Three-way battle for City Councilor-at-Large
By FRITZ BUSCH Journal Staff WriterArticle Photos
KEN ROCKVAM
Ken RockVam has served as Ward 4 councilor for slightly more than two years. Now he's seeking the councilor-at-large seat.
Prioritizing city projects and keeping the retail community viable with organizations like New Ulm Economic Development and New Ulm Retail Development are important, according to RockVam.
A former school teacher and retail sales director at Associated Milk Producer's Inc. (AMPI) corporate office in New Ulm, RockVam said he's interested in bringing more businesses and shoppers to town.
"By drawing more people to New Ulm, we can keep more businesses here and bring in new ones," said RockVam.
Bringing Target, a Wal-Mart SuperCenter and a strip mall to New Ulm were worthwhile ventures, he added.
Building a Menards store and filling empty downtown and industrial park buildings are key future projects, according to RockVam.
Listening to others' ideas and working with people is important, he said.
"Listening is a skill I've developed over the years. People in my ward call me and I listen to them. That's why I serve on the City Council...to get new ideas from people and discuss them with (city) committees. We're very grassroots oriented here," RockVam said.
His other top priorities are bringing younger families to town to help offset an aging tax base and prioritizing a new project list.
RockVam's hobbies include wood carving, water color art, helping others and keeping up with his grandchildren and their activities.
CHARLES SCHMITZ
A recently retired City of New Ulm natural gas department employee, Charles (Chuck) Schmitz, said he's got time to listen to residents and answer their questions, even if he doesn't have an answer right away.
"I'm all ears. I'm retired..," said Schmitz, who has lived in New Ulm for 41 years.
While meeting voters by going door-to-door in New Ulm, Schmitz said residents told him they want somebody who will listen to them and answer their questions even if it takes a while.
"Sometimes, people don't know who to call or where to find out information. People want to know what they can or can't do like planting trees on boulevards," said Schmitz.
He invited residents to call him with any questions or issues they might have before or after Tuesday's election.
"I'm not afraid to talk to anybody. I don't know everything, but I'm willing to learn," Schmitz said.
He would like to see downtown New Ulm revitalized with a historical flare.
"There's lots of history here we don't want to lose," Schmitz added.
He'd like to see all New Ulm businesses involved with all of its festivals, perhaps adding some new festivals, if there is enough interest.
A Vietnam War veteran and American Legion member, Schmitz enjoys building Harley-Davidson motorcycles, repairing cars and trucks plus doing woodworking, arts and crafts in his spare time.
RICK HOWK
Howk was an over-the-road truck driver for more than 30 years before taking over the management of a truck wash business, just west of State Highway 15 on County Highway 25 in Cottonwood Township.
"I want this council job so bad. I like it here. This is my home. Most of my family is here. I plan to stay here," said Howk.
He added that controlling spending while maintaining services and improving the downtown business district are important.
"Adding a downtown hotel and or motel would bring in people that would stay a while and go somewhere to shop and eat. We need something like that," said Howk.
He'd like to see more senior housing units downtown and a Broadway pedestrian overpass that could connect them.
"New Ulm's a nice, clean town with lots of pluses, but there are some more things we could do," Howk said.
His hobbies and interests include auto racing, cars, trucks and trucking.
