The two candidates for Albert Lea City Council discussed poverty and other pertinent topics in their ward on Wednesday during a debate at Albert Lea City Council chambers.

Ward 5 candidates Paul Shea and Robert Rasmussen faced off in a public forum sponsored by the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce.

Shea said he sees a lot of poverty and not a lot of homes being built in the ward. Listening to residents and addressing issues they bring up is critical, he said, and then discussed local food shelves and heating assistance.

“We need to address it head on,” Shea said, noting he is open to suggestions on how to address poverty in the ward.

He also suggested nurturing a positive environment for immigrants.

“Make them feel welcome, see what they are interested in,” he said. “Make them feel at home. Make them feel welcome.”

Shea said residents have told him that the city has not listened to their needs, making them feel ignored. He said he wants to have people “realize that the city does care about its residents.”

Rasmussen said neighbors might be struggling to pay bills or put food on the table, noting Semcac helps residents address the issue.

“It helps to get those people acclimated with the agencies to meet their needs,” he said.

Rasmussen said though United Way helps immigrants adjust to a new environment, he suggested people who can speak multiple languages assist immigrants in feeling welcome.

“We are all one community,” he said.

Rasmussen said he has noticed roads in the ward that are bad shape.

“It starts there,” he said, noting housing needs in the ward can be addressed by Habitat for Humanity and other organizations.

Flooding

Rasmussen said the city should study possible improvements to areas that receive the worst flooding. He suggested adding natural vegetation to areas to soak up water, and he mentioned the Shell Rock River Watershed District’s half-percent sales tax as a possible funding mechanism to address flooding.

Shea said a significant portion of Albert Lea’s infrastructure is more than 50 years old, and he suggested possibly constructing a water retention and holding pond on Blazing Star Landing to prevent flooding. He said the state has kicked transportation funding down the road for a long time, noting he believes investing in transportation would benefit the state.

Developing Blazing Star Landing

Shea and Rasmussen said private development is needed for the development of Blazing Star Landing.

Shea said it would be nice to see new development, and he hopes the tax base can grow from a lodging tax or another form of revenue from a new business.

Rasmussen said public dollars will be needed for infrastructure on the site.

Declining population and filling jobs

Rasmussen suggested the city work with Riverland Community College to set up programs to train people for local jobs. He said jobs could be filled through job fairs and advertising, and suggested working with business leaders and agencies to address their needs.

Shea suggested meeting with Albert Lea Economic Development Agency and the Department of Employment and Economic Development to gain a better understanding of how to address the declining population. He supports marketing jobs through different outlets, such as online and in print, and supports expanding the College in the Schools program and internship programs local schools have with area businesses.

Albert Lea’s greatest asset

Shea said he has found Albert Lea to have a family-like atmosphere since he moved to the community three years ago.

“I feel like I have a family here,” he said.

Rasmussen said Wind Down Wednesdays and other events signify a revitalized downtown district.

“When you see businesses filled in as they are down there, it makes people want to shop there,” he said.

Possible merger

Shea said making the best decision for Albert Lea should be the city’s main goal in potentially merging the Albert Lea Parks and Recreation Department with Albert Lea Community Education. He said hiring a director for the Parks and Recreation Department who can make such a decision should be a top priority.

Rasmussen said combining the departments should happen if employees in the departments could handle the merger, and he understands that Parks and Recreation vehicles have a lack of space in the current shop.

Skills

Shea recalled becoming a manager at a golf store and graduating college at the top of his class. Now a program and news director at KATE radio, he described himself as a hard worker and said communicating is one of his strengths.

“If there is an issue, you have to say there is an issue,” he said. “You have to work things through.”

Rasmussen, a machine operator at Hormel Foods, cited his experience in the U.S. Army and on a safety committee at Hormel Foods as positions where he has helped people. He said though he does not have a business background, he is willing to learn. He promised to be honest and trustworthy to constituents.

Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Randy Kehr said though the forums went well, he was disappointed with the turnout. He said he hopes residents follow the debates so that they understand there are differences between the candidates and can make an informed choice in voting.