Election Guide Your resource to national and local races in the upcoming election
State legislative candidates share their priorities for office District 27A Peggy Bennett Age: 62 Family: I have a number of “fur-kids”… my new Shiloh Shepherd puppy, Hawken, and my friendly Ragdoll cats; a close circle of good friends and family; and my over 750 former first grade students whom I call my “kids,” many of with whom I still stay in contact! Livelihood: Retired elementary school teacher of 33 years; current state legislator for 27A
Q: Have you agreed or disagreed with the state’s COVID-19 response? What would you have done differently?
Bennett: I applaud the governor for the strategies he implemented in the first 30 days of the coronavirus. At that time, we didn’t have enough information about this virus. Peggy The governor acted quickBennett ly and did what needed to be done. However, after Easter I disagree with the governor’s handling of the virus. By Easter, we had much more data available to us. We could see that various areas of our state were Thomas Martinez, Thomas being affected differently Age: 36 Martinez by the virus. It was evident Family: Married to then that rural Minnesota Natalie Sue Martinez with four should have been treated differchildren: Eleanor, Henry, Theoently than the more heavily popudore and Mabel. lated metro areas, providing for Livelihood: Transportation a more targeted approach. This driver for St. John’s Lutheran has proven to be a correct evaluCommunity ation after examining the results
that Wisconsin, Iowa and the Dakotas have. Each of those states has fared much better (all have significantly lower death rates than Minnesota) without universal one-size-fits-all mandates. I feel bad for the people who were hard hit in nursing homes (our state should never have released COVID-19 positive patients into nursing homes) and for the many people who had serious non-COVID health conditions who could not get treatment because of the hospital closure mandates. I believe we would have had better results for our state had the voices of all three branches of government been involved in the decision-making instead of the governor making the sole decisions. Martinez: Minnesota public health officials have been datadriven and have done a great job keeping Minnesota families safe under the circumstances. It was wise to provide schools with strong statewide guidelines, but also to allow schools to make
decisions this fall as to how and when to open, and when to adjust as the virus numbers go up or down. I found it especially helpful to allow individual students and staff the freedom to work or learn from home if they wish. When lives are on the line we must prioritize public health and our frontline medical workers. Of course, in hindsight, there are many things we could have done differently. We could insulate our food supply chain better and do more to protect Main Street businesses. I would like to see Senior Citizens safely get the social interactions they need to feel connected and some way that family can be with their loved ones dying of COVID-19 in their final moments. I can’t imagine the loneliness felt by those who passed away without family members by their side.
Q: The state will be entering the next year with a large deficit. Do you have ideas going into the next session of things the state
can do to address this?
Bennett: First, I want to see the Legislature protect the core responsibilities of state government from cuts — important core government functions like education, public safety and caring for the vulnerable such as people in nursing homes. We need to bring common sense to our state budget. There are so many government programs that don’t work and provide little benefit to our state. It’s time for us to eliminate these ineffective programs once and for all and continue to fund the programs that actually help people. People want to pay for things that work. Let’s get rid of the things that don’t work. I had a bill this last session that would address this issue. My “evidence-based government” bill would bring accountability to government spending by requiring goals to be set and data on program effectiveness to be collected. Unfortunately, the See STATE, Page 4
Frequently asked questions surrounding A.L. district’s proposed levy increase On Nov. 3, Albert Lea Area Schools will be asking local taxpayers for a slight increase to our operating levy. We are seeking approval of the levy for two reasons: One, to maintain our current programming, and two, provide the technology that is required for our students to be educated in today’s world. This money is for our students. The current voter approved levy was approved by district residents in 2013, and is due to expire in 2022. 99% of school districts have a voter approved levy in place at the local level, as state funding has not kept up with the cost of inflation. Fortunately, during my long tenure in Albert Lea, we have practiced fiscal responsibility. We have
Hammer Field update and Halverson project in 2018. Why do we need to increase taxes again?
Guest Column By Mike Funk
been able to improve the district, while holding taxes for our community members relatively flat. Since 2014, the school district tax on our average household of $100,000 has increased a total of $8. As superintendent of schools, I’d like to answer some frequently asked questions related to the levy: Question: We just approved the
Answer: The Hammer project was a bond. Bonds are utilized for building. Taxes did not go up with the Hammer project, as the district timed it to replace debt going off the books. Levies are for district operations and learning. We need this to educate our students. Question: Why is Albert Lea Area Schools always asking taxpayers for more money? Answer: Albert Lea Area Schools has asked for support from local taxpayers three times total in the last 12 years. This is
the lowest amount of referendum requests within the Big Nine during this time period. By law, school districts are the only entity between city, county and school districts that need voter approval for operating or building funds. Question: Why does the district need this money for 10 years? They will not need as much technology usage after the pandemic is gone. Answer: The pandemic has allowed school districts to reach students in a variety of new ways as a result of technology. We will continue to utilize technology like never before in the future.
Question: What will happen if the referendum does not pass?
Answer: Albert Lea Area Schools will come back to the voters in November 2021, and make a request for a new levy. If that request fails, Albert Lea will be among five school districts out of 336 in the state of Minnesota to no longer have a levy in place. District 241 is appreciative of the community support we have received to meet the needs of our students. Thank you for your consideration of this referendum request. Visit www.alschools. org/referendum for more information
Mike Funk is Albert Lea’s superintendent.
Page 2 | election Guide | WEDNESDAY, october 28, 2020
Meet the city and county candidates Albert Lea City Council Ward 1
Rich Murray (unopposed) Age: 63 Livelihood: Investment advisor and owner of ISC Financial Advisors and spending as much time as I can with the grandkids
Ward 3 Jason Howland (unopposed) Age: 47 Livelihood: Senior communications specialist at Mayo Clinic
Ward 5 Robert Rasmussen Age: 43 Livelihood: machine operator at Hormel; maintenance at Kwik Trip John Severtson Age: 71 Livelihood: retired
Q: What is the top issue facing Albert Lea, and what suggestions would you have for how to solve it? Ward 1
housing growth in recent years. There are some large developments in the works for market-rate rentals in addition to some affordable housing, which is a step in the right direction. If we want our population to grow, we need quality places for people to live.
Ward 5
Rasmussen: I would say working on the business sector. Albert Lea, like across the entire globe, has had a hard time in the business sector due to COVID19. We as a council and ALEDA, as well as the incoming city manager, need to work hard at maintaining and growing business in the city. I think the loan program that was given to the local businesses due to COVID-19 was a great help to them. It helps to have a council and staff with varying backgrounds to have new ideas to help in this important area. Severtson: We don’t have any new major businesses in town. We have lost some of our biggest investors both at the Northbridge and Skyline Mall, such as Herberger’s and Shopko. Our businesses are failing, and we need to figure out what we are doing wrong. Surrounding towns such as Austin and Owatonna are booming. We could work together with them and find a way to gain some new businesses into Albert Lea.
Murray: I think when you look at the community as a whole, there are a few different issues that I see. Housing is definitely an important issue facing Q: How the city the community. We of Albert Lea have a number of will be affected properties that are by the COVID-19 definitely in need of Rich pandemic in the major repairs and Murray long run remains upkeep, so we need to be unseen. to figure out a way to help homeowners within the What do you think the community make improve- city can do to prepare ments to their homes and to for the financial keep them up and to make impacts or other them as nice as possible. effects of this crisis? We also need to be looking at how we add additional 1st Ward housing or bring additional Murray: I’m working housing units into the com- with the city finance direcmunity. There is definitely tor right now, a couple of a need for both workforce us on a committee with her, housing and market rate and I think it’s very critihousing within the com- cal that we look at all items munity — both apartment that the city is spending buildings and possibly money on. Then also look condos or townhouses. We at our resources. Where know that we have a huge does the revenue for the need for that. There are city come from? We receive several projects that we local government aid. We are working on right now receive tax dollars. There within the community, and are some transfer payhopefully some of those ments and other sources will come to fruition here of money coming into the over the next year and will city. We need to talk about add to that housing stock those and look at them and within this community. I try to determine how safe would say that’s one of the are those sources in the biggest issues facing the near future. We could see community. We also need to a huge impact on our revconstantly look at trying to enues from the COVID-19 grow and expand our busi- in the fact that we’ve had nesses, to provide better a number of businesses jobs and better paying jobs that have either closed with good benefits. These down or have had a loss of are all things that we want business. That is definitely for citizens of Albert Lea. going to affect the revenue Through our efforts we and resources that the city can help businesses has to work with. I grow, expand and think that we have start here. We’re to be prepared. We going to help people cannot go along and within the commujust believe every nity of Albert Lea. year we’re going to have more tax dolWard 3 lars. We could very Howland: Hous- Jason easily find ourselves ing is a major issue Howland faced with a five, 10, in our community. maybe even 20% reOur homes and apartments duction in the revenues that are getting older, and there the city is receiving. Therehasn’t been a lot of new fore, we’re going to have to
make some tough decisions. The citizens of Albert Lea I’m sure do not want to give up some of the services that they have currently. On the other hand, I’m pretty sure they also don’t want to see their taxes go up dramatically to pay for the same services. We have to be creative in how we’re going to provide services and pay for services. It’s going to take a lot of work, a lot of discussion not only from people who work for the city or the council members or the mayor, but also from citizens within the community sharing with us their ideas as to how we solve this. We’re all in this together, so we all need to work on it and try to figure out a good way to continually make this a great city to live in and to make sure that it’s an affordable city to live in.
3rd Ward
Howland: Make no mistake, this pandemic has had and will continue to have a financial impact on our city. We need to take advantage of dollars that are available to us through the CARES Act. But we also need to be mindful of what the city is spending during this time. If there are projects or expenditures that can be held until 2022 or longer, we should do so. I am all for investing as a city in our community, but these are extenuating circumstances that none of us have ever seen in our lifetimes.
5th Ward
working hard for YOU!
“As we face a projected $5-6 billion deficit, I will work to bring common sense to our state budget. There are so many government programs that don’t work and provide little benefit to our state. It’s time for us to eliminate these ineffective programs once and for all and continue to fund the programs that actually help people.” Even though COVID-19 dominated most of the 2020 legislative session, I was proud to be part of important legislation for our area: I voted against efforts to dismantle and defund our police. I voted for tax relief for our farmers and small business owners. I voted against Democrat-led efforts to cut funding to our local nursing homes. Please visit my website, www.Bennett4House.com, to learn more about my work for all District 27A families. I am asking for your vote so I can return to St. Paul and continue working for you next year!
PEGGY BENN
rd November 3 !
She is a strong voice for our area!
PEGGY
1st Ward
Murray: I think that we have a lot of work to do over the next couple of months on this levy increase. This was the preliminary amount that we looked at here in September, and we all know that we have to whittle that number down. In working with the finance director for the city, we will need to find ways to cut some of those costs, determine maybe some jobs that we are not going to fill right away, some ways to look at the revenue stream and just see what that looks like and try to get a good handle on everything. The city cannot absorb a 7.94% increase. The city residents cannot absorb that type of an increase. We’re going to have to really work hard on trying to figure out what areas can we cut in our budget. Where are the places that we can save money? Where are there ways that we can work together to try to achieve providing services with the same amount of people or even a few less people working on it? It’s going to take work from city staff, all the city employees, the council and mayor to try to figure out where we can come up with additional dollars or where we can streamline things and save some on our cost so that we can get this levy increase back down to a more reasonable number, which to me means the closer we get to zero the better the number looks.
Rasmussen: I think we need to keep open dialogue with local businesses on their needs. I think we need to keep our city budget as Third Ward low as possible. I think the Howland: I have meetloan program helped ings scheduled with the businesses out. It the city finance might be something director over the that has to be looked next two months to at again if COVIDgo over the general 19 continues longfund budget line by term. We need the line. We will find a city manager and way to lower this ALEDA to come up Robert preliminary levy with ideas and fresh Rasmussen increase, but it is unperspectives that likely that we will be might help ease the burden able to continue with a 0% on any long-term financial increase, as we have done impacts that are felt by the the past eight years. The local business sector. We, major factor behind the as a council, need to come levy increase is the rising up with ideas that can help cost of health insurance for in this area, as well. city staff. After nearly a Severtson: The city has decade of not raising your been using the resources taxes in the operating levy, offered to them for COVID- it is inevitable that eventu19, but not a lot of ally there would be people are aware an increase. I don’t of the resources want to eliminate that are there for services, but perthem. We could haps there are some make people aware expenditures that by putting these can be held off or resources and how removed completely these resources can John and drive that levy be used through the Severtson down. newspaper and also putting this information 5th Ward online for the younger genRasmussen: I think in the eration to be aware. I think last eight years, the city of organizations around town Albert Lea has done a great could be very beneficial in job at keeping the overall helping Albert Lea citizens tax levy low. They are still be aware of what resources looking at ways to keep it are there for them through low. It is a challenge in the this pandemic. COVID-19 environment to keep it low due to a little less Q: The City Council revenue coming in. If you approved the look at communities around preliminary overall us and their local tax levies, tax levy increase of we as a city do pretty good at 7.94%. What are your maintaining our budget. We will meet with the finance thoughts on how to director again to see if we reduce this levy by
KeepPEGGY BENNETT
3TE VO ETT
December or do you think that it is warranted?
FOR
BENNETT HOUSE 27A
People before politics.
www.Bennett4House.com Prepared and paid for by the Bennett for MN House 27A committee • PO Box 308, Albert Lea, MN 56007
can lower it some before the on these partnerships and final budget is in place. become better stewards of Severtson: I believe if other people’s money. If we we are going to change maximize the advantages anything we need to start of those partnerships, it asking ourselves how is will lead to lower costs. I this helping the city grow? am not going to say that Is this keeping the city at this time I have all the from running well, or is answers or know all the sothere a better way we can lutions, but once involved handle this? I’ve always I will do my very best to thought that we have had make sure your tax doltoo many department lars are spent in the most heads who are keepefficient way possiing us from moving ble. We must figure forward. It seems out how to provide like not enough is the same excellent being done with as services while remuch high-end staff ducing the cost of we have. If we conthose services. It is tinue on with the my intention to be involved with the people and choices Ronald departments and the that we have always Jacobsen people to find ways been choosing, we are going to have the same to do an even better job of providing the services reoutcome. quired in our county. Jacobsen: Having a growing and stable and prosperous county that people outside our county will make it a destination.
Freeborn County Board of Commissioners District 1 Brad Edwin Age: 63 Livelihood: Owner/ manager Credit Bureau of Albert Lea Ronald Jacobsen Age: no answer Livelihood: Still involved with agriculture; rent out my farmland; was working in shipping and receiving, at this moment I am unemployed
District 3 John Forman Age: 72 Livelihood: Retired from ALAMCO Wood Products
District 3
Forman: Population growth with better housing and maintaining a high standard of living in the county. Kluver: When seeking applicants for county positions, I feel we need to include our current county employees in the application process. I believe our existing employees may be just as qualified as the out-of-state applicants. Our current employees already call Freeborn County home.
District 5
Herman: After being elected, I would like to conclude my term having Freeborn County known as a desirable place to live and Steve Kluver work with quality and afAge: 51 fordable housing, business Livelihood: own and opportunities that offer operate Nasby Radiator for livable wages, safe roads, 26 years highways and bridges for daily and recreational travel, fluid communication and transparency between Ted Herman all entities of Freeborn Age: 55 County, a balanced and Livelihood: detective/ fiscally responsible budget SRO Albert Lea Police that is progressive yet not Department an over-reaching burden on the citizens, an open Mike Lee and embracing board that Age: 65 welcomes others’ viewLivelihood: 5th District commissioner. I am blessed points and suggestions, and COVID-19 being something that I am able to devote myself to representing you read about in history books. Lee: I have been working full-time with Emergency Manager Rich Hall to receive fedQ: What are some eral funding for a tornado things you would like shelter to be built near the to accomplish by the trailer parks at the south end of your term (if end of Albert Lea. Federal elected)? funds will pick up 75% of the cost of the shelter. District 1 There is a need for stop Edwin: To move forward lights to be installed where in a positive direction it I-35 exits and enters cannot be business County Road 46 by as usual. We must Love’s and Trail’s be innovative in how Travel Center. we approach local The Blazing Star government and Trail needs to be the services they completed from the provide. We need Blazing Star Landing to think outside the to Hayward. Brad box and challenge I would like to see ourselves on how Edwin a small herd of bison we can provide the services needed and re- at Myre Big Island State quired and at the same time Park. I would like to see the minimize tax increases. We need to consider partner- dredging of Fountain Lake ships with other entities competed and initial steps that provide similar ser- started towards dredging vices. We need to capitalize Albert Lea Lake.
District 5
IT’S TIME FOR A CITIZEN, NOT A CAREER POLITICIAN! PRO AG & BUSINESS PRO 2ND AMENDMENT PRO LABOR DORNINK POLICE ENDORSED UNION ENDORSED SUPPORTS TERM LIMITS MINNESOTA STATE SENATE 27
DORNINK FOR SENATE
2020
WWW.DORNINKFORSENATE.COM Paid for by Dornink for Minnesota State Senate committee, District 27 P.O. Box 342, Hayfield, MN 55940
Q: How Freeborn County will be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the long-run remains to be seen. What do you think the county can do to prepare for the financial impacts and other effects of this crisis? District 1
Edwin: First of all, I believe the county did a very good job acting in the best interest of its employees and the public. I don’t think anyone had the foresight to thoroughly understand what potential harm this virus could cause. Moving forward in a way that provides for our needs first in the near future will be challenging. We will need to create a plan of action that separates needs from wants and ensures our money is being spent wisely and effectively. Everyone involved will have to step up, and the team will be challenged with how we can be more effective, more fiscally responsible with less. The very last thing on my mind is to simply raise taxes. That is not an option. We will have to figure out how to accomplish what needs to be done while minimizing the impact on everyone’s wallet. Accountability will be followed closely; cost controls will have to be put into place. Again, being in business management my entire adult life, these are challenges I am accustomed to from my past business management background. When
election Guide | WEDNESDAY, october 28, 2020 | Page 3 times were tough you had to come up with ways to get the job done and still stay in business. Jacobsen: May have to cut spending across the board some percent until there is more data on the effects and how long this keeps on and prepare for the future.
and families. Albert Lea and Freeborn County received a total of $3.5 million to help offset the costs of the COVID-19 impact to our area. Budgets within Freeborn County and the world had understandably not prepared for a global pandemic. The United States Department of the Treasury set up the CARES Act, which provides assisDistrict 3 Forman: County must tance for state, local and plan for smaller budgets due tribal governments. The to lower tax and state fund- CARES Act established ing. The county has done a the $150 billion relief fund. Therefore, in addigood job of applying tion to employing for state and federal and buying locally, grant programs and our local governmust continue to ment agencies must do the same in the do whatever necesfuture. Hope for the sary to ensure that best and plan for the Freeborn County worst. receives all that it Kluver: The John is entitled. Once county having a Forman fiscal long-term plan, prioritizing COVID-19 effects spending and using are known, the Freeresources efficiently born County board that are available will need to carefrom the state and fully and precisely federal levels will weigh the short-fall hopefully contribute consequences with to the county’s finanthe priorities of the Steve cial stability. budget. Kluver The county will Lee: We have and need to continue apwill continue to tighten up plying for relief under the CARES Act. The CARES the purse strings so that Act has supplied the county there is no unnecessary with much needed funding. spending taking place. We That program needs to con- need to look at some of our tinue well into the future. county employees working from home. We need to build up and District 5 Herman: First and fore- keep six months in reserve most, all citizens of Free- so the county has funds born County can decrease available when emergenthe long-run effects of the cies arise. pandemic by employing local services and purchas- Q: What can the ing from local businesses. county do to Keep Freeborn County’s bring in economic dollars working within our development to own cities, towns, citizens Freeborn County?
District 1
Edwin: We need to develop a long-range plan, a vision for our county, not only within our county administration but sit down at the table with the city of Albert Lea, our county seat, and other involved entities, which could include but not be limited to the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency, the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce and the towns and townships throughout our county. Cooperation and collaboration from all involved would create a plan with progressive goals and the means to monitor how effective we are in reaching those goals. Regular meetings would be necessary to evaluate how our plan is progressing and what may need to be done to modify or make changes to continue moving forward to accomplish our long-range goal. Jacobsen: We need to increase the tax base, have to lobby at the state level for increased funding. With my years of working at the Capitol, I will be able to help push this along.
District 3
Forman: The county now has a seat at ALEDA and must work with the city on bringing more housing and business to the county. Most of District 3 is in and around Albert Lea, and as the largest city by far in the county, it has the largest opportunity for growth in housing and jobs. The residents of Albert Lea are also residents of Freeborn County and contribute a lot of tax base to the county. We need
to keep the engine growing. principal economic develKluver: Economic opment agency. DEED progrowth is always an impor- grams promote business tant topic 12 months out of recruitment, expansion the year. We need more new and retention; international and affordable housing. We trade; workforce developneed to maintain our great ment; and community deschools. The county needs velopment (www.mn.gov). a dependable, reliable hos- Additionally, partnerships pital with our best health with area schools offering care interests in mind. I internship-to-employment believe with these major opportunities would be factors in place, that will a step towards retaining help stimulate economic the next generation. Improved communication growth. It’s very difficult trying between business leaders to compete with Mankato, and commissioners would Owatonna, Austin bring forth positive and Rochester. We forward-thinking need to give a boost ideas which lead to economic growth. to the great busiResearching and nesses we already applying for state have established. and federal grants We need to reach out to our local busithat encourage econesses to see how Ted nomic development we can help them Herman would also bring ecoexpand and grow nomic development to Freeborn County. their businesses. Lee: We need to continue to work District 5 with ALEDA and Herman: FreeGreater Jobs when born County has to opportunity arises. overcome more benWe can leverage eficial work comp funds through the rates, income tax Mike Minnesota Investrate and commer- Lee ment Fund to entice cial/industrial property tax rates that we face businesses to come here. from Iowa, South Dakota We need to work together and Wisconsin. That will to put the best package require a good working forward to assist in luring relationship with our state businesses here. We need to keep property representative and senator to introduce legislation that taxes down. Being a border assists bordering commu- county with the state of nities like Albert Lea area Iowa, we are always combe able to meet or beat the peting with Iowa when economic advantages that trying to attract jobs. We neighboring states offer. need to work with our state Freeborn County can elected officials on giving build a stronger relation- us the tools we need to be ship with Minnesota De- more competitive when partment of Employment working on attracting ecoand Economic Develop- nomic development to our ment (DEED), the state’s county.
Albert Lea school board candidates share opinions on various topics Jerry Collins
Age: 41 Background: I have lived in Albert Lea since 2014, and I am currently an owner of a small business, Big Dream Organics, with locations in Albert Lea and Owatonna. I received a degree in business/network administration from NIACC. Prior to starting a small busi- Jerry ness in Albert Lea, Collins I was the CIO for a small health care consulting firm and the IT director for a hospital in north Iowa. Currently, we have a child at Southwest and one at the high school. As a parent, I have experience with the K-12 schools, football, wrestling, basketball, band and choir programs. Find me on Facebook Jerry Collins for Albert Lea 241
Area Schools.
Kalli Rittenhouse
Age: 47 Background: I grew up on a farm in the Red River Valley. After high school, I went to college and received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1997. I moved to Albert Lea in 1997. Between May 2011 and January 2014, my husband and I lived in Mitchell, South Dakota, and spent time at our house in Albert Lea on weekends and holidays. I have two children, a son (19) who graduated from ALHS, and a daughter (7) who attends Halverson Elementary.
Christopher Seedorf
Age:43 Background: I was born Mary Elizabeth Harty and raised in Albert Lea Age: 60 and went to the district. Background: no response Do a lot of little things for the community. I am a member of The Fountain Angie Hoffman Lake Sportsmen’s Club Age: 36 Background: I’m a for four years. Moved my lifelong resident of the way up to vice president Albert Lea area. My hus- then to president. Work well with the comband, Robert, and munity and a lot of I celebrated our good sponsors. And 11th anniversary I’ve talked to a lot of this past summer local businesses and and are parents to community families four rescue dogs. and kids and what As a small busithey would like ness co-owner, local for the Take a Kid real estate investor, Angie Fishing. I’m a hard active volunteer Hoffman worker, no-nonsense and someone with most of my family living problem solving and don’t locally, I am very rooted in like the word “no” or it our community. I’m here can’t be done. for the long-haul. I’m also possibly the world’s most Neal Skaar Age: 74 unique school board candiBackground: I am a life date because I come from a homeschool background, which I believe will give our board a needed level of diversity, creativity and neutral fresh perspective at this critical time.
Bruce Olson
Age: 74 Background: I grew up in Hayward, graduated from Albert Lea High School and graduated from Luther College with a major in business administration. After college I worked for my father for a few years before starting my own construction business in 1977. In 1993, I went to work for the Albert Lea school district as the director of facilities and transportation, retired in 2010. I have two sons who graduated from Albert Lea High School and four grandchildren who are currently attending Albert Lea
long citizen of the Hayward community — living on the farm where I was raised. I graduated from ALHS in 1964; BA from Luther College in 1968 (English and math); MA from Minnesota State, Mankato in 1971 (English). Married Jean Frydenlund in 1967. Four children: Alex, Nate, Katherine, Rebecca. Began teaching English and math at ALHS in 1968. Retired in 2014. Wrestling Neal coaching staff since Skaar 1968 — currently a volunteer coach. Involved in operation of family farm all my life. Member of Hayward Lutheran Church and involved in various community organizations.
Hoffman: There are many. The first thing that comes to mind is our Pathways to Success program, which has made great strides in connecting our community to our school and offering customized education based on individualized career tracks. My husband and I have participated in the Pathways job shadowing program and have found it to be extremely rewarding for all involved. One thing I’ve noticed while speaking with a number of parents and students is that there is great love for our teachers here. The feedback I’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive. We need to make Q: What are the areas sure our teachers know in which you see the how appreciated they are. school board and Another noteworthy area is our district’s efforts to district already work with a high number of excelling? Collins: The school board English learning students. has agreed that we need to No doubt there is always increase our graduation room for improvement, rate. Now we must put that but it seems we’ve really into action. We have the stepped up to the challenge and strived to bridge benefit of an ALC. that gap. We need to use our The last point I’ll resources wisely and mention is that I’ve continue to pursue been impressed excellence. with our school’s Harty: There are excellence in the several areas where area of security the school district and preparedness. is doing excellent Mary Our ALICE active work. I believe they Elizabeth shooter training is are on the right track Harty top-notch and local with teacher retention. The newly established law enforcement has rechild care center at Brook- ferred to our district as side for staff is a benefit for “ahead of the game” comour teachers with children. pared to others. Olson: At the Sept. 28 I’m also impressed with the relationship they have es- school board meeting, the tablished with the Family board talked about PathY to help essential workers ways to Success. Each student’s path to success is with child care.
either picking studies for college, technical school or a general curriculum. I feel the district is working hard to keep students on their path to success. Rittenhouse: I think the district is doing a good job of adjusting to the challenge of educating during the pandemic. We have many excellent and engaged teachers. Seedorf: Well, I see they do have a lot of Teachers of the Year, so they are working good at getting some of the right teachers in. Working hard for the areas that are really needed like with the COVID. Skaar: From my personal experience, I know that we have in our district students who have demonstrated remarkable achievements in virtually all areas of academics, arts and co-curricular activities. We have a staff that is willing and able to provide for the needs of students engaged in the pursuit of those achievements. We have a community that is willing to become involved in the support of our students and staff. We enjoy the luxury of taking these for granted. I also know that we have a staff that realizes that not all students are capable of “remarkable achievement” and that those students deserve our care and concern as well. Some specific examples are: • Pre-K voluntary classes • District day care center • Upgrading of facilities at Hammer Field, Halverson, high school
Q: Where do you see opportunities for the district to further
address needs of students and families living near the poverty line, a demographic that makes up a chunk of our district’s student body?
Collins: Fully finding our schools goes a long way. Working with any and all resources available to help bridge gaps. Our school district can be a place, under one roof, where many programs and resources for not only students but their families can seek information, education and services to ensure that economic disparities aren’t the hindrance to education that we all know they can be. Harty: The district is currently using success coaches for non-English speaking students to help them with the transition to school, but they also work with the families. There are 12 of these success coaches for the entire district, so it would be nice to be able to hire additional coaches. For those who have food insecurity, I’d like to see the school district expand their summer lunch program. Hoffman: The biggest opportunity I see is expanding mentoring by connecting students to caring role models within our community. Mentorship played a primary role in shaping my own life during a time when I struggled in early adulthood. It is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of generational poverty, both by introducing students to new ways of thinking and by giving them access to a larger network of support. We
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Page 4 | election Guide | WEDNESDAY, october 28, 2020
School
family background doesn’t impede their ability to learn in todays world. Continued from Page 3 Seedorf: Come up with have many good-hearted, different ideas to work with wise people in our area who local places like Salvation I believe would step up as Army, etc. Have different programs and fundraisers mentors, if approached. Another aspect of over- for kids that can’t afford coming the effects of a lot of stuff to have the poverty is finding ways to greatest success in school decrease barriers to educa- just like people with lots of tion and opportunities. For money. And for no matter example, our school board how much money or how has already been looking much money they don’t at ways to reduce activity have, that they get treated fees in order to increase just equal as each other. Skaar: One of the most student participation. These are areas we need important functions of our educational system to be aware of and is to provide our clifind creative ways ents with the tools to to overcome. be successful. This Olson: Students is especially critiliving near the povcal for those who erty line are just come from houselike other children, holds who struggle but they may have economically. Our barriers that make Bruce Pathways to Success it harder to learn. Olson program is designed The district must do their best to make sure to accommodate the needs each child knows how spe- of all students. Individual cial they are and that no needs are assessed at every matter what problems or level and goal-oriented inobstacles they encounter, struction is provided to there is always someone meet those needs. An emphasis on career planning who believes in them. Rittenhouse: I think the is introduced beginning in pandemic has brought the sixth grade and continthis to the forefront. ued through graduation. Students cannot learn Technology and access to internet have never been if they are hungry so free more important for our or reduced breakfast and students. I think we need lunch are available. Co-curricular activities to ensure that a student’s
State Continued from Front Page
COVID-19 Legislature shutdown interfered with many bills that were in process this last session. Though it was on its way to being included in final legislation, my bill got caught up in the shutdown. I believe working on spending reform like this next year is critical. Martinez: The state cannot deficit spend as the federal government does. When the next Legislature convenes, we will face tough decisions. It is hard to speculate on where these decisions must be made until the numbers and data are clear. The federal government also has a strong role to play. Currently, interest rates are low, and this is a good time for the state to borrow money to get the economy growing again and put people back to work. The questions voters face right now is: Do we want a representative who will work to protect education spending, support a bonding bill to get the economy growing and infrastructure repaired, and combat climate change, or do we want to continue this pattern of towing the party line, no matter the consequences?
are considered to be an extension of our educational programs, and we have increased the availability of those activities by waiving the activity fee for those who cannot afford it.
Q: How can the school district better prepare students for opportunities available after high school (whether that’s four-year college, community college, employment, etc.)?
Collins: We tend to focus on preparing students to enter a two- or four-year degree program. That is not the path for some students. We need to diversify education opportunities to prepare students for life. Whether you are headed directly to the workforce, military, trades, community college or four-year college, there are life skills that we seem to be failing to teach. Simple things like setting up a Wi-Fi router or changing your own oil are skills that everyone can use. Ask your local high school student to show you how to correctly fill out a check. If they are college bound, do they know how to complete a FAFSA? Harty: The school district can better prepare students for post-high school through the College in the
To raise revenue I suggest we eliminate the more than $200 million in corporate tax loopholes that Minnesota Republicans refused to close in the 2019 tax conformity bill, or $1 billion in corporate property tax cuts, whose owners may not even live in this state.
approved many important provisions that tried to address the uncertainty. Since then, I wish that the Walz administration would listen to local officials and not treat us with a one-size fits all model. We are not certain what benchmarks need to be met to reopen, the mask mandate has not slowed down the spread and with winter coming, restaurants will lose their temporary patios and are certainly facing fiGene Dornink nancial shortcomAge: 57 ings. We need a voice Family: Wife, Vicky; in St. Paul that will 12 children; 13 fight for our comgrandchildren munity and speak Livelihood: small up for us. Governor business owner Walz needs to work Gene with the legislature Dan Sparks Dornink and not adopt the Age: 52 current one size fits Family: Wife, all model that he is Andrea; children currently using. Maddy, Hailey, Rylie Sparks: Overall, and Niklas I believe the govLivelihood: insurernor has done a ance agent good job addressing the coronavirus Q: Have you pandemic. MinneDan agreed or dissota has performed Sparks agreed with the well and kept our state’s COVID-19 numbers down compared response? What to states that didn’t put would you have public health precautions in place. Looking back, done differently? Dornink: I think that there are things that could early on in the pandemic have been handled differthe governor worked well ently, in my opinion, such with the Legislature and as the forced closures of
District 27 senator
School program as well as related to entrepreneurship the Career Pathways pro- and investing within our gram. Our society has in- local community, for those grained into our thoughts students who are so inclined. that the only road to success To serve students who is a four-year college, but are on a college-bound areas where the greatest track, in addition to mainneed exists don’t require taining high academic stana four-year degree or even dards, I believe it’s critical any degree. We need that the long-term to show kids their oppicture of living tions earlier in the with potential studecision-making dent debt is underprocess. stood. For many, the Hoffman: As precosts are well worth viously mentioned, it, but for others, one area I have been living with high stuextremely impressed Kalli dent debt levels can with is our Pathways Rittenhouse be crippling down to Success program, the road. This issue which has expanded must be fully uncollaboration within our derstood by the students own community for the in advance of locking into purpose of preparing all a particular college. students for success after Olson: The district is high school. Through Path- working hard to ensure ways to Success, students each student has a pathare exposed to a wide va- way to success, which I riety of professions mentioned earlier. by local people and Rittenhouse: I given the opportunibelieve that if we ty to job shadow and focus on getting all build real networks students to be proat local businesses. ficient in reading, Students’ curricumath and science, lum choices can be that they will be best tailored to their spe- Christopher prepared for their cific career interests, Seedorf future opportunities. which is a shift I apSeedorf: Have a plaud. We should continue program set up like in the focusing and building on high school where the kids this program. can work with the areas that In addition to preparing they want to, working and for trade careers, I’d like getting credits for the goal to see additional emphasis and working alongside with
people in those fields. Set up classes for those special areas teachers and just strictly teach in that area. For example, have a job fair course. If a student wants to become a lawyer, have them work along with a local lawyer and see the ins and outs and ask questions kind of like an apprentice. Skaar: I realized as early as 1968 during my first year of teaching that not all students can relate to an educational system that is designed primarily for preparation for college. I still firmly believe that. This is not to say that a general liberal arts program cannot benefit everyone. I believe it is essential, but it need not be designed exclusively to meet the needs of those whose career path includes a four-year college degree. There are numerous careers that do not require a college degree, and we need to provide pathways to those. We have done much to direct our students to vocational training, but there is much more work for us to do in this area. The opportunities are unlimited for expansion in this area with community involvement in apprentice programs and job shadowing and forming partnerships with Riverland Community College. I am very excited about this.
decisions. First we must audit all of the state agencies. Many of them are ripe with fraud and wasteful spending. Example being the $100 million that DHS lost in the CCAP program. Who knows how much more can be found just floating around our state agencies. That would be my first step; audit the state agencies. Secondly, I would tighten our belt strap making sure that our agencies are operating at a level that protects the services we offer but are not employing unnecessary positions. We know what my opponent will do. Last time Dan Sparks and his party had the majority, they raised taxes $2.3 billion. That’s when they had a surplus, too. There is a clear difference between what the person I vote for to be leader of the Senate will do and what the person Dan Sparks votes for leader to be will do. There are many ways to handle the looming deficit, but it needs to be handled in a careful and considerate
way. The state should only fund programs that work, not fund programs that don’t. Sparks: Addressing the deficit in the upcoming budget cycle will require lawmakers to make very tough decisions. Having experienced budget deficits in the past, I think it’s important that right away lawmakers of both parties have open and honest communication about their priorities. We know there will have to be budget cuts, and to that end it’s important to think about which cuts would most harm our state and our communities, and recognize what our priorities are that way. This approach enables lawmakers to figure out areas of agreement and disagreement, and to work together to find a compromise that puts Minnesotans first. At the end of the day, the only way we will overcome this deficit is through Republicans and Democrats working together to find solutions.
small and local businesses while big box stores were allowed to remain open. A more recent example is the many constituents who contacted me with concerns about spectators not being allowed at indoor high school sporting events, and I agreed with them. But in both these examples, we’ve been able to successfully work through these issues and make progress in the right direction. COVID-19 has also been a clear reminder of the critical role of our nurses, doctors and health care professionals. I’m thankful for their unwavering commitment to caring for those who are ill and supporting our health care system when it’s under stress. I’m proud to support our health care professionals in these critical times, and I’m committed to making sure they succeed.
Q: The state will be entering the next year with a large deficit. Do you have ideas going into the next session of things the state can do to address this?
Dornink: I think we need to take an approach that is careful, considerate and does not make rash
Federal candidates share their priorities for office U.S. Senate
rural hospitals. Our nation is truly at a crossroads. First District residents can count on me to vote as a conservative and defend the United States and our American way of life.
If elected, what is your top priority for the 2021 Congress? Why are you running for office?
Jason Lewis: Every year, politicians of both parties come to you and say “this is the most important election of our lifetime.” I’m running for the United States Senate because 2020 truly is the most important. This election has become a referendum on our American values and way of life. When a mainstream political party and its standard bearers are pushing to defund the police, it’s safe to say that something is dangerously wrong and Minnesotans need a voice who will stand up and fight for them and protect them. Not only will I fund the police and punish those who don’t, I stand in favor of putting Minnesota and American jobs first, at the expense of globalist policies of the past (like NAFTA) that shipped jobs overseas and hurt our farmers. We must hold China accountable for exporting the Coronavirus and ensure American corporations stop outsourcing jobs there. I will also protect the tax cuts I helped enact in the 115th Congress. We must also protect our Constitution and appoint and confirm jurists to our federal courts who will protect the freedom of speech and assembly, the
Jason Lewis
Tina Smith
2nd Amendment, and protect against radicals who support late term and even post birth abortion. Tina Smith: I am running for re-election to continue to fight for all Minnesotans. The rising cost of health care, especially prescription drugs, is the No. 1 issue I hear about from Minnesotans, which is why the first thing I did when I arrived in the Senate was take on the big pharmaceutical companies. And it’s why I passed into law my bipartisan bill to help lower the cost of insulin. But this year has been especially challenging. Between the coronavirus pandemic that has shaken the foundation of many Minnesota families and businesses, and the murder of George Floyd right here in Minnesota, we have so much more work to do to build back better and to address the systemic racism in our society.
District 1 U.S. House Dan Feehan: In Congress, I will have three top priorities: to make
Dan Feehan
Jim Hagedorn
healthcare more affordable and accessible for everyone; to promote economic policies that broaden opportunity, particularly for middle-class families, and harness the vitality of rural America; and to restore Congress’ role as a co-equal branch of government promoting sound national security policy. I am running for Congress to continue a career of public service and to ensure that southern Minnesotans have a representative who will stand up for their interests in Washington, not those of corporate special interests. I believe that my experience as an active duty soldier, teacher and acting assistant secretary of defense under President Obama afford me a unique insight into representing Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District and advocating for the policies that will be best for our economy, our families and our communities. Jim Hagedorn: My focus is continuing my work to promote the interests of southern Minnesotans by sustaining our farmers, supporting small businesses and maintaining our fine
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