Glen Gust
Gust has served one term as Luverne's mayor and says he's running again because there's more to accomplish than he could do in the two-year term.
"My No. 1 priority is economic development," Gust said. Luverne's mayor also serves as Economic Development Authority president.
He said Luverne's goal of growing in population starts with giving people good jobs. From there, more homes are purchased, more taxes are generated and more people patronize existing local services and businesses.
Gust is known outside his mayoral capacity as owner of Glen's Food Center, Luverne. He's also a lifetime member of the VFW and Legion and is active in Rotary, Lions and other area organizations.
He's proud of some things heÕs accomplished so far during his short time as mayor.
Gust helped lobby to get Border City Legislation passed and communicated with Continental Western leaders when the recent Tri-State deal was in the works.
A goal he hopes to accomplish by being re-elected is to maintain good relations with the county, school, city staff and law enforcement. "We have to build bridges to move the whole region forward," Gust said.
When asked about the possible hospital expansion, he said, "There's some projects in the works for the city, like a possible hospital expansion, that'll be a huge asset to the area and I'd like to be a part of them. Luverne has some incredible things to sell, and is very pro-business."
Gust wanted to remind people that most of the business ventures the city has been involved in have been in the form of loans, which the city will be repaid.
"It's an investment more than anything else," Gust said of the city's economic development philosophies.
Gust acknowledges other assets besides business of which the community should be proud. "I believe our education system, from ECFE to high school graduation is one of the best in the state."
Other issues Gust wants addressed by the city haven't been on the agenda for some time. Fledgling Field and its future is still a heated topic for many residents and Gust wants it developed.
"It'd add to the tax base and the town already has plenty of green spaces," he said.
The space is currently zoned as low-density residential, which is what prevented the property owners from getting a permit to build a new facility for Dingmann Funeral home.
Gust said he believes all of Highway 75 through Luverne should be zoned business because of the high traffic atmosphere that already exists there. Also, he said, it would keep Luverne parallel with other towns on Highway 75 that have businesses along the main roadway.
That highway, along with access to a major airport, Interstate 90 and proximity to I-29 are things Gust would like to highlight to businesses considering Luverne.
Budgets are always a concern to mayors and councils, especially when facing levy limits and possible cuts in state aid.
If any item on the budget should be increased, Gust said law enforcement would be his choice.
"We can cut costs or delay capital improvements if we have to. We don't want to cut services, if we can help it," Gust said. "I think there are other areas in the budget that can be cut if need be."
