Echo October 21, 1977

              Laurel leaves
page 6
Soccer takes two
page 8
Interviews with Hofstede, Stenvig
Augsburg College
George Sverdrup Library
Minneapolis, MN 55454
NOTE: These interviews were conducted on the 13th and 14th of October. Mr.
Hofstede talked with the ECHO at his campaign headquarters in downtown
Minneapolis. Mayor Stenvig, however, couldn't find time for a personal interview, so
that portion of the interview was conducted via telephone. Both candidates were asked
similar questions and allowed considerable freedom for expressing what they deemed
most important. Mayor Stenvig's interview is reprinted in its entirety; Mr. Hofstede's
answers were more comprehensive, and consequently have been edited at the
discretion of the reporter. Both men were allowed approximately 40 minutes. The
interviews were conducted by Greg Peterson.
Hofstede urges invovlement,
by students, in the city
Mr. Hofstede, what are the biggest problems facing the city of Minneapolis today?
The city's major problem is basically a financial one. People think that Minneapolis
is different from any other city, but it isn't; we just can't continue to spend at the rate
we're doing. In the last ten years our spending has increased at the rate of 17% per
year, and the tax base has only grown 2-3% per year. It's like a family that makes
$10,000 and spends $15,000 ... it just comes to a point where we have to stop. That's
the issue in a nutshell. We just have to make the city financially solvent . . . and it
isn't.
How do you do that?
First, you have to take a hard look at city spending. Second, make sure that you
develop programs that are going to protect your tax base, by encouraging new housing
and new industry in Minneapolis. In addition to that you have to go to the legislature to
seek financial help, so you must have the necessary rapport with the Governor.
In early October, the Minnesota Poll took a survey which showed you leading Mayor
Stenvig by approximately 15%, however, the republican candidate Marv Eakman has
since been dropped from the ballot. How do you feel about the poll?
Practically speaking, having a Republican on the ballot obviously helps. But I cannot
worry about that. I have my own endorsement which I have received after a long
struggle. In addition to that, this is an odd election in that I am running against an
Independent, and I suspect that if I had to have Eakman to win, then the people want
someone other than Al Hofstede.
1 believe there's a big difference between Charles Stenvig and Al Hofstede, and
that's something the voters have to decide . . . You know the man doesn't want the job,
he doesn't care about the job, he's looking for ways to get out of it. He exerts no
leadership. He doesn't help in any effort to solve the financial problems in this town.
People think he does? Well then he's fooling a lot of them, but in my opinion he isn't.
The same poll predicts that one/fourth of the eligible city residents will not vote in the
next election. How do you address this statistic in your campaign plans?
In any election you have that problem. The biggest turnout is traditionally in the
presidential elections, but you still have a lot of people who don't vote, primarily
young people I might add. It's as important for the young people in this city to vote as
anyone else. It's their town, their future, and they're the ones to determine what they
want for Minneapolis —if they don't turn out to vote, they'll pay the price. I find it very
hard; as an example, we went and fought the 1st World War, the 2nd World War, the
Korean War, the Vietnam War ... all for one thing—the right of the people to express
themselves, to vote. All the lives that were lost, and how easily we forget.
I understand your point about voting, but the only war today's students have known
was Vietnam, and there's certainly been some disallusionment from that.
That's very true, but all they have to do is look at history books. Young people today
Stenvig attacks Tribune,
points to his record
A recent Minnesota Poll shows that 24% of the voters do not plan to vote: How is
citizen participation in city government being encouraged?
It was very good the way they made that poll. The Tribune always has an angle to
their polls. When you ask people who they would vote for and they say they don't plan
to vote, and then you go back and ask them who they might lean toward if they did
vote, that isn't quite fair. We've beaten the polls every time we've run. I ignore those
polls because they do this to me all the time.
Voter participation isn't that bad. Last time 100,000 voters went to the polls. As for
this voter registration on election day, it's outright fraud. It isn't working even though
Mr. Mondale and a few others say it is. If someone really wants to vote, there is no
reason they can't go down two or three days before the election and register. We don't
have fair elections in Minneapolis anymore. We're running against the machine,
courts (appointed by the other party) and the law. The ballot rotation where only the
two major parties can be rotated, well they used to call that the Anti-Stenvig law. We
beat them three times, and we'll do it again.
What have you done for Minneapolis' large student population?
I don't accept segments in the government. I accept all people whether they vote for
me or not. When I appoint people, I don't look to see if they're black or white. I just try
to fill those positions with qualified people. I try to do my job and be a good Christian.
Mr. Stenvig: What do you see as your major accomplishments during your current
term of office?
I ran on three basis promises: to listen to the people and do what the majority want
unless life or limb are involved, or unless it's morally wrong; to try to keep property
taxes down; and to have strong, fair law enforcement for all.
In the area of property tax, the legislature is beginning to use some of my ideas. In
three terms of office, I've vetoed six out of 12 bills to increase the tax budget, though
most of them have been overridden. My opponent has always voted for tax increase
even as an alderman. When he says property taxes have gone up 22%, 16% of that is
city, and I vetoed it where he never did. We also have a good record in construction
and keeping business in the city. In '74 and '75 we were in trouble, but now we're
managing to keep them here which is improving our tax base.
In the area of law enforcement, crime was down 5% my first year in office, and is
down another 5% while under my opponent it was up 2%. We're doing this with less
men, and still keeping crime down.
As far as moral questions go, in the gay rights area, religiously and morally I'm
against that, but they do have a right to jobs just like anyone else. I don't think they
have a right to teach children in the schools because it's bound to rub off, and I don't
think they should have jobs such as park instructor. It's just like you don't hire a
known embezzler in a bank. You don't see too many of them around.
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Augsburg College, Minneapolis, Minnesota Vol. 84    No. 5    Oct. 21, 1977