Norfolk Daily News

Wednesday – September 24, 2008

Norfolk’s two mayoral candidates fielded questions on everything from a new city hall and economic development to parks and recreation during a joint appearance Tuesday night hosted by the Norfolk Youth Leadership Council.

Around 200 people at the Lifelong Learning Center had the chance to submit questions, and Tom Schommer and Sue Fuchtman answered 16 of them for an hour before winding up with appeals to voters.

On the issues, neither candidate was happy with the condition of the city hall that was built in the 1930s.

Fuchtman said city staff members need the tools necessary to do the city’s work, but when it comes to a replacement facility, the how and where still are up for discussion. But it’s time to see how it can be made to happen, she said, calling it a crucial issue for the future of Norfolk.

Schommer, who was spokesman for a group previously that floated plans for a new city building, said it’s up for elected officials to decide. He made mention of improvements, including new carpet and ceiling work, that have been made to the existing city hall.

On economic development, Schommer frequently referred to efforts by South Sioux City, which he said has been enormously successful and could serve as a model for Norfolk.

Job creation, he said, should be spurred by a one-team, one-community approach that involves working together on a plan and implementing it to attract good-paying jobs.

Schommer, who owns a cellular phone business, said that if elected mayor, he would re-evaluate how the city structures its interaction with the various economic development groups.

“Our community is changing. There is a whole different attitude,’’ he said.

Schommer also suggested customer service training for city staff members and looking into conducting a periodic community attitude survey like that done by South Sioux City.

In connection with attracting a quality work force, he praised work done by the Norfolk Area Recruiters and said he would seek to improve community amenities.

“I guarantee you an aquatics upgrade will come,’’ he said.

Fuchtman said Norfolk’s new city administrator, Al Roder, is experienced in economic development and will be a positive force in working with existing economic development groups.
“I want to see us come together as one community with a common goal,’’ she said.
A planned nursing college on the Northeast Community College campus, improvements under way at Faith Regional Health Services and Norfolk’s schools are assets important in attracting new businesses and in being competitive with other communities, she said.
She also mentioned her experience as president of the Day Companies, which has grown from four to 50 employees over more than 20 years.
Fuchtman said she would seek out economic development professionals and be a voice in showing that Norfolk has what it takes to appeal to new businesses.
Asked whether the city should sustain the riverwalk — the effort to develop business, recreation and residential opportunities along the North Fork River through downtown — neither candidate supported spending city funds to solely sustain it.
But Fuchtman said the development of a plan is vital to making a decision on moving forward.

Schommer said that if the riverwalk is a public-private partnership driven by private dollars, then it’s sustainable.

Both candidates serve on the committee that is working on commissioning a study of the proposed development. The city council has passed a resolution supporting the riverwalk but didn’t include any funds in the city’s 2008-09 budget to help pay for the study.

Each candidate praised efforts to revitalize the downtown with new sidewalks, street surfacing and lighting.

Asked about efforts to curb teen drinking in Norfolk, Fuchtman said the responsibility lies with parents to educate their children that there are repercussions and that they will be held accountable for choices they make.

Fuchtman, who serves on the city planning commission, said she would also explore adding a young person as a non-voting member of the planning commission as a way of encouraging involvement of youths in the community.

Schommer said parents need to provide safe, fun homes for their children, engage them in the community and be mentors to them.

About improvements for Memorial Field, Schommer said more needs to be learned about the details of any upgrade and that it would be up to voters to decide whether they would support a bond issue to pay for improvements.

Fuchtman said improvements are overdue, but the plan carries a huge price tag. It’s important for Norfolk citizens to have opportunities to provide input as discussion continues, she added.

Schommer said he wouldn’t support raising property taxes for recreation purposes but would ask if the city is getting the lowest cost for services. Fuchtman said proceeds from keno revenue would be available for parks and recreation, which should help the situation.

In her closing, Fuchtman invited residents to visit with her about their concerns, saying her door is open to anyone who wants to walk in.

Schommer said he would bring an open mind and a “we can’’ attitude if he is elected, and he closed by asking citizens for their votes.