Keith Erickson
Economic development is also a key issue to Erickson. HeÕs served on the LEDA for half of his 12 years on the council. "We've tried to be aggressive and promote Luverne," he said. "In cases with start-up businesses, there is a risk."
Erickson said Luverne was unique in its economic development when starting the LEDA apartments and developing spec homes in additions, which have all sold.
He said he hopes the ethanol plant's upcoming method of reducing odors will help sell homes in the southwest part of town, which has stagnated in development.
Erickson points to Agri-Energy, Gold'n Plump and the Minnesota Veteran's Home as positive additions to Luverne in recent years.
Keeping the former Tri-State is also something Erickson is proud the city was able to accomplish. He says a team effort from private players such as Greg Burger and public players like Matt Hylen helped make the deal and keep the business in Luverne. Councilman Tom Martius, who is a Continental Western employee, even worked a weekend helping on the new site.
Erickson also supports, in theory, assisting the hospital financially in a possible expansion project.
"It would be ideal for the city not to have to be involved," Erickson said of helping businesses stay or grow in Luverne. "But government has assistance options that the private sector doesn't."
Erickson said, "We would be wise to talk about money set aside from the sale of the hospital to assist them in a final project."
Fledgling Field is something citizens still ask Erickson about as well. "I'm for developing it," he said. "I'm only opposed to it as a current code violation.
"It's an R-1 zone right now, and I'm on record in the summer of 2000 when I said I thought an R-I (residential-institutional) should allow funeral homes. If we zone it anything other than R-I, we could get into trouble for spot zoning, but if they go through the right steps, they can get it done. It can happen."
Erickson said he's opposed to changing all of Highway 75 to a business zone, however, considering the many historic homes along the road.
Other, less visible projects, also have bearing on the city overall.
"We were aggressive with necessities and utilities, updating the sewers and burying the electric lines," Erickson said. Utility rates havenÕt increased since 1997.
The new automated garbage system protects workers, but also keeps the city looking uniform and tidy on garbage collection days.
"The word that best describes Luverne is 'pride,' not only the city, but citizens, churches and the school. And that's not something a mayor can take credit for, but we can appreciate it."
Erickson is a retired teacher and counselor who now substitutes for Luverne, Adrian and Hills schools as needed. He prides himself on being able to work well with children and the elderly, having started the Adopt-a-Grandparent program that's active in the Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Center and the Minnesota Veteran's Home.
Erickson said the weak role of mayor, not getting a vote on the council, would be a good fit for him. He feels he can help guide the council, which will have two new members and two with just two years experience.
When the state talks about cutting Local Government Aid to cities, budget cuts appear inevitable. "I want to keep taxes and services at comfortable rates," Erickson said.
During his years on the council, Erickson said he's made connections locally, in the region and across the state that are valuable to the city. "I really enjoy interaction with the different organizations," he said.
