NEW ULM — The two candidates for New Ulm City Council president, Larry Mack and Andrea Boettger, took part in the League of Women Voters (LWV) candidate forum.

In her opening statement, Boettger said she has been active in the community as a business manager and a volunteer for festivals and fundraisers.

“I care about this community, and I know what an incredible opportunity is in front of us, and that is why I am running for your city council president,” Boettger said.

In his opening statement, Mack emphasized his experience with the council as Fourth Ward councilor. Mack said he was hands-on with retaining businesses in New Ulm. Highlights from his time on the council include the preliminary work on Reinvest in New Ulm (RENU) projects, keeping rent down for Lutheran Social Services to continue Meals on Wheels operation and helping businesses adapt to COVID.

The forum began with the candidates being asked to discuss personal weaknesses or challenges that could affect their service as council president and how they would counteract them.

Mack said he struggles with public speaking. He addresses this problem facing it head-on, forcing himself to take part in public meetings and start a conversation with more people.

Boettger said she does not have direct experience on the council. To overcome this she has worked over the last two years to understand all that is involved in being council president. She acknowledges the personal sacrifices needed for political office. She is prepared to receive constructive feedback.

Asked how to improve the vibrancy of downtown New Ulm, Boettger said the first step was to listen. She believes getting economic development groups together is an important first step.

“Some of our residents aren’t even fully aware of all the businesses we have downtown,” she said. “That is something we need to do a better job of educating our community on.”

Boettger acknowledged that some residents feel downtown development caters too much to tourism. She believes the city should put the community first and tourism will follow.

Mack wants a revitalization plan for downtown. Mack commented that downtown Minnesota Street has two buildings crumbling on both ends.

“I think the city needs to help find a consultant and craftsman who can do the necessary parapet repairs,” he said. “We need continually well-made buildings for an attractive downtown.”

Mack also suggested pursuing a citywide food and beverage tax to fund other projects. Voter approval would be needed for this tax. EDA funding was an option. He believes housing options, traffic calming measures and small grocery shops downtown could help.

A member of the public asked if the candidates agreed that RENU projects were designed for tourism rather than New Ulm residents.

Boettger believes the projects chosen were important to the community and tourism. The public had the option of submitting business ideas and the top projects were chosen. She believed the city does look to tourism with these projects, but could take in the perspective of residents.

Mack served on the RENU commission and is now vice-chair of RENU Oversight. He reminded the audience the project with the most public support was the waterpark. He said the community wants the waterpark to keep people in town. This way the community does not need to travel out of New Ulm for water recreation. Mack agreed the Hermann Heights improvements were chosen for regional appeal but were also a safety issue with the road relocation. He believes the projects were for both the community and tourists but believes RENU favored the local community more. The recreation center improvements emphasize fitness benefiting New Ulm.

Asked how New Ulm could be welcoming to minorities and people of color, Boettger said there was some effort to reach out to minority groups in New Ulm, but greater effort is possible based on changing demographics. She suggested looking to Sleepy Eye and how that city had embraced the Hispanic population. She believes these approaches could be adapted.

Mack supported the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce welcoming events but believes it is a two-way street. He said new community members need to introduced themselves to the community. He felt the city had many opportunities through festivals and other events for newcomers to network.

With bars and restaurants struggling under COVID, the candidates were asked what should be done to understand these challenges. Mack has spoken with restaurant owners about challenges. The city has also made loans available. He encouraged the establishments affected by the pandemic to reach out to the city for help.

Boettger said as the executive director of Turner Hall she understood the problems facing the industry. She said it was important to stay in contact with businesses to see what things are working during the pandemic. The loans provided by the city, and finding new ways to adapt where necessary, help. She acknowledged there was no one solution for all establishments.

“What works for us won’t work for all of us,” she said.

Recently the City Council voted against allowing the Amateur Baseball Tournament to play in New Ulm due to COVID concerns. Each candidate was asked how they voted or would have voted on this issue. The two candidates agreed voting against the tournament was the best option. Boettger said she would have reached out to the Baseball Association to determine if this was a cost-effective plan based on the limited numbers. She was concerned the tournament could have left the city carrying extra costs with little return.

Mack voted against the tournament from the beginning. He said his decision was based on outcry from the public and from members of New Ulm’s baseball association. A group of local hospital workers also advised against the tournament. He believed it was too great a risk. Mack said a person could control their actions, but not a large group of people.

Asked how to they would decrease the city’s debt service, Mack favored growing the tax base. He said the city was doing a good job of building houses but did not want the city to be the largest landowner in the community. He wanted to encourage developers to build and add to the property tax base.

Boettger agreed the city should not be the largest landowner. She also wanted to look internally at the city’s operation to find solutions in the budget to reduce costs.

In closing statements, Mack said this election was about the experience. He already had a solid relationship with the council. If elected, he said it would be an honor to build on that relationship.

Boettger said in her work with non-profits and as a business manager, she was ready to serve as a city councilor. She was ready to do the necessary budgeting and planning and make tough decisions. She promised to be conservative with the community tax dollars.

The full forum discussion was broadcast live on New Ulm Cable Access Television (NUCAT), KNUJ radio and YouTube. The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3.