While incumbent Randy Erdman emphasized his successes as Albert Lea Mayor, opponent Mike Murtaugh emphasized the need to cut costs and reduce taxes.

The two candidates took part Wednesday night in the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce forum for city council candidates.

In his opening statement, Murtaugh noted that Albert Lea’s tax levy has more than doubled for both residents and businesses since 2002 while Austin, Faribault, Rochester and Mankato taxes have remained flat.

The city of Albert Lea is looking at a $270,000 tax increase for 2009 yet still has time to cut that tax hike.

“Cutting another $270,000 would be approximately a 2 percent reduction out of a $14 million budget, or close to $15 million. This is not dramatic but it would send a clear message to the public that our council is serious about curtailing the cost of city government, and perhaps get us back in a more favorable position with our neighbors that we compete with for jobs,” he said.

Erdman emphasized his track record, including making government more open and gaining state funding.

Erdman noted his work to make the council’s work more transparent to the public, including broadcasting council meetings on cable TV.

He served as a councilor for four years and as mayor for the last two. During that time, he built relationships that helped bring funding to Albert Lea, such as $6.5 million in state bonding to clean up the former dump at Edgewater Park. Without that funding, Albert Lea would be looking at greater property tax increases to cover that cost. The city also received some funding to prepare the Blazing Star Landing for marketing.

As a full-time salesperson, Erdman said he has extensive experience in working with people.

Moderator Tim Engstrom, editor of the Albert Lea Tribune, then asked questions, as written by audience members.

Question: As candidates, what do you view as your fundamental differences?

While he and Erdman are both committed to the community, it’s how the city council does business, Murtaugh said. While steps have been taken to open up council meetings, he said people dislike the pre-agenda.

On spending, he said, “We can’t spend our way into bankruptcy for economic development.”

Erdman said he has advocated doing away with the pre-agenda meetings. But the pre-agenda meetings are more of a workshop, he added. Erdman noted that he moved the pre-agenda meetings from a back room to the council chambers, and expanded broadcast of the council meetings from KATE radio to cable TV.

Question: What are the advantages and disadvantages of the pre-agenda meetings?

Erdman said the pre-agenda meetings perpetuate the conspiracy myth that business happens behind closed doors.

“I can assure you that doesn’t happen,” he said. Healthy communities need a well-informed council, he added, and workshops are where councils get informed.

Murtaugh said his experience of serving on boards shows that a meeting about a meeting is not needed.

“There’s no reason to have a meeting to talk about what you’re going to talk about,” he said.

Though the pre-agenda meetings are open to the public, they foster distrust, Murtaugh said.

Question: There has been mention of wasteful spending in the past. Could you please identify that spending exactly?

Murtaugh said he disagreed with money put toward housing developments that should be the responsibility for developers, such as the Tiger Hills development and Wedgewood Cove golf course and housing development.

Erdman defended the city’s investment, saying the housing market was different at the time that Tiger Hills started and that seven homes have been built there. Wedgewood Cove will attract people from outside the community and the city’s choice was to help bond for a street or flat out pay for the street, he said.

Question: What is your vision for Albert Lea?

Erdman noted that marketing needs to improve for the community. He touted the city’s new trail from Brookside boat landing to Pioneer Park, saving Katherine Island from erosion, upgrading the Hatch Bridge from a culvert, efforts to clean up local lakes, filling the Lea Center building downtown, and the renovation of the Freeborn Bank Building, and the fact that both industrial parks are full.

Murtaugh said his vision is for people to feel good about their city government and for city government to live within its means.

Question: As mayor, how many hours would you put in on a monthly basis for city business? And do you think $12,000 is enough compensation?

Erdman said the part-time job of mayor is really a full-time job. Being self-employed, he said he has a flexible schedule and usually works 35-40 hours as mayor in addition to his regular job. If needed, Erdman said he can be back to Albert Lea within an hour at any time. “I don’t do it for the money,” he said.

Murtaugh said state law mandates that employers must allow employees time off for public meetings. Working in Owatonna, he said he could be back to Albert Lea within half an hour. Murtaugh said he is ready to make the time commitment.

Question: If elected, how would you build on relationships?

Erdman said Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has visited Albert Lea nine times in recent years. He comes to Albert Lea because he’s welcome here. And his visits attract statewide media attention. By working at the state level, Erdman said he has increased funding for Albert Lea.

Murtaugh said he knows local elected officials and can work with state officials as needed.

Question: What do you believe makes you qualified for the position as mayor?

Murtaugh cited his six years as the member service adviser for Freeborn-Mower Electric Co-op and his experience selling advertising to local businesses, along with living in Albert Lea all his life.

Erdman cited his six years on the council, his 35 years of sales experience, and his work at the state level, including testifying at the Capitol on behalf of the local option sales and bonding funding for local projects.

Closing Statements

Erdman said he is committed to doing the best professional job possible for the community and he will not embarrass the community. He cited his work to improve the way council meetings are conducted, to promote Albert Lea’s image as a regional center, and to have a positive impact at the state level.

“I prefer to look through the windshield, not the rear view mirror,” Erdman said.

Murtaugh said doubling city taxes is a poor strategy and that the city must live within its means. “If everything keeps increasing … something has to give,” Murtaugh said.

He also said he is willing to take input and asked to pay homage to Roger Bok, a vocal critic of local government who recently died.