Bentz files for mayor

Albrecht, Bentz vie

for mayor; Thompson,

Fleischmann seek Ward 2 council seat

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Contests are set for two of the three open city government seats as a result of filings made before Tuesday's 5 p.m. deadline.

In the race for a four-year term as mayor, it will be Councilor Joel Albrecht, 315 N. Highland Ave., squaring off against Jerome R. Bentz, 1 Circuit Dr. Incumbent Mayor Arnold Koelpin did not seek re-election.

Seeking a second four-year term, Councilor Ron Fleischmann, 519 5th North St., is challenged by Ben Thompson, 503 N. Jefferson St., for the Ward 2 council seat.

In Ward 4, Councilor Clark Tuttle III is unopposed for re-election.

"Use of the new (sales tax referendum) facilities will be an issue as we will have excess capacity," Albrecht said. "We need to make the arenas and the Senior Center addition generate some revenue and bring people to town. We need to contact and convince those people who can make that happen. Since I've been connected with those projects from the beginning, I believe I'm the one who can make those 'sales calls' to make it happen."

"I tend to be a moderate conservative, yet progressive in growth and the providing of quality services to the citizens," Bentz said. "I want to continue existing efforts that make New Ulm a city that attracts families through all those elements that contribute to a quality of life and a strong economic base. Increasing diverse cultures will certainly impact New Ulm. In effect, we all are immigrants and have demonstrated that this country will accept immense sacrifices to protect and defend those principles of seeking a better life, freedom and democracy."

Bentz worked as Brown County administrator until his retirement a few years ago.

City Council

"It takes a while to learn this job," Fleischmann said. "I understand the issues better and have an excellent working relationship with the city council. We're going to be heading for challenging times, and that experience will be necessary."

"City governments need to be able to function independent of the mandates from state and federal governments," Thompson said. "Our present city leaders do not understand this. It is important to have someone on the city council who clearly understands what the relationship should be between city government and state and federal governments, as our Founding Fathers intended."

The primary will be held Tuesday, Sept. 10.

Area elections

Most area communities don't have primary elections this year. Candidates can file between Aug. 27 and Sept. 10.

City offices up this year at Winthrop are Mayor Dennis Nelson and Councilors Rob Edwards, Dean Conklin and Kevin Caldwell; Sleepy Eye, Councilors Wayne Novotny, Harold Windschitl and Dick Zinniel; Nicollet Mayor Mark Blais and Councilors Kurt Zins, Fred Froehlich and Mike Mans; Fairfax Mayor Randy Linsmeier; Councilors Tim Grunke and Duane Cuff; Springfield, Councilors Phil Jensen and Jim Pietz; Redwood Falls Mayor Sara Triplett; Councilors Heinz Janning and Bob Van Hee; Hanska, Mayor Ron Frederickson; Councilors Dave Konokowitz and Linda Geiger; Comfrey Mayor Linda Wallin; Councilors Robert Herrig and Darlene Arnsdorf; Gaylord Mayor John Schwartz, Councilors Brenda Pautsch, John Stumm and Doug Quast; Franklin Mayor Ron Degner; Councilors Joel Harmening and Clint Gronau; Morgan Mayor Carla Klawitter, Councilors Rex Welter and Tammy Elsing.