Mayor debate 2022

Senior Sam Azure moderated the second round of Waseca High School’s “coffee break debates,” which featured three candidates vying to become Waseca’s mayor. 

“This was very last minute (finding out I was moderating),” Azure shared. “Yes, I’m nervous, this is my first time doing this.” 

Questions for the debate are generated by high school seniors taking American government and political science courses. These debates have been a staple in Waseca for 20 years and used to be in the mornings–hence the name–but were later moved. The debates have “proven to be a valuable resource to the community,” according to high school instructor John Hanson. “We did have one previous candidate, years ago, tell us that everything about running for office was great except for one thing. He said the most nerve racking thing was coming to these debates.” 

After Hanson’s introduction, Azure was ready to gril the candidates.

Before opening statements, the crowd of about 50 and the online audience were informed that candidate Kevin Chindlund has withdrawn from the race. His name will appear on the ballot because he filed, but he has withdrawn his name for consideration. 

Candidates began with opening statements.

Gary Conrath spoke first, citing his 67 years of age and 67 years of residency in Waseca, and his family, all of Waseca, as qualifying factors for mayor. Conrath graduated from Waseca High School nearly 50 years ago, has been married for 47 years, and, with his wife,has raised four children, all in Waseca. 

Matthew Petsinger spoke second, thanking the students for putting on the debate. Petsinger was married in Waseca at Sacred Heart, grew up on a small area farm, is married and has three children. Petsinger listed his accomplishments as a national champion wrestler, included his long tenure at Brown Printing, and his decision to return to Waseca in 2019 to raise a family and start a small business, Matt Petsinger, American Family Insurance. 

“They say if you want change, you should get involved. This is why I’m running for mayor,” Petsinger concluded. 

Randy Zimmerman also thanked the students and other candidates for attending and said he welcomes a healthy exchange of thoughts and ideas. Zimmerman said he has been a lifelong resident of Waseca. He has a wife andfour children, and has been a residential architect for 22 years. Zimmerman has experience as a coach, administrator, was a former Waseca School Board member, and “loves community involvement.” 

Although Zimmerman does not currently live in Waseca, he has made it clear that he plans to obtain a Waseca address prior to November 8, within the rules dictated by federal election laws. 

The first question of the debate regarded quality of life: What do candidates believe are the most positive aspects of Waseca which can attract families especially, to our community?

Petsinger referenced numerous attractive amenities, including parks, the water park, golf courses, lakes. “There’s a lot of positives here. We’re not too small or too large of a place to raise a family. We’re just right.” 

Zimmerman named Waseca’s vast history of entrepreneurship, also crediting the school district, and spoke highly of Waseca’s elderly population. 

Conrath said Waseca’s three greatest assets are public safety, the schools “which are second to none,” and Waseca’s medical facility. Conrath said Waseca needs to do a better job promoting itself. 

Question two regarded annexation. “Are you in favor of Waseca actively growing the community through annexation of property?”

Zimmerman: “Yes, but with some caveats.” 

Zimmerman explained if the city were to annex residences around the city, it would “provide an instant boost in population, which would help with more economic growth, and be more attractive for new businesses. Short answer yes. Long answer conditional.” 

The “condition” being that it needs to be fair and equitable in the form of a tax burden to those affected homeowners. 

Conrath said he was in favor of annexations, but they need to be cost effective. “Currently it isn’t. We looked at this 20 years ago on the council and voted it down.” The council, at the time, determined that the cost of adding sewer and water, along with other expenses, was too much. 

Petsinger: “We (the city) can only grow so much inside the city limits and if we are at that capacity, we would have to annex some land. Like the other candidates said, there is a cost and it must make sense with the budget.” 

Question 3 asked the candidates what qualities and experience would make them the best manager of the city, capable of running city council meetings. 

Conrath had a long list. Eighteen years on the Waseca Fire Department including 12 as chief or assistant. Ten years on the Waseca School board. Conrath also mentioned his history of working for the school and again, his 67 years of residency in Waseca. 

Petsinger said it’s important to learn from the people you’re working with, citing his time as a small business owner and community leader as qualifications. “The council is for the people and we need to welcome people to voice their concerns.”

Zimmerman cited his experience on church council, Waseca school board chair for eight of his 10 years as a member, as well as his time as a coach and instructor. “I think the key to leadership is to lead by example. Build a team and work with those teams around you. I.E. the Waseca Chamber of Commerce and the county commissioners, all whom I have a good relationship with.” 

Question 4 asked the candidates whether they support the City Council's Sept. 20 decision to enact a moratorium on THC products and/or if they would support continuing a permanent moratorium.

Petsinger said he supported the council’s decision. “We need to get the rules and regulations in place to do this correctly. A moratorium allows time for that.” 

Zimmerman: “The decision was reactionary, and that’s not a good position for leadership. Discussion over legalized marijuana is nothing new.

“You’re turning away business from Waseca by doing this. If people want these products they can do it through the internet, let alone get it down the street. We’re only hurting our community by doing the moratorium. With proper sales tax, this would be a good avenue to pursue.” 

Conrath said he was in favor of the moratorium because “some things like this should be regulated by the state. Our police department has the same rules to follow as every other department.” 

Conrath used the example of the tobacco 21 law the city passed several years ago, and shared how the state passed the same law a year later. “Let the state decide.” 

Question five asked the candidates if they were in favor of the tax abatement given to ConAgra as an incentive to build their new facility in Waseca. 

Zimmerman began by continuing his response to the previous question, saying the city should focus on illicit drugs people can get in town which are illegal. He then said he was not familiar with the tax abatement but said he is happy ConAgra is here. He complimented the new facility, and stated that the city should give more incentives to existing business owners and homeowners. 

Conrath said this is what the city has to do to draw businesses here, citing how New Richland gives free lots to persons wanting to build a home. “We are competing here,” he said. 

Petsinger said a tax abatement can be a positive thing. “ConAgra is still here and they built a $20 million facility. If we didn’t do something for them we would have lost them completely and that would not have been good for the town.” 

The final two questions asked candidates if they support the 11% preliminary tax levy increase and what they consider as non-negotiable budget items, that is, ones which cannot be cut.

Conrath cited cost of living increases at 3 to 6% and said, with an effective tax rate of 4.49%, which is what was approved, the rate is right in line. “72% of the budget goes to salaries and anytime you cut a staff member, you cut service. It’s a catch 22.” He also said cutting the budget makes it difficult for the city to grow. He also observed that the city should be active in seeking grant money for its projects. 

Petsinger: “Do I support 11%? Of course not.” He said his non-negotiable is public safety and that if residents would like to see a lower budget, they would need to consider cutting general services, for example, leaf collection. “We need to give the community choices.” 

Zimmerman had the longest answer, talking about an occasion when he was on Waseca’s school board that the district was asked to cut $6 million from its budget. “It required drastic budget cuts… In the long run I think we were better as a district because of it. The city could do something similar, although I haven’t scoured through the budget.

“In my opinion there is at least 4 to 5% which could be cut, but we have to be serious about it.” 

Concerning non-negotiables. “Do you want a waterpark? Zimmerman asked. “It’s 2% of the budget and it loses $100,000 each year. Admission is $1 less than the park in Owatonna.

“Mosquito spraying is a hot topic which costs between $50,000 and $60,000. Humans survived for a long time without it. I think there are more effective ways to mitigate the problem than fogging up and down the streets.

“I challenge each department to find some efficiency,” Zimmerman concluded. 

Closing statements

Zimmerman: “I haven’t prepared one, but thank you again for letting me be here. Thank you to my wife and kids for their support. They really pushed me to do this. They’re my biggest supporters.”

Conrath: “Thank you, and go vote November 8.”

Petsinger: “I’m excited to be running for mayor and would be honored to serve our community. I welcome discussion, comments, and concerns. Please vote November 8. Thank you.”