Advertisement
Miller, a three-term incumbent, and Russell, a former Goodview City Clerk, have starkly contrasting positions on taxes, a proposed event center, annexation and snow-removal policies. The race for Winona’s top post has become increasingly heated since the Sept. 9 primary, as Miller and Russell have traded charges of secrecy and smear tactics. Their rhetoric grew especially sharp during Wednesday’s League of Women Voters forum, when Miller challenged Russell to a one-on-one debate — an offer Russell said he probably won’t accept.
Russell, who supported efforts to renovate the Wilkie steamboat replica before it was demolished, began criticizing Miller in 2007 as city officials debated the Wilkie’s fate. But Russell says his opposition to Miller goes beyond that issue, extending to his stewardship of city tax dollars and his tendency to ignore public opinion.
“Decisions need to be made after the public input, not before,” Russell said.
Russell says Miller has spent public funds too freely by backing plans to extend utilities to Pleasant Valley, buy blufftop land from Winona Radio and study the feasibility of a public event center. Russell also has criticized Miller’s suggestion that city leaders should consider teaming with Winona County on a sales-tax referendum for road improvements as soon as 2010.
Miller responds that the sales-tax would be Winona’s “best shot” to build rail overpasses or resurface more of its roads. Miller also says the blufftop-land purchase has been popular with constituents, and defends the annexation of Wilson Township land as necessary to Winona’s future. In the next four years, Miller said he may suggest the city consider annexing more Wilson land near Interstate 90 for industrial development.
Without new industrial land, “you won’t be able to bring in new companies that create jobs,” Miller said. “You have to have the ability to grow.”
Russell opposes annexing land that isn’t contiguous with city limits; he says Winona is unlikely to recoup the $2.1 million it spent to extend utilities to the Cobblestone Creek subdivision on County Road 17. Winona leaders should seek common ground with Wilson Township, Russell said, adding that the city may eventually have to incorporate the township to provide representation for its residents.
Winona leaders this month are weighing bids from firms seeking to plan the event center, which would house Winona State University sports, concerts and arts activities. Miller supports asking state lawmakers in 2010 to fund the bulk of the estimated $30 million facility, and has courted a group of WSU backers who have pledged up to $5 million for it. But Russell says Miller hasn’t identified who will own or operate the event center or prove it can book enough events to pay for itself.
“Are we in fact putting money out there that is going to be wasted?” Russell said. “I don’t think the council has been upfront.”
Miller says the ownership, operation and financial-feasibility questions will be answered during the planning process; he notes that the private-donor group commissioned a feasibility study that showed the facility could work.
Of all the issues raised by Russell in the campaign, Miller has particularly chafed at the accusation that he has shirked public input or conducted city business in secret.
“For some people, the only time they’ll say you’re listening is if you do what they want,” Miller said. “I’m not aware of anything where decisions were made behind closed doors. Our doors are wide open.”
Mark Sommerhauser may be reached at (507) 453-3514 or at msommerhauser@winonadailynews.com
JERRY MILLER
AGE: 68
WORKS: at Miller Scrap Iron and Metal Co.
POLITICAL OR GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: Has been mayor for 12 years. Was on the City Council from 1980 to 1984, and was on the city’s Port Authority and Human Rights Commission.
CLARENCE RUSSELL
AGE: 70
PROFESSION: Semi-retired as superintendent of Woodlawn Cemetery in Winona.
POLITICAL OR GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE: Was city clerk of Goodview from 1965 to 1968. Also was cty clerk in La Crescent, Minn.
ON THE ISSUES:
On open government:
RUSSELL says Miller hasn’t been open with the public and has often ignored its input. Says City Council members haven’t publicized pre-council meetings and often vote without discussing an issue or explaining their rationale.
MILLER bristles at charges he’s been secretive and has challenged Russell to name an instance where his administration has broken Minnesota open-meetings laws.
On the need for Winona to annex more land:
MILLER says the city won’t need more residential land for 20 years, but could need industrial land soon. Suggests the most logical expansion land would be in Wilson Township north of the interchange of Interstate 90 and Minnesota 43.
RUSSELL opposes “string-and-balloon annexation.” Says it may be necessary to eventually incorporate the entire township into Winona, “giving them a voice.”
On a proposed arena/event center:
RUSSELL questions who would operate and own the facility, whether it can make money and who the private donors are that have pledged money for the facility.
MILLER says he would support using state and private funds to build an event center if studies show it to be feasible.
On alternate-side parking and snow removal:
MILLER says the system is imperfect but is the best proposal he has heard.
RUSSELL says police have been inconsistent and overzealous in enforcing alternate-side parking, and promises to convene residents and city officials to develop a new approach.
On teaming with Winona County for a referendum on a half-cent sales tax for transportation:
RUSSELL says he probably wouldn’t support a sales-tax increase.
MILLER says the idea is “our best shot” to fund new rail overpasses or resurface roads.
On bluffland development:
MILLER supports an ordinance being drafted by city planners to limit development on and near bluffs. Proposed a $500,000 city purchase of highly visible blufftop land from Winona Radio, wants to turn the land into a city park.
RUSSELL says he supports certain restrictions on blufftop building but also emphasizes the rights of landowners. Opposes Miller’s proposal to buy the blufftop land from Winona Radio.
