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CITY (NewsDakota.com) The Chamber Candidates forum was held and those running for office gave their take on Measure 2, Devils lake water issues, Valley City special assessments, smoking in public places and the ways to spur growth in Valley City.
Bob Drake was the only candidate to support Measure 2, the elimination fo property taxes. He said if it passes it will spur more economic growth. The other candidate’s believes if Measure 2 passes it will disrupt local services and make the state legislature handle local spending issues.
All candidates agreed that the city needs permanent flood protection but they had different views on special assessments. Bob Drake believes the city should be assessed city wide to share the burden equally. Others said the issue needs to be studied further.
Dr. Madeline Luke believes water treatment plant upgrades need to be completed before the state opens up the east end outlet and sends water down the Sheyenne River with higher sulfate levels.
Mary Lee Nielson says the sulfate levels are not to exceed the current limit now in place according to state officials and will not affect Valley City’s drinking water.
On the issue of public smoking, Drake, Arthur Frieze and Kenneth Evenson believe it should be up to local business to decide while Nielson and Luke support a citywide ban on smoking in public establishments.
5 candidates are vying for 2 open positions on the city commission. Mary Lee Nielson, Bob Drake, Kenneth Evenson, Dr. Madeline Luke and Arthur Frieze are all on the June 12 ballot.
Barnes County Commission candidates John Frohlich (Froh- lick) and Cindy Schwehr also participated in the forum on Tuesday. Both said the county is working hard to repair roads damaged by spring flooding over the last three years. And both are concerned about Devils Lake water issues affecting downstream residents in Valley City and river bank erosion.
Frohlich and Schwehr are running unopposed in their respective Barnes County districts.