The Becker Area Chamber of Commerce held a candidate forum Monday night, hosted by Karen Langsjoen of the Minnesota League of Minnesota Cities. The forum featured  Dennis Rzeszotarski, Mike Doering and Todd Hanrahan running for two city council seats and Tracy Bertram and Lefty Kleis running for mayor.

 

Chamber Manager Lynette Brannan gave an introduction and read a disclaimer in regards to the forum’s format and process. She introduced the candidates formally and outlined the rules. Brannan said the questions being asked that night came from people who texted or emailed her office and she also had volunteers surf through the audience to field questions from them.

 

Approximately 60 people were in attendance at the Becker High School old auditorium.

 

Langsjoen then went over the guidelines for the Q&A and told the candidates they would have 1-1/2 minutes to answer each question. She opened the first part of the forum to allow for each candidate’s opening statement.

 

Kleis said that it is important for him that government not be involved in private business (golf course) and stood by his convictions of trying to get Pebble Creek sold to a private party. He also said he will work hard to try and get the Sherburne County Fair moved from Elk River to Becker over the next several years.

 

Bertram gave some background on her experience on council and experience in the workforce. She said she plans to work hard on all the issues in Becker if she is elected and declared she is dedicated and committed.

 

Hanrahan said his goal, if elected, is to work on the unfinished business of Sherco, where dozens of jobs are in jeopardy in the near future when the power plant shuts down two towers. He also stressed he is “all-in” in city business, stressing his track record being on several committees.

 

Doering pointed out he is a lifelong Becker resident and previously sat on council as a member and as a mayor several years ago. He also plans on working with council and staff to address all issues on behalf of Becker.

 

Rzeszotarski identified himself as a veteran of the military and said those skills he learned easily translate over to the council setting. His goal, he said, is to bring new business to the Industrial Park.

 

The opening question by Langsjoen was, “what is the most important issue in Becker right now?”

 

Kleis and Hanrahan said Sherco and its uncertainty was the most pressing, while Bertram said attracting business and residents along with a new water source to the east. Doering said the budget was what he sees as being the most important issue while Rzeszotarski said it was bringing more business to the Industrial Park and fixing up the “blight” along Hwy. 10 and 1st Street.

 

The candidates were asked, “what are three achievable goals you have for the next four years?”

 

Kleis said it was to sell the golf course, bring the county fair to Becker and support the existing business already located in Becker. 

 

Hanrahan said to make the industrial park more marketable, expand the park and reduce the city’s debt.

 

Rzeszotarski said to attract more business to the industrial park, clean up the 1st Street corridor and act professional on city council.

 

Bertram said to address the water issue to the east, finish the quiet zone at Hancock and finish the trail system they started with the Co. Rd. 24 bridge renovation.

 

Doering said the industrial park needs a service road and he’d like to see the park expand with new business. His third thing was to reduce the city’s debt.

 

“How do you plan to use the city’s current amenities to boost the City of Becker?” was the next question asked.

 

Doering said to promote the city park system and facilities, the bike trails and the golf course. Rzeszotarski said council needs to speak highly of the city’s amenities and be positive about all the amenities including the golf course.

 

Kleis said it’s important to “sell” the city and wants the city to promote the low tax rate and the benefits of having rail access at the industrial park.

 

Hanrahan agreed the city needs to support the rail system and would like to see it expanded to St, Cloud with becker having a station.

 

Bertram said her goal is to promote and maintain the many amenities the City of Becker has, especially the parks and trails and the Becker Athletic Center.

 

Langsjoen asked, “How important is good communication with staff and department heads?”

 

Bertram said it is “crucial”. She said people need to treat each department staff member and head person with respect and dignity.

 

Rzeszotarski said it is “vitally important” that council have good communication with city staff and department heads and would not like to see any “micro-managing.”

 

Doering said the communication is “very critical” and said council needs to operate with “level-headiness”, “common sense” and work together.

 

Kleis said the issue is “priceless” and explained that because he is censured, he has been unable to be communicative without another council member being onhand because of the restrictions. Kleis promised his censure will come to an end soon.

 

Hanrahan said communication is “very important” and hopes all staff members and department heads get treated with respect at all times.

 

When Langsjoen asked if each candidate was in support of Xcel Energy coverting and operating a natural gas plant in the future, each member emphatically answered, “yes”. They all agreed the changeover from coal to gas is a big part of Becker’s future and would work hard with Xcel to make it happen.

 

 

 

Langsjoen brought up the five-year master plan for improvements at the golf course that was approved in 2012 and asked “what is your plan moving forward?”

 

Kleis mentioned the audit  conducted on the golf course and said he was disappointed that records were destroyed. He also emphasized he thinks people at the golf course need to be held accountable and stressed the importance of selling the golf course.

 

Rzeszotarski said it is important to him that the golf course be made profitable or at least break even. He stressed it is important to give the golf course manager the authority to make decisions and also wants to do all he can to attract a viable bar/restaurant at Pebble Creek.

 

Bertram said she is committed to find the best options for the golf course based on what the citizens want. She says the golf course is an important amenity to the city and said the 5-year plan should continue to be implemented.

 

Hanrahan said the golf course is a big amenity for the city and pointed out the property the golf course sits on is th city’s biggest land mass. He noted many, many people moved to Becker solely because of the golf course and so Pebble Creek should be well maintained.

 

Doering said since council approved the improvements four years ago, they should proceed with the plan. He said since he is a golfer, he has personally seen the effects of the lower maintenance or lack of.

 

All candidates stressed they were in full support of the military families in the area and veterans and veteran programs when asked about its importance.

 

“Becker is doing a wonderful job in this area,” said Bertram.

 

“As mayor, the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon recognition was probably my proudest moment,” Kleis said.

 

Langsjoen asked about economic growth and all candidates responded with growing the Industrial Park and fixing up the 1st Street corridor. In supporting senior citizens, again, all candidates said is was vitally important to continue to do so and to find a permanent home for the senior center.

 

When asked about making Becker safer and more positive for teens, all candidates firmly stated they think the Becker PD is doing an outstanding job keeping the city safe.

 

In closing statements, Kleis said he has been proud to be Becker’s mayor for the last four years and  plans to continue his work to take care of senior citizens, the youth and military if elected next month.

 

Bertram said she is proud of her past eight years of experience on council and said she plans to use her natural ability of being a problem-solver to make the city better. She also hopes to work hard for the citizens and continue the good relationship s she has built with area townships and other governmental agencies.

 

Hanrahan said he doesn’t like to “beg for votes” and said, if elected, he plans to try and make the right choices for the citizens, listen to them and also said he appreciates the opportunity he has had so far as a representative for the people.

 

Doering confidently said he is looking forward to working with city staff, council and department heads and stressed he can be an important asset to the city should the voters decide to vote for him in November.

 

Rzeszotarski finished off the evening by reading a letter of recommendation he received from his superiors in the military that pointed out his strongest attributes. Rzeszotarski said he had an outstanding performance in the military and can carry that performance into council seamlessly.

 

Tues., Nov. 8 is general election day and residents within the City of Becker can vote at city hall (12060 Sherburne Ave.) from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. to elect one mayor and two city council members.