Voters' Guide

Money on the mind of mayoral candidates

By Trey Mewes

In the end, money will decide the race for Austin’s mayor.

Incumbent Tom Stiehm defends his record as mayor of a booming city with improving quality of life against challenger Dick Lang, who seeks to curb government spending and lower tax increases to residents. While both candidates want to cut costs, restrain spending and keep taxes low, Lang campaigns refusing to raise taxes.

Lang said the city’s taxes have increased 44 percent over the past eight years in a recent debate between the two.

Yet Stiehm said it’s unrealistic to cut spending and refuse to raise taxes without cutting the services Austin residents have come to expect.

“If you say you’re going to freeze the budget, tell me what services you’re going to cut,” he said. “When we go to the people with these things, they don’t want services cut, they don’t want snowplows to wait until morning.”

Lang has picked up and run a variety of businesses and has served on the Austin City Council and the Mower County Board. His

time on the board was dominated by building the Mower County Jail and Justice Center.

“If we wouldn’t have built a new jail, we would have had to close it,” he said, adding the county would have to ship inmates to other counties, which would have been more expensive in the long run.

Stiehm is no stranger to the new jail issue, as he was one of several local officials advocating for the jail to come downtown.

“When I got in my first term, that was basically the issue,” he said.

Stiehm served in the Marine Corps, then worked as a police officer in Austin before becoming mayor. He lauds the city’s success in encouraging growth and expansion among local businesses and cutting the budget in recent years despite cuts in Local Government Aid. The city is pursuing synergy with the county, like the new street cleaning machine which both city and county employees will be able to use, he added.

Following a term length change voters enacted last year, whoever wins will be mayor for the next four years.

Look for an in-depth story at www.austin dailyherald.com/category/election2012.

Austin City Council Anderson

Mayfield

At Large

Austin Mayor Tom Stiehm, right, and opponent Dick Lang take part in a roundtable debate with moderators Eric Olson of KSMQ and Trey Mewes of the Austin Daily Herald at the KSMQ studios earlier this month. Herald file photo

Spending, city projects lead council at large race

By Kevin Coss

City spending and various projects will take priority in the race for council member at large.

Newcomer Alex Mayfield

runs against incumbent Janet Anderson for the seat this November. Anderson, if reelected, would be entering her third two-year term on the council.

Mayfield said his focus if

he were elected would be to help local businesses develop. A stronger local economy would make Austin more attractive to families and businesses alike. In general, voters he has spo-

ken with told Mayfield they want to see little changes, not anything substantial.

See AT LARGE, Page 4

Squared up in the state Two candidates challenge Murray for House 27A seat

By Kevin Coss

The leader of the Minnesota DFL Party identified the District 27A Representative seat as one of the party’s top targets come November.

Incumbent Rep. Rich Murray, R-Albert Lea, who won his seat in 2010, will face off against former Wells Mayor Shannon Savick, a DFLer, and former New Market City Council Member William Wagner, I-Geneva.

DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin of Eagan said with close legislative margins in

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2012

both the House and the Senate, the party is working diligently to overtake Murray, who is running for his second term.

Murray, owner of ISC Financial Advisors, said he was not surprised the DFLers are targeting his seat because of the margin of victory in the 2010 race.

“But I’m not worried about it,” Murray said. “We’re out working pretty hard. I’m getting very positive feedback all over the district.”

He emphasized the need for legislators from both par-

ties to work together Savick, who worked in the computer industry for 28 years and is currently retired, opposes cuts in Local Government Aid. She said she saw a $200,000 cut in Wells’ LGA her first year as mayor, and a $250,000 cut the next year. At one point, she had to ask herself if she should fire a police officer or raise taxes.

“I don’t think we’re being represented rightly with the current Legislature,” she said.

She also pointed out the

importance of investing in education because having skilled workers is what will attract high-tech companies.

Wagner agreed, saying his top priority is to see betterpaying jobs brought to Minnesotans. He is also an advocate for improving education.

He ran for office against former District 27A Rep. Robin Brown in 2008. Wagner owns a small hobby farm with goats, pigs and a cow.

—Sarah Stultz contributed to this report.

Minn. House District 27A

Savick

Murray

—The Herald was unable to get a photo of William Wagner, I-Geneva

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

Poppe, Neitzell vary on Legislature’s role

By Kevin Coss

Incumbent Jeanne Poppe, DFLAustin, will take on challenger Nathan Neitzell, R-Austin, at the Nov. 6 election for the Representative District 27B seat.

At an Oct. 2 debate sponsored by the Daily Herald and KSMQ between the two contenders, Neitzell called for constitutional amendments like the upcoming marriage

and voter ID issues to be more prevalent in the future for any major change that would affect everybody.

“I strongly disagree with the idea that lawmakers have the right to change our constitution or the way that the fiber of America has been put in place,” he said.

Poppe pushed the opposite direction, saying the point of having elected officials is to allow them to

represent their district. Constitutional amendments are a more permanent way to change the law than passing legislative bills, which may not be good for certain issues.

“I really do believe that we should have a higher threshold,” Poppe said.

In other issues, Neitzell prefers the government to take a hands-off approach and limit regulations on

Linden Anderson, R-Albert Lea

“I’m not sure you’re going to find any local union presidents running on that ticket.”

-Linden Anderson

Minn.

Senate District 27

small businesses and farms.

Poppe, on the other hand, believes the Legislature should do what it can to help farms and provide subsidies when necessary.

Poppe, currently on her fourth term in office, works as an educator. Neitzell owns real estate and a sign company.

Look for an in-depth story at www.austindailyherald.com/ category/election2012.

Minn. House District 27B

Poppe

Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin (Incumbent)

Herald file photos

Sparks, Anderson hope to cut gridlock in state government

By Kevin Coss

Incumbent Sen. Dan Sparks, DFL-Austin, will face off against newcomer Linden Anderson, R-Waltham, for the District 27 Senate seat at the Nov. 6 election.

At an Oct. 2 debate sponsored by the Daily Herald and KSMQ, Sparks emphasized his bipartisan accomplishments,

VOTERS’ GUIDE • ELECTION 2012

including his efforts with Rep. Rich Murray, R-Albert Lea, to ease regulatory stress on smaller energy companies.

“We need to see more of that in St. Paul, and less of the bickering and gridlock,” he said.

Anderson said he had a knack for seeing both sides of an issue because he knows people from all walks of life.

“I’m running on a Republi-

Neitzell

can ticket, but I’m not sure you’re going to find any local union presidents running on that ticket,” he said.

In light of the two state amendment changes that will show up on November’s ballot, both candidates said they would like to see it take more than a simple majority in the Legislature to get such amendments on the ballot. They also

underlined the importance of the Local Government Aid program.

Anderson does field work as a resource management technician for the DNR. Sparks is on his third term in the Senate and works as a loan officer in Austin.

Look for an in-depth story at www.austindailyherald.com/ category/election2012.

“We need to see more of that in St. Paul, and less of the bickering and gridlock.”

-Dan Sparks

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2012

3

Newcomers will fill two Austin Council seats McDonald, Jordal running in Ward 1 Spainhower, Carolan running in Ward 3

By Kevin Coss

Two newcomers to the Austin City Council will vie for a Ward 1 seat soon to be vacant.

Longtime council member Brian McAlister has decided not to run for reelection on his council seat this year, leaving it open.

Graphic artist Michael Jordal contends with former school administrator Malcolm McDonald for the spot at the Nov. 6 election.

“My sense is that people are quite happy with how things are operating in our city,” McDonald said.

Most people seem conJordal tent with the services the city renders, he said. They appreciate the flowers displayed downtown, the autumn leaf removal and the bike trail expansions.

“I think it's just an assumption that everything is well,” he summarized.

Jordal found residents to be more concerned, with one of their principal worries being the neglected properties in Ward 1

and around the city.

“A lot of the residents I've been talking to are unhappy with houses in their neighborhoods that are kind of in disrepair,” he said.

Other complaints included rising property taxes, especially some of the larger hikes in recent years that Jordal said have been “a little harder to swallow.”

Jordal said he expects McDonald's extensive work in the public sector will give him some different perspectives on issues around the city.

McDonald had a McDonald similar opinion, pointing to his career as a factor in what voters will look for when the election comes around.

“Obviously, there's a substantial difference in our experience and age,” he said, highlighting his time in the military and education administration. “Those skills will be beneficial sitting on the City Council.”

Austin City Council Ward 1

By Kevin Coss

No matter what voters decide, Austin residents can count on a few new names dotting the roster of their elected representatives.

The Nov. 6 election will choose between two newcomers to fill the Austin City Council seat left vacant by Council Member Marian Clennon, who decided to run for mayor rather than seek reelection. Real estate broker Jeremy Carolan contends with former Planning Carolan Commission Chair Lynn Spainhower for the Ward 3 council seat.

Spainhower said the residents she has spoken to have money on the mind.

“A lot of what they're concerned about is property tax values,” she said.

They also worry about where the money will come from for the commu-

nity betterment project Vision 2020, and whether they will have to foot the bill, she added.

She intends to help push the Vision 2020 project forward and fight against cuts to Local Government Aid. Carolan said he was optimistic about the race.

“I'm anticipating hopefully a win,” he said. “I think it'd be enjoyable to be on the council.”

He said he hasn't seen his opponent Spainhower take a specific position on any matters, nor have voters told him about any issues they consider to be critical to their choice in council member.

Austin City Council Ward 3

Look for an in-depth story of this and every Austin City Council race at www.austin dailyherald.com/category/election2012.

At Large: Riverland student challenging incumbent for city seat From Page 1 They want more businesses in town, clean parks and enough law enforcement and fire staff to keep the city safe.

“There’s the typical complaints on taxes,” he added. “I really don’t want to change taxes.”

Flood mitigation and the green initia-

King unopposed The Austin City Council’s Ward 2 seat on the ballot this year is a no-contest race.

Incumbent Steve King runs unopposed for reelection after no challenger threw a hat in the ring during the filing period that ended in June. He is finishing up his first term as a council member, and expects the big projects facing Austin right now will easily keep the city occupied for the next term.

“We’ll be pretty busy in the next four years with The Hormel Institute expansion and the flood mitigation program,” King said in early June. The city’s involvement with the commu-

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2012

tive-based Sustainability Task Force top the list for Anderson’s focal points.

“It is one of the city priorities,” said Anderson, who sits on the task force as the council’s representative. “The goal was to get more citizen involvement and work toward ideas, discussion and awareness.”

Flood mitigation is important for the

city, and Anderson said she would also like to see the city back the efforts of the community betterment project Vision 2020. Sometimes that means bringing the right people to the table, she added, and stressed that the city is “not an open checkbook by any means.”

Mayfield studies math at Riverland right now, but said he is considering

switching to political science.

Anderson has previous experience on the City Council and the Planning Commission and works in promotion and marketing at KAAL TV. This upcoming term will be the last two-year term for a council member at large. In 2014, the office will switch to a four-year term.

nity betterment program Vision 2020 could also keep the council’s agenda full, he added.

“I don’t know that with those three initiatives we’ll have room on our plate for any more,” he said.

The Austin native has been director of Mower County Corrections at the courthouse for the past seven years, where he works in probation and parole. He spent about 20 years away from the city before he returned to Austin, during which he worked for the Department of Corrections in the Twin Cities and supervised 14 different counties. In total, he has about 25 years experience in the corrections industry.

—By Kevin Coss AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

The battle for Brownsdale Three run for mayor Jeff Foster A man who has lived in Brownsdale all of his life says he has what it takes to be mayor. And his goals are simple.

“If you’d like to see taxes lowered and less government, I’m your candidate,” said mayoral candidate Jeff Foster.

Foster has done construction with his father for many years and notices the issues in Brownsdale, he said.

“Taxes keep going up,” Foster said. “I’d like to keep taxes down.”

Foster also realizes the importance of city street and sewer improvements in Brownsdale and would like to keep making those at times when the city can afford it. And for the businesses and residents, he’d like to see limited government oversight.

“We’re a small town,” Foster said. “I’m not for big-city government. And I don’t

Five vie for council Kevin Purrier Kevin Purrier, who has lived in Brownsdale for about 10 years and works for Alli Rolloff Company, has been on the city council for two years and is the only incumbent re-running.

Like others, he would like to see continued infrastructure improvements, such as sidewalk repairs.

A serious problem he mentioned is a leaky sewer system. While he hopes for continued repairs, he would like to tackle any major problems right away.

Purrier “When we can pinpoint a major problem, I would like to see that get fixed right away,” he said.

Like others, Purrier would like to see more businesses come to town. He also hopes improvements at the park will happen this time around.

Purrier wants the citizens of Brownsdale to be educated about what’s happening. He encourages them to come to council meetings, read past minutes and spread word about the issues.

think we need all the rules and regulations that bigger cities have for small-town living.”

Foster added he was previously on the city council and has experience, narrowly lost the mayoral race last year and that his father was also mayor of Brownsdale for many years.

Carol Larick Longtime Brownsdale visitor and now nine-year resident of the town Carol Larick is putting in her bid for mayor.

Like others, she is concerned about the infrastructure.

“We have issues in the city that need to be addressed now,” Larick said in an email. “Many of our sidewalks are badly deteriorated; the lack of maintenance of

visually.

“It seems like some of the area is slipping where some of the rental properties are becoming beach slum properties almost,” Yates said.

The Yates’ opened Antiques to Rummage about three years ago and are focused on the revitalization of Brownsdale’s business scene, which has already been happening during the past year and a half.

Yates said he would oppose raising taxes, but supYates port redistributing money in other areas, such as the park. He wants to work more with the downtown business people to reestablish and strengthen the retail scene, too.

“I just think I have an interest and desire to see the town grow,” Yates said. “That was my

real estate by absentee owners; animal control in certain parts of town; lack of promoting new businesses — just to mention a few.”

Larick is a retired business owner who ran Past and Present in Brownsdale with her husband and previously raised shorthorn cattle in Wisconsin.

Because she is retired, Larick said she is a good candidate for mayor as the current mayor wears many hats. She wants to see a more proactive council with fewer tabled decisions. Larick prides herself on responsibility.

“Good management and accountability is what every public official owes to the people that elect them,” she said.

David Pike Stories by Matt Peterson

Incumbent David Pike is running for his second term as mayor of

main reason for signing up. It’s just time for change down there.”

Eugene Crabtree Eugene Crabtree has been a Brownsdale resident for roughly 34 years and lived in the area even longer.

“One of my main concerns is to have a gameplan for issues five and 10 years down the road for what we should be doing each year as far as infrastructure,” Crabtree said.

Crabtree, who runs Crabtree Lawn and Snow, would

Crabtree

Brownsdale.

The 41-year Brownsdale resident, fire chief and deputy said he has the experience to lead.

“I’ve got considerable experience working in city offices,” he said, adding that he has 20 years’ experience working for the public.

Pike said infrastructure maintenance is a priority for the city, especially looking into a wellhead protection program and monitoring for possible sources of contamination in the water supply.

“We’re looking at continuing a lot of our infrastructure maintenance,” he added.

Among those issues, Pike wants to see the business scene keep improving as it has and see improved safety in the work environment for workers in certain sectors.

“Providing a safe working environment to the employees,” Pike said, “That’s the other priority.”

also like to see a better plan for general upkeep around town.

He wants to address issues well in advance, such as those with city infrastructure like streets and sewers, instead of waiting until they become immediate issues, he said, and added that may help keep the budget in line, instead of doing a “fix it as it happens” approach.

“Back when I was younger, I didn’t think about politics that much,” Crabtree said. “Now that I’m at this age, I see things going on. It’s just that I feel obligated.”

While Crabtree has not served on the council before, he hopes to bring a “breath of fresh air” to decision making in Brownsdale.

Aronn Oakland and Liberty Barnes did not return calls for comment.

Al Yates Al Yates has been a Brownsdale resident for nearly 10 years, along with his wife, who has lived in the area for more than 30 years.

Yates is running for council because he wants to see Brownsdale rejuvenated, economically and VOTERS’ GUIDE • ELECTION 2012

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2012

5

Voters have future in their hands AMENDMENTS WILL SHAPE MINNESOTA’S TOMORROW Should the Minnesota Constitution be amended to provide that only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Minnesota?

If the marriage amendment fails, it would not legalize gay marriage. It would not change the law, as it is not legal for same-sex couples to wed in Minnesota.

If the marriage amendment passes, it would define marriage as between one man and one woman in the stateʼs constitution, a change that would be difficult to undo.

There is no neutrality on the ballot. Those who vote in other races but donʼt check ʻyesʼ or ʻnoʼ are essentially ʻnoʼ votes, since the amendment needs a majority of all votes cast to pass, not a majority of the votes cast for the amendment.

An in-depth analysis of this amendment with local reaction at: austindailyherald.com/2012/10/29/ special-report-a-question-of-belief/

Shall the Minnesota Constitution be amended to require all voters to present valid photo identification to vote and to require the state to provide free identification to eligible voters, effective July 1, 2013?

If the voter ID amendment does not pass, the voting system will remain as-is.

If the voter ID amendment passes, voters will be required to present a government-issued photo ID before receiving a ballot. If a voter cannot provide that ID, he or she could instead cast a provisional ballot that must then be certified. Absentee voters would be subject to the same ID and eligibility verification as in-person voters.

There is no neutrality on the ballot. Those who vote in other races but donʼt check ʻyesʼ or ʻnoʼ are essentially ʻnoʼ votes, since the amendment needs a majority of all votes cast to pass, not a majority of the votes cast for the amendment.

An in-depth analysis of this amendment with local reaction at: austindailyherald.com/2012/10/29/ special-report-who-are-you/

Campaigns eye prize in final full week Associated Press

PENSACOLA, Fla. — One final jobs report before Election Day and the big storm threatening the East Coast loom large as President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney are in the final full week of campaigning in a race polls show is extraordinarily close.

Democrats claim math is on the president’s side. Republicans insist Romney’s got the momentum.

“We’re seeing more and more enthusiasm, and more and more support,” a confident Romney says in messages to supporters, arguing that his performances in the three presidential debates has reinvigorated his campaign and created a national movement.

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2012

Obama Obama is banking on his getout-the-vote efforts in the most competitive states. He’s also making personal appeals as he encourages Americans to stick with him for a second term. During a whirlwind tour last week through some of the most pivotal states, he said, “After all these years, you know me. You know I mean what I say.”

In pursuit of the 270 electoral

Romney votes for victory, each nominee is starting to make his closing arguments. The goal is to win over the narrow slice of undecided, independent voters, moderates and women in particular, and to persuade supporters to vote on Nov. 6, if not earlier in the many states where voting is under way. Roughly one-third of the electorate will have voted before Election Day.

The question now is whether the momentum Romney picked up after the debates is growing and can overcome the president’s strong voter-identification and early voting efforts in the tightest states.

The campaigns are scrambling to tweak schedules, shift manpower and pump millions of more dollars into TV ads in the nine states that will deter-

mine the outcome. Deep-pocketed outside groups are paying for direct mail, automated phone calls and other get-out-the-vote efforts.

Total campaign spending has exceeded $2 billion, making this presidential race the most expensive in the history of electoral politics.

But there’s a risk that all those commercials, phone calls and mailings have caused many people to tune out.

“I’m so sick of those commercials,” said Cora Blakey, a retiree who stood in long lines with about 13,000 people to see Obama last week at an outdoor park in Las Vegas. “Everybody’s bashing everybody. When they come on, I turn the channel.”

Any number of factors still could shift the race.

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

Brownsdale to vote on Sunday liquor sales

By Matt Peterson

Brownsdale residents will have the power to change a key Sunday business regulation in their community during this year’s election.

Among voting for their candidates of choice, locals will vote on whether they want to allow Sunday liquor sales at restaurants. The decision could be a big, positive change for one local business: the Frontier Lounge.

“I just think it would help the town become a little more vibrant,

COUNTY OFFICES Soil and Water District 1 James Gebhardt Soil and Water District 2 Richard D. Gehling Soil and Water District 5 Jon W. Erichson

CITY OFFICES Austin Utility Board Commissioner (vote for 3) Peter Handke Thomas C. Baudler James R. Schroeder Tom Sherman Vince Lynch Adams mayor Leroy F. Swanson Adams council (vote for 2) Mark Anderson Barry J. Kurtz Dexter mayor Randy Stephenson Dexter council (vote for 2) Kathy Snyder Casey Erwin Elkton mayor Mike OʼConnor Elkton council (vote for 2)

VOTERS’ GUIDE • ELECTION 2012

and I think it will be very nice to have it,” said Kevin Linbo, one of four owners of the Frontier Lounge.

Linbo also owns Skjenke Bom Lounge in Grand Meadow and said Sunday is one of his busiest days in that town, as people come for sports games, atmosphere and family dining.

Linbo opened the Frontier Lounge in summer 2011 with three co-owners, Dan Linbo, Steve Morgan and Dean Braaten. The owners one year ago pushed for a special

Rod Sprau Grand Meadow mayor Dennis G. Berge Jim Blomgren G.M. council (vote for 2) Travis Warmka Tory Paul Sandra K. Fenton Grand Meadow city council special election (vote for 1) Paul Persons Lyle mayor Rick B. Matter Jim Guthmiller Lyle council (vote for 2) Gary Harrison Steve Baumann Jeremy Mlenar Jackie Holst Pat Branchaud Mapleview mayor Larry A. Naatz Arnie Johnson Mapleview council (vote for 2) Richard Lamaack Simon (Pete) Hancock Jody Mens Kristine Finley Racine mayor

election, so they could get Sunday liquor sales allowed in Brownsdale. However, because of high costs to the city, they waited for this year’s actual election. The Brownsdale City Council voted months ago to put the option on this year’s ballot.

Linbo said Sunday liquor sales would be a win-win situation for he and the town as he would be able to generate more revenue while drawing more people to Brownsdale and helping other businesses.

Just down the street from the

Frontier Lounge, owners of Langtry Cafe, Steve and Cheryl Nagel, indicated they would not apply for a Sunday liquor license if the ballot question passes. Because of their hours and their atmosphere, they don’t think they would benefit from it. However, they still support the idea and see how it could benefit the town.

“We’re not against it,” Cheryl said. “We’re happy for them, though. Go for it.”

If residents vote to allow Sunday liquor sales, the Brownsdale

Other races on local ballots Deri Nordsving Racine council (vote for 2) Paul Thompson Terry Johnson Racine city council special election (vote for 1) John Renn Rose Creek mayor Pete Kuhlmann Rose Creek council (vote for 2) Kent Ulwelling Wendel R. Sprung Sargeant mayor Jim Jensen Sargeant council (vote for 2) Jim Wagoner Jody J. Johnson Arletta Bungum Taopi mayor No candidates Taopi council (vote for 1) No candidates Taopi city clerk (vote for 1) No candidates Waltham mayor Norbert Eggert Waltham council (vote for 2) Erik Peterson Justin Hulst

TOWNSHIP OFFICES Bennington Township Supervisor Seat B (vote for 1) Mark Carman Bennington Township Supervisor Seat C special election (vote for 1) Robert Kauffmann Bennington Township Clerk-Treasurer (vote for 1) Elizabeth Rice Frankford Township Supervisor Seat A (vote for 1) Ron Vogt Frankford Township Supervisor Seat C (vote for 1) Bob (Robert) Baarsch Frankford Township Clerk (vote for 1) Diane Hanson Grand Meadow Township Supervisor Seat B (vote for 1) James T. Jacobson Sargeant Township Supervisor Seat B (vote for 1) Randall Gronseth Sargeant Township Clerk (vote for 1) Joanne Kiser

Shall special licenses be granted in the City of Brownsdale for the sale of intoxicating liquor on Sundays only to a restaurant, club or hotel which has an on-sale liquor license and facilities for serving not less than 25 guests at one time?

City Council must then vote on the issue at one of its meetings, as well.

TOWNSHIP QUESTIONS Bennington Township question 1 Shall option D, providing for the combining of the offices of clerk and treasurer as an [elected] position, be adopted?

Bennington Township question 2 Shall option B, providing for the appointment of the clerk-treasurer by the town board, be adopted? (Note: Approval of option B is contingent on the simultaneous approval of option D.) Sargeant Township question 1 Shall the term of office for a town supervisor be for 6 years?

SCHOOL DISTRICT OFFICES Grand Meadow School board (vote for 3) Wanda Edge Jon Oehlke Judy Thorsen STATE JUDICIAL OFFICES (vote for 1 in all races) Supreme Court Chief Justice Lorie Skjerven Gildea

Dan Griffith Supreme Court Associate Justice 1 Dean Barkley Barry Anderson Supreme Court Associate Justice 4 Tim Tingelstad David R. Stras Court of Appeals Judge 6 Renee L. Worke Court of Appeals Judge 7 Jill Flaskamp Halbrooks 3rd District Court Judge 1 Christina K. Stevens 3rd District Court Judge 2 John T. Cajacob 3rd District Court Judge 4 Jeffrey D. Thompson 3rd District Court Judge 5 Ross L. Leuning 3rd District Court Judge 9 Robert Birnbaum 3rd District Court Judge 10 Debra Ann Jacobson 3rd District Court Judge 12 Christine A. Long 3rd District Court Judge 15 Joesph F. Chase

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2012

7

Amy Klobuchar, Democrat (Incumbent)

“America can no longer afford to be a country that simply churns money and shuffles paper on Wall Street —a country that consumes, imports, and spends its way to huge trade deficits.”

Kurt Bills, Republican Herald file photos

US Senate race marked by sharp contrasts Associated Press Candidates battling for Minnesota’s U.S. Senate seat distinguish the race with deep policy differences and no reluctance from either to fling tough rhetoric.

Incumbent U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar goes head-to-head against Republican state Rep. Kurt Bills, R-Rosemount, at the Nov. 6 election. The two focus on the federal budget, taxes, spending and jobs, but also debate foreign policy and veterans issues, global warming and energy, agriculture and trade policy, and social issues.

The candidates displayed wide differences on fiscal policy. While both acknowledged the need to address the massive federal debt and deficit, Klobuchar called for spending cuts mixed with allowing the

—From www.klobuchar. senate.gov

8

US Senate

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2012

expiration of President George W. Bushera tax cuts on yearly income above $250,000. She said that alone would raise an additional $700 billion a year.

“That’s a big chunk of change. It must be a balanced approach,” she said at a Minnesota State Fair debate.

Bills, a high school economics teacher, called instead for implementation of a 1980 flat tax proposal floated by a pair of thinktank economists. He said it would treat all taxpayers the same, make filing taxes easier and zero out tax loopholes.

“You want to get rid of loopholes for the wealthy, I’m your guy because I’ll get rid of all of them,” Bills said.

Klobuchar ridiculed Bills for state legislation he sponsored to make gold and silver coins legal tender.

“I don’t believe that’s where Minnesota is headed,” Klobuchar said.

In turn, Bills returned to a comment Klobuchar made that her main priority was helping the middle class.

“If you actually cared about the middle class, you’re looking at them,” Bills said.

“Trust me, I’m well within the middle class. I’d be proud to be the poorest member of the U.S. Senate. Maybe you need to start sending people like me to the U.S. Senate.”

Bills painted Klobuchar as a creature of Washington and said Congress needs new faces to take on the country’s biggest challenges.

“This election is not Republican versus Democrat anymore,” Bills said. “It’s America versus Washington, D.C.”

More coverage on every local race: austindailyherald.com/category/election2012 —Videos of debates between Austin mayoral candidates and MN House and Senate candidates —Links to a local sample ballot, a polling place locator, voting district maps and more —In-depth profiles on candidates for MN House and Senate, Austin mayor and city council, Austin school board, county commissioners, and an analysis on the voter ID and marriage amendments —And much more, all at austindailyherald.com/category/election2012

“In order to grow privatesector jobs, we must cut spending by the federal government.

Don’t fall for the utopian plans of Democrats or Republicans who claim that they can ‘create jobs.’”

—From www.kurtbills. com

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

Quist, Walz focus on spending The Mankato Free Press

The race for U.S. Congress in Minnesota’s District 1 will come down to matters like spending cuts and small-business regulation.

Incumbent Tim Walz, a threeterm Democrat from Mankato, takes on Republican challenger Allen Quist, a retired farmer and former state legislator, at the Nov. 6 election.

Disputes between the candidates have centered on whether government policies and investments can spur private sector growth or whether the only real hope for eco-

nomic improvement is to reduce tax and regulatory burdens on private businesses.

“It’s not one or the other,” Walz said when asked during a Mankato debate if new technologies should be developed by the private sector or public investment. Government grants have been crucial in developing public universities, scientific discoveries and cures to diseases, he said. Those investments must continue even as federal deficits are reduced.

“That doesn’t make us socialists,” he said. “That makes us smart.”

While Quist said he doesn’t oppose all government research, he supports deep cuts in federal spending outside of Social Security, Medicare, veterans benefits, aid to college students and road and bridge funding. In the long term, maintaining beneficial federal programs requires tough choices in the face of trillion-dollar annual deficits.

Along with spending cuts, probusiness policies are required to boost economic growth — and the jobs and tax revenue that comes with it, according to Quist.

“To get our financial house in

order, we have to unleash the lion of free enterprise,” he said, suggesting his policies could more than double recent U.S. economic growth rates.

Walz said he wouldn’t support changing the Medicare program to one where future recipients receive a federal voucher to buy private insurance, Quist said the Affordable Care Act — also called “Obamacare” — reform supported by Walz interjects government deeply into the health care system and will inevitably make it less efficient and more bureaucratic.

US Congress District 1

Walz

Quist

Administration, technology focus in Lyle

By Trey Mewes

After more than a year’s worth of issues and two replacement board members, Lyle residents will pick from five candidates to fill three Lyle Public School Board seats and continue the work board members have done this year to steady the district.

Incumbents Jessie Meyer, Dan King and Jerry Sampson are up for reelection, while newcomers Brooke Klabunde and Joel Nelson are seeking their first term.

Sampson replaced former board member Scott Nelson, who resigned from the board last November.

Board member Brandon

Slowinski’s seat is also up for election, though under different circumstances. Slowinski replaced former board chairman Dean Rohne, who stepped down in January during a much-publicized controversy concerning former superintendent/principal Jim Dusso’s leadership. Though Slowinski was appointed by the board, he must go through a special election to serve the remaining two years of what was once Rohne’s term.

Yet the board and district have by and large put such troubles behind them, as many of the candidates are focused on impending issues such as Lyle’s use of technology in education and seeking a

Meyer and Nelson did not return calls for comment. long-term administration.

“Our biggest thing is the administration, getting our administration set,” said Slowinski, who hopes to continue as a board member and serve the community.

“I think it’s worth every minute of my time,” he said.

Lyle was supposed to share a superintendent with Grand Meadow and Glenville/Emmons under a consortium agreement, but the district was forced to make its own way after long-time

superintendent Jerry Reshetar resigned from Lyle in early 2011.

Though current Lyle superintendent/principal Joe Guanella will serve until June, board members have a choice to make whether to find its own superintendent and principal or to share superintendents once again.

“That’s our biggest thing, is finding the best leadership for our district,” said King. King said he is running for reelection to continue keeping the schools safe and providing quality education for students.

Klabunde, who has four children in the district, says she wants to see the district pursue technological improvements

wisely and said she would be able to provide a balanced voice to the board.

“I’ll have an educated, fair opinion and weigh the issues completely before I make a decision,” she said.

For Sampson, who previously served as a board member for seven years in the ‘90s, Lyle’s pursuit of technology is important to make sure Lyle students are ahead of the educational curve.

“Technology seems to be one of the best investments, and that’s where we’re heading, for sure,” Sampson said. “It’s just a matter of doing the most we can with the amount of money we’re given to keep the school solvent.”

Hayfield school candidates look to budget

By Trey Mewes

The Hayfield Public School Board race is a bit crowded this year.

Six candidates are vying for four seats, with incumbents Kathleen Hegna-Zelinske and Craig Pesch joining challengers Lisa Bungum, Kelly Caspers, Christopher Ebeling and Doug Waldner in VOTERS’ GUIDE • ELECTION 2012

the race.

“School’s always been important to me,” Casper, who grew up in the area, said. “I just kind of want to contribute back.”

Caspers said the most important issues the district is facing includes keeping the budget in check and retaining students.

“The biggest thing is going to be the budget,” she said. “You’re going

—Eberling, Pesch and Waldner did not return calls for comment. to have to keep it in check.”

Bungum feels the same, though she said increased communication between the board, faculty, administration and community could help solve retention issues if stu-

dents knew more about resources like ACT prep and homework help they could be taking advantage of.

“I really feel strongly that teamwork between a board member, teachers, students and the community need to be highlighted,” Bungum said.

Hegna-Zelinske shares these viewpoints. As a three-term board member, she also is focused on

making sure Hayfield can properly use classroom technology to ensure students are keeping track with their peers in the area and state.

“That’s the future for the kids,” she sad. “All the other school districts you see have laptops, or iPads, or some sort of technology the kids use. We need to keep moving forward with that.”

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2012

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Candidates seeking LeRoy area seats Three running for two City Council posts

By Matt Peterson

Kathleen Gottschalk A concerned LeRoy resident with a growing interest in government is running for city council in her town.

Kathleen Gottschalk, 10-year LeRoy resident and first-time city council candidate has a vested interest in her town.

“I’ve just always been interested in city government and pretty much in any government, so I figure, city council is a good place to start,” she said

Gottschalk is a 21-year member of the military and nearly ready to retire from the Air Force Reserve with leadership qualities. One of her concerns with LeRoy is business and attracting visitors. She is concerned about keeping people in the area as well.

“I’d like to see more businesses move our way,” she said. “I’d like to see more people shopping locally.”

Part of that, she added, is making sure the town stays clean, presentable, and marketable to people who pass through.

Ashley Huntley Nineteen-year LeRoy resident Ashley Huntley has multiple reasons for running as a LeRoy City Council candidate. She doesn’t have to look outside her own home to know why she is running.

“I actually have three kids and one on the way,” Huntley said. “And I am very involved, and I have a small business in this town.”

Huntley runs in-home child care in LeRoy. One concern she has regards

safety. She would like to see increased law enforcement patrol in town. She would also like to see lower taxes but respects the fact there is a balancing act in politics.

“Every city needs property taxes, but I would like to see them lowered like everybody else,” she said. “But we also need to keep in mind property taxes keep our infrastructure and city going.”

Huntley added she is a good candidate because she knows many of the people in town, knows their children and will keep herself educated about all the issues.

—Justin Brandau did not return calls for comment.

Local attorney unopposed in mayoral race

By Matt Peterson

One LeRoy resident is running unopposed this year for the mayor’s seat.

Jennifer Gumbel, who works as an attorney out of Preston, has been living in LeRoy for a while and is now ready to take on the elected role.

“I thought it was kind of a natural fit for me to explore serving the community in an elected role,” she said.

Along with her legal education, Gumbel has an interest in politics —

she lost the 2010 District 27B tracting younger people to LeRoy state representative race and fostering small business. She against incumbent Jeanne said it is important for small, Poppe — and has a young local communities to retain their daughter. She hasn’t served on residents and draw young resithe council or as mayor in the dents. past, but she is confident she While streets and infrastruchas what it takes. ture are OK right now, Gumbel “I have some experience said an immediate concern is rewith a lot of legal issues that Gumbel ducing the town’s debt burden. towns run across,” Gumbel Down the road, the town will also said. need to replace its water tower.

Gumbel would like to focus on at“We need to start looking at rates

and preparing for a water tower replacement in the next 10 years,” she said.

Outside of LeRoy issues, Gumbel said she would like to meet with other local community officials and have talks with the Mower County Board of Commissioners about county tax issues. While she realizes the LeRoy City Council won’t be able to address those issues, she hopes to represent LeRoy and help those in greater Mower County, as well.

LO school board hopefuls focus on financials

By Trey Mewes

Though the past couple of years haven’t been fun for the LeRoy/Ostrander Public Schools Board, the district is in good shape and the candidates want to keep it that way.

“Things are going pretty good,” said Chris Eastvold, board chairman and one of five candidates looking to fill four seats up for election.

Eastvold joins fellow incumbents Gladys Kasel and Mike Norby in the

race along with challengers Amos Huntley and Tim Lewison.

Eastvold hopes to keep the board financially solvent, as the board hasn’t had to ask residents for a bond referendum for several years. If elected, he hopes to keep the board in the black budget-wise instead of continuing cuts the district has made over the past several years.

Norby, another board member seeking reelection, agrees, saying it’s important to keep Hayfield fiscally

sound in the face of decreasing state aid.

“Over the years, financially we’ve improved a lot,” he said.

Kasel, who joined the board in 2007 to fill an open space, has served two terms since and wants to get another one. For her, LeRoy/Ostrander’s classroom technology is one of the biggest issues the board will face. “[Technology is] going so fast, and from day to day things are being upgraded and changed,” Kasel said.

“We just have to keep up with all of that.”

Huntley agrees, saying the district needs to be mindful of its existing technology and encourage students who are better at working with their hands to take advantage of the industrial education areas at Hayfield High School.

“That’s something [the district] could make more use of, and give some kids opportunities to succeed,” he said.

—Tim Lewison did not return calls for comment.

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2012

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD

Experience, not issues, define school race

By Trey Mewes

The issues surrounding the race for Austin Public School Board are, well, educational.

Educational experience, that is.

This year, Austin Public Schools has no overarching issues to define its school board election. Instead, elections between Bruce Quitmeyer, Mary Jane Kestner, Carol McAlister, Dick Lees, Kathy Glowac and Don Leathers for three open board seats may come down to who has the most experience in education.

There are four board candidates without substantial classroom experience this time, as community members and parents Quitmeyer, Glowac, Kestner and McAlister hope to help decide policy for Austin schools.

Quitmeyer is a client manager for The Nielsen Company, the TV and radio ratings experts and also serves as a business consultant for Hormel Foods Corp., helping employees identify business problems and create solutions. He also serves on two Vision 2020 committees.

Of the four candidates who aren’t former teachers or administrators, Glowac arguably has an educational leg-up on the competition. Her mother was a teacher in Austin, and she worked as an accountant for the district for five years, retiring in December.

Austin Public School board

Quitmeyer

Kestner

McAlister

Lees

Glowac

Leathers

Kestner has a history of public service, teaching Sunday School classes for more than three decades

and working as a special education paraprofessional for six months at Woodson, along with being a member of several local volunteer groups.

McAlister is a Mayo Clinic researcher with more than 23 years of experience, serving as a budget planner and an administrator. She has served on the Wee Learning Center Board of Directors and has volunteered in Austin schools before.

As for the two former teachers, Lees and Leathers, Lees worked as a science teacher in Austin for more than 35 years, with five years teaching at Riverland Community College, while Leathers taught high school English for 33 years, mainly at Glenville/Emmons Public Schools. Lees has been a board member for more than 16 years and is seeking re-election, while Leathers serves on various education associations.

Experience in the classroom isn’t necessary to become a board member — a strong belief in public education along with various administrative and teamwork skills are what makes a good board member, according to the Minnesota School Board Association — and each candidate has experiences that could serve well in a policy-setting situation.

Only three candidates will be elected come Nov. 6, and board members will serve four-year terms.

Southland board hopefuls focused on state cuts, budgets

By Trey Mewes

Six candidates are campaigning for three open seats on the Southland Public Schools Board this year, as Kim Bruggeman, Diane Klingfus and Paul Kuehneman vie for their seats against challengers Shawn Kennedy, David Kirtz and Rod Nordeng.

“With the experience I’ve obtained over the last four years serving, I just feel like I can help the district continue running with a positive fund balance, and try to continue to provide those things for our kids,” Klingfus said.

Klingfus said the board will deal most with budget issues as school districts across the state face reduced funding from the state Legislature over the next several years, and many candidates say they too are hoping to help with budgetary concerns.

“I see it as a balance,” Nordeng, who has experience serving on various nonprofit boards, said. “[We have to ask] how do you maintain everything as you’re required to do certain things through mandates and the revenue isn’t increasing for school districts?”

Kuehneman agreed, saying it was important for the district to be mindful of its budget while at the same time addressing educational opportunities, like the district’s updated plan to provide one-to-one iPad use for every student over the next several years.

Another key issue, according to Kuehneman, is stemming the tide of students leaving the district so Southland can remain for future generations.

“We’ve got decreasing enrollment out there, and the board needs to address that,” he said.

—Kennedy, Kirtz and Bruggeman did not return calls for comment.

VOTERS’ GUIDE • ELECTION 2012

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2012

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Glynn, Tucker in tight race Gabrielson, Fischer talking taxes

By Jason Schoonover

The push for the county’s District 2 commissioner may shape up to be one of the closest local races this year.

In the Aug. 14 primary, only two votes separated challenger Polly Glynn from incumbent Ray Tucker, who eked out a 290-288 win. Glynn is expecting more of the same in November.

Tucker, who is seeking his fifth term on the county board, said this is a competitive race.

“I think that I have tougher competition this time,” Tucker said.

Both candidates have been complimentary of one another, as Glynn also acknowledged Tucker is a leader on the board after Glynn serving for 16 years. Tucker is the only commissioner not in his first term on the county board.

While Tucker is the old guard on the board, Glynn could be a rarity. According to county officials, Glynn would be just the second female commissioner in Mower County.

Glynn said a female perspective wouldn’t be

a bad thing.

“We just look at things in a different way,” Glynn said. “And it probably wouldn’t hurt to have a female perspective on some of the issues.”

Like the national races, Tucker said most voters are saying money and budgets are a key concern.

Tucker described funding as a neverending problem, with the state routinely passing the burden.

“The state has been pushing it back on the county level, and of course the county has nowhere to push it lower,” Tucker said.

Glynn, now retired, worked for many years at First Tucker State Bank, where she had to balance budgets. So, she said she understands the challenges of dealing with compliance issues and regulations.

“I understand that a lot of things in the budget you don’t have a lot of control over,” Glynn said.

County board District 2

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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2012

By Jason Schoonover

In the race for District 1 commissioner, the focus is on pocketbooks.

Challenger Paul Fischer has promised to curb spending, and incumbent Tim Gabrielson has worked to assure voters the board is already doing everything in its power to spend wisely.

Fischer said he’d look to curb spending and taxes, and noted he feared new businesses won’t come to town because of the increasing tax burden.

“We’re not going to grow if we don’t change a few things,” he said.

After gradual tax increases in recent years, Fischer said the effect is adding up, and he hopes Gabrielson the board will be more cognizant of and aware of the increases.

“To me, it’s kind of like they’re going and purchasing a new vehicle and then wondering how we’re going to pay for it instead of looking at it first,” he said.

Gabrielson sees it differently. He com-

pared state requirements on counties to employers setting expectations for workers but only funding part of the work.

“You wouldn’t want to pay out of pocket,” he said, adding that’s what counties are forced to do now.

For the most part, Gabrielson, who works as an insurance agent, said most voters have been understanding that state and federal requirements often tie county officials’ hands.

“Of course, they want their taxes to not go up, but they realize that a lot of our costs are out of our control,” Gabrielson said.

Gabrielson said the board has been open to trying new things, like merging departments.

Fischer, an auto-broFischer ker, has experience on boards, as he is finishing out his first term as Brownsdale City Council member, which he compared to a commissioner’s duty.

“You’re dealing with everything a commissioner would deal with on a little smaller basis,” he said.

County board District 1

AUSTIN DAILY HERALD