Mandan Recall Update

10-06-2006: news-local

Chamber endorses Mandan incumbents
By GORDON WEIXEL
Bismarck Tribune

Terming the Mandan City Commission recall unwarranted, the Bismarck-Mandan Chamber of Commerce provided a rare endorsement of candidates, calling for the return of Mayor Ken LaMont, Sandra Tibke and Dan Ulmer to the commission.

Past chamber Chairman Todd Steinwand could only... recall one other time the chamber provided an endorsement, a recall of school board members. While the chamber respects the right of the public to recall elected officials, in the case of Mandan's recall it doesn't believe it's appropriate.

"The basis for this recall is that the city commission settled the lawsuit with Burlington Northern for less money than would have been received by the city if the case had gone to trial. That is impossible to know,"Steinwand said.

"We don't think it's appropriate to have a recall based solely on the settlement and (the fact that) the city could have received more money. If the city hadn't settled, it would still be in court now."

Wally Goulet, chair of the chamber's government affairs committee, and legal counsel for Mandan's National Information Solutions Cooperative, said the chamber invited both proponents and opponents of the recall in hopes of conducting a forum.

"The city commissioners received almost unanimous support and everyone spoke on behalf of the city commissioners," Goulet said. "The board is almost unanimous in its feeling of support. Once it saw the outpouring of public support the board felt it was time to take the lead and make a hard choice. Departing from its normal standard of not endorsing and to support the current administration for its hard work."

Steinwand also announced at Thursday's press conference the chamber's leadership program will conduct a feasibility and impact study on a downtown events center for Mandan.

With downtown in the throes of remediation, the chamber believes it's a good time to see if an event center would be a good fit. The chamber board does see Mandan moving forward on rehabilitating its downtown.

Ulmer called the chamber's support and confidence in the city commissioners "humbling." At times the commission has been critical of the support it receives from the chamber.

Tibke also said she is appreciative of the chamber's support. She points out the city's settlement with BNSF Railways is the largest environmental settlement in the state's history.

Tibke is also concerned that the recall will have a negative impact on anyone wanting to run for the city commission in the future.

"People who run for office and are elected should be able to serve out their term unless they participate in something illegal or immoral. We've done neither," Tibke said.

"In 2008 we want people running that are proactive and can make hard decisions. They shouldn't have to worry about a recall if they make a tough decision. This is all about the future of Mandan and the type of people who will run it."

Thursday was the last day the city would accept candidate petitions to participate in the recall election which will be held the same day the general election is held, Nov. 7. No one else filed by the 4 p.m. deadline.

Those candidates having turned in petitions are Susan Beehler and Wes Eisenmann for mayor and Kathy Parkes for commissioner.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 701-250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)