Republicans hold

county convention

GOP approves

resolution against DNR

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- First District Congressman Gil Gutknecht (R-Rochester) spoke in German about his love for New Ulm and won't take his seat for granted Saturday at the Brown County Republican Convention at Turner Hall.

"I've always loved New Ulm," Gutknecht said. "If the voters elect me to office again, I'll work hard for my values and those I serve. People here are the salt of the earth and have values very much like mine."

Due to redistricting Brown County recently moved from the Second District into the First, now being represented by Gutknecht.

Gutknecht served 12 years in Minnesota House of Representatives before being elected to Congress in 1994. He currently serves on the U.S. House Agriculture, Budget and Science Committees.

"I know that you were disappointed to lose a great Congressman in Mark Kennedy," he said. "I will give it my level best to earn your confidence and support. I believe that words have meaning, ideas matter and actions have consequences. I believe life is sacred."

District 23A Rep. James Clark, R-New Ulm, the only criminal prosecutor serving in the House, talked about some of the issues he considers most important -- crime including child endangerment and increasing the criminal sexual conduct penalty; the state deficit budget agreement, bio diesel and agriculture, taxes to help the rural economy and his angst with Gov. Jesse Ventura's support of same-sex benefits in state employee contracts.

"What an unusual year," Clark said. "Last year the governor vetoed my bill for no delays for damages in public works contracts. I thought I'd try it again this year and he signed it. I don't know if he got more educated or if it was what he had for breakfast. Persistence pays off."

In other action, Brown County Republicans:

* Rejected five tax, spending and regulation resolutions.

* Adopted family, security and the defense of life resolutions urging Congress to oppose all human cloning, whether reproductive or so-called "therapeutic cloning" and opposed providing state employee benefits to domestic partners.

* Adopted property rights, environment and agriculture resolutions including that the State of Minnesota develop an experimental program that removes management of Lake Hanska and Sleepy Eye Lake from the Minnesota DNR and place it under a local government body like the county; leave agriculture environment to county jurisdiction; place limits on Farm Service Agency payments; and require foreign farmers to follow the same environmental regulations as U.S. Farmers.

* Adopted a resolution calling for the State of Minnesota to fully fund mandated school programs; reform Minnesota's civil justice system, including joint and several liability to discourage frivolous lawsuits against local governments, non-profit organizations and align Minnesota law with other states; support an energy policy that makes the U.S. less dependent on foreign oil and support research and development in domestic oil production, ethanol and bio diesel; and support tuition tax credits for parents of elementary and secondary school children.

* The District Republican Convention is April 27 in Albert Lea. Brown County delegates and alternates are: Dist. 1 - Gerald Woodley, Jim Lamecker, alt. Joe Melzer, Paul Schnobrich; Dist. 2 - Jacque, Bob Fuller, alt. Keith Johnson, Al Mueller; Dist. 3 - James Clark, Johann Vogl, alt. Ron Wels, Cody Schreyer; Dist. 4 - Kathy Wichman, Nathan Clevenger; alt. Jane Peichel, Charles Hoffman; Dist. 5 - Doug Erickson, Dan Olson, alt. Paul Muske, Jeff Jibben.

County committee changes were Ken Seim (Dist. 1), Johann Vogl and Cody Schreyer (Dist. 3), and Brian Schwarzrock (confirmed appointment Dist. 5).

State convention delegates and alternates: Dist. 1 - Jason Buetow, Gerald Woodley, alt. Jim Lamecker, Joe Melzer; Dist. 2 - Jacque, Bob Fuller, alt. Al Mueller, Tony Berg; Dist. 3 - James, Cara Clark, alt. Cody Schreyer, Johann Vogl; Dist. 4 - Wayne Novotny, Harry Windschitl; alt. Jacque Novotny, Nathan Clevenger; Dist. 5 - Doug Erickson, Jerome Graff, alt. Jeff Jibben, Dan Olson.