Thompson challenges incumbent Fleischmann

By RON LARSEN

Journal Staff Writer

For challenger Ben Thompson, the contest for City Council Ward 2 seat against incumbent Ron Fleischmann boils down to an interpretation of the U.S. Constitution.

"The principles stated in the Constitution should be reflected in all levels of government, and that's separation of powers," Thompson said. "That means local government should be autonomous and separate from all other levels of government."

That means in dealing with possible cuts in local government aid from the state, Thompson explained, "we must break away from state and federal government. We'd have a lot more money to use here at home."

"Last year, Gov. Ventura wanted to cut local government aid by $750,000," Fleischmann explained. "We're already dealing with it (the deficit); we're taking a look at our budget and capital funding."

"There's no way the state should withhold money from local governments," Thompson responded. "We need to take local control of raising taxes and funding."

"As a city councilor for four years, I've had to deal with realities, and the reality is that's not possible. We need to deal with state funding to operate," Fleischmann countered.

In dealing with growing diversity in New Ulm, Fleischmann said, "I'm a realist. In the real world, diversity doesn't detract it enhances. We need to deal with diversity and welcome it."

Thompson said it's important to understand people's cultures, but "students need to learn English. It's important to learn English."

Fleischmann related his experience in his early years of working on a Native American reservation in the Southwest.

"I understand the fear and anxiety of being a minority. We need to be accepting."

Both supported promoting the arts in New Ulm, and both said that support for youth starts in the home.

"We need to encourage parents to play a more important role in their kids' lives. Whatever we need to do, we should do that," Thompson said.

Fleischmann pointed to his own relationship with his children and the work being done in the city to support youth.

"We've reached agreement with the school district for land to expand soccer. Hockey and skating will be helped with the new Fairgrounds Community Center, and I've been involved with Healthy Communities/Healthy Youth as a government mentor."