Candidates agree on issues, tout community involvement

Talk about it

For the most part, candidates running for Red Wing City Council and the mayoral office were in agreement Tuesday night.

During a League of Women Voters forum held at Red Wing City Hall, the candidates fielded questions from the public delivered by moderator Jerry Olson.

Candidates more often than not agreed on the issues raised, including developing relationships with other government bodies and promoting increased community involvement.

They also saw eye to eye on supporting law enforcement, and efforts to finance and build a fiber optic network in Red Wing.

While the candidates held similar views, they often touted their civic or community involvement as a means to separate themselves.

Ward 1 incumbent Stephen Castner repeatedly mentioned that he's served on the council for 10 years and spoke about the various coalitions he's been involved with while on the council.

“I'd like to quote Henry Ford, 'You can't build a resume on what you're going to do,'” Castner said.

Meanwhile, his challenger Dan Bender outlined his volunteer work in the community and said he will bring fresh ideas to the council if elected.

“I've chosen to run to bring a change to the way people have been represented in the ward. I want to make sure that I provide open responsive representation to the people,” Bender said.

That, however, was as heated as Tuesday's forum got.

Notably absent from the forum was Ward 2 candidate Bill McKinley. The reason for his no-show isn't certain. A call placed to McKinley's house wasn't returned.

His opponent, Lisa Bayley, won this summer's special election to replace Gary Peterson, who resigned in March for health reasons.

Bayley, a Wabasha County prosecutor, was present Tuesday and said she is familiar with issues facing local government because she serves as council to the Wabasha County Board.

Her desire to serve on the council is, “motivated by a strong passion for public service,” she said.

Ralph Rauterkus, who currently serves on the Red Wing Advisory Planning Commission, also had no opponent to spare with.

That's because he's running for the Ward 3 and 4 combined seat unopposed.

Mayoral candidates Stan Nerhaugen and John Howe — both newcomers as would be incumbent Mayor Donna Dummer chose not to run for reelection — said they'd work to strengthen the city's relationship with its citizens and other governmental bodies.

The night's lone disagreement came between write-in candidate Kenneth Bucholz and the League of Women Voters.

Bucholz was excluded from the forum, although he showed up outside — and later came in — and held a yellow sign that said he was not allowed to participate.

League of Women Voters organizer Ann Seymour said the league hasn't been able to determine whether or not Bucholz is running a bona fide campaign.

She said he hasn't displayed yard signs and the league isn't sure of his address and has had trouble contacting him.

“This is not Ken Bucholz vs. The league of Women Voters,” Seymour added.

Bucholz said the league may do what it wants but should have allowed him to participate if its goal was to increase citizen participation.

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