Warta reflects on years of service

Leaves New Ulm City Council after four-year term

By CHRIS VETTER

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Denis Warta sifts through a stack of papers on the desk in his office. The papers mark his work as a Brown County commissioner, New Ulm city councilor and all his board work and volunteer efforts.

With all of Warta's efforts during the past 50 years, it is not surprising to see such a large collection of paperwork.

Warta, 73, a native of New Ulm, left the City Council last week after serving one four-year term. He sat down this week to reflect on his years of public service, from the housing authority board to his 28 years with New Ulm Industries in drawing businesses to town.

Hoping to put his civic expertise to work for New Ulm, Warta ran for mayor in 1994, but he was defeated by Bert Schapekahm. He was elected to the city council in 1996.

"I felt this country and this city have been very good to me, and in some measure, this is my payback," Warta said of his public service. "If you can give time to help your fellow man, it's one of the finest endeavors in life."

Warta is known for his work promoting New Ulm and its German heritage. In 1975, he was involved in creating the first Heritagefest, a celebration of German culture with music and events that continues today.

"New Ulm is a very unique community because of its strong German background," Warta said. "It became a magnet for many immigrants who wanted to go where German heritage was accepted and celebrated."

Warta speaks at length about the need for cities to move forward and remain competitive. He said the best part of being on the council was seeing the city progress, especially with the recent passage of the half-percent city sales tax that allows the construction or addition of three park and recreation facilities in town.

"I'm excited about the upcoming couple of years," he said.

Conversely, the hardest part of being a councilor is making a difficult decision, then hearing the party that didn't get its way complain that its position wasn't heard fairly.

"That hurts. That's not the case," Warta said. "As a councilor, you counsel. You deliberate and make a decision."

Warta was born in New Ulm on Dec. 20, 1927. Outside of his years in the military and college, he has lived his whole life in New Ulm.

He has become a historian of New Ulm events throughout the 20th century. Warta remembers the town's struggles through the Depression, then later on, the closure of flour mills in town. He became involved with New Ulm Industries (more recently renamed New Ulm Economic Development Corporation), and served as its president for 20 years. During his tenure, New Ulm Industries helped attract companies such as Kraft and 3M to town.

While working for New Ulm Industries, Warta also owned Warta Water Conditioning, which he bought in 1954 then sold in 1995. He continues to maintain an office in the building.

Warta has been a strong advocate of linking New Ulm with its sister cities in Germany. He recalls that Ulm, Germany and New Ulm, Minn., became linked after World War I when a mayor in Germany sought food for its war-torn nation. Warta remembers New Ulm sending flour to Germany to feed the hungry.

The link continued after World War II ended, when Ulm, Germany, was again in need of help.

"New Ulm responded with thousands of care packages to its sister city," Warta said.

Ulm, Germany, is 1,000 years older than New Ulm, Warta notes. When New Ulm turned 100 in 1954, Ulm residents participated in the centennial celebration.

"From that came a much stronger exchange of students," Warta recalls.

Although Warta will not be on the council anymore, he has no intention of fading away. He plans to attend city council meetings while continuing his work with the New Ulm Area Foundation, Friends of German Park, and on the Hermann Monument restoration organization. He also hopes to work with a friend on a documentary about World War II fighter planes.

Warta recalls a favorite motto that he carries with him.

"The ancient city of Athens had a creed for its city fathers that said, 'You leave the city better than you found it,'" Warta said.

It is a motto that also accurately describes Warta and his efforts to improve New Ulm.