Twin Cities incumbents, challengers face off on air

The first and last faceoff between major party-endorsed candidates for mayor of Minneapolis focused on whether property taxes and city regulation are crushing small businesses and whether Mayor R.T. Rybak's policies played a role in the city's crime drop.

Rybak, who is DFL-endorsed for the first time in his political career, and challenger John Kolstad, who has Republican and Independence party backing, met in an election-eve session on Minnesota Public Radio's Midday program Monday. The other nine candidates running for mayor in today's election weren't invited.

Kolstad is a musician who has run a music distribution company for the past 30 years and has been active in small business organizations. He charged that rising city property taxes and fees and assessments have eaten up most of the capital of small businesses such as his, undercutting their ability to add jobs.

"Small business has a lobbyist for themselves in City Hall, and that's me," Rybak said, citing the drug store his family once ran. He said that he has consolidated the process for launching new businesses in one place in the city's development agency, shortening the time to obtain permits.

He also cited such job-producing and city-assisted ventures as the Midtown Exchange in the former Sears complex and the new Coloplast headquarters on the city's upper riverfront, as well as the retention of Standard Heating and Air Conditioning.

Rybak cited big drops in crime during his second term. He argued that his restoration of police ranks depleted by budget cuts and a focus on youth violence, combined with youth diversion programs, were responsible. Kolstad argued that the drop in crime extends to many parts of the nation and isn't just a Minneapolis phenomenon. He said a job-producing climate in the city would curb crime.

Kolstad said police who misbehave on the job are not being held sufficiently accountable and need to be subjected to criminal charges if they violate civil rights. "We've made some progress but we've got a long way to go," Rybak said, contending that Police Chief Tim Dolan has been vigorous in firing officers when warranted. He also cited the 50 percent minority composition of a new recruit class and a push for neighborhood policing plans as progress.

Kolstad took aim at what he called a serious lack of internal auditing by the city, citing a recent report by an outside group of audit professionals that said the city is at risk for fraud and misuse of programs. He said focusing on such basic services as public safety are key to reducing the city's tax burden.

Rybak said that anyone who wants to spend more on tasks such as internal auditing must show where to make cuts. He said the city has strong financial management, as evidenced by the paying down of debt that raised the city's credit rating, which was downgraded under his predecessor. "I pay these taxes, too, and I'm very concerned about that," he said.

Kolstad challenged Rybak to commit to serving his full term if reelected rather than immediately run for governor. Rybak argued that his job performance didn't fall off when he worked for Barack Obama's presidential election and wouldn't if he ran for governor in 2010.

Rybak said he showed on-the-spot leadership when the Interstate 35W bridge collapsed and a tornado struck south Minneapolis. He said he's helped to bring expansion in the city's medical alley, cleaner downtown streets, transportation improvements and development on W. Broadway Avenue.

Kolstad said that he represents a broad coalition that's tired of a mismanaged city and that he will work to reduce the taxation and regulatory burden of city government.

St. Paul candidates

The candidates for St. Paul mayor, DFL-endorsed incumbent Chris Coleman and GOP-endorsed challenger Eva Ng, also squared off during the MPR program.

They covered familiar topics of taxes, the Central Corridor light-rail line and education. Ng pointed out that property taxes and fees have increased every year since Coleman has been in office and said she would freeze them. Coleman said that the city's obligations don't change and that loss of state aid has created challenges.

Coleman talked about the potential of the $1 billion light-rail line, which he said should spur a like amount in private investment along University Avenue. Ng said the plan has flaws, will likely cost twice as much, and that it's not a done deal.

The candidates also were asked their opinions of instant-runoff voting. St. Paul residents will vote today on whether to adopt that system as the method for electing a mayor and City Council in future years. Coleman declined to share his opinion. Ng said, "We could chill on that for a while."

Staff writer Chris Havens contributed to this report. Steve Brandt • 612-673-4438