customer service school."
Weber said he believes City Hall has improved in recent years, as far as being more accessible to the public, but he focused more on accomplishments that have encouraged growth.
"We need to continue focusing on redevelopment issues," he said, referring to downtown. He said TIF has been an asset to the community.
The first TIF project was on the east end of Main Street where Pamida used to be and where two retail businesses are now located.
Gust said he thinks more responsibility should rest with the private sector to attract business.
"The way you generate excitement is through going out and talking to people, saying "Hey! We’ve got a great retail market here.’" Gust said. "I got Tim and Karin to come here and open the Sears and Furniture House, and we did that without government help."
Gust’s closing remarks centered on change. "I think change is very healthy," he said. "It infuses government with a new level of excitement. I have an opportunity to breathe a new life into city government," he said.
Weber’s closing remarks reminded voters that the city has serious challenges ahead that will require experienced leadership.
"We have had some tremendous successes in this city, and I thank the residents for the opportunity to serve," he said.
When Luverne took over temporary ownership of the IBP plant, Weber said, "Some people say that’s a risk; I say that’s leadership."
Council
North ward council candidates Everett Brandenburg and Tom Martius and south ward council candidates Dave Hauge and Dave Cook were next on the panel.
One of the first questions posed to the candidates was what they would change about city government.
Hauge said he’d start listening to residents more. "The first thing I’d do is take the buzzer off that door downstairs," he said. "They’re entitled to be heard from, and they will be heard."
Hauge’s opponent, Cook, said the best change for the city would be a younger voice in leadership. "I think it’s time for the younger generation to step up and get involved," he said.
Brandenburg, who’s seeking re-election to his north ward seat, said he wouldn’t change anything. "When you look at our accomplishments in the past few years … we’ve kept taxes well in line, we’ve added equipment … I don’t think I would change anything," he said. "The city is growing, and I think we’re enjoying the fruits of our labor."
Martius agreed things are going well, but he said that’s no reason not to run for office. "Myself, I like challenge," he said. "I’d like to be voted in and be part of the action."
The candidates were asked how they’d vote on whether or not to develop Fledgling Field.
Martius said he understands why some residents wouldn’t want a funeral home in their back yard, but he said he’d support the recommendation of the Planning Commission.
Brandenburg supported development. "I feel very strongly it should be developed," he said, "either as a funeral home or residential apartments."
Hauge disagreed. "I think it’d be a good idea to leave Fledgling Field the way it is. It’s the only centrally-located park …" he said. "I’d feel terrible if some 8-year-old kid walking to some park on the edge of town gets hit by a car."
Cook didn’t like the question. "This is one of those deals where you might as well back up and shoot yourself in the foot, because no matter what you say, you’re going to lose votes," he said.
It was the only response all night that drew applause from the audience.
Cook did take a stand on the issue, though. "They (opponents of development) had a chance to buy it – maybe they should have bought it," he said. "I say develop it. They’re (the funeral home) not asking for TIF money or any help from the city."
School board
Six candidates are running for three open seats on the Luverne School Board. They include incumbents Don Bryan and Steve Tofteland, and challengers Dee Stanley, Greg Aubert, Colleen Deutsch and Tony Chladek.
Stanley said as a mother of young children, she would bring representation to the board for elementary-age children. She also said she’d work to improve communication between the board and the district.
Aubert said one of the things he’d work for is to bring the hockey program and School Board closer together. "I think there’s some work there that needs to be done," he said.
Deutsch said, as a parent of a special needs child, she’d bring important experience to the board in the area of special needs. Also she serves on area collaborative boards regarding youth, and she could strengthen the board’s ties to those groups.
Chladek said he would work to bring more school-to-work opportunities to Luverne students. "There are professionals in this community who have a lot to share with our students," he said. He said the ultimate goal would be for Luverne grads to return home for their careers.
Tofteland said he believes he’s done the best he can do while serving on the board and that maintaining quality education is a challenge for the future.
Bryan said he’s seeking re-election because he wants to serve the district. "I’ve been so pleased with the district, and I wanted to do what I could for the district," he said.
He agreed with Tofteland that his goal, if re-elected, would be to work for continued improvement in quality of education.
The forum, which lasted an hour and 40 minutes, was sponsored by the Luverne Area Chamber of Commerce, and moderated by Matt Crosby, of K101-KQAD radio.
Time was divided equally among the races, with 30 minutes for major, 30 for council and 30 for School Board.